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* I don’t wanna be paranoid and suggest the Tribune editorial board is talking about some of y’all today, but I certainly don’t disagree with its observation about Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner…
Rauner strikes fear, and thus anger, among public employees and others who benefit from gridlock: Mention his name on a political blog and watch foaming commenters scurry to denounce his call for dramatic changes to public pensions.
* But public workers aren’t the only people who are skeptical of Rauner. Former Gov. Jim Edgar…
Of Rauner, Edgar said: “We don’t know a lot about him,” adding that transitioning from business to government is a challenge.
“It doesn’t do any good to elect a governor if they can’t make the state a better place,” he said.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:31 am
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My prediction: he is the Blair Hull of this primary. Will spend the most by far, will lead until January or so and will come in third. (No inference to any personal matters, just as a very wealthy candidate).
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:39 am
I am not foaming — I’m fizzing!
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:40 am
I am baffled at this statement. Public Employees do not want gridlock. We were involved with the creation of SB 2404, which we believe will make lead to significant reduction in the pension arrears. This bill passed the Senate, but MJM would not allow a vote in the house. We are also waiting for the house to vote on HB 212, which would appropriate back pay owed to state employees going back 2 years. The state is paying close to $1 million in interest a month on this.
Gridlock is causing great stress for government workers, who just want these issues resolved.
“among public employees and others who benefit from gridlock”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:43 am
I’m not a public employee and have no personal stake in the pension debate. My disdain for Rauner is the arrogance he shows to the political process. He is attempting to purchase the Governor’s mansion, plain and simple, and I resent that.
So I take great pleasure in sticking it to him when he does stupid things as all rookie candidates do. If he can’t take the heat, he should stay in private equity and leave politics and governing to the professionals.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:44 am
Rauner doing poor job dealing with the heat so far, especially re: clouting his daughter into an elite CPS high school.
hey Rich, Ty Bates resigned from IDOC.
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/state/2013-06-10/official-center-sex-harassment-investigations-resigns.html
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:46 am
The Rauner issue when it comes to Pensions, for me, is the fact that Bruce Rauner thinks shutting down government is an option, or claiming the system is broke to “bankrupt” the Pensions to start over, or to begin, here after, a new way to do Pensions in Illinois …
All the while with the “anger”, and the lack of respect, and the fact Rauner made millions of Pensions …
…while not looking at the Illinois Constitution to understand Rauner could/may be in violation of the Oath Rauner is going to take to be the governor of Illinois.
There is a disconnect with real-life business soulitions, and government solutions that MUST follow constitutional muster AND be successful in being the solution to the problem, for Illinois, not Wisconsin or Indiana… but for Illinois.
Major disconnect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:47 am
Anyone get polled by Bruce this weekend? Apparently my parents did last night. From my conversation with my mom I gathered it was automated and pretty generic.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:48 am
Not necessarily a Rauner fan, but it appears we do need someone with fresh ideas. The same old same old isn’t working.
As to Edgars comment, Edgar seems to done nicely transitioning from Government to making more money in the public sector.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:48 am
I’m not surprised that Lisa Madigan isn’t saying anything about the budget crisis. How can she do so without placing blame upon her Dad, Mike Madigan, who led us into this mess and refuses to do anything about it.
Comment by David P. Graf Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:51 am
47th. problem with the professionals is that they got us here in the first place. am tired of full time pols. wish there were term limits. at least on leadership positions.
Comment by blue collar Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:53 am
Last time around Edgar supported Dillard. If Dillard is going to run again, is Edgar’s comment based on his true reading of Rauner or is it a point to negate one of Dillard’s potential competitors?
Comment by Ghost of John Brown Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:54 am
Throw in the idea that Rauner MUST, not kinda-sorta, not maybe, not almost …
Rauner MUST work with the General Assembly to make it possible.
Wisconsin had a Republican state senate, Indiana had legisaltive assistance for the Governor.
Rauner will have NONE of that, especially with the type of campaign Rauner needs to have, a “nuclear option” campaign against everyone, blaming everyone, be they the GOP candidates Rauner will face in the Priamry, and the Democratic Nominee in the General Election.
Rauner has no base of operations, no “base” voters to build on to HAVE a base of operations, and his constituency seems to be rich CEOs. You can’t do a fly-around with a buch of CEOs only.
“I guess we’re done.” …
Not going to fly, even without … a fly-around.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:56 am
Sounds like the trib editorial board are stalkers on capital fax. Lol Its better reading than the trib isn’t it folks.
Comment by foster brooks Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:56 am
Name a recent Illinois governor who has made Illinois a better place.
Comment by Ucster Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:57 am
47th.. should add that i cannot stand rauner. he is definitely not the answer.
Comment by blue collar Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 10:58 am
I’m sorry but I’m really really really really really over Jim Edgar. He needs to take some guidance from George W. Bush in retirement and just make himself politically invisible. He’s had numerous chances to involve himself to help the party and at all opportunities he’s declined. The party needs to move forward and it can’t do that with him lurking and making a show of himself whenever he feels it’s in his personal interest. Dillard did the Edgar revisited thing in 2010 and he lost and was frankly a terrible candidate. Every once in awhile he shows up, tells the party how awful it is-maybe he wants to look relevant, who knows, smiles at democrats and then dissapears. This hasn’t been helpful.
If there were a baseballreference.com for politics the comparison for Rauner would be McKenna only the difference with McKenna was the guy actually put in the time doing the legwork, and wasn’t just a millionaire jetting in to run a race.
Comment by shore Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:00 am
@ blue collar:
Not sure that term limits is the solution. Terms limits in California has largely meant that elected officals spend their tenure in their current, term limited position laying the groundwork for their next elective office.
Comment by Peoria Pete Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:00 am
One of the problems with businessmen like Rauner is that they are used to getting their own way, period. In the early days of Blago, one of his “professionals” brought in from the outside apparently told one of the computer techs that he wanted x number of y-brand computers purchased and deployed by the next day. He had to be politely told that there were procurement rules that prohibited exactly what he was trying to do.
