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* UPDATED x1 * Z moves to campaigns, Goldberg moves up to chief

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* Subscribers were told about this late last night. It’s been brewing for weeks…

Rauner chief of staff Mike Zolnierowicz will vacate his government position by July 1 and act as the chief party political strategist as Republicans look to gain legislative seats and emerge from their superminority status in both chambers. The decision is expected to be announced today.

Taking his place as chief of staff is Richard Goldberg, a deputy governor of legislative affairs who in the past has had a rocky relationship with rank-and-file Democrats. Goldberg, however, has been part of recent leaders’ meetings and budget discussions […]

Zolnierowicz’s change is another sign that the two sides are gearing up for an all out war this November, as Republicans look to pick up seats and keep Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan from expanding his already substantive power base. The odds are with the Democrats in November, given Illinois’ makeup and election year voter tendencies typically favor Dems. However, Rauner has already dispensed $5 million to the Illinois Republican Party, in an effort to snag seats from Madigan’s majority. […]

Zolnierowicz is not expected to return to his government post after the November elections, instead looking toward Rauner’s reelection campaign.

The legislative Democrats have a worthy campaign foe and the Prince of Snarkness is now chief of staff.

Interesting times.

*** UPDATE *** Greg Hinz says Governor Rauner is girding for war with his choice of Richard Goldberg as chief of staff…

Rauner aides declined to speak on the record before the announcement but say Goldberg is being unfairly slammed.

“Goldberg has been involved in budget discussions from the beginning, trying to find creative solutions to difficult issues,” said one senior Rauner hand. And, as chief of staff, his role will be different from that of lobbyist, that source added.

But another conceded that, with Springfield stalemated, there is no reason not to play hardball. […]

“After 18 months, Democrats have no intention of working things out,” my source said. “The speaker wants to hold schools hostage to get a higher tax rate.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 8:55 am

Comments

Do we now refer to him as ‘Chief of Snarkness’?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 8:59 am
I’m so glad to see the Governor make this move towards compromise! /s

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:01 am
Does this mean all that money wasted on Proft can now be used by Z and get some winning results !!!!

Comment by the red baron Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:02 am
===Do we now refer to him as ‘Chief of Snarkness’?===

Nah, “Grass Bowl” is fine.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:03 am
What is the role of the Chief Operating Officer in this hierarchy? The title sounds substantial, like the No. 2 job.

Is it, in reality?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:04 am
Reelection??? We don’t need no stinkin reelection!!!

Comment by Triple fat Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:04 am
A sure sign of the coming apocalypse.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:05 am
Lane Kiffin career trajectories

Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:07 am
So, for the rest of June , are we to expect civility, or is campaign season still in effect? It’s June freaking 10th. Munger fired the warnings out yesterday on the 3 Cs. Here’s 3 more for the parties involved in this mess- Civilty, Courtesy, and Calmness. I did not include compromise since that has been twisted too much in the rhetoric.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:10 am
Maybe GB can keep Mr. OodaLoop more focused.

OodaLoop probably needs to be muzzled and chained a little more often and GB just might have the sass to do it.

Comment by cdog Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:10 am
Actually a pretty bold pivot by Rauner. Decisive and sends a message. The legislative campaigns will be getting the best team. The Democrats will know that Rauner will not walk away empty handed from the budget/reform talks.

Comment by phocion Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:11 am
The Republicans are not going to have a good November.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:12 am
To “Z”,

I want to say hiw much respect I have for you and your complete professionalism. My respect and admiration can be summed up by how you’ve gone about your career and gone about your business at your many stops.

You are a role model for those coming up through the ranks, a reminder to them, that there are professional courtesies that aren’t optional, and recognizing those makes you no less loyal to your side.

You are the type of person than many in Illinois politics would love to work and learn from, and you as person… you are someone that many look at, and try to be seen the with the same respect that you’ve earned.

I know… I know you are gracious and thoughtful.

I wish you the best of luck as you move forward. Indeed, Democrats have a formidable adversary they will be facing with you minding the store. Sincere best wishes to you.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:13 am
Governing be dammned! We have legislative seats to defend!

