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* From Chip Englander, Bruce Rauner’s campaign manager…
Campaign videographers are commonplace, especially at public events on public property. We treat the governor’s campaign videographers with respect and we expect nothing less from the governor.
Earlier today, a member of Governor Quinn’s taxpayer funded security verbally assaulted and physically removed a young member of the Rauner team from a public event being held on public property. The stress of multiple criminal investigations does not excuse the behavior of Governor Quinn and his staff.
I’m told by the governor’s campaign that Rauner’s trackers “have become somewhat of a security issue lately as their tactics have been more aggressive.” One tracker was recently found “hiding in a bathroom” the gov’s campaign says. Today, I’m told, Rauner had 3 trackers, 2 clowns and 3 staffers at the Quinn event.
* From the twitters…
A videographer for the Rauner campaign is escorted away from a Gov. Pat Quinn press conference. #chicagoland pic.twitter.com/8qBk1FtTJB
— ITakePix (@slow911) July 22, 2014
* Rauner tracker video…
Tense.
Currently awaiting formal responses and counter-responses.
…Adding… Just as an FYI, according to the governor’s public schedule, the press conference was held today at the…
Circle Interchange
Intersection of W. Harrison St. & S. Des Plaines St.
Chicago
Looks like a public event to me.
…Adding More… Rauner’s Blagojevich impersonator was, according to the Quinnsters, “repeatedly asked to move” away from the governor’s car by the cop in this pic…
The Rauner folks say the guy was just standing in a parking lot.
…Adding More… The Quinnsters insist that the Blagojevich clown was “standing in front of the governor’s car” which isn’t pictured.
*** UPDATE *** From a buddy of mine who was at the event. Some sentences were deleted to protect the person’s identity…
As it happens I was standing next to the young man when security escorted him away. I can tell you that the kid was videotaping the podium area and the group that was invited to attend the bill signing event. I didn’t notice him, much, since the area was filled with real media. The kid had a puny video camera, and that did catch my attention. The security guy in question did ask him to leave, the young guy refused, security said (right before the beginning of this clip), “I’m not going to take this anymore.” Sounds like this wasn’t their first rodeo. He grabbed the videographer by the arm and hustled him away.
I will tell you that when I went to park, I pulled in front of security’s car. The same guy got out before I exited my vehicle and politely asked me to move my car. Which I did, of course. There were several Rauner supporters there, one with the Blago mask carrying a sign, and the ubiquitous “Quinnocio.” They stayed behind the barricades to the event at all times. I don’t quite get why the young guy was videotaping anything since the Governor had yet to arrive. Security being what it is, the officer seems to have exercised his duties out of an abundant caution for the Governor’s safety. My two cents.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:42 pm
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Nice jacket.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Why do they only have 16 seconds of footage. Where is the rest of?
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:47 pm
“Security concern”…right, because recording conversations in public creates such a security hazard.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:47 pm
And people still ask…why don’t you consider running for office? Who in their right mind wants to deal with this kind of stuff?
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:47 pm
There is no win here for Quinn on this one. Yelling at a guy on what appears to be a public road is not a net positive, can understand the trooper got frustrated but not sure yelling at the guy was the wise approach.
Then again I am sure there will be all sorts of complaints about Rauner in about 30 seconds… So…
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:47 pm
===“Security concern”…right===
If the Quinnsters are telling the truth about the bathroom incident, then, yeah, it’s a concern.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:49 pm
===Earlier today, a member of Governor Quinn’s taxpayer funded security verbally assaulted and physically removed a young member of the Rauner team from a public event being held on public property.===
Now “Slip and Sue” Sanguinetti makes sense.
It reads like a personal injury lawsuit. If the tracker has a bedazzled neck brace, it will confirm “Slip and Sue” has a hand in this.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:51 pm
if security detail told the kid to stay away from a certain area, and he didn’t listen, yikes. those “taxpayer funded security” are state cops. same guys who would protect and defend a Gov Rauner too. careful Brucey.
Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:53 pm
Kicking a tracker out of an event is clearly done for campaign reasons, so is Quinn now using his State funded security detail to do campaign work for him?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:53 pm
No snark, to the Post,
Either side having people in bathrooms, but especially the Governor of Illinois fearing someone will jump out of a bathroom stall, that is well beyond “bad form” it’s inherently dangerous to the Executive of the Illinois government, no matter the person, period.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:53 pm
===Kicking a tracker out of an event is clearly done for campaign reasons, so is Quinn now using his State funded security detail to do campaign work for him?===
Careful, careful. One of those trackers do anything that seems physically harmful to the Governor of the state of Illinois, or is deemed threatening the safety or well-being of that Governor, you can’t spin your Dopiness as good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:56 pm
Also no snark but..
How do you define hiding in a bathroom? I would get it if you had your feet up and are in stall, but otherwise trackers have to hit the head too..
Once shared one with The Speaker of the House and his detail didn’t make me leave.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:57 pm
==If the Quinnsters are telling the truth about the bathroom incident, then, yeah, it’s a concern.==
Odd (if true), yes, but how is a kid in a bathroom a “security concern”?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:57 pm
Ok so I guess rauner won’t have any problem with trackers at his 7/25 krispy kreme event.
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:59 pm
==Careful, careful. One of those trackers do anything that seems physically harmful to the Governor of the state of Illinois, or is deemed threatening the safety or well-being of that Governor, ==
You’re looking at a clod of dirt that looks like a rock and calling it a mountain
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 12:59 pm
===Odd (if true), yes, but how is a kid in a bathroom a “security concern”?===
If this “kid” …is over 18, …it’s not odd, but…it could be a felony, or a misdemeanor against the Executive of Illinois government.
“Kid”, that was fun..
Hey - Anonymous -, get a nickname.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:00 pm
I realize Rauner has a lot of cash on hand for renting clowns and folks to harass the aviv and his staff, but it’s time for him to put his big boy pants on an run a credible campaign…these are the types of stunts you pull when you’re running for senior class President, not Governor of IL…
Comment by LCP45 Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:01 pm
If the officer felt there was a threat then he acted properly.
The media eats this up and keep in mind we never saw what occured prior to the filming. This is spin people.
I am sure the officer was justified.
Comment by Give me a break Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:02 pm
We are now officially at the level of two kids in the back seat. “Not touching you. Still not touching you” “Mom, he’s touching me.”
Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Spell check: Gov not aviv…
Comment by LCP45 Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:05 pm
Because officers never over react….
