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* Craig Wall…
Bruce Rauner, in his final month as governor, revealed in an exclusive interview that he tried to convince two men and two women to run in his place this election cycle.
“And I said I’ll step aside, I’ll give you huge financial resources, you run for governor, I’ll support you. You have as good or better chance to get elected than me. All four of them said no, too tough, too unlikely, too difficult,” said Governor Bruce Rauner.
Sources say former state senator Karen McConnaughey was one of them, when reached by phone she declined to comment. Sources also say Cubs part-owner Todd Ricketts was unsuccessfully recruited by Rauner. […]
“When President Trump won the White House, but lost Illinois by 16 points, I think 16 to 17 points, that changed the dynamic from good chance for reelection to very, very difficult chance for reelection,” Rauner said.
* Rick Pearson…
Sources said Rauner’s recruitment effort also included Todd Ricketts, a member of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs who is now finance chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Erika Harold, an Urbana attorney who at the time was the GOP nominee for attorney general. She ultimately lost to Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul. A source close to Harold said Rauner contacted her about replacing him on the ticket in August, mere months before the general election. […]
McConnaughay, who retired from the legislature in September, said Rauner’s effort to remove himself from the ticket was “indicative of how he governed” and how he repeatedly sought to avoid blame for failures.
“He tried to take himself out the same way he came in. He never learned the job,” McConnaughay said.
“He really came into office with this belief that he had some sort of mandate to strong-arm his agenda through. But he never understood the process. He didn’t try to understand the process. He didn’t think he needed to understand the process,” she said. “As a result, he demonstrated a lack of respect for the process.”
* Greg Bishop…
[Rep. Jeanne Ives] said she was not one of the four asked.
“It was obvious from the beginning that he was not serious about winning the race so he destroyed Republicans up and down the ticket by not bowing out politely and letting someone else take the lead,” Ives said.
She said there’s no doubt in her mind GOP leadership in Illinois knew about this and “let this go on.” She demanded top leadership step down.
“It’s really unfortunate for everybody involved in politics who now completely understand that [Rauner] essentially bought his race and then lied down to the Democrats and was never going to be the watchdog that we need in the face of Pritzker’s tax increase and increased spending that will drive Illinois to the brink of disaster,” Ives said. […]
“Politics is a very tough game,” Ives said. “If you’re heart’s not in it, it will show through and voters will know you’re not authentic and Rauner was not authentic and voters knew it.”
“I hope it’s a wake up call for all these other elected officials who sat on the sidelines while Rauner lied about who I am and what I stand for and they let him get away with it,” Ives said.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider
Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Daily Herald…
Karen McConnaughay said Rauner approached her in April about taking his place, but she quickly rebuffed his proposal.
“I was concerned in my conversations that he didn’t really understand that if he really did want to take his name off the ballot, that he couldn’t just pick a replacement,” she said. “He hadn’t sought any counsel about the process, so he couldn’t understand it.” […]
In the end, McConnaughay said the conversation mostly focused on the protocols of replacing him on the ballot and her trying to explain to him that it’s not something he gets to do in a vacuum.
“It was not the kind of conversation you could take seriously, because he had not contemplated the process of how any of that would work,” she said. “To replace a sitting person on the ballot is the work of the party, not a hand-picked choice. I was flattered that he thought of me, but there’s a whole process to this, and I told him to do careful consideration to all of that before you have conversations with people about replacing him on the ballot.”
…Adding… INN…
“They knew that Rauner was not in for the fight,” said Ives, R-Wheaton. “There’s no doubt in my mind that they knew he asked others to run. [Schneider] can say what he wants to all day long, I do not believe him.”
McConnaughay said she didn’t know if GOP officials were aware Rauner wanted someone else to take over in the race against Pritzker.
