* Give him points for staying on message, but this is just ridic…
* From 2016…
Earlier this year, Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Nick to serve as a Director on the Illinois Tollway Board.
Sauer is Rauner’s guy.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Rauner campaign called to say that the governor was asked by a reporter about his past remarks that Speaker Madigan had created a culture of harassment. If that’s the case, the governor was asked, then did Rauner create a culture that was responsible for Sauer. And that’s when the governor said he didn’t create a culture.
…Adding… Transcript from Team Rauner…
Pearson: What is your reaction to the Nick Sauer event? And what does that say, you and Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti have attacked Madigan for creating a pervasive culture of harassment. What does that say about Nick Sauer and what he did?
Rauner: I just learned about the allegations against him this morning. He should resign. And my understanding is that he’s going to resign and that’s the right thing for him to do. He should resign.
Pearon: But what about the pervasive culture that you say Mike Madigan created? This is a guy you appointed to the Illinois Toll Highway Authority.
Rauner: There is no culture that I’ve created. Madigan in the legislature has created a culture of abuse. People all around him had to resign because they’ve been caught. What’s clear is that Madigan has hidden accusations. He has pushed back against those who have come forward, and his lieutenants have threatened individuals. He’s created a culture of harassment and of hiding the harassment and that culture has to be brought out and exposed and those responsible should be removed from office.
…Adding… The Rauner campaign left off Pearson’s third question…
Pearson: But isn’t there a bipartisan culture of harassment that exists?
Rauner: The legislature clearly has been existing in a culture of harassment, and that culture is created by Mike Madigan.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Hmm…
…Adding… From comments…
Oh! I was worried when I read the tweets the Gov was politicizing a sex crime to shift blame to a political rival and in doing so entirely confirmed Pritzker’s point that he will blame Madigan for everything. In reality, the transcript shows the Gov was just politicizing a sex crime to shift blame to a political rival and in doing so entirely confirmed Pritzker’s point that he will blame Madigan for everything.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Sen. Sam McCann…
Nick Sauer’s alleged actions are deeply disturbing on many levels, and they destroy Sauer’s attempt to portray himself as a conservative. Illinois’ Conservative Party has no room for individuals who demonstrate this kind of sick, troubling behavior.
Bruce Rauner and his enablers put Nick Sauer in office, and appointed him to paid leadership positions like the Toll Highway Authority board. Bruce Rauner can’t distance himself from Nick Sauer now. This is just one more example of Bruce Rauner’s bad judgment embarrassing our state.
*** UPDATE 4 *** With a hat tip to a commenter, this is from 2015…
A national women’s organization is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner’s appointments to the Illinois Tollway, saying he is violating state law by creating an all-male board.
Over the past three months, Rauner has named five male directors and re-appointed another to the nine-member Tollway board, which already included three men.
In addition, Rauner backed Greg Bedalov as the agency’s new executive director. Bedalov replaced Kristi Lafleur, who had held the post under the tenure of former Gov. Pat Quinn.
The National Council of Women’s Organizations is charging that Rauner is violating the Illinois Gender Balanced Appointments Act. The 1991 law is aimed at equalizing representation on state panels “with a good faith attempt to seek gender balance.” It makes no mention of consequences for failing to comply.
Sauer was one of those male directors.
- Shelby Thomas Weems - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:24 am:
Rauner is sick in the head
- Buford - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:24 am:
Because…..Madigan?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:24 am:
Rauner is such a hot dog that he had to escape from his speaking engagement at Vienna Beef.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:27 am:
Madigan hates puppies and sunshine
But loves cat fishing pervie Republicans
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:28 am:
Mr. “Rockin’ that Red Dress” should understand that even a comment such as his to a staffer is part of that culture he is trying to blame all on Madigan.
- Grounghog Day - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:28 am:
Not my father’s GOP, that’s for sure.
- Galena Guy - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:30 am:
I haven’t been paying much attention lately, but did Rauner blame Madigan on all those deaths in Quincy? Inquiring minds want to know.
- ItsMillerTime - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:30 am:
This is the reason why JB has that hates puppies ad, if you watch Rauner do this over and over again you start to think an ad like that would be effective. Unfortunately the general public is not cursed to witness this as much as we do. Or they actually believe it.
