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Today’s quotable

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Illinois

Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner said some words to remember last week during a stop in Bloomington.

Trying to portray himself as a man who will be a hands-on governor, the political newcomer said this: “Every day that the General Assembly is in session, I want to be with the General Assembly. I want to be with the General Assembly on the floor. I want to be in the committee meetings. I want to be in the hearings.”

If he’s elected, the first time Rauner is in Chicago or somewhere else when the Legislature is in session, you know those words will be used against him.

He also had these words of warning to members of the House and Senate: “I’m going to be twisting arms. I’m going to be selling. I might have to break a couple of arms.”

Now that would be hands on.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:02 am

Comments

That Brucie…always making friends. Next thing you know, he’ll have bought a horse farm for an endless supply of ‘persuasive gifts’ to be placed in the beds of reluctant legislators to his ideas.

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:07 am
“I want to be with the General Assembly on the floor”. He may change his mind after his first “greeting”.

Comment by Casual observer Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:08 am
As compared to the last 12 years where the governor has been no where to be seen. Hopefully, that’s the message he should have resonating.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:10 am
Insert ‘been’ between have and resonating.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:11 am
I dislike this guy more and more, and I was indifferent at the start. He sounds like a classic BS politician, but less integrity and more yuk factor

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:11 am
Take him at his word. I for one look forward to Gov. Rauner routinely testifying on the inner-workings of his administration at GA hearings.

I’m sure they’d love to accommodate him.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:11 am
Rauner — quite the charmer with his ever present, thinly veiled threats of metaphorical violence.

Break some arms. Nice.

I guess if you got cash, you’re allowed to talk thug.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:12 am
===He also had these words of warning to members of the House and Senate: “I’m going to be twisting arms. I’m going to be selling. I might have to break a couple of arms.”===

The only way that becomes viable;

To be the Tom Hagen hammer of the GA, an equal partner in governing.

If you are a Republican, and not part of the corrupt 1/3 of the ILGOP GA, you will face the possibility of being taken “out”

This isn’t hyperbole, Rauner wants a PAC to discipline.

If you’re a ILDem GA member, you can choose Rauner, or choose MJM or Cullerton.

Who are these people that are going to run all these races against GOP members in the Primaries, the General, and how is Rauner going to fund and Staff Dem challengers as a sitting GOP governor, in either their Primaries, or really make a statement and work WITH either MJM or Cullerton to defeat a sitting GOP GA member.

What was Blago’s Committee called that wanted that discipline?

Right, exactly right, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:12 am
He would hire those to ‘break some arms’. Reliable guys. Get the point across without goin’ overboard. What an A hole

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:14 am
No problem with him taking a year to figure out how things actually work, if that’s what he needs.

As to “breaking arms”: what’s with the fake “tough guy” image? Kirk’s staff rubbing off on Rauner?

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:15 am
Curious that he’s back on the ‘hands-on” bit, since he’s ducking every business story that comes out.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:15 am
He’s merely reflecting what he’s hearing on the campaign trail. This kind of dialogue is music to the ears of voters who want a person who will be holding the GA accountable. Republicans and Democrats alike are running against Mike Madigan all over the state (with Madigan’s money and cooperation in some races). People want a check on the power in the house. He’s telling them what they’re telling him.
There’s no saying he won’t spend a lot of time in the GA working on legislation. PQ has done it at times and Jim Thompson was no stranger there either. It’s good politics.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:32 am
The man has neither the charm, acumen, nor astuteness of Big Jim Thompson. And it would not serve him to attempt it.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:36 am
A Guy, hears all and the voice of the people all at the same time.

Maybe Rauner is just blowing a bunch of smoke. That’s just my own opinion.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:38 am
=== Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:36 am:

The man has neither the charm, acumen, nor astuteness of Big Jim Thompson. And it would not serve him to attempt it.===

He’s running against Pat Quinn.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:39 am
@A guy…

Isn’t it hard to believe the GOP picked a candidate that actually makes Pat Quinn look charming. LOL

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:42 am
===There’s no saying he won’t spend a lot of time in the GA working on legislation. PQ has done it at times and Jim Thompson was no stranger there either. It’s good politics.===

You brought up Jim Thompson. The comparison is Rauner to Thompson, and you made it.

