Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new ad featuring Mike Tracy, a dispatcher for the Chicago Police Department. Mike believes that Governor Rauner’s policies will get Illinois back on its feet, and a vote for JB Pritzker is a vote for a blank check to Mike Madigan.
I’m a dispatcher for Chicago Police. I met Bruce when he became Governor-Elect. His ideas are the right ideas. He wants to help get the state back on its feet. If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone. I cannot see Prtizker doing anything that would benefit anybody other than himself and Madigan. A vote for Pritzker is absolutely just basically writing a blank check to Madigan.
* Related press release…
This Thursday, Governor Rauner and JB Pritzker will appear in their first debate of the campaign on NBC 5 Chicago. It’s been clear from day one that Pritzker was Madigan’s handpicked candidate for governor, which explains why Pritzker won’t utter a criticism of the House Speaker.
Madigan has been in power for 47 years while Illinois has suffered through unbalanced budgets, massive tax hikes, and historic corruption.
Yet, JB Pritzker seems to be the only person in Illinois who doesn’t see the problem with Madigan’s fiscal irresponsibility.
But on Thusday, JB Pritzker will stand before voters with an opportunity to show he won’t be a blank check for Madigan. Will he have the courage to do so?
The reforms we need aren’t partisan or unreasonable. Our neighboring states have flattened and reduced taxes for their residents. Bluer states than Illinois have put in place the same common sense reforms I’ve proposed: Rhode Island Democrats achieved bipartisan pension reform, Massachusetts Democrats reformed their worker’s compensation and government healthcare systems, California Democrats passed term limits and have tackled gerrymandering.
We’ve proposed these things before, but Speaker Madigan has pulled the rug out from under reform. Even when his fellow Democrats desired the same changes, he has stood in the way.
That totally ignores how Rauner stopped Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s attempt at a “grand bargain” on many of those issues. If he had just let her do her job, it would’ve been four against one and they would’ve had a real shot at putting Madigan’s back up against the wall. But, no.
* Rauner himself seemed to admit that to the Tribune editorial board the very next day…
He said, in retrospect, he would have accepted smaller changes in such issues as workers’ compensation, local mandate relief, property tax controls and state pensions. During his first term, Rauner pulled back from Senate Republican-led efforts to fashion a “grand bargain” aimed at trying to resolve differences between the governor’s agenda and the Democratic-led General Assembly because it didn’t go far enough.
Rauner’s new Uncle Fuzzy is just a bit. He’s not going to change.
If you’ll recall, he said right before the last election that he had no specific labor agenda. Then he went for RTW and after prevailing wage on Day One.
The one thing that people across the political spectrum can agree on is that Rauner has issues with telling the truth. He’s proven it time and again.
===Mike believes that Governor Rauner’s policies will get Illinois back on its feet, and a vote for JB Pritzker is a vote for a blank check to Mike Madigan.===
JB Pritzker has way more money than Bruce Rauner. He can buy the Democratic Party the same way Rauner did with the Republican Party, albeit not at the bargain basement price that Bruce got. He needs nothing from Mike Madigan. If you want Mike Madigan to go away, JB is actually your best shot.
===That totally ignores how Rauner stopped Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s attempt at a “grand bargain” on many of those issues. If he had just let her do her job, it would’ve been four against one and they would’ve had a real shot at putting Madigan’s back up against the wall. But, no.===
“Because unions”
Rauner wanted unions crushed.
It was never about the budget, compromise… nope.
- Robert the Bruce - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:21 am:
===If he had just let her do her job, it would’ve been four against one and they would’ve had a real shot at putting Madigan’s back up against the wall===
Bingo! And we’ll never know what Madigan would have done. The budget failure isn’t on Madigan.
The Tribbies are so funny when tryin’ to tip toe through GovJunk S*pile. He didn’t pull back he actively had NoTaxBill move heaven and earth to tank the deal. Perhaps someone could ring up the former Senate Republican Leader and see what words she picks. The real irony is the fate of NoTaxBill’s’ caucus. The QOTD ought to be over/under #.
It’s incredible that the positive testamonial can’t even refer to the candidate by his full name. It can’t even point to one thing he’s done, just that he’s trying and the other guy will be way worse. Pro-tip, Bruce: if your own name is too toxic to use in your own positive ad it means voters are ready to take the uncertain future over the known failure.