Just because you’re Governor doesn’t mean you’re king.
Comment by Fiercely Independent Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:03 am
Bankers for Billion
Tax Cheat? And 47th Ward Leave it to the [professionals? You have got to be joking! The professionals have taken a booming industrial state and turned it into a dependent basket case. And if clouting his daughter is the worst thing he did he is in a long line. Thats what the system set up by the professionals is all about; going to your Democratic committeeman or your chinaman and bellying up. Thats what Chicagos system is set up for and we all know it.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:03 am
===You’re right, we need to not touch pensions. In fact, we need better benefits. So what if my grandkids need a third job to pay the benefits?===
Read what I wrote. Know the Constitution, work within the parameters, find a solution, and shutting down the state, and bankrupting the system is not an option in Illinois.
You “name” is a bit sad and pathetic, and really shows “bad form” Might fly on a “newspaper” blog, but shows a lack of respect for children who are victims, more than a slam on me.
Bad form.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:05 am
“He is attempting to purchase the Governor’s mansion, plain and simple, and I resent that.”
Every politician tries to ‘purchase’ their office. Some use their own (or friends’) money to buy advertising to that end. Others use taxpayer dollars to pass out goodies to their constituents. Personally, I’m more resentful of the later than the former.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:06 am
Tommy
Rauner is against Obama care.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:06 am
“Name a recent Illinois governor who has made Illinois a better place.”
Rod made it better. When he left for Colorado.
Comment by ChicagoR Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:06 am
I’m not a public employee and I will not get a public pension.
Rauner rubs me the wrong way because he’s the ultimate phony:
– an insider’s insider who leveraged Rahm’s clout to make a half-billion flipping SecurityLink, running as an outsider;
– a Chicago teacher and schools basher who clouted his kid into a Chicago magnet school, and wants the hedgies to cash in on the public dime with charter schools.
– a dude who made a fortune off investing public employee pension funds who wants to whack those who made him rich.
Other than that, I’m sure he’s a swell guy.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:07 am
@Rich - But Jim Edgar *IS* a public worker.
Not that I think his preference for Dillard is based on his personal pension rather than him being his past COS, but just saying.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:08 am
I do look forward to the Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner to explain… to families and children… how its acceptable for his Daughter, who was DENIED, to jump over all the kids who PASSED and were on a “wait list”
“I guess we’re done.” …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:13 am
@wordslinger - Well said @ 11:07. The only thing Id add to that is the obnoxiousness of Rauner’s “why does that matter?” attitude when facing questions he doesn’t want to answer.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:13 am
=== I’m not a public employee and I will not get a public pension. Rauner rubs me the wrong way because he’s the ultimate phony. ===
Dead spot on.
Also too, I have never been a public employee (except for a few months of part time work w/o benefits 25 years ago) and I don’t have a public pension.
Comment by Bill White Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:16 am
ucster: Rauner would mike Illinois a better place for the well heeled only…he will get rolled in the primary…BTW: I am a public employee and he doesn’t scare me a bit…Il citizens and employees did not create the fiscal crisis Tribbies, please pay attention…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:18 am
- Its a helluva drug -
Really?
With kindest personal regards …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:18 am
While I generally dislike those who are critical of government employees (being one now) and while I do have a vested interest in the outcome, my dislike about Mr. Rauner springs forth from his public statement that we shouldn’t “tie his hands” by “requiring” the State to make its pension payments. If history has taught us anything, its that THAT policy is fiscally unsound and morally incorrect. It was THEN that I decided that despite any gifts he may have, he was categorically unqualified to be my choice. Period. End stop. Wow, logic and no foaming, what must I be doing here?
Comment by In the know Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:19 am
AFL-CIO
Unemployment is 16% in the Trades the unemployment rate is way higher then they claim nobodys working more people on food stamps and welfair then ever before taxs through the roof gas prices the highest in the country taking peoples spending money and you guys want more of the same? Higher taxes to pay off the pensions more government to artificially raise the minimum wage. Black unemployment among young Black males is over 80% in the city, and you’re saying Rauner/ Republicans have a war on workers? I never met a Business Agent on food stamps so cut the Rich man poor man crap. (member of AFL-CIO for 28 years)
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:21 am
I don’t know much about rauner, but I can see why he scares unions….he has enough of his own money that he can’t be influenced by the entrenched unions groups.
he already has a life and will be immune to primary threats, will not be susceptible to promises of future political appts, etc. all the usual stuff unions do to maintain influence.
if there is one type of candidate who has the best chance of breaking thru the union stranglehold on Illinois politics it is someone who is a political outsider who is self financed.
rauner is an example of this, but anyone like him would be a potential threat.
Comment by biased observer Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:21 am
All those who think Helluva should be banned for life for an appalling slur, signify by saying “Bite me.”
Comment by soccermom Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:23 am
What is wrong with some of you people?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:26 am
Mom, seconded.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:27 am
Skipping pension payments. Isn’t that how we got here in the first place ?
“tie his hands” by “requiring” the State to make its pension payments”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:28 am
Some of these “New” posters, they think this is a “Newspaper Drive-By” blog where you can just say on insinuate, or slur, or even just plain slam with the drive-by comments are only making the points that what they think is the right way to look at things, that way has a great deal of hatred, disrespect, and not one leg to stand on in regards to arguing the merits of their side.
I am embarassed for them, especially since if they think making me a target helps … yeah, ok, good luck with that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:29 am
I don’t care about getting his daughter into that school–it’s a compliment to the school, actually, that a billionaire who could get his kid into any school, no doubt (such as, probably, the private Lab School, favorite of powerful public figures like Mayor Rahm and the Prez), would go to such lengths.
And since nearly all powerful Springfield politicians including Quinn, Madigan, and even Cullerton are going after Illinois public employee pensions these days, Rauner’s rhetoric on the issue is hardly unusual-just more extreme.
I’m just surprised that somebody this rich couldn’t hire some competent political advisors-young David Axelrods-in-the-making, say–who could help him with his presentation. It’s terrible. If he is getting political advice, he is paying way, way too much for it.
