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Daily Herald endorses Rauner

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Illinois

* From the DH…

Is Rauner the perfect candidate? Who could be? To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.

But we are clear on his ultimate objective for the state — an objective, frankly, that we believe Gov. Quinn and most Illinoisans share. The question is which of the two men can change the course of Illinois history, and that dramatically.

Whatever small steps he has taken, Gov. Pat Quinn has had six years in which to put the state back on course, but ultimately has shown he is not the leader we need.

Bruce Rauner is. He gets our endorsement to be the next governor of Illinois

* The Daily Herald also endorsed Tom Cross…

We believe Republican Tom Cross, 56, of Oswego is the stronger candidate, and he earns our endorsement. Cross is the former minority leader in the House and has the breadth of experience we think is important for statewide office. As we said when endorsing him in the GOP primary, we like his aggressive attitude toward making the office more vocal and involved when it comes to the state’s troubled finances. Cross has vowed to hold the legislature and governor accountable in court if they do not pass a balanced budget as the state Constitution mandates. Having another statewide officer demanding accountability is a welcome approach to an office that also manages the state’s investments and financial programs like the Bright Start college savings program.

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, a 41-year-old Democrat from Champaign, touts his experience as a county auditor and says the treasurer should not take on duties that are not assigned to the office. Both candidates say they will provide more transparency and greater efficiencies if elected. However, Cross in our view is more committed to merging the comptroller and treasurer’s offices, an idea we strongly support.

* And Topinka…

In her first term, the 70-year-old Riverside Republican created an online ledger to allow for more transparency of state finances while also trimming the budget and head count in the office, which oversees check writing for the state. She understands state finances and the workings of the state legislature, which gives her some leverage as she tries to push legislation and a constitutional amendment to combine the comptroller’s and treasurer’s offices. “I can be a horrendous nag,” she said. We like her passion about her role and on the issue of combining the offices. She has earned a second term.

Her opponent, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a Carbondale Democrat, says she will work to combine resources of the two offices and find more efficiencies. She also said she wants to provide even more transparency for taxpayers, especially on the timing of when state bills are paid. Simon, 53, is an earnest candidate, but she fails to make a strong case as to why the better-known and much more experienced Topinka should be removed.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Are we surprised?

Comment by Levi Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:30 am
Frerichs gaffes are now coming back to bite him. His flip flop on merging the offices was highlighted in DH endorsement of Cross. All these gaffes are now going to find their way into endorsements and profile pieces across the state. Bad news for Frerichs

Comment by Barney Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:34 am
What a weird endorsement of Rauner by the DH.

We think Quinn stands for the right things, we think Rauner’s plans are incomplete or naive, but we endorse him anyway because we just need a change after six years.

Anyone who thinks that voting for Rauner is a good idea because things can’t get worse is in for a big surprise. Things can get worse in this state, a lot worse. And that’s why the incomplete, naive, and (quite frankly) dishonest plans issued by Rauner should be a big concern to anyone who is serious about policy.

Comment by VM Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:35 am
A frighteningly reckless endorsement.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:41 am
Expect to hear this refrain often on Quinn-Rauner. Yeah Rauner is vague and has a lot of issues, but Quinn simply can’t run away from the “referendum on the incumbent” angle, and he’s had 6 years, not the usual 4.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:41 am
Hilarious. When it comes to Rauner, “vagueness,” “naivete,” “opportunistic,” and “simplistic,” equalS “leader.”

Kind of a non-sequitur endorsement.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:43 am
In other news the sun sets in the west.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:47 am
I agree with VM.

The Rauner endorsement is perhaps the worst endorsement I’ve ever seen–much fear and reservation coupled with not one reason to endorse him.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:48 am
===To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.===

“We know he and his Dopey ideas, and complete lack of understanding of what the job is, how it works, and how to fix it, but we blindly will be led to the edge of the cliff, like a lemming, because it’s enough to “not be Pat Quinn” and any other criteria to lead the 5th largest state should be a secondary factor, and we will close our eyes and just back Rauner.”

To the endorsement,

It’s as important as it’s not important, and that goes for 99.9% of periodic endorsements in the 21st Century Illinois.

What is disappointing, is an alleged watchdog for people, has thrown up its hands, and “simply” choosing ” anyone but Quinn”, and then unabashedly touts that as a rationale to prop up a paragraph I grabbed above.

This will be a same paper that will whine and complains out the gridlock that Rauner will face from MJM and Cullerton. You know MJM and Cullerton, their 100 years with “pals” Blago and Quinn have screwed up Illinois. An incredibly witty and powerful campaign zinger, but a horrible governing beginning for a Rauner Administration that will be desperate to find willing partners in the leadership of both chambers.