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:06 pm
===Because officers never over react….===
RAUNER CAMPAIGN FEELS POLICE OVERREACT
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:07 pm
There is no excuse for hiding in the bathroom to ambush anyone, especially the Governor
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:08 pm
The ISP Security Detail (for all officials R’s & D’s) does not do politics, they do security.
Comment by Are Ya Kiddin' Me? Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:09 pm
I’m not sure why someone hiding in a bathroom condones harassing the public in public.
I get the fear of not wanting the executive to be in places where people were hiding. I just don’t get how refusing to let a kid who looks like McLovin from Superbad record the governor in public addresses the bathroom hiders problem.
Also, clearly this kid is being bullied.
Comment by James formerly from Wrigley Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:10 pm
At some point the electorate will finally have had it with these childish stunts. A wise campaign would position itself to not employ the clown that breaks the camel’s back.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:11 pm
I am really curious about the hiding in the bathroom part. Unless as someone pointed out he was standing on the toilet crouched down how do you know he wasn’t using the facilities for their intended purpose?
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:11 pm
I think one of the key things the officer said is he’s “not dealing with this today.” He may have been cavalier in his language, but leads me to believe they do deal with this other days (because it’s legal) but today, he randomly decides he doesn’t like it.
From the limited video footage… and I agree it’s limited… it looks like the cop took things way too personally and went overboard in his tactics.
You can spend hours on Youtube watching cops freak out over people videotaping, and trying to intimidate citizens into leaving a public area.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:11 pm
There is no excuse for this treatment. The security claims are ridiculous. They got shut down for political reasons only.
On our tax dime too.
Any unbiased observer recognizes this.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:11 pm
instead of paying 8 people to follow the Governor around with cameras and silly costumes, why doesn’t Rauner pay 3-4 tax and budget experts to sit at a desk and come up with some sound policy advice?
Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:12 pm
If the ISP decide to say, for example, “The detail protecting to governor of the state of Illinois felt the immediate safety of the governor was threatened,” are you going to then say the ISP don’t have the best interest of the governor at heart…
… When Rauner will get a detail whose job is to protect him?
Seriously?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:12 pm
==The ISP Security Detail (for all officials R’s & D’s) does not do politics, they do security.==
Oh really? So care to explain to me how the head of Quinn’s So. IL security detail also just happened to be the head of the Macoupin County Democratic Party (until he was forced to resign after hurling a racial slur at a college student, that is)? - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/04/drunk-state-trooper-kenne_n_918805.html
Comment by so... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:13 pm
===The ISP Security Detail (for all officials R’s & D’s) does not do politics, they do security. ===
Not always the case in the past, anyway.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:14 pm
I got knocked down from behind once by one of Daley’s bodyguards in the back of the council chambers because I was apparently in his direct path to the bathroom.
I understand having someone take video, but these campaigns are piling on too much of a bad thing. Three videographers, two clowns (?!) and three staffers at the other guy’s event?
Things are bound to get testy, especially on a hot day hanging out on the interestates. Everyone just chill and civilize it a little bit. It’s overkill and childish.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:14 pm
==If the officer felt there was a threat then he acted properly.
The media eats this up and keep in mind we never saw what occured prior to the filming. This is spin people.
I am sure the officer was justified.==
Please. Let’s be honest here. These aren’t mystery people security is uncertain of who they are or what their intentions are. The campaign knows they’re trackers, they’re likely at every event, and they know what the trackers are trying to do…and it’s not in any way to threaten or cause harm to the governor …except maybe to his political career. Quinn doesn’t want to be filmed, and tells them to remove those he knows are trying to film him, for strictly political reasons. To try and even claim otherwise is being disingenuous at best.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:16 pm
You don’t need to send 8 people to your opponent’s press conference. 2, a videographer and a press staffer, are plenty. If you must send a goof in a costume, which I’d encourage you not to do, 1 is plenty. Shoot your footage, get your counter sound bites out, don’t disrupt the event or invade anyone’s personal space, and then leave.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:16 pm
===The campaign knows they’re trackers, they’re likely at every event, and they know what the trackers are trying to do…and it’s not in any way to threaten or cause harm to the governor …===
Are there background checks on these adults?
So, security should be lax, in hopes that “knowing” who is following the principle is…safe?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:19 pm
When a police officer tells you to move back to a certain point, then you need to do it that moment. There is recourse if inappropriate, but the Gov. ISP detail has to have the ability in that moment to get cooperation from that guy with a camera. It may or may not have been correct, but you need to do what an officer of law says at that moment. Again, if incorrect a complaint can be filed and action taken later.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:19 pm
=== If the ISP decide to say, for example, “The detail protecting to governor of the state of Illinois felt the immediate safety of the governor was threatened,” are you going to then say the ISP don’t have the best interest of the governor at heart… ===
Be real. There are legitimate security concerns and then there are “security concerns.” We are not talking about someone hiding in a bathroom. We are talking about a young dude filming a PUBLIC event. Last time I checked, that is legal. If the state police had reasonable suspicion to believe this one kid, out of all the people there, was a security concern, then they could have detained him and looked further into him. But the cop just muscled him off to the sidelines… I hardly think the officer felt he was a genuine security threat.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:19 pm
Groan! Is it asking too much for either/both candidates to focus on the issues and their proposals to address the problems faced in this state rather than worrying about someone filming their every move/speech? And if it’s not, can each campaign ask their trackers to do their job the right way?
Comment by Regnad Kcin Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:20 pm
this is good theater order of protection served on team rauner yet?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:21 pm
Is this supposed to make me want to vote for either of them? We’ve got one clown hiring clowns and another clown dragging them away. If I wanted Illinois to be run like a circus I would care.
Comment by Stuff happens Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:22 pm
===We are not talking about someone hiding in a bathroom. ===
…Except when we are talking about trackers in the bathroom…
===We are talking about a young dude filming a PUBLIC event.===
If they are over 18, they ain’t no kids, they’re adults…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:22 pm
That clown in the photo is actually in the public road way and easy could be placed under arrest for blocking the roadway. So for all you people here always blaming Cops for doing there job the evidence is right in front of us. I feel bad for Quinns bodyguard because knowing the Governor he will replace the officer because he is all about perception even though the officer removed a threat as he perceived it. In this day in age Cops have it bad and now his bodyguard will be bounced to patrol.
Comment by Sillyness Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:25 pm
==Are there background checks on these adults?