As I’ve said, I’d like to see four years of a Rauner. Some cobwebs in Illinois state government would get swept away, the patronage hacks running the agencies would change, and his tenure would be interesting and refreshing. State govt would not be the worse for it. As for radical change, anybody who believes that Illinois state govt can be changed much under the best of circumstance hasn’t been reading this blog very long.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:29 am
helluva
Whatever the drug that you think is so great, I think you missed a dose.
Comment by AFSCME Steward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:31 am
I’m with Mom. What’s happened around here while I’ve been away.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:32 am
OW, that wasn’t just a slam at you. That comment made it clear that the poster believes that the political opinions of any gay male (or, I suppose, any sexually active female) should be immediately dismissed.
The slur was disgusting, but the thought behind it is even worse. If this person represents Rauner’s base, it should be an interesting primary…
Comment by soccermom Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:34 am
Thanks Mom, you are correct. Also, thank you Willy for responding with some class.
Comment by SAP Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:36 am
What appalling commentary, hopefully Rich gets out the ban hammer.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:37 am
==I never met a Business Agent on food stamps so cut the Rich man poor man crap==
As soon as they cut out the blame the poor crap. If you don’t like the dialogue then you better get them to change their tune. Facts are facts. Deal with them.
And people have every right to criticize a billionaire when they start spouting off about decimating somebody’s pension plan. When some of these corporate types cut their pensions to the levels of public workers then we can talk. But its a real turn off when a bunch of rich guys want to screw a bunch of middle class workers.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:40 am
- SAP -,
That post says more about Bruce Rauner’s base, and how they feel about people, any and all people. Very easy to respond with Class against that.
Anyone who thinks about that language, and thinks its ok to Post it, no matter the context, no matter the target, no matter the subject of the post to begin with, speaks more about them, and you have to feel sorry for them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:40 am
I have to admit, I do find the reactions to Rauner that seem to pop up here kind of entertaining. If we could only combine Bruce and Jim we could have some sort of Republican Uber-Boogieman…
Have to admit the guy isn’t my first choice, but he does not scare me that much. I think the Trib is wrong about the motivation for the ‘Bruce Love’ as it were you see some places. I think it is driven (this is my opinion) is more about him just sort of showing up as it were.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:41 am
- soccermom -,
That I know.
The idea to try to slam anyone, while using a slur about people, (male or female), that poster never understands the bigger picture is so much bigger than me, but it represents how that person feels about people.
Glad you made your point, agree whole-heartedly
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:43 am
==Some cobwebs in Illinois state government would get swept away, the patronage hacks running the agencies would change==
Do you work in state government? If so I’d like to know where because you do nothing but lament about the “hacks.” And even if you could get rid of some of the patronage people (you can’t by the way because most of them are in the union) they would simply be replaced by Rauner’s patronage people. It’s been fairly clear to me from your comments that you have little clue when you speak of state government.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:46 am
===…private Lab School, favorite of powerful public figures like Mayor Rahm and the Prez…===
Not a Private School at all. Competitive Public school for Chicago children to be given a chance to succeed.
Speaks volumes how Rauner, gaming the system, make no mistake, feels about the “little people”, hurdling actual Chicago residence and their children, who passed and were on a “wait list” as his daughter FAILED to get in and needed to get Clouted, and move from the New Trier School System.
If there is a way to be an “insider” and see how it IS to be an insider, Bruce Rauner showed it, clouting his New Trier High School bound Daughter into Payton Prep.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:48 am
With the recent legislative session that accomplished very little, Rauner should be a able to gain some momentum by playing the outsider card.
Will it be enough to cover his warts in a primary and general election? It is still to early to tell, but I am hedging he will not gain the necessary votes in either election.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:49 am
Apologies to all. The site appears to have been attacked by what looks like somebody sympathetic to the Rauner campaign. Checking into it now with the service provider and will take it up with the campaign.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:50 am
Rauner said yesterday or very recently that he wants to take back Illinois from the special interests, which are the unions. So the IPI, Chicago Tribune editorial board and other wealthy conservatives who are continuously pumping out anti-union propaganda and are doing everything to influence policy are not special interests themselves? What a joke.
“breaking thru the union stranglehold”
You must mean how AFSCME got stiffed on deferred raises, first when they were not originally paid, and later when the union re-ratified the contract even after the AG did not withdraw Quinn’s appeal. Plus, HB 212, Amendment 2 was not called for a vote, to give us our back wages. We’re still waiting to get paid. That’s a union stranglehold, right there.
Perhaps you mean our new contract, which will save the state $900 million, and our willingness to make concessions on pensions.
This ain’t 2010 and 2011 anymore.
We unfortunately need to do political battle with wealthy conservatives, whose policies and unwillingness to compromise are responsible for our sorry political state and skyrocketing income inequality. I would prefer to negotiate with my political opponents and work with them toward solutions, but they won’t budge. I prefer not to fight, but if I have to do battle, I’m in.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:53 am
If what just happened on this blog is indicative of the kind of people Rauner will be attracting to his campaign and working it, I’ll vote for any Dem instead of him…I won’t be alone…
Pretty disgusting…thanks soccermom…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:57 am
Demoralized,
I believe policy-making positions are supposed to be exempt, that’s why they are non-Rutan and also non-union, I believe. And new governors can bring in their own policy staff.
Given the acceleration of unionization in Illinois state government under Blago/Quinn I suppose there are more patronage hires in the union. Not necessarily a good thing, but hard to fix. But the policy-makers are the ones who can effect change.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:57 am
Oswego,
Rauner tried to get his daughter into a good school.
Any outrage over the state reps and senators that did the same, but for contributors? Seems like that is a far, far worse thing. Where’s the outrage? Let’s require the State to name those politicos that were engaging in that.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:58 am
grandson,
i’m not making a moral judgement about whether it is right or wrong, i’m just saying that the unions have had a disproportionate (when you look at their minority percentage of total Illinois population) effect on Illinois politics in the last 30 years. they are highly organized and this has worked out well for stateworkers, teachers, etc. it is difficult to argue with this, I think.
