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* UPDATED x1 - Cullerton response * Today’s hyperbole

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The rally wasn’t without its foibles. Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, combating attacks by Democrats that the GOP has a “war on women,” twice hailed the late Judy Baar Topinka, a Republican, as the state’s first female comptroller. It actually was Democrat Dawn Clark Netsch, who 20 years earlier became the first woman elected to a statewide constitutional office in Illinois.

Leslie Munger, who Rauner appointed to the comptroller job following Topinka’s death late last year, said she was “proud to be here as the governor’s wingman, so to speak, on the budget issues.” Munger is seeking to retain the post in a special statewide election next year.

* As for Gov. Rauner…

He compared one-party rule, as the Democrats have enjoyed for the past 12 years, to political systems in the Soviet Union and China.

He also complained that the Democratic legislative leaders and last two Democratic governors all come from Chicago.

“Illinois has become a dictatorship from Chicago for the entire state,” Rauner said.

* More Rauner…

With a backdrop of supporters holding up letters reading “Our Home,” Rauner said, “You mess with my home Speaker Madigan, you picked the wrong guy.”

“Speaker Madigan, you know what, he’s got ice water in his veins. He’s standing his ground,” Rauner told reporters before taking the stage at the Director’s Lawn.

Rauner said Madigan “doesn’t care about central Illinois. He doesn’t care about agriculture. He’s about the Chicago machine. That just shows the kind of political manipulation that’s going on here.”

* More…

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan says Gov. Bruce Rauner, not the Chicago Democrat, is “Mr. Cut” and responsible for slashing social services because there’s no agreement on a yearlong state spending plan.

Rauner told reporters at the state fair that Madigan “has ice water in his veins,” inured to reductions in programs such as subsidized day care for working parents. Hundreds of protesters opposing the changes attempted to shout down GOP speakers.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the reduced spending is Rauner’s doing.

Brown says, “The only cuts that were done were by the governor, so if the guy wants to look about for who’s responsible for cuts, he should just stare right in the mirror, and that mug he sees coming back at him is ‘Mr. Cut.’”

The governor also said that if Senate President Cullerton overrides his veto of the AFSCME no strike bill, then that proves he is essentially Madigan’s puppet (paraphrasing).

*** UPDATE *** Cullerton’s spokesperson responds to the governor saying the Senate President will show he’s under Madigan’s thumb if he overrides the AFSCME bill veto today…

The Governor is attempting to reduce the Senate President’s leadership to fit into today’s political talking points. He is undermining the “willing to compromise” image that he has tried to project regarding his relationship with the Senate President. Cullerton and his caucus will make a decision about the no strike and no lockout bill later today.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:47 pm

Comments

Golly.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Even accounting for the partisan nature of the crowd, that’s pretty extreme language to compare Democrats to political systems that literally killed millions of their own citizens.

Imagine the outcry if a Democrat compared Rauner’s Illinois to Nazi Germany.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:57 pm
yep, Dawn. more fiscal smarts in her little finger than in most brains.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:59 pm
Rauner’s not much of a statesman.

Money’s bought him an enormous amount of arrogance.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:59 pm
So wait, his daughter gets into a Chicago school because he has a residence in Chicago but he’s not from Chicago. Got it. Oh and Thompson was from Chicago too. Details.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Rauner at the fair today was just throwing out some red meat for the loyal followers. That plays well among downstate conservatives.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:00 pm
I’m sure Cullerton knows how to stand on his own, but he also understands he needs Madigan as much as Madigan needs him.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:01 pm
“Money’s bought him an enormous amount of arrogance.”

And a steer. Don’t forget the steer.

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:01 pm
Keep talkin’ Governor!

Comment by Omega Man Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:05 pm
To the Post,

First and foremost, Ole Slip and Sue not knowing much and lacking, the only thing I’m pleased with her is anytime she’s soneplace and she’s not suing, that’s a good day.

Second, if Comptroller Munger wants her job performance to be married to Rauner and his numbers (and his money) that’s a campaign decision, but that might play into Democrats’ hands and might be more than willing to indeed make it about Bruce. Munger should tread a little lighter on her closeness, and maybe be more about independence…

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:05 pm
So, if Cullerton votes to override, he is under Madigan’s thumb. If Republicans vote against the bill, they are all acting independently? Hmmmm

Comment by ash Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Taxing hyperbole is the best solution to our budget problems, they could’ve covered a large portion of the shortfall today from the sounds of it.

The Soviet comparisons seem more appropriately applied to the Stratton Building than any of our politicians.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:08 pm
Skeptic beat me to it.

