* The latest on the Illinois Policy Institute’s cartoon from Mary Ann Ahern…
…Adding… Setting aside the whole “white male” issue and even the cartoon, this is a really odd response during a national debate over public statues and memorials to the Confederacy. Not to mention the Chicago debate over the Balbo monument. With his comment about political “art,” is he now excusing himself from that whole thing?
…Adding More… The governor said this just last week about President Trump’s recent remarks…
“We are all Americans. It doesn’t matter what party, it doesn’t matter who we vote for. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we stand for justice and fairness and equality. That’s what America is about. And racism and bigotry and violence has no place in our society.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Full statement…
Charges of racism must be taken very seriously. The tragedy in Charlottesville and its aftermath serve as sobering reminders that even today, some remain who would use violence and hate to divide us. We must never relent in working toward a future built not on what divides us, but what unites us.
The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.
The governor has great respect for the black caucus and members of the General Assembly who voiced concerns about the cartoon. The governor’s office has also heard from members of the black community who found truth in the imagery and do not find the cartoon offensive. Here is where things stand: The cartoon was removed days ago. And the governor – as a white male – does not have anything more to add to the discussion.
The fixation on this cartoon and the governor’s opinion of it has been disappointing. What the media and political class should be concerned about is ensuring schools open on time and stay open with a fair funding formula. Now is the time to come together to do what’s right for all of Illinois’ children.
So, now they’re experts at what reporters should be writing about? Great messaging.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago), who was the first to call out the Illinois Policy Institute’s cartoon, responds…
“Refusing to comment on the Illinois Policy Institute’s offensive cartoon ‘as a white male’ is a display of cowardice and a stunning abdication of moral leadership by Governor Rauner. Furthermore, it raises more questions than answers. Is Governor Rauner’s identity as a white male more important to him than his job as Governor? Will he no longer comment on issues affecting non-white Illinoisans? Will he no longer stand against reproductive rights for women, since he’s a male? These are just a few of the questions now facing Bruce Rauner.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Pritzker campaign…
Instead of denouncing the racist cartoon published by the Illinois Policy that has sparked widespread outcry, a spokesperson criticized the reaction, calling it “disappointing.” In a bizarre and baffling statement almost a week after the cartoon was published, the spokesperson said, “[Rauner] — as a white male — does not have anything more to add to the discussion.”
Six days ago, the Illinois House rose in overwhelming, bipartisan opposition to the cartoon and denounced it from the House floor. Also six days ago, Rauner said, “racism and bigotry and violence has no place in our society” in another days-late response to the Charlottesville attacks. His attempt to wipe his hands of his responsibility to respond to blatant racism from an organization he is closely tied to is absurd. Bruce Rauner calls out racism when it is politically convenient for him and otherwise can’t seem to be bothered.
“As the governor of this state, Bruce Rauner has an obligation to use his platform to fight racism in Illinois,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Rauner’s refusal to denounce the racist cartoon from the Illinois Policy Institute is what Illinoisans should now expect after the failed governor staffed his administration from their ranks. This is a complete abdication of Rauner’s responsibility to provide moral leadership and defend the values of this state.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Mayor Rahm Emanuel…
“The governor should be embarrassed for turning a blind eye to what is plain for everyone to see. The cartoon issued by the governor’s allies at the Illinois Policy Institute is unambiguously racist. We can give no quarter to racism, and there can be no justification for leaders unwilling to stand up and call out racist acts. For a man so eager to speak his mind so often, the governor’s silence is deafening.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** Press release…
Tom Elliott, communications director for Ameya Pawar’s campaign for governor, issued the following statement today in response to a comment by a spokesperson for Governor Bruce Rauner that, “as a white male he has nothing more to add to the discussion” over the racist cartoon published by the Illinois Policy Institute:
“I am shocked Gov. Rauner would admit he is not qualified to lead a state as diverse as Illinois.”
“Rauner’s silence on this issue abdicates his responsibility as governor and ignores his own privilege and the role it should have in fighting racism and bigotry.”