Many Illinois politicians are heavily influenced by union agendas. I think this is difficult to argue against as well.
Any candidates which would be predictably less influenced by union politics (self financed, don’t play by the usual “rules”) will be perceived as a major threat
Comment by biased observer Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 11:58 am
Endangered
The real question is whether he can attract moderates & dems to vote in the GOP primary. Both of these groups, if they do crossover, will likely find Rutherford more to their liking.
“With the recent legislative session that accomplished very little, Rauner should be a able to gain some momentum by playing the outsider card.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 12:00 pm
Grandson
You forgot another part of our stranglehold. How we reopened the previous contract and agreed to furlough days, pay increase deferrals and other concessionhs that resulted in savings I believe around $400 million.
“You must mean how AFSCME got stiffed on deferred raises, first when they were not originally paid, and later when the union re-ratified the contract even after the AG did not withdraw Quinn’s appeal. Plus, HB 212, Amendment 2 was not called for a vote, to give us our back wages. We’re still waiting to get paid. That’s a union stranglehold, right there.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 12:04 pm
“unions have had a disproportionate (when you look at their minority percentage of total Illinois population)”
I believe one can say the same thing about the people behind the opposition to unions. They are probably even more in the minority than the tens of thousands of unionized public employees.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 12:10 pm
“If he is getting political advice, he is paying way, way too much for it.”
+1
Comment by wishbone Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 12:52 pm
Rauner strikes ambivalence in my heart. That “run government like a business” canard is just as likely to end up running Illinois like Enron as it is Apple.
Corporate bigshots and former Military all think that success in government is just a matter of clearly stating your orders. They say “jump!” and expect the frogs to say, if anything: “How High?” Whereas in government, you say: “JUMP!”, and you hear: “How come?”.
Government is NOT business. Government exists to do what business cannot or will not do. Government is getting people to a consensus decision, to make the public’s lives better, …and business is selling a product to make the business *owner’s* life better.
Comment by Newsclown Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 12:58 pm
Oswego Willy=I am embarassed for them, especially since if they think making me a target helps … yeah, ok, good luck with that.=
Me thinks you think you are really know what to do, but can’t make it happen.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:00 pm
Oswego, take a bow. Once again, you’ve hit the bullseye. Repeatedly.
Comment by Anyone Remember? Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Demoralized
“As soon as they stop blaming the poor?” Who has done that?
“When some of these corporate types cut their pensions to the levels of public workers then we can talk. But its a real turn off when a bunch of rich guys want to screw a bunch of middle class workers.”
You’re not saying union Business agents are Middle class workers? This populist talk from guys getting 7 figure pensions calling themselves middle class? Rauner or the GOP have never blamed our situation on the poor that I have seen.
@Willey; I have been with you on the school but lets be serious, look at the names of the kids in that school what are the % of those clouted in? 5% 10%? If you had to put money on it would you go to 35% or higher? I would. Thats how things work here! Regular kids that would like winning the lotto. This whole city is based on who sent you, Rauner isn’t perfect but as I said if thats all there is he is in a long line. How many Business agents kids are in that school? Even Bozo circus used clout to get on the Grand Prized Game! Every Kid picked was a ringer! Aldermans kid, union leaders kid etc.. So lets not pretend we live in Keokuk Iowa. Chicago aint ready for reform.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:13 pm
===Me thinks you think you are really know what to do, but can’t make it happen.===
Sneedless to say, you miss the point, like them, making it about me.
Any …ANY campaign that thinks going after posters on websites is smart, and making it about ANY poster, be it me, you, any … they are losing the arguement and will be cut by 1000 cuts as the campaign tries to bandage one cut.
Me thinks you should speak for yourself and not me.
Rich, those attacks just prove how your Blog and the Sunshine it provides scares campaigns. It speaks to how well this place is respected, and how good of a shop you run.
- Anyone Remember? -,
Its the sunshine, not me. I thank you for ALL who understand what that campaign is trying to weave Bruce Rauner to be, instead of who Bruce Rauner is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:14 pm
To regular kids that would be like winning the lotto
Sorry
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:16 pm
The biggest head scratcher about Rauner is that he seems like a complete Romney retread: Uber-capitalist, seems like he’d playing by a set of rules that the rest of us don’t get to, says/does things that imply he doesn’t care about people (let’s bankrupt their pensions!), and has a troubling (for the Republican base) relationship with the Dems.
I think he draws so much derision because we just watched this story for an entire year.
Comment by Century Club Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:17 pm
SO if you agree with the tib you are a well reasoned and intellectual poster, and if you disagree you are a foaming commenter….
Said the editorial board whose routinely applies contradcitory logic to shore up what they like
Comment by Ghost Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:17 pm
Grandson,
I don’t really see much “union opposition” out there. Most people don’t think about these sorts of things. Even people who are wanting pension reform don’t think of it as “opposing unions.” The best of these reformers are merely wanting a solution of shared sacrifice across the entire state population, including some pension reform.
Many of the union folks want to do everything to solve the fiscal mess except pension reform. Further, they tend to brand people who want pension reform as part of a broader solutions as “anti union.”
It is difficult for some to accept, but proposing substantial pension reform does not mean that one is “anti union.”
Still, to try to make the argument that unions have not had a disproportionate (though completely legal) effect on Illinois politics would be tough, I dare say.
Comment by biased observer Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:22 pm
I swear that Rich Miller is Rauner’s pressec. I know it is slow, so you have to cover him. He will go away once politics gets real.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:24 pm
–The biggest head scratcher about Rauner is that he seems like a complete Romney retread–
Romney had statewide and national campaign experience. He’d been a governor. He could take the heat of a rough-and-tumble campaign.
Rauner’s a hothead; he’s already ducking obvious questions that he should have been ready for from jump street.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:25 pm
Romney was a one term governor for a reason….he could not take the heat and knew he was possibly going to lose on reelection.
