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People on the outside of this slow-motion train wreck in Springfield, who nonetheless are paying attention, may have noticed the almost schizophrenic aura surrounding the thing.

Take last Tuesday. House Speaker MICHAEL MADIGAN and Senate President JOHN CULLERTON, both Chicago Democrats, met with Republican Gov. BRUCE RAUNER. At a news conference later in the day, Madigan said the meeting was cordial and productive.

But between the meetings and Madigan’s news conference, Rauner held his own availability, at which he accused Madigan and Cullerton of making millions in their private law practices off of high property taxes. It was very close to calling both men crooks.

Madigan called his news conference to rebut Rauner, to explain that his law practice deals with property assessment errors, and to make clear that there is a firewall between his law practice and his position as a public official. He said that during his meeting with Rauner, the governor made no mention of his problems with Madigan’s law practice. […]

It just seems like the opposite of the way people usually operate. Normally, they say nice things in public and save the vitriol for private discussions. In this case, the governor apparently is very pleasant and cordial in private meetings before holding a public news conference to label the top two Democrats in the legislature as corrupt insiders.

* Erickson…

Rather than sitting down and hashing out some kind of deal with the General Assembly, Gov. Bruce Rauner last week first accused the Democratic leaders of breaking state ethics laws and then, during a stop in Decatur, cast them as part of the “Chicago machine.”

I’m no expert on negotiation tactics, but that doesn’t seem like a recipe for success when it comes to finding common ground and solving problems.

* Pearson has more on the Chicago machine angle…

The governor visited a handful of Downstate and suburban communities last week to promote what he calls his “turnaround agenda” and vilified Madigan and Cullerton as driving the “Chicago machine” and questioned whether local Democratic lawmakers were wedded more to Chicago and their leaders’ political interests than to their own voters. […]

Rauner’s initial efforts to tour Downstate also reflect the regionalized nature of rural Democrats, who tend to be much more socially conservative than their city counterparts. Notably, Rauner’s targeting of Downstate lawmakers validates concerns some Democrats voiced during a May 31 closed-door meeting of senators following what was supposed to be the last day of session.

Fearing an onslaught of millions of dollars in negative TV ads funded by Rauner and his allies, several Downstate Democrats complained to Cullerton that they were being left politically vulnerable and without a way to answer the attacks, according to two senators at the meeting who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. […]

Republicans attempting to tarnish Downstate and suburban Democratic lawmakers with the “Chicago machine” label is nothing new in Illinois politics. But the next election is a year away, and Rauner himself has been an integral part of Chicago city politics as a top adviser and close friend to Emanuel.

…Adding… Since he’s saying these things, you’d think he ought to back up his claims…

Governor Rauner has to negotiate with Democratic leadership. He’s calling out House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton for personally benefitting from their positions of power.

They’re both also Chicago attorneys for separate law firms.

When asked, Rauner wouldn’t say specifically if there was a grant, contract, project, bill, or overall policy that Madigan or Cullerton have personally profited from. Instead - Rauner spoke generally - saying they’re part of the Chicago political machine.

“It’s built on a large government insiders’ dominance,” Rauner said.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:14 am

Comments

Rauner apparently views his public statements as “just for show,” and hardly believes them himself. Face-to-face behind closed doors, he deals with reality.

Talk about a politician!

Comment by walker Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:22 am
===Normally, they say nice things in public and save the vitriol for private discussions. In this case, the governor apparently is very pleasant and cordial in private meetings before holding a public news conference to label the top two Democrats in the legislature as corrupt insiders.===

Cowardly Lion?

Bruce Rauner needs friends. Rauner doesn’t have 71 or 36. The mere thought that this will get Rauner to 71 and 36 shows Bruce Rauner is really all about bullying to try to get things done, abd has zero intention to negotiate in good faith with anyone he feels he can bully.

