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* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…

Illinois’ new Governor is sending a strong message to his cabinet, saying they have a moral obligation to report problems to his office. During a cabinet meeting at the capitol Wednesday afternoon Governor Bruce Rauner said the challenges facing Illinois are enormous and he encouraged department heads to look outside the box for solutions. Rauner says the team he’s put in place must report to him things previous executives may not have wanted to hear.

“You have a strong feeling in your heart as what’s right, you say so. You do not hold it back. And if you see something going on that you know is wrong you have a moral obligation to say so and bring it up. Don’t hold it back, bring it up. Let’s fix it. I can’t fix a problem I don’t know about. And I want to empower you. I’ve got your back. We’ve got to break some china, we’ve gotta change some things.”

Rauner said he wants his cabinet members to bring their disagreements forward so they can work through the problems facing the state. He also reiterated that he wants to reward employees who find taxpayers savings. The Governor says his job is to make his cabinet more effective and that in two years the state will be on a different trajectory.

* Tribune…

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday convened what was billed as the first meeting of his Cabinet, telling agency leaders that they’ll be asked to do more with less, but that he’s willing to “take the arrows” along the way.

“I wish this year was going to be all happy, and you know, happy feet. This is not going to be a happy feet year,” Rauner told the group of about 50 officials gathered in a Capitol meeting room. “This is going to be pretty rough, but we’re going to get through it. And I tell you, in 24 months we’re going to be on a very different trajectory as a state.” […]

“I’ve got your backs,” Rauner said. “You do what’s right, you take tough decisions, you do what you know in your heart is in the best interest of the people, I will protect you. I will work for you. I will make sure you get support, and in time, resources.”

Rauner spoke for about 10 minutes with cameras rolling but then left the meeting, which was taken over by his deputy governor, Trey Childress.

* WUIS…

At the end of his nearly ten minute, unscripted speech, the officials applauded. Then Rauner took off — more meetings, he said.

What the cabinet talked about next is hard to say.

Upon exciting, one of the attendees said they’d just been “instructed not to talk to the media.”

* Give the governor credit for generating positive media coverage of that dog and pony show. And ordering his cabinet members to keep quiet meant that nobody stepped on his message.

But, geez, that whole thing was nothing but a bunch of empty staged hype. Have a look…

I want to listen. Come to me with your problems. I’m here for you, except I gotta split without taking any questions. Now, turn off the cameras and be quiet while my guy tells you what’s what.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:12 am

Comments

“Um, governor, on that moral obligation thing, well, I’ve been looking at your proposed budget….”

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:17 am
===I want to listen. Come to me with your problems. I’m here for you, except I gotta split without taking any questions. Now, turn off the cameras and be quiet while my guy tells you what’s what.===

This is called the “Leadership of Plausable Deniability, by the short leash”

Great press pop, not the best way to run a railroad internally with exterior platitudes.

I can’t wait for “Well, I didn’t know that. No one told me…”

Good luck with that, given, “I want to know.”

The Press Shop is really hanging Rauner out;

“What did he know, when did he know it?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:19 am
Sounds loaded with contradictions to me.

Comment by forwhatitsworth Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:19 am
Words are cheap. Let’s see if you can walk the walk.

Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:20 am
While you might get elected projecting these kinds of images, you can’t govern this way. The longer he tries to govern by stagecraft, the harder it will be for him to govern since Illinoisans won’t know, then won’t care, if it is an act.

We want to see leadership and governing, not this.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:20 am
Sounds like a scene from the Godfather

Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:24 am
I need some insight from “seasoned” posters…. Has there been a shorter Governor’s honeymoon ever? By his actions almost all of it.. But still.

Comment by Walter Mitty Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:28 am
A show for the cameras.

OK we can start with that. Seen it before.

But he spoke to the cameras, and announced his “instrutions” without even looking at his cabinet members?

And then he didn’t have time for a real meeting with his cabinet? Didn’t even try to pretend he was serious about meeting with them?

Really?

Can’t even pull off reality TV. Rookie.

Comment by walker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:28 am
This is all very weird, very weird. This doesn’t scream “open process” to me. The whole “don’t talk to media” thing is especially disturbing. The media is only thing that will keep Rauner honest. He’s clearly a man that is not on the trajectory for honesty or openness.

