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Rockford endorsement just a drop in the bucket

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Illinois

* Gov. Pat Quinn finally received a “real” newspaper endorsement over the weekend when the Rockford Register Star weighed in…

Northern Illinois might have reverted to cornfields if not for unprecedented investment by the state under the guidance of Gov. Pat Quinn.

— At one point, fewer than 200 workers were employed at Chrysler’s assembly plant in Belvidere. The factory was on the verge of closing, but it has bounced back with Quinn’s help and now has three shifts running with 4,500 employees.

— Woodward Inc. could have built its $300 million manufacturing campus on the other side of the state line. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tried hard to lure Woodward, but Quinn and his team helped the company expand in Loves Park. If Woodward had decided to build elsewhere, we wouldn’t have the Transform Rockford movement, which was created by Woodward CEO Tom Gendron and aims to make this one of the best places to live in the country in the next decade.

— AAR Corp. is building a 200,000-square-foot jet maintenance, repair and overhaul hub at Chicago Rockford International Airport. The MRO is expected to create at least 500 jobs, jobs that pay well. Quinn and his team, along with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, helped make that happen.

— Infrastructure projects like the Morgan Street bridge, South Main Street, passenger rail, and the widening of the Jane Addams Tollway are four examples of what Quinn’s done. Nippon Sharyo in Rochelle and his support of community health centers, such as Crusader Community Health, underscore his commitment to northern Illinois.

* But that’s as far as Quinn got. The State Journal-Register actually endorsed Rauner on Sunday…

This brings us back to the idea of vision. In light of the state’s persistent fiscal challenges, which governor is best suited to jumpstart the economy and has a plan to do so?

We believe Rauner’s ambitious, growth-minded reforms may be the medicine this state needs to revive itself.

But our advice, should he be elected: forget about working the floor of the legislature or being in committee meetings, as he has vowed to do. Instead, he should surround himself with principled, highly regarded aides who know Illinois government and can convey his vision to lawmakers on his behalf.

The Decatur Herald & Review, the Bloomington Pantagraph and the Quad City Times all endorsed Rauner as well.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:06 am

Comments

“Dear Bernie,

Aren’t you a member of the Editorial Board?

Signed,

Your ‘outrage’ over the past months and months”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:10 am
The SJ-R has to sting a little. Rauner basically ignored the until last week, Bernie has been one of his biggest critics, and the Quinn camp still couldn’t net that

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:13 am
Embarrassed by SJR…but what else is new. How much stock does Rauner own in Gatehouse??

Comment by D.P.Gumby Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:15 am
Agree with the comments above. I thought there was a good chance the SJ-R would go Quinn or not endorse. Bloomington and Decatur aren’t truly surprising.

Dave who?

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:16 am
Do newspaper endorsements even matter? Quinn was dealt a crappy hand and he has proven he isn’t afraid to make a tough decision. I wish I could vote out Madigan.

Comment by Voice of Reason Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:16 am
This coming from a “newspaper” concerned about jobs when they close their printing press laying off many people and not giving raises to staff for over seven years. Yes, they are “cautiously optimistic” over Rauner’s job creation ability.

Comment by I wonder... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:18 am
an angry electorate, and all these endorsements, but do they equal the dismissal of PQ ??? it sure is starting to feel like it..

Comment by Not Rich Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:18 am
==Do newspaper endorsements even matter? ==

By themselves? No. But….when virtually every paper in the State goes with the same candidate, that gets people’s attention. Especially when it makes a great ad.

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:19 am
Rauner’s paid endorsments are impressive. I guess it is the best media you can buy. A candidate without a plan and lots of money can get any endorsement he wants for a price. Guess that means these endorsements don’t really mean anything.

Comment by admin Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:19 am
If Pat Quinn wins this election: he’ll prove how unimportant newspaper endorsements really are. I know those are big ifs but… not one can count out Pat Quinn.

Comment by Steve Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:20 am
Rauner’s appearance before the Journal-Register editorial board was painful to watch. Time and again he nakedly refused to answer questions, particularly from Doug Finke and Bernie Schoenburg.

For the paper to turn around in less than 48 hours and endorse the guy showed how a remarkable lack of respect for themselves and for the voters. Rauner refuses to answer basic questions, ducks accountability to the SJR and the public, and they rubber-stamp it.

The timing was curious, too. Rauner refuses to meet with the SJR for more than a year, then sits down a little more than 24 hours before the endorsement is published? Forgive me if recent events make me smell a rat. SJR boss calls Rauner campaign, says they want to make the endorsement but only if he sits down with them so it appears on the up and up …

Comment by Reality Check Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:20 am
It’s interesting how policy substance-free political campaigns have become.

There was a niche for newspapers, but they let cable news set the agenda.

And now few people under 40 subscribe to newspapers.

C’est la vie.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:21 am
=== Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:10 am:

“Dear Bernie,

Aren’t you a member of the Editorial Board?

Signed,

Your ‘outrage’ over the past months and months”===

I guess we live in a world where only one guy has integrity and ethics. Everyone should visit Oswego and see this incredibly rare freak of nature.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:22 am
This saving jobs thing sounds nice, but I prefer vague promises and a “willingness to build consensus”

Comment by Carhart Representative Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:23 am
One has specific accomplishments that helped the economy, the other had “vision” backed up by a “plan” — which we all know is not yet a plan.

