Rauner wraps it up
Monday, Nov 5, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The governor is trying his best to raise expectations…
At Honest Abe’s Tap & Grill in Morris, the governor spoke of an uphill battle back to a second term, while warning a victory by Democrat J.B. Pritzker will turn the state into a “nightmare.”
“People are counting us out now. They’re saying, ‘Oh the polls are showing this or that,’” Rauner said. “You know what? The polls are baloney. These polls don’t mean anything. The only poll that matters is on Election Day,” Rauner said. […]
“We had a supermajority against us and it was brutal,” Rauner said of the Democratic majority in both the Illinois House and Senate. “But you know what? Two years ago, thanks to your hard work, we picked up six seats in the General Assembly to knock Mike Madigan out of the supermajority. And you know what? what we’re going to do this time … we’re going to pick up nine seats in the House and knock Mike Madigan out. He’s not going to be the speaker of the House anymore.
“That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to get him out,” Rauner said.
* Also in Morris…
Discussing his opponent, Pritzker, Rauner said Pritzker could be indicted in the next few months because of a a tax scheme. The audience jeered at the mention of Pritzker, with one woman in the crowd shouting “Screw him,” and a man called him the Pillsbury Dough boy. Rauner said Pritzker could join his predecessors as an Illinois governor going to jail.
“And you know what ‘J.B.’ stands for then: Jail Bird,” Rauner said.
From the man who has repeatedly bemoaned the rhetoric in politics today.
* Decatur…
“I was trailing in most polls four years ago … and I don’t think they are really accurate,” said the 62-year-old incumbent. “Everywhere I travel people say ‘Governor, you are on the right track.’” […]
“People say ‘Governor, stay strong, don’t give in. Madigan is the problem, he’s the one that has gotta go,’ ” Rauner said. “And a lot of times they will go on and say, ‘I am a Democrat, and I don’t normally support Republicans, but I love what you are trying to do.’ ” […]
In Decatur, Rauner already had convinced Shirley and Jim Cairns from Mount Zion, diehard fans who came to the cafe to see him and definitely plan on voting for him. They don’t believe in the polls, either.
“He’s going to get it, he’s going to win,” said Shirley Cairns as her husband nodded in agreement. “He deserves it because of all the changes he’s made and the fact he’s made Illinois a better state.”
The final RCP polling average in 2014 was Quinn +0.8.
Also, he could release his own internal polling if the public polling is “baloney.”
* Carbondale…
During his visit, many tailgaters introduced themselves to Rauner and asked him to pose for a picture with them. Parents brought their children to meet the governor. One gentleman said the last governor he had seen up close was Dan Walker. […]
A few people declined offers to have their pictures taken with the governor, but they were polite about it. Some tailgaters ignored the governor as he walked by their tables and tents. Most partiers seemed pleasantly surprised by his visit.
“Everywhere we go, people will come up to us and say, ‘Governor, stay strong. Don’t back down. You’re on the right track. Madigan has got to go.’ And, a lot of times, they will go on and say, ‘I’m a Democrat. I don’t normally support Republicans, but I support you because we have got to stop that corruption and the tax hikes coming out of Chicago.’ So, it’s very exciting,” Rauner said.
* On tap today…
* Gov. Bruce Rauner has a campaign stop scheduled in Spring Grove and an evening rally at Benedictine University in Lisle.
* J.B. Pritzker has campaign stops scheduled in Rockford, Moline, Belleville, Marion, Springfield and Peoria with other candidates on the Democratic ticket, including attorney general hopeful Kwame Raoul and Treasurer Mike Frerichs.
* The governor also did a round of morning show appearances…
…Adding… Gibson City…
Rauner appeared heartened by the ovation he got from the lunchtime crowd at the Country Kettle Restaurant on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Four years ago, Rauner got 76 percent of the vote in heavily Republican Ford County and 50.3 percent statewide as he upended Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. […]
“Don’t believe those polls,” he told diners at the crowded restaurant Sunday in an impromptu campaign rally. “We need to get out the votes downstate to cancel those votes in Chicago.
“They’re trying to bring in the big guns,” Rauner said in reference to a late Sunday afternoon rally in Chicago featuring former President Barack Obama and the statewide Democratic ticket.
“All the trends are with us. We’ve got to fight these guys,” Rauner said.
- JS Mill - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:03 pm:
=“That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to get him out,” Rauner said.=
I know it is what the Rauner team believes has been effective ( Madigan) but it is almost as if Rauner really believes he is running against Madigan.
Bizarre and gratifying all at the same time.
Even though he has taken one heck of a beating at the hands of Rauner, Madigan must be enjoying this to no end.
