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* Mark Brown on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s huge campaign fund, Sam Zell’s $4 million contribution to Rauner’s new legislative campaign committee and the governor’s anti-union agenda…

I really don’t want to be a class warrior, but what I continue to see going down is that rich people, no longer satisfied with the privileges of being rich, are going for complete control. […]

Rauner’s anti-union agenda… relies on buying into the concept that life will be better for working people in Illinois if they just give the corporate community what it wants: an easier path to lowering wages and benefits. […]

But if you think Sam Zell donated $4 million for your benefit, then you must also be one of those delusional types who think the deck is somehow stacked in favor of working people in this state.

I was asked the other day why I cared so much about this particular topic. My response was that unions are far from perfect, and maybe even terribly flawed and in need of reform and maybe even reined in a bit on some particular issues.

But they are the only folks who can and are effectively standing up to the power of the super-wealthy in this country. As we’ve seen time after time here, the Democrats regularly cave. The unions don’t. Wipe them out and it’s game over.

We’ll have your daily “right to work” roundup later this morning.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:28 am

Comments

Spot on

Comment by JerryG Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:33 am
Brown’s column is excellent and the point Rich makes is exactly right. The unions do need reform but what Rauner wants is to eviscerate the only voice that reliably speaks for those who have no power to meaningfully speak for themselves.

Comment by slow down Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:34 am
===But they are the only folks who can and are effectively standing up to the power of the super-wealthy in this country.===

This…

This.

If there are any left, who are confused that there are actually Raunerites, and co-opting the ILGOP was the beginning of dismantling of true political discussions based on the issues and not who makes what amount if money… I can’t help you.

We let a stranger in our house… Now the house guests are breaking the China, ripping up the furniture, and eatubg all the food in the fridge…

Some, some are more equal than others… and Raunerites… they just needed that tiny crack in the door.

Democrats should be nervous. Republicans should be scared. Raunerites should be excited, they have the chance now, in Illinois, to take them both out. Maybe, for good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:37 am
==relies on buying into the concept that life will be better for working people in Illinois==

Kind of reminds me of a concept that ultra-conservative former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels tried to sell.

“We are not a country of haves and have-nots. We are a country of haves and soon-to-haves”

Unfortunately, a lot of people are willing to buy what people like Rauner and Daniels are trying to sell.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:37 am
Bruce Rauner bankrupted companies. Sam Zell bankrupted the Chicago Tribune.. Why should the citizens of Illinois believe they have their best interests in mind?

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:40 am
All money has a corrupting influence and to say that only money from the rich comes with the best of intentions is short sighted at best and plays into the power hungry billionaires that can afford the price of admission.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:41 am
So agree with Brown and Miller. Yes, unions have flaws, but so do corporations and wealthy individuals. Having money does not confer wisdom or competence.

Comment by augustar Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:41 am
These guys are essentially pitching trickle down economics under a different name. Didn’t work then and won’t work now.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:44 am
Unions created the middle class in the United States.

Comment by Keep Refrigerated Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:44 am
“… soon to haves.”

How soon will I become a “have”? Oh, wait this is an example of trickle down economics where the “haves” get the most and the best and the “soon to haves” are lucky to get the crumbs that are swept onto the floor.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:44 am
The only real flaws with unions is that employers do not bargain as well as the unions….tryin’ to wipe them out is a strategy….not a winner, but a strategy

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:46 am
Mark Brown nails it, and so does Rich.

It’s great to see a few of our most prominent voices speak in favor of unions’ purpose, which undoubtedly has helped bring prosperity and a better standard to more people.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:48 am
time is running out, unless you are counting on session going overtime. when does the barrage start? will it be tv? direct mail? both?

call or write your legislators and tell them what, to get those working groups working? pass bills not even introduced yet?

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:48 am
I like Mark Brown. But he is a class warrior. Always has been.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:48 am
Thank you Rich for continuing to shed light on the average worker’s plight. It used to be that voting in elections gave people a voice(or was that an illusion all along?) but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Those who run on certain platforms change their tune once in office. What was traditional thinking of one party is not so anymore. Surprise! Advisory votes are tossed if the result isn’t what those in power like. Power is bought. Cynicism is overtaking optimism. Our governor is feeding into this as he attempts to pit middle class workers against each other. The attack on unions is just one method of separating the cohesion of working people. Many are buying into this thinking without realizing what is really happening. Middle class workers just want to do a good job and earn a living. Unions are not preventing them from doing this.

