Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

House Republicans launch TV ads attacking five Dem targets

Posted in:

Illinois
YouTube

HRO Releases TV Ads

Ads Target House Democrats for Their Loyalty to Mike Madigan and Their Votes for the Most Unbalanced Budget in IL History

Over the past few weeks, House Democrats made the decision to put their loyalty to Mike Madigan above the interests of the people of Illinois. Instead of working to balance the budget and reform state government, House Democrats rammed through the most unbalanced budget in Illinois history, a budget that had a $7.5 billion deficit and would require a $1,000 tax increase on Illinois families to balance.

The Southern Illinoisan’s Editorial Board put it best this morning when they called Representatives Brandon Phelps and John Bradley, “soldiers in service to Speaker Michael Madigan.”

The Southern writes, “Mike Madigan preserved the status quo again this year, and Brandon Phelps and John Bradley were again more than willing to assist.”

Today, the House Republican Organization launched TV ads in multiple media markets across the state, targeting vulnerable Democratic legislators who walked the plank and voted for Madigan’s reckless “budget.”

The ads call out Reps. John Bradley, Brandon Phelps, Andy Skoog, Dan Beiser, and Kate Cloonen for their unflinching loyalty to Mike Madigan.

* Rate the sample ad…

* Script…

For State House Democrats, it was the ultimate loyalty test.

Given two hours to read Chicago Political Boss Mike Madigan’s phony, five-hundred-page budget, the choice was simple:

Protect Illinois?

Or do Madigan’s bidding?

John Bradley chose Madigan.

So did Brandon Phelps.

Raising taxes on the average family by one thousand a year…

…Seven billion dollars in new debt, the largest unbalanced budget ever.

Even a bailout for Chicago schools.

We pay a dreadful price… for Democrats’ loyalty to Mike Madigan.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 2:57 pm

Comments

Yep, this will help end the impasse.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:00 pm
What Rauner says:

“This is not helpful. We’ve got to focus on the facts and what’s constructive.”

What Rauner does:

Donates millions so the House Republican Organization can run these ads.

For anyone looking for an example of the famous Ooda Loop strategy, here’s a good one. Note, it’s predicated on lying. A lot.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:02 pm
24 House Democrats…

16 Senate Democrats….

No budget, no K-12, no Social Services signature…

And yes, I’m aware Labor has gone very aggressive against House GOP Members, but here were talking about colleagues needing each other, right now, and choosing politics to infest what needs to be clean.

That’s 40… 4-0 Democrats needed. Partners. That’s also including Ives, Overweis, Morrison, McSweeney, 100% “Green” on things they won’t vote for… ever.

Welp, it’s done… They know better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:03 pm
how does this, robocalls during session, the capitol steps speech, the memes, the “7″ letter, and the roadshow bashing this week get us to compromise on a budget, to 71 and 36, to any solution, ever? all of this says to me the intention is no budget and no compromise, ever.

if the general assembly was an utter failure in not passing a budget by May 31, how does this help get a budget by June 30? I really dont think anyone wants a budget even though all anyone talks about is getting a budget.

Comment by baloneymous Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:07 pm
This is about as helpful as #TaxHikeMike.

As OW notes, Rauner needs 40 Democrats’ signatures assuming he controls every single R voting button. Spending the week campaigning on issues the Governor himself ignored and faulting the left for everything isn’t going to end this.

Comment by illini97 Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:08 pm
You think there was a chance, Norse?
Signs and actions say no, I think.

Comment by Gone Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:08 pm
That sword cuts both ways friends.

“GOP legislator (insert name) voted against helping schools. And every single time he voted NO against Illinois, just like Rauner, his/her overlord commanded.”

These things write themselves but accomplish nothing.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Awesome!

Comment by Georg Sande Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Are there any studies about how effective these ads even are anymore? I mean I gave up cable long ago.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Not the path to 71.

If there is a tax hike vote before the election, you can be sure Madigan will allow these 5 to be exempt from voting for it.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:21 pm
No budget until at least January. Actions speak louder than words and all these guys are “saying” is that they cannot work together… Our state deserves better than this.

Comment by The Muse Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Counterproductive is an understatement. I predict Dems will pick up some seats in November. Rauner, the leader of the Republican Party, is making some grave mistakes.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:26 pm
Has ANYBODY explained 3 dimensional chess to Rauner holy smokes ? Oh right he IS the smartest in the room sorry

Comment by Railrat Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:28 pm
I just wish Madigan would retire so I can see these commercials fall flat when they go after Speaker Flynn-Currie. LOL.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Psst. Has anyone told the BigBrain his ComEd/Exelon bailout is a $400 million state wide rate hike?

