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Rauner doubles down on not being in charge

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Reporter: Governor, do you want to revisit the notion that you’re not in charge? I know there might have been some push-back in the last 24 hours after you indicated that yesterday. It was kind of a strong thing to say. In hindsight, do you want to take another look at that and revise what you said?

Gov. Rauner: Hmm. No. Not really. I think, um, everyone in this state knows what I’m talking about. We’ve had one person in power. One person in charge of the vast amounts of the government for 35 years. And it’s the reason we’re in such big trouble. And I think most people in the state understand that. And, uh, there’s too much concentration of power in one individual. Um, and, uh, the Speaker has been in that position for 35 years. […]

Reporter: You ran on a platform of taking on the Speaker and reducing his power. If you have been unable to do that successfully, and are not in charge now, what is the argument for having four more years if the Speaker isn’t going anywhere?

Gov. Rauner: Ah, but the point is I believe he will be going somewhere. Into, uh, into retirement. And that’s what we’re working on. And this is, people around the state want this, and Democrats want this almost as much as Republicans when you talk with people around the state. And what I’m gratified to see is there is a strong movement from Democrats as well as Republicans to not have one person be Speaker for an extended period. […]

Reporter: So, are you saying that you envision a scenario where you get elected to a second term… and the Speaker is not the Speaker any more?

Gov. Rauner: I think there’s a very, very high probability of that and it would be a wonderful step for the state.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:48 am

Comments

==Hmm. No. Not really. I think, um, everyone in this state knows what I’m talking about. ==

Yes. Yes, we do.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:50 am
I’m pretty sure after Nov 2018 Rauner will permanently be “not in charge”

Comment by Angry Republican Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:52 am
I’m disturbed by the all or nothing approach.

It’s either Rauner. Or Madigan. But it can’t be both.

But we know from Madigan’s 35 years — through mostly GOP governors — that it *can* be both. And is has been.

So Rauner’s saying, hey, remove one authoritarian with another? Cuz, you know, that’d be lovely.

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:52 am
Tragic.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:54 am
Wow. So his master plan is to hope his enemy retires in the next five years? Good luck with that.

Comment by Frank Grimes Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:56 am
Okay. He’s officially gone off the deep end.

Comment by Pieroge tirebiter Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:58 am
Madigan filed to run for re-election. The only candidate to do so in his district. The IL GOP and Dem parties don’t seem to know he plans to retire. Rauner can’t follow actual news reported 24/7, but he knows Madigan plans to retire. Alrighty then.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:59 am
Guessin’ if Madigan and not GovJunk was really in charge IL would be out of the JRTC, well down the road on the I55 toll lane project and makin’ foundation funded improvements at the Fair grounds.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:00 am
What are the “vast amounts of government” Madigan controls?

Contracts? Grants? Bond business? Tax credits? State agencies? Hiring? Presenting bills for payments?

Who does those things?

Re-elect the Whining Impotent Victim is a counter-intuitive campaign theme, but it looks like Rauner is all in on it.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:01 am
I guess when the Speaker met with Rauner and privately told him all he wants “is to keep my power” he also told him the exact day he will retire..

Comment by Not Rich Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:01 am
You know what else? Santa is going to drop off a big fat check this year, yeah. Ummmm, and we’re going to find Jimmy Hoffa, he’s, uh, lots of people think he’s hiding in Madigan’s office.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:02 am
The only way to force Madigan to retire is to win a Republican majority in the House. Did the GOP even file enough candidates to make that possible?

Comment by Not It Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:02 am
The multi-millionaire victim governor.
Eeyore.

Comment by Winnin’ Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:04 am
== Reporter: So, are you saying that you envision a scenario where you get elected to a second term… and the Speaker is not the Speaker any more?

Gov. Rauner: I think there’s a very, very high probability of that and it would be a wonderful step for the state. ==

It’s official. Rauner had gone round the bend …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:04 am
Wow. So his master plan is to hope his enemy retires in the next five years? Good luck with that.

Also, I’ve gone to work with that plan before. It doesn’t work.

Comment by Frank Grimes Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:04 am
===Reporter: So, are you saying that you envision a scenario where you get elected to a second term… and the Speaker is not the Speaker any more?

Gov. Rauner: I think there’s a very, very high probability of that and it would be a wonderful step for the state.===

Rauner wins, Madigan Retires - 75/1

Rauner wins, Madigan wins, Speaker too 12/1

Rauner wins, Madigan wins, not Speaker 20/1

Rauner loses - 5/2

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:05 am
Methinks the governor must be smoking some of that which he is against legalizing.

