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As promised in today’s Capitol Fax, here is that story about Steve Rauschenberger’s apparent flip-flop.

Primary voters vote separately for governor and lieutenant governor, but when Rauschenberger announced his decision, he indicated he would step aside if Topinka won.

On Monday he said that was “really still pretty much true.” But he seemed to leave himself some wiggle room, saying that if he were to win by a large margin and Topinka was the Republican candidate, “I’d do the best to work with her.”

“I’ll run with whoever the voters pair,” he said.

He didn’t “indicate” anything when he teamed up with Ron Gidwitz. He flat-out said he’d drop out if Topinka won.

If this gets picked up by other media and Rauschenberger doesn’t forcefully deny that he said it, Gidwitz is gonna look pretty silly. Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 4:42 am

Comments

He’ll step aside if Topinka wins? Maybe she won’t (Gidwitz neither) which solves the problem?

Comment by Bill Baar Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 6:16 am
In just a few weeks we won’t have to worry about that anymore. Sorry, Steve.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 6:22 am
When compared to Joe Birkett’s pledge to not seek statewide office because he had to prosecute Brian Dugan, Rauschy’s comments seem statesmanlike.

One indication that the Gidwitz-Rauschy team is gaining steam is the frequency of these kind of attacks from the Judy and Joe camp.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 6:45 am
anon 6:45:

Gaining steam? Better break single digits before you make a claim like that.

I like Rauschy, but he has lately shown he is in denial about several things (Keyes role and pledge to drop out if JBT wins). Best to be forthright and admit error; people are more forgiving of a man who confesses his sins than one who stubbornly refuses to acknowledge them.

Comment by 6 Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 7:40 am
Gidwitz already looks pretty silly!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 7:41 am
The slumlord and the flip-flopping policy wonk are the only ones on the attack against Republicans.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 7:41 am
Not much confusion from what I read that was written by Nathaniel Zimmer of the Courier News. And I quote what Mr. Zimmer attributed to Rauschenberger as saying, “I’ll run with whoever the voters pair,” he said.
That statement seems to be pretty clear to me and others. Even if Topinka wins in the Primary election, if he is chosen as the Lt. Governor in the GOP Primary, he will run as Topinka’s running mate in the General Election in November. End of story.
Obviously, Rauschenberger could have been more clear, concise, explicit, or whatever when he first uttered his lack of respect of what Judy represented but so what? He is human and his intense dislike of what she represents bubbled to the surface when he talked to the media. Golly Gee, a policy wonk/geek who shows his human emotions?
Perhaps many of the voters feel that he he is not gubernatorial material. His polling numbers showed that. But, he is the right fit for Lt. Governor. I say that based on three factors: 1)Knowledge and solutions for Illinois financial problems, 2)His complete candor in speaking out against his own Party’s members when he sees improprieties taking place, 3) He is a squeaky clean guy who won’t sell his integrity and honor to the highest bidder no matter what they offer.
Don’t let this guy go, everybody. We need him worse than he needs us.

Comment by Beowulf Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 8:04 am
Beo,
Didn’t he sell his integrity and honor to Ron Gidwitz?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 8:20 am
“Gonna”? Gidwitz looks silly if Steve has ANY answer other than “I will be the nominee only if Ron is the nominee” … “Gonna”? This “Team” is more “the Illinois (everyman for himself, unless I need cash for Lt. Guv., then I am with Ron, unless he loses by more than 12%, and I win and can bail on him fast), Tournaround (my career if I win and Ron loses) Team”

Comment by The Land of Silos and Cows Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 8:31 am
Gidwitz cant look any sillier than he did on Fox Sunday.

Comment by takethehighroad Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 8:50 am
Rauschy is a meek man. (period)

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 9:23 am
Well, Bill at 7:41, I didn’t expect at nearly half-past-nine I’d get to say that first. Too good to pass up.

I am pretty sure this isn’t going to be a problem for Rauschenberger. Kids, be sure to remember you watched the slow-moving train wreck that turned State Senator with prospects Steve Rauschenberger to Monster.com surfer Steve Rauschenberger. What a disaster.

Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 9:28 am
Another GOP (as in MOPE) checks out of the “No More Biz as Usual” Hotel. They are falling fast and furious Yesterday, BrickheadJoe — the family loan schmoo — headed for the exit. Now SenWhinenburger boogies.
I sure thought the GOPs were going to be smarter in ‘06. Everyone makes a mistake
Whatever happened to Esquared’s massive media buy?

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 10:07 am
Beowulf, you haven’t followed Steve’s career closely enough. You accurately described Topinka, the other day, as always looking out for herself first, regardless of ideology or faction. The same is true for Steve, and his campaign gambits over the last year have been solely focused on procuring for himself a salaried elective position one jump up from his current post. Moreover, you look a little silly in suggesting that Steve’s massive brainpower will make any difference in state policy should he occupy the nearly-useless office of Lt. Gov.

Comment by SR Looking Out for No. 1 Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 10:09 am
Classic Political Puffery.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 10:13 am
Well, Steve-o doesn’t have anything to worry about. Birkett will thump him in the primary ending all speculation.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 10:25 am
This guy isn’t going to be running, or doing anything else, very soon.

Comment by The Colonel Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 4:14 pm
Oberweis and Rauschenberger in November.

Comment by genxpundit Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 7:37 pm
are we talking about Rauschy.. The guy that wants to start a internet tax???? NO NEW TAXES!!

Comment by Tony Soprano Wednesday, Feb 1, 06 @ 12:13 am