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Sorry..the ad sucks like most of the Proft stuff
Can’t have a tax hike and a deficit….pick one.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:34 pm
its only June…

Comment by Dozer Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Madigan plays politics with EVERYTHING he does and that’s okay but House Republicans push back and its the end of any compromise?

Some of ‘y’all need to understand how obsessively in the bag for Madigan you are.

Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:40 pm
I help schools, every year, when my real estate tax bill arrives and it is ALWAYS higher than last year.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:42 pm
- Big Muddy -

It’s not being in the bag for anyone.

It’s math. Your anger and “frustration” seems to miss the whole “math” point.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:42 pm
A-

Comment by John Rawls Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:43 pm
To pass a bill you’d need all the current Republicans and 24 House Democrats.

To take the House you’d need all the current Republicans and win 13 new seats.

You’re running an ad against 5 House Dems.

If all of them drop everything they’ve been doing and join your side, then what?

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:47 pm
Second attempt -

No real surprises here. The Southern does some good reporting, but the editorial page has largely always leaned to the right. The robocalls have already started. Bradley and Phelps know their base and are well known in their districts.

The “Chicago” attack ads could well backfire.

It will be interesting to see the approach the Dems will take with Terrie Bryant and the shameless “non votes” she has taken since she was first elected. As a first term Raunerite she is more vulnerable than either of the other two.

Comment by illini Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:49 pm
== I help schools, every year, when my real estate tax bill arrives and it is ALWAYS higher than last year.==

One of my property tax bills went down this year.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Bruce has all this money to waste on the Illinois Republican Party but can’t spare a dime to pay more in taxes?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 3:53 pm
SEIU has been attacking Bourne, Jimenez, Hammond, etc. for a month now with robocalls, ads, and mailers. How has that been productive? Both sides have been doing it.

Comment by Just Remember Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
I’m still miffed that they didn’t field Republicans for a some of these vacant nominations. Costello, Willis, and Martwick should have all had challengers.

Comment by Grand Avenue Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
Even democrats said this was a fantasy budget and not in good faith. One of the four tops jammed it through regardless and then stopped negotiating, and voting for this fantasy budget enabled him to do so. Feeling some heat can help these politicians see the light; or at least help them avoid trailing him blindfolded into another miscalculation.

Comment by No Use For A Name Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
- Just Remember -

Ugh.

Yes. That’s Labor, that’s Labor going after their own interests.

This is one Caucus going after another when votes are needed to work together.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:03 pm
The day of reckoning has come!

Comment by DuPage Don Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Will they run these ads against Phelps in Carbondale or Vegas?

Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:08 pm
RNUG, mine have never decreased. Why do you think yours did? And you mention of of your RE bills dropped, so assuming the others jumped?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:09 pm
Oops - Willis has an opponent - probably not realistic as a pickup, but worth seeing the base GOP in that district.

Comment by Grand Avenue Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:10 pm
===The day of reckoning has come!===

What day? The day Illinois continues to be budget-less?

Words fail me…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:10 pm
-OW- the day of reckoning where EVERYONE on both sides (or shall we say all three sides since the senate blinked) is called to account for their actions committed during 99th General Assembly

Comment by DuPage Don Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:16 pm
OW,
Please get out of the bag. Thought you were smarter than that. Every vote Madigan has held on the floor for the past 18 months has been political. Please see Bradley and his property tax freeze bill. That isn’t helping get us to 71 AT ALL.

Tough to see the forest through all the trees for ya I guess…

Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:19 pm
- DuPage Don -

Lots of incumbents will be facing an angry electorate, but even with that said, this doesn’t get 24 House Denocrats to say…

“Yeah, I’m going to trust the HGOP.”

Nope. No way.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:19 pm
- Big Muddy -

Are the HDems running Ads?

“Who” needs more votes?

The Dems at a pesky 5…

The Raunerites at an avalanche of 24+

Math… It’s called… Math.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:22 pm
How did the tie-the-candidate-to-Madigan ads work for you in the Primary elections Governor? You’re doing a bang up job, Brownie!

Comment by Triple fat Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:23 pm
A majority of democrats in the senate voted against this bad bill. A number of democrats in the house knew this was a bad bill and voted against it. Yet the democrats in these ads clearly chose to vote for Madigan’s wishes ahead of all else. If they thought it was such a good bill, they should appreciate explaining to the public.

