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* UPDATED x1 * Rauner claims he’s spending “all my time” on reforms, not campaigns

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* Gov. Rauner was asked today if he would campaign with Sen. Mark Kirk. His response…

Well, I’m really not focused heavily on any kind of electioneering right now.

I’m focused on making sure Illinois is strong and advocating for reforms for the state, term limits, fair maps, pension reform. Education funding reform, we’ve formed a task force and a commission, we’re trying to change that. And we also need property tax reform. Our property taxes are killing our homeowners and our businesses.

So, that’s where I’m spending all my time.

He then went on to say he’s a fan of Sen. Kirk. But, he said, “In terms of electioneering, I’m really not focused on that.”

This from the same guy who has dumped millions of dollars and his own staff into legislative contests, is airing a mega-bucks campaign-style ad pushing an online term limits petition designed to bump up his own poll numbers and dumped millions more into Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC. If that’s doing nothing, then it would be fascinating to see what “completely involved” looked like.

* Raw audio…

Click to listen

*** UPDATE *** With a hat tip to a commenter, this is from June 11th…

Returning to the Capitol last week after making a dozen campaign-style stops across Illinois beginning the day after the Democratic-controlled legislature failed to approve a state budget on time, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner offered an assessment: “We’re in election mode now.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:50 pm

Comments

I seriously doubt he’s going to end up with a primary challenger but if it was me who spent $16 million so far (and counting) to help elect other Republicans in this state I’d be shouting it from the rooftops. I’d make darn sure that Republican primary voters knew what I was doing to grow the party. Instead he wants to pretend like he’s not doing anything, it’s so weird.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:59 pm
What I’ve learned from Gov. Rauner is that he must believe saying something to the press, as dishonest as it may be (You drop $9 million into legislative races, you’re involved), he believes no one will follow up, call him on it in the reporting, and that voters will just take him (Gov. Rauner) at his word.

Like the “no respect, no tie” phoniness, Rauner sends signals how he has such distain for the “unwashed” electorate that can’t…

“… donate millions… ”

The little people Rauner tries to fool daily will believe what he says… I mean, “Rauner isn’t wearin’ a tie, he’s like us!”

Rauner won’t even own the millions spent to defeat Madigan… but give him another settin’… Rauner will tell ya of the millions he’s dumpin’…

Rauner isn’t even honest with himself.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:04 pm
he’s shouted reform and Turnaround Agenda from the rooftops, held his party under his thumb at votes and gotten nothing done. Maybe he thinks downplaying his involvement will help Republicans succeed at the ballot box.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:14 pm
Spending all your time against madigan, maybe you should pay attention to the budget

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:14 pm
There’s a difference between time and money. Seems pretty clear.

Comment by Jackie Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:17 pm
What’s with “electioneering?”

He’s either trying to sound like the Real McCoy’s, or come up with a new technical sounding term, like combining election and engineering.

In either case, lame.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:17 pm
“I’m focused on making sure Illinois is business friendly by cutting union wages, reducing workers comp benefits and slashing funding for social services. We have to be competitive before we are compassionate. The state government is being run by corrupt special interests and the unions have too much control over state government, we’re trying to change that. And we also need property tax reform. By freezing property taxes, we are going to take control away from local government.

Meanwhile, I am consolidating control over my party by pouring millions of dollars into my PACS and running ads to crush any opposition to my agenda. I’m not focused on electioneering, I have my proxies and flunkies doing that for me.”

Fixed it for ya.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:17 pm
People here know he’s being disingenuous. Of course, he’s doing TONS of electioneering. Tons. With tons more to soon come.

But the vast majority of the voting population doesn’t know this or actually really care.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:18 pm
If he’s spending all his time on reform I would say he’s accomplished little in the past 18 months.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Bruce,

Where is your Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget that was due in early 2015?

Love,
Doug Simpson

Comment by Doug Simpson Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:20 pm
electioneerin’

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:29 pm
That’s the beauty of money. When you can pay other people to do the work, you don’t have to focus on it!

Comment by NoGifts Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Rauner. Out. Next!