==
It’s a public event. Pure coincidence I’m sure that this “background check” standard of yours applies to only Rauner’s known people at the event, and none of the other public there who I doubt passed any such “background check”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:26 pm
My cousin, recently retired from the ISP, did work Executive Security for two governors and he did take his responsibilities very seriously. As taxpayers we should expect nothing less.
The Rauner campaign should keep in mind that many of the same individuals providing security for Gov. Quinn will be doing the same for him, should he ever give us any real and serious details of his platform, and if by chance be elected as our next Governor.
Would he expect anything less?
Comment by illini67 Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:26 pm
With all those paid trackers and cartoon characters on hand, looks like Rauner was trying to provoke a confrontation — and the Quinnsters gave them what they wanted.
Comment by Frank G. Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:28 pm
==That clown in the photo is actually in the public road way and easy could be placed under arrest for blocking the roadway.==
Since when do cars park perpendicular to a public roadway in Chicago? It’s a parking lot.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:28 pm
– Quinn doesn’t want to be filmed, and tells them to remove those he knows are trying to film him, for strictly political reasons.–
I never noticed politicians don’t like to be filmed.
Why today? He’s had experience with trackers for years. What was the deep dark secret that he didn’t want to have revealed today — at a press conference, on the intersates?
You see these dustups with campaigns all over the country. No one looks good in them, but they’re bound to happen.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:29 pm
===It’s a public event. Pure coincidence I’m sure that this “background check” standard of yours applies to only Rauner’s known people at the event, and none of the other public there who I doubt passed any such “background check”===
You are claiming the trackers are “known” by the Quinn security detail, and further, you are insinuating Rauner’s Crew admits they work for them.
Everything they do working for the campaign reflects on Rauner and his Staff, so you have to wonder, if you have adults not listening to the detail protecting the governor of the state of Illinois, is Rauner or his Crew willing to vouch for them? What do they know about those whom the security detail may seem threatening when those Rauner trackers are hiding in bathrooms of the Executive of Illinois government.
Hmmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:31 pm
What if people? What if that clown or that camera person had a weapon or gave the impression they had a weapon. Regardless, a person should know there boundaries and not get to close to the governor. People today are crazy and you just never know. Good job officer. The public needs to be understanding of what that officers job is.
Comment by Liberal guy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:31 pm
Really??? Between the clowns, the various characters playing dress-up, the chickens, the Carhart jacket and the whole Harley-riding thing…the campaign and the candidate himself are really starting to have some credibility issues.
Bruce, don’t you have more to run on than poll-driven slogans, stunts and kooky characters?
Comment by Oh, please... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:32 pm
Also, from past experience, Quinn has a decades-long history of sending campaign staffers to opponents’ press conferences himself. The one thing Rauner has going for him is I bet his trackers get paid, where Quinn’s often didn’t.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:32 pm
=== Are there background checks on these adults? So, security should be lax, in hopes that “knowing” who is following the principle is…safe? ===
Are there background checks on any adults that attend these public events? Are they doing the same to everyone that shows up?
I’ve shaken hands and had pics with the Gov on several occasions… not once did:
1. The state police know who I was.
2. Conducted a background check on me.
3. Ushered me off to the sidelines.
Hmmm… why do I have a strong suspicion that the fact that this kid worked for Rauner was what made the difference in this case.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:32 pm
Obviously we don’t know the full story, but based on the tape, it sure looks bad.
Trackers are an annoyance. But there is no reason to believe that the guy was a security threat.
This seems like a state employee abusing a person without any reason, and that’s troublesome.
That’s not to justify all of the Rauner tactics. They pretty clearly are obnoxious. But there is zero evidence that this guy was in any way a threat.
Based on what is on the tape, I just don’t see any justification for the way the security detail acted.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:35 pm
*** ===The ISP Security Detail (for all officials R’s & D’s) does not do politics, they do security. ===
Not always the case in the past, anyway. ***
They also do hair grooming.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:36 pm
I don’t know about the guy in the jacket telling the young man to stand behind the sign with everybody else. That could be seen as going overboard. I have seen the ISP be consistently professional and not partisan when protecting officials or candidates. If it was overboard in this case, it likely had little to do with partisan political crap. If it were a campaign staffer or volunteer, it would be different.
The cop in the parking lot looks like a city cop, and has nothing to do with the campaign at all. More than likely she understood to just keep everybody away from the governor’s car, which is perfectly reasonable.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:37 pm
what did the old song say about sending clowns? “Don’t bother, they’re here”. They sure are.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:37 pm
Bottom line? The Rauner campaign wants to change the subject.
Comment by Bill White Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:38 pm
=== you have to wonder, if you have adults not listening to the detail protecting the governor of the state of Illinois, ===
The staffer “listened” and backed away, clearly intimidated by the officer. Yes, he did argue a bit in an attempt educate the officer re: his rights, but to say he didn’t listen is not accurate.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:38 pm
==I never noticed politicians don’t like to be filmed.
==
They want to b filmed “on the record” when they know the cameras on and will in the hands of and edited by someone other than their opponent.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Why don’t the campaigns have trackers to track the trackers?? This whole tracker thing is silly. As long as the trackers don’t violate the law, let them track.
Comment by Apocolypse Now Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:40 pm
To call the Rauner campaign’s clown show and faux outrage childish is an insult to children.
Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:41 pm
This makes Rauner look petty and ridiculous. PETTY AND RIDICULOUS!!!
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:42 pm
The whole point of the “trackers in your face” is to get video of someone over-reacting.
You don’t need security detail to remove a tracker from a private event - just a consistent and polite “this is private property and you are trespassing, so please leave.”
If it’s public property, then the tracker has the right to be there. However, other people have an equal right to accidentally stand in front of the tracker and block his view. (Just as effective, and it annoys the heck out of the tracker without yielding “tense” footage.)
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:42 pm
One more note on this — as bad as the security officer appeared, Rauner’s statement was ridiculous and insulting to all involved.
“The stress of multiple criminal investigations.” Really Bruce? “Multiple” investigations causing “stress”? That’s what caused what appears to be a highly trained officer to act like an idiot?
Because you know, officers only act badly when protecting people who are under investigation. Nope, never happens at any time.
There was an incident that looked bad and deserved some attention. But rather than issuing a statement about policies, procedures, and training, they go with a cheap shot.
This is the way Rauner is going to govern? That is how his team thinks that leaders act?
These guys are not ready for the big time. They don’t have a clue how to lead.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:43 pm
===Hmmm… why do I have a strong suspicion that the fact that this kid worked for Rauner was what made the difference in this case.===
Let’s be very, very clear.
