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Rauner: “I disagree with the characterization of turmoil,” blames Madigan, dodges questions on cartoon

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* The governor was not scheduled to take questions from reporters today, but to his credit he did. You can click here to watch.

Gov. Rauner said that Tuesday’s infamous “as a white male” press release was drafted by Diana Rickert and sent out by Laurel Patrick. Both of those folks have resigned.

* Gov. Rauner also revealed that he has seen the Illinois Policy Institute’s cartoon. “I can see why some people would be upset about it,” he said. Rauner then claimed that part of the reason he ran for governor was because he wanted a more “just system,” and pointed at the Chicago public schools as an example of something that needs to be fixed.

Rauner was asked if he thought the cartoon was racist. “I understand why some people are upset by it.” He then repeated that line when asked again.

When it was pointed out to him that the cartoon was published by an organization he has supported and is his “go-to” think tank, Rauner said: “I have not leaned on them as my go-to think tank. That is not an accurate statement… I do have a few folks in my administration who used to work there… A very tiny fraction of our administration is from that organization… In no regard does that organization speak for me.”

* Asked about all the recent turnover, Rauner said: “The work that we do for the people of Illinois is incredibly difficult” and stressful. He complained about “false rumors,” political attacks and online attacks that had to be dealt with. Getting people who are willing to do the jobs isn’t easy. “We’ll always work to have great people who are willing to do it,” he said.

Asked if the turmoil in his administration could undermine his ability to work with the General Assembly on education funding reform. “I disagree with the characterization of turmoil,” he said.

“A handful of people” have changed, he insisted and claimed that his “only frustration” is Speaker Madigan, who he said “sat on SB1″ for two months to create a crisis.

* “Yes or no, is the cartoon inappropriate?” he was asked at the end of his press conference. Another reporter asked, “It sounds like you agree with the message of the cartoon, is that correct?” Rauner talked extensively about Chicago’s TIF districts when speaking of his reaction to the cartoon. But the governor walked away without answering either question.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:38 am

Comments

Wow. Clearly, the ever-changing comms. teams aren’t the problem. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:40 am
“A very tiny fraction of our administration is from that organization…”

Well that’s more true today than it was before the Wednesday Night Massacre. But cmon Gov. Please have more respect for the media and the voters and stop telling such giant whoppers.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:40 am
The follow up question on his rambling soliloquy about the cartoon wasn’t asked: “then how do you defend your administration’s shameful exploitation of regionalism, pitting the suburbs and downstate against Chicago?”

Because that’s the giveaway. It isn’t just the cartoon, or the A/V, it’s the whole “Chicago bailout” message that he has intentionally used to divide the state.

It’s not a dog whistle when everyone can hear it.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:42 am
===“I can see why some people would be upset about it,”===

Bruce Rauner just can’t denounce racism.

The Illinois House did, heck, Proftveavts to take out Demmer for denouncing the cartoon.

Speaks volumes about the character of Bruce Rauner, doesn’t it?

“I can see why some people would be upset about it,”

It’s just not possible to see racism by Bruce Rauner?

Thank you, again Illinois House if Representatives to show where Bruce Rauner fails again

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:42 am
Why is it so difficult — and apparently so painful — to declare something obviously racist as racist?

Is it his base he’s afraid of? Or is he not able to make a moral determination like that?

Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:42 am
Madigan and the Rauner/IPI communication staffers he controls.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:43 am
How about you Governor? Are you upset by it?

Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:46 am
“Proft plans to take out Demmer for denouncing the cartoon.”

Apologies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:47 am
” He complained about “false rumors,” political attacks and online attacks that had to be dealt with.”

“I will bury her,” Rauner is alleged to have told Gilman.
“I will make her radioactive,” Rauner allegedly told Gilman, according to the complaint. “She will never get another job anywhere, ever. I will bankrupt her with legal fees. I don’t know if she has a family or not, but if she does, she better think twice about this.”

What goes around comes around?

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:48 am
He is not frustrated by the fact that his AV was deemed unacceptable by almost everyone?

Comment by PragmaticR Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:49 am
Bill Cosby created Fat Albert.

If you’d like to stop digging, feel free.

“I’ll bury her.” - Bruce Rauner

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:49 am
==only frustration is Speaker Madigan, who he said “sat on SB1″ for two months to create a crisis.==

Still trotting out that simple, basic falsehood that it was Madigan that sat on the bill?

It doesn’t matter who the comms folks are, or if he even has comms folks.

The guy is just a terribly disingenuous, mistruth peddling, phony victim. No matter who is working for him.

Much like the Trump White House, it doesn’t matter who comes and goes, it is the one at the top that is the problem.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:49 am
there are plenty of people who don’t think the cartoon is “obviously racist” and agree with the point it was trying to make about school funding and TIF districts

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:49 am
He really does not need a comm team. It sounds like the same answers no matter who is in that position
I think he should just go back on Fox and clear it all up

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:50 am
If Mike Madigan is in the Senate now, who the heck is the Illinois House Speaker?

