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So far, it’s (an almost) complete news blackout

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* At this moment, I agree with one of our commenters…

How many Illinois voters are going to pick up on this? Or the ties between Rauner (and Rahm) and the Sun-Times?

What they MIGHT pick up on is that pretty much every major newspaper in Illinois has endorsed Rauner, regardless of what’s behind those endorsements.

* So far, at least, the back story is being ignored by the rest of the media. For instance, here’s the AP…

The Chicago Sun-Times has endorsed Republican Bruce Rauner over Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the race for Illinois governor.

The endorsement published online Saturday calls Rauner “an extraordinarily capable businessman” who might be able to “break the stranglehold of uninspired, self-serving, one-party rule in Springfield.”

The newspaper calls Quinn a man of integrity. But it says his “uninspired tinkering on fiscal matters” won’t save Illinois.

The Sun-Times announced about three years ago it would no longer endorse candidates. It says it reversed course because of the importance of the race.

No mention of the McKinney controversy. No mention of the Quinn campaign’s reaction to the endorsement. Nada. Outside of here and a few other blogs around the interwebtubes, nobody out there in Voter Land knows about this.

* Another AP story…

Republican businessman Bruce Rauner has picked up more newspaper endorsements in his bid for Illinois governor.

The Belleville News Democrat, The (Champaign) News-Gazette and the Journal Star in Peoria endorsed Rauner over Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in editorials published on Sunday.

Rauner also was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times in an editorial published online on Saturday.

He also has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business and the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald.

* From the Rauner campaign…

What They’re Saying About Pat Quinn

Newspapers across Illinois are endorsing Bruce Rauner over Pat Quinn. Here’s what they’re saying about Pat Quinn’s record of failure.

“Today’s Illinois, then, is broke and broken. Quinn’s most dubious achievement is a four-year income tax increase he now wants to make permanent.” – Chicago Tribune

“A vote for Pat Quinn, which is really just a vote for Madigan, is a vote for the same old crumbling thing. A vote for Bruce Rauner is a vote for bold and dramatic change, which cannot come soon enough. Pat Quinn seems content to manage our state’s decline.” – Chicago Sun-Times

“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.” – Daily Herald

“Gov. Pat Quinn has had more than 5 years to guide Illinois toward a brighter fiscal future. Instead, his incompetent leadership and regressive policies have driven the state to the brink of financial collapse…Simply put, Quinn’s tenure as governor has been a complete failure.” – Shaw Media

“…[Quinn]’s been in office for six years, he espouses policies that have landed the state in deep trouble and his perception that there’s no problem another tax increase can’t cure isn’t good for what ails Illinois.” – Champaign News-Gazette
“Quinn can’t blame Republicans for the failures. His Democratic Party holds a supermajority in both houses. The issue is Quinn’s failure to lead.” – Belleville News-Democrat

“Illinois has the worst credit rating of any state. It also retains title to the highest unfunded pension liability. Its overall business climate and actual economic performance rank 46th among 50, its economic outlook 48th. Illinois’ unemployment rate is near bottom of America’s barrel.” – Peoria Journal Star

“Mr. Quinn unfortunately has fallen victim to the vices of one-party rule, promoting patronage and passing around political favors…He is too ready to spend taxpayer money on projects that we can’t afford.” – Crain’s Chicago Business

* Also from the Rauner campaign…

What They’re Saying About Bruce Rauner

Bruce Rauner is sweeping newspaper endorsements across Illinois. Here’s what they’re saying about him.

