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* UPDATED x2 - Pritzker campaign calls comments “racist” * After Black Caucus backlash, Gov. Rauner says he’s “Not surprised they’re sensitive because the black legislators really have not been serving their community very well”

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* Background is here. Joey McLaughlin of WTAX talked with Gov. Bruce Rauner today…

Governor Rauner fires back at black lawmakers. “The black legislators really have not been serving their community very well, they’ve been too loyal to Mike Madigan,” Rauner tells radio show. https://t.co/FVAenvY2fs

— Tahman Bradley (@tahmanbradley) June 22, 2018

* He said more than that, though…

McLaughlin: You recently did an interview on WVON in Chicago and you said no one’s done more for the black community than you have. Some members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus have taken issue. What are your thoughts there?

Rauner: [Laughs] Not surprised they’re sensitive because the black legislators really have not been serving their community very well. They’ve been too loyal to Mike Madigan and his machine. The reality that the black community has been suffering in Illinois under the policies of Madigan’s majority for decades. High unemployment, high taxes, lack of economic opportunity and lack of educational opportunity. And in my administration, I’ve tried to blow up that system and transform it. We’ve created more academic educational equality and excellence than any other governor and we’ve achieved it with our new education funding formula. More equity, more money from low income schools and poor school districts to increase their school quality. Historic change there and record funding for K-12 schools. We’ve also transformed the criminal justice system that too often has been biased against African-Americans. We’ve increased criminal justice and brought fairness back into the system. Historic change, Illinois is a national leader thanks to our administration. And then on economic opportunity, we’ve done more to grow the economy by cuttin’ red tape, cutting regulations, reducing LLC fees, and making sure that state contracting has a level playing field and African-American businesses have a real shot to get state contracts. We haven’t just talked about it, we’ve done it. So, I’m very proud of what our administration has accomplished.

…Adding… So, why is the governor so intent on bashing black lawmakers this week? Well, he doesn’t have very thick skin, and he may truly believe he’s done some good things for black people (and he has). But he also has a real problem with his Republican base since barely winning the primary. And one sure-fire way of uniting the hardcore GOP base is to bash minorities. Just sayin…

*** UPDATE 1 *** Media advisory…

Juliana Stratton Responds to Rauner’s Racist Comments

Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor Juliana Stratton and members of the Black Caucus to hold press conference in response to Bruce Rauner’s racist comments today, where he stated that he’s “not surprised they’re sensitive because the black legislators really have not been serving their community very well.”

…Adding… Truly top-notch trolling. Governor Kipling. Hilarious…

Let’s not be overly harsh. Mayhaps Governor Kipling is just reminding us to “take up the white man’s burden” - we dare not stoop to less. Clearly the failed governor rated worst in the US knows better than black lawmakers what’s best for black folks. #twill #checktherecord https://t.co/a2QaDtq7dA

— Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) June 22, 2018

*** UPDATE 2 *** Live video of press conference…

Tune in as we respond to Bruce Rauner’s comments today that he’s “not surprised they’re sensitive because the black legislators really have not been serving their community very well.”

Posted by Juliana Stratton on Friday, June 22, 2018

* Related…

* Juliana Stratton: Black community wants more than just proclamations from leaders: Together, we’re putting forward real plans to reverse the divestment in our communities. J.B. and I will increase funding for our schools, especially the ones our governor once called “prisons.” We’ll support our small businesses by making sure entrepreneurs of color have equal opportunity to compete. And we will be steadfast advocates for a criminal justice system that recognizes the potential of every person in all of our communities. The Rauner playbook pits one community against another. It qualifies lip service as leadership. It accepts the status quo as good enough. So while I’m outraged that Bruce Rauner thinks he’s doing enough for the black community, I’m sadly not surprised. Three years of inaction suggests he is unable or unwilling to recognize reality.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:34 am

Comments

What is wrong with him?

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:37 am
Coming from Clayborne’s district………..have to agree with Gov. Rauner. Clayborne did nothing for his district, especially East St. Louis, except get his girlfriends’ jobs.

Comment by Wondering Wendy Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:38 am
He might as well go full Bill Clinton and say he is the first black governor. {sigh}

Comment by Baloneymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:40 am
He is just determined to not be liked by anybody but Lucky Pierre, isn’t he

Comment by Redraider Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:41 am
“Old rich white man tells black people they need to be better to other black people”. Welp.

