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Rauner accused of “playing the victim”

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Illinois

* Bernie’s latest column focuses on a quote from Gov. Bruce Rauner about how Speaker Madigan was successful at “breaking the General Assembly to force a tax hike with no reforms whatsoever“…

I have wondered about Rauner’s repeated claim, in absolute terms, about the lack of reforms, as he has made his way across the state signing bills that sure seem like they contain some of what he wanted.

Take for example his announcement in Urbana on Aug. 9, when he signed Senate Bill 8, described in his news release as “a bipartisan bill that makes the state procurement process more efficient and transparent, thus saving money for Illinois taxpayers.”

“Reforming the procurement process allows more flexibility for vendors,” Rauner was quoted in the release. “Removing red tape will make it easier for small and midsize businesses to bid on state contracts. This is a win for our government agencies, for universities, for businesses and, most importantly, for taxpayers.”

In the budget package itself, there is some pension reform, with elements of a 401(k) style defined contribution program included. The legislation he praised Thursday in Naperville would keep retired police officers from re-entering the pension system a second time if they return as chief or join another force. And in Oak Brook on Aug. 14, he signed Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 607, both of which help enable local officials to consolidate governments. But the headline of that day’s news release also showed he thinks “more action is needed.” […]

“It seems inconvenient for the governor to admit that we enacted significant reform, largely at his direction and request,” [Sen. Don Harmon] said. “He seems to like playing the victim. He seems to like saying he didn’t get his way, when in fact he got his way on a significant number of bills.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:16 am

Comments

I wasn’t aware his victim status was in doubt.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:18 am
Governor Taylor Swift

Comment by Bruce Please Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
– Governor Taylor Swift — “Look What You Made Me Do.” Just a bit of serendipity in the title.

Comment by Lt Guv Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:24 am
Meh.

Yeah, we know Rauner is a “victim”.

Sen. Harmon himself failed. He failed by getting sucked up in this discussion on Rauner’s “victim” status.

What Sen. Harmon needed to do was get back to this…

“When the state was failing, Rauner vetoed budgets. When state universities were victims to Rauner, he vetoed their funding, not unlike the social service victims Rauner hurt with vetoes, if Bruce Rauner really wants to talk about victims, how many victims did Bruce Rauner have during this crisis and the state having no budgets. How many victims were saved by overriding Rauner vetoes”

The “he’s playing a victim, look at what we gave” is 1,000% rope-a-(banned word)

Yea, Sen. Harmon, you said something, but missed the target entirely.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:26 am
Willy, I almost never disagree with you. But maybe enough pointing out this “winning” might encourage him to “declare victory” and move on?

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:29 am
===I almost never disagree with you. But maybe enough pointing out this “winning” might encourage him to “declare victory” and move on?===

I probably, almost assuredly, wouldn’t have typed this… had Rauner not said what he said in Marion.

To me, now, it’s about the 71 and 36 and Rauner is either on board, not on board, trolling Repubs, poking Dems…

… for 2 1/2 years and at the cost of one Legislative Leader’s resignation… I say you are indeed right to ask and call me out, but if this Ed Plan doesn’t pass, as an example, why should I worry?

With great respect, and your kind words are appreciated, and you’re not wrong… I felt I needed, not unlike the Governor I suppose, to speak to what I see is “wrong.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:35 am
Honest messaging is not what politicians do. They frame to garner support. Opponents will frame their messages to benefit them. Besides some basic research on ourselves. We look the media to help cut through the chaff and get to the grain of the issues.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:36 am
Of course he’s the victim, he doesn’t have to take any responsibility that way. Woe is me is his slogan.

Comment by Flynn's mom Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:41 am
- Ray del Camino -

Also, I hope you know I want this Ed Compromise Bill to pass. I want to pass with a structured, bipartisan roll call, both chambers, 71 and 36, and unwavering, so the Governor signs and we all move on, “winners all”, “losers all” too.

I want that. I want that as much as Rahm Emanuel and Dan Proft.

That’s how much.

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:42 am
It has been strange to see a man spend a fortune of his own money to become governor so he can regularly go in front of crowds and TV cameras to tell the world that he is impotent.

I would’ve bought a boat. Nice one.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:43 am
“Woe is me is his slogan.” Sounds like a perfect setup for another racist cartoon for him to deny that he saw.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:43 am
This is classic behavior you can always anticipate coming from conservatives. They are constantly the oppressed. In reality they are just non-stop cry-babies.

Comment by Cash Beardsley Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:46 am
OW, you da man.

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:53 am
GovJunk is a truly pathetic figure. Seems headed toward being a dropout

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 12:04 pm
Rauner was a high-powered exec in the business world. Whatever he wanted, he got. Very few ever questioned him. His word was final. His minions did what they were told and no doubt flattered the hell out of him.

Now, look at the poor man. He has spent millions to become governor and people have the audacity to question his every move. He never learned to work with others and now has to deal with people that don’t want to do what he wants. He lacks so many skills in communication with the public.

Poor man, maybe he should buy himself another vacation home on an island somewhere.

Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 12:09 pm
sad sack the social warrior at camp calamity, fighting for the taxpayer

Comment by Rabid Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Thanks, - Ray del Camino -,

Now, let’s hope the school funding bill passes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 1:14 pm
I had an El Camino back in the day. Sweet ride.

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 2:42 pm
OW: like Ray DelC, I bob my head in agreement when I read you - but not this time. Harmon is right on and his message was through Bernie to his GOP colleagues: “When the Governor calls to pressure you, remind him you HAVE backed his reforms - and then do what YOU feel is the right thing to do.”. Again, much love and respect to you, OW. Keep it going on.

Comment by Scott Cross for President Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 3:03 pm
===”When the Governor calls to pressure you, remind him you HAVE backed his reforms - and then do what YOU feel is the right thing to do.”===

With respect,

I see this more like Rauner putting a brick on to stop 71, via “Chicago Bailout” vs. “Tax Credit”… mostly on the Dem side.

If it passes with 71, that’s enough to override a Veto as well, unlike SB1 which squeaked by with 60, and only 59 Dems.

I said…

===probably, almost assuredly, wouldn’t have typed this… had Rauner not said what he said in Marion.

To me, now, it’s about the 71 and 36 and Rauner is either on board, not on board, trolling Repubs, poking Dems…

… for 2 1/2 years and at the cost of one Legislative Leader’s resignation… I say you are indeed right to ask and call me out, but if this Ed Plan doesn’t pass, as an example, why should I worry?===

Sen. Harmon is misguided. I, too, am misguided. The game is 71 that Durkin and Madigan cobble.

That’s the hurdle.

Today, it’s even money that Madigan and Durkin both can cobble the 71 the way this is fleshing itself out.

Respectfully.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 3:14 pm