Fair game to compare the two.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:42 am
Breaking bones reminds me of the wheel-chair bound falling down stairways. Reminds me of Rauner.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:45 am
bruce, if you are elected, it is to be governor…chief executive is what it is called… of the executive branch. lots of departments and employees. union bosses. problems. thats where you should spend your time.

you need the cooperation of the legislative branch to get a budget passed, and to approve your executive orders reformin state government, and passin some bills you want. but you are not their superior who can bend them to your will just because you threaten them.

btw, you said you had lawyers looking at how to use executive orders to make sweeping changes. i hope it is not the same crew who drafted your term limits amendment. got a new version of that ready to submit to the GA?

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:46 am
Hands on, just like businesses … except when he wasn’t.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:49 am
If he wins, he should view George Ryan’s participation with the GA as a model. Obviously not the corrupt part - be George could work that legislature as well as anyone since big Jim. By comparison, Edgar was AWOL and PQ is, to put it mildly, unwelcome.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:01 am
@A guy:

He’s telling people what they want to hear. You certainly have keyed in on that in your analysis throughout this campaign. Problem is he will have to actually DO what he says he will and we all know there’s not a chance in heck that he can accomplish most, if not all, of the things he is saying he will do.

Hey, if you want to support a unicorns and rainbows kind of guy. Go for it. I’m glad he makes people feel better with what he says. Feeling better, however, doesn’t equate to governing. Rauner hasn’t done anything to prove he has any idea how to govern.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:02 am
Bruce was going to punch someone at a parade in chicago too? Madigan & cullerton might want to invest in a video system and guards.

Comment by foster brooks Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:00 pm
Breaking arms? It sounds like Bruce has been hanging around The Coach a little too long. At least Bruce didn’t say he was going to “smack em in the mouth” like The Coach suggested he do.

Comment by Coffee Cup Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:04 pm
If bruce attacks Com Ed legislation it should be a good fight with sen mike jacobs

Comment by foster brooks Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:05 pm
If you vote yes on this shell bill I will finance a primary against you. Ridiculous

Comment by Obamas Puppy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:06 pm
=== wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:38 am:

A Guy, hears all and the voice of the people all at the same time

Maybe Rauner is just blowing a bunch of smoke. That’s just my own opinion.====

Um, Sling, you got something better than that or has it been hard to catch a Pace bus out of Oak Park for a while. People out in other parts are, you know, like, talking about this. I listen…instead of thinking about what I’m going to say next. Your opinion is registered. I’ll factor it in.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:15 pm
===Demoralized - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:02 am:

@A guy:

He’s telling people what they want to hear. You certainly have keyed in on that in your analysis throughout this campaign. Problem is he will have to actually DO what he says he will and we all know there’s not a chance in heck that he can accomplish most, if not all, of the things he is saying he will do.

Hey, if you want to support a unicorns and rainbows kind of guy. Go for it. I’m glad he makes people feel better with what he says. Feeling better, however, doesn’t equate to governing. Rauner hasn’t done anything to prove he has any idea how to govern.====

No one can prove how they’ll govern really until they do Demo. Quinn has. It’s a disaster. A good percentage of people voting for him are doing so knowing that he betrayed them and likely will again. Remind me please who the truly naive folks are?

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:18 pm
===A good percentage of people voting for him are doing so knowing that he betrayed them and likely will again. Remind me please who the truly naive folks are?===

Sounds like people are choosing what they know. How is choosing what you know…is naive?

===na·ive - nīˈēv/ adj. (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.===

If they KNOW what Quinn is like, they’ve experienced it, and they know in wisdom and judgement of past performance, and they know that in choosing that, they know what they may get, that is not being naive.

Words are hard.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:27 pm
==Remind me please who the truly naive folks are?==

Well, I’m not the kind of guy who votes for somebody just because they aren’t the other guy.

And you’re right, I can’t prove how he will govern. But I can infer how he will govern based on his comments. And those comments lead me to infer that he really has no clue.