Comment by AnonymousOne Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:49 am
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, in the 2012 cycle, 100 individuals nationwide contributed 67 percent of the money raised by super-pacs.

That’s just what had to be disclosed and doesn’t include the “social welfare” dark money.

“Social welfare” super-pacs. George Carlin would had a field day with that. So would have George Orwell, for that matter.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:50 am
- But he is a class warrior. Always has been. -

And your hero Rauner is what?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:52 am
=I like Mark Brown. But he is a class warrior. Always has been.=

So he has something in common with the Governor.

Comment by chi Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:53 am
Societies are better, healthier and happier when they join together united to address its concerns. Whether it is marital unions, fraternal unions, civic unions, or labor unions - unions are good for societies.

Any governmental leader who advocates bankruptcy and disunion, is a complete fool. If Rauner really wants a smaller government and believes that decisions should best be made at a local level between citizens, has to advocate for the increased involvement of citizens within unions - not disunion.

Governor Rauner refuses to recognize the importance of a strong society and the role our various unions play in it making it strong and healthy.

For him, it seems that he only cares about costs and is a complete fool when it comes to value.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:53 am
Are you a failure if you just want a middle class job, a good life for you family, fair opportunities for your kids and a middle class retirement? Not everyone wants to run a company and accumulate lots and lots of cash. It seems like that’s all the United states cares about anymore with its fiscal and tax policies.

Comment by Keep Refrigerated Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:54 am
Zell’s justification (not an exact quote but close): “Billionaires are wealthy because they work harder. They deserve more power and influence.”

Griff thinks they should have more input into government, because they “are smarter.”

Both of these characters actually made their millions manipulating or legally evading the processes of a free-market.

Ego-inflating delusions. A lot of very smart, better-informed people, and even harder workers in the other 99.9%.

What part of democracy aren’t they getting?

Oh, I forgot, Mrs. Zell gave million to Dems for Bruce. That fixes it. /s

Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:54 am
I’ll get my full Catholic on and say, -everybody- is terribly flawed… But Rich is right, we need the flaws of the unions to counteract the super rich.

Because Sam Zell and Bruce Rauner have good intentions, but man, events have proven they don’t have a clue how the other 99.99% live. We can’t afford to have our democracy run by the Bubble Men.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:59 am
“I like Mark Brown. But he is a class warrior. ”

That’s a feature, not a bug.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:01 am
A few months ago, someone on this site said, “Most companies get the union they deserve.”

There is a lot of truth to that. And I think it can apply to states too, not just companies. Rauner may be unintentionally creating even stronger public employee unions with all of what he is doing. I hope so.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:04 am
As other have said, Brown and Rich are on it.

It’s so funny to listen to those who decry the reference to class warfare because they are generally on the winning side. When in a war, you don’t want your adversary to know how badly they’re being subjugated. Warren Buffett has even acknowledged that the wealthy are winning the class war.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:04 am
I like Mark Brown. But he is a class warrior. Always has been.

You completely miss the point. As a conservative, I favor empowering people. Unions are one of the most important ways that is done. People joining together in a union is a good thing.

What is the name of this country? The UNITED STATES? Isn’t that a UNION?

It is shocking that any conservative could favor unions in so many ways, then shut down and got idiotic over labor unions.

It is like voting. You either believe that democracy and voting is a good thing - or you don’t.

Unions are good. They take on many of the challenges citizens face. When citizens join together united - it is a good thing.

You want smaller governments? Then empower people. You empower how they do that. You favor unions in many facets of our society.

We have a governor who doesn’t get this. Its all bottom line costs to him. He doesn’t care who is ripped apart, as long as it results in a lower cost. This is what he has done for a living. He has been a wrecking ball and a junk dealer and turned that mentality into millions.

He advocates shaking up the foundations of our society. Bankruptcy. Disunion. What kind of governor does that? If he wanted to be a bomb thrower or an anarchist, he has the money to buy a million bombs every year. He was a fool to think we needed to elect him to blow up our state.

He doesn’t value things. He only thinks about costs. That is just plain awful in a governor.

No conservative should support a governor intent on not conserving what has made us great. No financial burden should ever be considered so bad that we wreck ourselves getting through it.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:05 am
====Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:52 am:

- But he is a class warrior. Always has been. -

And your hero Rauner is what?===

The popularly elected Governor of the State of Illinois.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:06 am
Spot on, except “democrats cave, unions compromise” would be more accurate. Now “Wipe them out and it’s game over.” For who? Unions? the working class? All living beings in Illinois? A little melodramatic don’t you think?