Comment by No Use For A Name Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:26 pm
==Our state deserves better than this.==

No, it does not. Illinois voters here decided that they would rather have Bruce Rauner as governor instead of the completely underwhelming Pat Quinn. They made this choice despite his years long record of shady business practices and outright falsehoods during the campaign. Illinois voters also chose to elect legislative candidates that hold diametrically opposing views from those of of their preferred gubernatorial candidate.

Illinois and its voters are getting exactly the government they deserve!

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Big Muddy, you can say that again. HDems spent months practically running ads and writing the scripts with their succession of sham votes and interviews instead of working on compromises. They spent all that time attacking and setting up ads and mailers, then forgot to actually pass anything substantial in the meantime.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:36 pm
Triple Fat-

Benton won Sangamon. You also forgot Rauner did have some victories. Sure McCann won and Dunkin lost but it wasn’t a wave.

OW-

You, of all people, should know that unions and MJM are in this together.

Comment by Just Remember Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:37 pm
===You, of all people, should know that unions and MJM are in this together.===

The Unions have their own agenda that now is tying into what Madigan would like due in large part of having a common enemy, Bruce Rauner.

SEIU, their choice is selfish to Union wants, because Rauner has attacked Labor mercilessly.

Right now, Labor is a single issue entity. “With them - Again ‘em”

Just like “The 7″, McCann, even Dunkin.

This is a Caucus going after another Caucus… fine… But the attacking Caucus… Today in June… They need 24 “other Caucus” members for a deal with the Governor.

Not… “Single-Issue”

September? August?

Totally get that, the timing works 100%.

Cooler heads need to prevail in June.

“You, of all people, should know that unions and MJM are in this together.”

I can count to 71 in June. Of all people, I’m one that can see the need for 71… In June.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:44 pm
=== You, of all people, should know that unions and MJM are in this together. ===

Thanks to the ineptness of Rauner. Of course, he couldn’t help himself due to his natural rich guy hatred of unions.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Big Muddy, you can say that again. HDems spent months practically running ads and writing the scripts with their succession of sham votes and interviews instead of working on compromises. They spent all that time attacking and setting up ads and mailers, then forgot to actually pass anything substantial in the meantime.

Comment by No Use For A Name Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:53 pm
=Cooler heads need to prevail in June.= I wholeheartedly agree, but if we take words like “crisis creates leverage” and the tweets of the Owl at face value it tells me that this isn’t about the math.

Rauner didn’t spend tens of millions of dollars to get along and go along. He clearly has his own agenda and the absence of a budget doesn’t mean much if anything to him. The decimation of higher education and the social services net may not be his ultimate goal, it’s just a consequence. I’m afraid at this point there’s no other logical conclusion.

Today’s ads tell you everything you need to know. It’s going to be a long summer.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:59 pm
Only one party is using its post-session time to run attack ads and tour the State giving attack speeches.

Comment by TD Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:01 pm
Is this the same thing Rauner’s done, but with Rauner his grand plan sorta failed. Ask Dunkin about it.

Rauner’s failed checkbook politics?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:20 pm
pundent, Rauner should soon realize that the absence of a budget means lack of food in prisons, nursing homes, etc. These are agencies of the Executive branch, not the Legislative. Madigan has no ability to control what goes on in those agencies.

Comment by Pawn Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:24 pm
In grade school if you were fighting, no recess for you. Maybe no recess for the Dems or Republicans until we have a budget.

Comment by Crispy Critter Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:27 pm
From IL Election Data -

http://illinoiselectiondata.com/

>> The most significant development of the day [31May2016] is that the Republicans do not have enough candidates on the ballot in the Illinois Senate to win control of the chamber. There are currently 20 Republicans in the Senate and they would need to win 10 more seats to have a majority in the chamber but of the 29 Democratic Senators up for re-election this fall only 9 will face a Republican opponent. > Note: Based on 2014 statewide election results [the 116th House] is the most mathematically favorable district for the Republicans that is currently held by a Democrat but no Republican candidate filed in this race so Costello will retain the seat.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:44 pm
If the IL GOP cannot slate enough candidates to take control of the IL Senate and cannot slate a candidate in their top IL House pick up opportunity, then all this noise means nothing.

Shakespeare said it best. . .

