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* From the Southern Illinoisan…
Gov. Bruce Rauner made a cameo appearance Wednesday in Southern Illinois, appearing at a hastily-called, bizarre press availability at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area near Carrier Mills.
Rauner appeared with Wayne Rosenthal, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, to announce the construction of an all-terrain vehicle track at the park. The proposed 26-mile track is something that no one has been clamoring for.
Assembled media members fired questions at Rauner after the announcement. His response, or lack thereof, was reminiscent of an absentee father bringing elaborately wrapped gifts to his child’s birthday party, but having absolutely no idea what was inside the packages.
It wouldn’t have taken much thought to anticipate the first two questions — how many jobs will be created by this project and when will ground be broken. Yet, Rauner didn’t have these most basic answers.
Instead, he looked to Rosenthal for assistance. Come on. That’s like punting on first down.
Ouch.
The paper recently published a story about how the governor hadn’t been to deep southern Illinois in several months. It appears the governor got the message, but the editorial board obviously isn’t buying it.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 2:56 am
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What goes around, comes around. Nuff said.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 7:08 am
That’s pretty standard for his visits to the southern part of the state. He flits down, rattles his usual boilerplate word salad, and flits back north.
Comment by The_Equalizer Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 7:27 am
Rauner (as both a private & public citizen) does not have any history of creating a job, no history of building anything for the good of people and in my opinion has never had the desire to do so.
He is a man that thrives on decimating jobs, public universities, public schools,etc.
We knew this… shame on us.
Comment by dude Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 7:56 am
He’s slowly but surely losing the state’s editorial boards, many of which had been his staunchest allies. Vetoing the Mendoza bill transparency legislation really hurt him with this crowd.
I suppose he’ll always have the Tribsters, but McQueary and Kass are big fans of Ives. Maybe the Tower will abandon him — not over ideology, but his lack of accomplishments.
Comment by Roman Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 8:15 am
The good folks in Southern and Western Illinois aren’t going to be fooled by a rich guy from Winnetka guy wearing a Carhartt. Many will vote for him simply because he has an “R” next to his name on a ballot but they don’t believe for a minute that he has their best interests in mind.
Comment by Stones Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 8:26 am
—
Many will vote for him simply because he has an “R” next to his name on a ballot but they don’t believe for a minute that he has their best interests in mind.
—
This is exactly why Rauner will (unfortunately) win. However, most folks *do* believe Rauner their best interests in mind. He talks the lingo that makes them believe. The Carhartt probably doesn’t hurt either.
Comment by Macbeth Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 8:39 am
===This is exactly why Rauner will (unfortunately) win===
Hmm.
Rauner is polling 30% approval, with a 30-55 underwater approval rating… in a state Clinton won, during Trump’s midterm, and Trump polling 37% in Illinois.
Rauner is vulnerable, but like with the Southern editorial here, Rauner is having serious issues overcoming… “Rauner”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 8:47 am
==That’s like punting on first down.==
And whiffing.
Comment by Whatever Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 8:56 am
Wasn’t Governor Pat Quin accused of all but ignoring “downstate” Illinois, and by “downstate” it was everything outside “Chicago”?
The difference is Rauner doesn’t think he won’t get these voters in the end, but on Election Day, these “downstate” voters will come home no matter what he (Rauner) does.
The mistake Rauner is making now is assuming papers like The Southern will just fall into line, like Rauner feels boters will too.
Funny thing about incumbents. They have a record. They have a history in the job.
The Southern isn’t impressed anyone with the past or recent history of Governor Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 9:07 am
Rauner will win a big majority of the downstate vote, but there’s an important difference between a 65-35 win and a 60-40 win.
Wasn’t the Southern Illinoisan one of the few papers that endorsed Quinn?
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 9:29 am
Then he capped off the presser by starting a needless fight with a Mendoza and got kicked around. He can’t even open a ATV without a bumble. This guy has all of the duckets (and vests) and zero good sense.