If a paper wants to endorse either one of these guys, then “own” what they say, don’t tell me the skill set to do the job is lacking, but “what the heck, let’s see how it goes”

As a reference to an employer for a candidate fur a job, this reference says to me, “he’s not ready to do the job, but with this opening, take the unqualified and untested, but don’t blame us, it’s the best we can say.”

Do better explaining your endorsements, or just keep it simple and say, “Meh, we like this guy, you figure out why.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:49 am
The biggest problem with the DH endorsement was not in these summary paragarphs above.

They introduced the piece with a grossly overstated negative portrayal of Illinois. It was right out of the worst of the negative partisan song book. Massive corruption, debt so large no one knows what it is, businesses fleeing the state by the hundreds, etc. We have our serious problems, but the paper chose to portray them all in most extreme terms possible — as justification why change, any change, had to be made.

Let’s take a real look at our problems, without exaggerating them for partisan purposes. And let’s not ignore the many positive things Illinois has going for it.

We shouldn’t all be singing from the doomsday hymnal, no matter how comforting that might be.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:51 am
I saw Rauner speak at an event recently; it was one of the strangest presentations I have ever seen by a candidate. Rambling and unfocused, he kept repeating the same weak tag lines (like “I want to work for you”) and it seemed that he had no idea what group he was speaking to. It’s like he didn’t prepare and really didn’t care. I can’t imagine anyone would leave there planning to vote for him.

Comment by Mary Sunshine Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:56 am
Or… The Endorsement pretty much is the sentiment of many folks in Illinois.. PQ had a chance. He failed. Walker, There are some positives in Illinois.. The reality is, there is a crushing pension liability and folks want a change…For the sake of change and hope… He ain’t Quinn… That may be more than enough.. Right or wrong..

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 9:58 am
OW: “don’t tell me the skill set to do the job is lacking, but “what the heck, let’s see how it goes””

But what if it were Brucey against Blago, with the only difference (other than the year) that Blago wasn’t impeached? Still take the known quantity over the pig in a poke?

Comment by Chris Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:03 am
It’s a shame that someone who is capable did not primary Quinn or better yet, convince him not to run for reelection. The contortions going on a month before the election to make him seem better than he is and a better choice than Rauner (who is nothing to write home about either) are humorous. Many will still vote for him out of party loyalty but Quinn is damaged goods. He is clearly seen as an incompetent dufus by most Illinoisans outside the political in-crowd who have watched him flail as an incumbent governor. He’s had his chance and has failed spectacularly. A lot of voters are not sure about Rauner or what he might be able to accomplish, either–but they are absolutely sure about Quinn. That’s what this endorsement is about and why it is worded as it is.

Rich’s Sun Times article ion the other thread is spot on.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:05 am
Nice to know the Daily Herald has no issue endorsing a candidate who will not say what is plan is with ANY specifics. That is how low “low journalism” has sunk.

Comment by anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:06 am
Whatever small steps he has taken, Gov. Pat Quinn has had six years in which to put the state back on course, but ultimately has shown he is not the leader we need.

Small steps? Quinn reformed pensions three times. He raised the income tax and made cuts. Those are huge steps–even if pension reform is tossed. It at least could point the way to legal reform.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:11 am
I saw Rauner speak and it was a disjointed effort but that’s to be expected. These guy’s have been running for over a year.
Quinn has proved time and time again he’s inept. The State should vote for Rauner because he’s not Quinn and should be a better executive.
Quinn just is not a match for Madigan and Cullerton. 4 more years of that trio and the state is doomed.

Comment by Mokenavince Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:11 am
“We endorse the shaman at the New Age Crystal Institute for treating our cancer. To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his treatment proposals, the outright naiveté if not opportunism of his call for multiple treatment sessions each week and the purchase of some very expensive rocks, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains lymphatic system’s complex problems.

“But we are clear on his ultimate objective for cancer patients — an objective, frankly, that we believe our oncologist and most western physicians share. The question is which of the two men can change the course of our cancer, and that dramatically.

“Whatever small steps he has taken, our oncologist has had years in which to put our lymphatic system back on course, but chemotherapy and radiation treatments make us feel bad and ultimately has shown he is not the leader we need.

“The shaman Jeremy ‘High Priest Sunbeam-Eagle’ Castellano is. He gets our endorsement to treat the cancer that has ravaged our body.”

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:12 am
===But what if it were Brucey against Blago, with the only difference (other than the year) that Blago wasn’t impeached? Still take the known quantity over the pig in a poke?===

Blago isn’t on the ballot.