===His ideas are the right ideas. He wants to help get the state back on its feet. If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.===
Two things. First, there are no “right ideas” offered. Just same old buzz words. Second, these doomsday ads are offensive. Vote for me, or the state is gone. If the other guy wins, leave.
==If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.==
Yeah, vote for Bruce the Messiah. Because no one before us ever had it so tough. Civil War. Depression. WWII. Race riots. Lack of full rights for blacks, women, gays….
Just another fluffer ticklin’ the grievances for the joyless onanism of today’s chronic victims.
- James the Intolerant - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:00 am:
WIthout union representation, I don’t think that Tracy would be making the wages that he is
Does Mike Tracy know Rauner twice vetoed legislation to use cell phone fees to pay his salary and pension? (Kinda of important, because funding was mostly provided by disappearing hard-line phones.)
Mike, like many, probably thinks the funding for his paycheck comes from some sort of budget ferry instead of taxes and user fees.
I am laying down a crisp Thomas Jefferson here that Mr. Tracy can’t name one of Rauner’s ideas without the name “Madigan” escaping his lips.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.
Throughout, Mr. Madigan was a mere victim, helpless no less. Why he was almost surrounded.
Alice in Wonderland political stuff. You gotta love Illinois politics. Denial is a River in Egypt stuff.
If Pritzker gets himself elected, he will join a long, long list of Illinois Governors who when asked about Mr. Madigan, start out with a groan or nervous chuckle.
===Mr. Madigan was a mere victim, helpless no less. Why he was almost surrounded.===
Drury, Franks, and Ken Dunkin kept things below 71…
… just as Rauner wanted it.
I’m confused, - Louis G Atsaves -
What kind of governor is more concerned about keeping overrides impossible… instead of getting 60 or 71 to be successful?
Madigan had a role in the budget stalemate, but The Owl’s tweet explaining the strategy…and Rauner’s veto implementing the strategy… and Rauner blowing up the Grand Bargain on Leader Radogno… those things aren’t “on” Madigan.
So far we have heard from Rauner’s wife, a retired prison guard and a CPD dispatcher as to why Bruce should be re-elected.
We have also heard from several neighboring governors who thanked Illinois for the jobs they received while Bruce was governor during the budget impasse. Of course one of those governors was subsequently disgraced.
I have yet to hear from the CEO of one mega corporation that he would move millions of jobs to Illinois if we only let Bruce Rauner succeed in crushing unions or getting term limits passed.
==Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.==
That’s an absolutely childish argument. Nobody has ever said that except those of you who are on the Rauner victim train and believe that anyone that blames the Governor for anything must automatically believe Madigan has no blame.
Stop being so dense.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
===Stop being so dense.===
Since you are so smart, and I am so dense, I will when you point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle.
Any at all.
You gotta love Illinois politics. Madigan blameless? Hardly. Even to a dense fellow.
And Louis, if the Blame Madigan schtick worked so well why is the Governor down double digits in the polls? You all can whine all you want. The people aren’t buying what you are selling.
=point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle=
And exactly why would Pritzker feel compelled to do so? This is all we’ve heard from Rauner for months and he can’t crack 30% in the polls or approval rating. Not exactly a winning strategy.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:57 pm:
@Prudent, @Demoralized, @Oswego Willy, remember I’m the one someone called dense around here. If you can’t point out where I’m being dense . . .
All I asked for is one statement or one ad. One. Just one.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:18 am:
Rauner’s new Uncle Fuzzy is just a bit. He’s not going to change.
If you’ll recall, he said right before the last election that he had no specific labor agenda. Then he went for RTW and after prevailing wage on Day One.
The one thing that people across the political spectrum can agree on is that Rauner has issues with telling the truth. He’s proven it time and again.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:20 am:
===Mike believes that Governor Rauner’s policies will get Illinois back on its feet, and a vote for JB Pritzker is a vote for a blank check to Mike Madigan.===
JB Pritzker has way more money than Bruce Rauner. He can buy the Democratic Party the same way Rauner did with the Republican Party, albeit not at the bargain basement price that Bruce got. He needs nothing from Mike Madigan. If you want Mike Madigan to go away, JB is actually your best shot.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:21 am:
===That totally ignores how Rauner stopped Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s attempt at a “grand bargain” on many of those issues. If he had just let her do her job, it would’ve been four against one and they would’ve had a real shot at putting Madigan’s back up against the wall. But, no.===
“Because unions”
Rauner wanted unions crushed.
