* Dave Dahl at WTAX…
In what he says is his first interview since leaving office in 2019, [Bruce Rauner] tells WTAX News why he thinks he lost in 2018.
In a word, Trump.
“Anytime a new president comes in, that president’s party tends to get shellacked at the state level and on the local level” in the election at that president’s midterm, Rauner said. “Republicans were cleaning up when Obama was in the White House, and when the Republicans took the White House under Trump, Republicans got shellacked. It was pretty clear that, in a state like Illinois, that was rabidly against Trump, that there were going to be a lot of headwinds for Republicans.” […]
Asked how he would have handled the pandemic as governor, Rauner said it’s wrong to discourage vaccines, masks, and social distancing. But he also ripped Democrats for keeping schools closed and, quoting Rauner, “spending money like confetti.”
Yeah, his 16-point loss had nothing whatsoever to do with his own term in office. Also, he didn’t say if he would’ve imposed mask or vax mandates.
* Rauner said he was in town for some charity work and for dove hunting season. Full interview…
* He still drops his g’s and hasn’t seemed to change much…
I’m not really a politician. I’m just a guy who was born and raised in Illinois. I love Illinois, I always have always will. And I got involved personally for the simple reason that I thought I could win, and I thought I could make a difference and it was frustrating to see Republicans lose in the state for so many years, and we pulled a miracle and won in 14 and kept trying and kept fighting, and we should never give up in Illinois, it’s a wonderful state.
Says the guy who moved to Florida…
I’ve been a big funder, supporter of Republicans in the state of Florida and the state legislature, both in the House and the Senate. I’m a fan of Ron DeSantis. I think he’s done a fantastic job as governor in the state of Florida.
Florida, the land of the oxygen shortage…
Orlando Utilities Commission says this is not the time for customers to stop conserving water.
Last month, OUC said it is facing a liquid oxygen shortage because, while the company uses it to purify water, hospitals are seeing an increased demand to use it to treat COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
* Will he run for anything else?…
Well, I’ve been asked to run for various offices in various locations. And, you know, I’m flattered by that. But you know, I’m really not a politician, per se, I’m just a guy who wants to try to make things better and create a better future for all our kids here in Illinois and around the country and, and make sure that our government is working for people and we maintain our freedoms. I’m a big, big believer in freedom and the fundamental views of our nations was founded on individual liberty and personal responsibility. And I’ll always be advocating for that.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 4:39 am:
Delusional as ever
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 6:05 am:
By nearly every measure…
Illinois is better off since Bruce Rauner moved to Florida.
Rauner is still a heartless soul, delusional, and *still* believes his money makes him “good of character”… be it denying a worthy child for his Winnetka living daughter… to getting at the head of the line for a vaccine… and paying $250,000… without batting an eye.
A heartless soul.
- MrX - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 6:10 am:
Trump cost me the election says the guy who dressed up like a biker the week before the election and rode his Harley to Murphysboro in hopes of a meeting he was refused.
- Numbers matter - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 6:32 am:
Like him or not, as a citizen Bruce Rauner put a lot of time, energy and money into causes helping others. Most specifically in education. As did his wife and investment firm. His record in this regard can’t be denied. And insofar as clouting/paying for his kid to get into school, I’m certain there are a lot of clouted kids in that particular school, including children of prominent liberals. That doesn’t make right, but it doesn’t make him ” “a heartless soul.” And as Governor, Rauner attempted to do exactly what he said he was going to do when he started his campaign Misguided maybe in this state, (war with labor etc), but voters wanted something different.
- Stormsw7706 - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 7:27 am:
Bruce who?
- Keyrock - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 7:49 am:
“ The former first lady, Diana Rauner, still lives in Chicago and manages a preschool readiness organization, Start Early, formerly known as Ounce of Prevention.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:01 am:
The Pritzker family and Pritzker foundations bailed out Ounce of Prevention when Bruce was starving Diana’s social service.
Bruce is a soulless man.
