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Some GOP legislators “keeping their distance” from Rauner

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Illinois

* Tom Kacich notices a developing pattern…

The talk in much of Illinois is whether Democrats in the Legislature will go along with any of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s long, ambitious and almost revolutionary list of changes, ranging from merit selection (not election) of judges to limiting prevailing wage requirements on public works projects.

But how about the Republicans in the Legislature, especially the ones whose districts include universities and state prisons, and whose constituents include large numbers of state employees?

There was a telling moment at Friday morning’s appearance by Rauner in downtown Decatur, where an enthusiastic group of supporters welcomed him inside the Decatur Club, but an equally enthusiastic group of opponents hooted and chanted outside the building.

Just before Rauner spoke, Mirinda Rothrock, the president of the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, asked for elected officials in the crowd to stand. Not one Republican state lawmaker was there.

I got chewed out last week by some GOP lawmakers for making a similar observation about Rauner’s appearance in Champaign. But the truth is that downstate Republicans, who for so long have been able to simply criticize Democratic governors and legislative leaders, now have to maneuver around political landmines. Do they support Rauner, their constituents (and their constituents’ interest groups), or somehow both? […]

“Right now they’re keeping their distance,” said one Republican, who said it’s an “adjustment period” for downstate Republicans.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:44 am

Comments

…

This is a Rauner Agenda, a Raunerite Agenda…

This is not a GOP Agenda.

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:49 am
==This is not a GOP Agenda==

What’s the GOP agenda?

Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:52 am
++“Right now they’re keeping their distance,” said one Republican, who said it’s an “adjustment period” for downstate Republicans.++ It looks like you are going to get chewed out again Rich. No upstate Republicans are keeping their distant? Hmm..

Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:54 am
I love it!

Comment by no suprise Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:56 am
They don’t want to be real close by when those land mines are going off

Comment by DuPage Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:56 am
===What is the GOP agenda?===

One that GOP legislators publicly praise and show up for and lead to wins;

Silence here is deafening…both Caucuses are veto-proofed…

Maybe not having an agenda, the ILGOP became easier to co-op as a party? That’s right, exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:59 am
I would suspect the advance team did this, as I consider it Advance 101–but asking elected officials to stand and be recognized indicates to me they did not. Did advance notify/invite elected officials, and were 3×5 cards at the ready for the governor? I would think the Governor would be prepped and thank the elected officials for coming, knowing in advance who would attend…I’d find this circumstance embarrassing.

Comment by Kippax Blue Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:59 am
Thus enters the big hammer/enticer slush fund. Downstate GOP member take your pick. Vote against your constituent interests and trust that the reward money will help you overcome the animosity of your constituents. Or get a primary opponent and suffer the anger of the man and his buds with the money by voting with your constituents.

I would hope these folks would side with the folks, but my bet is on the money winning them over.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:59 am
Helloooo!!??

Governin’ is hard y’all.

/folksyfied snark

Comment by Ghostbusters Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:59 am
Everybody cannot continue to hide. The fiscal denial has gone on for too long on both sides. None of the solutions are going to be easy for almost everyone.

The showtime window is closing…

Comment by Cassiopeia Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:59 am
- Norseman -,

You don’t need a hammer to have you’re friends stand with ya?

That’s how I’m reading you and it…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:01 pm
===but an equally enthusiastic group of opponents hooted and chanted outside the building.===

Rauner loves that.

Lots of Downstate House and Senate GOPs like unions and have many union supporters. Rauner isn’t making it easy for them to embrace the new administration.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:03 pm
The Pantagraph.com website has a photo of Sen. Barickman at the Bloomington gathering. The paper reported “Several area lawmakers, the mayors of Bloomington and Normal and other local officials also were there.” Names of lawmakers were not revealed in the article.

Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:03 pm
They can’t deny the 800 pound gorilla in the room for too long.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:06 pm
The ego sure is an interesting monster.

Comment by Curious... Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:17 pm
There will be less money. Obviously, cities like Springfield, Champaign, B-N, Charleston, DeKalb, are going to get stung. Not a lot of mysteries to less money.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:17 pm
And the Senate Prez & Speaker sit back and enjoy the show..

Comment by Not Rich Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Everyone has a price. Bruce needs to cut a few checks from that slush fund as a sort of pre-shave oil.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Question - why is there so much attention paid to Rauner’s agenda? The Democrats have veto-proof majorities in both houses of the GA and can do whatever they want, right?

Comment by chicon Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@Chicon: Yes, they can pass anything on which they are wholly unified. But complete unity among that many people, representing constituencies that diverse, is going to be hard to come by. They may well unite to block some things (though if there is opposition among some Republicans about eg RTWFL then it won’t need unity among the Dems to block it). But uniting on a budget, that’s going to be impossible. (Pat Quinn, who’s not looking good but is sure looking *better*, proposed two budgets that made sense: spending as we have it with 5% income tax extended, and income tax at 3.75% with lots of spending cuts. Neither passed. Hence the short-term problems that are descending on us. The long-term problems are another matter, and would have been there even if either of Quinn’s budgets had passed.)