It was never about the budget, compromise… nope.
- Robert the Bruce - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:21 am:
===If he had just let her do her job, it would’ve been four against one and they would’ve had a real shot at putting Madigan’s back up against the wall===
Bingo! And we’ll never know what Madigan would have done. The budget failure isn’t on Madigan.
- Annonin' - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:24 am:
The Tribbies are so funny when tryin’ to tip toe through GovJunk S*pile. He didn’t pull back he actively had NoTaxBill move heaven and earth to tank the deal. Perhaps someone could ring up the former Senate Republican Leader and see what words she picks. The real irony is the fate of NoTaxBill’s’ caucus. The QOTD ought to be over/under #.
- Anon0091 - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:27 am:
It strikes me that your headline from the topic immediately below this is apt here as well. “How stupid does Bruce Rauner think we are?”
- One hand //ing - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:30 am:
It’s incredible that the positive testamonial can’t even refer to the candidate by his full name. It can’t even point to one thing he’s done, just that he’s trying and the other guy will be way worse. Pro-tip, Bruce: if your own name is too toxic to use in your own positive ad it means voters are ready to take the uncertain future over the known failure.
- Not Rich - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:34 am:
MR. .01% is really Mr. 27% and holding..
- Henry Francis - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:35 am:
==If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.==
The state will be gone? That’s some deep thinking. Is he being metaphysical?
- El Conquistador - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:46 am:
He simply is not suited for, or competent in government. Period.
He is a good gas lighter.
- Nick Name - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:52 am:
===Our neighboring states have flattened and reduced taxes for their residents===
This is a bald-faced lie. Every neighboring state save Indiana has progressive tax brackets. How does he get away with these whoppers?
- Langhorne - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:54 am:
===His ideas are the right ideas. He wants to help get the state back on its feet. If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.===
Two things. First, there are no “right ideas” offered. Just same old buzz words. Second, these doomsday ads are offensive. Vote for me, or the state is gone. If the other guy wins, leave.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:57 am:
==If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.==
Yeah, vote for Bruce the Messiah. Because no one before us ever had it so tough. Civil War. Depression. WWII. Race riots. Lack of full rights for blacks, women, gays….
Just another fluffer ticklin’ the grievances for the joyless onanism of today’s chronic victims.
- James the Intolerant - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:00 am:
WIthout union representation, I don’t think that Tracy would be making the wages that he is
- @misterjayem - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:09 am:
“If we go in a different direction than Bruce for four years, you know, the state will be gone.”
Whew.
For a second there I was afraid Mr. Tracy might descend into absurd hyperbole.
– MrJM
- Skeptic - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:11 am:
I call dibs on “the joyless onanism of today’s chronic victims” as a band name
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:17 am:
===as a band name ===
Probably a better album name.
- Jocko - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:18 am:
Isn’t this the same Governor that asked for a blank check from the general assembly so he could “shake things up”?
- Generic Drone - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:34 am:
The state will be gone? Whew. Who knew. Guess Brucie will get my vote then. NOT
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:40 am:
It’s sweet that Bruce got this guy’s vote. I appreciate him telling us why he’s still supporting Bruce. He seems like a nice guy.
But he’s wrong. He’s willing to settle for a failed governor because he’s afraid of going back to single-party rule.
So am I. I don’t want single party rule either. But do you know what Rauner did? He made the worst part of having the Democrats look better.
Rauner wrecked everything and we’re going single-party because of Rauner. That’s how bad he was.
- Skeptic - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:44 am:
“Probably a better album name.” True, but it can be both. And the hit single, a la “Bad Company.”
- Roman - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:50 am:
Does Mike Tracy know Rauner twice vetoed legislation to use cell phone fees to pay his salary and pension? (Kinda of important, because funding was mostly provided by disappearing hard-line phones.)
Mike, like many, probably thinks the funding for his paycheck comes from some sort of budget ferry instead of taxes and user fees.
- Roadrager - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:06 pm:
“His ideas are the right ideas.”
I am laying down a crisp Thomas Jefferson here that Mr. Tracy can’t name one of Rauner’s ideas without the name “Madigan” escaping his lips.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.