For better or worse, Madigan continues to cruise to victory in his races.
- Montrose - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:27 pm:
If the contrast between Pritzker’s and Rauner’s schedule today is representative of what it has been throughout the campaign, then we know one of the reason Pritzker is up in the polls.
- NotRich - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
I think one of the things I am really ready for on Tuesday night is hearing from Rauner around 9PM.. What will he say?
- rafa151 - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
Monday morning cable news (talk news) showed major contested Governor state races in bright color; they did not include Illinois as closely contested.
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
=== At Honest Abe’s Tap & Grill … ===
Hilarious, the governor who lies like a rug is making his case at Honest Abe’s. You can make this stuff up.
- G'Kar - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
==Pritzker will turn the state into a “nightmare.”==
I am so tired with both sides using fear as their primary motivation to voters. The only ad I’ve heard all campaign season that tried to move beyond fear and emphasize what we as Americans have is common is one by Kinzinger. And I wonder if he would have used it if he was in a tight race.
- Anon - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
I vow to stay up until the race is called. Expecting to get to bed early.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
===But you know what?===
You’re an utter failure, unlikable, and down double-digits because of that?
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
“can’t make this stuff up.”
- Baloneymous - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:36 pm:
the only real baloney will be the mortadella he’s eating in a few months
- Coffee - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:36 pm:
Governor, you’re on the right track… your one-way ticket is bought and the train out of town arrives tomorrow.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:37 pm:
I do think it’s interesting there are no polls showing a single digit lead for Pritzker.
Tough to show polling when you’re down double digits, but think it’s baloney.
- Jocko - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:39 pm:
I suspect that as a younger man, Bruce’s girlfriends all lived in Canada…having met them at Niagara Falls.
- depressed in politics - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:40 pm:
I find it interesting that every statewide Dem is together for their fly around, and Rauner and Harold are separated. Erica doing a statewide flyaround with congressmen and legislative leaders.
All that money and she won’t be seen with him, must be a bitter pill to swallow.
- Ed Higher - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:41 pm:
===“And you know what ‘J.B.’ stands for then: Jail Bird”=== AKA Lock Him Up. Cripes, winning or losing, have a little grace. For the kids, y’know.
- Bogey Golfer - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
“an evening rally at Benedictine University in Lisle.”
That’s why there were 3 Rauner signs at Maple and Yackley this morning. First Rauner signs I’ve seen.
- LakeCo - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:43 pm:
==The audience jeered at the mention of Pritzker, with one woman in the crowd shouting “Screw him,” and a man called him the Pillsbury Dough boy. ==
Stay classy, guys.
- dilemma - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:43 pm:
Which Illinois governor has had the weakest grip on reality, Rod Blagojevich or Bruce Rauner?
- a drop in - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
Suggested QOTD: What will be Rauner’s last words election night?. And when will he say them?
- DarkHorse - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
Dear Depressed - one of the subplots on the GOP side has been: who is using who more - Rauner, or Harold?
Advantage Harold. Makes me like her more. I’m still rooting for Raoul, though.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:46 pm:
===Erica doing a statewide flyaround with congressmen and legislative leaders. All that money and she won’t be seen with him, must be a bitter pill to swallow.===
The reality of losing and losing via a Dem veto-proof GA, and Hultgren and Roskam in trouble, Harold is a backstop. Rauner is the anchor.
It’s poetic that monies even Rauner gave her may be being used to concede Pritzker will likely win.
- Arsenal - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
==Suggested QOTD: What will be Rauner’s last words election night?. And when will he say them?==
I see a real possibility that he won’t even offer if a concession speech if he loses.
- LXB - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:55 pm:
==And, a lot of times, they will go on and say, ‘I’m a Democrat. I don’t normally support Republicans, but I support you because we have got to stop that corruption and the tax hikes coming out of Chicago.’==
Yes, I 100% believe you repeatedly heard this in Carbondale of all places.
- Fade2bluze - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:59 pm:
One cannot purchase good taste or manners.
- anon2 - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:59 pm:
=== Republicans are going to pick up nine seats in the House ===
That’s the baloney! I doubt Durkin believes it. Far more likely is that Republicans are going to lose seats.
If Illinois will become a “nightmare,” does that mean the Rauners will be moving out of state?
- Skeptic - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:09 pm:
“Yes, I 100% believe you repeatedly heard this in Carbondale of all places.” I’ll bet he was in a hipster coffee shop when he heard it.
- anon616xx - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:11 pm:
“He’s going to get it, he’s going to win,” said Shirley Cairns as her husband nodded in agreement. “He deserves it because of all the changes he’s made and the fact he’s made Illinois a better state.”