Patrick Quinn is the governor of the state of Illinois. His safety and his life and fitness for office requires an ISP detail, and a Lt. Governor waiting in the wings, heaven forbid, something happens to him.
That sentence can be made with the name changed from Jim Edgar to Bruce Rauner.
I never joke about safety of public official outside. I feel the same way about the President, and former Presidents.
The governor, in his person, IS the Executive of Illinois government. Period. No discussion. Constitutionally, Pat Quinn is the Executive.
How lightly you all are, thinking politics and optics and “knowing” the trackers to the harsh reality that people are unpredictable, and if in a position that a security detail feels uncomfortable is not a good reason for action is bizarre.
As a governor, he, like ANY governor, must have the idea that safety is inherently important.
If you don’t have 8 people at an event, you would have fewer people to claim as “safe”, which in of its self, is crazy to claim.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Rauner hired a bunch of his friends kids to get line in their resume but none of them have a clue about what they can and cannot do. Rauner and his staff of rich kids have some growing up to do.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:47 pm
Is this the kind of silly circus Rauner intends to bring to Springfield. Thanks but no thanks!
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Oswego Willy,
If the tracker was such a threat, why did the ISP just push him to the side?
Don’t you think that if the guy was viewed as a threat and not just an annoyance he would have been up against a wall being searched?
The officer did not treat the guy like a threat. He treated the tracker like an annoyance.
If he really was a threat, then that officer just screwed up terribly. He let a legitimate threat walk away, potentially only to reappear someplace else in the crowd.
I just don’t see any justification for the officer’s actions. Whether he acted too harshly (by pushing a guy who was not a threat) or to easily (by merely pushing and not search a guy who was a threat), the officer sure seemed to screw up.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:51 pm
Oh man, we are going to be so sick of this campaign way before it’s over!
Comment by Because I say so... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:51 pm
did they all come in the clown car?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:52 pm
Who knew a video camera that probably cost less than Rauner’s watch would prove to be so effective at changing the tax hike conversation? The video eerily reminds me of Sharpe James’s detail hassling Marshall Curry.
Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:53 pm
==Let’s be very, very clear.
Patrick Quinn is the governor of the state of Illinois. His safety and his life and fitness for office requires an ISP detail, and a Lt. Governor waiting in the wings, heaven forbid, something happens to him.==
I’ve been at a public event, video camera in hand, with the Governor on stage speaking, yet they didn’t ask me to leave. Wonder why? Were others at this event by chance taking pictures or video in any way? Were they asked to leave? If not, why?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:53 pm
Faux Rauner Press Release:
Two Rauner yard signs have been stolen by Quinn. Specifically, the culprits had to be union bosses who received NRI money while on exorbitant pension benefits who picked on Pinocchio at a Quinn event where our innocent young trackers trying to exercise their God-given rights were brutalized by Quinn security.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:56 pm
where is good ole Don Segretti when you need him. this stuff is child’s play…
Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:56 pm
Silly season continues.
It is up to the campaigns to hash out some ground rules.
Otherwise, this will only encourage further confrontation and media coverage.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:58 pm
I’ve said this before and apparently I’ll be saying it again: Oh fercrissakes grow up people!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:59 pm
No one in their right mind believes that the kids was a “security concern”.
If the security detail believed that than they would have said I am the State Police and you are ordered to move back or be arrested. It looks like neither was said. PQ is just tired of seeing fresh clips of himself on the BR commercials.
If the story was reversed BR would be accused of be a bully and afraid.
The officer is lucky he didn’t knock the kid over. then it might have been assault. PQ got lucky there.
Comment by Concerned Voter Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:59 pm
Who was the would be bystander who walked past security guards of the Prime Minister of Israel and shot him in the back while he was entering his car and crippled him for life? He walked from being on the public sidewalk into the car parking lot without being asked what he was doing. You don’t know when this could happen.
Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:59 pm
===I’ve been at a public event, video camera in hand, with the Governor on stage speaking, yet they didn’t ask me to leave. Wonder why? Were others at this event by chance taking pictures or video in any way? Were they asked to leave? If not, why?===
That is up to the Detail to decide, not me to question, at this point, but if you are saying that the tracker is “ok” and “safe” and you want to vouch for the man, that is on you.
I can’t answer questions to the specific I don’t know, but of the update states the tracker was asked to move to a different area, and “filming” before anyone is speaking, and that filming before anyone is speaking makes people assigned to protect the governor…nervous…then it does. The rest is up to the ISP Detail.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:00 pm
The officer might have overreacted, but these are police! I would sincerely urge you to never disregard a request from a police officer. They tend not to like it, and will generally show you that, yes, in fact, you do have to comply.
If you want to guarantee a cop overreacts, tell them “NO!”. I’m not saying it is right, just that it is the way it is.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:00 pm
the job of the security detail is to maintain security. If a tracker gets derailed by an officer doing the job, so be it. Quinn staffers blocking the view of trackers should keep in mind that security will not view you any differently than one of the assorted Rauner clowns/trackers/staffers. so proceed accordingly.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:01 pm
===No one in their right mind believes that the kids was a “security concern”.===
…until something makes it so. Do you want to vouch for him?
Is this young man over 18? Rauner’s Crew “knows” him.
If he is over 18, he’s an adult.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:02 pm
One other thing. If indeed, “Rauner had 3 trackers, 2 clowns and 3 staffers at the Quinn event,” we’re way beyond tracking and right up their grill with provocative actions designed to provoke a confrontation like this. Is this SOP for Rauner’s folks? I suspect Quinn has 1 tracker for each event. If it was special to this event, then I’m thinking the poster earlier that wondered if this was just about changing the conversation from the Rauner tax increases might be on to something.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Oswego Willy,
If you are right, and this person was a real security concern, do you believe the officer acted appropriately to maintain safety for all involved?
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:05 pm
To the update, your friend on-site’s most insightful words may be “I think this isn’t their first rodeo.” If the detail, and particularly this trooper, had a history with the tracker, then the detail should have tread more carefully when tossing him out, particularly when the Governor was not yet present. All the guy had to do to avoid the pickle he is in is to get another trooper and do it low-key.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:07 pm
Look, I understand some caution, but this is the Governor of Illinois not the President of the United States. Didn’t see too much security when the Gov was at the White Sox game.
Comment by kj Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:08 pm
===If the tracker was such a threat, why did the ISP just push him to the side?===
He told him to move, now you want physicality? Are you a PI attorney?