Per the times ” But in contrast to his statements in the debate, many say, Mr. Romney neither mastered the art of reaching across the aisle nor achieved unusual success as governor. To the contrary, they say, his relations with Democrats could be acrimonious, and his ability to get big things done could be just as shackled as is President Obama’s ability to push his agenda through a hostile House of Representatives.
Mr. Romney could be appealing and persuasive, they say. But he also could display a certain political tone-deafness and a failure to nurture the constituencies he needed to make his initiatives succeed.”
Comment by illinifan Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:35 pm
Newsclown, it is clear that you have no experience in govt whatsoever:
`Whereas in government, you say: “JUMP!”, and you hear: “How come?”.’
No, in government, you say “JUMP!” and you hear (crickets…)
Comment by soccermom Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:52 pm
===This whole city is based on who sent you, Rauner isn’t perfect but as I said if thats all there is he is in a long line.===
How many of the “Clouted Denied Students” have a parent running for Goveror.
How many of the “Clouted Denied Students” have a parent running for Goveror… as a “reformer”?
How many of the “Clouted Denied Students” have a parent running for Goveror…as an “Outsider”?
- votecounter -, Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner is the worse kind of hypocrite. Rauner thinks you can’t question how, or when, or for who, Rauner used “influence and clouting” for, but is THE person to shake up Illlinois and how things are done.
You may be right, Illinois may not be ready for reform, but Illinois IS ready to call out “PPC” Rauner, his hypocritical way of running for governor, and the fact Rauner refuses to give straight answers make the white-hot spotlight brighter…
Unless, - votecounter -, you do not mind blatent hypocrites running for office, the kind that flaunt hypocricy as they pass the “little people” that don’t matter …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:52 pm
Cassandra, if you arent concerned w rauner clouting his kid into prep school, get used to “the ends justify the means”, if rauner gets elected. Rules are for the little people, but thats understandable if the prize is worth it? Talk about a made for tv oppo ad
Rauner will have to use paid media to connect with the late-to-decide primary electorate. I am hopeful that if rauner ever goes beyond bombast to flesh out scorched earth proposals, they will be shown by the press to be unworkable or worse.
Gay marriage referendum, morphing into a CA, is incredibly clumsy. Lousy staff work, or a candidate who doesnt listen? Or both? Overpaid staff phoning it in, or not ready for prime time players doing it on the cheap?
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 1:54 pm
=…is Edgar’s comment based on his true reading of Rauner or is it a point to negate one of Dillard’s potential competitors? =
Let’s hope it’s an attempt at the latter, because Edgar’s “pointing someone ‘out’” often has a tendency to work the other way nowadays.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:07 pm
- Downstate -,
===Any outrage over the state reps and senators that did the same, but for contributors? Seems like that is a far, far worse thing. Where’s the outrage? Let’s require the State to name those politicos that were engaging in that.===
Please refer to the Post I responded to - votecounter -.
Hypocricy is oozing out of “Clouter” Rauner’s pores…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:08 pm
And Kirk Dillard’s team should read shore’s post.
Stand tall on your own, Kirk.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:14 pm
“Many of the union folks want to do everything to solve the fiscal mess except pension reform”
Huh? [double face palm]
We just did SB 2404, which is pension reform.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:27 pm
And just a friendly “critique,” Willy: the school “clouting” thing is going to invite swipes and get old pretty quickly in peoples’ minds, just like the Brady and SSM talking points you beat to death.
If you’re going to focus on “clouting,” heaven only knows there are much more serious “breaches,” that are ongoing and might even withstand formal investigation because they’re so clever.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:29 pm
If a man can’t put his arms around his sons (Daughter) and help them, then what’s the world coming to?
Richard J.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:36 pm
If Character and Integrity mean nothing to you when a candidate’s Focal Point is the “Combine” and stopping the “Combine” and the “clouting” …
…and if you don’t mind Campaigns and Candidates who respond to tough questions about Character and Integrity with …
“I guess we’re done.”
Then I guess your advice would have a stronger base for me.
Nothing can be more serious than Character and Integrity in discussing Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner … because … “PPC” is making it about shaking up Springfield … except when it comes to “Clouting” his Daughter in Payton Prep … then its …“I guess we’re done.”
When the “PPC” Rauner Campaign wants to address Payton Prep, and SSM, and Abortion, and all the questions that lead to something or another Rauner Doesn’t like with out the “I guess we’re done.”, then you might see me respond different.
You can blame the Slytherin House Republicans and the Backstroke Swimming on SSM for my constant reminding. If they would have “Owned it”… but they couldn’t, could they?
To the Post …How about Rauner answering the Madigan v. Cullerton Bill.
Not hypothetical, Governor Quinn is faced with trying to sovle this 2 Bill dilemma, so, what action would “a Governor Rauner” take, given the very same set of variables Quinn is facing?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:40 pm
=Let’s hope it’s an attempt at the latter, because Edgar’s “pointing someone ‘out’” often has a tendency to work the other way nowadays. =
BIG WOOPS! That OBVIOUSLY should have read “an attempt at the FORMER….”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:47 pm
- votecounter -
Well, when the Ad starts,…
“My name is Susie, and I was on the ‘Wait List’ for Payton Prep,”
“My name is Johnny, I was on the ‘Wait List’ for Payton Prep.”
“Susie and Johnny were denied a chance to go to the Public School Payton Prep in Chicago by Bruce Rauner, and a Phone call to his crony Chicago Democrat friends, all the while, living in Winnetka, and calling in a “favor”….after his Daughter … was denied …”
“I would have loved just a chance to go to Payton Prep”
“Wonder what my life would have been like, had I got to go to Payton Prep.”
“Bruce Rauner; denying a child is all part of the Game.”
Kids are good in Ads, especially kids DENIED something due to “clout”.
Keep quoting Richard J.
It ain’t 1975 no more!
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:47 pm
Willy, while your positions seem to have more to do with being able to come up with what you view as a clever commercial(s) that have yet to be developed and run, do you even bother to consider targeted audiences?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:52 pm
Nah.
It’s about charater and Integrity, and shaking up Springfield and Clout.
The rest is a bi-product…except the bi-product here is a child … not given the chance to go to Payton Prep.