Comment by Keep it Simple Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:06 am
Let me respectfully ask my friends here a very serious question.

Was this (an is this) not a state that is in serious need of a dramatic correction?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:10 am
=== - A guy - Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:06 am:

====Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 10:52 am:

- But he is a class warrior. Always has been. -

And your hero Rauner is what?===

The popularly elected Governor of the State of Illinois.===

Since when are class warriors and elected officials mutually exclusive?

C’mon - A Guy -, this is when you start being the blind apologist…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:10 am
Were Sam Zell’s large contributions to Richard M. Daley bad? If so, I cannot recall Mark Brown writing an op-ed column about it at the time.

There is too much money influencing Illinois politics. It is a bipartisan problem.

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:13 am
ZC

Surely you jest when you said that the grave dancer and ruiner have good intentions.

They have shown through their actions that the only good intentions they have are for themselves.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:15 am
Spot on Rich!

I hate how they don’t teach labor history anymore. People just assume weekends, the 40 hour week, and child labor laws have always been around. If people don’t know about the Triangle Fire, Bloody Thursday, The Republic Steel Massacre, and the United Farm Workers, they’ll never understand why unions are so important.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:16 am
===C’mon - A Guy -, this is when you start being the blind apologist…====

Sorry Willy. The dude asked, I answered. No more, no less.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:17 am
===Was this (an is this) not a state that is in serious need of a dramatic correction?===

Of course.

But it’s not in need of anti-worker snake oil.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:18 am
===I like Mark Brown. But he is a class warrior. ===

Many people in a class that’s been losing the class war imposed by the rich since oh say 1970 become class warriors eventually. Your buddy Rauner ain’t one of ours. And I’m pretty sure you’re fighting for the other side too, A Guy…

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:19 am
===Was this (an is this) not a state that is in serious need of a dramatic correction?===

- A Guy -,

A talking point isn’t a fact.

Thanks.

===Sorry Willy. The dude asked, I answered. No more, no less.===

So you admit that being a class warrior and an elected offical isn’t mutually exclusive?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:20 am
Didn’t Ford incorporate the 40hr work week? After 8 hrs of work, productivity fell, and was losing money, hence 40 hr work week.

That aside, agreed, they don’t teach A LOT of things.

Comment by Keep it Simple Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:21 am
==So you admit that being a class warrior and an elected offical isn’t mutually exclusive?===

I do. There are plenty of them on both sides. A quick review of campaign literature proves it.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:25 am
Rauner claims the purpose of the political warchests is to combat special interests in Springfield. It takes a special breed of cognitive dissonance for him to not see that the mega donors to his warchest are special interests extraordinaire. The man has a serious blind spot or he is just immune to self reflection and the understanding that interest groups are the means for most citizens to have any voice in government, particularly when big money voices dominate so lopsidedly.

Comment by vole Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:26 am
Rauner is a governor engaging in class warfare.

Thanks - A Guy -, got it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:27 am
It’s not class warfare when the rich are screwing the little guy.

It’s only class warfare when the little guy complains.

Try to keep that straight.

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:27 am
=Didn’t Ford incorporate the 40hr work week? After 8 hrs of work, productivity fell, and was losing money, hence 40 hr work week.

That aside, agreed, they don’t teach A LOT of things=

If that was true that Ford going to the 8 hour day in 1914 was big, but there was another two years of heavy striking throughout the Northeast before the Adamson Act. Labor fought for 60 years for the 8 hour day, but the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire had a huge impact in the push for the 8 hour day in the Northeast and New York area.

Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:28 am
How to destroy the middle class in Illinois:

First get rid of the Labor Unions.

Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:30 am
The propagandists for the predatory plutocrat answer every question about removal of safety nets for autistic children, the mentally ill, the working poor, etc; by saying the “turnaround agenda” will fix everything, which just seems like pumpkin pie in the sky bye and bye. Elections and voting do matter after all
.

Comment by Hawkeye in Illinois Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:33 am
Huh?,

No I’d defend the statement, Bruce Rauner really does think he’s in it for “the little guy.”

But when you’re that far up in the Bubble, you start genuinely believing the best way to help the little guy, is to first enrich your Bubble brethren and kneecap anyone who’s shown the organized power to thwart them.