Comment by siriusly Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:17 am
If the Republicans have a bad November is he going to be the Fall Guy. We know his Lord and Master with his tin ear and braggadocio mouth will not accept the fact that his lack of leadership cost the Republicans the elections.

Comment by Chungas revenge Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:23 am
Willy - it really wasn’t necessary to see /s after you appropriate comment. You made your point.

Comment by illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:23 am
- illini -

What point did I make?

I personally have a great deal of respect, and also admiration for “Z”.

There’s no snark in that statement, none.

Not is there any hidden meaning or other point being made.

If you think there is, there’s not.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:26 am
Superminority? Is that a word? Oh, I only wish the status of the Republicans in the chamber truly was a “superminority!”

Comment by morningstar Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:29 am
A promotion from Governor Custer is not something to be sought after.

Comment by Saluki Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:31 am
Since Z will move to the Governor’s campaign immediately after the election, that must mean Rauner is expecting a hard fought battle for 2018 and is going to try to shut out any other R’s thinking about running.

Although, from observation, by working on the GOP House and Senate races, I would say it is more like Z taking a break from the 2018 Governor’s campaign that started election night 2014.

Z has a tough slough ahead of him …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:31 am
The Democrats will be playing defense (defending the status quo) and the Republicans offense (change)

Seeing as the Democrats have way more seats to defend ( and some unfortunate retirements in Republican districts) and the fact they have a super majority do you really think the election favors the Democrats? So far The Democratic primaries nationally have had 7 million less voters than in 2012. What is going to be the gimmick to drive turnoutl like in past years with the minimum wage referendum that went nowhere.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:33 am
Phocion -The Democrats will know that Rauner will not walk away empty handed from the budget/reform talks. -
If your statement is correct… the Governor won’t be able to any list of accomplishments. Unless… he releases copies of the last two years of his income tax. That will be interesting to see. Is it profitable for a person to throw Illinois’ budget process into chaos?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:34 am
Second attempt -

Willy - it really wasn’t necessary to see /s after you appropriate comment. You made your point.

Comment by illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:35 am
Anonymous @ 9:34 was me.

Comment by Triple fat Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:35 am
I hope they have a lot of non-perishable food and water in the bunker.

Or maybe Goldberg and Rauner will be the ones that turn off the lights after the other $12 million plus people leave Illinois?

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:36 am
Willy - wrong second attempt was posted. I read it and commented thinking you were referencing Goldberg. My apology.

Comment by illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:37 am
Love to see GOPers spend their money, especially fruitlessly.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:38 am
Rather than Governor Custer, I prefer Governor Cluster.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:40 am
To the Post,

With “Z” and the Scrimpf Brothers handling the political apparatus, the strong liklihood of making substantial and significant micro cases has jumped by a factor of 10.

Mistakes like “The 7 letter” will be far fewer and the case(s) will be made allowing the macro to be cleverly crafted to the micro and the ground game will not be left out.

If you are a GOP target or challenger, this shifting of talent should make you feel much better than any promise of financial resources made.

To Goldberg,

He is my unquestioned favorite. Sorry. It’s true.

In his new role, it will be more managing outcomes than managing people, agencies, of policy.

That’s why Goldberg makes sense in this shifting of many roles by many people. Goldberg will need to get Rauner where he needs to be in end games. Things get messy. Goldberg loves the mess, and that’s a compliment.

June is a logical time for change here. We’re right in between the May 31st end, and the July 1st end of time.

I don’t know what tomorrow to July 1 may bring, but these move are telling us all the game is afoot, and the pieces are in place to play until the end.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:41 am
== What is going to be the gimmick to drive turnoutl like in past years with the minimum wage referendum that went nowhere. ==

Clinton vs Trump is going to drive turnout on both sides …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:42 am
Ummm, Lucky Pierre, what COULD drive Dem turnout this year? Could it be…. Satan, er, Trump?

