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GOP unity watch

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* You’ll recall this quote from Gov. Bruce Rauner about Rep. Jeanne Ives yesterday…

“We spoke last night. I saw her at (Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery),” Rauner told me. “I went over to shake hands, and we promised to get together soon.”

* Greg Hinz contacted Ives directly…

I finally got Ives on the phone and she flatly denies any deal or understanding with Rauner to talk peace.

Both happened to be at the same restaurant for separate events, and when Rauner came in, he started working the tables, including hers. “He said hello, and moved on….We agreed on nothing,” with no discussion of a meeting.

So, was the governor lying? “If he said there was an agreement to meet, yes.”

Ouch.

* DGA…

“Bruce Rauner’s desperation is reaching new, pathetic lows as he tries to win back Jeanne Ives’ voters by lying to them,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Maybe Rauner knows his failed leadership has turned off the Republicans, Democrats, and Independents he needs to save his sinking reelection campaign.”

* Meanwhile, Rep. Allen Skillicorn, an Ives supporter, has some unsolicited advice for the governor…

A Gubernatorial Opportunity to Act for Unity

In agreement with what the Chicago Tribune characterized as a largely symbolic gesture, the Illinois Senate approved the Equal Rights Amendment 36 years after the deadline, 46 years after being passed by the U.S. Senate for ratification and 95 years after it was first proposed. Yes, you read that right, it appears that Illinois isn’t the only place where playing by the rules is optional. We have now stepped through the looking glass where unpopular Constitutional amendments are perpetually pushed until they are passed.

My colleague in the Senate made the statement “You are looking at a group of women who really, we have our differences on many issues, but we respect each other and together we are very committed to the idea of advancing and promoting legislation and policy that is good for women,” With all due respect, while the ERA was proposed in 1923 by the National Woman’s party with the initial focus on advancing women’s rights, are we really going to say that women’s rights haven’t advanced in the United States for 95 years?

Even a New York Times Op-Ed penned in 2016 by Mary Anne Case, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School, stated, “Indeed, the current constitutional law of sex discrimination is almost exactly what E.R.A. supporters in the 1970s hoped for from the E.R.A….. For ordinary citizens to treat men and women more equally in venues from the voting booth to the family dinner table does not at this point require a change in law, but in mindset.”

Opponents point out that the major goal for continuing to push the ERA is to end the Hyde Amendment and force unlimited taxpayer funding of abortion at all levels of government. The NRLC in a 2017 memo to the Illinois General Assembly stated that they, “…strongly urge legislators to oppose this resolution for two reasons: (1) The language of the proposed 1972 ERA, which cannot now be revised, is virtually identical to language that the major pro-abortion groups have used in other states (including New Mexico) for highly successful legal attacks on laws protecting unborn children and limiting tax funding of abortion. (2) The Illinois resolution is part of an effort to evade the federal constitutional amendment process spelled out in the U.S. Constitution itself.”

Governor Rauner has been touring the state attempting to bring together the fractured pieces of the Republican Party. His critics, of which I am one, along with many of the Republicans he met with, have emphasized that the time for talk is well over. Only policy deeds could possibly unite us, and there are few opportunities for those remaining this session. So, I have a suggestion for the Governor: take the initiative to encourage legislators in the House to oppose the ERA resolution.

Like bell bottoms, this idea should have stayed in the 70’s.

* Gov. Rauner was asked yesterday about the Equal Rights Amendment that passed the Senate. “I support equal rights for everyone,” he said. Asked to be more specific about the legislative proposal, he said…

That won’t ever come to my desk so that’s not the nature of the process. But I support equality for everyone. And what I’m very supportive of is the Illinois Constitution already is very strong and very protective of equal rights for women and for everyone. I think we’ve got a great Constitution in that regard.

You can see those protections by clicking here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:25 am

Comments

–So, was the governor lying?–

Were his lips moving?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:29 am
Are these two crazy kids ever going to get together? Is this soap going to be renewed for the fall season?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:29 am
“Governor, are you absolutely certain that you’re ‘good friends, great friends’ with Ronald Reagan and Abe Lincoln? Or did you simply see one on TV and read a book about the other?”

