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Pritzker heading to White House today

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* During the campaign, JB Pritzker unveiled his “plan to resist Trump”…

Donald Trump’s legislative agenda threatens to wreak havoc on the lives of Illinois families. Trump is actively working to dismantle health care in the United States, potentially stripping millions of families of their coverage and targeting those who need it most. He is waging war on science in his refusal to acknowledge climate change and his rejection of the policies that will preserve our future. Trump’s attacks on public education, immigrant families, and people of color are tearing communities apart, and undermining the principles that make this country strong. Every day, Trump is exploiting divisions and peddling hate.

Illinois will be deeply impacted by this administration’s devastating agenda, and Governor Bruce Rauner is asleep at the wheel. Rauner is silent in the face of Trump’s attacks and refuses to put in place policies that will protect Illinois families. Worse, Rauner is actively working to force a special interest agenda on Illinois that will amplify Donald Trump’s destruction. After a 736-day budget crisis, with a state economy in turmoil, and with public school funding at risk, Illinois simply can’t afford Trump’s agenda or more of Rauner’s failed leadership.

My parents raised me with a commitment to social justice. I’ve spent my life fighting for Illinois families and bringing people together to solve big problems for this state. Those values are under attack and I am ready to fight every day to make sure Illinois is a firewall against Donald Trump’s destructive agenda and hateful rhetoric. We will protect and expand health care for all of our families, invest in education, defend our environment, stand with our immigrant families, and fight for civil rights. I’m running for governor because the values that I care about are under siege by Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner and I am ready to stand with passionate Illinoisans and resist.

After Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, there is so much work to do and this my plan to resist Trump as Illinois’ next governor.

* Today…

JB Pritzker will attend a meeting Thursday with other governors-elect at the White House Thursday. The White House says both Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump will meet with the new governors elected this past November.

During the past two years, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner kept his distance from President Trump, rarely attending White House events.

* Sun-Times…

“JB was invited to the White House and will be taking this opportunity to advocate for Illinois. As JB said on the campaign trail, he will work with Democrats and Republicans to bring more federal dollars back to the state and fight for policies that benefit working families,” Pritzker transition press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh told the Sun-Times. Pritzker, who will be inaugurated Jan. 14 in Springfield, tied Republican Bruce Rauner to Trump, not particularly popular in Illinois. Pritzker used Chicago’s Trump Tower as a backdrop for Rauner-Trump trashing, in commercials and in a speech.

Quentin Fulks, who was the deputy campaign manager, will be accompanying Pritzker on the day trip.

This is Pritzker’s first visit to Washington since his election in November. On the weekend of Nov. 17, Pritzker traveled to Colorado Springs for the National Governors Association new governor conference.

* Tribune…

Despite the attacks, it’s not unusual for newly elected leaders to meet. Soon after Trump was elected president, Mayor Rahm Emanuel met with him at the president’s namesake Manhattan tower. Since then, the mayor’s administration has sued Trump’s multiple times over immigration and other issues.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:41 am

Comments

You mean Illinois will have a governor who actually acknowledges the existence of the president?

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:49 am
It is good that he is going. I am not sure Washington D.C. is aware we have a Governor. Rauner has declined to act as a Representative of the state for 4 years. I do admit he hung around the USSC for while doing cheap photo ops, but I don’t think he got much coverage in the Capitol.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:49 am
Should we plan well-being checks on all the resisters and not-my-presidenters who might not be ready to see their messiah standing with the devil himself?

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:52 am
You can meet with Trump and still resist his agenda that tunes up people.

Or, you can be a scaredy-cat and refuse to even say Trump’s name, while still supporting parts of his agenda that advance your personal political fortunes.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:55 am
Oh goodness. For the record, Rauner DID visit the White House multiple times since Trump has been President. We bashed him for that on this blog. Now, all of a sudden, even with a flip flop, we are going ro praise Pritzker? Oy ve…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:56 am
@Anonymous, I don’t recall any bashing on Rauner for meeting with Trump. Lots of bashing for not meeting with him, or not even using his name, and there was bashing when Rauner’s policies sounded like Trump’s, but I can’t remember bashing him for meeting with Trump.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:59 am
It is appropriate for the new Governor to go to the White House to meet the President. Sheesh.

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:01 am
The importance to this is comical to the Gov-Elect’s predecessor.

Our current governor was afraid to go, as to be too close, and yet, just days away from losing in one of the most colossal and embarrassing ways an incumbent governor has lost re-elect in Illinois history, we as a state lost out to our current governor’s cowardess.