“For the broke, broken Illinois of 2014, Bruce Rauner is two challengers in one: He’s challenging an incumbent who tried and came up short. He would challenge the power brokers who like Illinois just as it is. No wonder they loathe Rauner. He makes them sweat. He deserves your vote.” – Chicago Tribune

“Today we are putting our chips — we’re all in — on an extraordinarily capable businessman who just might have what it takes to break the stranglehold of uninspired, self-serving, one-party rule in Springfield.” – Chicago Sun-Times

“He is an outsider with no accumulated political debts and no reason to accumulate any…He can lead independently, without fear of abandonment by the voters or his party, and therefore work to build consensus that considers all interests fairly.” – Daily Herald

“Rauner will not be beholden to the special interests that have helped to corrupt Springfield…Bruce Rauner gives Illinois hope. That’s why we endorse Rauner, the Republican nominee for governor.” – Shaw Media

“Rauner has offered his skills to help the ship of state land safely, and voters should answer with an emphatic yes to his request for support.” – Champaign News-Gazette

“Rauner won’t take a salary or a pension, and he’s not beholden to any of the special interests in Springfield.” – Belleville News-Democrat

“If you believe as we do that state government — the whole culture of corruption and incompetence — really has to change and that single-party control just isn’t cutting it, then our best bet is with an independent candidate of the opposite party who emphasizes that ‘I don’t owe anybody anything’ and ‘being reelected is not on my bucket list.’ Bruce Rauner is endorsed.” – Peoria Journal Star

“Bruce Rauner is the best candidate to pull the Illinois economy out of its low-growth rut. For that reason, above others, he earns our endorsement for governor.” – Crain’s Chicago Business

* Maybe something will happen during tonight’s debate. Quinn better hope so, and he’d better hope it results in some actual news coverage, or all these newspaper endorsements - if used properly in a solid Rauner ad - are gonna hurt.

…Adding… Rioppel covered part of the controversy for the Daily Herald…

Chicago Sun-Times Capitol bureau chief Dave McKinney has hired former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins to look into whether Republican Bruce Rauner’s campaign for governor tried to influence the longtime reporter’s employment because of a story.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has jumped on the story in the heated campaign with the Winnetka businessman. “We’ve seen Rauner bully and bribe to get his way before, but trying to silence a journalist is a new low,” Quinn spokesman Brooke Anderson said in campaign email Saturday.

Rauner campaign manager Chip Englander said the campaign believed one story was unfair and wanted the paper to disclose that McKinney is married to a Democratic strategist.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 12:52 pm

Comments

Mary Dixon of WXRT commented on Rauner’s previous ownership of S-T when she mentioned the endorsement.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 12:58 pm
If the Trib passes on a chance to whack the Sun-Times for this, you know the fix is in.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 12:59 pm
I heard someone on WBBM talk about Rauner’s ties to the ST also.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 12:59 pm
wordslinger - the Trib is in Rauner’s pocket too - why would they comment. They endorsed despite Rauner’s refusal to reveal any plan details or specifics. If I were IL Freedom PAC, I’d be working on an ad.

Comment by admin Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Thanks to the Sun-Times, the AP is only the second silliest media outlet operating in Illinois.

Comment by too obvious Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Now some of you understand better about why media bias is such a problem. You see it can bite you too.

Comment by admin Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:04 pm
The more relevant and newsworthy angle about Rahm is that he was not at the rally last night where Quinn, Durbin and President Obama appeared.

Comment by 51st Ward Alderman Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:04 pm
As all these endorsements were coming out, I have to believe, that the Quinn Crew knew they were going to get blanked.

Had to know.

I mean in July, I knew there was mkt going to be a newspaper endorsing Quinn, and the papers would find anything to hang their hat on, or just run with talking points they could craft to seem knowledgable.

All that said, if Quinn’s media Crew doesn’t have an answer to blunt the endorsement Ad then Quinn’s Crew deserves what they “get” and then some.

If it were me?

I would cut to the downstate mayors, working people, nurses, construction workers, police & fire, mothers…

Maybe a “Governor Quinn has earned my vote “…each saying it, to the camera(?), “endorsing” Quinn, repeatedly.

Finally, one last person, looking in the camera, with the last…

“Pat Quinn has earned MY vote, for governor”

A “people’s” endorsement(?)

