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Today’s quotable

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“I’ve been watching as members in the General Assembly have been meeting. I’m not privy to all their conversations, I have not personally attended all the meetings,” Rauner said. “But I hear reports, I hear rumors, I hear some feedback from members of the General Assembly. And I am seeing more excitement and more optimism within the rank and file saying ‘you know, this has gone on too long. Everybody is going to have to come off their positions, and some of their hardest positions, and come up with some middle ground.’ I’m hearing that on a level I haven’t heard before. And so that makes me optimistic.”

* More Trib…

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday sought to strike an optimistic tone that a “grand compromise” with Democrats can be reached by May 31 to end the unprecedented budget impasse that’s threatened universities, caused havoc for groups that care for the vulnerable and led to a large stack of unpaid bills.

Whether Rauner’s optimism has a basis in reality was at best unclear, however. […]

But it’s an election year, and both sides are trying to pin blame on the other for the mess at the Capitol. By broadcasting he’s open to a deal, Rauner is seeking to avoid blame as an obstructionist should an agreement remain elusive.

It’s not the first time Rauner has declared he’s “cautiously optimistic” about a pending deal. He said as much nearly a year ago, though those talks quickly fell apart. His optimism has since wavered depending on whether he’s in attack mode.

Subscribers know more.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:44 am

Comments

“History will be kind to me, for I intend to buy it.” Fake Rauner

(Apologies to Winston Churchill)

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:50 am
My guess: This is just another of those instances where Rauner hears what he wants to hear, rather that what was actually said.

Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:50 am
He’s playing nice because he’s worried about something.

Worried about the AFSCME legislation? Worried about the labor board hearing?

(I mean, we know — we know — that “impasse” means “cooling off period”. We know that from Rauner’s very kind words about AFSCME before he was elected.)

Anyway, he’s playing nice to portray nice in order to *get* something or *avoid* something. That’s all.

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:53 am
Governing based on rumors. What could go wrong?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:54 am
===Everybody is going to have to come off their positions, and some of their hardest positions, and come up with some middle ground.===

Governor, it’s called doing the doable. It’s called finding 60 and 30. It’s called governing within knowing what can’t be done and moving on.

It’s taken Bruce Rauner over 14 months to “learn” what everybody, and by everybody I mean rational people who want governing to happen, knew about the hostages and Rauner trying to hold harm to people and grouos for the impassable part of the Turnaround Agenda.

What? Am I suppose to be “pleased” Rauner is “hearing rumors” of things rational people know is true?

I’m very pleased that the GA is finally understanding working around to get 60 and 30 or the threat of 71 and 36 will make governing happen.

BTW, Rauner Press Shop, your boss, again, sounds like a passive observer. Rauner sounds ridiculously disengaged in process and has no want or desire in governing or funding his state agencies, or even if Rauner cares about really putting a significant budgetary number to any Rauner priority.

Rauner Press Shop… “More money” isn’t a monetary measure for any priority. Ever.

Thank goodness the passenger Bruce Rauner is excited to pass on rumors and innuendo as his Gubernatorial insertion in process.

Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:57 am
He still thinks he’s #Winning.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:58 am
Is leadership merely sitting back and talking to school kids about rumors that you hear?

Comment by What the What Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 9:58 am
==”And I am seeing more excitement and more optimism within the rank and file saying ‘you know, this has gone on too long. Everybody is going to have to come off their positions, and some of their hardest positions, and come up with some middle ground.’”==

If Rauner is hearing this for the first time, he must have purchased a new hearing aid. Geesh…

Comment by Mama Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:06 am
Unfortunately, some people believe this stuff and think he is listening and trying to come to the middle.

Comment by Belle Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:06 am
Words. Rauners happy talk is usually just that. Out of touch, and off the mark.

Actions. Thats what an actual governor governing the government does. Cut the deals that make up a grand compromise. But that requires everyone trusting your word, and living up to your word.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:07 am
Trib - “Whether Rauner’s optimism has a basis in reality was at best unclear, however. […]”

Three entities (up from two just a short while ago) decide that - Rauner and Madigan (all along) and recently joined by the collective GA membership.

Comment by titan Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:07 am
‘Everybody is going to have to come off their positions’ —Does he realize that he is one of them? No sign of that so far. It sounds, as it often does, as if he’s talking about some problem which has nothing to do with him. The really alarming thing is that I’m not sure he doesn’t believe that.

Comment by UIC Guy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:11 am
At a separate event at a different school on Wednesday, the Governor also reported on a rumor that he had heard while at the school that Jenny has cooties.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:12 am
Is his statement PR garbage or is he really clueless enough to think he is winning. Both I suppose.

Comment by Liberty Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:12 am
It is very unclear what is actually goin’ on
Perhaps because he is kept in an info bubble he offers these loopey-dupey happy talk when he is asked a question and has no real idea what is goin’ on.
Perhaps this is the info BigBrain gets from the other bigbrains
Perhaps he thinks payin’ for special session will make up for Munger hidin’ checks
Meanwhile BigBrain and CommandoMakeItUp better hustle over to East Illinois (aka Indiana) and barnstorm for Trump I

Comment by annonin' Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:17 am
I hear reports, I hear rumors, I hear some feedback from members of the General Assembly.

“Plus I’m getting so many ‘likes’ on Instagram!”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:18 am
At least Rauner has stopped the attacks for now. Hopefully, we’re on the path to resolving the impasse. (I’m not holding my breath.)