- Working Hands - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:07 am:
I would have like to hear what Bruce Rauner has to say about the Com Ed scandal, the indictments of the people around Madigan, and where he thinks that ongoing investigation is going to land.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:09 am:
Trump was the reason he tried to find someone to take his place on the ballot? That’s not what I read.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:10 am:
=== Bruce Rauner has to say about the Com Ed scandal, the indictments of the people around===
Didn’t Rauner *sign* the ComEd bill?
By that silly, Rauner himself must be corrupt.
- Baloneymous - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:21 am:
Incredible. Rauner has less self-reflection than Trump. Three years later and he still can’t see why he lost.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:26 am:
Incredibly wealthy people aren’t big on self-reflection.
The world is supposed to morph to their viewpoint.
- The Old Man - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:27 am:
As a republican may I offer that he lost because he could not connect with the people.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:27 am:
===Three years later and he still can’t see why he lost.===
Wholly disagree.
The Rauners, both Diana and Bruce care only about branding. We learned that from Diana’s own typed words.
Like the rehabilitation attempt in the Dartmouth alumni magazine, it’s not that Bruce doesn’t realize anything, Bruce wants a narrative that he’s a “fighter, victim, hero” and speaks for a “silent majority”… and all the hypocrisy is “baloney”
The tell also was that Rauner wanted the thought “Madigan and I took each other out” which is completely false, given the 19 HDems that made the move, well outside any Madigan film, Madigan ad, or phony IPI/Tribune editorials.
Bruce knows. It’s things like this that plays to the ignorant (by Webster’s definition) lemmings easily fooled by Diana and Bruce.
- DHS Drone - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:29 am:
His idea of making things better was making working people earn less so him and his friends could make more money. Good riddance.
- Rambler - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:30 am:
“Rauner himself must be corrupt”.
Narrator: Rauner and no other Republicans have been remotely implicated in the Com Ed scandal.
- Magic Dragon - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:32 am:
This guy is just as delusional as Rod Blagojevich.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:33 am:
===Rauner and no other Republicans have been remotely implicated in the Com Ed scandal.===
Thus far. Amirite?
Has any Republican given back money that they got from ComEd during these times?
I mean, if we wanna make this a partisan thing, it’s not red or blue… but green.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:33 am:
“he could not connect with the people”
Sir, and I type this with all due respect, the Bruce Rauners of the world do not connect to the plebes. We are here to serve them, and contribute to their ever-growing wealth.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:35 am:
“I’m a fan of Ron DeSantis. I think he’s done a fantastic job as governor in the state of Florida.”
Birds of a feather, the money over life people. DeSantis is one of the worst governors in America, as the COVID numbers show, purposely worsening sickness and death for political gain.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:37 am:
I’m just a guy, standing in front of Illinoisans, asking them to love him.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:50 am:
If it’s wrong to discourage masks and vaccines why has he spent six figures to support DeSantis?
Also good job memory-holing your near-loss to Jeanne Ives in the 2018 primary.
- MG85 - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 8:58 am:
== In a word, Trump.==
Man, the GOP is right. Trump does get blamed for everything.
Also, if Trump is to blame, then why did Trump get 40% in Illinois while Rauner only got 38?
- Steve - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:02 am:
Until the GOP accepts that IL is a PRO-CHOICE state, it will continue to be a circular firing squad as the downstate faction pushes the party further and further into Loonyville.
- BTO2 - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:03 am:
Maybe it’s just me, who cares what former Govs think, especially last few.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:08 am:
Rauner, as always, and forever, needs to touch some grass.
==But he also ripped Democrats for keeping schools closed==
The schools are open, you dork. How about saying a little something for us parents who are scared to death of what that means for our kids?
==I’m not really a politician.==
You ran for office twice.
==I’m just a guy who was born and raised in Illinois. ==
And then you left after Illinois said you couldn’t be Governor anymore.
== we should never give up in Illinois==
You. Left.
==I’m just a guy who wants to try to make things better and create a better future for all our kids here in Illinois and around the country and, and make sure that our government is working for people and we maintain our freedoms==
Offer not valid if you belong to a union or might ever be in a place where you need the protections of one.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:10 am:
==Maybe it’s just me, who cares what former Govs think, especially last few. ==
I mean, I usually listen to what Thompson and Edgar have to say. I don’t think a ton of Pat Quinn, but he does have the reps.