Sonny Corleone. Plain and simple.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:22 am
So - what are the half million dollars in ads going to tell us, Mr. Rauner? How pleasantly you are dealing and negotiating with the General Assembly? What is happening in private? What is going on behind closed doors? What is happening in “Vegas”?

Or will it be a continuation of a very boring and tiring diatribe we all hear too much of over the past year?

Governor Rauner’s TV Show will be telling us which version of the truth he wants us to hear, won’t it?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:23 am
Watch what Rauner does, not what he says. To me, what he is doing makes it look like he does not want a budget deal.

The question then becomes, why doesn’t Rauner want a budget deal?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:25 am
===“It’s built on a large government insiders’ dominance,” Rauner said.===

“Look, Charlie, let’s face it,” a cynical Lucy Van Pelt said in a 1965 special. “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It’s run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:33 am
OW: Of all the Oswego Willys in the world, your the Oswego Willyest.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:39 am
== why doesn’t Rauner want a budget deal? ==

My guess? He’s hoping the partial shutdown will so outrage the public that he can use that public anger as a springboard to bust the unions in the name of balancing the budget.

Not sure if that will work or just be ignored as more of the same. It could backfire since John Q Citizen usually likes his individual Representative / Senator; the public may see Rauner as the problem instead of the legislature and public employee unions. It will all depend on who manages to win the Public Relations war; Rauner has the money but can he put together the right message?

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:39 am
47, I think the governor wants and needs a budget deal, but if he can’t get any of his social agenda, he at least has to make a lot of noise for a long time to make it look good for his donors.

Tney didn’t drop all that money on him just to sign the tax increase his budget proposal anticipates.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:42 am
Isn’t it ironic that people are looking into whether Rauner improperly coordinating campaign activities and the state’s chief procurement officer is looking into whether Rauner mega-donors the Uihleins violated the law at the same time Rauner’s leveling these accusations at Madigan and Cullerton?

at the same time Rauner is throwing around these claims toward Madigan and Cullerton.

Comment by Bull Moose Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:43 am
Maybe I should proofread before I hit the send button.

Comment by Bull Moose Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:45 am
One of the more odd notes about that tactic is that while Rauner is yelling about the machine and corruption, other in the GOP are complaining because the Democrats are not negotiating in good faith. Ed Sullivan among others was accusing Madigan of failing to negotiate.

Public statements about the other side’s alleged corrupt practices are an extremely aggressive form of negotiation, if you could even call it negotiation.

It makes you question whether there is a lack of a unified message in the GOP, or whether they are doing this on purpose, with Rauner out picking a fight and people like Sulivan playing the role of the calm and rational ones. While that’s possible, the end result is they don’t appear to be on the same page.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:47 am
Harsh in public and gentle in private tells me there will be no deal that does not include the effective destruction of the IL Democratic party.

Which means there will be no deal.

How can Governor Rauner announce a compromise with “large government insiders” who are ruining the state?

Comment by Bill White Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:47 am
@Bill White How can Rauner talk against government insiders when he is one of them? Griffin, Uihlein, and Rahm - all of them are insiders who benefit from state contracts and deals.

Comment by All the answers Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:49 am
Mavbe Rauner is thinking that he can do what CAT did a few years back when Don Fiets broke the unions. Take a strike and then hire nonunion workers.

Comment by scott aster Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:51 am
The complaining about the machine is coming from INSIDE THE MACHINE!

Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:53 am
How will the public respond to Rauner’s priorities of raising funds for TV ads instead of raising funds for the State budget?

Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:53 am
== How can Rauner talk against government insiders when he is one of them? ==

He can as long as John Q Public doesn’t realize Rauner has been an insider for years …

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:54 am
@All the answers … Not to mention keepin’ the income tax low. That’s a biggie for that crowd.

Comment by X-prof Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:56 am
If you are going to accept the notion that Madigan and Cullerton are corrupt because of their legal work, then you must also believe Rauner is corrupt because he made millions off of investing public pension funds after making political contributions to the pension decision makers. (And let’s not forget his employment of Stuart Levine.) I hope the reporters who print his accusations against Madigan and Cullerton are asking him how these activities are ethically different.