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:21 am
Let me see….I remember a range of children’s stories that had a similar tone…
‘The sky is falling! The sky is falling!’…’Wolf! Wolf!’….
Everytime I hear words from BVR, they become less and less believable.
The level to which anyone can trust his words is nearing negative territory…and the level of his believability in engagement/leadership is laughable at best.
Rumors? Reports? Haven’t personally attended all the meetings? Wow! Abdication of responsibility isn’t a governing style. Its political cowardess and its morally negligent.
IMHO, When pushed, he’ll refuse to agree to anything that doesn’t reflect his unbroken resolve to destroy labor. It’s not affecting him personally, so he doesn’t care.

Comment by northernwatersports Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:23 am
==Rauner said. “But I hear reports, I hear rumors…”

Is he governor of the 5th largest state (by GDP) or an 8th grade girl hanging out by the lockers? This explains his desire to “hang out” at the local high schools.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:28 am
===Whether Rauner’s optimism has a basis in reality was at best unclear, however.===

When the Tribune is questioning Rauner’s connection to reality, it might be time for the Superstars to re-think their strategery.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:28 am
Good to know the governor’s involvement in budget negotiations is that of hearing “rumors.” A real master class in leadership!

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:41 am
Same old stuff from Governor Bystander.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:41 am
For crying out loud, he’s the governor. It’s the Big Chair.

He talks like he’s a tourist, stopping off in Springfield for a Big Gulp on his way to the House on the Rock.

If he wants to make something happen, he can do it. If he doesn’t, it won’t happen. Everyone knows that.

This Impotent Huckleberry bit he’s playing is just weird and insulting the citizenry. We ain’t a bunch of hicks.

You’ve had your fun, now do your job, already.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:46 am
I’m all for optimism. And maybe this will end some day soon. But for the thousands of our fellow citizens who have fallen through the shredded safety net; the thousands of dedicated workers who have been laid off, furloughed or out right fired; the high school kids who have decided it’s too risky to try and go to college in Illinois and are leaving to study elsewhere; the state’s credit ratings that have cratered while grown men and women act like children; and countless other cases, this is too damn late.

Congratulations elected officials, you have succeeded in destroying the village in order to save it. You must be so proud.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:48 am
FNAFM, Bingo! He knows the Great Labor War is just around the corner! He’s setting up the perception that he was just about to make the big 2 year deal when…..Darn, those evil union folk messed up everything with their greed! Blame AFSCME and the Madigans they control!

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:01 am
Some times I hear things, but the new meds seem to help!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:06 am
I’m cautiously optimistic this post won’t generate any comments today.

Comment by pool boy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:09 am
It’s an improvement that he’s quoting rumors rather than reporting imaginary meetings and conversations, but he won’t establish credibility until his actions follow his words. I’ll wait to see some actions.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:27 am
“I hear rumors”??

Why doesn’t he TALK to people? Honest to pete, this guy gets goofier every day.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:32 am
He heard it when he said it.

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:35 am
He’s the Governor. Quit going to high schools and civic organizations to give speeches. Go over to Madigan’s office - rumors should tell you which one he is at. Figure out what it will take to have a win-win. Negotiate. Blago2 - that’s what we have here.

Comment by thoughts matter Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:49 am
Wonder who’s giving him reports…

Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:54 am
A lot of cynicism and negativity out there today. Makes you wonder whether there are people who have an interest in nothing getting done.

Comment by Storm Cloud Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:04 pm
===whether there are people who have an interest in nothing getting done===

Agreed.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:05 pm
Optimists are often disappointed, but pessimists are sometimes pleasantly surprised.

Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:12 pm
–A lot of cynicism and negativity out there today. Makes you wonder whether there are people who have an interest in nothing getting done.–

I’m not following your logic.

Does the “cynicism and negativity” you’re picking up in comments here strike you as coming from “people who have an interest in nothing getting done?”

Curious. I read those same comments as people screaming for getting things done. And looking at the handles, most of those people have been doing so months.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Lots of cynicism and negativity out there. Makes you wonder if there are people out there who don’t believe a word the gov says.

There. Fixed it.

Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:25 pm
OW well said.

it was encouraging that he didnt say anything about his trunaround agenda needed to be included or he woukd veto it.

Thompson would of course have been in the middle of it going door to door….

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:28 pm
“Makes you wonder if there are people out there who don’t believe a word the gov says.”

Rauner has such a good track record in keeping his word. /S

Comment by Mama Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:13 pm
If you think this comments section here is filled with negativity, you obviously haven’t seen the Governor’s Twitter feed.

Comment by AC Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:31 pm
A lot of cynicism and negativity out there today. Uh yeah…I’m actually appalled there isn’t more vitriol for all the horror that has been caused. I know everybody wants to give Rauner a cookie for playing nice, but with all the damage that I deal with every day, I have trouble forgiving. That being said I’m sure that we are going to move towards Madigans great moments of perfidy. Now is when I think Labor will be sold down the river because the price has been played up. The Grand Bargain always makes me nervous. As AFSCME’s big boss says, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:55 pm
(Tips cap to - Ghost - )

Once Rauner signs whatever he signs, it will be Rauner’s. Governors own their signatures, so if Rauner continues to be a passinger, the surprise will be on him what actually he will be signing.

That’ll be fun

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 3:15 pm