Throughout, Mr. Madigan was a mere victim, helpless no less. Why he was almost surrounded.
Alice in Wonderland political stuff. You gotta love Illinois politics. Denial is a River in Egypt stuff.
If Pritzker gets himself elected, he will join a long, long list of Illinois Governors who when asked about Mr. Madigan, start out with a groan or nervous chuckle.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:37 pm:
===Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.===
The only people who ever say that are people like you.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:47 pm:
===Mr. Madigan was a mere victim, helpless no less. Why he was almost surrounded.===
Drury, Franks, and Ken Dunkin kept things below 71…
… just as Rauner wanted it.
I’m confused, - Louis G Atsaves -
What kind of governor is more concerned about keeping overrides impossible… instead of getting 60 or 71 to be successful?
Madigan had a role in the budget stalemate, but The Owl’s tweet explaining the strategy…and Rauner’s veto implementing the strategy… and Rauner blowing up the Grand Bargain on Leader Radogno… those things aren’t “on” Madigan.
- A Jack - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:51 pm:
So far we have heard from Rauner’s wife, a retired prison guard and a CPD dispatcher as to why Bruce should be re-elected.
We have also heard from several neighboring governors who thanked Illinois for the jobs they received while Bruce was governor during the budget impasse. Of course one of those governors was subsequently disgraced.
I have yet to hear from the CEO of one mega corporation that he would move millions of jobs to Illinois if we only let Bruce Rauner succeed in crushing unions or getting term limits passed.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:56 pm:
==Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.==
That’s an absolutely childish argument. Nobody has ever said that except those of you who are on the Rauner victim train and believe that anyone that blames the Governor for anything must automatically believe Madigan has no blame.
Stop being so dense.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
===Stop being so dense.===
Since you are so smart, and I am so dense, I will when you point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle.
Any at all.
You gotta love Illinois politics. Madigan blameless? Hardly. Even to a dense fellow.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 3:53 pm:
===I will when you point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle.
Any at all.===
Pritzker isn’t running against Madigan.
Pritzker is running against Rauner.
“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
The Owl made it clear…
The Owl and Rauner wanted reforms… they were more important than the budget.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:00 pm:
OK then, Oswego Willy just failed to point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle.
Maybe I’m not so dense after all.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:04 pm:
==Madigan blameless? Hardly.==
You just can’t stop being a victim can you? You are doing an awful lot of whining today.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
===…just failed to point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle.===
Madigan is not running for Governor.
===I’m not so dense after all.===
You are talking ads… ads…
How did Rauner get to be the “Worst Republican Governor in America”… Madigan?
Whataboutism when discussing two different branches of government makes the argument ridiculous and you may be dense making that correlation, lol
=== ===Madigan had no responsibility for what occurred during the budget crisis. None. Nada. Nothing. Zero.===
The only people who ever say that are people like you.===
Voters don’t do nuance.
Rauner is running for Governor. So is Pritzker.
Keep up, counselor.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:06 pm:
And Louis, if the Blame Madigan schtick worked so well why is the Governor down double digits in the polls? You all can whine all you want. The people aren’t buying what you are selling.
- Pundent - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:09 pm:
=point out a single Pritzker ad or statement that puts any blame on Madigan for his part in the budget battle=
And exactly why would Pritzker feel compelled to do so? This is all we’ve heard from Rauner for months and he can’t crack 30% in the polls or approval rating. Not exactly a winning strategy.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:57 pm:
@Prudent, @Demoralized, @Oswego Willy, remember I’m the one someone called dense around here. If you can’t point out where I’m being dense . . .
All I asked for is one statement or one ad. One. Just one.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:58 pm:
Why would JB ever run such an ad? He doesn’t need to.
If the Blame Madigan thing was working then Rauner wouldn’t be nearly 20 points down.
- Demoralized - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:59 pm:
Also, as others have stated, Mike Madigan isn’t running for Governor. Rauner is. He’s focusing on the person he should be focusing on.
- Yu2 - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 6:31 pm:
Isn’t this guy a union member? Don’t be fooled again.Read the book The Fall of Wisconsin. Scott Walker said he was pro-union too.
- Rabid - Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:12 pm:
Rauner started the 44 point turnaround agenda non-budget battle, madigan ended it