It’s like Blagojevich on steroids — and without the hair.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:29 am
BTW — who is he looking at in the video? The cabinet … is behind him. Who’s he talking to?

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:30 am
War is Peace
Ignorance is Strength
Shut Up is Speak Up

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:31 am
Who are all these internal meetings with? Your cabinet is right there in front of you…

He is so full of… bluster.

Comment by chi Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:31 am
==A show for the cameras….Can’t even pull off reality TV. Rookie.==

But he got a haircut!

Comment by Veritable Plethora Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:33 am
Here’s an idea: have these inspire the troops meetings on line. You have videoconferencing capability. It’s the 21st century. How much in travel, hotel, and gas did we taxpayers have to pay to get the participants there. How much brainstorming for the future time wasted.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:34 am
I imagine the cabinet members were thinking why did they take their thankless job.

Do more with less. LOL!

I’ve got your back. LOL!

I want to hear from you if you disagree with me. LOL!

Said behind closed doors: If you don’t do what we tell you, you will have an F…… Problem with us! Of course, said with a nice Georgian accent.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:34 am
“How much in travel, hotel, and gas did we taxpayers have to pay to get the participants there.”

Less than before, at least, since Rauner is asking most of his hires to live/work out of Springfield.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:37 am
@OW
=This is called the “Leadership of Plausable Deniability, by the short leash”=

OW, do you even know what “plausible deniability” is? It means you can tell things that are false to the public because you weren’t told the facts. You can say these falsehoods with a sincere face because you really believe what you’re saying because you haven’t been informed any better.

Rauner seems to be asking for just the opposite.

“And if you see something going on that you know is wrong you have a moral obligation to say so and bring it up. Don’t hold it back, bring it up.”

To any reasonable person (who’s not a dope) that would be pretty clearly an indication that he wants to hear the bad news, not be insulated from it.

That’s a refreshing change of approach from our last three administrations in Springfield.

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:38 am
The idea — this meme — that he keeps propagating: “I’ll take the arrows.”

It’s absurd. Of course he’s going to take the arrows. He’s — in theory, at least — the guy at the top. Who *else* will take the arrows? Who is else is there?

Plus, the first time one of these loyal soldiers breaks rank — either out of discomfort or moral duty — Rauner will most certainly *not* take the arrows. What, like he’s going to defend one of his hires? I can’t imagine Rauner defending anyone but himself.

It’s one of those deals, I think, where if you say, “You’ll take the arrows” — you’re actually saying, “Don’t screw up. This is my warning.”

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:40 am
‘Walter Mitty”
Honeymoons will end quickly when one party realizes they were sold a bill of goods and all they get is a lot of talk and no action.

Comment by illlinifan Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:40 am
AZ… I am a Dope too by your standard.. Thanks for the compliment!

Comment by Walter Mitty Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:41 am
All style…no substance

Comment by Stones Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:41 am
Why does he hate China so much?

Comment by Namaste Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:41 am
I totally agree with the governor. He is wrong a lot. And I don’t need to ask his wife. This tape seems like it will make great fodder for a challenger if he ever runs for governor. One cut of him saying I don’t want to take credit. Cut to him somewhere taking credit. One cut of him saying I want the blame. Then cut to him somewhere passing the buck. Bad press, poorly done.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:44 am
Who are the actual department heads that have had Senate approval ? Did Blankenhorn get approved at IDOT ? It just seems that a lot of agencies still haven’t been assigned new Directors

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:46 am
A verbatim portion of the Governor’s remarks: “Tell me what I don’t wanna hear. Tell me what I need to hear. And I love people who disagree with me. You can be respectful. You don’t have to, you know … But disagree. Be right, but disagree. Disagree, but strongly. I love that. I reward that.”

To me, the most telling words are, “Be right.” Given what we’ve seen and heard from the Governor during his campaign and his first month in office, I’d interpret that to mean: If you wanna disagree with me, that’s OK - as long as you’re right. And you’re not right if you’re disagreeing with me. So, make sure you only disagree with me when you’re in total agreement with me. Got that?

Despite the stated message of this open-door interlude before the cameras yesterday, this Governor truly believes he’s got the correct take on everything. Doesn’t make him unique at all. But does belie the message he’s attempting to deliver.

As he told a closed-door group of GOP lawmakers recently: If you don’t vote in lockstep with me, you’ll have “a f**ing problem with me.”

He sounds really open to constructive criticism!