“It is a tale Told by an [redacted], full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:48 pm
- Hamlet’s Ghost -

It’s a long game, not today, or even tomorrow…

After the new map…

Long time… Long games.

Rauner’s tens of millions in… He’s going nowhere until the ROI meets the expectation

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:51 pm
Point taken, OW

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 5:56 pm
- Hamlet’s Ghost -

It all good, we all need to keep in mind with Rauner, it’s not ending anytime soon…

That’s all. Much respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:06 pm
OW, your point also suggests that Democrats shouldn’t trust Rauner to honor any “grand bargain” that is made, as the Governor would renege at the first opportunity to resume the “long game” plan.

That suggests there will be no budget until 2019.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:12 pm
===That suggests there will be no budget until 2019.===

That’s been suggested by Democratic leaders already, to my complete dismay.

Trust has to begin. It has to be given, it has to be accepted.

Not happening with Ads in June.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:17 pm
Pawn He dies realize. He was able to clearly explain where Pat Quinn failed. He simply does not care. OW has captured it clearly. This is a long game and the budget is inconsequential. Rauner is not motivated by the idea of governing. That’s not why he spent millions to get to this point. How this ends is anyone’s guess at this point.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:22 pm
The press release implies, and the script more than implies, that a budget has been passed that includes all of these nasty things.

That is, of course, not true and will not happen.

Some of the people, all of the time.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:34 pm
===The press release implies, and the script more than implies, that a budget has been passed that includes all of these nasty things.===

Yep.

I have had the thought the Rauner play was always hoping to be a victim to the budget.

After last year, the political play was hoping Dems pass a budget, get it to his desk, and then… tour off the victimhood.

Geez, Louise the Ad makes it clear that it WAS the play…

And Rauner would tour, and tour… “Those Democrats gave me a budget, chock full of bad! Taxes! No reforms! Bad!”

It was to play weak. An Illinois governor playing weak…

The icing would’ve been an override of the veto on tour.

“They have the power. I’m powerless, they voted to raise taxes twice!”

It’s was telegraphed. Easy to see. I never thought they go so deep to have the Ads at the ready with this play.

They got ahead of themselves.

And now? A tour, yeah, it’s still on. But… to what?

To bash Democrats, but needing Democrats now. No overridden budget, heck, no passed budget.

I despised poor politics at play. This was a disingenuous play when I thought it was going to roll out, it’s even worse playing victim to… nothing.

But, the script shows… the tour, the victim to a budget, clear to see now.

Now it’s foggy … where will 71 and 36 be found?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 6:53 pm
== RNUG, mine have never decreased. Why do you think yours did? ==

I have 3 houses at the moment, long story. Of 2 I’ve owned for a long time, 1 went down and 1 went up. The change was proportionally about the same. The one that went down is unique and there was a comparable that sold last year for less than the city had it assessed at, so that might account for it. The 3rd house is hard to really say; it went up but that was the result of losing both the senior exemption and the freeze when it was transferred from my deceased mom’s name.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 7:30 pm
These are great. More please. Time to take control of the conversation.

Comment by Yes please Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:08 pm
So, at the end of the session, Rauner offers to do a temporary budget and delay TA items until after the election. Madigan sez “pound sand.” Who is holding the kids hostage again?

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:11 pm
- Anony -

The last play was a Rauner Veto of all Approps for FY2016.

That’s the last play.

Rauner owns the veto.

No budget deal still goes back to the LAST play.

Rauner has yet to get two budgets through to fund his agencies.

On Purpose.

What else ya got?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:14 pm
… Less the K-12 Approp…

How could I forget.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:16 pm
Can we do a story regarding Alderman Burkes prostrate. He looks like death warmed over.

Comment by Toe nail clippers Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:26 pm
Willy, just wondering…..do you sleep? You are one very prolific poster, my friend!

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:27 pm
It’s rumored I sleep but I can’t confirm it…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:32 pm
Terrific commercials. Hoping for lots more.

Comment by Georg Sande Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:35 pm
It is over rated, I hear…. For all our angst about this stuff, I bet Rauner and Madigan sleep fine!

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:35 pm
The truth hurts!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:47 pm
I’ve got a friend from here who is now in Hollywood. Hadn’t seen or talked to him in quite awhile until I saw him briefly last weekend. He told me that the scuttlebutt there is that Mike Madigan is the basis for the Frank Underwood character. I told him that is phooey - now way Madigan pushed someone in front of a REAL train.

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:56 pm
“No way”.

