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* Three years ago today, I posted a Sun-Times story about Bruce Rauner testing the waters…
Bruce Rauner, the venture capitalist who helped make Mayor Rahm Emanuel a millionaire, is edging toward a run for governor of Illinois as a Republican, prominent Illinois Republicans tell the Sun-Times.
Rauner, 55, is senior principal and chairman of Chicago-based GTCR Golder Rauner LLC, a Chicago-based private equity firm.
He recently garnered attention as a prime mover of the education reform legislation that passed Springfield, smashing teachers’ right to strike and paving the way for longer school days in Chicago.
Rauner has been testing the waters and telling other Republicans he is gearing up to run, senior elected Republicans and Republican campaign veterans told the Sun-Times. Rauner did not return a call seeking comment.
* On a lark, I scrolled through the comments. Some were quite prescient. Here’s “just sayin’”…
Rauner is head and shoulders above Brady, Dillard, and Rutherford. It’s not even close in terms of competence, accomplishment, smarts, and effectiveness.
It’s Major League Baseball vs. t-ball.
If Brady, Dillard, and Rutherford were honest they would say “yeah we pretty much suck compared to this guy.”
“Ghost“…
Dillard needs to start campaining and raising money now
* Some weren’t quite so forward-thinking…
Can anyone name a single big-money, well financed candidate with no political experience that has ever won anything in this state?
I can’t. He might be a great guy, but without any knowledge of how to run or any experience at running, he’s just setting himself up to be milked by campaign consultants.
* Near the bottom is a comment from “Bill.” It was a little weird seeing his comment - almost like bumping into a ghost.
In case you’re a newbie to the site, Bill Naegele commented here for years and gloried in stirring the pot. He passed away in March.
Here is Bill’s observation…
If this Rauner guy is so smart how come he wants to be governor?…and spend his own money, no less~!
I think a lot of us are still pondering that question.
Man, I really miss that guy.
* Speaking of good guys who are now gone, I’ll be leaving soon for the party being thrown in the late Gene Callahan’s honor over at Norb Andy’s. I wouldn’t expect any more posts today.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 2:50 pm
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Mr. Miller, I don’t want to assume, but I hope there is a musical post dedicated to Mr. Callahan.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:07 pm
No one really knows why Rauner wants to be Governor. Its a little strange.
Comment by Rhino Slider Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:22 pm
It is a constant struggle to find an honest way to comment on these posts without getting banned for life and I must say the sentence “Bruce Rauner who made Rahm a multi millionaire” isn’t helping!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:23 pm
When I wonder why Rauner wants to be Governor I am reminded of the great movie Brewster’s Millions. Perhaps Bruce has a rich uncle that recently passed away?
If you haven’t seen the movie, Richard Pryor’s distant uncle dies and gives Pryor a choice: inherit $1 million and walk away, or spend $30 million in 30 days and inherit $300 million. Pryor goes for the gamble and spends all his money by running for public office but withdraws the night before Election Day.
(For those wondering, in today’s dollars, Bruce needs to spend $66.5 million to win the gamble. It’s going to be a long campaign.)
Comment by Not it Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Being a governor is an ego-strike money can’t buy. You’re the top dog in your state. You can command attention in a snap. You have a big say in everything. Plus, you get security, everyone pays attention when you enter the room, nice black SUV motorcade, invites to the White House and cable news yakfests….
He’s been shelling out millions to politicians for years. Why should they get the perks when he’s writing the checks?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:47 pm
Bill FTW (what fun to see what he thought back then as it still my question today)
Wordslinger - you get credit the win (from the living
He’s been shelling out millions to politicians for years. Why should they get the perks when he’s writing the checks?
Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 3:55 pm
Boy, we miss that guy. Here’s to you, Bill.
Comment by Anonymiss Friday, Aug 8, 14 @ 4:37 pm
I don’t find it difficult to understand why Rauner is willing to run for governor. He realizes that he has far more than he needs for the remainder of his life so why not use a small portion of it to try to improve the lives of the residents of Illinois? Money is meant to be used.
And, if Rauner is elected governor and is able to fix a large portion of the myriad of problems that others allowed to accumulate over the years, Bruce Rauner knows that the history books will make note of him and speak kindly of his political legacy.
Comment by Coffee Cup Sunday, Aug 10, 14 @ 7:00 am