Get it together, man
Friday, Aug 25, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Finke has a good piece today about Rauner’s latest staff shakeup. Here’s one part…
Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, one of the negotiators on school funding reform, said there is cause for concern as Rauner and state legislators head into the 2018 election campaign.
“We have approached the period where we’d like to see a first-term governor hitting his stride,” Barickman said. “Significant turnovers is obviously not that. That politically causes concerns. On issues of policy, having a strong and effective governor is clearly important to advancing a Republican agenda.” […]
Rauner ran as an outsider to Illinois politics and first brought in senior staff more familiar with Washington than Illinois, Barickman said.
“Illinois politics is its own breed,” he said. “I think he could benefit from some senior staff who have established relationships with the legislative branch.”
* There’s real worry out there about going into 2018 with an unstable team at the top, and for good reason…
Some political experts say the Rauner Administration is beginning to reflect President Trump’s hiring and firing frenzy in the White House.
* Tribune…
More is at issue for Rauner besides the cartoon. His abrupt move to drop his new communications team reflected longer-term high-stakes concerns over his political future.
Left without many big first-term accomplishments following a long-running budget stalemate in which Democrats blocked his economic agenda, the Republican governor finds himself once again attempting to readjust politically.
Rauner first began the recalibration last month following a stinging and embarrassing defeat when Democrats, joined by some Republicans, enacted a state budget and tax-hike package over his veto — effectively ending the stalemate that kept Illinois without a full-year spending plan that devastated social services and threatened to sink the state’s credit rating to junk status.
Except the veto override was being viewed at the time as a “win” for Rauner because he got the revenues from a tax hike along with the favorable political issue of his veto. The governor turned that win into a loss by acting like it was a loss and clearing out his top staff.
* Yep…
But now Rauner must find a new messaging team — positions that may be difficult to recruit for, given the turnover.
* Adding to the problem is that the governor himself is just not believable…
While multiple sources said exits of high-level staffers are also on the way, Rauner on Thursday morning told reporters that the communications team resignations are the only exits, for now.
“We’ve announced some changes in the communications department and that’s all the change there are,” the governor said.
Yet by 6:15 p.m. his administration released a statement announcing the departure of Murashko, saying the top legal counsel was leaving for the private sector.
And if his chief of staff steps down later today or within the next two weeks as rumored, he will have again undercut his claims yesterday.
* Also true…
News of the exits spread throughout the political realm on Wednesday night. One senior Republican operative called the ousting a sign the governor has realized he made a “mistake.”
“The governor and First Lady have finally admitted they made a colossal mistake in hiring these right wing ideologues,” the operative said. “One can only hope for the sake of our state government they will make better choices in the future.”
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 9:59 am:
==“I think he could benefit from some senior staff who have established relationships with the legislative branch.”==
OK, but who is that? HGOP/SGOP staffers, sure, but they have no experience with meaningful governing, no experience with the executive branch, and a losing record.
He already burned through the JBT staff.
Rutherford/Ryan staffs remain tainted.
Anyone else is pretty long in the tooth.
There’s just not a lot of staff-level Republicans left out there who have demonstrated success.
- Mr. K. - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:00 am:
Munger and her staff?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:03 am:
===“The governor and First Lady have finally admitted they made a colossal mistake in hiring these right wing ideologues,” the operative said.===
The overt admission, again and again, including here, that Diana Rauner is orchestrating these moves is a tell that the veneer of phony that both Bruce and Diana had used to great effect is now just an admitted failure of them both to “fundamentally change Illinois” by hiding Diana and using Diana’s brand to deflect Bruce’s realities.
I read that, whew, it’s like learning how a magic trick worked, and now no one is willing to pretend to be fooled.
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:04 am:
Does anyone here know for sure that the comm crew was “ousted” or “let go” or did they leave him? Seems like he would have had someone ready and waiting to take over if he initiated this. Also, if you think about it, why would IPI people stay if he was planning to sign all these bills next week that they don’t agree with?
- Curl of the Burl - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:06 am:
At this point Rauner would be better served running his office like the Golden State Warriors ran (and currently run) their front office. Jerry West was an “advisor” who was pretty much the man in charge (even if his title didn’t say so). Rauner needs to bring in a former top-level GOP staffer and give him or her carte blanche on hours and staff latitude. Who cares if a former star staffer doesn’t put in COS hours? If that makes the office run better or impacts the staff in a positive way then you could let a Carter Hendren type work his or her own schedule and still get things done. Too much emphasis is often put on “professional staff”. Rauner needs to hit the reset button on many levels.
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:11 am:
Curl, I believe there are fairly strict rules about hours in the governor’s office. I don’t think the Governor has discretion to allow people to work 30 hours and draw a full-time salary.
- Ambassador Abe - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:13 am:
Rasmussen has to ensure her staff that she will continue to be there. The moment she seems unsure, is the moment the few remaining staffers will turn on her, as if they haven’t already, but nonetheless it’s almost guaranteed that she will leave in the next few weeks.
- wordslinger - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:15 am:
It’s unfathomable how the Rauners landed on the idea that bringing in tne IPI crew was a good idea.