Quite sad.
Character. Integrity. Easy to see.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Really. So you think that something that many might view as that “insignificant” compared to some of the other “incidents” that have been “exposed,” and yet not REALLY pursued, is what should be held up as THE standard for comparison when it comes to “character” and “integrity”?
Are you part of, or strive to be part of, that group who is well-known for desensitizing and disenfranchising voters?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:00 pm
Nah, I stand by what I post. You can Troll on it as you want.
Voters who think a lack of Character or Integrity mean nothing, then go stand with them, I guess.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:02 pm
I’m not on the Rauners wagon. I guess what i’m saying is “Is that all you got?” What I’m pointing out is nobody cares! If they did would they allow one party rule for 80 years? Would they continue to elect Congress people who live high on the hog while their communities are being shot up like the old west? Ever day there is a headline saying how many people were shot in one day last week it was 13 in 24 hours, yet the Democrat machine will still get their votes. It’s up to the media to bring these discrepancies to the publics attention , the problem is they are partisan.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:11 pm
=You can Troll on it as you want.=
You’re obviously, and possibly intentionally–because you got called on it–ignoring the point. Let me ask it another way:
As THE self-appointed grand arbiter for “character” and “integrity,” you see absolutely no issues with making a huge deal out of a school clouting (which, while it may raise eyebrows, is often done), KNOWING that in many voters’ minds, that is going to set a bogus standard, and create a distraction, for true corruption including that which teeters on the borders of ethical/unethical and/or legal/illegal?
Either you really don’t get it, or YOU are siding with Rauner.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:13 pm
Willy, at least now we know why they wouldn’t set up that con$ulting meeting.
They will rue the day.
“We’re done for now.” True that.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:16 pm
===What I’m pointing out is nobody cares!===
It’s only June … stuff like this festers …otherwise, why go to the trouble of scrubbing the Wiki page or answer tough questions with …“I guess we’re done.”. Patience. Soon enough it will fester and bubble more …
- Anonymous -
lol… ===–ignoring the point.===
And to quote The Payton Prep Clouter …“I guess we’re done.”
If you just accept, ===which, while it may raise eyebrows, is often done=== and you want a governor Rauner with no Integrity or Character …that is on you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:18 pm
===It’s up to the media to bring these discrepancies to the publics attention , the problem is they are partisan.===
Votecounter, Your statement implies that all media is partisan. I am sure the many journalists who visit this blog take offense to your comment.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:27 pm
===They will rue the day.===
I am still holding out hope that you can get a meeting to “close”. The “fees” may increase now, but since Character and Integrity don’t matter to many, no one will care when the chacks start coming in, especially any kid denied a Payton Prep education …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:32 pm
ok this whole “clouter” criticism is ridiculous and wont stick. people don’t care about this and trying to turn this into a significant campaign issue is a joke.
grandson,
for many observers,sb2404 is not seen as significant pension reform. it is seen as something the unions are trying to get behind in order to prevent more “draconian” changes. which is understandable. the only problem is sb2404 will not really significantly help the fiscal crisis, which is the point of pension reform.
sb2404 is like kissing your sister.
Comment by biased observer Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:37 pm
===this whole “clouter” criticism is ridiculous and wont stick.===
Wishiung away a Character Issue never works. The character, or lack thereof, is a stain …on Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:42 pm
=…and you want a governor Rauner with no Integrity or Character …that is on you.=
I’ll just ask again: Are you part of, or strive to be part of, that group who is well-known for desensitizing and disenfranchising voters?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:45 pm
=ok this whole “clouter” criticism is ridiculous and wont stick. people don’t care about this and trying to turn this into a significant campaign issue is a joke. =
No, to the contrary. People DO care–enough not to let people like Willy and AA LOWER the standard by which true character, integrity, and corruption should be measured.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:47 pm
Judging by some of these posts, Rauner has wrapped up the troll vote. Sheesh.
To the post, I agree with the first poster that he’s the Blair Hull. He’ll be seriously considered long enough to spread around a lot of cash to consultants. Eventually he’ll say or do something that will make it undeniable that he’s not viable. Or something embarrassing from his past will come out, something more embarrassing than clouting a child into school. At least it will be fun to follow while it lasts.
Comment by TwoFeetThick Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:47 pm
Defend Bruce Rauner on his merits.
Bruce Rauner Cluted his New Trier living Daughter into Payton Prep after being denied entrance academically, disallowing another child …a Chicago child…the opportunity to attend a Public High School that they may have been on the “Wait List” to attend.
If you think its=== strive(ing) to be part of, that group who is well-known for desensitizing and disenfranchising voters?===
That … is on you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:49 pm
Willy, is this your “strategy” for the Primary or General? I mean, was that intended to tee off those in the New Trier School District?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Your insight is almost as revealing as Responsa’s conclusions on another topic based on newspaper stories. I’ll bet she’d be willing to help you with any questions you might have about appealing to that particular district and Voters in the 10th, especially.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:02 pm
Nah.
I hope to golf this Summer, maybe even a golf outing or two, finish a project, maybe yardwork… some travel, but no strategy, since I am part of no campaigns.
To the Post,
“It doesn’t do any good to elect a governor if they can’t make the state a better place,”
How do you plan on doing that, within your plans and within the constitution? That is the question for the Rauner Campaign, since Bruce isn’t answering any tough questions….
Thanks for the concern.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:08 pm
=I am sure the many journalists who visit this blog take offense to your comment=
Let’s hope so. John and Jane Q. Public could definitely use the help.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:24 pm
Willy -
Stick to your guns! This can only get worse for Rauner, particularly if he manifests a tin ear on the subject. Or, to use Inside the Beltway language, “the optics are bad” … .
Comment by Anyone Remember? Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:26 pm
Anon, don’t drag me into one of your rants. Please.
This Clout issue is troubling to me, but I’m not in any campaign and don’t plan to be. I would like to hear Rauner’s take on pensions.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:34 pm
- Anyone Remember? -,
Until Clouter Rauner answers the questions, and is not dismissive of tough Character and Integrity questions, I doubt I will forget Bruce Rauner, from new Trier, denied a Chicago child a chance to go to Payton Prep so Rauner could clout his daughter, who, by the way, was already denied entry.