Comment by Pawn Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:44 am
Since I have much respect for OW, I will take his word at these two gentlemen’s abilities…for me I just thought that Goldberg played violin better than Z so they could get the music right come November on the deck of their ship…

Comment by Captain Illini Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:51 am
I’ll have to give them credit for keeping with buddies of Rich as CoS. Invaluable to capfax coverage.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:51 am
I’m thinking there will be a 6 mos. budget so both parties can get back to campaigning full time and not be bothered with the people’s business.

Comment by retired guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:55 am
–What is going to be the gimmick to drive turnoutl like in past years with the minimum wage referendum that went nowhere.–

LOL, you started early, even for a Friday.

Try the google on turnout in presidential years in Illinois. A little education would do you some good.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:56 am
Willy, I too admire Goldberg, but as a take-no-prisoners communications strategist — not as an administrator or problem solver.

I wish Rauner picked a COS who was cut from the same cloth as Tim Nuding — someone actually interested in operating the government. Instead he is doubling down on the Washington-style win-the-news-cycle b.s.

Comment by Phil Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:58 am
“The Democrats will be playing defense (defending the status quo) and the Republicans offense (change)”

Dems need to get out ahead of this. The 2014 election was won on simple but carefully crafted platitudes which targeted shallow thinkers.

Rauner came in declaring “change,” but instead we FUBAR.

Dems need a competing simple message that declares Rauner’s type of change brings about un-American gridlock, etc.

Comment by cdog Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:59 am
=The Democrats will be playing defense (defending the status quo) and the Republicans offense (change)=

Right now I’d say that the status quo is unfunded social service agencies and higher education along with a rapidly deteriorating bond rating. Now I’m not saying that the Republicans own that but they certainly play a part in the current status quo. So what exactly is the “change” that you’re speaking of?

Comment by pundent Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 9:59 am
I don’t know the Governor personally, but I do know Rich Goldberg personally. The lack of judgment, ability to evaluate character, and, frankly, awareness of a plan that requires misdeeds that it requires to hire Goldberg, let alone promote him to Chief of Staff, is alarming.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:00 am
Wordslinger, do you think turnout for Hillary who also has huge unfavorables and is also under criminal investigation by the FBI will equal the turnout for Obama? So far that has not proven to be true nationally check the Google

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:01 am
- illini -, no worries. My only hope is that “Z” reads it as I intended, with sincere respect. All good.

- Captain Illini -, thanks for your kind words but I’d also caution you that thinking doom and gloom is probable, with these changes, I can see the Crew staving off problems and building beyond 2016 and setting a nice table for 2018

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:02 am
The electoral college is what matters. The toss-up states are interesting.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/2016_elections_electoral_college_map.html

Comment by cdog Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:04 am
Goldberg will eventually have a Trump-Curiel moment in that job.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:07 am
I wonder, if sometime before 2018 a certain CEO of Illinois government will get a sit down reprimand from a certain national “retired” leader. Maybe even during this year’s General.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:08 am
There is an open window for some favorable compromise right now. I sure hope both sides take advantage. If there’s nothing before the 4th of July, I fear talks will just cease until November. I hope everyone realizes that everyone is serious now. That means everyone.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:08 am
Anyone who thinks Z wasn’t already neck deep in the campaign/political side is fooling themselves. Z is solid operative, but him moving over full time doesn’t really move the needle on the campaigns.

The real story here is Goldberg as CoS, and Aaron Winters’ departure. The two top guys in the administration who really understand the political pitfalls that the crisis creates for the Governor on the government side are leaving. Unless Goldberg shows a new level of maturity previously unseen, I suspect you are going to see things start flying of the rails with increasing speed on the government side — because the people left in charge really don’t care if the place burns to the ground.

Comment by ILPundit Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:08 am
–Wordslinger, do you think turnout for Hillary who also has huge unfavorables and is also under criminal investigation by the FBI will equal the turnout for Obama? So far that has not proven to be true nationally check the Google–

What do you mean, “so far?” Has general election voting begun? That doesn’t make any sense.

In Illinois, historically, Obama or not, general election turnout consistently is 20 points higher in presidential years and skews Democratic.

