Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Unclear on the concept

Posted in:

Illinois

* Um, is this snark?…

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says lawmakers are heeding Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner’s advice and won’t extend the state’s temporary income tax increase.

Rauner advised lawmakers not to take up any substantive issues before he’s sworn in.

Cullerton says Rauner has “a little honeymoon period” during his first weeks in office and the Legislature is “giving him his first victory.”

The Chicago Democrat says lawmakers won’t address an extension of the temporary income tax increase until after Rauner is sworn in Jan. 12.

Obviously, Cullerton’s comments were 100 percent snark. But most people who read that story would never know it, especially considering the headline…

Cullerton: Ill. Gov.-elect given ‘first victory’

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:07 am

Comments

And a short lived victory it will be…

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:08 am
Cullerton: Ill. Gov.-elect given ‘first pyrrhic victory’ would have been better.

Heh. Looks like Brucie is ‘Winning’

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:15 am
Little honeymoon - meaning the General Assembly will have a few weeks to organize so Rauner won’t have any problems. The honeymoon will end with a bang by the budget address.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:15 am
Maybe. We really don’t yet know.

We’re still assuming Rauner will be acting reasonably and rationally.

Maybe this will in fact be his “victory” and he’ll stick with it through a government shutdown. That would get him real props with some national Republican groups.

We shall shortly see what arena he is playing in. Hope and trust it is Illinois.

Comment by walker Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:17 am
Sad that politicians are talking “victories and losses”. That is not what it should be about.

Comment by Peoria Guy Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:18 am
what the Prez did not say: “Now January 15th..that is a different issue”..

Comment by Not Rich Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:20 am
And for the Governor-elect’s second victory, the Senate President and the Speaker announce the sale of Illinois One, the Governor’s plane, now that the Governor-elect has arrived in Springfield for good.

Comment by Oo Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:21 am
I thought Cullerton’s great sense of humor was common knowledge in Springfield….I guess not with all the members of the press corps.

Comment by Rick H. Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:27 am
If the consequences of what Illinois is facing weren’t so dire it would be fun to enjoy the sport we’re about to witness.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:30 am
The WSJ would call this a major victory against all odds.

Comment by walker Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:31 am
Every day, I love President Cullerton more…

Comment by Soccermom Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:35 am
I am ready to start taking over time bets now. There is no election and a new Governor, I say we adjourn in October next year.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:38 am
Disastrously, the Governor elect may get everything he asked for, and nothing he wants.

Comment by AC Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:40 am
Headline writers never read the articles… print is too small…

Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:41 am
I enjoy Sen. Cullerton’s …take…on things.

Snark-a-riffic!

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:46 am
Where was that file again? Oh, here it is, under the heading “be careful what one asks for.” The first six months of the Rauner administration could determine whether this guy is for real or if we will have a 3 1/2 year lame duck.

Comment by efudd Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 11:50 am
Ganamos!

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:04 pm
If Cullerton is willing to be so generous, I have to wonder what Madigan will give the new Governor?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:04 pm
Man, that was beautiful! Agree that many readers will never know. Hope Brucie enjoys basking in the glow…until he figures it out.

Comment by Cantankerous Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:08 pm
Snark.

Because that is what we seek from our statesmen and leaders. How refreshing and inspiring.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:14 pm
Though it does make me smile, darn it.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:15 pm
Careful what you wish for….

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:16 pm
Cullerton can make jokes like this because believing Rauner will be treated with the same level of respect as if he was a Democrat - is a joke.

Rauner is a solo light blue act sold as a red one, in a deep blue state.

Get his joke?

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:34 pm
===Rauner is a solo light blue act sold as a red one, in a deep blue state.===

Rauner is a Republican, you told me so.

Dope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:39 pm
OW, welcome to Soviet History, Illinois-style.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:43 pm
You can see why this guy was elected “Mr Wonderful” can’t you? Such a giving spirit….

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:47 pm
I love it - Oh what a set up - and Cullerton could say it without laughing

Comment by Yatzi Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:00 pm
Well, ‘first victory’ was in quotes.