Comment by PJ Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:42 am
he sounds exactly like Trump

Comment by L.A. Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:42 am
Oh, man, that’s terrible. There’s no point evaluating or debating the merits, that’s a huge error. Pritzker’s folks need to be getting that on a commercial and playing it every day in October.

Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:43 am
Never a good look for an elected official to tell a community their leaders they elect are not helping that community.

The only thing worse than what Rauner did would’ve been Rauner pointing to Ken Dunkin, the Raunerite, as his example of what other leaders should be doing.

That’s the only way to possibly make this worse.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:44 am
The whitesplaining done by the Governor is painful.

Comment by Concerned Dem Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:44 am
Ouch. Here’s what I take away from that: Rauner: “Aa a white male, I know more about the black community than blacks, so listen to me.”

Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:44 am
Voters love it when somebody completely unlike them finally tells them this kind of truth. He should stay on this message through Wednesday, Nov 7.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:46 am
Is this Rauner’s idea of AA outreach?

Comment by Nacho Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:54 am
===AA outreach?===

Just the opposite.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:55 am
“Prior to accepting this position, I always stated I would step down in my role if I believed the Illinois’ leadership towards helping the community was no longer a genuine priority. Unfortunately, that day has come.”

Jimmy Odom’s resignation letter.

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:57 am
- Chris Widger - Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:43 am:

Oh, man, that’s terrible. There’s no point evaluating or debating the merits, that’s a huge error. Pritzker’s folks need to be getting that on a commercial and playing it every day in October.

———
That is if the Governor’s campaign even makes it to October at this rate and this political environment.

Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:57 am
–Rauner: [Laughs] Not surprised they’re sensitive because the black legislators really have not been serving their community very well. –

Laughs? About what?

Well, let’s face it, those people don’t know what’s good for them, they can’t govern themselves. Of course they can’t be counted on to exercise their vote responsibly.

They need Big Daddy Bruce looking out for them, an overseer, if you will.

Or Big Daddy Rahm, running their schools, so well. His management team has just been the tops.

Can you imagine if they could vote for their own school board? It would be nothing but scandals, all the time.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:58 am
As wrong as he is about himself, he is not wrong about Madigan.

He’s made his millions helping rich corporations lower their Cook County property taxes…because he cares about the CPS students?

Comment by AndyIllini Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:59 am
=Pritzker’s folks need to be getting that on a commercial and playing it every day=

As soon as JB finds the “least offensive” black person to do the voice over.

Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 10:59 am
He’s just not very bright.
He found a nifty shortcut to wealth, but if he hadn’t, Rauner would be Phil Dumphey of “Modern Family”.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:02 am
I wonder how much Rauner’s AG pick is now being pressured to say how great Rauner is/will be for African Americans?

Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:14 am
Keep in mind…

Rauner has no statewide “slate” (quick, name the SoS, Comptroller and Treasurer nominees, no looking), and the need for a tamped down Democratic and minority turnout is a want of the Rauner Campaign.

How do you “do” that?

Depress the voters in those voting blocks… Democrats and minorities… so you sow seeds of… “why bother to vote, your officials aren’t helping the community… “

Is this a smart way to go about it? Dunno.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:16 am
===And one sure-fire way of uniting the hardcore GOP base is to bash minorities. Just sayin…===

Yep. Sad but true.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:23 am
Unbelievable. No filters, no judgement. No specific accomplishments or quantitative measures to point to. Big boasts and name calling, and of course, madigan. Contrast that to the caucus use of stats on black unemployment.

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:23 am
Really dumb. One of the keys to Rauner’s 2014 victory was the fact that African-American voters weren’t energized in opposition to him. Yes, there was ambivalence toward Quinn too, but Rauner did quite a bit of out-reach to prominent ministers and campaigned regularly in African-American communities. This didn’t result in a wave of black support for Rauner, but it prevented a wave of opposition to him, and kept voter turnout tepid in Chicago. It also helped him establish his moderate bona fides among other voters.

Attacking African-American elected officials risks the exact opposite result. Like I said, really dumb.

Comment by Roman Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:23 am
==As wrong as he is about himself, he is not wrong about Madigan.==

I totally agree, but again, the merits are completely by the wayside when you say something like that. What’s the saying? When you’re explaining, you’re losing.

Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:30 am
There he goes bragging about the school funding reform that he vetoed. I wonder how many of those Black Caucus members voted to override his veto? All of them?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:31 am
Rauner lied in a Trumpian way about doing more for the African-American community than any other governor. Of course that’s going to get a backlash, after the damage the governor unleashed on the state:

Willful damage, purposely done
To bust unions and desecrate the memory of MLK
Who died fighting for AFSCME, union rights and civil rights
So people are not called “boy” at work (I Am A Man)
So workers can collectively bargain for safer work conditions
And not die in trash compactors
Many thousands lost social services
The most most vulnerable among us
Anti-violence funding cut
Homicides spiked
Providers shut down
Higher Ed slashed
Debt exploded
All for wanting people who live paycheck to paycheck
To eat the sacrifice
So that Rauner, who calls others corrupt
But got rich off of the corrupt system
(Ain’t no unionized government employee getting rich)
And paid low state income taxes for decades
Doesn’t have to pay a penny more in taxes
Than those who are not rich

Hat tip to Honeybear

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:33 am
That National Black Chamber of Commerce recent comments to the contrary are still being ignored.

And now every single Republican is racist so it plays well with his party?

I get routinely attacked and offended for defending Rauner, but that is way over the top and offensive to the average Republican. Way over the top.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:33 am
Have to agree with OW on this one. The Rauner campaign is like no other. Can’t run on accomplishments. His only hope is to drag his opponents numbers lower than his while simultaneously doing everything that he can to mute turnout.

Rauner’s end game is not to convince people to vote for him, it’s to discourage enough folks not to vote for Pritzker. It’s a strategy rooted in lots of money and ugliness.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:35 am
==As wrong as he is about himself, he is not wrong about Madigan.==

But he is not attacking Madigan, he is using dog whistle racism to imply that Black legislators are ignorant and cannot think for themselves. Its a classic tool and its downright offensive.

Comment by wndycty Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:35 am
Adding — was thinking the same thing as Rich about Rauner maybe trying to shore up the GOP base with this. But he was also all over Chicago television yesterday surrounded by rainbow flags saying he wants to eradicate HIV in Illinois. That tells me this is not the result of “shift-right” political strategy, but rather the product of thin-skinned, stream-of-consciousness from Rauner.

Comment by Roman Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:36 am
Another Assistant Director of CMS abruptly left last Friday. He oversaw state’s minority contracting program. Following on the heels of Odem?

Comment by Dog Whistle Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:40 am
Is Rauner unconsciously trying to lose this election cycle?

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:47 am
That didn’t take long- election isn’t for 5 months but JB and his sidekick have already pulled out the RACE CARD

Comment by Sue Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:48 am
==Juliana Stratton Responds to Rauner’s Racist Comments==

Consider the shark jumped.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:50 am
Sue, they are just picking up what Brucey threw down on the table.

Comment by Anonish Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:58 am
==- Sue - Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:48 am:==

Are you going for the royal flush of gutter dog whistle politics?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:00 pm
===That didn’t take long- election isn’t for 5 months but JB and his sidekick have already pulled out the RACE CARD===

Calling out racism is not playing the race card, its what one is supposed to do when someone like Bruce Rauner makes a racist statement.

Comment by wndycty Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:00 pm
Sue- Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 11:48 am:==

Wait a minute!

Rauner says he has done more for Black people than any other Governor and then follows it up by saying Black legislators haven’t served their constituents well and when Black legislators RESPOND, they are playing the race card?

Go back to your Kool-Aid.

Comment by Sideline Watcher Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:09 pm
–I get routinely attacked and offended for defending Rauner, but that is way over the top and offensive to the average Republican. Way over the top.–

Party of Trump. Your choice. You’re no victim.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:17 pm
===And now every single Republican is racist ===

Don’t argue like a child. I was very specific.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:19 pm
=I get routinely attacked and offended for defending Rauner, but that is way over the top and offensive to the average Republican.=

Sorry your fee fees have been hurt. Rauner is telling the black community that they should be “grateful” for his efforts while simultaneously chastising their leaders. Now maybe the “average Republican” is ok with that but there’s a whole bunch of people that clearly are not. Here’s the litmus test. The person making the racist comment doesn’t get to decide whether or not his comment is racist.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:19 pm
==I get routinely attacked and offended for defending Rauner, but that is way over the top and offensive to the average Republican. Way over the top.==

To be fair, counselor, if average republicans weren’t so ga-ga over the guy who claims there are good people on both sides of the white supremacy debate, everyone wouldnt be so suspicious of your motives.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:22 pm
I guess having photo-ops with black people is doing something for them.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:24 pm
===That National Black Chamber of Commerce recent comments to the contrary are still being ignored.===

Pretty sure you read about that on this very blog. So, it wasn’t ignored here. Take your whining elsewhere.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Rauner might as well have added, “My perspective as a white male.”

