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There he goes again

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Illinois

* Gov. Bruce Rauner was asked today about his involvement in legislative campaigns. He said he was focused mainly on party building by contributing to the state GOP. The Republican Party, in turn, funds legislative races…

“I’m not involved in particular races or campaigns for the legislature… But in terms of specific races, I’m not involved in those in any material way.”

Bruce Rauner has never struck me as the type of guy who would be content with just writing big checks without ever keeping an eye on what people were doing with his money. Just sayin…

* Comments start at about the 6:30 mark…

Click to listen

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:25 pm

Comments

What does it say about the man that he lies about the dumbest things?

How stupid does he think we are?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:28 pm
I don’t think a law limiting total contributions will pass a constitutional challenge.

But how about a law that prohibits contributions from a member of one branch to be used in the campaigns for members of another branch.

The separation of powers is fundamental to the constitution, so one branch influencing another branch through campaign contributions does seem to fly against the constitution’s vision.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:36 pm
‘Nember when Rauner used the $20 million as leverage over the heads of the GOP GA and warned them they (GOP GA members) didn’t “want an (bleeping) problems”?

‘Nember?

That doesn’t sound like someone who freely gives money, or uses money …without an intended result or strings.

Rauner owns 67 voting switches… until any ONE of them says that’s not the case.

Money, to Rauner, is the measure of his wants. There’s nothing passive going on here.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm
“Here’s $16 million, no need to tell me what you’re up to, what it will be used for or who it will be spent on. Have a nice day. -B “

Comment by The Captain Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:37 pm
BVR doesn’t have any vested interest in the General Assembly, he’s got no vested interest in what happens in the courts, he is too busy to think about (let alone talk!) national politics…he’s just working away furiously at governing the State. Ok, Bruce, I’ll buy it. So, what have you accomplished?

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Thought BigBrain wasn’t doin’ no electioneerin’ — whatever that means, not pushing Trump and poutin’ about what a mope CommandoMakeItUp has turned out to be. Heck he could have run Wingman for the Senate and done better.
It is really a hoot that no one even tries to hold this guy accountable for his various, largely false positions.
But hey they got a poll.

Comment by annonin' Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Amazing- the true evolution of perfidy, top of the pyramid of perfidy, self-perfidy. He deludes and deceives himself. You know Bruce Rauner is going to provide so much for so many Doctoral Thesis. Man, the advancement of political science and psychology is going to be astounding. This guy was born to be studied.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:40 pm
I cant quite locate where in the Constitution of the United States of America where it says *money* has some sort of rights, like Free Speech, Bear Arms, Right to a trail by a jury of its peers.

I thought only Humans had these *rights*.

Comment by Doug Simpson Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:41 pm
Rauner’s lies will continue as long as he can get away with them. This blog is one of the few venues where he is held accountable to the truth.

Comment by Reality Check Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:45 pm
== But how about a law that prohibits contributions from a member of one branch to be used in the campaigns for members of another branch. ==

-AJack- , I think you’ve made one of the best suggestions I’ve read in years …

Comment by RNUG Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:47 pm
To answer the money question: The US Supreme Court has ruled that campaign contributions are a form of freedom of speech and can’t be limited. This is one of the causes of the huge influence of money in recent times.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:51 pm
His lips are movin’, aren’t they?

Comment by northsider (the original) Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Thanks RNUG. Rauner could still give as much money as he wants, but while he is Governor, that money could only be spent in Executive Branch races. One branch would not be seen as unduly influencing another.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:06 pm
===How stupid does he think we are?===

My personal belief is that he has nothing but contempt for anyone who can’t write a check as big as his.

That said, if he admitted to bigfooting Republican legislative races then it would undermine their “But Madigan” argument, so I almost understand it, and in a way, he painted himself into that corner.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:15 pm
Notice… he did NOT clarify what his role is currently at the 6:30 mark. So if you do want to pursue separation of (Money) powers, with Rauner you have to be REALLY specific. CEO or Governor- which hat does he see himself wearing? And remember, he’s not taking a salary, so he ain’t costin’ us a dime!/s

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:20 pm
The idea that $5,400 from Bruce Rauner and another $5,400 from Diana Rauner is an ‘immaterial’ involvement shows a serious disconnect between the the Rauner mindset and the median annual household income of Illinois residents of $57,444.

https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ItemizedContrib.aspx?FiledDocID=TiZMmBZ4v8rsj5LA2nThcg%3d%3d&ContributionType=HjDmIU4y6Ufx0337rcn47uKcQLJnGs0puLEVHsYUXhM44FWN4GMEqNdSD4b4p0%2f2p9Jo%2bPx8ZyQ%3d&Archived=6ep1XWxoZkXgvSPr55yWGQ%3d%3d&OrderBy=CrUlaHcZcmsdc06BR9%2f5%2blOvJ7ER5wOiyDvFXE3HXewGdUMFGOEOuA%3d%3d&ItemizedContribFrom=h2278ew9EzKg1grXp2p9cpw1M92KRob8DU8%2bg1MWdpcMxxoLskjlug%3d%3d

Comment by Midstate Indy Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:21 pm
A Jack + RNUG -
All that will do is force him to contribute to a super pac or another entity that will do the same.

Real campaign finance reform is the only way to stop the big, dark money.

Comment by Dee Lay Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:22 pm
Why doesn’t somebody simply ask him, “what do you hope to get in return for writing a check to the ILGOP for $16M”.

Comment by pundent Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:27 pm
The Gov simply cannot help himself when presented with a microphone. It appears he mostly speaks off the cuff, which shows a lack of discipline distinct from most of his actions (not all, see the House GOP for a couple of “under the bus” examples). Rauner’s propensity to contradict himself or say things that defy logic must make his team of superstars crazy.

Comment by Deft Wing Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:54 pm
I don’t believe he see’s it as a lie, that’s simply his perception and reality.

Comment by JDuc Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Dee Lay. I am sure you are correct. Dark money is going to continue to be a problem. But I am not sure the state can do anything about dark money since it was federal rules that created that mess. But if some future Congress passes the Disclose act and it was found that Rauner money violated state law, well that would be something for the courts to hash out.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:35 pm
Sorry, that last post was me.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:36 pm
It is silly to think he doesn’t know what candidates will get his cash. On the other side, the unions and the trial lawyers have a really good idea what Madigan will do with the money they give him. All big donors know where the money’s going, why wouldn’t Rauner? I have no idea why he’s evasive on the topic.

Comment by Anony Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:38 pm
I recently heard a story about some research into unethical amnesia. The gist of the story was that people don’t remember when they have lied or cheated.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:27 pm
@a jack:

Then its time to Amend the Constitution of the United States of America to state that only living persons have “rights”.

What would that involve, changing the 14th Amendment to say Living Persons?

Comment by Doug Simpson Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Rauner saying he’s not involved in legislative races is like how Madigan says he did not block the independent map amendment. They’re both not lying, but the intent is clear.

Comment by Clark Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:28 pm
Pundent, we don’t have to ask…he owns every vote they cast.

Comment by Property of IDOC Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:04 pm
“Then its time to Amend the Constitution of the United States of America to state that only living persons have “rights”.”

That this isn’t THE issue, or an issue, is deplorable. The Democratic Party is the right boat for me, but that we haven’t pressed this issue is evidence of just how weak and ineffective leadership is.

Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:20 am
All this money…and they’re going to lose. I can’t wait to watch it and then let’s get Rauner out in the next cycle.

Comment by Chucktownian Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:45 am
Well I know that Rauner personally called David Olsen and told him not run against Sandack before Sandack dropped out so he is lying here.

Comment by DS Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:38 am