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Two endorsements, two very different reasons

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Illinois

* The SJ-R goes with Kirk Dillard for governor…

Dillard, a suburban state senator from Hinsdale since 1993 and former chief of staff for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, has a record of moderate views on fiscal and economic matters involving the state. In a state whose books are so dramatically out of whack, why look for moderation in a leader? Because reason and moderation — not heavy-handed, uncompromising pledges to take a jackhammer to Illinois government — are how good leaders get things done.

* But the Moline Dispatch and the Rock Island Argus go with Bruce Rauner…

Based on their records and long commitment to making Illinois a better place to live, we believe Sens. Dillard and Brady and Treasurer Rutherford could slide easily into the governor’s office and get to work within the system to try to change it. But is incremental change at glacial speed what Illinois needs? Or is it time to explore shaking up a system that has made one of the best states in the nation one of the worst in far too many categories?

* Related…

* After years of running together, Brady and Rutherford now running against each other

* Tom Kacich: It’s time for ugly part of campaigning

* Doubek: No Profiles In Courage

* Kass: In Illinois Republican primary, no white knights

* GOP Governor’s Race: 8 Issues You Should Know

* GOP governor candidates cite proudest accomplishments

* Local Historian Shares Thoughts on Governor’s Race

* 5 questions with Bruce Rauner

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:14 am

Comments

Kass ceases to amaze, talks about all negatives in regards to Dillard, Brady, and Rutherford.

But doesn’t mention that Rauner donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrats, vacations with Rahm, and uses insider tactics to clout his daughter into school even though he doesn’t live in Chicago.

Would not be surprised if Rauner’s communication team wrote and edited that piece.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:22 am
GOP governor candidates cite proudest accomplishments: “For businessman Bruce Rauner, it’s how his private-equity funds made money for state pension systems.”

Words. Fail.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:27 am
They kind of boil down to the basic question (assuming you think there needs to be change in state government)

Is an incremental change better or a large change better.

You want the scalpel or the hammer?

Some what the scalpel and some want the hammer.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:29 am
Voters want to “shake up Springfield”.
Which of these candidates promises to do that?

If your guy isn’t promising to do it - then don’t whine when he loses.

You better pray that non-shaker Dillard wins because if Rauner gets the nomination - he is going to be hard to beat, especially against Mr. Quinn and his $54,000,000 missing grant money making the news all summer.

Voters want to shake up Springfield. Dillard better start telling voters how he will do that.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:34 am
How do you shake up government if you are so devisive you cant pass a single bill?

It seems to me a promise to change things needs some anlaysis of the actual relaity of being able to accomplish that change. The Governor by themselves weilds little ability to make change. if you want change you need a Jim Thompson who is willing to track down and bend the ear of legislatures to get a bill passed.

I am not sure a blago style stalemate serves the people of the State of Illinois…

Comment by Ghost Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 10:48 am
Kass is slipping.

Somehow, he managed to write a column on the Illinois GOP primary for governor without mentioning “Benghazi.”

Obama and Obamacare are there, though. So he hasn’t totally lost the great relevant insight and wisdom we’ve come to expect.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 11:00 am
The problem for those who want to use a hammer to change State Govt is that you actually have to have a real hammer. A plastic toy hammer doesn’t result in anything constructive.

Given the veto proof majorities the Dems have in the GA, they would appear to have the upper hand. The Baron’s tool will be impotent in the face of this structure.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 11:29 am
Ghost has it right. About all a Governor can do without help from the legislature is issue executive orders and hire or fire employees. That’s not exactly “shaking things up.”

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 11:29 am
I’m glad I had a drink in front of me when I read the SJ-R excerpt. Even they dropped the name of Jim Edgar in their endorsement of Dillard. It’s the new version of “Hi, Bob!” My daughter nearly fell over laughing when I took a drink during Dillard’s TV commercial this weekend.

Comment by cover Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 12:02 pm
Dillard is only making right turns, the old Dillard was somewhat moderate. Now listen to
him.

Comment by Mokenavince Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 12:40 pm
I get it. If you need minor surgery, go to an experienced doctor. If you need major surgery, don’t go to a doctor. Find out who was responsible for the disease’s spread (Rauner can’t be bought he is a guy who has been doing the buying, e.g. Ed Rendell, Stu Levine et al.) and hire him to make you better.
Why didn’t I think of that?

Comment by truthteller Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 12:54 pm
Well, good for the SJ-R! You’ve got to admire them to the extent of their willingness to stick their neck out for a Candidate even they suspect will likely not succeed, but to endorse him on principle! Not to say the Other Papers won’t try and justify their choice of the Baron, but when it comes to these endorsements, that’s the way it SHOULD be!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 6:49 pm
The only shaking up Rauner will do is funnelling contracts to his buddies. There will be just as much if not more graft, and far less tax revenue to pay for it.

Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Mar 11, 14 @ 7:39 am
What are YOU doing to stop Rauner…

Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:39 pm