Comment by FTR Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:57 am
===I think the governor wants and needs a budget deal===

He could have WC reform and a property tax freeze tomorrow if he wanted it. Instead, he’s walked away from two of his five signature agenda items, and he’s done so in a way that will make it nearly impossible for him to accept this deal later.

I don’t think he wants a deal, but I don’t understand why.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:58 am
===He can as long as John Q Public doesn’t realize Rauner has been an insider for years …===

That train left the station months ago.

Unless there’s a huge negative story about Rauner and an insider deal, it’s just not going to happen, framing Rauner as an insider.

Further, any story coming out now, way too late in slowing down Rauner. No point in it, and if it was so huge, no one rolled it out in the campaign? No “there” there to taint Rauner. He won the day on that.

- Skeptic -, me and my bald head and yellow shirt with a jagged stripe thank you!

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:59 am
=== I don’t think he wants a deal, but I don’t understand why. ===

He thinks he can win (”Guns of August”); and

The only objective he really cares about is terminating the political dominance of the “Madigan machine” - everything else is secondary.

Comment by Bill White Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:03 pm
In order for there to be a deal, the Governor is very likely going to have to sign a significant tax increase. I can’t imagine him doing that without achieving significant steps in his economic turnaround agenda. Why would he?

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:06 pm
“It’s built on a large government insiders’ dominance,” Rauner.

Ruh-roh. Another follow-up question. Feeling dizzy…syntax out of control… Shrimpf, beam me up…..

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:07 pm
His only objective is eliminating organized labor.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:11 pm
===Why would he?===

Because governors are elected to govern?

It doesn’t mean he has to give up on his agenda, it just means that the state meets its obligations while he continues to build public and political support for this pro-business reforms. That’s one reason we elect governors to four-year terms.

Does he give up leverage if he agrees to a tax hike? Sure. But he also has three more budgets to use as future leverage, among other levers he can bring to bear if he is so inclined.

Again, he could get 40% of what he says he wants almost immediately. He is choosing an all-or-nothing game of budgetary chicken and real people will be hurt if there is a shut down. That’s not governing. That’s the opposite of governing.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:12 pm
The “Chicago political machine” has served Governor Rauner’s vision for a market driven K-12 education system commonly called school choice by Democrats. He worked directly with the both the Daley and Emanuel administrations on the expansion of charter schools in the City, in fact there is a charter high school named after him that was a benefiter of that expansion. Rauner College Prep opened in August 2006 with the support of Bruce and Diana Rauner as part of the Noble Network of Charter Schools. Speaker Madigan at one point sponsored the $98 million state grant to UNO charter schools for expansion.

As most of us on this blog are aware Bruce Rauner and his wife provided campaign contributions to Richard M. Daley the supposed God Father of the Chicago machine. Rauner using his firm GTCR, between 2006 and 2010 contributed $25,000 to IVCA-PAC, which claimed to “promote a healthy economic climate” in Illinois.

IVCA-PAC in turn funded numerous Democrats including Edward Acevedo, John Cullerton, Emil Jones, Lou Lang, and the center of all evil Speaker Madigan. Apparently now that Governor Rauner wants direct rule, buying Democrats no longer serves his purposes.

Comment by Rod Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:13 pm
It just seems like the opposite of the way people usually operate.

He seems to be trying to find a very nice way of saying that Rauner doesn’t know how to govern, negotiate, compromise or lead when compared to every previous governor.

Yeah - that has been my problem with Rauner since he blew up his chances to build upon his mandate. He isn’t acting like a governor of Illinois, he is acting like the owner of Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:18 pm
–Why would he?–

At some point, the job entails being more than a partisan super-legislator.

And, the time will come when the governor will have to face the music that his own proposed budget needs billions more in revenue or he will have to whack K-12. Not fun, but he signed up for it.

Try yammering on and on about “turnaround agenda” when schools don’t open on time, and I think the public response will provide an answer to “why would he?”

