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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign-reset speech last week has been described as “contrite,” a “mea culpa” and even an “apology.”
It most certainly wasn’t an easy speech to deliver for a man who never publicly admits mistakes. I mean, he claimed last month that his administration did an “excellent job” at the state’s Quincy veterans home, where 14 residents died.
But there he was, claiming that after four years he’s learned some valuable lessons.
I actually do believe, as Rauner claimed, that he’s “grown” in office. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming into it, but he’s grown some.
After losing the budget and tax hike veto battle last year, Rauner eventually found a way to accept a win by signing an historic education funding reform bill. And then he agreed to his very first budget this year, which spent every dime of that 2017 tax hike and more.
Rauner said leaders must be willing to “accept incremental improvements,” and thank goodness he finally mouthed those words. As former President Barack Obama said at his recent Illinois speech: “Better is good… That’s the history of progress in this country. Not perfect. Better.”
The governor said he now finally understands that there are “different points of view, different priorities and approaches, even when we share the same goal of wanting to improve Illinois.”
As former Gov. Jim Edgar said during the impasse, Rauner should look for ways to accomplish his goals in a more “doable” manner. Rauner and the Chicago Tribune editorial board absolutely hated that “doable” talk. For whatever insane reasons they’d convinced themselves that “doable” was an abomination. It was their way or no way. At least one person now at least says that was a mistake.
“I know the budget impasse was painful,” Gov. Rauner admitted. “It kept me up at night worrying about the disruption that many families experienced. All of us elected officials let you down in that struggle.”
While I’m glad he finally confessed that he was at least a part of a group that let the state down, he bragged more than once during the impasse about how “my wife tells me she hasn’t seen me this happy in 20 years,” including right up to late June of 2017 – just days before a bipartisan super-majority in the General Assembly finally put an end to the monstrous impasse despite his vetoes.
Passing a budget with higher taxes over a gubernatorial veto wasn’t easy for most legislators. And while it wasn’t great legislation, it was the best they could do under trying circumstances and Rauner did everything he could to stop them and went on to berate and bully them for months. I’d like to believe that those days are over.
“It takes wisdom to listen to those who disagree with you,” Rauner said, “wisdom that can be gained only through years of tough political fights.”
Sorry, but that simple lesson could’ve been learned without years of unnecessary brutality. Most normal people practice this “wisdom” in their own lives every day.
The governor seemed to use that line to imply that his politically inexperienced opponent hadn’t yet faced a trial by fire like Rauner has and therefore wasn’t yet ready to be governor. But, the truth is most people know this stuff. They don’t burn down their own houses during an argument.
And just a few hours after he delivered his speech, the governor received yet another reminder that Illinois voters understand what Gov. Rauner only now claims to have discerned.
A mere 27 percent of Illinoisans say they’ll vote for the governor come November, according to a poll conducted for the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Just 24 percent said they have a favorable view of Rauner. The governor trails Democrat J.B. Pritzker by 17 points.
This is the third poll since June where the governor scored 30 points or less.
We know from the end of his speech that the governor truly believes his opponent is the worst thing that could possibly happen to the state — which kinda negates a lot of the stuff he said at the beginning about being so open minded.
He could’ve ended on a high note, but chose to drive right back into the ditch. “He might be the only person in Illinois who doesn’t think corruption is a problem,” Rauner said of Pritzker. Oh, c’mon.
But, hey, it’s politics. Both men are going to wage a bitterly negative fight to the end no matter what the polls say or how much one of them promises to change. Strap it down.
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2018-09-16/jim-dey-rauners-sorry-so-sorry-%E2%80%94-do-the-voters-care-anymore.html
* Related…
* ADDED: Eric Zorn: Rauner 2.0 — a little bit of change we can’t quite believe in: But aside from saying that Democratic lawmakers secretly agree with him and can be coaxed into supporting his initiatives over the opposition of their leaders, he still can’t explain why the next four years under him will be any different than the last four years.
* Jim Dey: Rauner’s sorry, so sorry — but do the voters care anymore?
* Doug Finke: Gov. Bruce Rauner has a revelation
* Chuck Sweeny: Rauner says he’ll be reasonable in 2nd term
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:16 am
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Soooo….who is falling for the banana in the tailpipe???