That’s all I got on it so far..,

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:05 pm
Does seem odd that reporters who should sympathize with McKinney’s plight haven’t referenced it. Of course, there are editors who may be filtering this reaction for various reasons.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:05 pm
Yawn…

I agree with the commenter that Rauner’s (thus far) clean sweep of endorsements will get much more traction that this dust up about McKinney.

And as has been mentioned many times before, it a Republican dares to play hardball in the face of the Democrat machine and the media’s general bias everyone is up in arms. When the Dems put in the fix it’s business as usual.

Comment by Adam Smith Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:06 pm
The newspapers that people aren’t buying anymore, the low regard with which journalists are now held, the endorsement (at least in the Trib’s case) stuck behind a firewall? Endorsements don’t hold a candle to that nursing home ad. The public thinks the media is corrupt, too. Why would it follow the media’s guidance on which politician to choose? All the polling I’ve seen suggests few voters care what a newspaper thinks. The S-T was right in the first place to dump this as an anachronism, until vanity reared its ugly head.

Comment by Willie Stark Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:08 pm
PQ had a super majority… That is not lost on voters… Conspiracies and the like are nice. Facts are a stubborn thing. If anything PQ says now besides bashing Rauner, why didn’t he do it? Wait all I hear is Rauner has no plans.. What has PQ done with the Super Majority?

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Right now these campaigns are fighting for 5% of the vote. This cascade of endorsements will have an effect. But the real question is whether those endorsements will get people into the voting booths. The key is still going to be who gets the people out, who has the ground game.

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:12 pm
I agree with Word. I’m stunned only, and to their credit, Riopell and Hinz have built on this story. But then, little else was done when Rauner used Bernie’s nephew against him. Every bureau for themselves, I suppose.

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:12 pm
My guess is, in Chicagoland, most coverage of Sun Times stuff may get trumped by the coverage of what is going on in NW Indiana right now. Going to own the cycle for next day or two at least.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:13 pm
==Wait all I hear is Rauner has no plans==

That’s because he doesn’t @Walter. I’ve been looking for a reason to vote for Rauner and he hasn’t been able to provide me one. I’m mostly disturbed by his lack of understanding or deliberate lies about his fiscal plans. His “plan” would leave the state budget in much worse shape than it is now.

And, I don’t think it’s all that intelligent to vote for somebody simply because they aren’t Quinn.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:16 pm
I’ll add that Rick Pearson did a few minutes on this on his Sunday radio show.

But, yeah, if the AP story is typical then the round of endorsements will win out. However, I suspect it’s possible that the other papers are still figuring out how to report on it. Right now, all they have is a curious coincidence and and investigation by a private attorney.

Let’s see how it gets reported in the next few days, especially if it comes up in the debate.

Comment by VM Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:16 pm
Is Charles Thomas one of those questioning?

“Why?”

===@CThomasABC7: When @Suntimes messes with @davemckinney123, it messes with ALL of us!!!===

Can’t see Charles Thomas being this quiet, this long, and tweeting that, and not “prod” a Rauner response…

…you know, just “ask” about it?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:17 pm
Demoralized… I get it… But I think a fair question at the debate would be to ask Quinn what his accomplishments are with a super majority in place? The serious issues that have gone on with his tenure are still there.. Jobs, economy, and pensions… Well, it seems like a fair question. I think PQ has done a great job of framing Rauner… But, how do we win? How is he better than Rauner? He actually has had the job…with a super majority… Rauner bad. I got that. I am not voting for either. I made that decision long ago. Nor a third party to vote for Quinn.

Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:27 pm
The newspapers are careful not to upset Rauner too much. He could buy out any paper he wants, and fire anyone and everyone.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Charles Thomas brought up on the 10:00 news last night that Rahm was the only major Chicago Democrat not at the rally last night. He greeted President Obama at the airport, but didn’t come to the rally. Rahm of course endorsed Quinn, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to do anything other than list his name in endorsements to help him out against his pal, Bruce.