Yowza - by what measure? Only thing I can think of are some veto overrides.
- Han's Solo Cup - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:12 pm:
-Suggested QOTD: What will be Rauner’s last words election night?. And when will he say them?-
“Bene, Illinois e fottuto.”
- Ole' Nelson - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
I see a real possibility that he won’t even offer if a concession speech if he loses.
And even if he does, it will be full of excuses and blame for others. Dude has no self-awareness.
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
–And, a lot of times, they will go on and say, ‘I’m a Democrat. I don’t normally support Republicans, but I support you because we have got to stop that corruption and the tax hikes coming out of Chicago.’ So, it’s very exciting,” Rauner said.–
Too bad imaginary friends can’t vote.
- DuPage Dave - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:17 pm:
In northern DuPage I have seen perhaps 5 signs for Rauner and probably 50 for McCann. Too many Pritzker signs to count.
- lollinois - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:24 pm:
== Which Illinois governor has had the weakest grip on reality, Rod Blagojevich or Bruce Rauner? ==
Well, assuming it takes some grip on reality to get re-elected… we’ll know tomorrow night. Probably by about 8PM.
- Big Joe - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
Hope we can get a statement from Ms. Cairns and her hubby after the Rauner concession speech. They will probably be packing up to move to a better state on Wednesday. /s
- Jibba - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:28 pm:
==What will be Rauner’s words election night?===
“I just called JB to congratulate him…” but it didn’t really happen. Start how you intend to finish, they say.
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:34 pm:
===“He’s going to get it, he’s going to win,” said Shirley Cairns as her husband nodded in agreement. “He deserves it because of all the changes he’s made and the fact he’s made Illinois a better state.”
Yowza - by what measure? Only thing I can think of are some veto overrides.===
Those quotes made me wince too. I’d love to know what Mrs. Cairns considers “all those changes” to be and how Rauner has made the state “better”.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:42 pm:
Anybody else think GTCR has been investing in Baloney manufacturers lately?
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:51 pm:
I really want to hear the imaginary phone call Rauner makes to Madigan tomorrow.
- wondering - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:57 pm:
LakeCo, that is as classy as they get in Morris, probably from the 2% of Morris that lives North of I80
- Hamlets Ghost - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
What’s the smart money saying on the over/under for Dem vs GOP seats in the IL House?
- Whatever - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:15 pm:
==Which Illinois governor has had the weakest grip on reality, Rod Blagojevich or Bruce Rauner?==
Rauner, easily. Rod has no illusions that he’s going to stay in his present position even one day past the date “they” want to show him the door.
- Mouthy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:24 pm:
J.B. will coast because his wad of money was bigger than Rauner’s plus Rauner was obsessed with Madigan and almost destroyed the state.
Madigan must be the busiest politician around since he appears to be running against every republican in the state.
If I have to watch ads it’ll be nice to see them in color and full speed again.
Also be nice to click on a CNN story and not get the same J.B. commercial over and over again…
Looks like a clean democratic sweep at the top offices to me..
- I Miss Bentohs - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:57 pm:
When Rauner calls and concedes tomorrow night, do you think he will call JB or Madigan?
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:59 pm:
Lots of people are saying that they didn’t leave the Republican Party the Republican Party left them.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:28 pm:
He’s losing because he absolutely failed at his job. So have most Illinois elected officials but his failure is on him.
- XDNR - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:52 pm:
===“He deserves it because of all the changes he’s made and the fact he’s made Illinois a better state.”===. Have these people been living under a rock.
- Stumpy's bunker - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:54 pm:
“The polls are baloney”.
Check back with us tomorrow at about 10 pm, governor.
- Stumpy's bunker - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 4:17 pm:
The Pequod is bogging down, taking on water, damaged from mostly self-inflicted damage from the battle. Ahab watches as the Whale outdistances him. Oh, they succeeded in landing a harpoon or two, but they mostly insulted the Whale & called it names. Ahab has already plotted his course for an exotic land, where he can dictate his own special account of the battle. The crew lowers Ahab him in his gold-plated boat, and silently wonders if their fate will include a vindictive victory lap by the Whale.
The Whale remembers.
- The Dude Abides - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 4:53 pm:
It was funny to hear Rauner use the word baloney one last time before the voters kick him out of office. As for the “nightmare” comment goes we know what that this..the Rauner years.
- Mike - Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 3:36 am:
===Check back with us tomorrow at about 10 pm, governor.===
If the networks don’t call it shortly after 7PM poll closings, I’ll eat my hat. If it takes until 10PM to call, it’s going to be a long night for Pritzker.