I simply don’t see the trail of thought that saw the upside on any level — communications, political, governmental or managerial — especially going into an election year.
The idea is to add support, not to be weighed down by sullen, grievance-peddling zealots. You already have that crowd and they have nowhere to go.
- Chicago 20 - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:15 am:
We are at the moment when the Governor realizes that Rauner is broken.
- Jocko - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:16 am:
I know she’s busy with her grandkids, but maybe Christine Radogno would be willing to work part-time. /s
- Curl of the Burl - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:24 am:
Soccermom - my point was that maybe Rauner needs to bring a few people in on contract. I know sometimes the “consultant” is a dirty word but in this instance it makes more sense than not.
- don the legend - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:25 am:
…I simply don’t see the trail of thought that saw the upside on any level — communications, political, governmental or managerial — especially going into an election year….
As many on this site have taught me, it is Rauners goal to wreck the state by wrecking unions and lowering taxes at all costs. This IPI crew was only wrecking Rauner and the Rauner brand and that my friends is what is unacceptable.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:26 am:
They do have a solid pool of PIOs worth exploring. Bright, dedicated pr pros with great energy who actually understand Chicago media Illinois government, including some who have served through multiple administrations.
- Anon221 - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:27 am:
“Illinois politics is its own breed,” (Barickman) said. “I think he could benefit from some senior staff who have established relationships with the legislative branch.”
When I first read that this morning, it seemed to me that Barickman is angling for a new job in the executive branch. Brady could be, too. He’s still just the designee isn’t he for the Senate Minority Leader post?
- ILPundit - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:28 am:
I know Jocko is snarking, buy having Radogno come back as COS would probably be the best idea out there. She’s respected, could probably get some of the aggrieved 1st teamers to lay down their arms, and could help recruit a new front office staff, all while getting a decent pension bump.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:30 am:
“Soccermom - my point was that maybe Rauner needs to bring a few people in on contract.”
Maybe more superstars from out of state.
- Casual observer - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Rauner could bring in Jim Edgar to be his COS. Then Bruce and Diana can take a well deserved 2 year vacation. /s
- Stones - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:36 am:
I thought Diana Rauner was a terrific asset to Bruce in his campaign for Governor. Now, not so much.
- The Captain - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:37 am:
Rauner blames many of the old guard Republicans almost as much as the Democrats for the problems of Illinois, Jim Edgar might be #2 on his enemies list after Madigan. So who could Rauner bring in as a stabilizing force right now? It would have to be someone with enough experience to steady the ship but who also wasn’t part of the wing of the party that Rauner disdains. I can’t think of anyone with a profile that could thread that needle.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:40 am:
1) The system is broken.
2) Madigan
We’re going to see fifty million dollars of commercials with those two points. Rauner needs some success to drive the narrative. It will be interesting to see what’s in the education bill.
- walker - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:40 am:
Tom Cross? Just because someone left to run for another office, shouldn’t disqualify them from helping out.
Also noted that Rauner lost some good operators in his takeover of the ILGOP.
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:41 am:
“Soccer mom - Curl, I believe there are fairly strict rules about hours in the governor’s office.”
You’re joking, right? Like strict rules on browsing the internet while on State time?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:42 am:
===having Radogno come back as COS would probably be===
The worst idea ever. C’mon. You think she’d work for that guy after what he did to her and what he’s like in private to all staff? Please. It’s way too early to be drinking that much.
- Norseman - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:43 am:
=== On issues of policy, having a strong and effective governor is clearly important to advancing a Republican agenda. ===
And who is that Republican going to be?
- The Captain - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:44 am:
My guess is a rather simple one, his existing staff was constantly telling him he couldn’t do the things he wanted to do and talking him out of his preferred course of action whereas the IPI folks were encouraging him. He’d had enough no’s, he wanted a staff that would agree with him.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 10:46 am:
==The worst idea ever. C’mon. You think she’d work for that guy after what he did to her and what he’s like in private to all staff? Please. It’s way too early to be drinking that much.==
There’s a better chance she’d run against him than work with him…and I’d wager the odds of either are slim to none with slim leaving town.
- Casual observer - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:00 am:
I can only think of one person capable of standing up to this Governor and at the same time help him get some significant achievements. Alas, Steve Schnorf left us way too soon.
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:17 am:
==I thought Diana Rauner was a terrific asset to Bruce in his campaign for Governor. Now, not so much.==
The unemployment line is full of candidates who let their spouses meddle too much.
- Pelonski - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:26 am:
“C’mon. You think she’d work for that guy after what he did to her and what he’s like in private to all staff? Please.”
And that’s the problem for Rauner. What highly skilled individual is going to leave a job where they are successful to work for someone that can’t be trusted and is terrible to work for?
Rauner is the problem, not his staff. Even if you fully support his agenda, he has shown that he is incapable of getting meaningful parts of it through the political system. If he really cared about his agenda, he would be looking for a new Republican candidate for Governor who would be more effective in achieving results. That’s what private equity Rauner would do, but my guess his ego won’t let him do that.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:29 am:
===I thought Diana Rauner was a terrific asset to Bruce in his campaign for Governor. Now, not so much.==
“Props” tend to be great assets.