Comment by Sunshyne Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:27 am
Here’s a prediction: Rich will not have to write much about Bruce Rauner after the coming election.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:28 am
Rauner has been a complete disaster for the State of Illinois. I see no way for the next 4 years to get any better, and 74% of Illinois voters agree. “He is toast.”
Comment by Retired Educator Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:28 am
–…he bragged more than once during the impasse about how “my wife tells me she hasn’t seen me this happy in 20 years,” including right up to late June of 2017 – just days before a bipartisan super-majority in the General Assembly finally put an end to the monstrous impasse despite his vetoes.–
I’m guessing this is closer to the truth. Rauner’s actions during that time certainly support it.
Who has an epiphany at age 61 that there are “different points of view, different priorities and approaches, even when we share the same goal of wanting to improve Illinois.”? Most people picked up on that from Mr. Rogers.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:28 am
No one could say our state was in great shape with Rauner going into his governorship. But the pain and devastation he has accomplished since taking office is mind blowing. No one could possibly think we’re better off now.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:46 am
Here’s the problem with Rauner’s re-set: The only time he seems authentic is when he is angry and on the attack — that feels like the real Bruce Rauner.
When he’s acting conciliatory or collaborative, he oozes insincerity and often lies (the phantom election night phone calls to Madigan and Cullerton, his ‘immigrant’ grandfather, etc.)
That makes it awfully hard to buy the concept of a new Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Roman Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:49 am
Rauner has shown us exactly who he is for the last 4 years. It would be foolish to assume he’ll become someone else if he’s given a second term.
Comment by slow down Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:57 am
And Lucky Pierre chiming in to make this about Madigan in 3…2…1…
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:58 am
Rauners schooling only cost taxpayers 6 billion on top of taxpayer money stuffed in bond holders pockets
Comment by Rabid Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:58 am
===A mere 27 percent of Illinoisans say they’ll vote for the governor come November, according to a poll conducted for the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Just 24 percent said they have a favorable view of Rauner. The governor trails Democrat J.B. Pritzker by 17 points.===
Rauner is unlikable.
Hard to be liked when you pretend you learned something then tell the Trib Edit Board you don’t regret not signing a budget.
Great read by Rich, again showing he covers Illinois like few can even try.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:00 am
A political force like Rauner belongs in the UN. UN-likable.
UN-concerned. UN-believable. UN-repentent. UN-truthful. UN- real.
Comment by Matts Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:00 am
Bruce Rauner *IS* an uber-left, costal, limousine liberal who signed a budget with no reforms and a 32% tax increase.
McCann is probably better… if you’re a Republican.
Rauner is a Raunerite.
Oh.
This doesn’t make Rauner more likable, so there’s that too.
Failed ad, failed messaging.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:03 am
Is Diana Rauner in charge of this messaging reset? Is the north shore cocktail circuit giving the Rauner’s grief again?
Can we trust this version of Bruce Rauner to be any more sincere than all the other versions?
Inquiring voters want to know.
Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:03 am
Remember Rauner was whining saying Pritzker and Madigan wanted Ive’s to win the primary because she would be easier to beat? It seems that an Ive’s/JB race would be more competitive as most people can’t stand Rauner. He dug his own grave and come November he will deservingly be fired.
Comment by Real Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:04 am
When you’re the boss and a billionaire to boot, you sort of get used to having your own way. Disagreement is seen as disloyalty.
Politics is not business. Business people who claim they’re going to run government like a business usually fail.
Where was this “humility” when social service agencies were closing during the budget impasse?
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:05 am
Three years too late, Bruce. Ciao.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:15 am
And Lucky Pierre chiming in to make this about Madigan in 3…2…1…
Make the case that Mike Madigan was a “cooperative and professional” leader of the Democratic party co equal legislature, willing to pass bipartisan reforms that would restore faith in Illinois government by the citizens and business community.
While you are at it, make the case that 4 more years of unchecked Democratic power in Springfield will work out better than the 12 years starting in 2002 that exploded out debt and led to a population exodus.
How could anyone ignore Mike Madigan’s role in the dysfunction of the past 3 1/2 years and the decades that preceded it and just blame Rauner?