I took a nap yesterday, so when did Madigan move?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:50 am
You brought up Fat Albert.

Rauner did actually say that about a female executive too.

Good try, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:52 am
As a big fat white guy with a pocket stuffed with ill gotten taxpayer dough, I find the cartoon mean spirited and anti-big fat cat white tax grubbing grassbowl - so I’m with you critics of the cartoon out there.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:53 am
47th ward for the win!
And its not the kids lips as much as the black kid from Chicago panhandling on the street that pushes this over the top. But I get that you Can’t force folks to see what they refuse to see.

Comment by Sideline watcher Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:53 am
Honeybadger as Governor being asked, ” do you think the cartoon was racist in nature?”

I absolutely think the cartoon was racist in nature and I do not condone the cartoonist who drew it, the organization that posted it and anybody else who doesn’t think it was racist I am calling you out as being a racist” I do not wish to be associated with anybody who has those types of racist thoughts or ideas. My Administration will not be defined as a racist Administration.”

Governor you can use those words if you’d like I’m giving them to you free of charge because that’s how I would have answered the question.

Comment by Honeybadger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:54 am
More cowardice from this so-called “governor.” If it weren’t for Trump, Rauner might vault into first place for the title of “national disgrace.”

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:54 am
Apparently, discussing the cartoon is “inappropriate”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:55 am
It’s tremendously frustrating to hear the governor say that for year we “accepted” problems like high Black unemployment and school funding inequity then in the next breath say that many people have tried to fix those problems and only his crew is having success.

Can both be true?

As with the bill he signed today, this governor is an incrementalist when it suits his purposes but can’t bring himself to compromise on bigger issues. He’s convinced that if his worldview were adopted there would be broad colorblind prosperity at some point in the future. But he ignores the inconvenent truth that the cost of building that future falls heavier on minority communities in the here-and-now.

Comment by LakeviewJ Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:55 am
So why are you firing all these people you found that were willing to work for you, if that’s so incredibly difficult?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:57 am
“some people”

What does that mean?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:57 am
“I disagree with the characterization of turmoil” - Bruce, the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Comment by We'll See Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:58 am
Michaelle:

It’s the plural of “you people” LOL

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 10:58 am
If i thought he would listen to my advice i would apply to be on his staff. I already have all my state time all in so potentially getting fired from his staff in mere months would be no real biggie.
i still dont think he will be re-elected so whoever is staff is out then anyway.
So you are looking at job losses either way.
So whether he would be guidable or not by knowledgeable staff is mainly his issue now to help things go smoother for him.
He’s pretty set in his beliefs is my impression. Usually
applies business strategies to confloct mgmt that dont transfer completely to government use is my impression.
May not be guideable.

Comment by Team Warwick Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:01 am
“I do have a few folks in my administration that used to work there.”

He says it like it is curious coincidence that a couple of admin assistants and a tech guy happened to all work at IPI at one point. Dude, you brought in a new leadership whole cloth from IPI. Your Jedi mind tricks have never worked. Just stop.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:03 am
To the Post,

Rich’s headline… taken from here…

=== “I disagree with the characterization of turmoil,” he (Rauner) said.===

This is Rauner just ignoring the mess, the dumpster fire…

… it’s like that IPI cartoon, you know the one, the one with Madigan sitting at a table looking at a apple, with the room on fire, saying “it’s fine”

What…

…which IPI cartoon did you think I was referencing?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:04 am
I am somewhat surprised that he didn’t blame Madigan for the cartoon.

Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:07 am
==Rauner said: “The work that we do for the people of Illinois is incredibly difficult”==

You made it so by claiming a mandate that didn’t exist, tried to ruin the ones fortunate enough to work in a union, not understanding the legislative process, hiring insulting amateurs, insulting anyone with government experience, not listening to three successful former governors, backstabbing your Senate leader, cowing ILGOP, and never earning the governing respect a governor must earn and demonstrate.

There’s the easy way, the hard way and your-decision - the NO way. When you mess up this bad Bruce, sure, governing gets extremely difficult.

You caused that.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:09 am
What my brain translates this to is that he doesn’t have a problem with the cartoon, but feels it would be politically damaging to admit it. It’s equivalent to Trumps ‘ on both sides’ statement. How inept do you have to be to turn a one day story into a 7 day story, which results in clearing house? In this case, his staff just basically told us what must have been his actual words…. since he said pretty much so today.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:09 am
==…his “only frustration” is Speaker Madigan, who he said “sat on SB1″ for two months to create a crisis.==

Gov. Gaslight, the “S” in “SB1″ stands for “Senate.” The motion to reconsider was filed by Sen. Trotter, who also withdrew the motion two months later. REP. Madigan serves in the House. You’re welcome.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:10 am
Free fallin…..he and the prez seem to have similar issues..

Comment by JDuc Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:12 am
Governor- I am a strong supporter BUT not everything is Madigans fault. You need to get your house in order fast

Comment by Sue Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:13 am
Rauner just being Rauner, absolutely taking no responsibility and blaming Madigan again. The man is just so unlikable. I understand that this is politics and people are not necessarily supposed to be liked, but this is at another level.