And, of course, I pay morbid attention to Rod, the same you stare at a car accident.
- MaddyMoon - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:16 am:
the disgust for Rauner on this blog has always been overblown. He was not a successful governor. he was not a successful politician. He would flip flop and didn’t grasp the role of his office. I will always believe in his heart he wanted to make Illinois a better state. The idea that we are some how better off now then we were before Rauner’s term seems like a strange hill to die on. Property tax bills continue to go up. The pension crisis remains unsolved. Crime in Chicago is at all time highs. Border towns continue to shrink. but sure the budget backlog is the lowest it has ever been, thanks to COVID relief money.
Rauner might never be elected to office ever again. but its clear that the obsession over his “reign of terror” will live on forever in the heart of this blog.
- Just Saying - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:29 am:
Don’t hold back on your true feelings there Rich
- Norseman - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:36 am:
OW has Rauner pegged perfectly. Any claim he made about caring for people is destroyed by his support for Governor Death DeSantis. Should Death DeSantis’ crusade for the White House succeed, I suppose Rauner would love to be the Secretary of Labor so he can continue his own crusade to destroy unions.
- Livco - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:40 am:
He is who we thought he was: Florida man.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:42 am:
=== I will always believe in his heart he wanted to make Illinois a better state.===
When your heart is cold, and vacant of empathy and sympathy, yeah, you may be in to something.
===I will always believe in his heart he wanted to make Illinois a better state.===
… and yet, credit rating bumps, debt reduction, passed budgets… and social services not dying in any hill to destroy labor. I’m confused what measure you’re using.
===Property tax bills continue to go up===
Local issue.
===Crime in Chicago is at all time highs===
Explain Rauner’s criminal justice reforms
===but sure the budget backlog is the lowest it has ever been, thanks to COVID relief money.===
Show your work.
===but its clear that the obsession over his “reign of terror” will live on forever===
… as countless lives were changed, social services closed, and the ruinous way governing was halted for a whole General Assembly…
Other than all that…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:46 am:
Sorry…
===The idea that we are some how better off now then we were before Rauner’s term seems like a strange hill to die on===
… and yet, credit rating bumps, debt reduction, passed budgets… and social services not dying in any hill to destroy labor. I’m confused what measure you’re using.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:47 am:
“personal responsibility”
Nothing says personal responsibility like stiffing creditors to the tune of billions of dollars and exploding the bill backlog, debt and deficits. While Rauner was governor, Trump and Republicans were exploding deficits and debt.
Republicans and their debt-scolding supporters and funders should just give up the phony fiscal conservative shtick and focus on culture wars.
- Osborne Smith III - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 9:48 am:
No, Bruce, holding the state budget hostage for 793 days (or, two years, two months, and three days) cost you the election.
- Jocko - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:12 am:
==I will always believe in his heart he wanted to make Illinois a better state.==
Better for who? He waited ten months to close Sterigenics.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:18 am:
It ain’t me, Babe…..
- Rabid - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:25 am:
Bless his heart
- Asteroid of Caution - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:47 am:
Maybe the former governor, as a white male, should have nothing else to say. Ever.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:52 am:
How soon is he leaving?
- IllinoisBoi - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 10:53 am:
==I will always believe in his heart he wanted to make Illinois a better state.==
He should never be forgiven for closing the Illinois State Museum and forcing out its professional staff. That was sheer barbarism and cruelty. And ultimately pointless.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:03 am:
==The idea that we are some how better off now then we were before Rauner’s term seems like a strange hill to die on.==
It’s absolutely true. The economy is better, the state’s credit rating and bill backlog is better, we have new investments in exciting emerging fields and all of the stuff you complain about Rauner did absolutely nothing to solve while he was in office, so at best it’s a push on those issues.
“Illinois is better now than it was under Rauner” is a strange hill to die on only because no one will die on that hill.
== but its clear that the obsession over his “reign of terror” will live on forever in the heart of this blog. ==
I mean, if he didn’t want to be remembered forever as a miserable failure, he shouldn’t have been a miserable failure.