Comment by Former Hillrod Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:05 am
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

Internal polling of Madigan is in the teens. Obama ran against obstructionists Republicans in 2012 and won reelection. Predict Rauner will do the same.

Comment by SmartiePants Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:07 am
So, if I am understanding this correctly, Rauner’s goal in seeking re-election and Rauner’s philosophy of governing simply is to outlast the Speaker. Then everything goes Rauner’s way? Democrats embrace him and overwhelmingly vote for his agenda? Democrats are waiting to be liberated from the Speaker? Delusional.

Comment by The Real Just Me Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:07 am
Rauner just confessed to just how weak he is. He is gone next year.

Comment by RIJRauner Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:08 am
I believe the Governor
He’s not in charge
He’s just perfidious about who is in charge.
He ceded authority, power and control
To the Koch brothers
Because
Rauner
Is a
True believer

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:10 am
And the news of Madigan’s retirement will be announced by a magic unicorn running through the sky on a glorious rainbow.
“I think there’s a very, very high probability of that.”

Comment by Nobody Sent Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:10 am
1. Win reelection
2. ????
3. Madigan retires, profit

good stuff.

Comment by Actual Red Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:13 am
“Obama ran against obstructionists Republicans in 2012 and won reelection.”

Barack Obama did not campaign by repeatedly insisting, “I’m not in charge.”

Among other distinctions.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:13 am
Delusional
Clueless
Arrogant
Persistent
Incapable of learning
Eye don’t think it’s possible to make a clearer case of why he should not be reelected

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:13 am
Isn’t there something somewhere about removal from office due to mental illness or incompetency? Certainly seems to apply here…..

Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:13 am
This is getting embarrassing for the state. he’s so whiny.

Comment by Flynn's mom Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:14 am
Whine much governor?

Comment by Flynn's mom Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:15 am
==Obama ran against obstructionists Republicans in 2012 and won reelection.==

Obama was not able to flip the House and only bumped the Senate from 51 to 53 D’s. So, even if he can get reelected on this “platform,” it’s not a pattern for taking the House.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:15 am
=Obama ran against obstructionists Republicans in 2012 and won reelection.=

Point taken. But Obama didn’t have Democrats joining Republicans in calling him ineffective. Very different dynamic at play in this blue state.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:19 am
Without Madigan to run against, Rauner has nothing.

Comment by Winnin’ Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:22 am
Follow up question should have been “Assuming Mike Madigan does win re-election in his district are you then saying that you’ll be just as powerless and ineffective in your second term?”

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:22 am
Also as much as it pains me to quote Rudy Giuliani , I think this little quote would serve the Gov well.

“…’hope’ is not a strategy”

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:25 am
Um, uh. Even if, um, Madigan retires, wouldn’t another, uh, powerful Democrat become, um, speaker and, uh, most likely thwart the, um, Governor?

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:27 am
==Obama ran against obstructionists Republicans in 2012 and won reelection.==

Obama ran on accomplishments. You may not like them, and that may be reasonable, but his whole convention was “Bin Laden is dead and Detroit is alive.”

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:28 am
What’s most disturbing about this is that Rauner seems to think wishing and hoping away his own dismal numbers in this climate of Trump, Republican backlash, and Rauner’s own failures can ALL be offset… “because Madigan.”

It’s a meltdown I’ve never seen, and I “saw” Rutherford literally throw away his political career on that Fiasco Friday.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:40 am
He’s running as a gelding?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:43 am
==What’s most disturbing about this is that Rauner seems to think wishing and hoping away his own dismal numbers in this climate of Trump, Republican backlash, and Rauner’s own failures can ALL be offset… “because Madigan.”==

Does he? I’m gonna quote a war movie myself, ’cause you and Skyhook shouldn’t have all the fun-

“Are my methods unsound?”
“I don’t see any method at all, Sir.”

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:43 am
The last election was more of “Quinn lost” then “Rauner won”.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:44 am
===I’m gonna quote a war movie myself, ’cause you and Skyhook shouldn’t have all the fun-

“Are my methods unsound?”
“I don’t see any method at all, Sir.”===

1) Well played.

2) There’s too much truth there to not BE true, but if it is “that” true, this next year will be constant meltdowns, unhinged anger, and a sense Illinois itself is in far worse shape with Rauner at the helm then first or ever imaginedz

Wow. Scary-Spooky.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:48 am
==this next year will be constant meltdowns, unhinged anger, and a sense Illinois itself is in far worse shape with Rauner at the helm then first or ever imaginedz==

That doesn’t seem unlikely to me. God knows the whole previous year has seemed like Rauner careening from one temper-tantrum induced crisis to the next. He vetoed the CPS bill, he admits, because he got “emotional”. He fired his staff after the tax bill (then had to fire most of then new guys, too). He vetoed SB1 and then made clear he had no idea how the process works. He lied about HB40.