Comment by a drop in Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:03 pm
At the Latino Caucus Scholarship conference:
Quinn received much applause and a near total standing ovation…Bruce Rauner? Not so much….heh…

Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:04 pm
THe word is that Blago could have gotten a tax increase in Ryan’s lame duck, but didn’t want it. Rauner, like Blago, said he was going to cut taxes and spend more on education.
Blago kept his promise, and we are now suffering for it.
Rauner has painted himself into a corner from which he can not escape. His campaign was built on a lie- that the problem is we are overtaxed- and it will become more apparent as each day passes.

Comment by Truthteller Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:07 pm
The Illinois press was pretty clueless during the campaign. I wouldn’t expect them to gain sophistication since.

Comment by too obvious Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:09 pm
- AA -, “we are pilgrims in a unholy land” - Dr. Henry Jones, Sr.

I’m waiting for - VanillaMan - to tell me I’m not a Republican again, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Truthteller:

I think, by brilliant campaign design, everyone kind of heard what they wanted to hear when they listened to the Rauner campaign talk about the income tax.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:20 pm
Cullerton is the David Sedaris of the Illinois Senate.

Comment by Mittuns Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:21 pm
===Rauner is a solo light blue act sold as a red one, in a deep blue state.===

Rauner is a Republican, you told me so.

Dope.

What OW said.

Comment by Union Leader Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Well, we all know what happens on a honeymoon, so yes, I’d say we’re all on a honeymoon.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:33 pm
If Rauner wasn’t going to be treated like a joke, Cullerton wouldn’t have made it.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:39 pm
== I think, by brilliant campaign design, everyone kind of heard what they wanted to hear when they listened to the Rauner campaign talk about the income tax. ==

YDD has been on a roll this week. Nearly every comment has been insightful and spot-on.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:44 pm
@VanillaMan “If Rauner wasn’t going to be treated like a joke, Cullerton wouldn’t have made it.”

If Rauner wanted to be treated seriously, he shouldn’t have made so many stupid promises regarding expenditures on the campaign trail, especially w/out understanding the budget. (Even worse if he actually did understand the budget).

He made is own bed, now he can lay in it. You don’t need to ‘protect’ him VM. He’s a big boy, with a big Carhart and a cheap watch.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 1:46 pm
Madigan and Cullerton will clean Rauner’s clock.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 2:08 pm
If I were Cullerton, I wouldn’t have taken this approach. Not terribly helpful. His mentor is probably cringing reading this.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 2:16 pm
===If I were Cullerton, I wouldn’t have taken this approach. Not terribly helpful. His mentor is probably cringing reading this.===

Ask his mentor about over a year being called “corrupt”, then get back to us.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 2:18 pm
=Madigan and Cullerton will clean Rauner’s clock.=

Don’t fool yourselves. This won’t be as adversarial as many are expecting. Everyone involved understands politics….and money. They all know how this works. The right palms will be greased, don’t worry. The big losers will be the public unions. Rauner doesn’t need them, and now that Madigan and Cullerton’s supermajorities are ensured with Rauners “cooperation” Madigan doesn’t need them either.

Look for the public unions to get it in the neck in the upcoming two years. It’s about time.

Dare we even think about right to work and prohibitng public union strikes?

Could happen. I doubt there’s be a public outcry if they’re banned. Parents fighting for the “right” of their teachers to plunder their school coffers and walk out on their kids? Don’t think so. The small percentage of private sector union members in Illinois, about 40% of whom would support a “right to choose” union membership?

The situation is ripe for Madigan, Rauner and Cullerton to control the unions rather than the other way around in illinois.

Comment by Arizona Bob Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Rauner doesn’t really worry about the income tax amount because he said he will get rid of property taxes.

Comment by Buzzie Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 2:33 pm
I had a good laugh at this one. Neither Madigan or Cullerton are known for a sense of humor, but this is funny.

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 4:25 pm
Arizona Bob is off base. Most teachers I know buy school supplies out of their own pocket for poor kids.

Comment by Antonio Joe Monday, Nov 24, 14 @ 11:14 am