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* UPDATED x2 * Putting it into context

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* From a press release…

As organizers prepare for this year’s Chicago Pride Parade, expected to attract record-breaking numbers past last year’s one million mark, LGBT couples and leaders gathered today to condemn Bruce Rauner for his intolerant stance against marriage equality and thousands of gay and lesbian Illinois families.

“An enemy of equality could become governor of our state. He poses a clear and present danger to our ability to protect our loved ones through marriage. That man is Bruce Rauner. Over and over, he has made it clear he opposes the freedom to marry and has chosen the side of bigotry and intolerance,” said Art Johnston, the co-founder of Equality Illinois. […]

On the very day marriage equality passed in Springfield – November 5, 2013 – Rauner was the keynote speaker at a Tea Party meeting in Quincy. He was asked whether he would sign the legislation if he were governor, and Rauner said: “If I were governor, I would veto it.” Listen to the full audio here.

“Last year, Rauner said he would have vetoed marriage equality if he was governor. A few weeks ago, he said he favored repealing it if that’s what the voters asked for in a popular referendum. This is the Rauner Social Agenda – that basic fairness and protections for Illinois families should be vetoed or repealed. That is wrong,” said State Representative Greg Harris, the lead sponsor of the Illinois marriage equality bill.

* They linked to my website. Here’s what I posted last December…

If Bruce Rauner wins the Republican nomination for governor, he’s gonna have a little trouble running to the center because he’s on tape saying things like he would’ve vetoed the gay marriage bill.

Rauner was asked about his position at a Quincy tea party event not long ago. He explained that he wanted a statewide referendum on gay marriage before a legislative vote, so he would’ve vetoed the bill. Of course, an ad could simply use his “If I were governor I would veto” line to make him look like a winger. Listen to the exchange…

Click to listen

That wasn’t exactly difficult to predict, and, as we’re seeing, it has now come true.

* Rauner is trying to remain cagey on the issue to avoid upsetting his GOP base. So, a surrogate was dispatched to do a bit of damage control. Sun-Times…

Former state GOP Chairman Pat Brady, a staunch Rauner supporter, said the banner’s veto statement was “taken out of context.” He called Rauner a social moderate and a fiscal conservative who has no “social agenda.”

“He has said all along he was for a referendum, meaning the people should decide the issue. But there are bigger issues. This issue has been decided. Bruce Rauner is not an enemy of this issue. He’s comfortable with it. Nothing’s going to change. A year from now marriage equality is probably going to be federal law. It’s a non-issue,” Brady said.

Brady said he would attend the parade. A Rauner spokesman confirmed the gubernatorial candidate will not attend the parade due to a scheduling conflict.

A “scheduling conflict”?

Heh.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Quinn’s campaign points out that governors don’t get to “check a referendum button.” You either sign a bill or you veto it. And Rauner did, in fact, say he’d veto it.

Rauner’s position is, at its core, a highly contrived dodge. And he has used it to pander to GOP audiences. For instance…

At a meeting of the Northern Illinois Patriots on Nov. 12, 2013, an audience member asked Rauner, who is now the Republican nominee for governor, “Bruce, would you have vetoed the gay marriage bill?”

Rauner replied, “I would have. As I’ve said, as I’ve said from day one: I have not supported gay marriage, and I have not advocated for it. And I don’t advocate for or against it.”

The candidate continued, saying the matter should be left up to voters, and not the legislature — where it received final approval by the Illinois House Nov. 5. Rauner’s opponent, incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, pushed for the bill’s passage and later signed it into law Nov. 20.

“I’ve said that voters should decide it directly in a referendum, and I’ve said that if it hasn’t gone to a referendum — if it came to my desk — I would have to veto it because it hasn’t been in a referendum yet,” Rauner said. “The voters should decide. I don’t think that politicians should force it on voters if they don’t want it and I don’t think that politicians should block it from voters if they do want it. I’m a limited government, let people decide what they want to do with their lives. That’s my view of things.”

Watch the accompanying video and you’ll see that the tea partiers applauded the way he talked about the issue.

* Related…

* Chicago Pride Parade: Which Politicians Will Appear, Which Won’t?

