Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Rauner explains his biker pins in new campaign video

Posted in:

Illinois
YouTube

* Background is here. Press release…

New Rauner Campaign Digital Video: “Bruce’s Biker Pins”

Following yesterday’s endorsement from ABATE of Illinois PAC, the Rauner campaign released a new digital video today featuring Governor Rauner talking about the pins on his biker vest.

Governor Rauner has received hundreds of pins from various organizations and different communities throughout the state. In this video, he highlights three pins in particular: a Cubs legend Ernie Banks pin, one from the Illinois Firefighters Memorial, and one to commemorate the Honor Flights program he has been deeply involved with during his time as governor.

As Patrick “PJ” Jones, President of Chicago ABATE, said: “Governor Rauner is a true motorcyclist, and we feel it’s a slap in the face of all motorcyclists for someone to have called his riding apparel a COSTUME – we take our riding gear serious, and so does he.“

* The video…

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:26 am

Comments

Rauner is so opaquely phony.

Comment by Anon E. Moose Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:29 am
At least he meets the 37 pieces of flair requirement…

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

Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:30 am
Maybe the bikers are his only remaining constituency.

Comment by Christopher Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:30 am
Well it beats talking about his nearly perfect record of total failure as Governaut.

Comment by Al Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:30 am
Next Up: Gov. Rauner shares the scalps he collected from all the social service providers he ran out of business by reneging on contracts and not paying his bills.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:32 am
Well said Gov

Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:32 am
Up next, Montana cowboys stick up for Rauner wearing snap-button shirts. It’s not a costume!

Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:34 am
If you take time to tell about your pins, or you’re not a phony…

This is probably the very first time I felt sad for Bruce Rauner.

It’s embarrassing that someone feels a need to defend an image of themselves, when so much more of who or what they are is inherently phony.

You’re not getting your reputation back.

You’re unlikable.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:35 am
I’m waiting for the commercial where he wears his Illini hat while reminding us that you can’t find good workers’ in Champaign and how starving our universities will be good for us in the long run.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:35 am
This is the saddest ad I’ve ever seen in my life.

Comment by WSJ Paywall Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:37 am
Had the same conversation with my 3 year-old yesterday. Ok, Ok, you’re a real fireman buddy but it’s time for bed.

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:37 am
Word—will he be in costume for that ad, too?

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:38 am
…this is not the right battle to fight, Rauner. Not that you’re gonna win anyway. Might as well have fun.

Comment by ChicagoJ Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:39 am
If your are explain, you are losing …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:39 am
Home is Worth Fighting For…

… guess we’re back to that theme…

…

Today.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:40 am
Explaining … darn autocorrect

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:40 am
Touring through Italy on his motorcycle will be great fun.

Wonderful way to learn about his new home after his early ‘retirement’ from IL politics.

Yay, Bruce. Ride with the wind. Italy, here he comes.

Comment by Cindy Lou Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:40 am
My daughter used to collect pins from Disneyworld when she was about 7 years old.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:42 am
Lots and lots of Illinois bikers wear a Dartmouth pin on their vests.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:42 am
RNUG beat me to it.

Comment by illini Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:42 am
Notice the comments were disabled to the video. Smart move. The end is near. Tick tock, tick tock.

Comment by Illinois Resident Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:43 am
If I were a motorcycle enthusiast I’d be embarrassed to share my love of bikes with Rauner.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:48 am
Hi, I’m Bruce Rauner. I want to share with you all the cool t-shirts I got from colleges all over the country from Illinois high school grads who went out of state after I put the torch to public higher ed….. I could wear a different one every day of the year…..

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:49 am
If you head out to LA, the studio tours highlight famous costumes. They talk about different things or tricks used that make the costume optimal for stunts for example.

This reminds me of that kind of thing.

Problem is… as sincere and genuine as Rauner wants to come across, you can’t erase a caricature of yourself as a phony to costumes or moments by explaining something that very well could mean a great deal to him.

That’s why it’s sad. No snark. I feel sad for him here. Grasping at any chance to seem… honest to himself.