“I only know what I know and I’m not interested in engaging in conspiracy theories, I’ll leave that to Representative Ives,” McConnaughay said.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Cook County Republican Chairman…
Sean Morrison condemns Bruce Rauner;
calls for emergency Illinois GOP MeetingChicago, IL – To learn yesterday that Bruce Rauner secretly tried to abdicate his candidacy - on several occasions - is an affront to everyone in the Illinois Republican Party and the entire State of Illinois. It is an egregious betrayal of trust that countless members of the Republican Party placed in him, and that 1.7 Million residents of Illinois had when they cast their vote for him in November.
I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. Both times, to my face, he made clear that he was all in – not only for himself but for all Statewide candidates. We now know, by his own admission, that he deceived me and others.
Evidently, the deception didn’t end there. After the primary, Bruce explicitly promised a statewide absentee ballot and early voting program to boost Republican turnout. Was the program ever implemented? No. And his answer to questions about this program’s failure was nothing more than continued excuses.
It is abundantly clear now that Rauner’s lack of commitment to his own campaign for re-election brought about complete failure. But he didn’t just fail himself, he failed each and every Republican candidate across the state, and as a result, we lost in record numbers; many races we might have otherwise won had his commitments been kept.
It saddens me to have to say this, but this private surrender by Bruce Rauner shows a lack of loyalty, integrity, and character. Many good people across our state, including myself, stood with and supported Bruce Rauner over the last four years even in the midst of many horrible policy decisions made by the governor. But we remained loyal, steadfast and committed to the Governor and all Republican Party candidates – from the top to the bottom of the ticket.
Every person that committed their time, effort and money to re-elect the Governor, from the 75 year old retiree making phone calls to the 18 year old high schooler who walked door to door in the rain for the Governor and the entire Republican ticket is owed an apology.
As a Republican elected official and a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, this kind of betrayal and deception is totally unacceptable and has no place within our party. For this reason, I will call for an emergency meeting of the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee to address this deeply troubling matter and to immediately forge a plan forward to rebuild our party as one that will fight for the working families of Illinois and will challenge Illinois Democratic Party policies that have forced our state into economic peril.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:24 am
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What a weirdo, it is him saying I didn’t lose the election it was all these people that didn’t want to run in my place who you can blame for my loss.
Comment by Not Again Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:27 am
Hello and welcome to Election Phone. If you know the name of the Republican candidate you’d like to elect for governor, press one.
Using your touch-tone keypad, please enter the first three letters of the Republican now.
You’ve selected…Bruce Rauner? If that’s correct, press one.
Why don’t you just tell me the name of the Republican you’ve selected.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:32 am
Shorter Rauner: “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to. You would cry to if it happened to you.”
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:33 am
I recall such simpler times for the GOP. Kirk was a gaffe machine, but his staff would walk it back, apologize and it didn’t have a soul-crushing impact on the GOP. Rauner has taken his interviews to extinction level events for the GOP.
Comment by Canon Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:34 am
That is just bizarre. Can a person even do that from a technical stand point?
Comment by Montrose Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:35 am
Let me get this straight. Rauner wanted to bail on his reelection bid but couldn’t find a replacement. In other words, Rauner failed at quitting a failing campaign because he was a failure as governor.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:35 am
So after spending two years with no budget, blowing up the states budget, declaring war on AFSCME, losing repeated court battles, racking up 1 billion in late fees and interest, 400 million in owed back pay..
The guy didnt even want to run again. Why didnt he just resign in June.
You can resign now, Bruce. Go away.
He will never admit his failure or own his mistakes. That is the worst thing about him. Crocodile tears. What a phony.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:35 am
I don’t think he’s telling the truth- if only because historically, he doesn’t.
This also certainly doesn’t make him look any better.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:36 am
“I hope it’s a wake up call for all these other elected officials who sat on the sidelines while Rauner lied about who I am and what I stand for and they let him get away with it,” Ives said….. this made me chuckle. Who she is, is just as awful as the lies told about her
Comment by theq Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:37 am
A small, pathetic end to a small, pathetic term as Governor.