Pritzker has stance on POTUS, but knows the importance of working where he can with the administration on things that make sense for Illinois. How do I know this? Pritzker is going, full bore, no “oh, no, he’s meeting with Pence”.

It was tiring watching the current governor worry more about his own balancing act then the balancing act of working with the administration where he could, and speaking out where he must. It was another failure.

My hope is the Pritzker Administration when it takes power will take advantage of Illinois’ strength in the Congress, and work with the GOP delegation where that extra push is needed too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:02 am
===For the record, Rauner DID visit the White House multiple times since Trump has been President===

… and made a point it was often to meet with Pence.

You think it’s an accident there are no Rauner-Trump photos laying about?

Pritzker spent $171 million, and they couldn’t find a Rauner-Trump picture. Why? There are none?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:05 am
It’s the right thing to do. Responsible politicians should put service of the people first and try to work with different kinds of people, even if they don’t like them. Rauner couldn’t overcome his hatred of opponents.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:06 am
Wordslinger +1. And Nancy Pelosi did a nice job of resisting the other day.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:06 am
An event with the president?(banned punctuation) Will he be wearing the traditional blue jeans, leather jacket, and skull cap combo that Illinois governors are now required to wear to presidential functions?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:07 am
I would put money on Trump mentioning that he is, in fact, richer than JB.

Not saying that is accurate.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:09 am
===Should we plan well-being checks on all the resisters and not-my-presidenters who might not be ready to see their messiah standing with the devil himself?===

LOL

Pelosi and Schumer met with Trump. It went swimmingly well for the Dems. Trump said he’d take full blame for a shutdown, and looked ridiculous trying to seem reasonable.

You *want* to stand next to Trump right now if you’re a Dem, and you especially want to be seen standing there standing up to Trump too.

Heck, a picture of the two only helps Pritzker…

“I met with the President, we talked, I explained to him the things Illinois needs and we discussed where we disagree too. Leaders do that.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:10 am
I am really impressed with JB. A smart politician doesn’t close any doors. He has surprised me and I wish him nothing but luck and good things for Illinois. He does not appear to act like he knows everything. God Bless

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:14 am
Will this meeting be televised, too?
Or is the Donald done with that?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:20 am
“Pritzker heading to White House today”

For Pritzker to do otherwise would be incredibly foolish.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:25 am
–Rauner DID visit the White House multiple times since Trump has been President. We bashed him for that on this blog.–

Little soon for revisionist history, isn’t it?

I recall Rauner being mocked often for his refusal to be seen with Trump or to even say Trump’s name.

That, by the way, was Rauner’s choice, a cold, political calculation as to what he believed was in his best interests. No one forced him into it.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:32 am
Anonymous can you source that? I cannot find anything showing he did in fact attend any meetings at the White House and that he ever met with the current president.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:56 am
I remember seeing Bruce in costume at a southern Illinois rally a few months back. He was so inconspicuous that noone knew he was there.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:01 am
Doubletalking the double standard seems to be running wild here. It’s OK for newly elected Pritzker to meet with Trump to advocate for Illinois but was horrific for Rauner?

Brainless resistance running wild or brainless partisanship?

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:16 am
“Rauner DID visit the White House multiple times since Trump has been President.”

Nope.

“Gov. Bruce Rauner has largely avoided President Trump like the plague…”
• Chicago Sun-Times, Oct 22, 2018
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/with-election-just-15-days-away-rauner-says-he-hopes-to-meet-with-trump/

“Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has sought to avoid any involvement with President Donald Trump for most of his first term…”
• Chicago Tribune, Oct 26, 2018
https://www.chicagotribune.com/g00/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-southern-illinois-trump-rally-20181026-story.html

But Rauner did briefly meet Trump at the 2018 White House Governors’ Ball.

Rauner, who skipped Trump’s 2017 ball, characterized the meeting as “more a social opportunity.”
• State Journal-Register, Feb 26, 2018
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20180226/rauner-in-dc-to-talk-supreme-court-case-meet-trump

– MrJM

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:21 am
===It’s OK for newly elected Pritzker to meet with Trump to advocate for Illinois but was horrific for Rauner?===

Rauner has no pictures with Trump, would say his administration is talking, but would also say he (Rauner) was meeting with Pence.

- Louis G Atsaves -

Your comical and continued defense of the worst Republican governor in America, who lost by a margin not seen in a century for an incumbent, Rauner went out of his way never to be photographed with Trump, and then wasted a whole day to go see Trump, and Trump ignored the costumed Rauner. Hilarious.