If the governor is not from Chicago, how did his kid get in a Chicago public school?

I bet there’s a story there, lol.

I’m used to Downstate mushrooms playing the Chicago-hater card, but it’s weird to see a governor do it on a regular basis now.

Rauner also said child-care provider and union protesters “don’t understand what America was built on.”

Apparently, America was built on busting out nursing homes, Medicaid scams, and pay-to-play government contracts.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:10 pm
It’s difficult to see how Governor Rauner expects to find a way out of this mess he helped create when he keeps blasting the very people with whom he needs to work to find one.

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:10 pm
At breakfast he said he’s going to make GOP the majority party and take back the General Assembly. At the fair he declares one party rule in IL is equivalent to Soviet Union and China.

Huh?

Comment by ugh Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:11 pm
And Rauner wants to make Illinois like North Korea.

Comment by Buzzie Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:12 pm
To Rauner,

===He compared one-party rule, as the Democrats have enjoyed for the past 12 years, to political systems in the Soviet Union and China.===

And…

===“Illinois has become a dictatorship from Chicago for the entire state,” Rauner said.===

Let’s be very crystal clear;

No one in Illinois needs “papers” going from town to town, there’s no work camps for political dissidents, there’s no secret police, no resistance movement, and come election time, there’s no “one” candidate getting 100% of the vote with a magic “100% turnout”

We have a democracy, it’s up to parties and candidates to run to win. You lose, thems the breaks.

Governor, you won. Only in America, compared to your choices can you run and win as an alleged outsider, and Ole Slip and Sue, with her background shoud be even more upset.

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:13 pm
No plan. No strategy. No process to get to a conclusion or workable compromise. Just name calling against two of the key people he will need at the end game. Call madigan and cullerton all the names you want, but how many votes does rauner actually have? How many does he need from madigan and cullerton? For the agenda–he gets zip. For the budget–zip.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Further,

===“Speaker Madigan, you know what, he’s got ice water in his veins. He’s standing his ground,” Rauner told reporters before taking the stage at the Director’s Lawn.===

You know what, Governors own, and you know what, your vetoes, governor, are causing pain, and you know what, heartless is a man who goes on a stage and acknowledges those protesters aren’t smart enough to know whst they’re protestin’, and you know what, standing in front of a flag doesn’t make you more compassionate, it’s your actions outside your words that do that.

Pathetic…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:16 pm
==He doesn’t care about agriculture. He’s about the Chicago machine.==

Is that a McCormick Harvesting Machine?

Comment by AC Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:18 pm
His plan isn’t to compromise on a budget. He doesn’t care that name-calling won’t win over legislators. His plan is last, best offer, forcing a strike and firing people who he can’t threaten or starve into capitulation to his middle-class destroying demands. An override would sure put a crimp in those plans. Do it.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:24 pm
Finally,

Comparing your co-equal partners to dictators and evil axis powers, that isn’t the best way to 60 or 30, or 71 and 36.

I can only believe Rauner feels he WILL be overridden, and demonizing Madigan and Cullerton is a way to deflect the defeat.

Rauner is doubling down before a loss(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:25 pm
So if Cullerton doesn’t vote to override the veto he is Rauner’s puppet? Can any one in government be credited with having their own opinions? I really hope the Senate overrides today. A message needs to be sent, though I do not believe it will be received. This would be funny if it wasn’t devastating the poor, elderly and disabled.

Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:27 pm
A lot of people are fired up, but it’s hard for me to get upset by these comments, or do anything but laugh, because they’re so over the top. The Democratic Soviet Union? A Chicago dictatorship? Who thought that was a good idea? If they did moderate his analogies, what were the unedited ones like?

Comment by AC Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Robert the 1st, those are some awesome meds you scored!

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:38 pm
PublicServant–
bravo!
_______________
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:24 pm:

His plan isn’t to compromise on a budget. He doesn’t care that name-calling won’t win over legislators. His plan is last, best offer, forcing a strike and firing people who he can’t threaten or starve into capitulation to his middle-class destroying demands. An override would sure put a crimp in those plans. Do it.

Comment by zonz Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:38 pm
==- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:13 pm:==

You never know, maybe that’s what the guv has planned as part of the “Rauner Indoctrination.” At the very least, he is all in for a cult of personality.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:42 pm
Anyone wonder why Kirk doesn’t want to stand next to this guy?

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:44 pm
- Precinct Captain -

“Mirrors on the ceiling, Strawberry Shakes on ice”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:44 pm
Wensicia, Kirk missed a trick.