I don’t know if I will vote for Quinn or not when I step into the booth. But I do know that I am not voting for Rauner. He hasn’t earned my vote primarily because he hasn’t shown that he has any understanding of the state budget. From his comments I am pretty certain that he would make the situation worse if he implements the ideas he is talking about.

You may call people naive because they disagree with you. I’d call somebody a bit naive if they vote for somebody simply because they aren’t the other guy.

Mr. Rauner, snake oil salesman extraordinaire. It’s good politics. Not so good when he has to govern.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:22 pm
Well said Demoralized.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 2:47 pm
Demi- very well stated. Give me a good reason to vote FOR you Rauner. We know that the other guy isn’t good at this job. But with what you keep promising without any chance you can leaglly do them without help from the G.A? And the threat to “break arms” of those who don’t cowtow to your demands, even though they ARE NOT your subordinates? A guy- your guy should be sitting on a double digit lead as badly as Quinn has been as governor. Instead, he continues to alienate those who would have voted for him. Sugar coat it all you want, but if your guy loses he has NOBODY but his crew and himself to blame.

Comment by Roadiepig Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:54 pm
=== Roadiepig - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:54 pm:
A guy- your guy should be sitting on a double digit lead as badly as Quinn has been as governor. Instead, he continues to alienate those who would have voted for him. Sugar coat it all you want, but if your guy loses he has NOBODY but his crew and himself to blame.====

That’s usually the case Roadie, you only have yourself to blame. In order to court other votes, he had to pick a lane. Right or wrong (we’ll find out) he did. That’s a reason for some people to vote for him. I’d politely challenge you to ask those in your circle who may be supporting Rauner, why? Some may say “because he’s not Quinn”. But I’d friendly bet you, most will give you a reason they like him. He never had much of a shot with the union folk. He didn’t make it easier on himself, but he turned down the rhetoric. What he didn’t do was flip. Huge issues still await us. I’ve never seen a long term plan of any kind from Pat Quinn. He’ll never have one. He’s a seat of the pants kind of guy. Our problems are long term. Pat isn’t capable of thinking 4 to 8 years ahead. Never could. We need change. We need a person at the front willing to put together a long term strategy. Sorry, friend, but that just leaves Pat completely out of the equation.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 4:11 pm
A guy…- most of my friends and coworkers are your typical downstate R’s. The ones that I have discussed The election with are less than enthusiastic about our options. Some have told me they will vote for Ron or even though they don’t like him mainly because he’s not a Democrat. Others like myself started out leaning that way after the primary but have change their mind and will vote for either Quinn or the libertarian or not at all. I don’t know if there’s enough of the always vote R people to give Bruce the win. I guess we will all know come November 5

Comment by Roadiepig Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 5:27 pm
I meant Rauner not Ron or ( obviously)

Comment by Roadiepig Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 5:29 pm
“We need a long term strategy”.
Forget long term strategy, brother. At this point, I’d like to see a consistent policy stand from Bruce. If you’ve seen either a plan by Rauner or consistent stances, you’re a wiser man than I am. (Or have better, uh, substances…)

As for Rauner’s wanting to be on the floor and in every committee room, well that’s fine, but he ought to have intellectually honest proposals or it won’t mean a thing. Here im referencing: less revenue while increasing education spending as everyone has said is a joke.

Comment by low level Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 5:51 pm
As it is, Bruce has made so many empty promises that he really ought to hope he does not win. He can’t do them all and adds an anti public servant flavor that even Thompson has said it dumb.

His honeymoon will last 1 week, if that. The first committee meeting he misses - make it an important one. Executive of either chamber. Late in the session. As soon as he
misses that, “Governor Breaks Promise; Doesn’t Show Up as Pledged”. And why will he miss it? Likely because he is out raising money.

But go at it, Bruce. Pledge away my friend. Maybe it will keep the cheese whiz kids employed after the election is over?

Comment by low level Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 6:00 pm
I’m surprised Rauner didn’t add, “Budda bing, budda boom!”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 8:17 pm
- A guy… - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 4:11 pm:

You’re wrong about Quinn not planning. He did put a 5 year budget plan out there.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:57 pm