I pretty much like concrete things, and numbers that add.

The endorsements ad for Rauner does seem to be the positive closer he needs. They aren’t specific, but leave an overall positive image.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:24 am
It was just the other day I when I was reading The Journal Of How Much Newspaper Endorsements Sway Gubernatorial Races. Obviously, it’s over for Quinn! But of course I knew it was over when Rauner had more yard signs!

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:27 am
Maybe Rauner’s campaign threatened the editorial staff or perhaps he bailed out their owners like he did with the Sun-Times’ Michael Ferro.

Comment by admin Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:30 am
just more evidence that the news is becoming just another type of business.

Cue the movie “Network.”

Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:30 am
All of these newspapers have put themselves in a lose-lose position - not just the the endorsement pick itself, but the manner in which they selectively ignored really important facts in their endorsements. If Quinn wins, they have confirmed their irrelevance with the electorate and future candidates will be emboldened to thumb their noses at answering hard questions - or any questions - in the future, as Rauner has done in the present. If Rauner wins, they will bear direct culpability when his “mystery plan” turns out to be: (1) useless or completely unworkable; (2) the electorate finds out what he really has in store for IL and freaks out; (3) the legislature he has demonized refuses to cooperate; and (4) education goes the way of PA ala Tom Corbett; and (5) the income gap drastically widens statewide. Not mention the “utter lack of social agenda” suddenly becomes “surprisingly” less utterly lacking.

Comment by Redux Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:34 am
What are Rauner’s “ambitious, growth-minded reforms?”

And what’s the “plan” to “jump start the economy?”

Why does anyone think that the state “economy” can be commanded from the governor’s office? Doesn’t have any relationship to reality.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:34 am
Oh, - A Guy… -, I feel bad for you that you think do little of people that you think there are do few with honesty, integrity, ethics and morals.

Once you compromise yourself, your character really doesn’t matter. Pretty hollow - A Guy… -, I feel bad for you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:35 am
Even the papers that aren’t directly in the tank assume Rauner as governor would be good for lots of news. Maybe hold off the inevitable extinction of some of the dinosaurs a bit longer.

Comment by too obvious Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:40 am
It is not clear who in Illinois has the vision. To be honest, the clearest vision I have read recently came in a today’s Paul Krugman opinion in the NYTimes. Until we abandon the “cut taxes” mantra, we will not prosper in Illinois or America. We need true investment and that takes revenues.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/opinion/paul-krugman-ideology-and-investment.html?ref=opinion

Comment by Phlegm Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:41 am
Send flowers and we’ll be good again.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:42 am
Quinn helped the Chrysler plant? How about instead taxpayers were robbed of their dollars to provide corporate welfare to a foreign corporation that could not operate efficiently enough to make a profit in Illinois.

Comment by Taxed out Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:44 am
I am going to Chicago this weekend, I will swing thru Oswego and try to get a glimpse of this rare Willy species.

Comment by anon Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:47 am
Taxed Out - You’re right - that is way catchier.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:55 am
Did anyone consider that just possibly all these editorial boards recognize that no matter how bad Rauner is, Quinn is even worse?

I have to tell you, CapFax comments are sounding more and more like something produced inside the Quinn campaign. I’ll be glad after next Tuesday when the froth abates and things get back to normal.

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:56 am
Embarrassed by the SJ-R. Not hardly. Better said is that the SJ-R has morphed into a community embarrassment. Today it endorsed a virtual unknown for Sheriff, ahead of a highly popular thirty-year veteran deputy. The deputy, by the way, was not long ago named by the paper as Springfield’s “First Citizen.” Other endorsements have been similarly bizarre. The SJ-R’s opinion used to matter in these parts. But, those days are over. Springfield’s free weekly “Illinois Times” is now far more compelling than the city’s daily paper. Sad.

Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 11:57 am
I never before have been so disheartened at our choices for Governor. Many of my friends and family believe the same. Event those who have taken a side often say they are holding their nose.

That being stated, I am beginning to believe — for the very first time — that Rauner may pull this off. The thing that I lately keep hearing is that at the very least, a Governor Rauner would veto some of this out-of-control spending and not let the General Assembly run roughshod. Another person told me, “I suspect Rauner would be terrible, too, but at least he’d be terrible in a different way.”

Perhaps it still won’t be enough, but I now think that with this climate and a real GOP ground game in Cook and the collars that Rauner may pull it off.

It speaks volumes that the concept fills me with trepidation.

Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:13 pm
@non
=I am going to Chicago this weekend, I will swing thru Oswego and try to get a glimpse of this rare Willy species.=

It shouldn’t be a problem finding him. There’ll be a blazing glow from his all knowing visage and a “Proud Union Home” sign in his front yard.

Didn’t you know that? Dope.(heavy sarc here)

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:16 pm
If Quinn gets the votes of everyone in Illinois who doesn’t read newspaper editorials, he’ll do just fine next week.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:17 pm
@47th ward

I suspect that most Quinn supporters do much reading of anything…period. How else could any well read person support continuing his leadership failure?