===Don’t you think that if the guy was viewed as a threat and not just an annoyance he would have been up against a wall being searched?===
This is America, you do know that. He was asked to be moved, he finally moved, filming, freely. You want a police state? I don’t.
===If he really was a threat, then that officer just screwed up terribly. He let a legitimate threat walk away, potentially only to reappear someplace else in the crowd.===
He was moved to a “place”. You want to speculate on the ISP training as to where threats are most possible, go for it. The tracker was moved “there”.
===I just don’t see any justification for the officer’s actions. Whether he acted too harshly (by pushing a guy who was not a threat) or to easily (by merely pushing and not search a guy who was a threat), the officer sure seemed to screw up.===
That is for superiors to decide the work product. The optics are as they are, but protecting someone sometimes means being a “pal ” is not part of it. “Officer Friendly” has a job, protect the governor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:10 pm
This is the first I’ve taken notice of the trackers etc. Seems like such an immature thing to do that I can’t see how this will have more upside than down. It doubles as childish and politics at its ugliest.
Comment by Distant Viewer Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:11 pm
So Quinn wasn’t even there when this all occurred. The guy wasn’t even taping anything. He was trying to position himself. The officer was trying to get everyone where he wanted them before Quinn showed up.
Wow. What an outrage!
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:11 pm
Best strategy for trackers: invite to the front row - welcome them.
But, overall, sad commentary on what passes for good campaigns these days. On both sides. The game of “gotcha” turns campaigns into soap operas over tactics. Meaningless BS while Illinois slides into the abyss.
Comment by NW Illinois Dem Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:11 pm
To point, the last Governor I can think of being shot was George Wallace.
Comment by kj Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:12 pm
===Look, I understand some caution, but this is the Governor of Illinois not the President of the United States. Didn’t see too much security when the Gov was at the White Sox game.===
Ever think that was by design? Ever think that being low key but protected is still…possible?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:13 pm
A couple of points: the guy is not a “kid”, executive security gave him direction and he argued with them, and the goal of these trackers is to provoke a confrontation. So a police officer gave a directive to a grown man who was trying to video a confrontation, that individual argued with the order, a confrontation ensued. Why are we blaming Quinn and his detail when the trackers’ goal is to provoke exactly this type of incident? This is more Rauner’s doing than Quinn’s.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:13 pm
How have Rauner’s trackers “become somewhat of a security concern?” Are they potentially trying to physically harm the Gov? That’s hard to believe.
It is totally clear that this kid was no security risk… he was bothersome to the trooper or campaign. That doesn’t mean he can be kicked out of a public event. Wasn’t it a bill signing?
Comment by SHins Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:15 pm
I cannot believe the Rauner defenders in this think Willy is a Quinn defender. That’s what happens when trolls drop into a community like this one. Willy hates Pat Quinn, is a Republican and wants nothing better than to see him defeated. He doesn’t like Rauner though and tends to call them like he sees them. This is all a bunch of silliness. It would be silly if it was a Quinn person and it’s silly when it’s a Rauner person.
Now back to those two massive Rauner tax increases….
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:15 pm
A sworn ISP trooper yelling at a kid in a public event. If they don’t want him there get somebody to walk him out. Don’t start yelling and screaming. If this guy was a threat he should have been arrested. Be a professional and don’t go postal. If you are a sworn officer carrying a gun keep your cool!!
Comment by Unprofessional Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:16 pm
i’m just surprised it took so long for this story to happen
Comment by Simple Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Oswego,
So filming is the threat? As you noted, this is the U.S. The guy can do that.
And yes, if he appears to be a real threat, there is 60 years of case law to support the officer detaining him briefly to determine if there is in fact an actual threat. If he was put up against a wall, no judge would ever find ISP liable. If the officer thought the guy was a real threat, no judge is going to substitute his judgment for the officer, assuming of course, that he’s otherwise properly detained/searched/etc.
He didn’t do so. He made no real effort to either determine if a legitimate threat existed, or to remove the guy from the scene to prevent him from being a threat. All he did was to shove an allegedly dangerous person out of his way.
So what did the officer do here? Either:
A) Needless bother somebody who had a right to be there; or
B) Failed to respond appropriately to a threat, and in doing so, put others in danger.
There is simply no reasonable justification for what this guy did. Either by grossly overreacting, or by terribly under-reacting, the guy dropped the ball.
And yes, I do want to speculate on training. From the tape, it sure looks like this guy could use some time in the classroom to brush up.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:19 pm
(Tips cap, humbly, to - Chicago Cynic - for his understanding)
===A sworn ISP trooper yelling at a kid in a public event.===
Rauner Crew, you know this man, what is his age?
Not his name, not one other thing about him.
Age please?
=== If this guy was a threat he should have been arrested.===
Are we really advocating a police state, arresting people because we disagree.
The argument is moving a possible threat. The rest is hyperventilating to make hay.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:21 pm
So where are we going here?
Do we now need only to have crowds filled with a candidate’s supporters? What ever happened to speaking to a crowd of undecided voters? What ever happened to letting hecklers heckle and letting the crowd silencing them?
There is no reason that a candidate’s security detail go political like this and scoot away people they believe could not be in their political camp.
This is especially bad when the candidate is a governor holding a public event and using public employees to screen out other citizens attending the event.
It has nothing to do with security. What we have been reduced to is politics before anything. Governor Quinn was not even there, so there was no need to even pretend a governor’s safety was an issue.
How many people here think it is OK to screen out hecklers from a public event? It seems like a lot of you folks think that the purpose of these events is to give a public official a publically funded tongue bath?
It is a news story. The governor needs to reign in his supporters who are seemingly intent to only allow Quinn supporters in publically funded public events.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:21 pm
Hmm. I thought conservatives always hated it when bleeding heart liberals second-guessed the police.
Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:22 pm
No the goal of those trackers is more or less to get Pat Quinn saying something well, Pat Quinn like, bet is some sort of confusing ramble or something else that would make his press staff cringe…
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:23 pm
You dont have a clue. You say if the guy was a threat arrest him. If the officer arrested him this would be even more talked about and in the news. Thats what the fool wanted. He wanted to push the limits to get a reaction out of the officer. The cop handled it well. Its call digression. You dont get it
Comment by Unprofessional guy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:24 pm
Rauner is not only a tax raiser, he’s a whiner. And if he can’t control his own staff how can he run an entire state?
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:25 pm
Ok, just one question. Rich, maybe your buddy at the event could answer this. If there were three trackers, what happened to the other two? Were they shooed away or was it just this one kid?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:26 pm
Shouldn’t the “candidates” parents step in and make these two youngsters behave?