Ask any GOP operative and they’ll tell you the same thing.

Cheers, mate. But pace yourself.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:09 am
“So far The Democratic primaries nationally have had 7 million less voters than in 2012.”

False. May want to check your year Lucky. Regardless, Primary turnout is not typically indicative of general election results.

Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:10 am
Wait, does the electoral college decide Illinois legislative seats as well? I wondered what they did during the rest of their workweek…

Comment by Soccermom Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:10 am
===Anyone who thinks Z wasn’t already neck deep in the campaign/political side is fooling themselves. Z is solid operative, but him moving over full time doesn’t really move the needle on the campaigns.===

If you think “Z” has been a passenger in this budgetary crisis and managing people, operations, and an overall state crisis… and now having that weight on him… if you think nothing has changed… Yikes.

Not worrying about prisons having food is not a worry of “Z’s”,… or water being shut off at state facilities… Or…

It’s a major weight to just focus on the politics.

I do agree…

Winters and “Z” leaving, two solid operatives, it changes things quite a bit.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:15 am
==do you think turnout for Hillary who also has huge unfavorables and is also under criminal investigation by the FBI will equal the turnout for Obama?==

I’d be more worried about Trump’s unfavorables. Or Petraeus’. I hear he picked up a big endorsement recently.

Comment by Fusion Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:18 am
OW could you elaborate/postulate about the effect of these changes in regards to Labor/labor/Macro/Micro? That would be very helpful in that the actions of all these men are beyond my sight. What does this mean on a tactical level for me as a gun crew chief?

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:20 am
The man who relished alienating legislators is now chief of staff? Between press conferences and this move, I’m not sure the governor really understands compromise and negotiatin’.

Comment by ash Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:25 am
Madigan has a half dozen Z’s at his disposal and they are battle tested. And I am not talking about a campaign against Pat Quinn.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:32 am
- Honeybear -

Between the Schrimpf Brothers and “Z”, what’s going to occur is the taking over of the micro House and Senate races and that Crew, given the 2014 Rauner win but Legislative stagnancy, you give that Crew enough time to formulate that 2014 result in the micro and look where polling and governing in 2016 in the micro exists, a significant ground game and air cover will be created with an overall message and a message for… Phillips… or Bourne… or… and there’s no focus on dragging Rauner over the line.

It’s not an accident that Rauner keeps his money for his Crew and not letting HGOP or SGOP run the Store

The Schrimpf Bros and “Z” are an upgrade fro what was “officially” was out there in May.

It’s about identifying and dragging out your Pluses in the Micro.

That Crew, given that parameter, less trying to worry about Rauner on the ballot, I like the political move.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:35 am
I stand corrected Juice but I don’t think it improves the situation for Hillary. Hillary in 2016 has received 1.5 million fewer votes than 2008. Democratic primary turnout down 7 million from 2016. I have no prediction for the Fall other that Illinois is solid blue for President but the point was that it probably won’t be as blue as previous years.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:40 am
===Madigan has a half dozen Z’s at his disposal and they are battle tested. And I am not talking about a campaign against Pat Quinn.===

Yep. All true.

That’s why in 2014 only ONE seat flipped in the Micro.

That… was 2014.

We’ll see how just focusing on Statehouse seats look now, given how these sides are now measuring up.

If you think I’m dismissing Madigan’s Operation, you’d be wrong. If anything, I’m measuring how these guys are going to measure up TO the Madigan Crew.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:41 am
And now, state grantees should probably expect more letters from the COO and CoS that ask us basically to lobby for the Governor. That letter from Lingle on May 30 was unprecedented in recent memory, and offensive given that the budget the State wants to pass contains zero state GRF for community services.

Comment by Quill Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:42 am
What was the May 30 letter from Lingle?

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 10:55 am
===Madigan has a half dozen Z’s at his disposal===

Sorry. He doesn’t. No one does. If that were true, we’d have a budget. In fact, we’d have 2 by now.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:01 am
=== the point was that it probably won’t be as blue as previous years===

Could very well be. First time since 2004 that the top of the ticket has no Illinois resident.