Comment by UIC Guy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:36 pm
The downstate “Republicans” who are keeping their distance are the ones who have received the most campaign contributions from unions.

The Illinois Review just posted an incredible list of all State Legislators, Democrats and Republicans, who have received vast amounts of money from unions.

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2015/02/86-of-illinois-state-lawmakers-received-money-from-government-unions-since-2002.html

Comment by Raunerbot Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:51 pm
===The downstate “Republicans” ===

Your screen name suits you. People can’t be a Republican if they disagree with the top dog, apparently.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:53 pm
I have made the comment many times in the past that it appeared to me that a significant number of downstate Republicans do not trust Rauner on a variety of positions. If you ever go to Illinois Review you will see what I mean.

Yes, Republicans were tired of Quinn and probably held their noses and voted for Rauner in the final analysis. But they don’t like or trust him.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:53 pm
===The downstate “Republicans” who are keeping their distance are the ones who have received the most campaign contributions from unions.===

Being a Republican or a Democrat is not a religion.

If you remember when Speaker Daniels had the Gavel, we had in My Party had Bernie Pedersens and Mark Beaubiens

Please learn, remember the “agree 80% of the time” analogy? The “former Demo-Crat” Ronald Reagan said that…

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:59 pm
There was not state reps. Or senator at Mt. Vernon, I bet the tone changes when RAUNER starts holding his campaign money for ransom…

Comment by Soillgop Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:05 pm
When Quinn closed downstate prisons and mental health and DD centers, everyone was opposed in those communities: legislators of both parties, local electeds, even the chambers of commerce whose members’ businesses would be adversely affected.
The downstate Repubs will have to choose sides. Rauner versus the world.

Comment by truthteller Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:09 pm
Trust me let some of these GOP state reps side with Rauners right to work zones. We are ready, to bring the hammer down…

Comment by Downstatelabor Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:12 pm
Unions are NOT the problem!

The money comes from and for both sides of the aisle for whomever takes it, wants it, needs it, and votes for it.

The system is what it is and that’s not going to change.

I sure hope Illinois Review tracks how much lawmakers have received from other special interest groups as well.

On that note, let’s just review how much Rauner and pals have doled out in the last few years to lawmakers, the GOP and to their own special non-for-profit moutpieces (IPI; AFP and others).

Just saying…

Comment by Just saying... Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Ok, finally some time…

To the Post,

Bruce Rauner won his campaign.

With all his bluster, the career politicians, union bosses, commercials, road trips, everything to get Rauner elected, only one Democratic seat flipped. One.

Rauner is now posturing, not to help the GOP, but to punish Republicans not voting for Raunerite agenda bills or budget.

Be clear, this is important;

You don’t want to vote for a Raunerite agenda piece and you are a member of the ILGOP GA, ask Rauner for cover, NOT your Caucus Leader.

If you are a No, you are on an island, and Rauner is burning your lifeboats.

Rauner wants for Rauner, and if you, Mr/Ms GOP Legislator, you vote against Bruce, you’re done. Vote against you constituency, you’re done. That’s real. Csucus autonomy is over.

I am all about the Caucuses, and it saddens me to no end. Rauner isn’t about building the ILGOP GA, but is about schorched earth and the Rauner agenda. Collateral damage is the legislatof “who” thinks for him/herself. Look for more Owls like Rep. Sandack, that’s what $20 million does.

News flash? Rauner gets his agenda passed, and the House and Senate lose seats…again, Rauner doesnt care. How do I know? Vote against Rauner, you may have a problem.

Ron Sandack won’t. Free thinkers for their districts, they are the ones “who” will have problems.

Bank…on it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:17 pm
“Lots of Downstate House and Senate GOPs like unions and have many union supporters. Rauner isn’t making it easy for them to embrace the new administration.”

The ability for unionized employees to better provide for their families and themselves is very important and of tremendous value. It’s likely not something that will be sold out for Rauner’s vast political cash.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Who in their right minds would dare “chew” out Rich Miller? I wonder if Rep Rich Brauer and Raymond Poe are hiding out in Bulpitt?

Comment by Mouthy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:20 pm
I think Bruce also needs to create Right to Spinach Zones. Your probably asking whats a “Right to Spinach” Zone? That you would have increased access to Spinach. Your free to eat or not eat Spinach if you choose. Your, um, “empowered” to eat as much Spinach as you like!

Wrong!

A Right to Spinach Zone is a geographical area that will eliminate all Spinach.

Comment by Del Clinkton Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Bruce: [to the Senate] In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, Illinois will be reorganized into the first Midwest Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.

(paraphrased from Revenge of the Sith)
[Senate fills with enormous applause]

Comment by Del Clinkton Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:26 pm
It is interesting that he’s already having problems even before he comes up with a budget.

If anybody thinks Gov. Rauner has problems now, imagine what he’s going to face after annoying these Republicans already and then proposing a budget that increases the income tax.

It seems like he picked his fights too early.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:26 pm
The villainous unions! Please, can someone provide the statistics to shore up my belief that union membership is at a low point in union history? I also find it interesting that union influence is b-a-d. Corporate influence is apparently a very desirable thing, no?