- JustaThought - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:09 am:
==I’m a fan of Ron DeSantis. I think he’s done a fantastic job as governor in the state of Florida.==
Despite early claims that “DeSantis won the pandemic,” Florida now has 28% more COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 4% more COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents than Illinois, per the New York Times tracker. Florida is 3rd in cases per capita and 13th in deaths per capita, despite the pandemic hitting northeastern states hardest first.
“Fantastic” is not the word I would use.
- Mama - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:11 am:
== I’m a fan of Ron DeSantis. I think he’s done a fantastic job as governor in the state of Florida.== OMG!
DeSantis’s Covid outbreak is one of the worse in the nation. He is currently putting children in danger by not funding schools whom are trying to protect children by having them wear a mask to school.
- Sick of the Crapsters - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:28 am:
ComEd reference: I mean, if we wanna make this a partisan thing, it’s not red or blue… but green.
You can’t be serious. This is a Mike Madigan (numero uno Dem) problem. The so called lobbyists are dems and the little deal was dem driven.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:32 am:
===This is a Mike Madigan (numero uno Dem) problem.===
A million docs, recordings, no indictment?
Sounds like a USA problem.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:35 am:
===The so called lobbyists are dems and the little deal was dem driven.===
Explain the deal, specifically, which laws are broken, and why no MJM indictment.
My point in the Madigan thinking is Rauner still peddles that he took out Madigan, they “took out each other”… which is wrong, a phony narrative, and in actuality the retirement of Madigan was brought on by 19 Dems, not Rauner.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 11:52 am:
“the disgust for Rauner on this blog has always been overblown.”
Then you list all the stuff we have griped about, and point out there are still problems, which all of us acknowledge. There are no magic beans. You can’t solve all of the problems of the last 50 years in 2 years, especially during a pandemic. Don’t try to gaslight us. We know what is going on. Bruce Rainer was the worst modern Illinois governor. And that is the way he designed it.
- Publius - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 12:10 pm:
Maybe Bruce should watch Citizen Kane again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqquLzHmH5k
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
====Property tax bills continue to go up===+
Because property values increase and the cost of doing business continues to rise.
Maybe you haven’t checked so I thought I would let you know.
- Mr K - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 12:38 pm:
The dove hunting comments are weird.
Is the “dove breast, rare — mmmmmm!” code for part of his (old) base?
And doves? Really?
- Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 12:46 pm:
Mr/Ms Sick of Crapsters:
Apparently you have missed the years of donations/hires/contracts doled out to all caucuses and exec. branch? Look at history. You want to glance at the $1 billion repaid consumers when someone busted the reverse auction scheme.
Thanks for comin’ by.
- Sling - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 1:02 pm:
=== Property tax bills continue to go up.===
Governors don’t control property tax
===The pension crisis remains unsolved.===
Tier ii
===Crime in Chicago is at all time highs.===
And everywhere else in the country. In Chicago homicide rate is close to the level it was in 2016, during Rauner’s term.
===but sure the budget backlog is the lowest it has ever been, thanks to COVID relief money.===
Covid-19 relief money can’t be used for non covid-19 items, like budget or tax cuts.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
“I’m not really a politician” - Bruce Rauner
Rauner could not rise above politics…ever…That’s exactly why He failed in his attempt to be a Governor…so miserably.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
==This is a Mike Madigan (numero uno Dem) problem.==
You know the Dems ran him out of office, right?
- Pundent - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
=“I’m not really a politician” - Bruce Rauner=
Rauner’s arrogance on full display. He didn’t fail as a politician because he never was one to begin with. He was “called” to serve because he’s a great leader. We were just lousy followers.
- Yeah Right - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 3:47 pm:
Yes the guy who ticked off just about everyone including his own party and oh yeah lying to a large group of legislators lost because of Trump.
Where’s the eye rolling, laughing hysterically emoji?
- Langhorne - Thursday, Sep 9, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
“In Illinois, anyone can become governor. It’s one of the risks we face.” — Adlai Stevenson.