But John Kerry beat a sitting president here by 10 points in 2004. Keep that in mind.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:02 am
===Sorry. He doesn’t. No one does. If that were true, we’d have a budget. In fact, we’d have 2 by now.===

What does that even mean?!

(Sigh)

In the context of campaigns and campaign operations, what are you trying to say?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:03 am
Republicans in this state have beenbeaten by MJM so many times I have lost the count. To imply that somehow Mike Z his the white knight to beat MJM is ridiculous Rich and the McCann race could have had Karl Rove on the other side and Sam would have still won. A little less Kool Aid please.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:05 am
Can anyone here tell me:
1. Where does Goldberg stand on AFSCME?
2. Will he make life better or worse for AFSCME?

Comment by Mama Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:11 am
It’s well documented I’m a Rauner Kool-Aid drinker…

Here’s what I know…

Money will be NO object.

Democrats have more to defend, and Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Franks are out, making things a bit more difficult.

Without Rauner to focus on, this group will now show if they can take the macro to the micro.

Proft and his negative operation will make some races for Dems a two-front battle.

It’s still a Long Game. Getting Dems to chase and defend wastes resources that a long game may need.

“Z” and Company may end up with a “net zero”, but what about 2018 and beyond? What about monies used to keep “even”? Rauner isn’t worried about the short term… or the money.

It’s a new era. Time to look at things that way.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:12 am
===Where does Goldberg stand on AFSCME?===

On its throat.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:15 am
I may be stupid, which admittedly I am not a smart man, but to OW’s post at 9:41: that talk of micro/macro, I am not sure if those words mean anything in that order in normative English grammar.

Comment by Walmart Manager Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:30 am
It’s a brand new game. With Franks and Sullivan leaving it just freed up resources to focus on more races. There is not an endless supply of good operatives so having two seats that would have required real campaigns go away definitely helps.
Agree on the fact that not having to fight the Governor’s race for this team will really allow them to focus and trash individual Democrats. Sadly the politics in this State are going to get much worse, not better with this move.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:36 am
===In the context of campaigns and campaign operations, what are you trying to say?===

I’m saying MJM doesn’t have a half dozen Z’s.

The Speaker will be tested mano a mano this time without multiple organizations with too few resources stepping all over one another. The GOP should have picked up at least 3 seats last time. They didn’t because the organization didn’t have a rudder like Z at the top. They won’t have that encumbrance this time. The troops will fall in line, the candidates will stay on message, the plusses will be identified, the GOTV will be far more effective and the message will be loud and clear.

Z’s won uphill battles in Illinois. I believe he’s catching a wave this time. We’ll see.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:37 am
=== There is an open window for some favorable compromise right now. ===

I need what you’re drinking.

To the post:

The news is a clear message that the war is more important than the people. I’m sorry for the social services providers and other innocents who are going to suffer from the consequences. You can only hope that K-12 collapse or a court overruling state worker pay will precipitate a partial reprieve. Partial, because it’s clear that you are pawns to be used by Rauner in his war against unions and the Dems.

To Dems, get your act together. Bury your inter-chamber animosities and come up with a plan. Stay divided and Rauner will be happy to conquer. He’s got the luxury of money to give him the time to do it.

To labor, you’ve done good, but you’ll need to do better. You’re facing the deep financial pockets and foes who are adept at presenting false messages. Hone your message - frankly, you’ve been weak too often. Harden your membership to the task ahead. They’ll need to continue to put their feet and pocketbooks to your effort.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:38 am
Welp, looks like no budget until 2022.

Comment by Dale Cooper Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:38 am
From Tony Arnold’s tweet on Goldberg’s role

http://tinyurl.com/jbehlju

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:40 am
- Norseman -

+1, well said.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:41 am
===be far fewer and the case(s) will be made allowing the macro to be cleverly crafted to the micro and the ground game will not be left out.===

Macro - Statewide.
Micro - Statehouse Seats.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:45 am
===I believe he’s catching a wave this time.===

What wave?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:47 am
First, I would really hope both sides would stop campaigning and start working.