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:26 pm
Trackers are legitimate, clowns and uninvited staffers are not.
I witnessed a Quinnochio character hide in a bathroom stall for fear of being asked to leave an event. Wasn’t a security threat, just an annoying and sophomoric tactic that campaigns sometimes engage in when things get slow around the office.
On the other hand, at the same event, I witness Quinn advance staffers go beserk over the idea that a public space could be used by a member of the public (albeit one wearing a stupid costume).
Moral to the story as far as I’m concerned: Rauner’s people are being intentionally provocative and Quinn’s people are grossly over-reacting to it. It’s a bad mix and hopefully, if there are any adults running either of these campaigns, they will intervene and dial it down a few notches.
Also, seventh grade called. It wants it childish antics back.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:27 pm
===So filming is the threat? As you noted, this is the U.S. The guy can do that.===
Not where the Detail wanted him. The man filmed the Trooper all the way to “there”, still had his camera.
===And yes, if he appears to be a real threat, there is 60 years of case law to support the officer detaining him briefly to determine if there is in fact an actual threat. If he was put up against a wall, no judge would ever find ISP liable.===
Is - Goooner - a lawyer?
So, to exacerbate this, you advocate going through all “that”, when possibly moving the man, will just do.
===He didn’t do so. He made no real effort to either determine if a legitimate threat existed, or to remove the guy from the scene to prevent him from being a threat. All he did was to shove an allegedly dangerous person out of his way.===
Wow.
In 16 seconds of film, you got all those assumptions?
Not one thing happened before those 16 seconds? No discussion with others in the Detail, no discussion with superiors? Tell us how you know so much from 16 seconds?
===So what did the officer do here? Either:
A) Needless bother somebody who had a right to be there; or
B) Failed to respond appropriately to a threat, and in doing so, put others in danger.
There is simply no reasonable justification for what this guy did. Either by grossly overreacting, or by terribly under-reacting, the guy dropped the ball.===
16 seconds. 16.
You know it all.
===And yes, I do want to speculate on training. From the tape, it sure looks like this guy could use some time in the classroom to brush up.===
16 seconds. lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZql7ThhaHY
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:28 pm
If you google “political campaign tracker confrontations” you get 32.4 million hits from all over the world.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:29 pm
112 comments on this stupid issue versus 14 on an legitimate policy discussion on sales taxes.
Let me know who is going to be stupid enough to hinge their vote decision upon this goofy incident.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:31 pm
==uninvited staffers ==
I didn’t realize you had to be “invited” to a public, State funded event on a public intersection.
==Hmm. I thought conservatives always hated it when bleeding heart liberals second-guessed the police.
Just sayin…==
That is weird, because I always heard liberals were all supportive of public demonstration, free speech, and protest.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:32 pm
==The governor needs to reign in his supporters who are seemingly intent to only allow Quinn supporters in publically funded public events.==
It was security detail not “his supporters.” At least be accurate.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:33 pm
- Norseman -, this is why you managing my campaign will lead to victory.
Thanks - steve schnorf -, needed the musical interlude.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:34 pm
@Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:32 pm:
Grow up. The comments on this board are about as juvenile as what happened at this event.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:34 pm
Maybe the Quinn staffers need to get good at “boxing out” like in basketball. You don’t want the Rauner folks in a certain area, “box” them out. Worked for Dennis Rodman when he was with the Chicago Bulls . . . let’s not bring up the trip to China thing though. snark
Comment by East Central Illinois Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:35 pm
Also, right or wrong, if some security dude asks me to move I’m probably going to move rather than talk back to him. It was probably an over the top move on the part of the security detail but the easy answer was to just move and complain about it later.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:36 pm
willy, don’t you love farce?
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:38 pm
===I didn’t realize you had to be “invited” to a public, State funded event on a public intersection.===
Have you ever managed a political campaign? Why would you pay 3 people to attend your opponent’s event if you already had a tracker present? Must be nice to have enough resources to hire baby sitters and toadies.
Me? if I had extra staff, I’d have them spending time building the organization, persuading voters or raising money. But I’m weird that way.
It’s not that they can’t attend. It’s why on earth would they? There really isn’t a good reason if your tracker knows what she is doing.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:38 pm
I love farce.
I love farce when those actors refuse to see they are players in a farce for our “enjoyment”
That is my favorite farce, the unintentional.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:41 pm
Okay, he shouldn’t have yelled and moved the kid,but everyone’s acting like he used no restraint. That isn’t true. There’s plenty of examples on Youtube showing what happens when police orders aren’t followed and they overreact for real. It usually involves batons, mace or TASERs. If you don’t want to be treated harshly by police, comply with their lawful orders. It doesn’t matter if he was legally allowed to be where he was, asking him to move was a lawful order. You don’t get to decide where you are allowed to stand when the governor or president or other important person speaks, their security detail does. If you feel they treated you unfairly, you complain after the event, you don’t argue during.
There were political calculations, but not like you’d think. If they hadn’t been worried about the political optics, they would have locked him up for a few hours to teach him a lesson about arguing with police. Later they’d drop the charges of course, just like they do with many protesters who get out of hand.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:41 pm
I could shake a tiny camera in front of someone yelling at me and make it look intimidating. It’s not that hard.
Comment by not applicable Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:45 pm
===It has nothing to do with security. What we have been reduced to is politics before anything. Governor Quinn was not even there, so there was no need to even pretend a governor’s safety was an issue.===
…except when the Secret Service or local police inspect before the President arrives, or advance ISP for Quinn(?)
…other than that. The rest - VanillaMan -, yikes.
===It is a news story. The governor needs to reign in his supporters who are seemingly intent to only allow Quinn supporters in publically funded public events.===
They were still at the event. You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:45 pm
Wow - 123 comments over Trackergate and only 27 on the GOP leaders support for Rauner’s tax plans. Hmmm, methinks they may be on to something.
Oh, and 47, “Also, seventh grade called. It wants it childish antics back.” Precisely right!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:48 pm
“What’s the risk of a guy hiding in the bathroom?” What’s the risk of wearing shoes onto an airplane or an unattended backpack? Probably nothing, but . . .
“Trackers are annoying, but it’s public property, it’s their right.” Same goes for Westboro Baptist and your loved one’s funeral. Just sayin’.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:51 pm
Having once worked in WashDC and being told by several large Secret Service agents to get out in no uncertain terms, I learned you do what Security tells you to do, when they tell you to do it.