Speaking after Rauner today would have been an excellent chance for Kirk to appear thoughtful and sober.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:47 pm
Willy @4:25

Been wondering that same thing
Especially when he made the “MJM was elected by 17k I was elected by millions. Why does he get to be in charge” crack. I swear reading it you could here the whine. Someone needs to send a high school social studies book so he can bone up on what a “Republic” really is.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:49 pm
Boy, is this guy superficial, wearin’the Carhartt and governin’ by sound bite…and it seems he thinks the citizens are pretty superficial, too. His are not the remarks of an prepared, confident leader.

Comment by South Central Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:52 pm
So if the Senate votes to override, but it fails in the House — how will the Gov parse that one?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:52 pm
Pass the tinfoil hat: as I wrote yesterday, I don’t think the Dems want the no-strike/arbitrator bill at all. Outside of unions nobody supports it, Democrat or Republican. I think Madigan wants the senate to kill it, Rauner knows this and thus he’s trying to be able to claim some credit when it happens.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:53 pm
LL, it would be a clear indication that Democrats support his agenda. /s

Comment by MurMan Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:55 pm
===Especially when he made the “MJM was elected by 17k I was elected by millions.===

- Mason born -

Good catch there.

Rauner lacks fundamentals. On his feet, in his head, things make sense. The practicality of his whining shows why he can’t work with others.

The premise of “Fire Madigan” being sustainable is an untrue premise. To try to pin the duties of the Office of the Governor on the Speaker of the House is breathtaking in its naïveté.

Rauner is a prisoner of his successes, his decisions, his… choices… and even ignoring his own levers of power. I’ve yet to remember to recall or find in the past a Governor so passive and such a victim to making owned choices.

The hyperbole today is the frustration(s) of recognizing what he wants, what he thought, what he believes, is only possible with 1) cooperation and 2) compromise.

Rauner will do neither at the point of where a deal is possible.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:58 pm
Call me when Rauner escapes to Mexico like Trotsky for speaking out against Stalinism, only to find out that exile wasn’t enough to save him from the machine.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:58 pm
He just comes off as an an amateur, under-qualified to be governor. He’s got less skill than Blago and that’s saying something.

It also sounds like a bunch of 20-somethings fresh from school(no disrespect to age, more the level of experience) are writing his talking points and crafting the strategy.

He is so inconsistent and incoherent (I mean, yeah - duh, if he’s not from Chicago, where in the world is he from??).

Yet another disappointing governor.

This state needs a leader. Desperately!

All of the voters who just assume a businessman can run a state, really need to watch this mess.

He does not know what he’s doing. He’s in over his head. He is not in charge. He does not seem to know what his staff are doing.

It is not clear that anyone in a leadership role in the executive branch currently has a clue. And maybe those who have a clue are not empowered to lead.

It is crazy town - again!

Urgh and end rant.

Comment by 47th Ward Mom Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:10 pm
Yeah but he showed up on Harley and a leather vest doesn’t that mean he is just an every day billionaire?

Comment by Obamas Puppy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:11 pm
So, the Governor is prohibited from giving a “red meat” speech to a partisan gathering of his own political party. A speech that attacked the Democratic party and its leadership.

The paid for and bused in protesters were also a nice touch in Illinois civility.

I am sure tomorrow that the Democratic Leadership will agree that they are prohibited from giving a “red meat” speech to a partisan gathering of their own political party and will refrain from attacking the Governor and Republicans.

I also believe in Puff the Magic Dragon, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

What I really believe is everyone needs to put their big boy pants on and sit down and resolve the issues plaguing this state. It is August 19th, right?

Nice to see Rich in his tie dyed shirt. Looking good dude!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:11 pm
Willy

The irony to me is had he come in and been a competent administration he might of actually had a chanc (slim) to fire Madigan. A shutdown with a strike chaser not exactly a winner.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:11 pm
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 4:24 pm

Nailed it!

It’s becoming more and more apparent Rauner doesn’t care about agriculture, families, day care, welfare, taxes, the museum, the budget, or even about governing. All he cares about is breaking labor and busting unions and if he can’t have that, all that other stuff can just burn, because he can just walk out of the ashes onto his ranch in Montana or his penhouse overlooking Central Park.

The stuff that’s important to us is nothing to him.

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:12 pm
“Money’s bought him an enormous amount of arrogance.”

“And a steer. Don’t forget the steer.”
And along with the steer, comes the BS too. Oh wait the BS was always there.

Comment by Underwood Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:15 pm
- Track312 -

No. Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:17 pm
Thanks, Louis!