At this rate, it seems I’m just naive. So I’ll leave it at that.

To the election changes, Madigans shop knows their thing. They’ve been doing this for how long? While I’m excited about the possibility of an even more exciting election, I don’t see the Dems loosing the majority (definitely their super majority). With that in mind, I don’t think Madigan will necessarily care. He’s been unable to override any vetos now. But it will change Rauner’s “madigan’s super majority” narrative.

Comment by Bleh Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 11:59 am
===loosing===

One of my pet peeves. There is no such word.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:00 pm
==What wave?===

Watch.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:14 pm
===Watch.===

Nope. Not good enough. Your ridiculousness at times is enough, but “watch” isn’t showing any acumen to any argument.

For an alleged “advertising” background person, your continual lack of clarity, both in message and word choices… yikes.

Nope.

===Watch.===

Sorry. Not cutting it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:17 pm
Sorry Rich. Loosing is a word, rarely used correctly. Loosing the dogs of war, for example.

Don’t think we will see the dogs of war loosed. That was done when the enemy broke ranks and fled in panic.

Both sides are fighting in good order.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:42 pm
I lost respect for Goldberg almost exactly a year ago, when he turned a legislative inquiry over the source of salary for Beth Purvis into an accusation of sexism. A salary that high coming from the wrong department? Legislators (many of them also female) have the right and duty to question this.

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:45 pm
I’m with ya Rich. Lose = to not win. Loose = the opposite of tight.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:50 pm
This is the way my govenor rewards his bloviating superstar twenty seven thousand bonuses

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 12:54 pm
wave- meh

Othismos- There’s a word! Labor calls dibs!

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:08 pm
Willy,

Can you really be criticizing someones lack of clarity when you penned this beautiful word salad perfectly dressed with the requisite amount of campaign babble:

“Between the Schrimpf Brothers and “Z”, what’s going to occur is the taking over of the micro House and Senate races and that Crew, given the 2014 Rauner win but Legislative stagnancy, you give that Crew enough time to formulate that 2014 result in the micro and look where polling and governing in 2016 in the micro exists, a significant ground game and air cover will be created with an overall message and a message for… Phillips… or Bourne… or… and there’s no focus on dragging Rauner over the line.”

Dude…what are you saying? I mean, i get what you’re saying because I know this stuff and I could piece it together but learn how to write in sentences, not paragraphs.

Comment by J. Nolan Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:08 pm
Hey - all you people who have nothing to do between now and the election, worry about the election. No, Governor, you are NOT one of those people- you have a job to do. Illinois is burning, crumbling before your very eyes- yet your concern is the fall elections, and then your re-election over 2 years from now. Who’s going to vote for 4 more years of what we got now?

Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:15 pm
“The troops will fall in line…” In otherwords, you’re banking on the R’s doing exactly what you’re accusing the D’s of doing…following orders. Pick a lane.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:46 pm
===I mean, i get what you’re saying because I know this stuff and I could piece it together…===

Then I’m ok with it, lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:50 pm
J.Nolan, since he was responding to me, does it matter to you? I got it. It was insightful and utilized words and concepts that HE AND I have discussed before. It was a Christmas truce sharing of a cigarette between the trenches. OW is always very concise and precise. It took me a long time to understand it. He just told me that the ground game is totally going to be brutal this time with new leadership. He knows that’s were I am and he knows that’s where I’m going to probably take it on the chin. He also tipped me where it’s going to be significantly different this time, Phillips and Bourne.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 1:56 pm
The candidate benefitting the most from this game of musical chairs is probably Kirk.

Comment by northsider (the original) Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:08 pm
(Tips cap, thoughtfully and gratefully to - Honeybear -)

- Honeybear -,

Have a good weekend, I figured you got it, otherwise you would’ve followed up.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:35 pm
=== But another conceded that, with Springfield stalemated, there is no reason not to play hardball. ===

Rauner and the frat boys have been playing tiddlywinks? C’mon man, you’re playing folks for idiots.