“We need to elect leaders like Ameya Pawar who will address the serious issues surrounding race and class, and who will work tirelessly to bring our state together. The only way we will overcome our inequities is by uniting as one Illinois, and resisting the tactics Rauner uses to divide us so nothing at the top ever changes.”
- phocion - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
Oh boy - this was never going to end well for the Governor. And that line won’t exactly help. Even so, there’s some truth to what Rauner’s spokesperson is saying (and plenty of black folks have used that line to shut up some white folks with whom they disagree). Race issues aren’t easy.
- Ambassador Abe - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
Yikes…Smh…
An easy fix with a brief and immediate response, but nope…Let’s just see how much more difficult we can make this.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
Huh? White males can’t take a stand against racist imagery? That’s the message they’re putting out there?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
Nothing to say as a white male, OK.
How about as Illinois Governor?
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
There are so many dog whistles in those tweets that whole PACs must be running toward Rauner.
“…piece of art…”
As a white male who has been told it is not offensive, is he going to hang in on the wall in the remodeled Mansion for the Bicentennial festivities, or is it just not his “taste”?
BTIA- whistlin’ while they “work”.
- Ambassador Abe - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
The worst part is that this is probably “The Best Team in America” saying this. The gov probably doesn’t even know about it.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
As a white male, Gov. Rauner, explain your spokesperson Brittany Carl?
Thanks.
To the Post,
If this is the branding Diana Rauner wants in IPI messaging… “White Male” and the refusal to acknowledge what the Illinois House did… Really, what does Bruce Rauner, the “White Male”, actually… stand for?
I can wait for Brittany Carl to respond, even if it takes 6 days.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
===Nothing to say as a white male, OK.
How about as Illinois Governor?===
Great, great question.
I guess the idea of a governor weighing in where the Illinois House did… is too much for Bruce Rauner.
Troubling doesn’t even begin to describe…
- We'll See - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Gov. Rauner, a man of the (white) people - I guess.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
“Any piece of art…”
Said during a period of great angst over Confederate statues erected during Jim Crow.
- Roadrager - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
“I don’t have any opinion on it, but some black people I talked to said some black people they talked to didn’t think it was racist” is some pretty deep slime.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
This premise that the “imagery” wasn’t offensive but the cartoon had to go down because it was a distraction…
… it can’t be both.
It can’t “not be offensive” and be “a distraction”
Was it a distraction because it WASN’T offensive?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
As a white male?
I always thought he just an freakishly-tall dweeb who grabbed enough loot to get lucky a couple of times.
Who’da thunk?
White guy, huh?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
This has to be the stupidest PR I have ever seen.
- Montrose - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
I can think of a lot of times a white male should keep his mouth shut. This situation is not one of them.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
And this is how you flunk the leadership test.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
“As a white male…”
Is that a gag? After all these days, that’s where they land?
What does that even mean? If you’re a white male, racism isn’t your problem?
Nobody cares what White Male Rauner thinks. The question was to Illinois Gov. Rauner.
A minimally competent crew could have ended this story the second it came up with a general anti-racism comment. These guys are pouring gas on tne flames every day.
This BTIA crew is very bad at their jobs.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
O. M. G.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
I really do think the cartoon is being blown up out of proportion. 38% of CPS students are African american, and showing a child being forced to beg on the street drives the point of how cruel and uncaring rich politicians/business people are. I disagree with the point they are making about TIF disticts but I don’t even see stereotypes there, if anything if they had drawn a white kid you could call that whitewashing, since just under 10% of students are white. As for the “caricature” drawing, where people think the lips are too big or whatever, really? That’s the kind of argument you come up with AFTER you have already decided to find something to fight about. People will react however they feel like but this just has no logic to it that I can see.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
All that said, this flailing by the BTIA is pretty entertaining…
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
I think IPI should just cut to the quick and just start calling Governor Rauner, “Governor Orval V. Whitey”.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
And the faceplants continue for yet another week.
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
I got 99 problems with racism…being white isn’t one of them.
- Because I said so.... - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
That one is gonna leave a mark!
- The Captain - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
How many unforced errors and self inflicted wounds has the Governor had since he lost him mind after the budget veto override? This should have been a one-day story, we’re now well into Week 2. Bruce Rauner on tilt sure is something to watch.
- crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
Dear Gov. White Male, the cartoon was drawn by a man, published by a man, and featured a man and a boy.
- Whatever - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
Um, ok? Just so odd. And this the new messagin’ from the BTIA(tm)?
- JC is just saying... - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Calling Diana Knaebe (DMH)…Calling Diana Knaebe…emergency at the mansion…governor in need of assistance…he’s lost it once again… WOW!!!
- Earnest - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
>heard from members of the black community.
https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/18/asked-when-hell-take-responsibility-rauner-blames-madigan/#comment-12809455
Please, Pelonski, don’t ask for a question of the day to give Rauner ideas on what to say “members of the black community” told him.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Those North Shore cocktail parties should be a blast this weekend.
- wndycty - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
Did Rauner not notice the overwhelming BI-PARTISAN CONDEMNATION in the House last week?
He acts like this is a manufactured crisis that only the media cares about.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:06 pm:
===The governor’s office has also heard from members of the black community who found truth in the imagery and do not find the cartoon offensive===
That’s either the worst “I have a black friend” comment or it’s too similar to “good people on both sides” - I can’t decide which. Either way, what a terrible look. Easier and easier to tie Trump to him.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:06 pm:
Quick, somebody give the BTIA another shovel, this hole is not deep enough yet.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:06 pm:
Wow that last paragraph of full statement has some real blame shifting going on. We can’t focus on more than one issue at the same time? Even after last week. Amazing.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
BTIA is still working for IPI. Theyve thrown Rauner under the bus to defend IPI.
This Is going to get a lot weirder.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:12 pm:
>And the governor – as a white male – does not have anything more to add to the discussion.
Follow up question: does this apply to women’s issues as well?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:12 pm:
Focus, everybody. Big Brain knows better than all of you what you should be thinking. And this isn’t it.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:13 pm:
===The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.===
Rauner?
I didn’t find it offensive(?)
Noted. Thanks.
===The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.===
We want the opinion of the person who is currently the Governor of the state of Illinois.
I can care less… if this “governor / white male” wants the discussion to be about…
“Can people critique another person’s critique?”
Horrible, horrible message sent here.
Then there’s the “Bad Form” element that appears to be WAY over the head of BTIA ™
How pathetic is Bruce Rauner…?
“The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.”
Bruce Rauner is THAT pathetic as a leader of a state… as its governor.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
“The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.”
I guess I would like for BTIA to tell me, since it’s unlikely Rauner can speak for himself anymore, what he defines as “art”. Would he stand by as places of worship were defaced with racist symbols nod and say, “Well, you’re welcome to your opinion,”? To some that is an “art form”. Where does he “draw” the line and at what level of respect??? Come on BTIA, put some more words in Rauner’s mouth. Let those true colors show (exclamation point).
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:15 pm:
C’mon people, just take a look at how lilly white GTCR, IPI and North Shore cocktail parties are. Why would you think anyone in the Guv’s office would have any clue - or interest - in how to discuss racial issues?
I’ve been asking for a month or so where Rev. Meeks is? You would think he would have an opinion on the school funding issue (especially how it treats CPS) and I would imagine he would also have an opinion on the cartoon.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Maybe I’m just imagining this, but hasn’t every Illinois governor been a white male?
- illini97 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
So…Is this what they talk about at North Shore cocktail parties? Is this why they had to purge and then bring in IPI?
“As a white male, I’ll have another canape, thanks.”
“As a white male, this prosecco is fizzin’ more than usual. Oops, dropped a g. Would you mind picking that up?”
- Chicago_Downstater - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Wow. Tone deaf is the best that could be about that statement I think. I wonder if Rauner is regretting his temper tantrum firing & hiring spree yet.
- Sonny - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
In terms of making this go away, #epicfail. Keep up the good work BTIA.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:19 pm:
True VM, but it seems like this one is tinged with yellow.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:19 pm:
Can we see a qualified medical scientist’s report on how white and male Bruce is?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
Even as a white male - Rauner has been a failed governor.