Comment by Can Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:37 am
“She said there’s no doubt in her mind GOP leadership in Illinois knew about this and “let this go on.” She demanded top leadership step down.“
I rarely agree with anything this woman says, but she’s not wrong in this case.
Comment by Downstate Dreamer Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:38 am
Why does this remind me of Blagojevich?
Comment by Well then Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:40 am
So Rauner really was the biggest ***** in Springfield after all.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:40 am
I guess Alan Keyes wasn’t asked. He would have jumped on it.
I’ll take Rauner’s sincerity on this story with a mine of salt.
It’s a “I didn’t really want to run, but no one else would, so I didn’t really fail by losing” kind of story.
Of course, he didn’t need anyone’s permission. He didn’t have to enter the primary, and he could have dropped out after the primary. Running for re-election was his choice, alone.
The idea that he could dictate who the state GOP would select as his replacement after the primary is way shaky. Once you’ve taken yourself out of the game, you’re not a player anymore.
And Ives would have been the obvious choice, based on the primary results. I don’t see how anyone else would have been viewed as legitimate by the party base.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:42 am
wow. this guy is a colossal tool.
Comment by El Conquistador Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:43 am
He didn’t even understand the process of quitting. Or want to.
Comment by Morningstar Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:47 am
“I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever done”, Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Because I said so.... Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:48 am
Instead of trying to gain sympathy for himself, ole GovJunk could have used today to make a real heartfelt apology to the families of the Quincy Veterans home for his offices mismanagement.
He never misses an opportunity to placate himself. Just an absurd piece.
All about you, Bruce.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:48 am
“When President Trump won the White House, but lost Illinois by 16 points, I think 16 to 17 points, that changed the dynamic from good chance for reelection to very, very difficult chance for reelection,” Rauner said.
Because Gov. Rauner was massively popular and successful until that darned Trump came along and ruined everything.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:50 am
So as Rauner is circling the drain he decides that he wants to get a proxy to serve as a stand in for him and finds not takers? Who in their right mind would take him up on that?
Comment by Pundent Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:50 am
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
Bruce and Diana Rauner, not worried about Illinois, but about *their* brand, and *their* messaging, to tell *their* side, so the purposeful destruction of Illinois and social services and higher ed would be accepted.
Thing is… Rauner, Bruce or Diana, they can’t blame Trump, or Hillary not winning, or Madigan… they are disliked. Bruce is. Raunerism is.
Failures point to others when failure is exposed. They failed Illinois… and this is absolutely critical to why Bruce wanted to retreat back into his money… doing it the way they felt would “drive results”… and people resented Bruce’s callousness.
Read or listen to Bruce… what *was* it about? The messaging and branding… Rauner learned nothing. Rauner ruined an entire party for vanity, and once it was all broke, and couldn’t message, and the brand tarnished, Rauner looked fir someone else so he could bail.
Pathetic.
This is perfect…
===McConnaughay, who retired from the legislature in September, said Rauner’s effort to remove himself from the ticket was “indicative of how he governed” and how he repeatedly sought to avoid blame for failures.
“He tried to take himself out the same way he came in. He never learned the job,” McConnaughay said.
“He really came into office with this belief that he had some sort of mandate to strong-arm his agenda through. But he never understood the process. He didn’t try to understand the process. He didn’t think he needed to understand the process,” she said. “As a result, he demonstrated a lack of respect for the process.”===
… and as a result, though Bruce and Diana Rauner won’t say it… Bruce became so unlikable, Hillary or not, Trump or not, Rauner was going to be, and turned out to be the most vulnerable incumbent governor in America.
The utter humiliation is perfect for Illinois’ Tom and Daisy Buchanan. There is no escaping. Unlike in the book, our Buchanans faced people, and now have their own tarnishes, a man who claimed to be a success at everything he did.