It’s clear Rauner can see a problem other people have with the cartoon, but not him. He doesn’t have a problem with it.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:14 am
All he is doing by continuing to dodge the question about the cartoon is dragging the story out. Had he simply said that the cartoon was in poor taste and had obvious racial overtones that would have been the end of it.

And he can claim all he wants that his office isn’t in turmoil. I would expect that. What he says, though, doesn’t mean there’s no turmoil, because his office clearly is in turmoil. There have been not one, but two, mass firings/resignations of his staff within the past two months.

As for the Madigan thing, that’s all he has so I’m not surprised he went there. Without blaming Madigan for something he’d have nothing to talk about.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:15 am
You know, it’s like a contest every single day to see who is going to be the bigger wretch - the guy in the White House or the guy in the Illinois governor’s mansion.

Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:18 am
Bottom line for me? If you deflect, you are inept. Period.

Comment by New Slang Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:21 am
Note to Governor, when you’re losing Sue, you’re losing.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:21 am
I am late to this. In watching the press conference…I give credit to governor for courage to take questions. I ask myself though, who likes hearing their public official say their job is hard? It sounds whiney. He’s not collecting garbage or digging holes in the ground. I am not saying it isn’t a difficult job. But who is telling him it is a good thing to repeatedly say that his job is “hard”.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:32 am
== “The work that we do for the people of Illinois is incredibly difficult” and stressful.==

For us, too.

Comment by peon Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:34 am
“The work that we do for the people of Illinois is incredibly difficult” and stressful.

Yep, thats why you dont hire idealogues, or yes people. Experience really counts, if you actually want to get anything done. I am sure the salesman gov has a great team speech (btia) to pitch new hires. Experienced hands see the probs w serving the gov. Idealogues arrive having all the answers.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:39 am
Remember that Barbie doll that said, “Math is hard?” I think you know where I’m going with this.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:47 am
“You need to get your house in order fast”

Bruce Rauner has been Governor of Illinois for 955 days.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:12 pm
““A handful of people” have changed, he insisted and claimed that his “only frustration” is Speaker Madigan, who he said “sat on SB1″ for two months to create a crisis.”
How did Speaker Madigan sit on a Senate bill? Is the Speaker omnipotent, or is the Gov. misinformed?

Comment by igotgotgotgotnotime Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Somebody get the Governor a dictionary:

Turmoil

/’tərˌmoil/

noun

a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Is the term “some people”the same as “you people”?

Comment by jimk849 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:36 pm
“a very tiny fraction of our administration is from that organization”
Uh, dude, when your chief of staff and a lot of your senior leadership is from one organization, it doesn’t really matter that most of the interns and lower level people aren’t. About as disingenuous as it gets.

As to the cartoon, I still don’t see it as “obviously” racist. I’m told the style the kid was drawn in was reminiscent of old time cartoons that WERE obviously and purposefully racist, so there may be something there, but it wasn’t obvious to me. Maybe I’m the problem, but personally I doubt it. And if you knew nothing of the point they were trying to make, then having a black kid begging a rich white man for money would obviously look racially motivated, but everyone on here should know the background enough to see why those particular choices were made.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:37 pm
- Perrid -

Explain how a cartoon is a distraction and is taken down and the Illinois House condemns it, and then that same cartoon is seen as “fine”?

You take your time. Don’t forget the taking of it down too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:40 pm
“In no regard does that organization speak for me.”

Does IPI and John Tillman see it that way?

Comment by John Gregory (ex-IRN) Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:41 pm
I think the bus the governor is throwing people under could probably use some new shocks given the number of bumps (people)

Comment by ToughGuy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:48 pm
360 Degree: “I give credit to the Governor for his courage in taking questions” . Good Lord, taking questions from the free press is now grounds for being ‘courageous’? How far we have fallen, how low the bar….

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:14 pm
I don’t get the male part of white male. What does gender have to do with the cartoon?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 4:52 pm
–Gov. Rauner said that Tuesday’s infamous “as a white male” press release was drafted by Diana Rickert and sent out by Laurel Patrick–

It’s astounding to me that a couple of highly paid, alleged professionals can put the words “as a white male” into someone else’s mouth and think they were doing a good job.

That’s beyond bad judgment and incompetence. That’s weirdo thinking.

What did they think they were communicating, in a positive way, for their boss?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:01 pm
My guess as to what they were trying to articulate was that a white person has no business opining on whether minorities are correct to take offense because he will never be in their shoes. I have heard some men say they don’t offer opinions on abortion because of this.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:08 pm
–My guess as to what they were trying to articulate was that a white person has no business opining on whether minorities are correct to take offense because he will never be in their shoes.–

Still makes no sense. He’s the governor. He has to weigh in all the time on issues that don’t impact rich white suburban males like himself all the time.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:17 pm
I appreciate your wordpress web template, wherever did you down load it through?

Comment by Rajeshwarnand Ji Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:50 pm