He’s been flailing all year. I don’t know why next year will be any different.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:54 am
Rauner is defaulting to the least-worst option strategy. And deluding himself that this is leadership.

Comment by Vole Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:55 am
Four more years and I’ll get that White Whale and find who ate the strawberries.

Comment by Anotherretiree Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:57 am
Exactly what is his reelection strategy? I have been beaten at every turn by the Speaker, but the chances are good that he will retire, then I can be in charge. This is close to the most pathetic rational I have ever read. Why doesn’t he just do us all a favor, and go quietly into the night? Clueless is not a strategy.

Comment by Retired Educator Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:04 pm
So if Speaker Madigan makes it clear that he’s not going to retire then Rauner is going to drop out of the race, right? Lol.

Now seriously, has there ever been anyone who ran for Statewide office saying he/she will be an effective leader if & only if some other member of government allows him/her to be? How could team Rauner honestly see a path to victory with that message?

Comment by Get a Job!! Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:17 pm
I’m not sure I’ve heard a more insane argument. Has he lost his mind?

Comment by Harvest76 Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:27 pm
-Ah, but the point is I believe he will be going somewhere. Into, uh, into retirement-

You can just hear MJM shaking in his boots with that forceful rally cry.

Comment by Signal and Noise Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:33 pm
Maybe Bruce is just joking. He’s joking, right? I mean, it’s funny, but maybe he’s practicing for his next gig as a comedian.

Comment by Duke of Normandy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:34 pm
I think we all know who needs to retire.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:39 pm
===I think we all know who needs to retire.===

Rauner is already retired…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Reporter to Rauner: “Do you really think you can win reelection and also get Madigan to retire?

Rauner: “I don’t think; I know.”

Reporter: “I don’t think you know either, sir.”

(Adapted from Dr. Phibes Rises Again).

Comment by IllinoisBoi Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Can’t wait to see Rauner’s budget, in February 2018.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Illinois Now

Willard: Who’s in charge here, soldier?
Infantryman: Ain’t you?
…
Willard: Soldier, do you know who’s in command here?
The Roach: Yeah. [turns away]

Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 1:46 pm
“Ah, but the point is I believe he will be going somewhere.”

That creeped me out.

Comment by cc Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:04 pm
You know what would create the situation in which the Speaker is most likely to retire?

Rauner losing.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:07 pm
Governor: The guy or gal in charge.

If you’re an #EpicFailure, Brucie, as you’ve repeatedly said, YOU SHOULD NOT BE A GOVERNOR.

You are clearly ineffectual & can’t figure out how to fix it. Ya can’t vet; can’t keep staff; can’t lead; can’t work with others; can’t compromise.

Sorry, Son, you ain’t got what it takes.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:19 pm
Must be news to Governor’s Thompson, Edgar and Ryan that they were not really the Chief executive of state. Also, didn’t Pate and the Republicans control the Senate for 10 years?
Wonder if Pate thought he was controlled by
the Speaker!??!

Comment by FDR Democrat Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 4:13 pm
sigh

I voted for a strong Republican leader and this is what I got. I simply don’t get it. I seem to have been 0 for 3 on strong, on Republican and on leader.

Comment by IMissBentohs Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 4:40 pm
==but the point is I believe he will be going somewhere. Into, uh, into retirement.==

You just predicted your own future, governor. I guess you’ll blame Madigan for that forced retirement too.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 4:56 pm
I haven’t liked several Governors, but only once before have I believed our Governor to be psychologically unhinged. And it turned out I was right.

This makes the second time. The man is nuttier ‘n squirrel poo.

Comment by Aidan Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 5:43 pm
In other news, alleged Gov. Rauner is now copying Bears coach John Fox’s gameplans. I mean, Rauner feels pretty confident about blocking that kick…I mean, Madigan leaving office.

“What color is the sky in your world, Bruce?”
–(paraphrasing Frazier Crane talking to Cliff the Mailman; Cheers)

Comment by rivvedup Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 5:49 pm
=== very, very probable that Madigan will lose next year ===

I wonder how much he or his supporters would like to bet on something that’s “very, very probable”?

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 6:39 pm
I’am not in charge, I’ll have to ask Diana

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 4:26 am