Comment by Sonny Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 9:35 am
I blame this all on Hud. /s
What’s Rauner done for S. IL? He’s waged war on its university and community colleges - SIU-C has an “innovative” proposal out to abolish all academic departments. Some real out of the box thinking that will surely help it to compete with other Midwestern schools.
Coal industry isn’t reviving, no fracking, he has done nothing that makes any difference on the heroin and opioid epidemic that is ravaging Southern Illinois counties.
They might be conservative, but the people there are not dumb. They gave him a chance, and now they can see he’s a Winnetka phony through and through. Wearing a barn coat, or posing with that huntin’ dog, or riding a Harley hasn’t done one thing to change the reality of their lives. After 4 years, he had his shot.
And, by the way, they don’t respect weakness and crybabies. So, carrying on about how the Mean Madigan won’t let you do anything just highlights what a weakling and loser he really is, despite his ridiculous macho costuming.
Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 9:40 am
It’s been obvious for years that Rauner’s communication skills are limited to robotic chanting of “Because Quinn” and “Because Madigan.”
Push him off that pre-school level script and he retreats to ridiculous whoppers or regresses to a hopeless, stuttering, muttering wreck.
Rauner simply doesn’t have the minimal base of knowledge to do his job, or any interest in acquiring it. He’s a dilletante, albeit one capable of damaging malice.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:05 am
But, but, term limits! Madigan! Chicago!
30 second briefing, one page, covers this.
Great messagin’, BTIA
Better hope Diana doesnt see this
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:06 am
The governor did give Chicago the school bailout he ran around downstate saying he wouldn’t give. I can see why Rauner would be avoiding downstate. He’s not quite the slings-and-arrows taker he’d like others to believe he is.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:12 am
In Texas it’s ‘all hat and no cattle’. Perhaps in Il we should have ‘all Carhartt and no heart’
(apologies if someone else said it first)
Comment by oneholeoff Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:17 am
Did the Southern ask the Governor to name any of the companies that Rauner says are ready to relocate to Southern Illinois? Could Rauner perhaps estimate the number of new jobs these companies on his secret list might create?
Or was that just complete bull?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:19 am
Meanwhile….
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/honeywell-announces-plans-to-idle-metropolis-plant-reduce-workforce-by/article_a86b4f95-8692-5fe5-a79e-a748f02d33c3.html#tracking-source=home-breaking
Comment by Saluki Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:23 am
Rauner is a one term governor who is out on the latest version of the “let me give you” this tour. The guy is pretty much lost in an empty suit if he can’t fit Madigan in his sales pitch
…
Comment by Mouthy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:29 am
Thank you, Saluki.
More great news for deep Southern Illinois.
Comment by illini Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:32 am
47, give Rauner credit. It’s dozens of companies.
First it was dozens, then it was hundreds, now it’s back to dozens, again.
Consider the time and effort it takes to line up one company; contact, travel, back-and-forth negotiations. Rauner claims he’s done it successfully dozens of times already. The only holdup is some legislation.
Rauner is the Daniel Burnham of his day: Make no small lies; they do not stir the blood of the hopelessly gullible.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:34 am
===First it was dozens, then it was hundreds, now it’s back to dozens, again.===
Yep. And for some reason, he can’t seem to name even one of them. He goes to the most economically depressed part of the state and says he’s got companies lined up to bring jobs in.
And no one thought to ask him for specifics? Were they all too busy laughing?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:41 am
=== The only holdup is some legislation. ===
I think we all remember our Governor saying that “job creators get excited about term limits”.
Comment by illini Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:42 am
2018 guv race will be a “vote against” election without enthusiasm for any candidate — Rauner’s already won a “lesser of two evils” contest, Dems don’t have anyone who has generated much enthusiasm yet (yes, it’s early). There’s an opening here for Rauner to back into another term.
Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:46 am
Four of the last seven tweets on his political account have been that goofy George Will column. Keep that up now through Election Day and he can’t lose.
Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:47 am
===Four of the last seven tweets on his political account have been that goofy George Will column. Keep that up now through Election Day and he can’t lose.===
Explain how this lone article flips an incumbent governor from 30-55 approval to winning.
This one article will get Rauner to victory?
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:51 am
Reading this article, one of my thoughts is “who gets to make money?” What are the plans for actually operating this track? Will it be privatized and which of Rauner’s buddies will be inline to benefit from it?
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:52 am
The real question about Rauner’s re-election chances is going to come down to one thing: will the downstate R’s just sit out the election or flip to D?
If they sit it out, Rauner probably squeaks back in.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:55 am
Rauner vetoed the budget, but now Rauner wants this ATV trails project which, according to the DNR, couldn’t go forward until there was a budget in place. “The Department cannot award grants resulting from these applications until a State budget is approved; submittal of an application will allow the review process to proceed up to the point of award and avoid delays when a budget is in place.”
Maybe Rauner should have thanked Mike Madigan during that presser at Sahara Woods. /s
From The Southern editorial:
“The proposed 26-mile track is something that no one has been clamoring for.”
http://thesouthern.com/sports/outdoors/winkeler-random-thoughts-on-a-slow-morning/article_e44cc4e0-b4b2-5579-aa5e-4d39d72c6cc2.html
See first article in this newsletter, as well as the bullet points on page 2. “There are at least two of these parks in Southern Illinois – one is near Sahara Woods. So why is there a need to tear up public lands?” (Something The Southern editorial pointed out as well) https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/shawnee-group/ShawneeTrailsSept2016forWeb.pdf
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/AEG/Pages/FederalRecreationalTrailsProgram.aspx
Grant assistance from this program cannot be used for the following purposes (see especially Bullet point 3):
•condemnation of any kind of interest in property;
•construction of any motorized use trail on U.S. Forest Service lands designated as wilderness or currently not authorized for such use by an approved management plan; or
•upgrading, expanding or otherwise facilitating motorized use or access to trails predominantly used by non-motorized trail users, and on which, as of May 1, 1991, motorized use is either prohibited or has not occurred.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:55 am
===Rauner’s already won a “lesser of two evils” contest====
… and yet, Mendoza beat Munger. That was most recent too.
So there’s that.
===Dems don’t have anyone who has generated much enthusiasm yet (yes, it’s early). There’s an opening here for Rauner to back into another term.===
Guess you’re dismissing a Trump effect, the possibility of a blue wave, and Rauner himself underwater.
That’s fun.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:56 am
- Anon221 -
“Rauner vetoed that”
Yep. 100%. That’s the message.
Will that message continue, “Rauner vetoed that”?
Dunno.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 10:58 am
For all you that voted for Rauner, please take one step back and punch yourself in the face. Thank you
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:11 am
Willy - I hope that “Rauner vetoed that” will become the mantra of not only those candidates who chose to run against his hypocrisy, but more and more of the media as well.
Comment by illini Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:20 am
===I hope that “Rauner vetoed that” will become the mantra of not only those candidates who chose to run against his hypocrisy, but more and more of the media as well.===
- illini -
I think the biggest challenge now…
The biggest challenge is moving away from blaming Rauner in lazy ways of just holding Rauner to blame for this, that, or the other…
… but hold Rauner accountable.
That’s where this is now.
“Pat Quinn failed” was genius because Candidate Rauner then held accountable Pat Quinn, with the explanation delving onto why “Pat Quinn failed”
Example?
Bond downgrades.
It was holding Quinn accountable for the action, not just point a finger at the result.
The premise of blame needs to now evolve into blame… with accountability, vetoes included.
We’ll see.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:25 am
Story of sacrifices:
1. Sacrifice of land to surface coal mining.
2. Sacrifice of sacrificed land to motorized vehicles.
3. Sacrifice of the main mission of IDNR.
4. Fueling the call for more land sacrifices to ATV use in the Shawnee National Forest.
5. From the sacrificial land of Illinois: more?
Comment by Vole Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:26 am
Willy - we agree, but getting the voting public to understand the details, the impact and assigning the ultimate responsibility is the problem.