- illini97 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
“The fixation on this cartoon and the governor’s opinion of it has been disappointing. What the media and political class should be concerned about is ensuring schools open on time and stay open with a fair funding formula. Now is the time to come together to do what’s right for all of Illinois’ children.”
Great point. Why did you not have impact numbers available to the media when you wrote the AV to SB1? That seemed like a key point in the discussion of such an important issue?
Why can’t the press read what happened in the “mixup” at ISBE/Revenue?
- AC - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
==What the media and political class should be concerned about is ensuring schools open on time and stay open with a fair funding formula.==
As opposed to the media and political class addressing a variety of issues, all of which are important?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:29 pm:
Nobody asked The Great White Male to talk anyone out of their opinion of the “work of art” in question.
They simply asked what his opinion was and he’s afraid to give it, apparently out of fear of BTIA.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:42 pm:
Governor Bwana Rauner
- gadfly - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:43 pm:
- Perrid - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 2:45 pm: OK so you don’t find the IPI cartoon offensive, that’s clear. Rather than telling people that their feelings have no “logic” or that’s its been “blown out of proportion” why not try asking someone who finds it offensive, why?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:44 pm:
Congrats to Ahern for riding that bull to a blue ribbon gaffe.
- crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
A lot of black women are out here calling his attack on Chicago education racist. He seems to think his white male opinion is sought about it anyway.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
I am beside myself.
- The_Equalizer - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:53 pm:
I assume a member of the Best Team in America came up with this dog-whistle filled nonsense. Shame on Mary Ann Ahern for pointing this out to the Gov. If you media types would not have pointed out to the Gov, his IPI team wouldn’t have had to address their own racist art. For shame, media!
Hmm…that sounds like someone else in public life right now…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:56 pm:
Better messagin’ and rela-shuns with the media is goin’ great
- Molly Maguire - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
“White male” and “black supporters” stuff — Classic Breitbart/IPI style, simple-minded “flip the script” and opponent appropriation tactics. Too cute by half, and not convincing to many.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
Just to the messaging.
This statement is quite the “tell”
The “Superstars” had the Raunerite talking points.
Now, to that, what they lacked in originality or diversity of thought or politics, they were safe responses that Bruce used to stay out of trouble within gaffes of being the “unaware”… the “unaware” of what the words meant in public consumption.
Diana Rauner clutches her pearls, frets about her own personal branding, obsessing about IPI, the IPI messaging, the IPI way of doing business.
Where Diana Rauner failed, and failed not only herself but both “Bruce” and Bruce is that IPI messaging and what a functional governor’s office can message without looking “unaware” is where the purge… truly fails both Bruce and Diana Rauner
What we have in this full statement… it’s IPI Alums having the Office of the Governor excuse IPI by having this governor say… I still can’t believe this… “As a white male”.
Now, let’s go back…
I said the “Superstars”… ===what they lacked in originality or diversity of thought or politics===
Rauner here says, as governor, the diversity of thought…
..on critiquing art…
that’s why Rauner can’t see how the art is at all bad, or worth commenting on… as a white male.
Here is where the BTIA and the real Diana Rauner intersect.
Here is where Bruce Rauner and IPI… embrace.
Here is where the “Superstars” use to save Bruce Rauner from Diana Rauner and himself.
Best Team in America, doing exactly what the RaunerS hoped. Letting Bruce and Diana… be themselves.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
Ok BTIA equates black caucus black community sounds “many sides” from Trump
GovJunk really proclamatinos
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:10 pm:
Art? Art? Man that one ought to raise a lot of conversation at the next cocktail party. How’s that BTIA messaging work’n out for you Diana?
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
As usual the media is missing the forest for the trees.
The “racism” angle from the cartoon is all of they are talking about, even though prominent African Americans in the media don’t see any.
The point of the cartoon is about the disastrous effect of TIF districts on school funding for CPS (which has less than 10% white students) is ignored.
As always, the focus is on the Governor, not CPS, Forest Claypool, Rahm Emmanuel and the rest of the Democratic politicians who have controlled Chicago and Illinois for decades.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
===As usual the media is missing the forest for the trees.===
C’mon. The lamest excuse is “the media is being mean to me.”