No, Rauner was afraid of what Trump and being close to Trump means. No double standard, just making sure revisionist history from Raunerites is called out and mocked.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:21 am
“It’s OK for newly elected Pritzker to meet with Trump to advocate for Illinois but was horrific for Rauner?”

Bruce Rauner advocating for Illinois?

Rauner’s chronic inability to ever say anything positive about Illinois is one of the very good reasons its voters booted him out the door.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:25 am
@Louis Atsaves- LOL, you are funny. You should take your act to the casino comedy club circuit.

Wait…..you were joking right?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:51 am
@JS Mill, if you are my opening Act, then let’s do it.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:04 pm
–It’s OK for newly elected Pritzker to meet with Trump to advocate for Illinois but was horrific for Rauner?–

LOL, another War of Northern Aggression-type revisionist.

The only one I’m sure who thought it was horrific for Rauner to meet with Trump was Rauner. That was his political calculation and choice, no one else’s.

I recall many mocking Rauner for being scared to meet Trump or say his name. And I do recall McCann criticizing Rauner for ducking Trump.

But Louis, if you’re done pounding the table, perhaps you could present some evidence of those who criticized Rauner for meeting with Trump.

You know what evidence is, don’t you, counselor? It’s probably explained in one of those dusty, never-been-cracked-books in your office.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:08 pm
The campaign is over, with its attacks. Now it’s time to govern and hopefully work with key people who were fought during the campaign. Rauner wouldn’t separate campaignin’ from governin’

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:22 pm
===The only one I’m sure who thought it was horrific for Rauner to meet with Trump was Rauner===

Yep.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:23 pm
=@JS Mill, if you are my opening Act, then let’s do it.=

You are on.

Word of caution, you and your favorite governor come up in my act a lot.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:46 pm
Good on the Governor of Illinois for meeting with the President of the United States. I am one who believes building relationships and common ground where possible can lead to positive things getting done.

I don’t recall us criticizing Rauner for meeting or not meeting with Trump. I do recall many, me included, expressing frustration for Rauner not advocating on federal issues that could significantly impact Illinois. https://capitolfax.com/2017/10/20/rauner-finally-takes-a-stand-on-a-federal-issue/

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:26 pm
@JS Mill, we can open at the new Chicago casino. But then, I’ve been reading about a new Chicago casino for like, forever now.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 2:13 pm
This is good politics, period. I’m not sure Trump is happy with Illinois given his own showing in ‘16 and the Dem trifecta in Nov., but he does seem to respect People with Money. (And I’m pretty sure Pritzker is richer than he is, and that if so, he knows it.)

Our Gov needs to advocate for IL getting federal funding - this is what responsible governors do, regardless of party.

JB is already demonstrating responsible governing - saying “no” politely to Emanuel’s attempt to influence Chicago tax structure - gambling after he departs office; standing up and saying “We have to pay people the pensions they are owed,” creating transition committees which will doubtless serve as think tanks (okay, I find them a bit big and therefore unwieldy, but there will surely be sub-committees).

I’m sensing Illinois will have a real governor come 14 Jan. What a great feeling.

Comment by dbk Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 2:17 pm
It would be foolish for JB not to attend. At the same time, he shouldn’t be expecting a warm fuzzy greeting from Trump. First, Trump can’t seem to handle any kind of criticism. Second, JB’s statements regarding Trump were extremely negative. That’s fine, but you can’t throw stones that big and expect any kind of welcome.

Trump wasn’t going to do anything for Illinois anyway.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 2:51 pm
Trump earned his money, Rauner earned his money, JB was handed his money.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 3:39 pm
===Trump earned his money.===

Yeah… no… No.

See the New York Times…

https://tinyurl.com/ycy3d3z9

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 3:46 pm
As I said, JB was handed his money.

Trump inherited some, he earned his money from early on, Rauner earned his money.

Oswego, I see you didn’t touch on JB or Rauner.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:38 pm
Trump was a millionaire when he was 8… in tax shelters and businesses.

Trump was always wealthy.

Rauner is old news. Soon Rauner will be a memory, a bad one at that.

Pritzker… what do you want anyone to say. He’s the Governor-Elect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:47 pm
Dunno many working 8-year olds that tuned into millionaires…

Pick a name, please.

Thank you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:48 pm
=Rauner earned his money=

Yeah, he did. He earned it by picking at the scabs of down and out companies and to this day cannot name one job he created. In that regard he is selling himself short because Leslie Munger has been steadily employed since he took office and she was out of work at the time losing every election she has been in.

So…there is that.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:54 pm
@Louis Atsaves - good stuff today, you made me laugh out loud with you last two comments. Well done sir.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:55 pm