Because Rich and Mark Brown nail it. Fundamentally this is not about economic competitiveness. This is about the super-rich in IL asking, “Why can’t we have nice things and get to terrorize more of our workforce (only in their own best interests), like our rich buddies in other states get to?”

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 11:42 am
“Was this (an is this) not a state that is in serious need of a dramatic correction?”

Yep, Illinois had too many programs for DCFS wards and autistic kids, and not enough FREE motorcycle training.

But Bruce Rauner has dramatically “corrected” that.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 12:00 pm
Is it cold or not in that “Snow Globe” you live in?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 12:28 pm
That’s right, A Guy.

When you build an aristocracy you are a “job creator”. When you watch your family prosper and then collapse thanks to the food your union helped put on your table but then lost you are a “class warrior.”

Give me a break. This is about the haves, the hads and the never-used-a-brains.

Figure out which one you are, A Guy?

Comment by Wallinger Dickus Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 1:22 pm
Pretty much every state that has ousted unions has seen ots median joisehold income fall, and continues to fall. They are all mow below the bational average. Texas is buyoed by the federal jobs, but the privaye sector jobs it keeps adding are primarily at the poverty level.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 1:50 pm
I have problem with unions. They do need to be reined in especially with some those unionized jobs going away at some level. I’m not entirely in favor of them going away totally, but they’d have to give something too.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 2:15 pm
On a lighter note (or perhaps psychological note), A Guy, I’m convinced you suffer from multiple personalities. Some days I’m not sure it’s you commenting.

But, man, to say this:

=But he is a class warrior. Always has been.==

You can just as easily insert the Governor’s name in that comment and it would be just as true.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Guy, could you define “class warrior” for us in this context?

Or is just a meaningless chirping noise?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Demo and Sling. I said it above. I like Mark Brown. I always have. Had the opportunity to work with him over the years. He’s honest and passionate. And very intelligent. He also (unapologetically) comes at the world from a viewpoint that is “little guy vs. big guy” governmentwise, businesswide, heck even newspaperwise.

I’m not an anti-union guy. At the very same time I see the hypocrisy on their side as easily as you see it on the other side. Unions didn’t shed any tears when they annihilated opposition candidates at every level of government. They weren’t and aren’t afraid to flex whatever muscle they have. How is the piece that tries to intimidate both party members on the Road Fund transfer any different than the magical $20M fund you all rail against?

The pendulum of power swings back and forth and the unions have had a pretty good run. The Speaker has been among those who curtailed the power from being utterly unfettered. If the pendulum swings back the other way for a while (until the other side abuses power-history proves they will), it’s because the populace has recognized things have gotten out of whack. They voted to change it.

It’s a correction. It happens. I grew up in a time where losing the mansion was almost unthinkable. Then George Ryan turned a pink to purple state royal blue. 12 years later, we’ve got what we’ve got now. Nobody is going to bully anything through. Fortunately the system was set up better than that. I’m applauding the same system that allowed us to get this far out of whack.

If that seems like dual or multi-personality to you Demo, take a look at the past 20 years living in this state and cross that with someone who cares a great deal about it and is far too stubborn and stupid to give up on it. That would explain this guy.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 3:16 pm
===Wallinger Dickus - Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 1:22 pm:

That’s right, A Guy.

When you build an aristocracy….====

Sorry WD, that’s where you lost me. While I don’t use my brain according to you, I know an idiotic opening when I see it. This is truly inane.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 3:18 pm
“Didn’t Ford incorporate the 40hr work week? After 8 hrs of work, productivity fell, and was losing money, hence 40 hr work week.”

I was also taught that the assembly line and the new machines were breaking down to operator errors and it was becoming to expensive to repair or replace the machines damaged by overworked employees.

Ford did raise wages and this in turn caused other factories to reluctantly increase pay in order to keep laborers. Ford’s motive was to empower his workers to earn sufficient money to purchase cars of their own.

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 3:22 pm
- A Guy -,

Rauner is not a Republican.

Rauner is a Raunerite.

He sets up over $60 million to vote his agenda, not a Republican or Democratic agenda.

It’s not hyperbole, it’s not fantasy, it’s not even imaginary.

Rauner wants what Rauner wants. Nothing, zero, nada, is geared toward anything unless Bruce Rauner wants it.