For whatever reason, I always wear tie dyed shirts to Republican Day. Have for years. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:19 pm
One party rule which by logic would indicate support for the Democratic candidate for President and as a side note, against voter suppression and gerrymandering..

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:22 pm
==- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:11 pm:==

Who’s to say the Rauner Republicans weren’t “paid for and bused in,” after all this is a man who ran his “volunteer” operation using paid phone bankers from a Michigan call center and handouts to township organizations.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:23 pm
===So, the Governor is prohibited from giving a “red meat” speech to a partisan gathering of his own political party. A speech that attacked the Democratic party and its leadership.===

No. But if Speaker Madigan, President Cullerton decide to go “Cold War” politics, they get hammered too.

===The paid for and bused in protesters were also a nice touch in Illinois civility.===

Freedom of Speech, right? Exactly right.

===I am sure tomorrow that the Democratic Leadership will agree that they are prohibited from giving a “red meat” speech to a partisan gathering of their own political party and will refrain from attacking the Governor and Republicans.===

If the Democrats decide to call Illinois a 2nd World power, I know I would not be … amused … by it.

===What I really believe is everyone needs to put their big boy pants on and sit down and resolve the issues plaguing this state. It is August 19th, right?===

Spot on. Less all the poison pills, by all parties too.

Remember, - Louis G Arsaves -, the governor is not a victim of his own words and actions.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:24 pm
People considering voting for Trump because he’s a rich businessman with no political experience should pay attention to how this works out.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:26 pm
===What I really believe is everyone needs to put their big boy pants on and sit down and resolve the issues plaguing this state.===

How is the right to collectively bargain plaguing the state?

Also, throwing red meat to the partisan crowd is fine. Insulting the Senate President when you need his help is another thing entirely. Can you grasp the difference?

Also, when do you think someone will get around to briefing the Governor on the impact of the 2013 Worker’s Comp reforms? I know you’ve said more work needs to be done, and I don’t disagree, but even you admitted those reforms made some improvement in the system. Why can’t the Governor acknowledge that too?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:31 pm
@Louis G.

==I also believe in Puff the Magic Dragon==

Whew! I thought I was the only one.

Comment by CrazyHorse Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:34 pm
And so it begins…

Comment by ah AH Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:35 pm
=If the governor is not from Chicago, how did his kid get in a Chicago public school?=

Everyone in Winnetka has a winter home down south!

His concern for Central Illinois is touching, and he is tapping the meatball talking points pretty relentlessly.

Go work on a budget deal for cryin’ out loud. All of ya’s.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:37 pm
Perhaps Gov. Rauner is being tutored by the statehouse chick…telling him how to pick inappropriate and provocative analogies.

Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:38 pm
== Apparently, America was built on busting out nursing homes, Medicaid scams, and pay-to-play government contracts. ==

From the revised Rauner History series:

“America was built by the magnanimous Robber Barons during the Age of Industrialization, capped off by the Gilded Age, and started it’s long slow decline with the rise of unions. See also: The Great Trickle-down Century.”

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:44 pm
That Payton Prep keeps haunting and haunting.

Make no mistake, Rauner, through Democrats, and after his Winnetka-living Daughter was denied, Rauner pulled strings.

There was no Principal’s Choice
The test scores were not perfect
Throwing your wife under the bus isn’t owning anything.

Chicago is so bad, Rauner was willing to pull strings so his daughter’s chair could be denied to a worthy child.

“I did it. It was wrong. I am sorry.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:44 pm
HBO - “Dad’s Home State - Season 1, Episode 31

Bruce practices a prepared speech, still goes off script. Evelyn spend all morning signing waivers to attend the State Fair. Lance finally finds a use for his enormous American flag, “ck” forgets where they parked the golf cart. Comedy, 61 minutes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:51 pm
OW…absolutely. The worst part of the story is, as you pointed out, a deserving Chicago student was denied a spot at Payton. All because the Gov. figured his daughter would have a better college trajectory coming out of Payton (with about 100 in her graduating class) then coming out of New Trier where she would be one of 1,000 plus all competing for the same coveted college spots!

Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:51 pm
== No plan. No strategy. No process to get to a conclusion or workable compromise. ==

He has a plan; maybe not a viable plan, but there is a plan:

1) Force the unions into a strike

2) fire everyone

3) Privatize / outsource everything regardless of legality

4) Declare the state shaken up and ride off into the sunset on his Harley, leaving Sue to pick up the pieces while he sips his wine at his ranch.