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:21 pm
===It shouldn’t be a problem finding him. There’ll be a blazing glow from his all knowing visage and a “Proud Union Home” sign in his front yard.===

Local 150, McCormick Place Unions, Reachers Unions, even some governmental Unions…

Have back Republicans in Illinois, because understanding Unions isn’t a Democratic thing, just a forgotten GOP thing.

I feel bad for you - AB -, I would have hoped for you, you would be less bitter. Guess not.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:23 pm
…”convey his vision to lawmakers…” - Good luck with that.

Comment by Jerome Horwitz Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:23 pm
===I am going to Chicago this weekend, I will swing thru Oswego and try to get a glimpse of this rare Willy species.===

Bring pie or Cannoli, but bring one.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:24 pm
I still think it’s way too close to call, regardless of the polls and endorsements.

I’m besieged with newspaper endorsements, mailers and robocalls to vote from Bruce. As a long time GOP supporter and senior citizen, my vote should be a lock for Bruce … but I just can’t bring myself to vote for Rauner. I expect I will vote for Quinn which will be the first time EVER I’ve voted for a D for gov … and that’s going all the way back to Ogilive.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:25 pm
Ken_in_Aurora - CapFax commenters prefer to deal in facts, not generalities. To date, Quinn has offered far more details. Right or wrong, Rauner’s lack of specificity reminds more than one commenter of Blagojevich, hence the moniker “Raunervich” … .

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Reality Check—exactly. You read the article before the endorsement and all he said nothing on what he would do except that “I will get back to you”. Strange endorsement based upon the article. Corporate endorsement–I can’t say–but seems strange based upon the interview.

Comment by I Wonder.... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:42 pm
@Arizona Bob:

I read just fine. If you can find me something to read from Rauner on a feasible fiscal plan for the state I’ll be happy to read it. Until then, he hasn’t convinced me to vote for him.

But isn’t it nice you can engage in your dopey attacks and say that people that don’t agree with you can’t read? Dope

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:44 pm
Nobody is enthusiastic about Rauner, but Quinn’s routine has gotten very old. People are tired about his listless method of governance. He does not lead his own party, is treated like an afterthought by the legislature and frequently tolerates corruption in return for votes.

Rauner is simply a tool to be used to retire Quinn.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:44 pm
I feel for the newspapers in this state. I feel endorsing candidates is what the editorial page is for. But it’s gotta be hard to pick between these two. SJR at least mentioned some of Rauner’s downsides.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 12:58 pm
SJR editorial staff have been bashing state employees for some time. They seemed to back off a bit when state employees who were the main SJR buyers decided to quit buying the paper and pushing the paper toward bankruptcy. But given their history, I am not surprised by the endorsement.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Complaining about Quinn being “listless”?

He has a number of messy public policy problems to deal with.

The pension mess was created while the media was asleep at the switch, not while Quinn was Governor.

If Rauner has a better plan than Quinn, why is he hiding it?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 1:15 pm
So on one hand you have Presidents and former Presidents endorsing Quinn, on the other you have a nearly bankrupt group of papers endorsing Rauner. Which opinion should I take more seriously? After all it’s just opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 1:19 pm
A J, that’s as goofy a thing as I’ve read today. And the competition is stiffer today than most days.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 1:40 pm
It’s easy to find Willy’s house up there. It’s the only one with a huge raft plopped up against the side of the house. Oh, that and the golf bag mailbox.

To the Post, you all just need to get caught up with the wingnut theory that says because the SJ-R is owned by a private equity firm, they probably are/were secretly owned by GTCR.
I’m not making this up. I’ve read it or heard it several times.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 2:14 pm
In 2010, Rick Perry won no editorial board endorsements. His pollster found that 37% of voters were less likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by newspapers. So, he skipped all endorsement sessions. He won his third term by 13 points, surprising himself with the margin.

Comment by David Ormsby Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 2:21 pm
I think the Oswego Tourism board owes me a commission check. I’ll give it back to them for the Believe it or not museum I hope they’ll build next to the house with the raft.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 2:48 pm
Other than that finding in Texas, has there been any other polling on how influential endorsements are these days? The nature of media consumption is so different. I mean how many people really search a paper’s website for the editorial page each morning?

And I get the point about the endorsements making a good ad, but are endorsements really going to get a person off the couch and to the polls- or get someone to change his/her mind?

I’m being serious has this been tested this cycle?

Comment by dawn Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 5:00 pm
Ken in Aurora: Why don’t they just say, as you did, “No matter how bad Rauner is, Quinn is even worse” That would be a clear opinion which I could get.

Instead they overdo it. They make up entirely mythical statements about both how bad Illinois is doing, and how good Rauner’s “plans” are. They are living in fantasyland. That is what bothers me.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 27, 14 @ 9:45 pm
== Rockford endorsement just a drop in the bucket ==

Guess you’d say that if you weren’t in the Rockford Metro Area. Rockford area? Probably not.

Then again; Chi & Springfield ARE the centers of the IL earth?

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Oct 28, 14 @ 5:10 pm