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Former “role model” running a “lost” state

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Illinois

* Last Wednesday’s gubernatorial speech to the Illinois Farm Bureau is still generating news. AP…

The Republican governor of Illinois has some harsh words for Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who campaigned hard for his election last year.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says New Jersey “is lost.” He said during an Illinois Farm Bureau conference last week his state has the highest property taxes in America after New Jersey. He says he doesn’t want to compete with New Jersey on anything — especially that.

He says the situation in New Jersey is a disaster. He says: “They’re going down the drain, and they ain’t turning it around.”

* My, how times have changed…

In September, Christie appeared at a campaign event with Rauner, where the GOP challenger praised Christie as “one of the greatest public servants in America today, and one of the greatest governors in the United States” as well as “a role model for me,” a “superstar” and “a friend of mine.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:17 am

Comments

What kind of bizzaro world is Rauner living in? Why criticize your own party and your those who helped you get the Governors Mansion? I now believe that Bruce Rauner, and the arrogance that his wealth has allowed him to develop, will ultimately cause him to be the most ineffective governor in the nation. What does this guy not understand?

Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:21 am
When Bruce Rauner is done with your usefulness, he’s just plain done with you.

Attention ILGOP GA,

After you give Gov. Rauner his 10 “green lights”, don’t be at all surprised if he turns on you. It’s who he is.

As to the possible “why”?

Walker is a friend, Christie is/was a “depreciating asset” to get to be governor. Walker is Rauner’s pal, until he isn’t.

Questions?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:22 am
More evidence of a possible national run … attacking a possible opponent early on.

Seems that in Rauner’s mind he’s already fixed Illinois so it’s on to bigger things.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:26 am
You can’t and shouldn’t begrudge a Governor his/her bully pulpit, it’s one of their most effective tools, but I’m growing weary of his daily lecture circuit routine. How many consecutive days can you simply announce your plans without having to spend any of that time implementing them?

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:26 am
Being a bandwagon jumper always has a way of back firing - just saying.

Comment by Obama's Puppy Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:26 am
Some politicians say one thing before they are elected, and the opposite after they are elected. Rauner is an example of that.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:27 am
Wasn’t there a story about how Rauner didn’t have “time” to connect with Christie last time he was in Chicago? Seems that this has been in the cards for awhile now. I mean, Rauner really is a perfect stalking horse for Rand’s attacks on Christie.

Comment by Sam Weinberg Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:32 am
==More evidence of a possible national run … attacking a possible opponent early on.==

I thought that people who were saying this during the campaign were crazy. After reading Rich’s Crains column, this Christie attack, and the PR warpath… there is no other explanation. He knows he is tanking his polling in Illinois with all the divisiveness, and an unpopular budget. So the only logical conclusion is that he is not intending to go before Illinois voters ever again.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:34 am
Rauner’s now competing with Christie for jobs.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:36 am
Anyone want to lay odds that Rauner pulls a Palin and exits out of the office early?

I’d say it’s less than 100:1.

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:37 am
== exits out of the office ==

voluntary or involuntary ?

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:39 am
Remember when Rod thought he was going to be president one day? Good times. Good times.

Comment by Ambrose Chase Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:42 am
===”Rauner pulls a Palin and exits out of the office early?”===

And Sanguinetti comes to the rescue?

Nah. He’s waiting for Christie, Bush, and Walker all to flame out this cycle, and then will compete with others next time around, as a big state Governor.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:45 am
He has lost his marbles, or I can think of something a bit less complimentary if I imagine how Christie will say it.

Don’t be surprised if you discover some lanes closed on the Michigan Avenue bridge during rush hour today, Governor.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:48 am
Anyone get the number of that bus

Comment by Empty Suit Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:52 am
“What have you done for me lately” rings true huh?

Comment by Just Sayin ... Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:53 am
Any hint on why this is news today and not back in January when he trashed NJ? Remember the RGA had just kicked into the $20 million slush fund to pay for votes/loyalty and other corrupt legislative bargains?
Maybe this is news now because BVR has rented several votes with tax dollars, rolled out a lot of ideas that nothing to do with his budget woes and Oscar THE Puppy is grown up.

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:54 am
Maybe he is trying to shake up more than Springfield with his senseless hyperbole.

Comment by archimedes Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:54 am
Reading daily news on Rauner is like watching a train wreck.

Comment by illinoised Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:54 am
how many millions did christie drop off from the RGA? and this is the thanks he gets?

its the FY 15 budget, stupid. what have you done for Illinois today that gets that problem managed? get your superstars focused.

Comment by langhorne Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:56 am
The doubling down on the union right to work — and now the (very odd) condemnation of Christie — certainly points to a Walker VP pick.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:57 am
I like WALKER’s comment…so this Rauner likes to campaign and talk talk talk reminds of BHO when he got elected in 2008…but we should not be surprised since his wife is Dem etc and he is close. He is just waiting for the Dems beg for the tax increse.

Comment by scott aster Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:58 am
The time watch is a classic case of how not to win friends and influence people.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 10:59 am
Great. We’ve got the boat captains in probably the two lifeboats with the most leaks arguing over which lifeboat is in the worst shape.

…And there’s Pat Quinn in the background, in his life raft paddling away (with a full set of supplies [pension])…

Nice…..

Comment by Judgment Day (on the road) Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:01 am
RNUG, Rauner might have pipe dreams of the White House, but it’s already way too late to get into the game for 2016.

There’s no oxygen left in the room in terms of money, staff or a potential base given the late date and the large number of GOP candidates that have been making moves for years.

Veep isn’t a possibility, either. If Walker gets the nod, Rauner is a nobody, and if it’s someone else who wants a Walker-type for Veep, why not go with the original rather than Mini-Me?