I’m not going to mark this as snark because I’m beginning to believe this really is his plan …

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:53 pm
== People considering voting for Trump because he’s a rich businessman with no political experience should pay attention to how this works out. ==

Amen !

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 5:55 pm
It fits RNUG. That’s why it’s important to override the veto. Very important.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:01 pm
It’s interesting that Rauner favors the term “dictatorship”, because that’s exactly what he’s trying to establish under his rule. He’s already proud to say he owns the Republican Party in this state, and they dare not vote, or speak, against his wishes.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:11 pm
RNUG - You forgot:
5. Profit.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:12 pm
sB1229 just passed over ride

Comment by Illinoian Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:13 pm
Yes! One down, one to go.

Comment by ihpsdm Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:14 pm
- Illinoian -,

In the Senate, that’s the “easy” one for this bill. The House is the “challenge”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:14 pm
Madigan said he had the votes, OW. Crossing my fingers here.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:16 pm
- Public Servant -

Yep. That’s why it’s going to be the “challenge” to get it through the Chamber.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:18 pm
It’s veto override day, SB 1229, SB 1344, SB 274. SB 51, SB 650

Has there ever been more veto overrides in 1 day?
Happy Governor’s Day Rauner!

Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:18 pm
Yay!

Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:20 pm
Hurray! Take that, BVR! Is the House vote in 14 days?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:21 pm
- Keyrock -

Yeah, that should have been on the list …

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:21 pm
Well … I guess we know Cullerton’s response.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:26 pm
Madigan: “checkmate”. I see memorandums of understanding as the win/win here. And frankly the bill should apply to all constitutional officers that negotiate union contracts.

Comment by Casual Observer Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:29 pm
==Well … I guess we know Cullerton’s response.==

Heh..

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:29 pm
Nice gift to frat boy in chief. I’m a little dubious that the House can override, but I’m certainly cheering for it. It’s a message that has to be sent to this guy. Maybe then, he’ll start growing up.

P.S. Thanks Sam

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:35 pm
Ask Governor Rauner who cut funding for county fairs and other agricultural programs. In addition, he has sent lay off notices to the staff at the Dept. of Ag. that handle county fairs. That’s really supportive of downstate governor. Does this guy think before he talks?

Comment by ToughGuy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:44 pm
The governor is doing a lot talking today.

Rick Pearson has a tweet up in which the governor claims the state fair “brings in revenue to pay for itself.”

The level of disengagement is getting a little trippy.

But you can see why his peeps keep a tight muzzle on him.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 6:55 pm
Does anyone remember Rauner’s first cabinet meeting? He did a walk-through, told everyone they were doing a great job, they were superstars, but he has another meeting so he’s taking off, bye now, keep up the good work. I think he was there for about 90 seconds tops (those with a video record please correct this).

Maybe that was the extent of his attention span for any topic. Budget? Pensions? Education? 90 seconds. After that he descends into name calling and rambling phrases.

Just a thought.

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 7:19 pm
==Especially when he made the “MJM was elected by 17k I was elected by millions. Why does he get to be in charge” crack==

Yes, can someone please explain co-equal branches of government to the Governor? Also explain that if Madigan wasn’t the Speaker, some other Democrat with savvy would be. Furthermore, insulting the heads of the co-equal branch of government is counter-productive… and just plain rude. Not considered a good combination in the Midwest.

Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 7:55 pm
No one is expected to make much sense at their party’s day at the fair. Let it go.

Multiple veto overrides today did all the real talking.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:18 pm
I’m curious Mr. Miller… If the Illinois State Museum “maybe ought to close” because Jonathan Reyman compared Gov. Rauner to the Taliban & ISIS, then should the Illinois GOP “maybe ought to close” because Gov. Rauner compared his opponents to the Soviet Union & China (regimes with far higher body counts and just a brutal human rights records as either group Mr. Reyman referenced?

It seems we have a bit of a double standard working in this case. Over the top rhetoric is ok for some, definitely not for others. If you’ve deemed it ok for political parties to engage in it then don’t be disappointed when governing grinds to a halt and all we get is partisan bomb (figurative, not literal) throwing.

Comment by Good for the Goose? Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:52 am
Placing the same type of weight/standard to a statement made by a former state employee to the Gov. of the state is ludicrous.

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:22 am
Opps…..Munger made one of those career endin’ comments during her brief fair spiel
“Leslie Munger, who Rauner appointed to the comptroller job following Topinka’s death late last year, said she was “proud to be here as the governor’s wingman,….”

Most believe the office has a watchdog function rather than accomplice…..tough mistake so early on…probably undermines the ole combine the offices gambit too.
TTFN

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 8:47 am