- AA -,
If you vould get Rauner to explain how shutting down the state, and/or bankrupting the Pension system is not only constitutional, but feasable within the parameters of a State, then you will be doin us all a HUGE service.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:38 pm
arguing that clouting the kid is unimportant and small potatoes…
it is not that it is the most important issue, or affects the most people, or involves the most dollars. what is important is that it is easily understandable and offensive to the average person. from there, it is significant, because if that is how rauner corrupts, or at least abuses, the admission system for personal benefit, it suggests how he would handle larger issues, and his claim to be above corruption is bunk.
it may fade for a while, but will be resurrected if need be when the time comes.
Comment by langhorne Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:45 pm
=Inside the Beltway language, “the optics are bad” =
“Beltway language?” Are you serious? Even “Midwest language” is a stretch.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:46 pm
=Anon, don’t drag me into one of your rants. Please.=
One of MY rants, AA?
How “quaint.”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 4:47 pm
Got some “news” for the Trib. Brucie boy strikes absolutely NO, ZEro fear in me, and least in part because he’s not going to win–likely not the Primary, and NO WAY a GEneral Election for Governor in Illinois. Maybe he should take a few more gorgeous pictures of scenes in CANADA while in some blah commercial he claims to be singing the praises of ILLINOIS–that IS, after all, the place he reveres SO much that he thinks he can LEAD it, right?!
And iff the guy can’t even get THAT much right, I highly doubt that hard-working Government employees (which describes most of them, by the way, and who by the Illinois Constitution have a right to expect to receive a good pension FOR all of their service over the years) are going to bother to get angry about some unelectable, rich fat cat’s opinion about their Pensions, either, if the schmo can’t even find the right pictures of the places WE all call home–that’s a place we all call “Illinois,” again, by the way, Brucey, in his dumb ads…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 5:56 pm
That was meant to be spelled at the start of 2nd Paragraph above, “if….”
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 5:57 pm
Another thing that is kind of bizarre from the Rauner apologists who say that clouting is no big deal and it’s just the Chicago way is that it completely ignores how insanely damaging that the clouting scandal was to the reputation of the University of Illinois and to the careers of the people involved in clouting at the university. The alums of the U of I have not forgotten!
So I would ask if the University of Illinois president was removed from office over a clouting in admissions scandal, why would we want to elect a governor (who would have the role of appointing U of I board trustees) that didn’t take clouting in admissions as a serious problem and why would we trust him to fix the clouting in admissions problems at U of I?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 5:59 pm
=Another thing that is kind of bizarre from the Rauner apologists who say that clouting is no big deal…=
Really, “girlfriday.” And exactly WHO are those “Rauner apologists,” or are you going to display today that you have problems with concepts and “scope” as well?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:06 pm
The State of Illinois has been ‘led’ by the so-called political professionals long enough. Edgar is a has-been that simply is not relevant to the Illinois of 2014. At this point I really think Daffy Duck, a random name from facebook or a recent immigrant (with citizenship of course) could do just as well as Governor ! Bill Brady, Dan Rutherford, Dillard etc are all talk and no action. The ‘political class’ has run our state into the ditch and have made nice, pensioned careeers out of their alleged ‘public service’.
Comment by Mcleaniac Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:27 pm
@Yes, really, unoriginal commenter at 6:06 p.m.:
There are Rauner apologists who act like clouting is not a big deal and there’s no reason for any of us to take exception to it. These posters have posted they don’t see it as a big deal and have made excuses for Rauner. These posters include @votecounter, @biasedobserver, and of course yourself unless that is some other poster who shares your penchant for unoriginal screennames.
I have no problem with concepts or scopes (or “scopes” for whatever reason you put that in quotation markes). And I actually have no problem with you or any of the previous commenters I mentioned as disagreeing with when it comes to the politics of this. My problem is strictly with hypocritical, wannabe Charles Foster Kane faux-populists like Bruce Rauner.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:39 pm
Looks like the BR campaign spent a whole lotta time here today.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:42 pm
Willie, I’m shocked that the thin-skinned, s-f-brains, highly-paid Rauner trolls didn’t rattle you.
You’re such a delicate flower. I imagined you’d just fold up and die from their brilliant prose.
I guess you have a problem with a lying, nasty SOB pretending to be the exact opposite of what he is stepping into the big chair.
Who is not attracted to a billionaire who blames everyone’s problems on lunch ladies and janitors?
Doesn’t that blow your mind? You have to pretend to be exactly what you are not to be attractive to others?
Wouldn’t it be easier to just be who you are?
AA, I guess you haven’t sent the invoices yet, because it’s amateur hour right now, and I haven’t seen a dime. But someone’s making money on this clown college.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:43 pm
Apologists?
===And if clouting his daughter is the worst thing he did he is in a long line.===
===don’t care about getting his daughter into that school–it’s a compliment to the school, actually, that a billionaire who could get his kid into any school, no doubt (such as, probably, the private Lab School, favorite of powerful public figures like Mayor Rahm and the Prez), would go to such lengths.===
===Rauner tried to get his daughter into a good school. Any outrage over the state reps and senators that did the same, but for contributors? Seems like that is a far, far worse thing. Where’s the outrage?===
===@Willey; I have been with you on the school but lets be serious, look at the names of the kids in that school what are the % of those clouted in? 5% 10%? If you had to put money on it would you go to 35% or higher? I would. Thats how things work here! Regular kids that would like winning the lotto.===
And - Anonymous -,
===If you’re going to focus on “clouting,” heaven only knows there are much more serious “breaches,” that are ongoing and might even withstand formal investigation because they’re so clever.===
“much more serious breaches” …lol, sounds like excuses
- votecounter - using a quote to make an excuse;
===If a man can’t put his arms around his sons (Daughter) and help them, then what’s the world coming to? Richard J.===
- Anonyomous - …marginalizing …
===So you think that something that many might view as that “insignificant” compared to some of the other “incidents” that have been “exposed,” and yet not REALLY pursued, is what should be held up as THE standard for comparison when it comes to “character” and “integrity”?===
===I’m not on the Rauners wagon. I guess what i’m saying is “Is that all you got?” What I’m pointing out is nobody cares!===
Marginalizing …
===you see absolutely no issues with making a huge deal out of a school clouting (which, while it may raise eyebrows, is often done), KNOWING that in many voters’ minds, that is going to set a bogus standard, and create a distraction, for true corruption including that which teeters on the borders of ethical/unethical and/or legal/illegal?===
I think -hisgrilfriday - can say there… are a few “apoligist” posts and sentences …
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:45 pm
=@Yes, really, unoriginal commenter at 6:06 p.m.:=
Ouch! I can’t tell you how that hurts–especially coming from you, “girlfriday.”