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 8:57 pm
- Anony -

You never know

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:00 pm
“You never know” -

…composite characters take a single element and expand it sometimes so much the comparison is only seen by those on the production.

Ugh. All that got cut.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:07 pm
I don’t think the Speaker is actually pushing any person in front of any real train.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:14 pm
Me, either. But the proverbial train? Track marks abound (said with respect for the speaker’s prodigious skills).

Comment by Anony Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:25 pm
The Speaker is probably best “characterized” when it’s broken down here as Michael Corleone.

Even the Old School flavor makes the comparison work

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:31 pm
OW sleeps. Hanging upside down from a branch shared with Madigan.

/snark

Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 9:58 pm
- Big Muddy -

That’s so 19th Century…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 10:02 pm
Let’s see…the Rauner republicans say, Let us decimate unions and we will allow you to have a tax increase.
So, let’s just say the Democrats said, “ok, we will vote to decimate unions.”
How many Republicans would be courageous to vote for a tax increase? Very few.
That is why this thing will never end.

Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 10:05 pm
Campaigns can wait a bit longer.

The budget and reform job you have to finish is too important for either side to jeopardize right now.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 3:50 am
@4:36 - come up with a different handle por favor. I have been using this one for years. Gracias.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 3:56 am
Saw one about an hour and a half ago targeting Bradley. Not sure who they were trying to influence—farmers and insomniacs like me.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 6:39 am
Got a question for any the Repub candidate against Phelps-
Phelps consistently votes for labor.
Phelps has received an A plus rating from the NRA, numerous times.
Phelps voted against SSM.
Some of his positions I agree with, some I don’t. However he votes is constituents.
So, what are you going to be that Phelps isn’t already?

Comment by efudd Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 7:18 am
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 2, 16 @ 4:03 pm:

Yes. That’s Labor, that’s Labor going after their own interests.

This is one Caucus going after another when votes are needed to work together.-

So, Madigan just has big labor do his dirty work and the Republicans just have to play nice? LOL

Comment by downstater Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 8:46 am
It is about time that Bradley and Phelps be called out for their allegiance to Mike Madigan

Comment by the old man Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 8:47 am
===So, Madigan just has big labor do his dirty work and the Republicans just have to play nice? LOL===

So Labor does NOT have a single-issue beef with those they’re targeting?

Put a think on that, lol

Also, Labor doesn’t need to 71 and 36 for a budget.

You do understand that… right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 8:52 am
Rauner is at war, y’all are collateral damage. Final victory at all costs to you folks. His budget is fine, y’all need a budget, not him. His purpose was to shake up Springfield, voters bought it, you got it. End of his term be will still have his, what will Il have?

Comment by tgi'mnfld Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 9:06 am
As others have said, we are getting the government that we elected. This should be no surprise, it was on the label.

http://wuis.org/post/governors-top-priorities-message-message-message#stream/0

Comment by Arrr, Matey! Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 9:28 am
So people don’t actually have to leave the blog, I’ll paste the relevant bits:

It’s worth revisiting a speech he gave on March 9, 2013, at a Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner in Tazewell County. Video of the speech is on Rauner’s YouTube page: “Springfield’s never seen anybody like me, because I don’t want a political career,” Rauner said. “I don’t care if I’m re-elected. I don’t care who I upset,” he said, saying he’d be “like a bulldozer down there.” Rauner acknowledged he might have to contend with large Democratic majorities, but nevertheless promised to slash spending: “Even if they’ve got a major majority against us, you know what? They can’t stop us. They won’t stop me if I want to spend dramatically less. You need the legislature if you want to spend more. If you want to spend less, they can’t stop me. … And I apologize — we may have to go through a little rough times. If we have to do what Ronald Reagan did with the air traffic controllers — if we sort of have to do a do-over and shut things down for a little while, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Comment by Arrr, Matey! Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 9:31 am
Nobody is complaining about the House Republicans campaigning. That’s what HRO is supposed to do. That is normal, that is what’s expected.

What’s different is that the man you’re supposed to be negotiating with - The Governor - personally is funding ads against you.

It was never personal before, it was business. That’s the problem with this dynamic. It’s his money. It’s his way or the highway.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 11:05 am
winnin’

The preface to your comment goes like this:
Rauner says “let the higher tax rates expire, we don’t need those revenues”

Democrats said “okay, but are you sure?”

Rauner says “your budget is out of balance!”

Comment by siriusly Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 11:33 am