Comment by Linus Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:50 am
- Arizona Bob -, lol…

===It means you can tell things that are false to the public because you weren’t told the facts. You can say these falsehoods with a sincere face because you really believe what you’re saying because you haven’t been informed any better.===

Try this…

Plausible deniability is the ability for persons (typically senior officials in a formal or informal chain of command) to deny knowledge of and responsibility for any actions committed by others (usually subordinates in an organizational hierarchy) because of a lack of evidence that can confirm their participation, even if they were personally involved in or at least willfully ignorant of the actions.

You’re welcome.

You are a Dope

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:53 am
Someone may be able to tell me but is this the first Cabinet Meeting that a Governor has had since Ryan? To my knowledge, Blago didn’t have one and I don’t think Quinn had any either.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:54 am
Hey Governor Rauner, you said you work for me, right?

I am a proud union member, so stop forcing right to work on me and my brothers and sisters in the union movement. I think I want to fire you.

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:54 am
==do what’s in the best interest of the people=

Which people? The ones on ventilators? The ones on Medicaid? The ones collecting pensions after dedicated careers serving the people? Those working in public service? Which people?

Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:57 am
This was all show and no substance. If it were substance he would have had his opening remarks in public and then shut the doors and had a real cabinet meeting. You can’t have real discussions in a public setting. Hopefully his next cabinet meeting will me an actual meeting instead of a photo op.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:57 am
Good people in government?

He is all over the place. Double speak and talking in circles. I said it yesterday and will say it again. The following clip reminds me of him all the time.

http://youtu.be/51lFmdChOA0

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:58 am
==Someone may be able to tell me but is this the first Cabinet Meeting that a Governor has had since Ryan? To my knowledge, Blago didn’t have one and I don’t think Quinn had any either==

There have been lots of cabinet meetings. Blago and Quinn both had them.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:58 am
I was amused by his line about “not cutting you [the agency directors] off at the knees” (or words to that effect.) Ummm….yeah.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:00 am
Teamwork?

Just like he was going to “bury her”?

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:00 am
I had to stop listening to his garbage. Oy… we are in for a loooooooooong 4 years.

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:01 am
Bruce Rauner’s attacks on organized labor makes it clear that he prioritizes ideology over management.

If Gov. Rauner is prioritizing ideology over management, his actions have told his staff that he only wants to hear about problems that fit into his ideological worldview.

If managers have a run-of-the-mill problem that contradicts Rauner’s pro-financial sector, anti-labor ideology, I guarantee he doesn’t want to hear about it.

Bring Rauner a problem or misconduct that is done to protect Ken Griffin or hurt public sector labor unions… the manager that brings that problem to Rauner will be out in a short period of time.

Rauner is the type of politician who is doubly dishonest. He’s corrupt and he doesn’t even admit it to himself.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:04 am
Rauner is the elected Governor of Illinois, so if he knows of corruption in government why hasn’t he done something about it? Running around and claiming corruption is Illinois’ top problem begs the question. The press has a duty to ask Rauner to tell us what he knows about political corruption in Springfield that nobody else does. Corruption is a crime, If Rauner knows about corruption he has a duty to say where it is and who he thinks is committing crimes against taxpayers.

Comment by nipandtuck Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:04 am
“To any reasonable person (who’s not a dope) that would be pretty clearly an indication that he wants to hear the bad news, not be insulated from it.”

…and then he walked right out the door, before anyone actually could bring anything up.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:13 am
===…and then he walked right out the door, before anyone actually could bring anything up.===

- Arsenal -, may I, humbly, add…

“…and then he walked right out the door, before anyone actually could bring anything up…and we’re told by Rauner’s peeps what’s really what with all the cameras and reporters gone.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:16 am
His cabinet going all the way back to big Jim is the least expierenced of them all. And why would that be ? Because he needed to surround himself with non political newbies that have the word Yes to him down pat.
Not one experienced elected official from the G.A or Senate besides Rosenthal who conned his way into the job by claiming his love of the labor unions would hinder his ability to vote with the Boss man.

Comment by Dirty Harry Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:17 am
It’s as though he’s interested more in media perception than reality. If the state wasn’t in the mess it’s in that’d be fine, but we need far more substance than we’ve seen so far. The only way his management style makes any sense is if he’s pandering to conservatives nationally in hopes of a Republican nominee that needs someone to help balance out the ticket. From the state of the state, to the budget, to the broad public delarations, instead of the quiet leadership that’s needed. Elvis hair and disadvantaged groups serving as props for press conferences and his management style transformation will be complete.