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Because lecturing the black community turned out so well for Cosby.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:36 pm
If you want to understand American politics, you have to study the life and career of George Wallace.

If you can find it, the doc “George Wallace: Settin’ the Woods on Fire” is a good start.

Wallace knew exactly what he was doing. By all accounts, as a judge, he’d been a fair and impartial administer of justice, regardless of race.

But that wasn’t doing him any good getting elected statewide.

–”I started off talking about schools and highways and prisons and taxes — and I couldn’t make them listen,” he said. “Then I began talking about n——, and they stomped the floor. I swore I’d never be out-n—— again.”

Wallace knew what he had willfully done to achieve power, and he sought forgiveness for it before he died, which is all any sinner can do.

Here he is at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, 1979:

–”I have learned what suffering means. In a way that was impossible, I think I can understand something of the pain black people have come to endure. I know I contributed to that pain, and I can only ask your forgiveness.

“I was wrong. Those days are over, and they ought to be over.”–

Maybe one day. But they ain’t over yet. And all you Sunday school kids, these dark days require that you apply your learning in meaningful ways.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:49 pm
The Filipino Tilt-A-Whirl Operators got the same line from Rauner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb63nQ4kYoo

You’re not constituents; you’re supposed to be grateful props for the campaign.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 12:57 pm
“Racist comments”. Sheesh. Here we go. I can’t believe that people still fall for “racist comments” when there are none to be heard. Stratton is waaaaayyyy smarter and classier than that.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:15 pm
–Rauner might as well have added, “My perspective as a white male.”–

No, too direct. Dog whistles are the tool for the job.

Rauner fired his IPI flack for being so thick that she pulled back the curtain on purpose.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:16 pm
==Wallace knew what he had willfully done to achieve power, and he sought forgiveness for it before he died, which is all any sinner can do.==

Nah, not good enough. Even mentioning his name is disgraceful. We have nothing to learn from the enemies of history, and only things to learn from ourselves and our failures.

Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:23 pm
Thanks to Wordslinger for providing great historical context. It’s sad that we now have to re-learn these lessons. It shows how far we still have to go.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:30 pm
“”We have nothing to learn from the enemies of history…'’”

… except as examples of personal flaws that we might find in ourselves.

Comment by walker Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:35 pm
“I know I contributed to that pain, and I can only ask your forgiveness. I was wrong….”

If that’s not good enough, then we are all in big trouble….

Comment by ajjacksson Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:38 pm
“Thanks to Wordslinger for providing great historical context.”

I was thinking the exact opposite: how completely out of place that ridiculous reference was.

I also think minority legislators have chosen very poorly by being so loyal to Madigan and keeping him in power. Anyone who thinks my opinion is racist is allowing their political bias to fracture their understanding of what actual racism looks and sounds like.

Comment by Liandro Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:40 pm
I would love to know what “actual racism looks and sounds like”.

Does it sound like Jeanne Ives talking about people who “don’t know who the Daddy is?” on the House floor?

Is it assuming that actual opinions of minority legislators MUST be GIVEN to them by the all knowing white man? Is it believing that they can’t think or speak for themselves?

I have no idea the race or background of nicknames we give ourselves on this thread, but I do know that as it relates to our preciously thin skinned governor and all the well meaning white folks who claim to never be able to understand when Black folks call B.S. on being told what to think…that those who are not subjected to what actual racism looks and sounds like have no right to tell us how to respond to it.

Comment by Sideline Watcher Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 1:56 pm
There are 10 wards in the City of Chicago that are 75% African American (6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 20, 21, 24, 34, 37), in 2014 Rauner got less than 4% of the vote in every one. He may be campaigning about black voters but black voters aren’t his intended audience here.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:08 pm
=I also think minority legislators have chosen very poorly by being so loyal to Madigan and keeping him in power.=

So you’re suggesting that these legislators would have been better served by being loyal to someone else? I’m not sure who that would be but it can’t be our current governor. I mean he did after all call their schools “crumbling prisons.” But I’m sure you don’t hear a dog whistle in that either.

Wordslinger has this exactly right. A racist doesn’t have to be someone who always speaks in overtly racist terms. It can be defined by an individuals actions and deeds. The only difference between Wallace and today’s racism is its opaqueness. You might have to look for it a bit more closely (like maybe someone who criticizes a guy for taking a knee, or the Ives comment mentioned above) but trust me it’s there.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:15 pm
“I also think minority legislators have chosen very poorly by being so loyal to Madigan and keeping him in power.”