Blago wanted this system, with his own Caucuses in both chambers. Not Democratic Caucuses, Blago Caucuses.

Rauner wants the very same exact thing. Period.

Shed your crocodile tears for the days of GHR and GOP control of the mansion, but be honest with yourself;

The Rauner Agenda is about Rauner Caucuses or punishment for Democrats and Republicans, in both Primaries.

It’s dishonest to say it’s the Republicans’ turn. Rauner is making it very clear, “It’s my turn, and Griffin’s, and Uihiline’s, and Zell’s…”

It’s not the ILGOP. It’s Rauner co-opting, and also functioning in the Democratic Party politics too, come March 2016.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 3:37 pm
=I have problem with unions. They do need to be reined in especially with some those unionized jobs going away at some level. I’m not entirely in favor of them going away totally, but they’d have to give something too.=

They have. It’s called the middle class

Comment by Carhartt Representative Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 3:57 pm
“They voted to change it.”

C’mon- they voted to get rid of Pat Quinn, full stop. If there was any deeper meaning about curtailing union power, the Speaker and the Prez would have at least had to sweat about their majorities. Anti-union Republicans would have picked up at least one other statewide office. Rauner wouldn’t have been a coward about union issues in the GE. But they didn’t, they didn’t, and he was.

And that’s why Rauner’s approval ratings are already so far in the hole. His only mandate was “Don’t be Pat Quinn.” When it turned out he wanted to do quite a bit more than that, people got testy.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:00 pm
There’s plenty we can agree on in your thesis Willy. But not all of it. Not shedding any tears for the GHR (assuming you mean George Ryan) days. He was the biggest spender of them all.

Let’s hold the bigger argument for after this budget for ‘16 is passed (whenever that is). That’s when we’ll be able to separate the chaff from the wheat and know what he really means by essential vs. non-essential and where there’s room for movement or not. Nobody gets everything they want, not Rauner, not Blago, not Madigan, not Thompson, not anyone. We need to see what comes out in the wash. It’ll take a lot more than just money to win the hearts of a very skeptical electorate.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Ars, in order; some people voted just to get rid of Pat Quinn. Every election is a referendum on the guy in place, but this went deeper than that. People voted for a more dramatic change.

The Speaker and Prez did plenty of sweating, but I’ll concede it turned out fine for them. But don’t think they didn’t sweat at all.

Rauner made it pretty clear where he was on Union Bosses throughout the primary and the General. I’ll concede the rhetoric toned down in the general (it usually does), but the lit I carried sure didn’t express a shyness about where he stood.

No other statewide office took on the union theme. Cross didn’t. Judy didn’t. Do we even have to think about the two running against Jesse and Lisa? Most people won’t even remember their names.

Rauner’s approval numbers are nothing to send a note home to mom about, but “far in the hole” is inaccurate. I think his mandate (if there is one) goes well beyond “Don’t be Pat Quinn”. People want to deal with debt, pensions, and every other economic issue facing the state. I doubt a single voter who cast a vote for Rauner ever thought he needed to be cautioned to “not be Pat Quinn”.

All of us look at these things through our own prisms, especially afterwards. Ours are different. A lot. This story has many chapters yet to be written. We’ll see.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:12 pm
@A guy:

I think many people voted to get rid of Pat Quinn rather than actively exercising their votes in favor of Rauner.

Quinn barely won in 2010 and he had really worn out his welcome by 2014.

Had the Democrats nominated someone new, I really question whether or not Rauner would have prevailed.

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm
- A Guy -,

It’s going to come down to 23.

It’s 30, it’s 60, and Rauner overplayed his havd with the “$&@#% problem” language which allows Cullerton and Madigan to inflict as much damage as possible or, simply, “67 green lights”.

Rauner should care about 30 and 60. All governors do.

Rauner has very little respect for the 67 required to be green.

That’s the rub.

The working groups meet tonight, according to Monica Garcia’s Twitter.

It begins.

Her very next tweet?

@moniquegarcia: Meanwhile, Senate Democrats release a new analysis of Rauner budget they say leaves a $5.8 billion budget hole.

Heavy lifting ahead.

If Rauner can get, in 2016 a Raunerite Caucus for $60 million, that’s the long game. Short game? It’s 30, 60, leverage, and Rauner’s Agenda at the possible cost of 67.

That’s the ball game. We will see. Rauner needs his budget, all governors do, and there won’t be a lump sum. Quinn destroyed that, and the Good Friday Massacre reinforced tgat too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Apologies, Monique.