Welp, the “Buchanans” were successful at destroying the ILGOP, their own brand, and there is no escaping that.
Let’s close with this…
===One called the revelation breathtaking and a disservice to Rauner’s supporters, saying perhaps the governor should have instead just announced he wasn’t running for reelection.===
How’s that taste… “Lucky Pierre”
Raunerites… Bruce and Diana wanted to abandon you, use you, make you carry the freight… as they tried to skate away.
Raunerism isn’t the same as being a Republican. Raunerism isn’t “Republicanism”… and I remember all who were the loyalist to help destroy the party. I have the receipts.
I’m so glad no one took Bruce up on it. This failure is his, not anyone else’s. Bruce was unlikable. Bruce needed to face the music.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:52 am
If only these pols had less ego and more courage. Had Kennedy and Biss cut a deal and unified behind a single “anti-Machine” candidate. And though I still would have voted for Pritzker, imagine if Rauner and Ives had gotten together, read the tea leaves, and before the primary found a consensus candidate and pledged to unify behind one - the voters would have got a more meaningful campaign than “toilets vs. (all things Rauner).
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:53 am
Do we have the dollar amount Rauner gave to his re-election campaign fund?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:55 am
He’s a coward as well as a failure, and just like Trump always blaming others. He should’ve dropped out before the primary.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:57 am
Rauner is a coward. He said he would “take the arrows” bullcrap. Like all bullies he is a coward at heart.
Look at Pritzker going to DC, talking with Trump, and his daughter (which did raise my eyebrow)
But nevertheless, going to the swamp and showing the creatures he’s not afraid.
Rauner gets on his everyday man costume and slinks into the back of a Trump rally to be ignored and pout in peace.
I have no ability to write or speak
the words of disdain
I feel
Rage at his followers
Absolute rage
How many families of Lutheran Social Services social workers
Had their finances destroyed
When Rauner, through arrogance, pure hubris
Destroyed the private social service network
and Lutheran Social Services
had to lay off so so many social workers.
Our private sector helping community
won’t recover for decades.
All because of Rauners loathing of Labor
He took hostages
hostages died
and now he wants to say
Well I tried to find
another hostage taker to take my place?
Oh my God
I’m going to have a stroke over the rage.
Followers of Rauner
I can’t be the only one who feels this rage.
Truth and Reconciliation is coming for you.
Accountability is coming for you.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 9:57 am
“I don’t think he’s telling the truth- if only because historically, he doesn’t.” Well…there was no nervous laugh and no “you know what?” so he may have actually been telling the truth.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:04 am
Honey. I was no fan or Rauner. But to judge others without knowing what’s in their hearts, is quite honestly, not in the spirit of Christmas. I personally no some Rauner supporters whose hearts, souls and sweat equity in the service of others would take a back seat to no one.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:06 am
Facepalm.
Rauner never understood what he was supposed to do or how any of this works. He still doesn’t get it.
I’m thankful we’re moving on.
Comment by Aldyth Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:07 am
No…..know
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:07 am
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Comment by Real Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:13 am
Would he have quit as governor too?
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:22 am
1.4% says in a sobbing, whiny, sniffling voice: I was tryin’ to play tag with my friends. Everytime I tried to tag one of ‘em, they yelled “not it” and ran away from me. I even tried to give ‘em my lunch money to play with me, but no one would take it.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:22 am
He could have come into office and said simply “I will spend every penny appropriated by the legislature, but not a penny more.”, and then done that. No shut-down, no union bashing, just fiscal responsibility. Might have been re-elected.
Comment by striketoo Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:30 am
HB - as my South American SO says, “calma leoa”.
While we wish retribution on the out going administration, time will tell how 1.4% is treated in history. Time will tell how the incoming administration will act to repair the damage. Your agency has suffered and will need a long time to recuperate and heal.
