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Rauner: “We’re unifying all Republicans”

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Illinois

* The Tribune apparently listened to the same radio program I used for part of the today’s subscriber edition…

In an appearance on Quad Cities radio, Rauner downplayed any post-primary rifts among Republicans after his narrow victory over state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton last month.

Speaking on WOC AM-1420 in Davenport, Iowa, Rauner declared himself a unifier — not just among Republicans, but also with independents and Democrats.

“You know primaries are tough. They’re part of the process. I respect the process and now we’re all coming together in the state. We’re unifying all Republicans,” said Rauner, who faces a third-party challenge from Downstate Republican state Sen. Sam McCann and a potential battle over re-electing his hand-picked state GOP chairman. […]

“This is not an election that’s really about Republicans versus Democrats. This is about the people of Illinois against a corrupt political machine run by Madigan and Pritzker, and it’s the people against the political insiders,” he said.

The full interview is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:31 am

Comments

“This is about the people of Illinois against a corrupt political machine run by Madigan and Pritzker, and it’s the people against the political insiders”

Gov. Gaslight wants us to believe that the last three and a half years never happened.

“the political insiders”

Never been a bigger political insider than Rauner, who gave the GOP millions and ordered them around, while pretendin’ to govern.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:41 am
Not this one. I’ll be voting for the Libertarian candidate.

Comment by Scribble Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:41 am
Willfully ignorant, blatantly dishonest, or both.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:41 am
==This is about the people of Illinois against a corrupt political machine run by Madigan and Pritzker, and it’s the people against the political insiders,” he said.==

Ok. Let’s assume this is true. What has he done as Guv for the past 3+ years that demonstrates he is the person who can win that fight? Or even lead the charge?

All we have heard while he has been Guv is him complain that he has no power and after 3 years in office he is still trying to figure out how to be in charge.

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:42 am
I suspect Rauner will garner most ‘Republican ‘ votes. What he won’t do is get as many conservative independents to fall for his line of baloney again.

Comment by BlueDogDem Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:45 am
Did he tell the Iowa audience how horrible their progressive income tax system is?

I think the polls show that he is unifying people.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:47 am
When’s the big GOP Unity Get-Together. Anyone know any good phone booths?

Rauner says words. On the rare occasions when they’re not lies, they’re usually meaningless.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:47 am
I wish the on air personality would pull a Carnac and write down Bruce’s answer in advance. It’s always a variation of “insiders”, “corrupt”, and “Madigan (+ anyone Bruce wants to smear)”

Comment by Jocko Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:50 am
Democrats can’t even unify behind the idea of stopping sexual harassment.
#notaskforceyet

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:52 am
Rauner is also the one who wants term limits on the fall ballot, but Monday is the deadline to put it there and lawmakers don’t officially come back to Springfield until Tuesday. So… more hot air.

Comment by Christopher Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:55 am
Rauner is a unifier in the same sense that Emperor Palpatine is bringing “peace to the galaxy” (May the 4th be with you)
Rauner is a destroyer of
State agencies
Higher Education
Private social services
State contractors
Hospitals, health clinics, dentists doctors pharmacies
Rural and small business/ economies
Conservative values /principles

But to be fair he is the champion of
Pinstripe patronage IT multinationals
No bid private contracts/contractors
Nearly a billon in EDGE corporate welfare
Utility tax avoiding enterprise zones that don’t report
And no bid shady real estate/warehouse deals
Non foia for profit Intersect Illinois making backroom deals overseas with zero oversight with our tax money
These folks are totally behind Rauner

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 4, 18 @ 9:59 am
Rauner has done great at unification.

He’s managed to unify the Democrats against him.

He’s managed to unfy the right wing if the GOP against him.

And he’s managed to heal the split between government and private sector unions, uniting all unions against him.

That Rauner is a real unifier …

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:01 am
Oops. 10:01am was I

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:02 am
I don’t think he understands what that word means. He might be unifying his base( whatever category that is), but the GOP is fractured. Both at our state and the federal level. I dont see it unifying any time soon. This state election is a contest to see how much money it takes to pull low information voters to one side or the other. The rest of us paid attention the last 3 years, now it’s just a question of known vs unknown.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:04 am
The only vote that I expect Rauner to unify is the Raunerite vote. I can’t see how he unites the Republican party given the primary that he barely survived with less than enthusiastic turnout. And there’s no way that his message will work with Democrats (conservative or otherwise) the second time around. So that leaves independents who may or may not be swayed by non-stop “Madigan/Pritzker” ads buttressed by “I’m not in charge”.

Comment by Pundent Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:10 am
Here’s how this works.

It’s May 4th

The election was in March.

Rauner talking about unity… if your explaining, you’re losing

Rauner is an uber-left, costal, limousine liberal, signing legislation that Democrat Diana Rauner prefers…. and conservatives were watching.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:22 am
===“This is not an election that’s really about Republicans versus Democrats.===

Candidates with no base… always go with… “I unite both parties”…

Rauner can’t unite Republicans, how does he expect to unite Republicans AND Democrats?

Nope. Failed candidates with no base… they say ridiculous stuff like that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:24 am
One of his most ridiculous statements ever.

The IL GOP has never been more divided and dysfunctional than it is today. Anyone can see that. And that’s saying a lot as it’s long been divided and dysfunctional.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:25 am
I’ll give him credit for this - he’s got a vivid imagination.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:44 am
Where is Rauner’s bunker located?
I’d like to place some McCann yard signs over it.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 4, 18 @ 10:55 am
==What he won’t do is get as many conservative independents to fall for his line of baloney again.==

Agreed and between Pritzker, McCann and Jackson I’d also add conservative republicans, moderate independents, liberal independents, conservative union democrats and moderate democrats to that list. Rauner’s vote totals will be much lower than 2014, I suspect.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:07 am
“You know primaries are tough. They’re part of the process. I respect the process and now we’re all coming together in the state. We’re unifying all Republicans.”

After listening, I’d like to congratulate Governor Giggles for managing to get through that without his trademark ‘here comes a whopper’ laugh.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:12 am
United in failure and (nod to Honeybear) perfidy.

Comment by Crispy Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:15 am
Grandson- Pritzker and his cohorts want us to believe the last 40 years never happened

Comment by Sue Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:15 am
==want us to believe the last 40 years never happened==

They are simply reminding people that the Governor has been the one in the big chair for the past 3 1/2 years and that he isn’t a victim and in fact bears respnosibility for the things that have transpired during that time.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:19 am
Was Rauner using a snorkel while doing the interview?

Comment by Langhorne Friday, May 4, 18 @ 11:44 am
Yes, Democrats bear responsibility, as do Republicans, for the mess we’re in now with pensions and budgets. Why is the default Raunerites reaction to fall back to “last 40 years” as if there were no Republicans in the governor’s office or the statehouse in that timeframe?

Governor Victim has done nothing to improve the situation despite holding office for 3 1/2 years at this point. He’s not your guy to get things done, as he’s aptly proven at this point. Quit trying to go down with the ship.

Comment by Fixer Friday, May 4, 18 @ 12:24 pm
How can Rauner declare he’s a unifier when he’s not in charge, I’m confused.

Comment by XDNR Friday, May 4, 18 @ 1:11 pm
“We’re unifying all Republicans”

Fifty-two, forty-eight.

Comment by Roadrager Friday, May 4, 18 @ 3:14 pm
The Party is unified? Great! Here I was thought there was palpable division that made the 20 percent threshold laughably out of reach. I look forward to seeing endorsements from the moderate and pragmatic GOPs that have been forced to sit on the sidelines or pressured out over the last three years.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, May 4, 18 @ 4:13 pm