Comment by AnonymousOne Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Oswego is correct. Rauner had the good fortune to draw Quinn as an opponent.He was carrying more baggage than United.
The fact that Rauner won speaks volumes about Quinn, but it says little about the popularity of the Governor’s yet to be announced program. Vote with him at your peril.

Comment by truthteller Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:37 pm
They have not even had to make any “hard” votes yet. Let’s See how many “players” get on the bandwagon along the way.

Comment by flea Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:46 pm
==- chicon - Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:27 pm:==

Apparently you don’t understand even the most basic concepts of collective action.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Gooner captured Rauner’s dilemma perfectly. I suspect that the laughing from the GA will only get louder from here on out.

Comment by pundent Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Actually,union membership is up.

https://capitolfax.com/2014/01/24/union-membership-up-50000-in-illinois-last-year/

===According to a newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics table, union membership rose by 50,000 people in Illinois between 2012 and 2013. During 2012, union membership stood at 801,000. By 2013 it was 851,000.

As a percentage of total employed, union membership grew from 14.6 percent in 2012 to 15.8 percent in 2013.

By comparison, Indiana’s 2013 union membership percentage was 9.3, Michigan’s was 16.3, Ohio’s was 12.6 and Wisconsin’s was 12.3.===

Comment by Creative Nickname Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:40 pm
Illinois membership dropped a bit last year, but Indiana’s was up by 50K. Nationally, membership dropped a bit.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:42 pm
It seems that many Republican legislators will wait to see the extent of Democratic support on bills, before committing their own.

The Dems will do the same.

Slow dance.

Comment by walker Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:58 pm
===Illinois membership dropped a bit last year, but Indiana’s was up by 50K.===
Hopefully the Indiana trend will continue. While Rauner touts the great work comp savings a company has in Indiana the reason is that the workers there have settled for crappy coverage. Instead of dragging down Illinois workers maybe the surrounding states should increase their standards to Illinois’.

Comment by Been There Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Having been to over 10 COGFA hearings in the last four years I have to think more than a few GOP members in central and southern Illinois are about to get really uncomfortable if the Gov outlines closures and staff reductions.

It was always fun to watch the party of smaller government and doing more with less, vote No on facility closures.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 3:40 pm
The Guv is surely “shaking things up”, though not in a good way to my way of thinking. Nevertheless, I think some of the comments here imply that he will find himself hamstrung by things like laws, rules, custom, or courtesy. I have no such illusions. I would expect that he will expand his own concept of Executive Authority and will simply try to accomplish his agenda regardless of the legislature or even the courts. The legislature can send the funds, but don’t expect this ainisteation to spend them, or to spend them as intended.

Comment by Patrickincary Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 5:35 pm
Interesting! I agree, this is going to put a squeeze on a lot of downstater GOPers with districts full of pro-union conservatives. When Murray Center was slated to close (another foolish self-defeating Quinn idea), the southern Illinois Repubs lined up to bash Quinn for it. Small government guys want stuff cut in YOUR district, not their own for sure.

Comment by The Equalizer Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 7:02 pm
I would point out to nervous GOP lawmakers that they are qwe have seen before when voters kicked out those who wanted tough fiscal reform, and cuts in government spending:

The Greeks just did it. But just wait and see how that one turns out, eh?

Comment by Percival Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 7:05 pm
Hello my fellow Republicans. It is me again, WIS Scott Walker. After reading all the comments, I most definitely had to chime in on this while I was enjoying food made by a non-union worker. By the way, it taste like the prison food my state service up to the prison population because it is dirt cheap. Just like the labor, but away, sorry I got off on my Republican tangent. Listen we got “our” Republican guy elected. So calm down, “our guy” who you elected my fellow Republicans would now liked to be addressed as Gov Bruce O Mighty!! You did not see that one coming either…did ya? Ok, now if the ILGOP does not do what the O Mighty Governor would like then you will be dealt with in the next election. But that is ok because then you can take cover in WIS where I will hire you for minimum wage. Again, that is ok and you will be alright. Cause you will be able to live on little wages up here because you have no union to join and really no fair share to pay either. So little jobs, wages, and benefits you will have so little up here. Hey, do not worry, we take care of our republican pals here too! Ok, my ILGOP elected friends I am sure I we see some of you up here if you chose to defy Gov Bruce O Mighty. Until our next encounter, take some mind chillin meds. O sorry, I eliminated those and so will Gov O Mighty. Gosh that hurt. OK, see you racing to the bottom of the middle. Ouch….!!! OOooo Republicans are so great. I feel like crying… for you guys. Man those cuts are gonna hurt on 2/18. Again, thank you to all the ILGOP state employees, legislators, union members and others for voting for “our guy.” Ok, really peace out!!:) My non-union driver wants to leave.

Comment by Scott Walker Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 9:30 pm
- Scott Walker -

Paragraphs… are your friends.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 8:28 am
Hey, Oswego Willy. My non-union staff typed that for me. It is hard to find good help anymore since I broke the unions.

Comment by Scott Walker Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 11:20 am