- wow - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:28 pm:
open mouth, insert foot, repeat
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:31 pm:
Mr/Ms LP
It took all afternoon to dream that up?
and we assume you are linking the word “prominent” to who? Just use initials
That’s a hoot
But hey it is all about backin’ GovJunk
Keep it up
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
I have to agree the bus just backed over Rauner.
Maybe he was too busy to read what he was going to say about the cartoon? #BTIA
- Earnest - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
>Furthermore, it raises more questions than answers.
Nicely put, Rep. Mitchell.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
Homerun by Rep. Mitchell.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
==the media is being mean to me.==
You know what stops that (most of the time)? An immediate, effective response. The BTIA’s responses have been neither immediate nor effective. Instead of a using a fire extinguisher they’ve used a gasoline pump. Again and again and again.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
I had a tin foil hat thought today - I wonder if the recent turmoil is Mrs. Senior Advisor’s ploy to spike 1.4% chances to run again as governor
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
Oh - Lucky Pierre -
The statement speaks for itself, 6 days too late.
Can you answer me something?
How can a cartoon be a distraction and then on the same breath the imagery in that distracting cartoon not be offensive?
LOL.
===The point of the cartoon is about the disastrous effect of TIF districts on school funding for CPS (which has less than 10% white students) is ignored.===
Too bad that racism angle is distracting, although it’s not offensive(?)
So…
How can a cartoon be a distraction and then on the same breath the imagery in that distracting cartoon not be offensive?
You think on that.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:38 pm:
===”…Is Governor Rauner’s identity as a white male more important to him than his job as Governor? Will he no longer comment on issues affecting non-white Illinoisans? Will he no longer stand against reproductive rights for women, since he’s a male? These are just a few of the questions now facing Bruce Rauner.”===
Best. Team. In. America.
Well said, Rep. Mitchell.
OW
- REALLY???? - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
===The governor’s office has also heard from members of the black community who found truth in the imagery and do not find the cartoon offensive=== Who are you exactly referring too? Maze Jackson’s audience does not represent the entire “BLACK COMMUNITY”
- Albany Park Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
It’s hard to buy good help these days.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
WOW
“The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.”
So there is no wrong to ever be called out? All opinions are equally deserving of respect? If so, there is no basis for criticizing any statue. Seriously? And the media should just move along…
Now we know where bannon landed, hes on the BTIA.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
As a white female, I’d prefer he answer the question.
What’s wrong with that picture?
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
==The point of the cartoon is about the disastrous effect of TIF districts on school funding for CPS (which has less than 10% white students) is ignored.==
Then it should have been a better-made cartoon. The audience never cares about the artist’s intention when it conflicts with their interpretation.
And it should be noted that at no point in this pointless saga did BTIA try to defend the cartoon on the merits, they just said Rauner hadn’t seen it/didn’t want to talk about it.
- northsider (the original) - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:56 pm:
Time for a long rest at the ranch.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:58 pm:
This is the best part of Pritzker statement…
===His attempt to wipe his hands of his responsibility to respond to blatant racism from an organization he is closely tied to is absurd. Bruce Rauner calls out racism when it is politically convenient for him and otherwise can’t seem to be bothered.===
This is the real crux. This is the real heavy lift making the point.
Well said.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:59 pm:
I absolutely hate defending Rauner, but there is some truth to his comment.
The far left routinely responds to comments by saying “Unless you are [insert allegedly offended group here] you cannot speak on [racism sexism whatever-ism].”
Gov. Rauner says exactly that and they still go after him.
It is ridiculous.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:00 pm:
My new favorite Twitter to read… @RadicalCandorIL makes note that Rauner made the NY Times and the Washington Post…
… as a white male.
That Twitter is pure gold.
- anonlurker - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:02 pm:
NYT and WaPo picked it up. Excelling job BTIA. Well done /s
- Jocko - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:04 pm:
To Bruce (and the BTIM’s) credit, he thankfully refrained from using the phrase “those people” to describe any particular group.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:06 pm:
Gooner, that’s a sad little strawman you’re building there, what with the nameless “far-left” who say something-something sometime in some cases.
