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Rutherford to announce Sunday

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Illinois

After a year’s worth of saying he’s going to run for governor in 2014, Republican state Treasurer Dan Rutherford will formally announce his plans at a series of stops and rallies beginning Sunday.

The first-term statewide officeholder confirmed Thursday that he’ll launch a day’s worth of rallies in Chicago on Sunday and then head south for stops in Pontiac and Springfield.

He’ll make a formal announcement to the press on Monday in Springfield.

The 58-year-old Pontiac native will be the first to formally enter what could be a crowded GOP race. Other potential candidates include wealthy hedge fund manager Bruce Rauner of Chicago and state Sens. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale.

* This, however, is a bit of a surprise…

Former Mayor Richard M. Daley gave some love last week to state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who is running for governor in 2014.

Daley was receiving a “Chicago Champion Award” at the Chicago Innovations Award Un-Gala, held May 22 at Untitled, 111 W. Kinzie St. At the end of his prepared remarks, he pointed out Rutherford.

Mispronouncing the treasurer’s name as “RUTH-er-ford,” rather than “ROOTH-er-ford” (Da Mare has not become more eloquent in retirement), Daley said he was a wonderful man and a politician who has done more than many for our great state of Illinois.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:13 am

Comments

Pongee’s facebook account is already a casualty of Dan’s new campaign. But why?

Comment by too obvious Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:19 am
=== Mispronouncing the treasurer’s name as “RUTH-er-ford,” rather than “ROOTH-er-ford” ===

I routinely hear his name pronounced “RUTH-er-ford” - it may not be the preferred pronunciation, but it’s common.

Comment by Raymond Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:21 am
How convenient of Dan to announce his candidacy after the legislative session. Why doesn’t the big boy offer up his opinions on the budget and pension reform today while he can be part of a solution? Typical “Do-nothing Drop-out Republican”.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:28 am
“Why doesn’t the big boy offer up his opinions on the budget and pension reform today while he can be part of a solution?”

== Sure, let’s see how his ideas on those issues stack up against Lisa Madigan’s….

…oh, wait…nevermind

Comment by grand old partisan Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:34 am
Her too.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:41 am
Daley likes him? Good enough for me. I’d vote for the other guy.

Comment by I'm with ya Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:42 am
Just got another flyer in the mail from his sister about donating to his campaign. Same language as the email I got earlier in the month.

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:44 am
Daley making sense for a change?

Wow.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:44 am
Rutherford, Roootherford, however it’s pronounced still amounts to a 3rd place finish in next year’s primary.

I like Dan, but I can’t see his path to victory. He’d make a heck of an LG though, for the right nominee.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:52 am
All we can hope for now is a repeat of the Pawlenty First In First Out strategy.

Comment by Area Man Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 11:54 am
With all the GOPers running, LG candidates could knock a point off the unemployment rate.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:02 pm
I like Dan Rutherford and think he will be the Republican nominee and the next Governor, if Lisa doesn’t run…..regardless, I will support Dan and work to get him elected in the primary and general elections.

Comment by Susiejones Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:06 pm
He’s spent a lot of time in chicago courting various groups and donors over the last several years. Not really a surprise. He’s not a bright man or inspiring candidate and at this point in his career more of a combine alsoran I guess just trying to get that last gig.

Comment by Shore Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:15 pm
Worst kept surprise ever.
Dan seems like a nice guy, and that actually gets you pretty far with low-information voters. I remember my ma used to vote for Chuck Percy without knowing anything about him except that she liked his hair and he seemed “nice”.

What will be telling is how he stacks up to a Dillard when they have to put out their planks and positions and start debating. Dillard has a reserve of charm as well, not as electric as Dan’s, but I think he’s a better debater based on their senate performances.

Either of them should be able to smoke Quinn in a debate, but I don’t know how well thy’d do against Lisa Madigan though.

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:33 pm
I thought it was Ruffafford?

Comment by Gecko Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:38 pm
DandyDan is our favorite suburban/DS GOPie. He should be able to cover both the Schock/Brady and Dillard bases well and go head to head with CousinBrucey
Fire,Aim, Ready

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 12:54 pm
Let me get this straight…a democrat in name only says a few good words about a republican in name only in a lead up to the RINO’s announcement that he’s running for governor? A kiss of death, if there ever was one.

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:45 pm
I’m a D that voted for Rutherford and think he’s generally done a good job. But 47 is right - 3rd place is highly likely.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:07 pm
No one will outwork him. If they think they can run some ads without using shoe leather and expect to coast, they are sorely mistaken. He’s like a 12-hour energy drink.

Comment by deeznuts Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:32 pm
Dillard understands government and the numbers much better than either Bruce or Dan. The heck with personality, we need brains and competence.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:49 pm
so who runs for Treasurer

Comment by more of the same Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:15 pm
You could make a case the the man knows 20% of the people living in this state. Just follow him on Facebook or Twitter and you can see he never stops. deeznuts (really?) is right…no one will out work him. Also, if he is destined for third, please tell me who is going to finish 1 & 2? Dillard? Rauner? Brady? I dont think so. Ward Room has the Treasurer odds on favorite over Lisa to win.

Comment by Compassionate Conservative Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:19 pm
News clown
Dan ELECTRIC? ZZZZZZZZZZ! Wow you have to have a real fun life.

Comment by votecounter Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:31 pm
In Da Mare’s defense, the street in Chicago is pronounced RUTH-erford.

Comment by Truth teller Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 6:43 pm
@FakePongee - Anyone … miss… me? #BoyPongeeWasGoodPongeeWho?