Comment by Lunchbox Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Pearson spent quite awhile talking about the McKinney sequester and the ST flip flop. Seemed to want listeners to think someone tried to leak depos to Tribbies, but they passed. Guess leakers tried everyone. The AP endorsement round-up is a tradition that stems back to a time when folks bought papers and believed advice. Notice the Daily Herald wants a “no” vote on both Constitutional Amendments

Comment by circularfiringsquad Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:32 pm
Lunchbox, don’t be daft.

He probably didn’t go because he’s so unpopular right now. It ain’t about Rauner. It’s about numbers.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:32 pm
A complete news blackout you say? Really rich? I can’t imagine what that must be like.

Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:36 pm
I’m not sure what to think about all this, yet. I don’t much like the smell of it, but I doubt voters are going to care one way or the other since they tend to think all politics is dirty these days and pay little attention to endorsements.

I have a guess, though, that there are many many instances of perceived intimidation and or “suggestions” that could be considered interference with the press by candidates and campaigns and activists. And I think that pretty much every professional reporter and media outlet in America knows that, has experienced it, has had to deal with it, and could name names, parties and and dates. Maybe that’s why this particular accusation has not gained much in the way of legs in the broader media. Nobody wants Pandora’s box to be opened right now.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Snark with a sliver of truth?

==The newspapers are careful not to upset Rauner too much. He could buy out any paper he wants, and fire anyone and everyone.==

Is there even one newspaper of general circulation that endorses Quinn? Anyone? Anyone?
And it may not even matter…

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:38 pm
Thank God the Belleville News Democrat (sic) continues to endorse candidates, otherwise I wouldn’t know who to vote against.

Comment by Tim Hundsdorfer Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:39 pm
I think the newspaper endorsements matter because they tell people who are concerned about the attacks on Rauner’s business ethics (which I think are working for PQ) that it’s OK to vote for Rauner. It gives voters a pass to vote for Rauner.

Comment by Lycurgus Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:41 pm
I also hope that most people when they think about it from all angles, decide that having a two newspaper town (even 2 flawed ones) is better than having a one newspaper town or a no newspaper town.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:43 pm
Hee hee, daft. I can live with that. No smoke to the fire? Rahm’s next race is just four months from Friday.

Comment by Lunchbox Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Archiesmom nails it. Up until now Quinn has done a great job defining Rauner but I don’t think it’s enough, and I think he’s making a big mistake not taking on Rauner’s “listen up folks, he’s going to tax you right after the election” ads. I’d get some independent analysis saying Rauner’s plan will end up costing taxpayers more or somesuch and run ads to the same effect just to confuse things.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:46 pm
Democrats complaining about media bias. Now I have seen everything!

:)

Comment by Peoria Guy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:52 pm
IL Freedom PAC tweeted about it… I’ve gotta believe we will see an ad from them on this topic soon.

Comment by Snucka Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:55 pm
I didn’t know people still read the Sun Times.

Unfortunately this is a complicated story and it takes WAY too much explaining for the average person to internalize. Which is too bad because it’s an important but no one really likes either of these candidates and it’s inherently a lesser of two evils election. (As they all seem to be becoming in our little state.)

The Quinn campaign should back off and keep pushing the class warfare stuff, the ST stuff has the potential to bring a spark to the republican base insofar as they see the media as finally being on their side. That said I don’t think the Rauner folks have the credibility or the skills to make this an issue at this point. However, what the Rauner folks lack in effective messaging they make up in smugness.

Comment by Dizzy Cow Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 1:57 pm
I asked Mick Dumke if he’d heard about this and said I thought the Chicago Reader audience might be interested in the story. He said that he’d heard about it and “will leave it at that for now.” So…do with that what you will.