Comment by El Conquistador Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Rauner will continue to create his own reality until the media stops broadcasting his abated dog whistles and demand real answers to the questions that they ask.

Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:38 pm
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner offered an assessment: “We’re in election mode now.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-illinois-budget-impasse-met-0612-20160610-story.html

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:50 pm
“Well, I’m really not focused heavily on any kind of electioneering right now.”

Ummm… might want to do a “Find” search of the code using the word “electioneering”. Seems like “passively” writing checks just might qualify.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=170&ChapterID=3&SeqStart=40900000&SeqEnd=46700000

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Memo to GOP Staff (who I put there and I can take out):

Here’s another $10 million for the campaigns
I want regular updates.
If anyone asks, I’ll be reformin ‘ from here on out.
Also raisin’ more from others like me. That’s how I plan to reform this state– Outspendin’ Madigan.

Bruce

Comment by Winnin' Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Based on past experiences, starting with his election night, why would anyone believe anything this Governor has said

Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:19 pm
Radiohead - Electioneering:

“I will stop/I will stop at nothing/Say the right things/When electioneering/I trust I can rely on your vote//When I go forwards, you go backwards/And somewhere we will meet/When I go forwards, you go backwards/And somewhere we will meet/Ha, ha, ha//Riot shields/Voodoo economics/It’s life, it’s life/It’s just business/Cattle prods and the I.M.F./I trust I can rely on your vote//When I go forwards, you go backwards/And somewhere we will meet/When I go forwards, you go backwards/And somewhere we will meet.”

It’s actually a little eerie.

Comment by SinkingShip Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Oh heck give him a break. How long does it take to sign a million dollar check? 10 seconds?

Comment by Bluecollargal Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Rauner said, “In terms of electioneering, I’m really not focused on that.”

LOL! Thanks for the laugh.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:29 pm
He really needs to listen to himself talk sometime.

Comment by Tough Guy Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:35 pm
Upon review it can be concluded that BigBrain not doin’ much on either electioneerin’ or reformin’.
Pretty much two empty cups on both fronts except for all the receipts from Proft and vendors being paid by Durkie and the other rentals.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:36 pm
Rich,

Yes it it true that on June 10th the Governor said that “We’re in election mode now.” But that was on a FRIDAY. We are only in election mode on Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays. Today is WEDNESDAY. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays we are in reform mode. I hope this clears things up for you.

ck

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:38 pm
What is the difference between electioneering and campaigning?

The biggest reason he spends all his time driving around the State going from one function to the next is to campaign for office. The other reason is to get the locals to agree to his union busting “Right to Work” & “Term Limits”campaign.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:38 pm
“There’s a difference between time and money. Seems pretty clear.”

Some people are desperate to ignore Rauner’s dishonesty. Seems pretty clear.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 2:51 pm
In Rauners defense he changed the sign on his campaigning to the word reforms….

I would point out that investment firms wrecked the world economy, and yet not a single reform from Rauner on regulating against bad investment practices. Rauner complains about employee and workcinp healthcare costs but no reforms to prohibit investment firms from buying up prescription drug rights and jacking the costs; thus increasing employer and employee health care expenses for no reason but greed. Where is the reform on this practice?

Oh wait Mr Reformer Rauner buy drugs and jacks the prices…. then demnda cuts to employees and workers because of the outrageous costs he engineered for his own profit?

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:18 pm
==“We’re in election mode now.”==

That isn’t inconsistent with an assertion that he is focused on reform. I have long thought that electing more Raunerites IS his reform.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Why doesn’t he muscle up and present a balanced budget? He can take full responsibility for the cuts and tax hikes necessary to accomplish it. He hasn’t presented anything close to a realistic budget. A smart guy like him can figure it out but he doesn’t want to be responsible for cutting programs and benefits AND raising taxes. The press gives him a complete pass. Just ask him why he hasn’t presented a version of a balanced budget or used his line item veto to balance the dems budget.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 4:24 pm
When was he ever NOT campaigning?

Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 7:38 pm
Ouch

Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 8:28 pm