Comment by AC Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:23 am
Another Rauner campaign commercial.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:36 am
Hate to say it, but this sounds EXACTLY and OMINOUSLY like the cabinet meetings I heard Blago kickoff, and then he turned over to Tusk and left.

Comment by been there Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:41 am
Given everything he has at his disposal, particularly the coins to buy honest, sound advice should he choose to do so, the Guv is not exactly knocking it out of the park at any level. Yet.
He’s taken plenty of arrows already, some self-inflicted, to use a tortured (but interesting) metaphorical image. I guess even at this age I have some idealism that he can make changes as needed, and show that he can grow. His 2 year projection is about right - if we’re still getting this stuff. I’ll ratchet my diminished idealism once again

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:42 am
Would love to be a fly on the wall the first time a Cabinet member disagrees!

Comment by dixiechick Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:44 am
Pretty funny.
Capt Fax ledes with link to Rauner-rented IPI “news network” to cover the “happy feet” fiasco.

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:48 am
Leadership: Spit out some talking points, leave the heavy lifting to everyone else. Rauner gets an A from CEO school, an F for actual performance.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:50 am
Telling the “cabinet” that “We’ve got to break china”? Freud much?

Comment by CharlieKratos Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:52 am
If “happy feet year” weren’t a common figure of speech, I’m sure one of the empowered members of Bruce’s cabinet would tell him that even if that news wasn’t something he wanted to hear.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:52 am
I think it could be a Happy Feet Year, ie an unprepared quarterback scrambling around frantically in the backfield, unable to deliver on target.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:02 pm
===”You have a strong feeling in your heart as what’s right, you say so. You do not hold it back. And if you see something going on that you know is wrong you have a moral obligation to say so and bring it up. Don’t hold it back, bring it up. Let’s fix it. I can’t fix a problem I don’t know about. And I want to empower you. I’ve got your back.”===

Um, well, OK, here goes Governor: you sound like a moron when you drop your G’s. It’s just not right, it sounds wrong because it is wrong. You weren’t raised to speak that way and we all know you weren’t taught to speak like this at Dartmouth. Illinoisans aren’t a bunch of rubes you can talk down to. It’s not folksy, it’s transparently phony and it needs to stop, sir, before you offend everyone in Illinois.

There. I said it. Thanks for having my back Governor.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:05 pm
@FakeRauner to cabinet: And whatever you do, don’t be a bad cabinet member, because, well, you don’t wanna know.

Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Shakin’ up Springfield, Michael Corleone style.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:08 pm
What is his track record with whistleblowers?

Comment by Dr X Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:31 pm
A purple tie and a couple dozen “will of the people/law of the land” references and it’d be like nothing had ever changed.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Half-serious question: Is it possible that Rauner’s press aides actually despise the man? Or are they just new to large market media? Or new to spin? They are doing everything wrong.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Did I miss the meeting where everyone got together and decided to start using the word “dope”?

Comment by Pookie Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:50 pm
47, now you’re gettin’ it.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:53 pm
=What is his track record with whistleblowers? =

Please see previously referenced “I will bury you”

So, not good.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 12:57 pm
Attention press room! If you keep covering these ridiculous events where he doesn’t allow questions, they will only do more of them. The people at home (and some commenters here) think that this was a legitimate meeting and a new way of doing business. I don’t think either of the stories did a good job exposing this show for what it was. (I don’t count IPI as news)

Comment by manda Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:00 pm
I’m surprised he didn’t walk behind them talking while carrying a baseball bat.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 1:28 pm
“And why would that be ?”

Partially because he’s making a lot of them move to Springfield.

(And I live in Springfield, I grew up around here, but I understand that Chicagoland has 2/3rds of the state’s population. I have no problem with big chunks of the government being up there).

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Maybe he meant Happy Feet 3 will be coming out this year. Here’s a link to a clip from #2: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=happy+feet&qpvt=happy+feet&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=9BFBE570F65722F81E859BFBE570F65722F81E85

Comment by GA Watcher Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:24 pm
=== “You have a strong feeling in your heart as what’s right, you say so… And if you see something going on that you know is wrong you have a moral obligation to say so and bring it up. ===

How about if a cabinet member feels it’s immoral to cut funding for children on ventilators? Or that it’s wrong to scrap the Autism program. Would that be the kind of feedback about right and wrong Rauner is seeking?