Comment by AK Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:06 pm
===Unfortunately this is a complicated story and it takes WAY too much explaining for the average person to internalize===

lol

Some of y’all said the same thing about the “bury her” story.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:06 pm
Great… so there are about 3 people in the media not afraid of Bruce Rauner. Thanks Rich for being one.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:17 pm
It is surprising that the Sun-Times endorsed Rauner rather than take a pass. In the same vein, the University of Illinois football team didn’t play on Saturday which, as a friend noted, was the same as a victory. Likewise, it would have been a victory for PQ had the paper abstained, in keeping with its three year old tradition. Et tu, Sun-Times.

Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:20 pm
And what’s the penetration on the “bury her” her story?

These are 3-4 sentence stories for a campaign to tell i.e. first x second y third z now Bruce Rauner is trying to science his critics.

as opposed to….

“Bruce Rauner killed your grandma.” Would you really take time and money away from that to focus on the ST? Do you really see those messages as being equally clean?

Comment by Dizzy Cow Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:22 pm
Can someone please tell me why a newspaper should endorse governor Quinn? A negative campaign doesn’t generate endorsements.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:26 pm
==A negative campaign doesn’t generate endorsements==

Really? It seems like Rauner has done ok.

Sheesh.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:35 pm
=== If the Trib passes on a chance to whack the Sun-Times for this, you know the fix is in. ===

If the Tribune passes on a chance to whack the Sun-Times, they are next.

There will be know criticizing Bruce Rauner on any editorial page if the papers sit quiet on this one.

Not even at the Tribune.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:42 pm
While it is a story and a controversial one at that on wonk blogs such as this and twitter feeds, the non-wonkish people I’ve talked to about it view it as behind the scenes controversy of a campaign, the sausage-making process, and didn’t give it much thought beyond that.

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 2:44 pm
email chains arise!

Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:05 pm
I’d like to see WTTW bring this up during Chicago Tonight. The only person on the Tribune willing to take on Rauner is Eric Zorn.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:27 pm
I don’t think these newspaper endorsements would garner any attention but for the fact that not a single paper has endorsed the governor. Newspapers ceased being relevant in elections sometime ago. If Quinn can manage to win this race it will only serve to punctuate how little influence daily papers have these days.

Comment by pundent Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:37 pm
We all know that the only endorsements by newspapers that have any credibility or are worth any respect are endorsements of Republicans. It’s obvious all the Rauner endorsements are the result of a corrupt effort to derail the democratic process.

Comment by jim Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:44 pm
VMan, it must be nice to be undisturbed by reality.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:48 pm
There are at least 4 other reporters/columnists who have been much more critical of Rauner in the Sun Times, including editorialists. They didn’t all get “side-lined”. McKinney has always done a very professional job of separating fact/opinion, in fact much better than just about anyone else. He’s a rare breed anymore; bureau chief in Springfield. Not much in the way of Bureaus there or even in DC for that matter. He still writes with the discipline of a guy who’s reporting the news, doing the hard hitting investigating. We haven’t had a guy with the cache of Royko since he crossed the river. Things have changed. In addition to Murdoch, Dave survived Conrad Black. He’ll be fine.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:52 pm
===McKinney has always done a very professional job of separating fact/opinion, in fact much better than just about anyone else. He’s a rare breed anymore; bureau chief in Springfield.===

Let’s see, credible Springfield Bureau Chief… It’s the credibility and the position at play, not the comparison of co-workers.

===He’ll be fine.===

“After he learns not to cross Rauner”?

Dope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 3:57 pm
==There are at least 4 other reporters/columnists who have been much more critical of Rauner in the Sun Times, including editorialists. They didn’t all get “side-lined”.==

A guy, you can try and spin this any way you want but the bottom line is this: we know he was side lined for what he wrote. If that doesn’t infuriate you then I’m not sure what would.

Rauner’s people were just plain wrong on this one. At least have the common decency to admit that.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:00 pm
Wilbur, sometimes you redefine “foolish” more than twice a day. Today’s one of those record days for you.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:01 pm
“- A Guy…, sometimes you redefine ‘Raunerbot’more than twice a day. Today’s one of those record days for you.”

