[Comments are now open on this post.]
* I’ve received several texts and e-mails about this WSIL TV story since Friday evening and the topic is starting to get picked up by social media accounts, but the story is not an accurate portrayal of what Gov. Bruce Rauner said yesterday…
“It’s very important that we all come together,” Rauner said. “We need to create a better future for the people of Illinois.”
But is Rauner practicing what he preaches?
The Democratic Governor’s Association says no.
The group claims Governor Rauner hasn’t met with Ives since the election.
Rauner denied the claim, saying he spoke to Ives “right after the election.”
* Nope. Here’s the actual exchange…
Reporter: When, specifically did you reach out to Ives?
Rauner: Oh, that’s a tough question. We [stutters] Right after the election.
The governor never said he “spoke” to Ives, he said he (or his campaign) reached out. So this is not a repeat of November, 2014, when Rauner said he talked to the Democratic legislative leaders, but actually didn’t.
* Even so, the Ives campaign says the governor didn’t tell the truth after I sent them the above exchange and the audio and asked when the governor reached out…
Hi Rich,
As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth. What he is saying happened did not happen. But that’s fine. Rauner’s surrogates have made and continue to make it clear that they want Ives and other conservatives out of the party so there’s no need for perfunctory and disingenuous outreach. He and his surrogates are who Republicans chose to lead them. He is the nominee. And Ives wishes him good luck in the general.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison called to say that on the morning after the election “Our campaign manager reached out to [Ives spokesperson] Kathleen Murphy to set up a phone call and never heard back.” Allison said Betsy Ankney reached out via text.
*** UPDATE 2 *** DGA…
At a press conference this morning, Governor Bruce Rauner lamented the sad state of his relationship with primary challenger state Representative Jeanne Ives:
Watch Here
Reporter: Have you and Jeanne Ives spoken? Have you reached out to her, can you just walk us through your contact with her [inaudible]?
Rauner: We called her, her office, right after the primary. We were told at the time that she did not have an interest in speaking with me or meeting with me, at this point. That’s the current status. Hopefully we’ll be talking soon. I look forward to that.
The update on the frayed relationship comes as Rauner has flailed for weeks in a desperate attempt to unite his broken party. Nearly three weeks into the general election and Ives is still calling the failed governor a liar while promising to continue holding him accountable for the rest of his term.
“Nearly three weeks after 48% of Republican voters rejected Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, Rauner has done nothing to repair his relationship with his base,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Jeanne Ives and Republican voters know Rauner has failed Illinois’ families, so it’s no surprise she won’t pick up the phone.”
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:40 am:
Perhaps Gov. Rauner reached out using the power of the Force and the Ives people, because they are not attuned, did not receive (or did not recognize) the “reach out”
- Roman - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:44 am:
I guess it doesn’t rise to the level of “pants on fire,” but very Raunery nonetheless.
- Pundent - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:45 am:
I have to think that Rauner is making a calculated decision here not to reach out to Ives. He probably figures that her voters will eventually come around and at the same time doesn’t want to give Pritzker the ammunition of tying him to the Ives platform.
- ta - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:45 am:
- Gov. Rauner reached out using the power of the Force-
yoda-loops?
- A Jack - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:48 am:
Was that a sincere or a sarcastic “good luck?” From the tone of the preceding comments, I suspect the latter.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:57 am:
…made it clear that they want Ives and other conservatives out of the party…
Whew. That is some heavy duty martyrdom going on there.
And why complain about Rauner lying and then come up with some fiction like that?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:57 am:
In the long run, it might matter to those like Ives or Proft, and those who can hold grudges and sway actual conservatives that Raunerism does not want conservatives as part of the coalition.
Now..
Phonies like Mr. Peter Breen…
Their righteous indignation already is mocked and ridiculed, and we’re not too far from the likes of Mr. Breen yukking it up with Rauber on a stage, you know, raising each other’s hands in the air… phonies like Mr. Breen do that to make sure their righteous indignation looks worse when they need to swell out… most.
Raunerism needs conservatives… Raunerism never respected conservatives.
That’s what Mr. Breen told me. Of course, Mr. Breen actually had convictions back then, so…
- m - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:58 am:
=Perhaps Gov. Rauner reached out using the power of the Force and the Ives people, because they are not attuned, did not receive (or did not recognize) the “reach out”=
I find your lack of faith disturbing…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 8:58 am:
===That is some heavy duty martyrdom going on there.
And why complain about Rauner lying and then come up with some fiction like that?===
From those like Mr. Breen, who wrote a whole letter, burning the ships, calling out Rauner.
- JoanP - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 9:13 am:
“Meeting with Ives”, “speaking with Ives”, and “reaching out to Ives” are three entirely different things.
And we know that, even if the Governor and his minions don’t.
- Annonin' - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 9:13 am:
Maybe GrampeeGovJunk “reached out” by send a birth announcement hopin’ to get a gift that he can parade around as a sign of unity.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 9:23 am:
Rauner should have never used abortion as a hostage, to bribe and extort his caucus. Many people hold very dear beliefs about being anti-abortion. Selling those people out causes lots of pain and anger, so it’s probably hard for people like Ives and her supporters to quickly warm back up to the governor.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 9:30 am:
“As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth.”
It’s been twenty days since the primary election — if he had any interest in doing so, Bruce Rauner could have made contact with Jeanne Ives by now.
“As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth.”
But because he failed to speak with her, the short but cutting message of his primary opponent is still timely and newsworthy.
“As usual, Governor Rauner is not telling the truth.”
It’s not the kind of thing that most campaigns want to hear during the general election season, much less from within their party, but I’m sure the Rauner team has its reasons.
– MrJM
- Retired Educator - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 10:01 am:
Ives is not going to play nice. She has no reason to be a Rauner helper. She is gone in Jaunary of next year, and will have to continue to play to her angry base if she wants a future elected position. Her future would be in shambles if she makes nice with Rauner. She will be a thorn in the Governor’s side until November.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 11:46 am:
Rauner is a lame duck.
Ives and others are looking to the future, and he isn’t in it.
Anti-Rauner voters won’t vote for him. There is nothing Rauner can say that will change that.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 12:53 pm:
Dear Mr. Allison,
They never got back to you, as Ives was heading to the 13th Ward to get the “favorite Republican” award from Speaker Madigan himself.
They sound like that person that calls people’s voicemails so they don’t have to talk to the person…
“We left a message… we really wanted to talk… “
- ste_with a v_en - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 12:53 pm:
She’s a sore loser through and through
- Anon - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
She’s not a sore loser. She’s principled.
- Radio Flyer - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:17 pm:
So principled that she is going to help lose the general election to the Democratic party. She is going to be the Ralph Nader of the Republican party.
- Duopoly - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
=So principled that she is going to help lose the general election to the Democratic party. She is going to be the Ralph Nader of the Republican party.=
Party First - people later, voters exist for the sake of the 2-party system. How’s that been working out?
- Radio Flyer - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
How did Ralph Nader work out?
- Pundent - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
=So principled that she is going to help lose the general election to the Democratic party.=
Rauner hijacked the party. But in fairness they let a stranger in because they were enticed by his money. There’s very little I agree with Ives on but I do admire the fact that she sticks to her principles.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 4:07 pm:
So they reached out but failed to tell anyone they reached out until today?
Um yeah…..totally believe him
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