HB, the other day you said you felt alone. You are not alone. You have your family, church and friends. Find solstice a walk in a park with a favored friend.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:37 am
Maybe Rauner should have called Roland Burris, I’m sure he would have been happy to take Rauner’s spot on the ballot.
Comment by Angry Republican Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:38 am
“He tried to take himself out the same way he came in. He never learned the job.”
When the statue of Bruce Rauner atop a motorcycle resplendent in his vest is unveiled in Springfield, this quote should be on the base in foot-high letters.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:38 am
=“I hope it’s a wake up call for all these other elected officials who sat on the sidelines while Rauner lied about who I am and what I stand for and they let him get away with it,” Ives said.=
Oh Jeanne, where to start?
How about here: You lost (it was closer than many thought) to a guy that lost by the largest margin for an incumbent in Illinois history.
Ives might have lost by twice as much. So yeah, Illinois knows you well enough.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:41 am
Skip the inaugural, Bruce. It’s too late to try and appeared to be governing. Just go away. Maybe JB can give you an inaugural patch for your test. Vest.
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:53 am
“[Rauner] essentially bought his race and then lied down to the Democrats and was never going to be the watchdog that we need in the face of Pritzker’s tax increase and increased spending”
Between Rauner and Ives, it’s mega-disaster vs. cataclysmic disaster. Ives is saying to be even more unreasonable than Rauner. She would have held the budget hostage for four years? We chose something else.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 10:59 am
Honeybear, I hear you. I have had that rage myself. You are not alone. It is difficult to comprehend how someone could willfully chose to wreak such pain on innocent people and on the state he swore to protect and lead, and it is so painful to bear witness up close, as you and I have, to the consequences of his choices. We did not ask to become hostages or to have our compassion and commitment used against us. All we can do is move forward, try to rebuild, and work for better days ahead. Wishing you peace.
Comment by Andrea Durbin Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:02 am
Bruce just please please please just take your private plane and move to Italy. At this point you are just embarrassing yourself
Comment by Gohawks123 Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:07 am
===Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.===
The help rarely knows what the boss is doing.
I’m at 19 seconds.
What will this rebirth of the ILGOP look like?
How inclusive and how will building begin?
Leaders need to know what’s going on.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:08 am
Did Tim Schneider intend to say that publicly?
Usually one tries not to advertise being left out of the organization one allegedly oversees.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:09 am
Wow. Just, wow.
Didn’t want to be Gov but wouldn’t leave.
Sounds like Bruce had a ton of confidence in Evelyn Sanguinetti. /s
Comment by Scott Cross for President Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:10 am
Turns out Rauner’s capacity for failure exceeds even the wildest expectations of his most rabid detractors.
Well done, Bruce.
Well done.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:15 am
–Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.–
Geez, Rauner goes under the bus, by his handpicked guy.
Ives, McConnaghuay, Schneider, the Superstars, IPI — who didn’t Rauner honk off in the GOP?
You’d think a guy with all that dough would have come to understand that winning is all about addition, not subtraction.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:18 am
I like to see a Tribune editorial on this confession. He’s their guy.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:20 am
=imagine if Rauner and Ives had gotten together, read the tea leaves, and before the primary found a consensus candidate and pledged to unify behind one=
I can only imagine what a Rauner/Ives consensus candidate would have looked like. Not that it would have matter, Rauner destroyed the brand. No candidate would have been able to overcome the damage done.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:20 am
Don’t blame us, we voted for Dillard. We voted for Judy. We voted, we tried - you allowed his money to seduce you. Sadly, the failure of the GOP is a result of the suburban organizations who didn’t stay true to the JBT model of getting elected. They sold out to the denim-clad knight from Winnetka.