Stupid auto-correct.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:40 pm
=== Upon Further Review - Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:27 pm:===
UFR, we will never really know the answer to the question of what would happen had Quinn not been the nominee. Safe to say Rauner would’ve beat Tio

Living in DuPage, there was a lot of people very enthusiastic about Rauner. Not just because he wasn’t Quinn. They actually liked him. Keeping in mind he beat a pretty popular (here) Kirk Dillard in the primary, I think that proves people wanted a non-Springfield regular type of candidate. Rauner was warmly received a lot in this neck of the woods. I really can’t speak to other places.

He won by more than most people thought possible. He won in places and did better than expected in others where folks thought he’d bomb. It was more than just Pat Quinn. But I’m the first to agree with you that having Quinn opposite him on the ballot was very helpful.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:46 pm
- URF -,

Hit the search key as to why Rauner won. Rich had a great breakdown on it.

Dillard lost, Brady lost, Rutherford lost, that’s it.

They lost. Done. Doesn’t matter how they could beat Quinn, of “had Quinn not ran” is just as Dopey.

Quinn ran, won in March, then lost.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 4:55 pm
“this went deeper than that. People voted for a more dramatic change.”

My point is, you assert that, but the facts don’t back you up.

“No other statewide office took on the union theme.”

Right, exactly; the desire for “dramatic change” on union issues was so weak in ‘14 that it could only garner one statewide candidate, and even he chickened out of it in the GE.

“Rauner’s approval numbers are nothing to send a note home to mom about, but “far in the hole” is inaccurate.”

Not really; 40% in your first hundred days is pretty bad, especially with no major scandals or prolonged legislative fights.

“He won by more than most people thought possible.”

I didn’t hear from anyone who dismissed a 4% Rauner victory as “impossible”, and I thought Pat Quinn would win.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 5:03 pm
“Not really; 40% in your first hundred days is pretty bad, especially with no major scandals or prolonged legislative fights.”

To piggy back on that a bit: 40% approval after the first hundred days, when all he’s really done is propose these “dramatic changes”. I wouldn’t put it past the electorate to have buyer’s remorse already, though.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 5:07 pm
A Guy

All I’m asking you to admit is that the Governor is engaging in class warfare. It’s a simple question. Yes or No. I don’t need pontificating about anything else.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 5:07 pm
“I’m not an anti-union guy.”

If true, you’re backing the wrong horse.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 6:08 pm
Guy, you’re really not following the discussion at all. It must be a bit.

You can parrot the governor’s silly “I’m not anti-union” line,” but when the whole agenda is dominated by reducing the incomes of all current union members and the retirement incomes of former public employee union members, forgive people if they see through the phony “nice guy” act.

Just own it.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 7:03 pm
Maybe - A Guy - can clearly state what parts of the Rauner Turnaround Agenda he agree with, and what he does not.

Let’s start with Unions and RTW Zones.

Not if they will pass or not, do you agree with Rauner’s plank on those?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 7:16 pm
Let’s note;

Rauner requires 10, no 8, no 6…

Rauner “requires”. There isn’t a Reagan Rule, because, let’s continue this honest theme, Rauner is a Raunerite, and Raunerites require purity or you get “problems”.

Hmm.

Tough way to run a railroad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 7:21 pm
@Oswego Willy:

PUHLEEZE! Who did Quinn beat in the primary? He did not have a serious opponent in Tio Hardiman or whatever his name was.

For many Illinois voters, the general election was a referendum on the ineffectual Governor Verbosity. If the state treasury had a dollar for every time he bloviated, Illinois would be solvent.

There was not a lot of love for Rauner in my precincts, but people were tired of six years of Quinn.

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 8:10 pm
- URF -,

With respect…

===PUHLEEZE! Who did Quinn beat in the primary? He did not have a serious opponent in Tio Hardiman or whatever his name was.===

Can’t beat someone with no one?

That’s my point.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 8:15 pm
So it is Bill Daley or Lisa Madigan’s fault for not making the primary a contested race?

Quinn refused to retire, so the voters did it for him.

Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 8:39 pm
I wouldn’t say fault, I would say its like Blackjack; you keep getting the “cards” until you don’t.

Quinn kept getting winning hand after winning hand, after winning hand… then he hit on 17 and went “over”

That’s all.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 28, 15 @ 8:46 pm