- lakeside - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:30 am:
2016 - that would be the same year Sauer started this nonsense. It’s not like he learned it in the legislature. He was an abusive creep when he arrived, and when he was appointed by Rauner.
Not saying Rauner should have known, but he is so exhausting.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:30 am:
So nice of Rauner, to confirm JB’s latest ad for him.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:31 am:
Ok, let’s roll it out. In addition to the appointment, how much money did Sauer get directly and indirectly from Rauner?
Blaming Madigan for this?? Wow.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:34 am:
–..but this is just ridic…–
Much worse than that.
It’s minimizing and trivializing allegations of criminal sexual predation to fit some self-serving political boilerplate.
Rauner should be ashamed of appropriating Ms. Kelly’s troubles for his cynical hackery. Why don’t you leave her alone?
- AnonNice - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:35 am:
A noun, a verb, Mike Madigan.
There’s your Governor, Illinois. #leadership
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:36 am:
The guy is a FIRST term Republican. The Gov has been in office the entire time Sauer has been in office. The Gov owns the IL GOP. There is a Republican minority leader in the House. How is it Madigan fault?
- Humboldt Boulevard - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:38 am:
my grade for JB’s new ad was probably a C simply because I thought the ad was too over the top and ridiculous. then Rauner went and made this statement, so I’m gonna go ahead and bump JB’s grade up to an A. Bruce has no shot at reelection, he parrots the same excuses over and over regardless of the circumstances and it’s been proven time and time again he’s incapable of thinking on his feet.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:40 am:
The “I’m not in control” response.
- Lt Guv - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:40 am:
Of course Rauner didn’t create a culture. He couldn’t - he’s not in charge.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:41 am:
“Madigan” is to Rauner as “Groot” is to Groot.
– MrJM
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:41 am:
=How is it Madigan fault? =
In RaunerWorld, everything is Madigan’s fault.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:48 am:
Yea, the update doesn’t help. He was asked about Sauer, his appointment to the Toll Highway board and sexual harassment and he responded with Madigan.
- One hand //ing - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:49 am:
Oh! I was worried when I read the tweets the Gov was politicizing a sex crime to shift blame to a political rival and in doing so entirely confirmed Pritzker’s point that he will blame Madigan for everything. In reality, the transcript shows the Gov was just politicizing a sex crime to shift blame to a political rival and in doing so entirely confirmed Pritzker’s point that he will blame Madigan for everything.
- M - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:50 am:
=“Madigan” is to Rauner as “Groot” is to Groot.=
That’s good stuff right there.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:51 am:
Representative Sauer is being asked to resign because of disgraceful actions in his private life not for workplace sexual harassment
Not sure what any of this has to do with either Mike Madigan or Bruce Rauner.
- I Miss Bentohs - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:52 am:
= Not my father’s GOP, that’s for sure. =
and I weep
Rauner is so …… Rauneresque (the meanest thing I could think of saying)
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 11:52 am:
The transcript is supposed to exonerate Bruce? Yikes!
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:08 pm:
==Not sure what any of this has to do with either Mike Madigan or Bruce Rauner.==
Yeah, OK, Rauner just funded and appointed a criminal creep, nbd.
- lostintranslation - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
Private sector time, but he isn’t innocent.
“If you go legal on us, we’ll hurt you and your family,” Rauner allegedly threatened to Kirk in February 2001.
“I will bury her,” Rauner allegedly said to Gilman.
There’s more. Rauner also allegedly told Gilman that he would make Kirk “radioactive.”
“She will never get another job anywhere, ever. I will bankrupt her with legal fees,” Rauner said. “I don’t know if she has a family or not, but if she does, she better think twice about this.”
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:11 pm:
Emily Miller’s tweet shows why ILGOP has generally been a little…circumspect about the #MeToo allegations. They know that the culture in Springfield- heck, *politics*- has fostered bipartisan abuse.
But then Rauner had to speak off the cuff, and that went about as well as it always goes.
- low level - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:12 pm:
“Madigan’s fault”
It started over two years ago according to the ex girlfriend- which would have been before Sauer was even elected to the house. Maybe his campaign staff can follow up and explain this?