But that’s not the case here. Rauner has been specifically asked to comment on it, and won’t.
- walker - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:07 pm:
Silence is f’in golden.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:10 pm:
Gooner, I’d add that the only thing ridiculous is that BTIA can’t’ find their tukkus with both hands to get beyond this, after a week. It ain’t a heavy lift.
My only conclusion is that their true allegiance remains with IPI and not to Rauner. They won’t draft a simple, vague criticism of IPI and be done with it.
For crying out loud, Rauner had finally summoned the courage to say Trump’s name and criticize him. The tail is waggin’ the dog.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:11 pm:
Dear Diana Rauner,
How will Bruce, “as a white male” effect your brand?
Seems that the New York Times and Washington Post aren’t helping.
Email your thoughts in a timely manner…
- Rabid - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:23 pm:
diana rauners aryan husband knows true art when he sees it
- walker - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:30 pm:
IPI/Rauner spokesfolks have pre-teen sophistication.
I think Gooner is correct on what they thought they were doing, and it is foolishness.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:33 pm:
Wordslinger it really isn’t.
I’m pretty tuned in to the far left since I spent a lot of time in bars with people on the far left.
I hear comments like that as a matter of routine, and that, along with comments about “mansplaining” bugs the heck out of me.
The right often does the same with military issues: “Unless you served, keep quiet.”
I find all of those arguments ridiculous. With few exceptions, you really don’t need to be an actual member of a group to have some idea if conduct is offensive. However, it is absolutely not a strawman. I hear it, directed to other, often.
You should Google it. You will find a lengthy list of articles explaining why white males should not comment on [insert issue].
That sort of criticism — for having an opinion — arises far too often.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:36 pm:
Gooner, but it’s irrelevant and a strawman when you’re specifically asked for your opinion.
And nobody was asking his White Male opinion, they were asking his Governor of Illinois opinion.
- Louis Capricious - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:39 pm:
Wouldn’t it have been far less painful to just condemn the IPI cartoon?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:42 pm:
Either Bruce Rauner is governor of Illinois, with all the moral responsibilities attached to the oath and the job…
… or Bruce is beholden to the IPI people he and Diana hired … and protecting IPI from racist backlash, which includes Bruce saying “as a white man”… is more important to Bruce, Diana, and the IPI Alums and IPI than being the governor of this state… and the moral stature the job requires.
- Politix - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:47 pm:
Oh for goodness sake. I’m no fan of the man, but “as a white male” doesn’t sound like a phrase he would choose or use. In fact, he has always done his damnedest to hide his whiteness, his privilege. Someone needs to be fired and since it can’t be Rauner, it will have to be one of his stellar team members.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:48 pm:
Wordslinger,
I’ve been dealing with people on the far left since about 1984. I genuinely like many on the far left. Heck, my wife is pretty far to the left. But let’s be honest. That sort of response is common.
He was not asked for his opinion. Realistically, he was asked to give one clear and unambiguous opinion.
Anything less and he was going to get “why is a white guy telling us what to think.” It is just the way it works. He had to provide the answer requested or he was going to get that response.
His response was politically stupid since it makes him look sort of weak (no points with anybody left, center or right) but there is some core of truth to the fact that he was going to get that response.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:50 pm:
The decider has decided his opinion is worthless
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 6:07 pm:
Gooner, I really don’t know what you’re going on about. Rauner has been asked his opinion by reporters and hasn’t given it.
- Sonny - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 6:23 pm:
Man draws racist cartoon stopped being the story and Governor won’t look at racist cartoon is now the story. Slow s/ clap.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 6:27 pm:
To Rahm,
Again, that press shop…
Pithy, pointed, and leaving no doubt.
Restaurant-Quality to taking it directly to the Governor, giving Rauner no quarter to hide.
A “Pro” response.
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 6:35 pm:
BTIA(TM) really helped the gov out. Wonder how much that kind of advice runs these days?
- Texas Red - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:09 pm:
Epic fail on the part of his communication team. Let the Dems play the identity politics card.