Plus, from what we know already about Rauner’s business record, it could never stand up to the national press corps or presidential campaign oppo researchers.

Finally, the dude’s been in office less than two months. He doesn’t have the “gravitas.”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:02 am
===He is just waiting for the Dems beg for the tax increase.===

Rauner owns the tax increase the second he signs it.

MJM and Cullerton will try to force as many GOP votes as they can on it, even suppressing Dem votes, to inflict as much GOP damage as possible, while blunting Dem responsibility.

Oh, it will have GOP sponsors.

It’s like the politics of running Caucuses is blinded by partisan hopes…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:02 am
Wow. Brutal. OW is right, it’s hard to see this as anything less than a taste of what’s to come. Get ready HGOPers!

Comment by K3 Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:05 am
Having a beverageast night, to dovetail the VP discussion, the question arose;

Vying for a cabinet spot?

“Business leader”, “Governor”, “conservative leanings, moderate social issues”…

Plus, it has the potential to be way easier than being a governor…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:06 am
Dear Rauner Cabinet,

Despite those baloney words of encouragement you got last week, note how easily your boss throws people who help him under the bus. Most of you are good and competent people. Your only mistake was to buy into the rhetoric of this egotist. This is all about him. Keep your resume up-to-date so you can send it out after the last bus tire has gone over you.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:07 am
Is the Rauner administration/campaign now turning its sights towards other potential GOP VP nominees?

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:08 am
All the money, scripts, and coaches in the world won’t turn you into a Ready for Prime Time Player if you don’t actually have what it takes. Thus far, I’ve see no sign that Rauner has what it takes to be governor of Illinois, let alone go for national office.

Comment by Aldyth Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:10 am
How about getting that governor’s mansion rebuilt and refurbished real soon? Just write out a check and the numbers can be penciled in later…

(run away!)

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:15 am
I’ve been reluctant to make this conclusion, but more and more it might be unavoidable. Rauner might be another lunatic — one with a narcisist personality disorder, similar to Rod’s.

Comment by ChiTown Seven Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:32 am
Not mention the hundreds of mayors in Illinois that supported Bruce Rauner, and he repaid that support with a 50 percent cut in their state allocation.

Comment by MrGrassroots Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:35 am
Christie got the typical Brucie business treatment–buy it, use it, suck all the value out of it, then dump it.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 11:37 am
What is all this about King Rauner’s presidential aspirations? He’s in office 20 minutes, has scored many enemies, and has tepid active support. He’s yapped about this and that, but nothing has been done, nor could there be in this timeframe.
Leapfrogging about his Presidential prospects are insane.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:06 pm
The governor and the state are two different things.

Comment by boog Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:12 pm
Chip Englander, Rauner’s campaign manager, went to work for Rand Paul. That’s going to be who Rauner endorses for president. Is the link that hard to see?

Also I think Christie is a big-government Republican with a history of corrupt and shady dealings. Exactly the kind of politician Rauner is fighting against, regardless of party.

Comment by Political Animal Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Perhaps New Jersey should follow this advice: “utilize strategic enforcement strategies and best practices in order to maximize resources.” That’s how we govern in Illinois!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Amazing. I think Brucie has been binge watching House of Cards again….

Comment by The Equalizer Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Fed or Treasury would be my guess at his angle. It would fit his so called experience.

My nightmare, he leaves early (that’s not the nightmare) and good ole’ slip and sue becomes, gulp, governor. The horrors….

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:29 pm
PA, Englander was the hired help. He has as much influence on Rauner’s future decisions as the pool boy.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:34 pm
JS, Fed or Treasury? Take a look at the people who have gotten those gigs and remember Sen. Kirk’s word, “gravitas.”

Rauner’s experience would be more in the category of ambassador to The Seychelles or some other D-league tax haven.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:46 pm
Sounds like BVR is campaigning against Christie in the next presidential primary.

Comment by Kurt in Springfield Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Would not want to share a foxhole with Rauner!

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 1:03 pm
Et tu, Bruce?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 1:24 pm
Rauner’s rhetoric seems more suited to securing a job with a news network or radio talk show. It’s hard to comprehend how any of this moves the ball with the GA and at the end of the day that’s all that really counts. There have been and will continue to be comparisons to Scott Walker but there’s a big difference. Walker has a GA that’s aligned with his way of doing things. Rauner does not. I can’t see how two years of accomplishing nothing puts him in play for a VP slot or a chance at the top prize in 2020.

Comment by pundent Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 1:41 pm
“Not mention the hundreds of mayors in Illinois that supported Bruce Rauner, and he repaid that support with a 50 percent cut….”
You forgot the prop tax freeze and the promise to leave police/fire pension alone.
Triple whammy sammy

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 1:50 pm
What do you think he says about Ken Griffin and Dick Uihlein behind their backs?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Word:

I think that PA might be right for the wrong reason.

With Chip on the inside, Rauner can use the Paul campaign as a Trojan horse to advance his ambitions for 2020. The further Paul gets, the better for Rauner, as long as he doesn’t win the White House.

In fact, no matter who the nominee is, Rauner loses if they win.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 5:05 pm
And since the 11th Commandment has now been broken, is it okay for Wisconsin and Indiana to talk trash now about Rauner? I noticed he was poking Indiana in his remarks about Right to Die Penniless.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 5:08 pm
I was worried that no one would step up to fill Sheila Simon’s place as least likeable statewide pol. Good to see Rauner taking that spot over quickly.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 6:25 pm
All this speculation comes from our struggles to explain Rauner’s speeches about things unworkable in Illinois.

And our fears about his ego.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 6:52 pm
Is Rauner going to Dallas in May to see Christie?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 3, 15 @ 8:08 pm