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:13 pm:
Makes that Pritzker ad seem prescient
- AnonNice - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:15 pm:
To paraphrase Donald Trump (he’s the President, Bruce), a Republican official could shoot someone on Green Bay Road and Bruce Rauner would blame Mike Madigan.
- DarkHorse - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:22 pm:
It’s less than 100 days till Election Day. How late can Rauner start coming up with an actual rationale for his re-election and still have a chance to win?
- Sig - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
To the 2nd update - You go Emily!
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
On another level, it’s entirely wrong to blame Team Madigan for this because they have no idea of what an Instagram might be and are sure catfishing involves a rod, reel, and a boat.
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
Heh just found this blast from the past on Nick Sauer getting appointed to the toll highway board and how Rauner was violating the Illinois Gendered Balanced Appointments Act in doing so.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-tollway-board-men-met-20150722-story,amp.html
So in hindsight… Rauner may have violated the law just to put a creep like this guy on the highway board instead of a woman.
- Lil Squeezy - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:50 pm:
This is bizarre.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:51 pm:
===This is just one more example of Bruce Rauner’s bad judgment embarrassing our state.===
Sam McCann for the win.
- Lil Squeezy - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:56 pm:
I mean no one in their right mind would blame Rauner, Durkin or Madigan for this. Clearly if the allegations are true then Nick Sauer and Nick Sauer alone is to blame. Unless one of the men knew about the behavior….. #qanon
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:05 pm:
Focus Bruce. Focus. Focus. Bruce, focus.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:13 pm:
Is Sauer a part of Rauner’s “Can I give you a hug” culture?
–This week, after leaving a private meeting with Republican lawmakers, a Chicago Tribune reporter got in an elevator with Rauner and several aides and asked the governor a series of questions about the state budget Democrats were preparing. Rauner didn’t answer, but eventually looked at the reporter and said, “Can I give you a hug?” The reporter declined.–
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-bruce-rauner-illinois-legislature-met-0529-20150529-story.html
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:55 pm:
“#qanon”
Are you genuinely insane?
– MrJM
- Anon - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:58 pm:
You guys know that one of Rauner’s directors did some shady stuff and Rauner fired him quietly…look into it please
- anon2 - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:59 pm:
Instead of recognizing that sexual harassment is not a partisan problem confined to one side of the aisle, Rauner brazenly blames Madigan for a Republican legislator’s sins. Pretty lame.
- Mike Cirrincione - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:11 pm:
My CTA train was delayed this morning, its Madigans fault.
- Anon in Lake County - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:12 pm:
The future of the Lake County GOP wiped out in one week . . . and it’s only Wednesday!
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:13 pm:
===Rauner brazenly blames Madigan for a Republican legislator’s sins. Pretty lame.===
It’s because Madigan is actually closer to being a Republican than Rauner is.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:22 pm:
I long for grad school on days like this.
Oh to study why politicians who lead double lives think they can get away with this stuff.
Infinitely fascinating
- Lil Squeezy - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:32 pm:
MrJM. Snarky observation after reading the transcript.
- Lil Squeezy - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 2:46 pm:
I can assure you that I think sex crimes are committed by individuals or groups of individuals not political parties. I think trying to assign partisan blame to sex crimes is disrespectful to the victim, but I am old school.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 3:44 pm:
For years we have seen politicians on both sides lay blame on each other while making themselves out to be virtuous about their own ways. Hopefully this will continue being a topic that will make politicians and “people of/in power” to finally start being accountable for their actions. Right now its amusing to see one person pointing fingers only to see their same behaviors catch up with them shortly thereafter. I wouldn’t be surprised to see half of our general assembly eventually have this type of culture catch up to them. Do as I say and not as I do….especially behind close doors or when I think the microphone is off
- Rabid - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 3:59 pm:
“what’s clear is…hidden” madigan made him dood a bad thing
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 5:06 pm:
That’s a great catch in the last update by hisgirlfriday. I had honestly forgotten about that law and wonder if it’s being violated anywhere else. Does seem like Rauner nominates a lot of old white dudes from the North Shore.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 2, 18 @ 9:14 am:
The Madigan culture is in reference to the Mape’s scandal. Such quick dismissal and disregard to those actions does not help women in the workplace. Nor does Sauer’s actions, which defy all logic and reason.