Rauner chose not to build public support for his legislative agenda during the campaign, I suspect, because he feared it would sink him.

He’s now free to hang it around the necks of GOP legislators and try to sell it in November 2016 — when he’s not on the ballot, lol.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:27 pm
There is no method to this madness. The Gov is frustrated by the reality that you can’t operate in government as you operate in business. He’s all powerful in his world of money, but he has to deal with other powerful people in the world of government. When frustrated, he feeds off the frat boys ego feeding platitudes and follow them to the depths of mischief.

Unfortunately, I don’t see anyone who will have the ability to advise the governor to resist the siren songs of the frat boys. The purchased GOP legislators aren’t interested in educating the governor on his bad habits in order to reach a deal because they are enjoying their new-found relevance. They too are part of the political class and want to ride Rauner’s money to a more influential level in that class.

Without the entrance of a Judy-like advisor, I fear this year is going to be worse than the worst year of the Blago years.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:29 pm
The tragically “fun” thing to watch will be the likes of Rep. McSweeney, for one, voting, required to vote for, … voting for more revenue, meaning tax increases.

All 67 will not be “perfect” anyone. Madigan and Cullerton will require all 67 “green” in the end, because of Bruce Rauner, and Rauner will oblige. And why not, he owns their voting key.

Tragically “fun”, with The Owl excited too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:32 pm
=== In order for there to be a deal, the Governor is very likely going to have to sign a significant tax increase. I can’t imagine him doing that without achieving significant steps in his economic turnaround agenda. Why would he? ===

This is nice observation Steve. How are we going to get there. You have advised governors. You have worked with the legislative leaders and many of current solons. Do you believe his tactics are helping or hurting his goal? I believe there needs to be some reasonable advice given to Rauner. Perhaps you can serve that purpose. Tell us what you would advise Rauner to do to achieve some significant wins for his agenda.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Rauner doesn’t care about a budget deal. He cares about destroying public sector unions and has buried his anti-union poison pill in his scaled back agenda. He wants only his bills as he now has crafted them considered. What kind of man is willing to pit the poor against public sector workers, many of whom work in the programs designed to help low-income and senior Illinoisans? Only Rauner, because at the end of the day, he and his wealthy friends are the ones who count.

THE REAL QUESTION is when Republicans will stand up to him. Are they so lacking confidence in their abilities to win in their districts again that they will side with Rauner no matter what? Who will he get to run against them? The Joe Walshes of the world? We saw how long he lasted. I believe there are members of the GOP who do not embrace Rauner’s all or nothing agenda. Will they please stand up?

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Norse, not to be flippant, I wouldn’t take Tim Nuding’s job for double what I was paid as budget director, and Tim has ably demonstrated that he knows his way around the budget and the Capitol as well as anyone could.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:54 pm
===THE REAL QUESTION is when Republicans will stand up to him. Are they so lacking confidence in their abilities to win in their districts again that they will side with Rauner no matter what? Who will he get to run against them? The Joe Walshes of the world? We saw how long he lasted. I believe there are members of the GOP who do not embrace Rauner’s all or nothing agenda. Will they please stand up?===

The GOP GA is now owned by Rauner.

The ILGOP is now owned by Rauner.

Rauner has $20 million aimed directly at destroying GOP members. That’s real. Rauner said so. Rauner, and Mrs. Rauner are personally donating to the ILGOP to keep operations rolling. That’s also real. No one is turning on Rauner.

Not today. Not next week. Not for 18 months and beyond.

The ILGOP is over. There’s no ILGOP.

There are Republicans, but the Illinois Republican Party and the GOP GA current members are owned by Rauner. That’s not changing anytime soon, and $20 million being held over everyone’s head is the daily reminder.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:01 pm
OW - You know $20 million doesn’t go as far as it use to. Of course that’s just his weekend spending money.

Comment by Kerfuffle Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:15 pm
==Why would he?==

Why would the GA agree to slit its own throat, or that of some of its staunchest allies?