At the end of the tour, you can purchase replica props and costumes too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:50 am
This- and ABATE’s hurt feelings yesterday- feels like a response to the costume ad. What a silly thing to get wrong-footed on.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:51 am
Grade C-

Let’s be honest, everyone has something obscure they geek out over, and this is just an example of a guy geeking out over his pins. I think it’s genuine, and the fact that the pins come from all over the state is nice. He’s trying to connect.

But. It’s still weird. Weird to see a billionaire wearing a vest with 37 pieces of flair (thank you Dee Lay for the link.) Weird to think about what “hundreds more” look like at home. Weird to see a governor dress and speak this way.

Finally, about the bikers. I understand that they are mad about having the biker gear called a costume. I would be insulted, too. But old guys in black leather look funny, deal with it.

Comment by State Sen. Clay Davis Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:52 am
Voters thought they were electing a businessman who knows how to get things done, not some bored millionaire riding around on his Harley collecting pins for his leather vest.

Comment by GOPgal Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:52 am
Stuff like this makes it hard to believe Ives lost.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:53 am
Rauner thinks a video with good feeling music is going to make him likable. Rate = D.

Rauner is phony

Comment by Real Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:56 am
Authentic pins on a thoroughly inauthentic person

Comment by Matts Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:59 am
If only he had even half as many accomplishments as governor as he has pins.

Comment by Flair Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:02 am
At the end…who is ‘Sanguinetti’?

Comment by Dean Wormer Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:04 am
The pins and what they signify are not the issue. The issue is that Rauner dresses up to give people the impression that he’s a regular joe, a working class guy fighting against corrupt insiders. You and me against those fat cat unions. That’s with the cheap van and watch, the hard hat, etc. Didn’t he once wear a Local 150 union pin when he was at a union training facility?

Bruce Rauner is a corporate knuckle-breaking CEO worth a half-billion dolllars. He wants to permanently empower the super rich, like himself, over workers. He wants to weaken workers and push them down so badly that he would and did severely damage an entire state to do it. How is this not more offensive than mocking his pandering?

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:11 am
Rauner’s version of “Show and Tell”.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:11 am
Sing along. Goin up the country, with my flair I go. Goin up the country cuz I just got let go…

Comment by Generic Drone Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:11 am
Agree w Willy’s points re: ‘Problem is … ‘ paragraph. A phony extraordinaire can’t be believed on anything - even when it’s on those rare occasions he slips into truth/honesty. That’s a form of justice.

Comment by Matts Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:24 am
I frequently see bikers when I go over to Springfield, matter of fact there was a huge biker rally there a couple weeks ago - those guys were everywhere that weekend. One thing I did not see was a lot of pins. Patches, yes, they all had patches of various kinds - but none of the leather vests or jackets were loaded up with pins. Maybe it’s a thing bikers in the suburbs do?

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:26 am
Where’s the $100,000 Wine Club pin?

Comment by d.p.gumby Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:27 am
Rauner: I’m a real biker.

Undecided voters: Oh, well then, by all means, I’m voting for you.

Comment by Moby Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:33 am
Well, at least he didn’t laugh.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:34 am
And this ones for staying in the lines while coloring the Denny’s children menu in Springifeld…

Comment by BigLou Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:39 am
Saw him at our kids’ football games, saw him at fair, saw him at farmers market and downtown eating lunch (& mingling/talking) - kinda missed democrats at any local events……idk - skittish to rub elbows with the blue-collar folk?

Comment by k but at least this? Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:43 am
A WIU PIN!!! From the 22 second mark to the 26 second mark, where he is pointing to the Banks pin, there is a WIU pin up and to the right clearly visible in the frame.

Given that he has tried to close us with lack of funding for four years and no funding for 763 days, he certainly shouldn’t be rocking that pin on his vest.

Comment by a priori Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:43 am
It’s the lack of authenticity that dooms Rauner. Because he has no constituency he panders to everyone. He’s giving away cash with Willie Wilson, he’s going downstate and telling folks how great things are happening in Washington, and he’s putting on his Illini hat to make up for his gaffe about Champaign.