*** UPDATE 2 *** Rauner does have something else on his schedule Sunday…

Sunday Fun-Day in Support of Congressman Rodney Davis

Sunday, June 29, 2014

The Southern (map)
1840 W North Ave
Chicago, IL, 60622
United States
Host: Friends of Rodney
Special Guests: Senator Mark Kirk & Bruce Rauner Republican Nominee for Governor
Time: 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.
Cost: $250 per person, Sponsorships Available

Congressman Davis opposes gay marriage.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:21 am

Comments

And, who won’t have a scheduling conflict? Judy Baar Topinka. If the GOP wants any kind of future in IL, or eventually the country, they better take note.

Comment by Willie Stark Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:28 am
“Other priorities” : Dick Cheney :: “scheduling conflict” : Bruce Rauner

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:42 am
What time does the “Straight Pride” parade start?

Comment by John A Logan Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:42 am
The absence of a social agenda — or the repeated assertion that there is no “social agenda” — always sounds vaguely fascist.

The idea that you — anyone — has no social agenda is absurd.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:46 am
Right after the Aryan nation rally John. Snark aside, you aren’t seriously upset that the gays have a parade are you?

Comment by Jimbo Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:47 am
Gee, it’s hard to be all things to all people just to get elected even if you’re spending megabucks.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 10:54 am
I really like Pat Brady, but really, how do you take “I would have vetoed that bill” out of context? Geez.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:04 am
“Scheduling Conflict” at noon on a Sunday? Yeah, ok…whatever.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:10 am
John Logan, it starts every time a straight couple walks down the street holding hands without fear of being taunted, threatened, or accused of “flaunting” their sexual orientation. The “straight pride parade” has been going on, well, forever. Goof.

Comment by ??? Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:22 am
Mayor Daley was so uncomfortable with the idea of attending this parade that he refused to do any events on any Sunday just so he could avoid this particular Sunday every year.

Maybe Rauner ought to have a “no Sunday schedule” rule if he gets elected. It’ll save him some trouble next year.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:24 am
so brady thinks rauner is a “social moderate”? how does he know that, when rauner says he has no social agenda? saying he would veto gay marriage, bec there was not a statewide referendum first, is certainly a social agenda (and transparent dodge). being pro-choice is a social agenda. promising to fundamentally reform medicaid may or may not be a social agenda, depending on whats in it, but that will be revealed later.

the guy who is going to shake things up cant come out (no pun intended) himself, and say the people have spoken thru their representatives? its the law and i wont seek to change it. so what if the tea party folks are upset, where are they going to go, quinn?

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:27 am
He said one thing before.
He takes a different position now.

Same with the minimum wage.

With the budget and taxes, no details.

As much as I would like to back Rauner, I have to admit that the only thing I’m sure he stands for is “Will take all necessary steps to get his own kid into a good school.”

Beyond that, I don’t have a clue what the guy is about.

Comment by Goooner Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:29 am
Maybe Slip & Sue and BroomHilda Ives can get the Clark County vigilantes to head to Boys Town and arrest some of the ho-mo-sex-u-als for violating something

Comment by CirularFiringSquad Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 11:36 am
Is Bruce Rauner opposed to marriage equality and pandering to the left, or a supporter of marriage equality who is pandering to the right?

His statements ought to give Terry Cosgrove and a bunch of others cause for concern.

It is essentially the modern argument against Roe v Wade.

A similar argument was made against desegregation.

Sending Brady out ain’t gonna be good enough.

BTW, governors don’t have the luxury of not having a “social agenda.” In fact, the budget is probably the most important part of the social agenda. Bills will be filed, some will reach you. You have to take a position. It is called “leadership.”

“Mr Rauner, some are calling for an end to state programs that spend over a million on condoms as well as flavored lubricant. Do you support or oppose spending state tax dollars on condoms?”

Which reporter wants to take the first crack?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 12:13 pm
If so, what flavor?

Comment by A guy... Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 12:22 pm
YDD, it’s great to have you back up at the plate.

Comment by Soccermom Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 1:09 pm
If the voters should decide so much, why do we even need a governor? Why not a legislature submitting questions to monthly plebiscites? A president or speaker of said legislature could act for any necessary executive functions.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 1:32 pm
He has something else on his schedule? Four hours after the parade starts? What, his private helicopter can’t get him from down town to the 1800 block of North Ave in town? “No, I’m sorry Mr. Madigan, I can’t discuss this bill I want passed right now. I have to attend a fund-raiser in four hours.” Yeah, right.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 27, 14 @ 1:41 pm