Whining, complaining and not moving is not smart. Do what you’re told, get it on tape since you’re already recording and worry about it later. Do anything else and you’re an idiot.
Comment by PrairieFire Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 2:54 pm
Is there a hairbrush in the trunk of the ISP vehicle?
Politics and ISP details are not mutually exclusive. Are ISP part of FOP?
Comment by Pete Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:03 pm
Was this a campaign rally or a billion dollar project being announced? Sorry I guess they can be one and the same.
Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:04 pm
Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 1:16 pm:
You don’t need to send 8 people to your opponent’s press conference. 2, a videographer and a press staffer, are plenty. If you must send a goof in a costume, which I’d encourage you not to do, 1 is plenty. Shoot your footage, get your counter sound bites out, don’t disrupt the event or invade anyone’s personal space, and then leave.
___________________________________
I disagree. If you want to win, you play all your cards in your hand. To do less is to not be seriously in the game.
Comment by Pete Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:06 pm
I’ve commented on this thread before, but let’s take it in another direction.
The Rauner campaign is running on the basis that “I’m not Pat Quinn and I have all the answers to turn our state around.” We do have financial problems but the solutions I see being proposed amount to little more than putting a band-aid on an open wound that needs to be surgically tended to.
Be honest with us, you made $58 million last year, paid no SS or Medicare fees, and resort to these media events to highlight your campaign - you should be ashamed with your campaign to deceive the voters of our state. The $18 watch and the Carhart jacket don’t cut it with anyone who is in the know about the realities of our fiscal problems.
Lets see some substance to your campaign - these tricks do little to endear your campaign to those voters who are in the know.
Comment by illini67 Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:06 pm
I don’t think we’ve heard enough from Willie on this thread.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:09 pm
Is that like “cowbell”?
Stay classy - A Guy… - “your guy’s” campaign could use some classy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:15 pm
These guys were always around filming every speech, remark, and move the candidates make. Its been going on for years. we always knew who they were because they were the same guys at every event filming. We never tossed them out. The Trooper overreacted.
Comment by proudstatetrooper Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:16 pm
Answer:
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:27 pm
Answer: 3 staffers, 3 trackers and 2 clowns.
Question: What is how many people it takes to observe and report on a Quinn press conference.
In other middle school news today, someone wrote on a cafeteria chair in Permanent Marker!!
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:29 pm
Ugh. A pox on both their houses.
Comment by LincolnLounger Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:31 pm
Rauner is 12 points up in the polls and this is the kind of campaign that he is running. That is so sad.
Comment by Yipperdo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:36 pm
This is why getting overheated in response to a tracker is a bad idea. I have no idea what the governor’s message was supposed to be today, because this is what people are talking about.
Comment by Ridiculous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:39 pm
Pete,
“I disagree. If you want to win, you play all your cards in your hand. To do less is to not be seriously in the game.”
You clearly have not managed any campaign or campaign on a budget. Throwing bodies and literally clowns at a garden variety public event is a gross waste of resources.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:40 pm
==You clearly have not managed any campaign or campaign on a budget. Throwing bodies and literally clowns at a garden variety public event is a gross waste of resources.==
Have you managed a campaign with virtually unlimited resources? You speak as if Rauner doesn’t have the resources to do all of the above, which he clearly does.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:47 pm
=== You speak as if Rauner doesn’t have the resources to do all of the above, which he clearly does.===
You mean look childlike and ignorant to the impression that it looks like a rank amateur operation consumed with costumed characters and baiting Illinois State Troopets?
He clearly know how to go that, we see that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:50 pm
guy, don’t you approve
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:57 pm
I find it funny if, you are supporting this kid, than you are a Rauner supporter. I am not a Rauner supporter. I am a supporter of the first amendment, and the right to be in public unmolested by police (so long as you are not engaging in a criminal act).
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:04 pm
How about this angle. I see two types people in this scenario as being pathetic. 1. Trackers. If you are willing to do that as a job you are not a respectable person. Have some pride in yourself and get a real job. 2. Anyone who hires/thinks trackers are an effective campaign tool. They aren’t. Everyone knows that the best way to catch a hot mic moment like the ones trackers are looking for is to invite them to your fundraiser and allow a secretly made youtube video to eventually tank your presidential campaign.
Comment by So. ILL Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:09 pm
Rauner Crew, what is the age of the tracker?
I am interested too, since - steve schnorf - asked, how say you, - A Guy… -?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:10 pm
=== Anyone who hires/thinks trackers are an effective campaign tool. They aren’t. ===
Totally false. Ask Bobby Schilling.
Also, I’m no fan of intrusive trackers, either. But they can make a difference.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:11 pm
So ILL sounds as if he is one of two types of people: (1) someone who worked for a campaign that hired bad trackers; or (2) someone who worked for a campaign that had a good tracker used against them. Trackers can be a definite valuable tool if you have the right one.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:15 pm
== steve schnorf - Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 3:57 pm:
guy, don’t you approve===
No problem at all Schnorf. Got to the game late today, so I had to play catch up. Per yours and other’s advice, I try to read all the comments before commenting myself. Willie always empties his bag, but on this thread it was more noticeable. Subject was beat to death more than a few times so my best observation was how many cracks he took at the pinata-lol. He wants be to be classier. Hey, I’ll try for his sake.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:16 pm
You’re right. One time, five years ago, Phil Hare was caught on tape saying something stupid by a tracker. Since then there have likely been hundreds of elections and dozens of trackers. That one time though, justifies trackers.
Comment by So. ILL Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:16 pm
Oh - A Guy … -, the Rauner shills are relentless, you should know that, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:24 pm
It’s not always about the moments caught that end campaigns, but there is also great value in catching something that can simply change the narrative for a while. There are many instances of that.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:24 pm
While Quinn and Rauner debate Quinnochio and chicken costumes, they seem to be missing the news that Illinois’ bill backlog is up to $4,652,661,353.
That is a $750 million increase since just last Tuesday, when the Quinn campaign distributed 3 separate press releases making sure everyone knew they deserve credit for the bill backlog dropping to $3.9 billion. https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/15/not-there-yet/
Beware fickle numbers.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:26 pm
==Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:24 pm:
Oh - A Guy … -, the Rauner shills are relentless, you should know that, lol===
I just admire that you’re the first, second, third and fourth guy with his hand up always with the right answer. It’s an incredible public service. Thank you.
http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_5nm25qd9/
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:33 pm
- A Guy … -,
Does that make you Mr. Woodman?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:35 pm
A Guy- everyone knows that unless you enjoy wasting time on meaningless trolling you just skip over any post by Oswego or Wordslinger. The charm of absurd statements meant to elicit a response has long worn off. Now they are just sad cries for attention.
