17 Comments - Arsenal - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:03 pm: Neglecting downstate is a fraught strategy. Democrats won’t win it, but losing it 60-40 instead of 65-35 can be big. - wordslinger - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:04 pm: How can Rauner avoid setting foot Downstate when he’s living in a shack at the fairgrounds? Isn’t he visible going to and from his office under the Dome every day? I kid. Is anyone in Springfield still buying that gag, that he’ll live and run his administration there? - Whizbang - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:10 pm: Word he has actually stayed there some. He has been seen roller blading in nearby Lincoln Park. - Moist von Lipwig - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:15 pm: Depending on your definition of “downstate,” though, amirite? - Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:20 pm: That HB40 signature may have geographical implications? The collar counties may be more “forgiving” but Downstate (Central and Southern Illinois) still might need some “time”? Then again, between Mr. Barickman leaving the door open to welcome Bruce Rauner and Mr. Rose all allegedly “waiting” on that UIUC Chicago “dream”, I’m sure both men will be thrilled to be next to Governor Rauner come next April(?) - the Cardinal - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:24 pm: He was at Cubs game this week does that help or hurt? Or is it just a poor use of his time ? - wordslinger - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:26 pm: –He has been seen roller blading in nearby Lincoln Park. – On purpose? - dbk - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:27 pm: Please see “Question of the Day”, “Downstate”, definition of. If you’re BVR from Winnetka, Downstate doesn’t exist. Boy, is this indicative of the attitude of a certain non-trivial number of the Illinois financial elite. One of my concerns about J.B. is that despite his “progressive” (well, socially progressive) politics, his vision for Downstate might be turning every exurban center south of I-80 into a mini-Loop. They could become much more than that under enlightened leadership. - wordslinger - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:30 pm: –his vision for Downstate might be turning every exurban center south of I-80 into a mini-Loop.– Where does that come from and what does it mean? - Skeptic - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:35 pm: -–He has been seen roller blading in nearby Lincoln Park. –- -On purpose?- I’ve skated Lincoln park. You definitely need to make sure your teeth are anchored good and tight after a lap or two. On the upside, if you’re looking for a vibramassage, that’s the place to go. - Ralph Schwartz - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:42 pm: I work a stone’s throw from the house on the state fairgrounds where he is seen frequently. I drive past it every morning and he has been there quite a bit. - 47th Ward - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:42 pm: ===He has been seen roller blading in nearby Lincoln Park.=== Diana must be mortified. - Cheryl44 - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:42 pm: I’m sitting here in the city seeing Rauner ads while watching Jeopardy. He should be happy I am not running into him in person. - Dude Abide - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 3:50 pm: Rauner is banking on picking up enough votes from suburban women to offset the losses from downstate pro lifers. He has one more year in the reinvention process he is currently undergoing. Will the people buy this new, pro education, compromising version of Bruce Rauner. If Rauner is reelected he will have 4 years in which he will never have to worry about being held accountable by the voters. That’s scary! What we’re currently seeing in this reinvention is what they call in Texas as all hat and no cattle. He’s talking big dreams but in 3 years there are no significant accomplishments. Why should the people trust him when he has given us no reason to do so? My observations of the past 3 years are good campaigner and poor Governor. He is the most disingenuous politician I’ve ever seen in this state. - Swift - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 4:06 pm: Could be Rauner’s team is analyzing Facebook data on the angry comments on the Rauner page. Alternatively he is avoiding counties Trump won in 2016. - Kid - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 4:08 pm: Rauner still holds onto the trump card in downstate: Madigan. His voter ID 5-years-ago was null, but you cannot have a state of Illinois conversation without him brought up. Wouldn’t be surprised if Rauner gets 70% in downstate. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 20, 17 @ 4:23 pm: ===Wouldn’t be surprised if Rauner gets 70% in downstate.=== Oh boy. Rauner last time vs. Quinn got 64% of the Downstate vote Citing the Simon Institute… http://bit.ly/2yERwrb Rauner hadn’t signed HB40. Whet Moser, Chicago Magazine… http://chi.mg/2ipMZTi ===But the many small counties in central and downstate Illinois were an interesting question. Rauner basically avoided “social” issues throughout the campaign, and was perceived to be weak among union members. On the other hand, Quinn made some high-profile cuts to government functions downstate, an area reliant on government employment.=== You think 70% I’ll take the “Under”… All day. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.