===…with only one difference…===

Pretty big difference.

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:17 am
More vitriol than expected here. This is the swath of area I’ve been working precincts in for over a year. Not super surprising that the paper endorsed Rauner, but a very pleasant development none the less. There really isn’t a line in the entire endorsement that Quinn could use all that positively for himself.
With so many of the people who remain undecided mostly because they are habitually “late connectors” who don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the political world, a newspaper endorsement like this makes a bit more difference. The DH has done what it could over the years to try and be unbiased. They rarely take a chance on a newcomer. It’s very helpful to Rauner.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:19 am
What Walker said.

Also, the DH endorsed Bill Brady last time. So this endorsement shouldn’t be too surprising to anyone who’s paying attention.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:19 am
MrJM says it better than me. Bruce Rauner is the “Johnny Bravo” of Republican gubernatorial candidates.

At least I knew Greg Brady’s motives were pure.

Comment by Jocko Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:22 am
Walter Mitty: with much respect

If the DH had limited themselves to just what you said in your comment, it wouldn’t have bothered me as much. No doubt they reflected what many people believe. Isn’t their role to inform beyond the average public perception?

They laid on the negatives about Illinois beyond what we both would agree are true, and beyond what they needed to justify their choice.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:26 am
===It’s very helpful to Rauner.===

“To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of (Rauner’s) economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.”

“Rauner’s unqualified, but…” lol

And…

“There really isn’t a line in the entire endorsement that Rauner could use all that positively for himself, besides that he isn’t Quinn.”

Better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:28 am
“We shouldn’t all be singing from the doomsday hymnal, no matter how comforting that might be.”

And how necessary for the Pension Bill to have any chance in the SCt. If it ain’t doomsday, then there’s really zero chance.

Comment by Chris Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:29 am
Geez lay off the DH. Walter Mitty is accurate in his comment. For sooooo many voters this year it is anybody but Quinn. You castigate the DH for endorsing Rauner, but ignore the newspaper’s legitimate conclusion that Quinn’s term has not produced sufficient results. It’s not like Rauner is out there with crazy governing proposals (or at least ones that would be perceived that way by the general voting public). Denying that Quinn’s record can be perceived as sorely lacking by rational minded people such that a change is needed is irrational itself.

And I believe Quinn will ultimately prevail based on superior ads (they’ve been great) and Cook County ground game.

Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:30 am
It appears that the DH saw the ad for Rauner that said he is in fact a different person than Pat Quinn… He has a different face, a different mom, and was born in a different hospital, on a different day.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:40 am
If the DH came out the other way, there are some here who would be campaigning for them to get a Pulitzer.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:42 am
Good for Rauner, but how much weight do newspaper endorsements carry in 2014? The Trib’s endorsement is in the bag, I wonder if the Sun Times will reverse themselves from 2010 when they were for Quinn in the general.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/endorsements/2780404,CST-EDT-edit07.article

Comment by Lunchbox Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:43 am
Walker.. I am too moderate at times.. I think to be fair, It lays out the problem for the incumbent. You have to stand on your record. PQ has done a good job of running from it and attacking Rauner as a rich guy. But for most that don’t pay as close attention. This sums the choice rather nicely.

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:43 am
Ducky FTW!

Comment by Namaste Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:43 am
Willie, I read that line. It’s as harsh as they got. That’s not too harsh. Despite being a “little troubled” in one instance, they are a “lot troubled” by Pat Quinn. The folks in their readership area carefully consider their views. The paper is not a GOP sympathizer. It will definitely help. You can expound on the Beacon News. The DH is out of your wheelhouse.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:47 am
===If the DH came out the other way, there are some here who would be campaigning for them to get a Pulitzer.===

Not me, the IRMA non-endorsement is probably the most sound explanation as to why endorsing neither is best.

The idea that Quinn is not Bruce Rauner, and therefor is a better choice, is as Dopey as Rauner not being Quinn is the rationale for a nod.

Please, - A Guy… -, you’re not a victim.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:48 am
OW… They picked a lane… There is a big difference between an association that will have to work with whomever.. The newspaper is pointing out who they choose who works for us… Big difference in my mind. Respectfully disagree. Half the population are dopes then, because a vote for Rauner is a vote against the incumbent. It is enough. Right or wrong.

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:51 am
===. It will definitely help. You can expound on the Beacon News. The DH is out of your wheelhouse.===

Oh, - A Guy… -, why do you care about what’s in or out of my wheelhouse, that isn’t the argument here.