Comment by Linus Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:30 am
===So, I have a suggestion for the Governor: take the initiative to encourage legislators in the House to oppose the ERA resolution.===

This reminds me of the “4-62” GOP vote tally for SSM…

Let’s look at what Mr. Skillicorn is actually saying…

“Bruce, show your lack of inclusion, and your thinking is that of someone in the 1970s, and make sure the purity of not thinking women are equal… you will have my support”

Yikes, man, do you think before you speak?

You’re shrinking the party, bud, to get a Raunerite to pretend he’s a Republican, by opposing support… for women in the 21st century.

#NotHelping

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:33 am
Poor guy. He just can’t help himself.

Let him believe that he and Ives talked about meeting again.

Let him believe that he spoke to Madigan and Cullerton on election night.

Let him believe his grandparents emigrated from Sweden.

Let him believe people buy him as a biker boy.

Let him believe people buy him droppin his g’s.

Let him believe he has 60 and 30.

Let him believe he will have 50.1% of the vote in November.

Let us get through the next 5+ months and get rid of this lame duck.

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:37 am
When you have the likes of - Louis G Atsaves - telling me if I don’t support Rauner, I support Madigan… there are bigger problems to be fixed than using the Equal Rights Amendment as the elixir to fix the ILGOP…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:37 am
Does this guy Skillicorn have any idea what he just said? When these right wing zealots like Ives,Skillicorn and McSweeney talk its easy to see how Proft can manipulate them so easily.

Comment by Board Watcher Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:44 am
The Ives 2022 campaign is certainly staying on message.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 10:55 am
The thorn in the side will continue. Ives won’t relent, she wants him gone in November. She will take every opportunity to call him a liar she is presented. Some of the 48$ may relent and vote for Rauner, but a large majority will stay home, or vote for the opponent.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 11:32 am
Ives is a sore loser and this makes her look bad.

Comment by vanilla ice Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 11:35 am
Voted for Bruce in 14…Ives in primary. Will not vote for BVR or JB in November but most likely will vote for Erica Harold…(Kwame comes across as perpetually angry) will vote R in most other offices…what does this make me?

Comment by What and who am I? Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:02 pm
=Ives is a sore loser and this makes her look bad.=

To whom? Her supporter? I don’t think so. The Ives campaign was never about securing her reputation as a GOP heavyweight. It was all about damaging Rauner. That’s what her supporters want and expect of her and she’s obviously not done yet. What’s Rauner going to do for Ives at this point? He needs her (and her followers) more than she needs him.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:03 pm
She can’t damage Rauner anymore than what he’s already done to himself. She Ives feels like she has free reign to act how she wants and boost her standing with her base. She can’t be blamed for losing Republican votes for him – he’s taken care of that.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:07 pm
===It was all about damaging Rauner. That’s what her supporters want and expect of her and she’s obviously not done yet. What’s Rauner going to do for Ives at this point? He needs her (and her followers) more than she needs him.===

This. All day. This.

Especially this…

===He needs her (and her followers) more than she needs him.===

Ives and Co want to “Kirk” Rauner, have Rauner lose the General. Winning the primary then losing would’ve set Uves back, as her style won’t win it all, so… make sure Rauner loses, sacrificing herself.

===She can’t be blamed for losing Republican votes for him – he’s taken care of that.==

Ives and how Rauner treated her and by her conservatives IS WHY the idea of coming together matters, and the damage Ives can do matters.

Keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:16 pm
===what does this make me?===

“Thoughtful”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:17 pm
Rauner needs to stop lying…if he can.

Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 12:40 pm
“See ya around”=”promise to get together”.

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 2:00 pm
–Rauner needs to stop lying…if he can.–

He can’t. That’s beyond argument, across the spectrum, in matters small and large.

That’s a problem for us, as he’s the chief executive of the state, with many and serious responsibilities.

He can’t be trusted.

That’s a real problem, for all of us.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 2:55 pm
What the St. Jeanne worshipers can’t understand and appreciate is basic political mathematics. For the math challenged ST. Jeanne contingent of the Illinois Republican party, I will clarify the math for you.

In the last primary, for every 10 Republicans that voted, 18 Democrats Voted… of the 10 Republicans that voted, less than 5 voted for Saint Jeanne.

How can the message of Divisive Screaming of “Jeanneisms” would resonate the other 5 Republicans and a minimum of 8 Democrats in order to be elected in the general election.

So, the question is… can an extreme far right Republican have any chance to win in state wide election in Illinois?

Comment by Wheaton Resident Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:27 pm