(Well, I suppose if that’s the best that you can do…. Meow.)
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:51 pm
=These posters include @votecounter, @biasedobserver, and of course yourself unless that is some other poster who shares your penchant for unoriginal screennames.=
Yow! And another one!
Well, if you and Willy can’t tell the difference between “marginalizing” and falling for using substandards as a measurement, I’m afraid it says alot more about you than those who can.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 6:56 pm
- wordslinger -,
I think I was rattled…by my laughter, and was in shock… at the ignorance, and I was disappointed … at their lack of respect.
Going down any road with “supporters” of someone who lacks a morale compass, you have to expect ignorance to rule the day.
Appreciate the props, and that the props were used, to highlight the utterly pathetic attempt to “shout down” the truth of Bruce Rauner. Awesome! You are the benchmark we all strive for - wordslinger -.
- Rich Miller -,
This “place”, and I call it a “place” because calling it a Blog in this instance does not give the proper perspective to how Capitol Fax is received in Illinois Politics, is where the rubber meets the road and if you can’t make it in here with your message, your candidate, your campaign, you have more serious issues than just “posters” that you feel the need to marginalize without the facts to support any of the three listed above. Any of us Posting here against Rauner is the least of their worries, they just don’t know it iin that campaign yet.
- AA -, the invoices … please …
And finally to Sam … thanks, Frank
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:03 pm
Unsolicted advice to all other Guv candidates:
It seems that to get at least two votes from commenters on this blog, all you’d have to state and promise is that you have not and never will “school clout.”
Yup…believe it or not, that’s all it takes!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:07 pm
===wannabe Charles Foster Kane faux-populists like Bruce Rauner.===
I, too, think of the Clouter Rauner as CFK, but where there is a difference is that CFK wants to be loved, and loved on his terms, “PPC” wants and hungers for power and prestige no matter the hypocricy.
Charles Foster Kane loved his hypocricy, “PPC” hides in the shadows, ignoring his.
- hisgirlfriday -, its still my favorite reference thou.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:09 pm
Per Rich’s statements about Rauner’s people or supporters possibly attacking this site and spending all day here:
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Who are the ones afraid and angry?
When plutocrats try to get into power to enact austerity against working people, many of whom are a paycheck or two away from financial disaster, there will be pushback. We’re not afraid of Rauner. It looks like he and/or some of his people are more afraid of us.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:14 pm
==Unless, - votecounter -, you do not mind blatent hypocrites running for office, the kind that flaunt hypocricy as they pass the “little people” that don’t matter …==
If I really had a problem with blatant hypocrites running for office in this State, I’d have to burn my voter registration card. I would love to say forget this school clouting episode and talk about real issues, but you can’t get a real answer out of any of these clowns.
Comment by Anon. Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:30 pm
Willy and word, invoices are “in the mail.” Needed to add on a few more things after today.
It’s a good thing we included “Troll Management” as a Deliverable.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 7:43 pm
Anyone who pays attention knows I am not an apologist for anyone. I call them as I see them. I have been critical of his campaign but it’s stuff they did recently and substantive. I am shocked shocked to find out people use clout to ….. fill in the blanks. And for the Democrats on this page who’s party is based on using and abusing clout is what makes me laugh. I just point out absurdity when I see it.
Comment by votecounter Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 8:16 pm
Read the Hubris;
Chicago Tribune the Post cites:
“…”We’ll see, you know, whatever. We want to win.” He needn’t please any special interest group except voters. He synthesized his message in a Nov. 1 Tribune op-ed, indicting “a powerful closed-loop system” with “unions and politicians on the inside, and taxpayers and schoolchildren on the outside.”…”
“We” want to win … King Clouter is still with the “We” …Dope!
Further, and THIS is why Clouting his Daughter, from the New Trier High School district into the BEST Chicago School reeks…
===”unions and politicians on the inside, and taxpayers and schoolchildren on the outside.”…”===
“Schoolchildren”
The Payton Prep Clouter, Bruce Rauner …is …worried about …”Schoolchildren”.
Except for the Chicago “Wait List” kids his Daughter, who was DENIED entry, leap frogged over, with Clout, using Democrats, Obama’s Education Secretary now, and a Daley Appointee then … to Freeze OUT …one of those …
“Schoolchildren”
No, it’s not too much to discuss, especially when the Payton Prep Clouter, uses the “Schoolchildren” as a crutch, be it to hurdle for his Daughter, or to be a candidate for Governor.
Pathetic, Sad, Hypocritical.
Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 8:31 pm
Miss me now?
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 9:28 pm
I’ve just been reading Capitol Fax for several weeks and have been impressed by the fact that, unlike most internet comment sites, there are intelligent,and often humorous comments made here. While people disagree, they are not disagreeable and respect each other even when they may not be impressed with another poster’s opinion. What happened today on this topic? Is this a sign of Candidate Rauner’s potential scorched earth campaign strategy that appears to be a common rich guy with no base other than his big bucks style? It seems like the regular commentators here can tell when there is someone out there who would really like to be king ruling over the peasants rather than being an elected official having to deal with all the messy details of a democracy.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Jun 10, 13 @ 9:38 pm