Armchair Governor Jim Edgar lecturing about “doing the doable”, which for him was caving to Madigan and bragging about phony surpluses while kicking pension debt down the road.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:20 am
“How could anyone ignore Mike Madigan’s role in the dysfunction” Who said we were?
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:29 am
“make the case that 4 more years of unchecked Democratic power in Springfield will work out better” As soon as you come out and admit Rauner was at least partly (if not mostly) to blame, I’ll give it my best shot. But based on what we know of your programming, I won’t hold my breath.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:31 am
=How could anyone ignore Mike Madigan’s role in the dysfunction of the past 3 1/2 years and the decades that preceded it and just blame Rauner?=
See bargain, grand. Rauner could have made this all about Madigan. He chose not to. You can’t re-write history.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:35 am
– Who has an epiphany at age 61 that there are “different points of view, different priorities and approaches, even when we share the same goal of wanting to improve Illinois.”? Most people picked up on that from Mr. Rogers. –
… rather than over Mike Madigan’s knee.
Comment by Hieronymus Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:47 am
@LP…. In the very beginning when Rauner was preaching his turnaround agenda all or nothing approach, the Speaker suggested slow, incremental change is best.
So has Rauner come around to the Speaker’s way of thinking? If so, how can Rauner or anyone else blame Madigan for Rauner’s failed agenda? Had Rauner followed the advice of those much more politically wise than he, Rauner wouldn’t be the most vulnerable governor in America.
Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:48 am
==Make the case that Mike Madigan was a “cooperative and professional” leader of the Democratic party co equal legislature, willing to pass bipartisan reforms that would restore faith in Illinois government by the citizens and business community.==
When Rauner asked Madigan to let the 2010 tax hike expire, he did. After Rauner first addressed the legislature, Madigan suggested adding a causation standard to workers comp laws.
That was easy!
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:48 am
“Here’s a prediction: Rich will not have to write much about Bruce Rauner after the coming election.”
In 2019, the comings and goings of the Rauners will be covered by Ricco Mugnaio at Campidoglio Fax.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:50 am
==While you are at it, make the case that 4 more years of unchecked Democratic power in Springfield will work out better than the 12 years starting in 2002 that exploded out debt and led to a population exodus.==
If it were still 2014 and you were still running against Pat Quinn, this line of argument would probably work.
But now, in 2018, the voters have learned that there’s something that is objectively worse than those 12 years, and that’s been the last 4 years of Rauner.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:51 am
When my children would fight and argue, I made them explain what their role was in regards to the problem. They always wanted to say what their brother or sister did wrong and not admit any of their own faults. If I was Lucky Pierre’s parent I would make him explain to me in detail what governor Rauner did wrong. I think most of us on this board realize that Madigan has flaws, but LP seems unable to admit any flaws in Rauner. Come on Lucky, if my young children can do it, you can too.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:53 am
People like you Ole Nelson have been enabling the political dysfunction in Illinois for decades by refusing to admit the obvious.
Rich Miller, editor of the Capitol Fax Illinois political newsletter, wrote “the pile of political corpses outside Madigan’s Statehouse door of those who tried to beat him one way or another is a mile high and a mile wide.”
Sound like a “cooperative and professional” public servant to you?
A Governor cannot write legislation and have Speaker Madigan’s rules committee pass it
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:04 am
===A Governor cannot write legislation and have Speaker Madigan’s rules committee pass it===
Most actually do.
Why? They quickly learned this lesson: “the pile of political corpses outside Madigan’s Statehouse door of those who tried to beat him one way or another is a mile high and a mile wide”
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:07 am
==Sound like a “cooperative and professional” public servant to you?==
Yes. In the context of politics? Yes.
This ain’t camp. It’s not important for everyone to get a turn. Bad ideas will hurt people. Being “cooperative” doesn’t require you to forget that. Being “professional” requires you to remember it.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:24 am
Lucky - rauner said that he hopes that Madigan committed crimes so that he can be removed from office. He also threatened IL GOP members that refused to follow his agenda.
Doesn’t sound like wants to be cooperative to me.
Comment by Ike Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:36 am
“It takes wisdom to listen to those who disagree with you, wisdom that can be gained only through years of tough political fights.”
Gov. Bruce Rauner
Tell me again about term limits.
Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:45 am
That’s okay lucky. My kids would sometimes throw a fit and hold their breath rather than learn the lesson too. It took the governor three years to learn that he was wrong in his actions so maybe there is still hope for you.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:46 am
LP, you also don’t know me as well as you think. My hope is that Madigan leaves soon after Rauner. The current governor has made the speaker very necessary to have around but once Rauner is gone I think it is time for new leadership.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:51 am
Rauners needed reforms added $500,000. That didn’t even cover the cost of his superstars
Comment by Rabid Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:56 am
I agree with Mr. Miller, and add this - what’s worse than liberal single party rule?
Bruce Rauner is worse.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:58 am
Lucky, it is possible to think that Rauner has been a disaster for Illinois and not want to go back to the status quo. I get the feeling that many of the commenters on this board feel like Illinois needs to change its trajectory but not in the way that the current governor thinks. His leadership has been atrocious and has mostly focused on hurting unions at any cost. Many people have suffered because of his zealous ideology. That Rauner is awful and not the solution to Illinois problems does not necessarily mean that Speaker Madigan is.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:58 am
So Rauner admits he’s not normal?
Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:12 pm
==Sound like a “cooperative and professional” public servant to you?==
Yeah. The Governor was being all cooperative and professional when he killed the grand bargain and vetoed the budget. A lot of cooperation there.
==have been enabling==
Like you’ve been enabling the Governor’s victimhood.
==have been enabling==
How about you make the case for 4 more years of Rauner (you know, besides your constant whining and victimhood). What has the man accomplished?
You do a lot of propagandizing and victim playing while offering nothing as to Rauner’s success as a Governor. You conveniently ignore his abyssmal failure.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:12 pm
None of this Madigan’s fault. Nothing to see here. Zero. Nada. It’s all Rauner’s fault. Completely. Totally. Without question.
The above represents Alice in Wonderland Politics in Illinois. Totally. Completely. Fully.
After months and months and months of having this propaganda drilled into my thick skull, I now completely believe it. Totally. Completely. Fully.
Not.
Some of us have kept their sanity.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:00 pm
===“It takes wisdom to listen to those who disagree with you,” Rauner said,===
Riffing off of Streator Curmudgeon, I’d argue that humility is more important in listening and understanding others’ points of view than wisdom. And by all accounts, Rauner is very short on humility which is why he’s not good at this job.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:07 pm
Louis- so commenters here who don’t support rauner and his agenda are protagonists? I can dislike Madigan and not vote for rauner because rauner has shown to be awful at being govenor (13 dead at Quincy, more than doubling state debt, destroying social services because of his hatred of unions,etc).
If you can’t handle the comments here, then you don have to visit this site and comment, snowflake
Comment by Ike Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:08 pm
I meant “propagandists”, not “protagonists”
Comment by Ike Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:22 pm
“It’s all Rauner’s fault. Completely. Totally. Without question.” Who said that? Certainly not me.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:28 pm
==After months and months and months of having this propaganda drilled into my thick skull==
My goodness, you poor little lamb.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:28 pm
Louis Just put your fingers in your ears and keep repeating your mantra. If you can’t think of any facts to defend Rauner’s abysmal record, just set up a false argument that portrays you fighting against the notion that Speaker Madigan is perfect. Rauner had a failed plan from the start and was elected by hiding it from voters. Madigan just happened to be the force that shut down his unpopular agenda. It will be a relief to see him go to Italy.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:29 pm
===After months and months and months of having this propaganda drilled into my thick skull, I now completely believe it. Totally. Completely. Fully.
Not.
Some of us have kept their sanity.===
Then how is it Rauner is at 24% approval and polling 27% against Pritzker.
Governors own.
Ask candidate Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:29 pm
–After months and months and months of having this propaganda drilled into my thick skull, I now completely believe it. Totally. Completely. Fully.
Not.–
Whoa, I did not see that “not” burn coming. Probably because it’s 1990 — not.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:58 pm
==After months and months and months of having this propaganda drilled into my thick skull,==
The only propaganda you’d have drilled into your brain by now is the Blame Madigan theme.
And I see you’re a super victim today since you posted this same nonsense in two places.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:58 pm
Louis, the thing you guys always fail to recognize is that whether or not I accept that Rauner and Madigan share some responsibility here, only Rauner will be on my ballot.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 2:06 pm