If you are trying to explain this away, attacking me won’t make your talking points stick any better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:04 pm
I find it hilarious the Rauner campaign points to McKinney’s wife being a democratic strategist while Rauner himself is married to a card carrying Democrat. What a hypocrite Brice and Co. are. Rauner and his campaign are pathetic and should apologize immediately for this.

Comment by Jorge Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:04 pm
“Dave survived Murdoch…”

Huh? Murdoch sold in 1986.

Aren’t you too busy channelling Mrs. Quinn’s thoughts to take on another client?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:21 pm
There are still many, many voters on the fence in this election and Rauner getting all the papers endorsements is devastating to Quinn.

Rauner has the money to capitalize on the objective editorials and give the undecided a reason to decide.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:26 pm
Threw in Conrad Black for good measure sling. Every single reporter at the Sun Times has survived a lot over the past 20 years. Take a breath.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:27 pm
===Threw in Conrad Black for good measure sling. Every single reporter at the Sun Times has survived a lot over the past 20 years. Take a breath.===

How about you stick with facts when talking about someone’s career?

That would be swell.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:28 pm
You made it “his career”. Has he left the paper? Been terminated? Incapable of writing anymore? slow down Wilbur.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:32 pm
@A guy:

Maybe sometime you’ll actually address the real issue in this mess instead of whether McKinney will be ok.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:34 pm
A Guy, why don’t you let McKinney and his lawyer work it out while you go back to your spokesman duties for Planet Earth.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:38 pm
=== Wordslinger - Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:38 pm:

A Guy, why don’t you let McKinney and his lawyer work it out while you go back to your spokesman duties for Planet Earth.===

good idea Slinger. A gift wrapped in manure, is still a gift. Let’s agree to your solution.

Demo, Wish I could give you more. It’s a lousy situation for a primo guy. He’ll still be primo.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:43 pm
A vote for Rauner is a vote for threats if he doesn’t get his way. That pattern of behavior will really work with the legislature, who he has already slammed numerous times.

Speaking of MJM and Cullerton, threats will really work there as well.

Stupid.

Comment by low level Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:50 pm
===Demo, Wish I could give you more. It’s a lousy situation for a primo guy. He’ll still be primo===

No one likes a whisper campaign.

For someone wanting it to die down, you sure live fanning the flames.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:51 pm
==Demo, Wish I could give you more. It’s a lousy situation for a primo guy. He’ll still be primo.==

I guess my point is that the story isn’t whether he’ll be ok. I’m sure he will. The story is about a campaign who tried to smear a reporter and then who ultimately got that reporter (directly or indirectly) side lined.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 4:56 pm
@A guy:

Also, given that this seems to have happened before to a certain individual we all know, I find the behavior even more concerning. Are they in the business of shutting down reporters who don’t report like they think they should by getting them canned (or trying to get them canned)? That kind of behavior is petty and indicative of a bully.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 5:00 pm
Another point, has anyone politico besides Rauner ever succeeded in side-lining a reporter in modern times?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 5:08 pm
===You made it “his career”. Has he left the paper? Been terminated?===

“I’m in the prime of my career”

Words have other meanings. Past and present tense with “career” is difficult. You’ll be fine.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 20, 14 @ 5:34 pm
Who the heck votes based on newspaper endorsements any more? Not one person I know does that - not one! I suspect that Rauner passed out the cash, so that is probably why he got the endorsements - the Trib and the Sun-Times are both completely out of touch with the lives, needs and problems of the vast majority of people in this state. People of Illinois ignore the rags and vote your pocketbook - Rahm has been dreadful for the people who live in Chicago and his 1% buddy, Rauner, will be dreadful for the people of Illinois!

Comment by Lora Tuesday, Oct 21, 14 @ 10:49 pm