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Steve, that doesn’t answer the question. Nuding is good, but he’s not COS and his focus is on the budget. You are pointing out that non-budget issues need to be addressed to complete a budget deal. What is your advice on how to achieve that deal?

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:28 pm
==And, the time will come when the governor will have to face the music that his own proposed budget needs billions more in revenue or he will have to whack K-12. Not fun, but he signed up for it.=@ Word

I believe it will come down to Rauner saying he will sign off on a budget with a tax/revenue increase if and only if he gets significant long-term ‘turnaround’ concessions.

Comment by Soccertease Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:37 pm
==The ILGOP is over. There’s no ILGOP.

One can hope, but you may well be right.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:41 pm
== . . . he will sign off on a budget with a tax/revenue increase if and only if he gets significant long-term ‘turnaround’ concessions.

And here lies the problem. Rauner’s original anti-union demands still are included in his down-sized turn back agenda - just as a poison pill. So he really has not compromised at all, which is why he refused to support the tax/WC legislation that was passed.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 1:45 pm
=== In order for there to be a deal, the Governor is very likely going to have to sign a significant tax increase. I can’t imagine him doing that without achieving significant steps in his economic turnaround agenda. Why would he? ===

Very good question. Been rebutted a few times. Let me help with the answer:

“he wouldn’t”.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 2:01 pm
It’s an old cliché that leaders/generals may “burn their bridges behind them” so there is no turning back. I’m not sure about Rauner’s strategy to burn the bridges in front of him as well. Seems like a good way to get stuck in a bad place.

Comment by Motambe Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Personal attacks are out of order in the Gen Assembly, and they are counterproductive when negotiating with the GA leaders. Besides, if it’s so bad when leaders work for law firms, ehat about Leader Durkin? Former Speaker Daniels?

Comment by anon Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:03 pm
=== In order for there to be a deal, the Governor is very likely going to have to sign a significant tax increase. I can’t imagine him doing that without achieving significant steps in his economic turnaround agenda. Why would he? ===

1. Because we all realize that his turn around agenda has nothing to do with turning around the budget or the economy.

2. Because the alternative is that we just won’t have a budget, and you know what will happen if the parents of 800,000 kids find that their kids aren’t in school as of Sept. 8th because Rauner says he won’t sign a budget unless it includes prevailing wage, and so do I.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:22 pm
=== Very good question. Been rebutted a few times. Let me help with the answer:

“he wouldn’t”. ===

Steve won’t answer this question, perhaps you will hazard a guess as to the best strategy to achieve a budget.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 5:35 pm
47, I don’t claim to know but I strongly suspect that if the Governor could get 40% of what he wants right away we wouldn’t be going thru this. Obviously I could be very wrong.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 7:52 pm
Steve, if Rauner would drop the anti-union poison pills from his proposals, he could have work comp, DCEO reorg and and temporary property tax freeze tomorrow. The fact he won’t that those issues w/o his union poison pill is telling … he doesn’t want a deal on any issue if it doesn’t contribute to busting the unions.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 8:45 pm
RNUG,is that 40% of what he wants? Is it enough to sign a large tax increase? I’m asking, not arguing.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:40 pm
- steve schnorf -,

With total respect,

If I were Legislative Director, and the Good Friday Massacre cuts never happened, and the and the FY2015 Fix was “clean”, a 40% return on the Turmaround Agenda in the first six months… Yeah, that’s enough to get that revenue.

Given all that’s transpired; the campaigning, the RTW stuff, the Good Friday Massacre, recinding those cuts, the public/private posturing, the running of Rauner’s language in House Bills, the “yellow” buttons, the held Democratic budget, the Rauner budget, both equally phony… all that…

No, 40% May not be “enough” to satisfy after all this… Plus dragging this to 71 and 36…

Difficult to sell to your boss, the governor, that 40% is “enough” for now.

Now, over 50%? Now that might work…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:49 pm