Comment by anon Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 2:58 pm
Wow. That might be some sort of record for the most business buzz phrases in the shortest time. Simply amazing performance by the new Governor.

And then, “-Trey- is our main point of contact with you and goin’ forward for quite awhile…”

So, who is the Governor?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:20 pm
More campaignin’.

Xlnt title, by the way. This was the Marx brothers

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:25 pm
“Let’s have more meetin’s like this where I talk at you for eight minutes, encourage you to express your concerns, and then I leave as quickly as possible.”

Amazing performance.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:32 pm
I know this is basic stuff, but I cannot find a definitive policy that defines the Governor’s cabinet. Is this just the department heads or anyone the Governor wants to call a Cabinet Member?

Comment by Dave Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 3:45 pm
==Which people?== The people who own big business & the people who helped him to get elected.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 4:19 pm
Public Servant, excellent visuals! LOL.

My gosh, juxtapose this BVN mess with Big Jim and it ought to embarrass the R’s mightily.

Comment by Mongo Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 4:20 pm
++- CharlieKratos - Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:52 am: Telling the “cabinet” that “We’ve got to break china”?++ The union is the china he plans to “break”.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 4:29 pm
dave, basically the latter

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 4:44 pm
And some of you really want PQ back?
Talk about nothing there. That guy was a phony “reformer” from day one. I, as will the majority of voters in the recent election will take our chances with Governor Rauner. We knew what we had and cleared the deck.

Comment by South of 64 Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:02 pm
We have to stop quoting the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Review, and their sad pathetic lot as if they mean something. They don’t mean nothing. My react? Who cares?

Comment by justjoe Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:45 pm
“…I love takin’ blame. Like how I owned up to those failed GTCR ventures during my campaign. And just ask Christine Kirk how much I love when people disagree with me.”

Comment by Training wheels Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 5:47 pm
=And some of you really want PQ back?=
Agree. Quinn was also a serious whistleblower retaliator on behalf of his kleptocrats. Together, Quinn and Rauner have both made an excellent case for shucking the two-party system.

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 6:03 pm
That was an intense 10 minutes of baloney sausage…

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 6:05 pm
@South of 64
Cut the BS already and get involved if you have a problem. PQ did his best with what he was handed and I will give him that. The problem was always wanting to raise taxes. At least he cared about working individuals. Rauner reminds me of Jim Kramer on steroids and also thinks he is above the law. If he wants to disclose his financial interests, he can disclose his full tax return with all schedules and income statements minus SS#. Trying to cut Medicaid funding and preaching about God to the Legislature. Look up Matthew 6:24 before you preach.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 7:15 pm
I think this is just the beginning of his growing pains. That is, imagine you are a very wealthy person who is use to having his way by making his decision and having others execute. A person who may be use to meetings ending when he walks out the room without follow up questions by “outsiders” of that organization of his decision. And Btw, the outsiders will keep on questioning your decisions. In a twisted way, he has gotta be frustrated in learning that “good or bad” legislators and government is far different then running a business.

Comment by One to the Dome Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 7:16 pm
Gov. Onepercent addresses the kangaroo court of corporate yes men. We are no longer the land of milk and honey, buuuut it’s ok for me to be a part of $150,000 wine club. This guy wipes his arse with the hundred dollar bills.

Comment by bankster Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:05 pm
All the talk about Big Jim on the other thread just made me realize something I should have seen before now.

When Rauner isn’t channeling his inner Blago, he’s trying to do an imitation of Big Jim but it’s coming out like an amateur act that would be run off the Gong Show in about 10 seconds.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 9:53 pm
Breaking dishes is a sign of wealth,happy feet was a doomed group.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:00 pm
Was there a Govt Union Boss piñata on the way into the room?

Comment by Obama's Puppy Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 10:40 pm
–I love takin’ blame–

Sgt. Schultz?

Knew nothing, nothing, about the nursing homes, the Medicaid fraud, the bustouts, the pharmaceutical gouging, Stu Levine, Payton Prep….

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:15 pm
I almost forgot we have to suffer for 4 years not hearing a G at the end of any of his words …grr

Comment by -retired state worker Thursday, Feb 26, 15 @ 11:43 pm