Comment by railsplitter Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:37 pm
As you were hurriedly looking for that, did you formulate an answer?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:37 pm
At least you didn’t say Tom Hagen. lol
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:38 pm
Still. Waiting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:40 pm
== “I’m not Pat Quinn and I have all the answers to turn our state around.” ==
Chopping the latter half of that sentence and just leaving == I’m not Pat Quinn == might be more accurate.
Both Quinn and Rauner have guys running around in chicken suits and creating false press releases. Both are running these sorts of stunts and novelties, but for different reasons.
Quinn because he has nothing to run on and no new answers to offer. Rauner because he doesn’t have to be “good” or even “decent” at this point, he just has to run out the clock and be “not Quinn”.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:40 pm
Guy, we appreciate your thoughts on the frequency of Willie’s comments.
While commenting on a blog isn’t covered by the first ammendment, I still find it ironic that you want to limit Willie’s speech while defending the tracker’s as inviolate regardless of security concerns.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:48 pm
== I still find it ironic that you want to limit Willie’s speech ==
I didn’t read anyone saying he should be limited, just that they were ignoring much of it. Much like Quinn could do with a tracker instead of making a scene and issue out of him.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:53 pm
Railsplitter, wordslinger is a thoughtful commenter, a fixture here, and most certainly not a troll. The fact that you find it necessary to ignore word’s comments says more about you than it does about word. Willie isn’t trolling either for that matter.
I think you mistakenly believe trolling is being anti-Rauner. That’s called being informed, not trolling. Now, that sentence while being anti-Rauner is actually trolling.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 4:58 pm
(Tips cap to - Jimbo - appreciatively)
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:00 pm
Jimbo, I’ve been ignoring trolls long before Rauner ran for office. I recommend not looking at the world through such a small lens. It limits your perspective.
Comment by railsplitter Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:09 pm
Welp, after an hour, including comments of snark…
…no response from - A Guy … -, even after looking for that link, still no direct response to the question posed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:20 pm
Anyway…back to the post, the tracker tries to make his case by noting it was a public event. In response the security detail in the video says it’s not (clearly not true). If he was being removed for “security reasons” why would the detail feel the need to defend him removing the kid because it was a “private event”? Because he wasn’t being removed because of “security concerns” but because of “political concerns”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:22 pm
- “Anonymous” -
===They stayed behind the barricades to the event at all times. I don’t quite get why the young guy was videotaping anything since the Governor had yet to arrive. Security being what it is, the officer seems to have exercised his duties out of an abundant caution for the Governor’s safety.===
Eyewitness account.
Barricades. Videotaping before anyone arrived…
===Security being what it is, the officer seems to have exercised his duties out of an abundant caution for the Governor’s safety. My two cents.===
Hmmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:34 pm
Willy, we have our own “eyewitness account” that ia not speculation, but the details own words giving his justification for removing the kid. Those words aren’t something you’d here from a cop with “security concerns”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:41 pm
Did the 16 seconds include the footage of the man taping an empty podium?
Did the 16 seconds include anything that may have made the Trooper to think safety was a factor?
Isn’t one of the goals of a tracker to try to get footage, some at times, bait subjects they are taping?
If Rauner’s Crew wants to release all the footage and not the edited 16 seconds, I may be able to dismiss… an eyewitness’ account… of the time before the 16 seconds.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:46 pm
Willy, if the tape showed the Detail flat out saying “The campaign manager told me to remove you so I’m removing you” you’d still find some excuse for this, simply because it involves Rauner.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:51 pm
Nope.
Read above.
Any governor, including a “Governor Rauner” deserves security if the detail protecting the governor feels a need to do so.
Good try.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 5:56 pm
Jesus, I’m feeling bad because you all took me seriously. “Don’t you love farce” and “Don’t you approve” are lyrics from a song
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 6:09 pm
- steve schnorf -,
I take you seriously as the default! lol
Yeah, you have that weight. Without the ” marks or hint, your well deserved respect always is in play.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 6:13 pm
Schnorf, your clever joke flew right over my head until you posted the video. Well played.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 6:50 pm
My fault, I fear, Schnorf…
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 7:15 pm
Aw, - Soccermom -, now you’re just showin’ off, makin’ me feel worse.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 7:44 pm
- Calling u out -,
It’s Rich’s place. Thanks for adding the “e”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 9:06 pm
Mom, you sly fox. I could go for you in a big way, but I don’t know how to tell you with my usual flair. Isn’t it rich, losing my timing this late in my career. Sorry my dear…maybe next year
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 11:00 pm
- steve schnorf -
Once again, you never…fail to impress.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 22, 14 @ 11:06 pm
Later, Schnorf,
(And if you catch that reference, that’s impressive…)
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 12:29 am
The Trooper was wrong, it wasn’t private property, and there was no threat. He’ll earn his negative counseling statement and move on. End of story.
Comment by Not in the Know Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 8:38 am
I think the fact that there are 180+ comments above this one illustrates a - perhaps ill gotten - victory for the BR campaign. Justified or not, we are focusing and debating on this normally un-newsworthy scenario that has forced Quinn on the defensive and into a basically no-win situation.
I can’t say I agree with the tactic, but if the intent was to shift focus and put Quinn on his heels I gotta think it worked spectacularly.
Comment by The Lowly LA Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:31 am
===I can’t say I agree with the tactic, but if the intent was to shift focus and put Quinn on his heels I gotta think it worked spectacularly.===
Maybe you need to read the comments better. Allegedly the Rauner Crew has people hiding in bathrooms that the governor of Illinois may enter.
Creepy stuff, but if you think it was a win, um ok.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:53 am
mom-Madonna/Dick Tracy?
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:37 am
Mr. Willy:
I reiterate that, whether intentional or not, the incident with the vid-tracker puts Quinn in a tough situation and Rauner’s campaign is probably more than happy to have such a distraction from the more substantial issues. I was not referencing the bathroom incident, nor am I trying to quantify any amount of creepiness.
The bathroom thing is a separate issue, and I agree that it could pose a security threat. Admittedly, if Quinn’s detail got a video of someone lurking in the bathroom waiting for the Governor then the situation would be turned around and Rauner would be on the defense. But unfortunately in this digital age the camera phone is mightier than the pen.
Again, I don’t agree with the tactics - just noting that we are distracted.
Comment by The Lowly LA Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 11:09 am