- Chris Widger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:14 pm:
Rauner can learn from Rahm, the master of pretending he hasn’t seen recorded evidence of racism against black youths.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:18 pm:
==Oh for goodness sake. I’m no fan of the man, but “as a white male” doesn’t sound like a phrase he would choose or use. In fact, he has always done his damnedest to hide his whiteness, his privilege. Someone needs to be fired and since it can’t be Rauner, it will have to be one of his stellar team members.==
We’ve learned recently that all releases are filtered through Mrs. Rauner. Perhaps that should be the team member to go?
- Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:31 pm:
Wordslinger, you keep thinking that whether he was asked somehow matters to many on the left.
It doesn’t.
To many of them, if he gives an opinion that does not match what they want him to say, he is wrong not just for his opinion but for giving his opinion.
You keep acting like the left will deliver a rational response. People on both the far left and the far right play by their own rules.
He absolutely would have been criticized for giving the opinion.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:34 pm:
Dear Pawar Crew,
Either make it about denouncing Rauner or touting Pawar.
The response is an embarrassing mess that looks like a pander more than a condemnation.
That’s not good.
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:39 pm:
Very simple- I appreciate what the entire Illinois House said. I join them in saying the cartoon should be taken down. Racism cannot be accepted here in Illinois.
Would that have been too hard to do last week and end all this?
Even though if it wasn’t this issue he’d still have to be defending his AV which got no votes in the House?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:41 pm:
==To many of them, if he gives an opinion that does not match what they want him to say, he is wrong not just for his opinion but for giving his opinion.==
It’s not about appeasing those on the far left. It’s about not looking to those in the middle like you’re a fool trying to placate the extreme far right.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:42 pm:
–Wordslinger, you keep thinking that whether he was asked somehow matters to many on the left.–
No, I haven’t been thinking about that at all. That’s your thing for some reason.
I’ve been wondering why he and BTIA are making a one-day story into a two-week epic.
By the way, your constant invocation of “the left” like there’s some monolithic Bolshevik movement in this country is very shallow in a Kassian sort of way.
Who’s the left here? JB Pritzker as Leon Trotsky?
- TopHatMonocle - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:46 pm:
Could they have put out a worse statement? I mean, come on. Who read “the Governor - as a white male - doesn’t have more to add” and was like “yep, looks good, this will surely put out the fire”? If you compare this statement with the writings of Brittany Carl, I think I see some strong similarities. I guess hiring a communications staffer who compares abortion to Nazi eugenics is a bad idea, who could have possibly guessed that.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:47 pm:
“Even as a white male - Rauner has failed as a man.”
Fixed it for you. 1.4% is an embarrassment to the male gender.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:30 pm:
When no one. And I mean no one has the answers for our states financial plight. We fixate on social issues, the flag and now, a stupid cartoon( and I did find offensive). Are you all ready to give up on either of these two political parties ever finding solutions? Now that politics has become an episode of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, I darn near ready to throw in the towel.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 9:09 pm:
Wordslinger, “monolithic”? I never made that suggestion. For a guy who hates strawmen you sure can build one.
My point was simple — if he commented, there would be backlash for being a white male commenting on the issue. That’s true. You can deny it all day, but it does not change the fact that many on the left would raise that criticism.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 9:14 pm:
He couldn’t figure out a way to denounce racism? Hey LP, your guy keeps shooting himself in the foot. At some point, he has to answer questions, articulate some ideas other than saying no, broken or Madigan. Not understanding how the process of government works can’t be an excuse this deep into his term.
- Cosgrove - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 10:55 pm:
Now I finally understand how Rauner went from “adamantly” supporting HB 40 to threatening a veto. Diana reminded him he’s a man and he never really needed to care about reproductive rights anyway, so just lie.
- ejhickey - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 12:55 am:
In spite of the cartoon and the tiff that has started over it, the problem of TIF districts in Chicago remains.
- Flynn's mom - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:11 am:
Does Rauner have anything to add as a compassionate person?
- PHP Auction Script - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:57 am:
I tend to some what disagree with what you said but in hindsight I don’t follow the subject very well. You might have a much better grasp than me.