We know that the predictable response will always be “Because Madigan” or “Because Mendoza”.
Our Governor can only escape blame and deflect the topic for so long especially when it comes to his intentional destruction of Higher Ed and the decimation his policies have had for those contracted social service providers and agencies.
Details, and facts, are hard for some people to comprehend and accept.
Comment by illini Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:37 am
There are places to ride…it doesn’t have to be on public lands.
https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/trails/illinois_list.htm
The one near Marion is on 900 acres of reclaimed mine ground. Watch the video to see the impact this type of trail use can have.
https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/trails/info/illinois_02158/ride_e144.htm
Regardless of where you ride, ride responsibly.
https://www.offroad-ed.com/illinois/studyGuide/401015/
Invasive species such as Japanese stilt grass, just as a for instance, is easily spread by people and equipment, and can create a perfect fire habitat. Watch the video to see the large impacts this invasive can have. http://www.rtrcwma.org/stiltgrass/
Currently two small kudzu patches are being treated at Sahara Woods see page 114-
https://tinyurl.com/ycezydve
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:57 am
Exactly OW accountability for specifics
For instance, because of Rauner cutting corners with costs, regulations, and desire to destabilize his own state workforce
Correctional Officers are put at risk every day
Violent incidents are way way up.
Prisons are a major employer in Southern Illinois
A powerful somber moment at the AFSCME convention
Was the reading of all the names of our sisters and brothers that have been attacked.
The reader choked up several times.
Rauner disrespects his own workforce every day
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 12:14 pm
===Details, and facts, are hard for some people to comprehend and accept.===
With respect, I point to “Pat Quinn failed”
It can be done. I’ve seen the movie. Implementing that action plan is critical.
- Hobeybear -
I hop you had a cupcake this weekend. If you didn’t I had at least one for you.
To your point, that IS what needs to be done, especially in those settings. It’s critical that the marrying of blame to accountability happens as a “next step” in process.
To ads that go that next level, you can do :30 and :60 second ads. Rauner’s own words in snippets make it easy to go beyond the blame, and directly to the accountability.
The last debate alone, with Quinn, the images and words are haunting for a governor who held a former governor… accountable.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 12:27 pm
The north end of Kinkaid Lake is silting in. No one can move DNR off the sidelines for action. And we have money for an ATV park? Crazy.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 12:54 pm
somehow…he’s gonna blame Madigan for this one too…I think he’s done…as in not getting re-elected.
Comment by pskila Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 12:55 pm
For all those that think Rauner is gonna squeak back in, I disagree. I think he gets his clock cleaned…
Comment by Mouthy Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 12:57 pm
blue dog dem: Perhaps the Democratic Party might wake up to the opportunity for creating hundreds (thousands?) of jobs in Illinois in environmental services and ecological restoration. A vision for work on what ails the land and soul of Illinois. IDNR definitely needs to get out of the ATV business and should begin by ceasing its permitting of them.
Comment by Vole Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 1:34 pm
I Think Ives Beats Rauner..
Comment by Shake Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 2:38 pm
==Guess you’re dismissing a Trump effect, the possibility of a blue wave, and Rauner himself underwater==
With respect, OW, you guess wrong — All I said was there’s an opening for Rauner to back in one more time. How big an opening and will it happen? Far too early to know — I kinda doubt it, but that’s no reason to ignore the possibility. Do I personally want it to happen? I’d rather crawl a mile on hot coals. So there’s that, but it wouldn’t be fun.
Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Better use would be growing and selling marijuana to “grow” the economy.
Comment by cc Monday, Nov 20, 17 @ 11:08 pm
I miss Rosenthal he actually represented his district, unlike his Rauner appointee…
Comment by StarPrince Tuesday, Nov 21, 17 @ 1:42 pm