“Props? That a bit harsh?”
Bruce traded off Diana’s “Brand”. The “Brand”. Her words.
We learned quite a bit in those emails.
- Ginhouse Toommy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:38 am:
Turmoil is the word that accurately describes Rauner’s term in office and the Gov.s staff now. I can’t remember such a mess being played out in the open like this. Usually it is done discretely behind closed doors but then again what’s normal about Bruce. Even if you bring people in from out of state it won’t help. Let’s face it, the damage is done but then again who made the mess. You reap what you sow. His political career is going down in flames.
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 11:55 am:
Hardhat, are you suggesting that I am a state worker using the internet on the people’s time?
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
Curl - I didn’t realize you meant as a consultant.
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
Curl — Lest we forget…
https://www.illinois.gov/eec/documents/05.24.12%20stone%20released%20report.pdf
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 12:52 pm:
Hardhat, are you suggesting that I am a state worker using the internet on the people’s time?
Not at all…but what would you guess are the top five websites visited by state workers on “the people’s time”?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 12:54 pm:
===You’re joking, right? Like strict rules on browsing the internet while on State time?===
“Something-Something, state worker is…Something-Something”
I know, you’re a “taxpayer”, lol
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:00 pm:
Something-Something = Public-Servant,is that what you mean?
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
If I was still on his staff I’d watch the skies for any investigative Congressional visits flying in, impromptu mass meetings with extra security and preparations of Kool-Aid.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:03 pm:
- Hardhat -
If you’re just going to drive-by and say either you don’t like state workers or we all are state workers, that schtick is tired and used up. Add to the discussion.
- ArchPundit - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
==== what he’s like in private to all staff
Most staff will take a difficult boss in high pressure situations, but the boss has to have the staffs’ backs. He doesn’t.
- ArchPundit - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
===He’d had enough no’s, he wanted a staff that would agree with him.
Worst thing a boss can ever do. But if you think you are always the smartest guy in the room and know better, that’s what you want–people who recognize your genius.
- IllinoisBoi - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
It sounds like Diana Rauner fancied herself as Claire Underwood. But indeed, the Rauner administration has collapsed like a House of Cards.
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
If you’re just going to drive-by and say either you don’t like state workers or we all are state workers, that schtick is tired and used up. Add to the discussion.
I honestly don’t know nor care who is a state worker here or not…but among the ones that you know personally, would you say that they see themselves as actually being “public servants”? Or would you say that would be too “idealistic” or naive to expect that from even just a small percentage of them?
I don’t know myself, the ones I know just see themselves as having a “good gig”, good pension, etc.
Just giving you my perspective here, don’t take it personally, but I hope you can see why many people out there(whom you call taxpayers, lol) have a negative view of some of them.
From your perspective, can that division of sorts be repaired, or will it always be there? Or who cares, eh?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 1:45 pm:
===I honestly don’t know nor care who is a state worker here or not…but among the ones that you know personally, would you say that they see themselves as actually being “public servants”? Or would you say that would be too “idealistic” or naive to expect that from even just a small percentage of them===
Hows about you focus on other things them lament on the state worker and their work.
All you did here was a longer drive-by, again not adding.
I fed you. It’s ridiculous. Don’t engage me anymore.
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
Hardhat - I was proud to serve the State of Illinois, and I took a paycut to do it. I loved knowing that I was making people’s lives better — and I didn’t spend my days shopping online.
- James - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
Rich said: =what he’s like in private to all staff=
I always assumed Rauner to be an angry tyrant with his staff in the office. This comment by Rich confirms that impression a little. I’d like to hear some real life anecdotes about his office behavior.
Of course, any such disclosures by disgruntled ex-employees may be met with the “legal action” he recently threatened, which presumably means libel suits. In libel, the truth is a defense, but a defendant has to pay a litigator to win a favorable judgment–so most ex-employees will not rock Rauner’s boat with disclosures. And Rauner appears to be at his best when he’s causing pain to force others to behave as he demands.
- Hardhat - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Hardhat - I was proud to serve the State of Illinois, and I took a paycut to do it. I loved knowing that I was making people’s lives better — and I didn’t spend my days shopping online.
Thank you Soccermom, that’s good to know…it’s very reassuring.
And thank you for your service, because I love this state too.
You have no idea how many other “hardhats” I work with that are planning to move to Indiana or Wisconsin when they retire because they can’t afford to live here. I don’t want to do that, I love this state and I want to see my grandkids grow up.
I did have a legitimate question at the beginning of this thread that no one has answered…Did they quit on their own or were they let go, that’s all I’m asking.
- JS Mill - Friday, Aug 25, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
=You have no idea how many other “hardhats” I work with that are planning to move to Indiana or Wisconsin when they retire because they can’t afford to live here. =
So they can pay taxes on retirement income and higher overall taxes? Have less access to opportunities, services and health care?
Sounds like some very intelligent people.