Comment by Cornfield Cowboy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:22 am
Rauner remains a complete and utter disappointment.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:25 am
Unbelievable. I would have to ask Rich or OW if they had ever heard of any elected political figure wanting to bail out of the race after winning the primary because they didn’t want to lose the general election. This clown belongs in a Fellini movie. What a loser.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:27 am
Reminiscent of a strategy to get an old guy thinking he was buying computers when he was getting nursing homes being sued for wrongful deaths
Comment by Huckleberry Mentat Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:51 am
He didn’t try to get someone to run who knows how to govern… as a part of a government?
Comment by NoGifts Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:51 am
Never admit anything, always someone else’s fault. Always looking to make excuses. Wasn’t his fault Jeanne primaried him and almost won. Wasn’t his fault that there was no budget for two and a half years. Wasn’t his fault that Republicans flipped and voted for the tax hike. Wasn’t his fault he didn’t get reelected. Wasn’t his fault there was no vote by mail. Wasn’t his fault for Quincy. Nothing is ever his fault, no responsibility. No self awareness. No nothing ever.
A petulant spoiled child.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 11:51 am
Of course Schneider didn’t know anything was going on behind the scenes - knowing would indicate that he was actually in charge. . . . and everyone knows that was/is not the case. Thanks for finally admitted it though Tim. I think it is time for you to step down now.
Comment by Been there, done that Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:11 pm
“He really came into office with this belief that he had some sort of mandate to strong-arm his agenda through. But he never understood the process. He didn’t try to understand the process.”
Or the people. Did he really think he could get Democrats go around Madigan and vote against unions? The floor debate on the RtW bill, early in Rauner’s term, told the story. Democrats were passionately against RtW, some being from union families and/or union members themselves.
The sign was there very early for Rauner, to move away from his anti-union agenda. But as we all know he refused many opportunities to drop that agenda, like when AFSCME made it more than clear that contract negotiations should resume.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Rauner’s biggest problem now will be deciding which of his nine houses he will claim for residency….certainly not Winnetka.
I wonder why he didn’t ask his deputy, Leslie Munger. I guess she was too loyal.
If only 2014 were different, we would be planning Governor Dillard’s second inauguration.
Comment by northshore cynic Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:17 pm
Like others have said, Bruce has dissembled his whole term, why would he change now?
If it’s true, the 1.8 million people who voted for Bruce have to feel like they were played for suckers.
Comment by Jocko Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Rauner knew he’d lose the election and his ego couldn’t accept it so he tried to get someone else to run. That’s pretty pathetic.
An open question to any of the 38.8% who voted for him. Knowing what you know now would you still vote for him?
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:29 pm
–Did he really think he could get Democrats go around Madigan and vote against unions?–
If Madigan was there or not, I don’t think there were any elected Dems who were going to join up with Rauner’s agenda.
That’s why he Rauner resorted to squeeze-the-beast (as he said he would, long before the election). Hold social services and higher ed hostage until he got what he wanted.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:35 pm
Kirk Dillard anyone? If Rauner wasn’t going to run he would have had to say something in mid 2017 given our early primary meaning he would not only be lame he would be an early lame duck. E should have announced after the education bill taken his victory lap and moved on allowing the R’s to salvage the legislature
Comment by Sue Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:38 pm
Not knowin’ could be the CarWashKing’s middle name. There was a rumor about McConoughey right after the GovJunk destroyed the grand bargain and drove Rodagno out.
The dark money IPI lobbos are quick to report GovJunk did not ask CommandoIves….guys he does even have her phone number.
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:47 pm
Thank you Z.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:49 pm
Did Trump hurt? Of course. But Rauner’s defeat was of historic proportions for an incumbent governor. President Clinton would’ve made the margin less embarrassing but “good chance for reelection” is just further confirmation that Rauner’s learned nothing from the past four years.
Comment by Nacho Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 12:53 pm
While it’s a cliche, there’s a lot of truth in the saying that people who really really want a job tend to do well at it; whereas those who are indifferent usually fail.
Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 1:35 pm
Boy, am I looking forward to the series finale of Dad’s Home State.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 1:57 pm
===“I only know what I know and I’m not interested in engaging in conspiracy theories, I’ll leave that to Representative Ives,” McConnaughay said.===
This is hysterical.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Blue Dog:
Honeybear judged him by his actions.
Spoiler alert….the spirit of Christmas won’t be found in a bunch of them..
Cuts to autism programs announced on World Autism Day ring a bell to you?
Comment by btowntruthfromforgottonia Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:23 pm
And …. Mcconnaughay backs the bus over 1.4%.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:29 pm
=allowing the R’s to salvage the legislature=
LOL, that is priceless. In or out Rauner had already done the damage for those that were his firmest followers. The ILGOP was already toast.
=This is hysterical.=
Mmm, yes. I see what you did here and I like it. Comedy gold.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:30 pm
Lots to take away from this, but the only participant with any future in the GOP is Mcconnaughay and she revealed a few things about her character here.
One, when it was in her interest to keep quiet about what Rauner proposed she did so to see if it could be worked out.
Second, now that Rauner is a lame duck she can’t say enough.
How hard is it to say no comment like Erica and Ricketts did and move on?
Comment by Skyline View Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:34 pm
So 5 weeks after the election, the Republican party is turning on 1.4% because he tried to wriggle out of the race. Where was the party for the past 4 years when 1.4% campaigned across the state spouting lie after lie? Where were the statements about 1.4% lack of character, loyalty and integrity?
The Republican party knew what it picked up when it forded the stream. The cries of shock ring hollow when discovering the bite of the snake.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:39 pm
===It saddens me to have to say this, but this private surrender by Bruce Rauner shows a lack of loyalty, integrity, and character. Many good people across our state, including myself, stood with and supported Bruce Rauner over the last four years even in the midst of many horrible policy decisions made by the governor. But we remained loyal, steadfast and committed to the Governor and all Republican Party candidates – from the top to the bottom of the ticket.===
Dear Mr. Morrison,
You are not the answer for the ILGOP.
Admitting you aided and abbetted here, unapologetically… I have no time fur Raunerites thinking “they know”… you were part of the problem all along.
If you think you are let down… you are not the leader we need.
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:45 pm
In Lake County he most certainly lost because of Trump. He was somehow tied to Trump even though he avoided him like the plague. I have a friend who despises Pritzker but couldn’t vote Rauner because of Trump. She’s not the only one.
Comment by Mockingjay Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:45 pm
I want some of what Morrison is smoking. First he has trouble with the concept of time, since he calls Rauner a liar for telling him, before the primary, that Rauner was committed. Then, after almost LOSING the primary, Rauner tried to find someone else, and Morrison thinks that means Rauner lied to him. The primary results were new information. New information can and should make you reevaluate decisions. And frankly I bet anyone Rauner had gotten to replace him (assuming they weren’t fringe right like Ives) would have lost by a much smaller margin. Rauner was toxic.
Comment by Perrid Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:47 pm
An emergency meeting. 5 weeks after the election, about 18 months before the next primary, I don’t see the need for an emergency meeting. By all means, schedule a new meeting. But it’s not an emergency. The time to treat it as one would have been when he was approaching people to take his place. The people approached, if politically knowledgeable, should
have reported the conversations up the IL GOP ladder.
I might have voted GOP if someone like Dillard had been the replacement.
Comment by thoughts matter Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 2:57 pm
Mr. Morrison, nope…no pearl clutching.
You and party leadership
Do not get a pass.
You knew meeting Rauner 6 years ago
at the crossroads
At midnight
Was a deal with the devil.
You took it for the money
You took it for the power
You took it to pave the way for corporations
You willingly followed “Bannonism”
The destruction of the administrative state
No quarter for you.
Accept responsibility and accountability
And resign in shame.
OW When are you going to take leadership?
Seriously
Not even kidding
Please take leadership.
I believe in your conservatism
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:01 pm
“But to judge others without knowing what’s in their hearts, is quite honestly, not in the spirit of Christmas.”