Maybe Rauner is the serious biker that ABATE wants us to believe he is. But when you wear so many costumes, and do so many contradictory things its hard to take anything you do seriously or separate phony from real.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:46 am
‘And this ones for staying in the lines while coloring the Denny’s children menu in Springfield”.

Big Lou, Denny’s in Springfield is yet another ’social service agency’ that failed and shuttered its doors on Bruce’s watch..

Comment by Shark Sandwich Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:49 am
Here’s a thought. Given that Bruce has run up debt that will (eventually) fall to every Illinois citizen, he can model himself after the old Geico ad and cover himself with money that will fall off when he rides through town. This way Bruce can indulge his passion and we can get something out of it.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:51 am
I, too, have a collection of pins from conferences i attended. My favorite state pin is the big dipper from alaska. Favorite organization pins: AANR. American Association for Nude Recreation. “Discover the world of nude recreation.”

He isnt really puting any money behind this video, is he?

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:53 am
I’m not basing my vote on his motorcycle leathers, pins, or any other outfit he’s worn. That’s why commercials like that don’t sway me.

My vote is based on the following:
Are we better off than we were 4 years ago? What kind of grief occurred since his inauguration? What part did he play in the answers to both questions? Any accomplishments in his role as governor?

He can’t outrun the answers.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:57 am
If, as some have suggested, this ad is a reaction to the Pritzker commercial, when will Bruce release the other ads in which he explains his other goofy outfits?

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 11:04 am
You know, had he done an ad like this on its own - not a response to Pritzker - it might work. He seems more relaxed and natural in it than any other piece I’ve seen. It could have humanized him some. The fact that it is a response and the goal is to say “I really am a biker!” undermines any good it could have done him.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 11:23 am
He has a very nice bike and enjoys the rides. Good for him. Many other bikers feel the same. That vest looks like it is pulling him forward from the weight of the metal.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 11:26 am
I ride too, I take pride in what I wear when I ride…Although I’m not an ABATE member, I support the same causes.
But the jist is this….the Gov uses each and every aspect of his attire to appeal to voters…for the purpose of getting elected.
His choice of attire is, generally speaking, only a prop used to magnify his personal message.
I vote with ‘Thoughts Matter’….Are we better off than we were 4 years ago? Or are we just better dressed?

Comment by northernwatersports Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 11:27 am
did a little bit of a spit laugh when he said that we fly our veterans, our heroes–on a plane–to Washington DC.

Thank goodness, I thought they were being flown in zeppelins or just catapulted in a giant slingshot. Whew, glad to know they’re going in planes.

Great editing, BTIA

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:08 pm
Both Patrick “PJ” Jones, President of Chicago ABATE,and Rauner dressing up like a Hells Angel doesnt make them real bikers anymore than Ronny Woo Woo dressing up in cubs uniform makes him a resl basseball player.

Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:24 pm
Gov. pointing to pins on his vest “…and this one is my ALEC pin, and this one is my Koch Bros. pin..”

He’s so shallow a dime couldn’t drown laying flat on him.

Comment by revvedup Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:25 pm
All Rauner needs is a good governance pin. That is the only symbol of identity Rauner needs for the voters to pin on him. He failed to earn their trust to mint it.

Comment by Vole Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:35 pm
Clip of Rauner dressing to appear in “Little Egypt”, Southern Illinois…
https://youtu.be/EQIECjMwcmY?t=49

Later, the Fremen were impressed when he wore his stillsuit Desert Fashion, while hunting for wormsign.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Ok, here is why his biker outfit is just a campaign costume…

Mr. Miller pointed out yesterday that Gov. Rauner LOVES biking… That’s not fake. He’s a biker. Ok, I’ll give that to him..

From other reports.. Gov. Rauner LOVES really expensive wine… Even belongs to a very expensive wine club (I guess that’s a thing)… Do we see Gov. Rauner sipping on expensive wine and telling us all about his love of wine.. No.

This is a play for middle class votes. It’s a costume, even if he loves his motorcycle or not….

Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:45 pm
===Gov. Rauner LOVES really expensive wine… Even belongs to a very expensive wine club (I guess that’s a thing)===

Not really. I’ve partaken of that wine. He drank beer. His spouse drank wine. He’s mainly in it for the money. He owns part of the club.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:49 pm
By the way, that wine is crazy good.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:52 pm
===Gov. Rauner LOVES really expensive wine… Even belongs to a very expensive wine club (I guess that’s a thing)===

Not really. I’ve partaken of that wine. He drank beer. His spouse drank wine. He’s mainly in it for the money. He owns part of the club.

Point taken.. I guess my point is… You don’t see the millionaire stuff he does… He is not genuine and it comes across with his constant costume changes. If you’re a millionaire, be a millionaire. It’ll come off much better..

Rauner is not running against Pat Quinn this year. I’m not sure he understands that.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 12:53 pm
Is he going to produce an ad about his G dropping? Maybe it could be sponsored by Sesame Street and feature Elmo?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 1:01 pm
The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Blagojevich. They were apparently unaware of his true nature at the time.

I would ask ABATE members to check further into the true nature of Bruce Rauner. Hanging ornaments from a leather vest as a hobbyist may blind you to his true neoliberal nature that is contrary to you and your families’ best interests.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:20 pm
- Lurker -

Of all the things to push back on, over these 4 years Rauner has been on the scene, Rauner pushes back on his 37 pieces of flair?

Of all things…

Did you forget this…

===as sincere and genuine as Rauner wants to come across, you can’t erase a caricature of yourself as a phony to costumes or moments by explaining something that very well could mean a great deal to him.

That’s why it’s sad. No snark. I feel sad for him here. Grasping at any chance to seem… honest to himself.===

That would be my retort, with respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:31 pm
I don’t think women really care about this. I don’t think anyone cares about this. Can’t he just wear a suit?

Comment by Politix Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:38 pm
I know OW but this one set me off for some reason. I mean people saying things like “If I were a motorcycle enthusiast I’d be embarrassed to share my love of bikes with Rauner.”

No. We are not. There are 100 things that you can say you do not like about Rauner but this being one of them is plain silly. I like riding with him, it is fun. I like having a beer with him in downtown Springfield afterward, it is fun. (My complaint is that he often does not wear a helmet, which I do not support. He does not when rollerblading either and that really bothers me too.)

Just all the people with their high negativity all the time about everything can get old.

So yes, what he is saying and doing here is in no way sad. I think he is taking your advice and get off the bashing and put out a simple, real ad.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:44 pm
=== I mean people saying things like “If I were a motorcycle enthusiast I’d be embarrassed to share my love of bikes with Rauner.“===

I did not.

=== I like riding with him, it is fun. I like having a beer with him in downtown Springfield afterward, it is fun. (My complaint is that he often does not wear a helmet, which I do not support. He does not when rollerblading either and that really bothe===

Even those I disagree with, they are usually the first people I hope to play golf with, as we always seem to have the best time, and the love we have for golf… it transcends… and I know my love for golf is borderline obsessive. Don’t get me started talking golf bags, clubs, anything. I hear ya.

===Just all the people with their high negativity all the time about everything can get old.===

Yes. It can. Tiring too.

===So yes, what he is saying and doing here is in no way sad. I think he is taking your advice and get off the bashing and put out a simple, real ad.===

Then for his sake and the campaign’s it resonates.

Be well. Thanks.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:50 pm
Be well OW. Your comments were not as bad as many in this thread (there’s were so infuriatingly &*%^ that I could not argue sanely) I’m leaving this thread after this comment because I am having a hard time breathing in the toxins…

I don’t think women really care about this. I don’t think anyone cares about this. Can’t he just wear a suit?

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 3:58 pm
If Rauner wore a dress everyday a la Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger I wouldn’t care as long as he was a skosh better than Quinn. Truth is he has been terrible and people got hurt, social skills while drinking beer with supporters notwithstanding.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 4:55 pm
Do we really think the hardcore motorcycle crowd was going to vote for JB anyway?
Be a “biker” plays really well in the suburbs. Nothing better than loud ass Harley’s crashing through a nice quiet suburban street. Suburban moms love that.

Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 10:24 pm