@FakeRutherfordDan - This Pongee of whom you speak… I doubt anyone remembers Pongee. #BetPongeeKeepsTweeting

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:08 pm
===Let me get this straight…a democrat in name only says a few good words about a republican in name only in a lead up to the RINO’s announcement that he’s running for governor? A kiss of death, if there ever was one.===

I see a “DINO” and a “RINO” in the same sentence, pretty cool.

That does nothing to help, but as far as structure, style and trying to get as many “dividing” words in, its a winner!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:11 pm
@FakePongee - Dan ….Dan? … you out there? #Crickets

@FakePongee - Oh My Treasurer, My Treasurer, why must you deny me? #AmIGoingAwayForRealOrOnTheFacebook?

@FakePongee - Pongee is like Peter Pan, My Treasurer can “Wish” me away #BlueBookValueIsHighCampaignValueLow

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:15 pm
@FakePongee - What is My Treasurer going to do with all the Pongee Merchandise I made for his run for Governor? #GarbageOrRecycle?

@FakeRutherfordDan - Pongee! I “unfriended” you on The Facebook, Unfollowind you on The Twitter, get the hint. #ChangedTheLockOnTheGarage

@FakePongee - My Treasurer said he plans to use me like Jason Plummer was used by Brady. #BorderCountiesHereComesPongee

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:20 pm
@FakeJasonPlummer - Hey @FakePongee, I’d gladly match my experience against yours #PongeeHasWeakResumeThisFakeJasonKnows

@FakeRutherfordDan - Let the name of Pongee be stricken from every book and tablet, stricken from all pylons and obelisks, stricken from every monument of @RutherfordDan… #UtOh

@FakeRutherfordDan - Let the name of Pongee be unheard and unspoken, erased from the memory of men for all time. So let it be written, so it shall be done. #WheresYourPongeeNow?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:27 pm
@FakePongee - I never thought it was a coincidence that My Treasurer lived in Pontiac, and he also had me. #GraspingAtStraws

@FakeRutherfordDan - Well, well, well, @FakePongee Changed his The Twitter password again. #pongee33IsNotAPassword

@FakePongee - If My “Candidate” creates a new “Pongee” I am going to blow a gasket, literally! #ItsNotYouItsMe

@FakeRutherfordDan - A Grey Pontiac automobile, which has no twitter account wil not be at my announcement. Stop PMing me here on The Twitter “Pongo” #YouAreJustPartsToMe

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:43 pm
@FakeRutherfordDan - @FakePongee, It’s not “show friends.” It’s show *business*. #OnWithTheShow

@FakePongee I am hurt! If anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the ground floor of something real and fun and inspiring and true in this politcal business and we will do it together! Who’s coming with me? #PongeeIsJerry Maguire

@FakePongee - I’m not letting you get rid of me. How about that? Campaigning used to be my specialty. I was good. Send me in the internet, I’ll do it alone. And now I just… You are going to Announce and it won’t be complete, it won’t nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete…# CueSecretGardenTheBoss

@FakePongee - Because, your announcement, I couldn’t share it with you. I couldn’t hear your voice, or laugh about it with you. I would miss My “Candidate”. #HumanHeadWeighsEightPounds

@FakePongee - We live in a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors, My Candidate … You complete me. #PongeeMakesMiraclesHappen

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 8:23 pm
Rich probably knew Dan when he pronounced his name RUTHerford.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 8:33 pm
@FakeSqueezy - To my Buddy @FakePongee, I have a place for you to stay if @FakeRutherfordDan did lock you out of the garage #IslandOfMisfitPoliticalProps

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:04 pm
You think so, Anonymous 8:33? I’ll bet it was long before he became this interesting, i.e., stalked by his own car.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:05 pm
===stalked by his own car.===

Well!

@FakePongee - I think what you fail to see is that Pongee and My “Candidate” were and ARE very close! #AttachedToTheSeatbeltClose

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:34 pm
@FakeJasonPlummer Pongee come and stay at the lumberyard with me and Dad that would be Kool! #NeedsNewFriends #CanBeLGTwice

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:51 pm
@FakePongee But @FakeRUTHerfordDan you promised I would be “Official 1″ when you were Governor! #LostmyDigit #Youre”Number1″Too

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:57 pm
@FakePongee Watch out Treadmill! You’re next!

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 9:59 pm
- Arthur Andersen - !

===@FakePongee Watch out Treadmill! You’re next!===

Game. Set. Match. I lose.

Outstanding!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:05 pm
@FakeRutherfordTreadmill - Saw your tweet @FakePongee, (Gulp) #HideMeAndTheDVDPlayerUnderTheBedStat

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:09 pm
Willy, how could I forget the DVD player?

Call it a draw. Such good, clean fun.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:12 pm
I would love to have cataloged ALL the movies Treasurer Rutherford was watching during all this entire term so far.

Pretty long list.

All in fun, I mean, if we made up Pongee, or even Squeezy, how fast would WE be mocked?

Reality is far funnier than fiction.

@FakePongee - I’m real. I’m My Treasurer’s Buddy. #PinocchioSyndromeFoundInPontiac

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:20 pm
I hope no one makes fun of me but who or what is pongee and squeezy?

Comment by Confused Friday, May 31, 13 @ 2:26 am
Rutherford is a nice guy, but very fake. He comes to events and holds fundraisers all the time. However, he is in it for himself and never helps the greater party (which can use a lot of help).

Comment by The NKI Friday, May 31, 13 @ 7:42 am