That’s why such judgments — based on Bruce Rauner’s actions and Bruce Rauner’s speech — are made in the comments of an explicitly political blog, and not while we’re out caroling.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:02 pm
=== He was somehow tied to Trump even though ===
Even though they are both Republicans?
Even though Rauner worked to elect Trump in 2016?
Even though Rauner parroted Trump on immigration?
Even though Rauner’s old campaign manager is Pence Chief-of-staff?
Even though Rauner praises Pence as one of the greatest leaders in our history?
Even though Rauner motorcycled halfway down the state to attend a Trump rally?
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:06 pm
If Mr. Morrison wants an emergency meeting, I hope it’s to announce Mr. Morrison’s resignation and he can leave with Bruce Rauner.
It’s the Morrisons that helped implode the ILGOP for Rauner.
It’s a terrible mistake thinking Morrison is a leader to move us “after Rauner”.
I’m sure with the free time Mr. Morrison has now…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:07 pm
Will this latest revelation that further taints the Rauner legacy give the GOP pause when the next billionaire tries to buy the party?
Comment by anon2 Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:14 pm
“Many good people across our state, including myself, stood with and supported Bruce Rauner over the last four years even in the midst of many horrible policy decisions made by the governor.”
My favorite line. Think Brucie’s checkbook might have been a factor in the extreme “loyalty” despite his horrendous policy decisions? Nice spin, but replace loyalty with bought and paid for and you will get closer to the truth.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:18 pm
Sean Morrison is shocked, shocked to discover…. that Bruce Rauner is a man of his word, and that his word means…. nothing. Something that any public university employee, student receiving MAP grants, social service client, or social service employee could have told you years ago.
Thanks for the laugh on a Friday afternoon. Have fun with that “emergency” meeting. Good to know what rises to the level of “emergency” with this crew.
Comment by pawn Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:18 pm
Just another reminder that Bruce Rauner didn’t fail us.
We failed him.
Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:22 pm
“Many good people across our state, including myself, stood with and supported Bruce Rauner over the last four years even in the midst of many horrible policy decisions made by the governor.”
If they were “horrible policy decisions” why did you stand and support?
And by horrible decisions, I assume you mean not signing a budget, not paying bills, not aiding the less fortunate, not funding higher education, not negotiating in good faith, etc., etc.?
Comment by Retired State Man Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:28 pm
=people who really really want a job tend to do well at it; whereas those who are indifferent usually fail.=
It was evident early on that Rauner left his business and bought the governorship as a retirement hobby, hoping to impart Ayn Rand/Milton Friedman philosophies to state public policy.
Comment by James Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:29 pm
=== I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. ===
Boy, if you have to ask — and not once but twice — then maybe you should have foreseen this problem?
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:48 pm
A man was walking and found a snake frozen in the snow, he picked up the snake took it home and let it into his house. When the snake warmed up, it bit the man in the leg, as the man fell to the floor and lay dying he looked at the snake and said why did you bite me? The snake replied you knew I was a snake when you picked me up.
Lesson learned, now maybe there can be some way for the man to recover from the bite? Or maybe the Dems have let their own snake in and will be getting bit very soon?
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:49 pm
All this even after being inspired by all the little old ladies telling him daily to “Hang in there.” Imagine what would have happened had that not been true.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 3:53 pm
Speaking of series finales, the Rauner “revelations” seem like today is an unfunny, unsexy version of Bob Newhart waking up next to Suzanne Pleshette.
Comment by Dave Dahl Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 4:06 pm
- Keyrock -
It’ll be a doozy
- Dave Dahl -
The producers thought about having “Bruce” and “Diana” wake up at a bed and breakfast in Italy, but the budget…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 4:11 pm
I have no qualms of judging Rauner by his actions. Judging someone who backs some of Rauners positions on issues does not condemn them to eternal damnation.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 4:19 pm