Hurting people has been the agenda from day one - leverage for you agenda. Rauner took the hostages. Pretty hardball from the beginning.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 2:37 pm
Bruce thinks he’s Vito, but he’s really Fredo.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:16 pm
==Bruce thinks he’s Vito, but he’s really Fredo.===

Stay tuned, he might be Michael. That, would fulfill Vito’s wishes. You know, what he wanted for his son.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:38 pm
- A Guy -

Rauner is Sonny.

Rauner replaced Hagen with a wartime consigliere.

Keep up. Rauner ain’t Michael.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:40 pm
OW- Do you think Z could martial the Trump labor folks to preserve the 2/5 union households? Loving Jesus, the thought just occurred to me. No wonder Rauner is pushing for the DOC needs to be met. Oh crap there’s the game isn’t it? You’ve been throwing the get the 2/5 down for weeks and I had till just now, thought we had that in the bag because of what Rauner has done to us. Trump changes that equation. Man, I need to never ever assume again. Ugh

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:40 pm
- Honeybear -

It’s “Make America Great Again” vs. the purposeful destruction of collective bargaining and prevailing wage.

Education. It’s the 2 in 5 down to 1 in 5 or 6.

That’s the ball game.

Education. Labor botibg against their better selves needs to end.

Don’t worry about what you can’t control, worry what you can produce.

1 in 5, or 1 in 6

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:45 pm
Rauner is Hyman Roth.

===

There was this kid I grew up with; he was younger than me. Sorta looked up to me, you know. He did his first work like me, we worked our way out of the street and he went on to Goldman. Things were good, we made the most of it. During the recession, we ran nursing homes into the ground, made a fortune. As much as anyone, I loved him and trusted him. Later on he had an idea to boost his electability by teaching at an inner-city Catholic high school on the south side. That kid’s name was Jack Ryan, and he won the 2004 United States Senate nomination. This was a great man, a man of vision and guts. And there isn’t even a plaque, or a signpost or a statue of him in this town! Someone put a time bomb in his divorce papers. No one knows who leaked it to the Tribune. When I heard it, I wasn’t angry; I knew Jack, knew he was head-strong, talking loud, visiting stupid sex clubs. So when he turned up politically dead, I let it go. And I said to myself, this is the business we’ve chosen; I didn’t ask who gave the order, because it had nothing to do with business!

===

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Back to Goldberg. Now I get where all the what the Chaplain would call perfidy, come from. Intel. They pull that crap all the time. Quite effective in warfare (if intel is allowed to get away with it) but I think it has proven time and again deleterious to governing.

Perfidy shipmate, perfidy

Let Chaplain explain again.

In the context of war, perfidy is a form of deception in which one side promises to act in good faith (such as by raising a flag of truce) with the intention of breaking that promise once the enemy is exposed (such as by coming out of cover to attack the enemy coming to take the “surrendering” prisoners into custody). Perfidy constitutes a breach of the laws of war and so is a war crime, as it degrades the protections and mutual restraints developed in the interest of all parties, combatants, and civilians.

In practice, combatants find it difficult to respect protected persons and objects if experience causes them to believe or suspect that their adversaries are abusing a claim to protection under international law to gain a military advantage.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Man, 47th. That’s some of your best work.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Goodness Gracious - 47th Ward - you win the week, bud.

Untouchable. That’s just untouchable to the Post.

Well done, I can’t stop laughing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 3:54 pm
47, that is funny. Very funny. I think even Jack might be able to chuckle at it at this point.

Who’d have guessed, Jack Ryan mighta turned out as the lucky one all these years later.

Funny stuff. You irritate me to no end, but this time…I salute your work. Very good.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:12 pm
Always wondered. Is it really just a coincidence that the abbreviation for ‘Prince of Snarkness’ has a much earlier and and longer standing time for a different meaning?

Comment by sal-says Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Hillary may not currently be living in Illinois, but she grew up in Illinois and still has many friends here. Pretty sure, Illinois is staying blue.

Comment by burbanite Friday, Jun 10, 16 @ 4:36 pm