To that, the argument,

===It’s as harsh as they got. That’s not too harsh.===

“To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.”

lol, “Just a flesh wound, a cut”

Being naive is a …plus?

You go with that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:52 am
Guy, that’s just ridiculous to throw in the Pulitzer comment. Newspaper endorsements mean squat these days. This isn’t 1957 which some Republicans appear to be stuck in.

Comment by Jorge Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:53 am
Guy, if you’re going to quote someone, do it honestly.

The DH said they were “more than a little troubled.”

And where did you find that “lot troubled” quotation?

i’m starting to think you just make things up.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:55 am
===The newspaper is pointing out who they choose who works for us… Big difference in my mind.===

Newspapers don’t have an agenda? They run stories and they don’t run stories. An administration friendly with reporters might get better editorial play as it’s columnist are a 180 to the paper’s belief of who they like.

To “who they choose to work for us”,

If they are no better than repeating what Rauner has as talking points and then throw their hands up to endorse, what is the point of “checking out candidates for the voters”?

If they aren’t suppose to be educating us, but fawn at the “lesser of two evils” equals a nod, can you see why endorsements now fall on deaf ears?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:59 am
Ow.. A newspaper does NOT have an agenda the same way an organization does. You are correct that some papers do. But, a membership in a business organization that has to “hedge” their bets for the outcome is in no way courageous…. Bias everywhere. But even NOT picking a lane the DH would endorse Rauner. PQ has a failed record of governance. That is the sentiment of at least half the voting populace.

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:05 am
Great endorsement. It basically says: “We are endorsing Bruce Rauner because he isn’t Pat Quinn.” Pretty weak endorsement, but I guess and endorsement is an endorsement.

At least they pointed out that Bruce Rauner really has no achievable plans.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:11 am
- Walter Mitty -,

I have no problem deciding, but reading that tey are choosing someone that they are “more than a little troubled” and list true problems Rauner has in understanding government, they should just admit they are Dopes, and their simplistic “Anyone is better than Quinn, that’s our take, even if the take and the candidate are equally naive”, then fine.

But then the DH can’t come back to readers and say;

“Yeah, we back Governor Rauner, but we warned you…”

Yikes, I mean, seriously. Either own the endorsement, or say both are lacking, and we are blindly following Rauner, and we are using his rhetoric to prop the whole thing up.

The paragraph of flaws they see seemingly contradict what they like about Rauner.

We like his visions, naive as they are…

Wow.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:13 am
===For sooooo many voters this year it is anybody but Quinn.===

Just out of curiosity, does that kind of simplistic thinking mean that a person with a heavy dose of psychopathic (or sociopathic, the two words mean the same thing) personality traits would make a better governor than Quinn?

A person like Rod Blagojevich, for example. Would he be a better governor?

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:25 am
===Whatever small steps he has taken, Gov. Pat Quinn has had six years in which to put the state back on course, but ultimately has shown he is not the leader we need.===

This is interesting because Quinn actually has a ton of accomplishments but isn’t running on any of them. From same-sex marriage to abolishing the death penalty to making the pension payments/SB1, Quinn’s actually got a better record than anyone, including himself, seems to notice. Which the leads back to the leadership point… while it may be a tad harsh, it is fair.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:56 am
In an election where == Not Quinn = may be enough for some, and neither candidate is inspiring or provides many reasons to vote for them rather than against their opponent, this sort of endorsement may turn out to be par for the course.

It is not a great one, but neither are the candidates.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:13 pm
MMM, OK “anyone” may be a bit much since Gacy wouldn’t get their vote. However they are going to go with the guy who Quinn has just been pillorying with his TV commercials. And it’s not about being a better governor, it’s about winning an election. Without the benefit of hindsight, it would not surprise me to see them vote for Rod. I don’t recall Rod referring to himself as psychopathic or sociopathic in his commercials.

Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:16 pm
=== wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:55 am:

Guy, if you’re going to quote someone, do it honestly.

The DH said they were “more than a little troubled.”

And where did you find that “lot troubled” quotation?

i’m starting to think you just make things up.====

It’s right there wise guy. The whole endorsement. OK, they’re more than a little troubled. It’s the most damning thing they said in heartily endorsing the guy. They called both “honorable men”.

You constantly accuse me of making things up. I make up my own mind after a lot of input. And then, I occasionally share those thoughts with the great intellect of our time, Slinger.

You’re smart, but like all of us, have biases. Making your point without them is difficult, sometimes impossible. It’s the arrogance icing on the cake that makes me like your cake but spit out the frosting. You’re so close man, really you are.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:26 pm
In a dead heat, everything matters. If these endorsements mean so little, why do they show up for the interviews?