It’s relative. Legislators can choose Madigan or Republicans, who are against ACA Medicaid exansion, for RtW, are Bruce Rauner and other reasons. Why would African-American Democratic GA members choose Bruce Rauner and his agenda if it’s very distant from their beliefs?

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:30 pm
Strong words from J.B., the candidate who had to apologize to both Jesse White and Emil Jones for his disrespectful remarks as caught on a wiretap.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:41 pm
“I would love to know what “actual racism looks and sounds like”.”

Here’s a hint: criticism of very poor results is NOT it. Minority leaders have voted for and supported Madigan for a very long time, despite his terrible record of “accomplishments” for the state (including the minority communities within the state). If minority elected officials don’t want to hear criticism about that path they chose…too bad. They stood by that path as Madigan damaged the state.

In the minds of many (especially on this blog), Rauner has also done damage. And within just a few years, he faced a revolt from within his party and even nearly lost a primary challenge from a legislator with considerably less funds. Madigan, after all these decades of unpopularity and failure, has faced a stiff challenge from…who?

As for “dog whistles”, they certainly exist. Sometimes the older generation can have much to teach us; other times, they just insert their baggage where it has little to no place. Wallace is fascinating and disturbing, and certainly can be warning. But using the reference here was out of place.

As for my handle, it’s Latino–just as I am. Some may feel that means I should only comment on Latino leaders. I’ll certainly be respectful of the fact that it isn’t my heritage these leaders hail from, but that doesn’t preclude having a voice at all. These mistakes have affected everyone; I’d like to see them change their approach.

Comment by Liandro Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:45 pm
===the candidate who had to apologize===

He did apologize. Do you think Rauner will?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 2:46 pm
==I would love to know what “actual racism looks and sounds like”.==

Among other things, treating members of a group as a monolithic other.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 3:00 pm
Governor Rauner should remember that there is no electoral college for the race he’s running. playing the Trump game will raise turnout on both sides. you can’t parse Bruce.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 3:25 pm
====I would love to know what “actual racism looks and sounds like”.==

Examples can be routinely be found on the Fox News Network, between the hours of 6 - 10 am and 8 - 11 pm.
*Please contact your local cable provider for network channel number. Program schedule listings all EST.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 3:38 pm
==Examples can be routinely be found on the Fox News Network==

Here is a perfect example from yesterday: “Fox News commentator: Black people I’ve talked to say immigrant detention centers are nicer than the projects”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/0fd0c9f4-5971-3441-b870-067cb9512a7b/ss_fox-news-commentator%3A-black.html

Comment by supplied_demand Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 4:00 pm
===And one sure-fire way of uniting the hardcore GOP base is to bash minorities. Just sayin…===

Yep. Sad but true.

=====

As a black man (and a Republican but NOT a Raunerite), I so wish we were past these inane stereotypes and generalizations.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 4:17 pm
“treating members of a group as a monolithic other.”

You do realize that joining the black caucus self-identifies a legislator as a black leader, yes? Nobody put that label on them. They embraced their leadership within the black community, and may face criticism of of how their decisions reflect on that community.

Unless you believe that a black caucus member who openly and constantly embraced Rauner would also be immune to criticism?

Comment by Liandro Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Rauner has an uncanny ability to turn a one-day story into a three-day one.

In 2014, he scored some points by co-opting certain African American leaders and playing up everyone’s dissatisfaction with Quinn. He should try that again.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 22, 18 @ 4:26 pm
–“Thanks to Wordslinger for providing great historical context.”

I was thinking the exact opposite: how completely out of place that ridiculous reference was.–

Really? I’m pretty sure I hear a lot of hot political rhetoric in some circles about “invasions” and “infestations” and “death and destruction” from south of the border, even though the facts on the ground show that the number of people attempting to enter the United States from Mexico has been in sharp decline for many years.

What do you think that rhetoric’s all about? Sure does get some people wound up. They stomp the floor.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/us/politics/trump-immigration-borders-family-separation.html

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 7:22 am
==You do realize that joining the black caucus self-identifies a legislator as a black leader, yes? Nobody put that label on them.==

I said other, not us. People can congregate based on similarities without hate and do so all the time: book club members, beekeepers, birdwatchers, etc. It’s when they describe nonmembers as monolithic others the problem begins.”The problem with all nonbirdwatchers is…”

As for the Illinois black caucus, they promote job training, expungement legislation, education reform, etc. that helps all Illinoisans. So Rauner doesn’t agree with their votes. What do their constituents think?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:01 am