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Harmon essentially claims Madigan is living in Rauner’s head rent-free

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Illinois

* Let’s circle back to the Sun-Times story on the gun dealer licensing bill…

“This is the sort of legislation that comes out of the General Assembly under Madigan’s Democrats that really, it just creates hassles for businesses and honest business owners — red tape, filings and fees,” Rauner said Thursday morning on WJPF, a radio station in southern Illinois. […]

As for insinuations that the powerful speaker is in charge of the measure, [sponsoring Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park)] said he hasn’t spoken to him about the bill.

“I never talked to the speaker as I was redrafting the bill and building a bipartisan coalition,” Harmon said. “He likes to blame the speaker for everything. He may be the politician most influenced by the speaker in Illinois.”

Agreed.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:24 am

Comments

Shall we say that Rauner has been Madalooped?

Next year we’ll be hearing stories from Italy about an American going around mumbling “because Madigan.”

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:32 am
Not sure it is rent free. It has certainly taken a toll on Rauner.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:32 am
Someone ought to start putting eaten apple cores in various spots that the governor frequents. That’d drive him crazy! “Gah! Madigan was here too! But governor, it’s just an apple. Anyone could have left it there…No, No it’s Madigan, it’s always madigan!”

Ah hah, but the strawberries! That’s where I had them.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:33 am
“He may be the politician most influenced by the speaker in Illinois”

This is a good supposition. It fits Rauner’s pattern of projecting his issues/behavior onto others. i.e. name calling, i’m not in charge, etc..

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:36 am
Rauner hit “Peak Madigan Blaming” way too early. Now it’s become tedious and is being ridiculed. These sorts of strategies have to be timed just right or they backfire. His best bet is to completely stop and then restart in August/September if”Blame Madigan” is his only strategy.

Comment by CharlieKratos Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:44 am
With apologies to Melville:

“The (Speaker) swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them, till they are left living on with half a heart and half a lung. All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy (Rauner), were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in (Mike Madigan). He piled upon the (Speaker’s) white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart’s shell upon it.”

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 18, 18 @ 10:54 am
Walk a precinct or two and you’ll see how unpopular Speaker Madigan is in this state. Talk about peaking early–he peaked in 1994. Agree or disagree with the strategy if you like, but no question Madigan is a huge drag on every Democrat.

Comment by 19th Ward guy Friday, May 18, 18 @ 11:13 am
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”. Madigan withstands the heat very well, Rauner, not so much.

Comment by DuPage Friday, May 18, 18 @ 11:20 am
“He peaked in 1994….Walk a precinct or two…” - 19th ward guy

Gee, if i happen to mention the name to neighbors people think Im talking about the AG for whom there is near universal praise.

That said, its pathetic when your record is so awful you only have that to offer. Over and over. Or when Jim Edgar numerous times remarks not once but in numerous interviews how he was able to work the Speaker

Comment by low level Friday, May 18, 18 @ 11:42 am
Why not?
There’s enough space in Rauner’s head to host the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with space still leftover large enough for an Aldis.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 18, 18 @ 12:10 pm
Madigan is popular where he needs to be, in his own district. He isn’t going anywhere until he chooses to go. Rauner’s popularity on the other hand, is at a whopping 26% across the whole state. Who do you think will win the next election? Hint-it won’t be Bruce.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, May 18, 18 @ 12:12 pm
I thought Rauner was a fighter?
How is it a 5′2″ real estate attorney who grew up on the Southside manipulated a powerful businessman such as Bruce?
He’s a businessman with smart and a job creator and all those other really good things.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 18, 18 @ 12:15 pm
If Madigan is a drag on every democrat, why is Rauner so far under water? Last poll I saw had him down 15% to JB.

Comment by TominChicago Friday, May 18, 18 @ 2:55 pm
Norseman, I think it will be “Siccome Madigan”. Or maybe “Eftersom Madigan.”

Comment by Contract Disputin' Friday, May 18, 18 @ 3:30 pm
Madigan is a political genius. His poor poll numbers are a result of his 44 year tenure which is too long.

Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Friday, May 18, 18 @ 4:34 pm