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:30 pm
===It’s the most damning thing they said in heartily endorsing the guy. They called both “honorable men”.===

===Who could be? To be sure, we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.===

“Heartily”, lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:31 pm
===In a dead heat, everything matters.===

Yep.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:31 pm
Although I consider myself an independent voter I have to acknowledge that my voting habits have been approximately 75% republican and 25% democrat. Fiscally conservative, socially progressive is the lens I view this campaign through.

The DH could have made the choice to not endorse a gubernatorial candidate. That would have been the most sensible choice given their reservations of the “new comer” (lol!). Instead they use, what I believe to be poor logic to arrive at an endorsement.

Economically, Illinois is plodding through a slow recovery. The debt problem will continue to haunt us, the state revenue dedicated to that debt is causing reductions in available funding for other areas (education, social service etc.). But those reductions are being caused because Quinn has chosen to actually pay some of the bills. Most notably, Quinn has consistently made the required pension payments as opposed to ignoring them like almost every democrat and republican that preceded him (if you believe Eric Madair). Pension funding, as a percentage of liabilities has improved under Quinn, the back log of unpaid bills has been reduced as well. Not worthy of an endorsement but a fact.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:42 pm
A Guy, it is all right in front of us. So if you’re going to quote someone, do it honestly or you get called out.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Quinn has to go, say DH editors, because he is partly responsible for the mess in Illinois. Yet Topinka and Cros — who together have more than half a century in state government — get a pass. No responsiblity for them, even though both served during periods of GOP governors and GOP majorities in the General Assemlby.

Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:57 pm
==heartily endorsing the guy==

You’ve got a low bar for “hearty” if you consider this a hearty endorsement.

But, like I said, an endorsement is an endorsement.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:26 pm
===I don’t recall Rod referring to himself as psychopathic or sociopathic in his commercials.===

Well of course not! That’s the LAST thing they would do. Putin didn’t do it, Blago didn’t do it, and Rauner won’t either.

But a psychiatrist I know told me she thought that Blagojevich struck her as one. I mean after all, people with psychopathic/sociopathic personality types comprise about 1% of the GENERAL population, which means there are a few million of them in this country alone.

While psychopathic/sociopathic personality types comprise a relatively small percentage of the general population, they’re not really that rare, either.

They’re attracted to money, status and power. CEOs (like Rauner) top the list of where you’re most likely find them. 3-4% of CEOs tend to have psychopathic/sociopathic personality types.

But to be fair, lawyers (like Quinn) have the second highest concentration. Anyone think Quinn is a psychopath/sociopath?

So the odds are always against it, but on the other hand, 25/30 to 1 longshots come in at racetracks every day. 25/30 to 1 is nothing like 1,000,000 to one.

Of course, in prisons the concentration is much higher, varying from roughly 15% to 35%. The prisons that have the highest concentrations tend to have the most problematic and dangerous offenders.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:39 pm
DH editors say Quinn has not been an effective leader. Yet Quinn provided leadership in the last six years to get passed a variety of legislation that editors supported — such as ethics reform, same-sex marriage, two pension reduction acts, and workers comp reform.

Editors understandably have little to say about how Rauner would improve the status quo. They express no confidence in Rauner’s plans, just a hope that things might get better. But no recognition that things could get worse.

Other than being married to a Democrat, what is there in Rauner’s biography to indicate that, should he win, he could be more effective dealing with a legislature controlled by the opposition party and by leaders he has repeatedly attacked on the campaign trail. It would not be a huge surprise – except, apparently, to editors — if four years of gridlock were the result.

A willingness to compromise is required to be an effective governor. It is not yet clear whether Rauner possesses that willingness.

Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 2:15 pm
GOP Paper endorses GOP candidates…YAWN!

Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:15 pm
Mighty, I may be the only one here that feels this way, but I would prefer you leave the armchair psychiatry to Dr. Phil, ok?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:45 pm
If you read this entire (approx. 1200 word) endorsement article, I think you’ll see it’s a pretty strong statement.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 4:18 pm
- A Guy… -,

===If you read this entire (approx. 1200 word) endorsement article, I think you’ll see it’s a pretty strong statement.===

lol, ===we are more than a little troubled by the vagueness of his economic proposals, the outright naiveté if not political opportunism of his call for a property tax freeze, the sometimes simplistic framework in which he contains Illinois’ complex problems.===

Closing?

===Bruce Rauner is. He gets our endorsement to be the next governor of Illinois===

Oh yeah, pretty strong.

You are like Rauner and his Crew;

Whatever facts say, your facts are THE facts, no matter what is real.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 4:34 pm