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Rauner leans toward Vallas for mayor

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Illinois

* First John Kass and now Bruce Rauner…

Outgoing Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday picked former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and businessman Willie Wilson when asked which Chicago mayoral candidates he preferred. […]

“I don’t think I should opine too extensively on the mayor’s race at this point. I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Rauner said at a meeting of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board. “I just think from a skills and a track record point of view, I think probably Paul Vallas might make the best mayor in my opinion, for what it’s worth.

“Although Wilson would be an interesting option too,” Rauner said. “A little more volatile.” […]

“I’m very concerned for taxpayers and job creators what would happen with a Preckwinkle or Mendoza administration,” he said. “Union officials. Spending proclivities. Ties to the machine.”

Man, I hope they post the raw audio/video of that chat.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:18 am

Comments

Good thing Rauner doesn’t vote in Chicago.

Comment by Anon E Moose Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:23 am
If I were the other 13 campaigns, I would do a collective ad buy, and just run the Vallas/Wilson endorsement on a loop.

Comment by West Sider Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:25 am
Lots of candidates in the mayoral race and lots of contested aldermanic races. Can someone explain why David Orr endorsed an opponent of Joe “Ban Foie Gras” Moore in the 49th? Moore grew too close to Rahm?

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:25 am
Rauner’s not so concerned about union influence in politics that he doesn’t get rich off of public employee pensions. Just three more days and he’s outta here.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:28 am
you best believe Vallas hopes the video never is found

Comment by 10th Ward Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:28 am
That’s gratitude. Wilson was, I believe, the most prominent black businessman to step up for Rauner in 2014, and then again last year.

Vallas, on the other hand, was pounding Rauner as Quinn’s running mate in 2014.

Loyalty is a one-way street with that dude.

Still, Rauner got beat by 66 points in the city, so maybe that endorsement isn’t as valuable as he imagines.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:29 am
All I keep thinking about is “Mush” in “A Bronx Tale”

Rauner is “Mush” right now to all he touches.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:29 am
Vallas: “Bruce, don’t help.”

And the Wilson “volatile” comment to me treads near the type of comment that got J.B. in trouble.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:30 am
So, don’t vote for Vallas. Got it.

Comment by Pesky Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:30 am
Bruce doesn’t even vote in Chicago. It’s a terrible city that is stealing all the state’s funds, right?

As to Wilson being “A little more volatile . . .” I would love to hear the continuation of his thought there.

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:31 am
Wow. If Vallas had problems with unions before, he’s really got’em now.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:35 am
That would be a big opportunity for other candidates if anyone thought Paul Vallas had a snowball’s chance in hell. But he doesn’t, so…

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:42 am
Given Rauner’s mastery of governance, Wilson is an ideal candidate for him.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:44 am
“I shouldn’t opine extensively about the mayors race…wouldn’t be appropriate”. Spoken by one who believes his opinion matters a whit.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:46 am
Talk about a bad start to your weekend….

Comment by Fav Human Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:51 am
Who really cares? Bruce, just go away. And not to Italy, I am planning on taking a trip there this year and do not want to run into you.

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:51 am
Winnetka Bruce looking for pundit gigs now?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:58 am
With endorsements from Kass and now Rauner, Vallas just lost the one vote from Rogers Park he was counting on.

Comment by Northsider Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 9:59 am
At this point, does anyone really cares what Rauner thinks?

Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:00 am
“I don’t think I should opine too extensively on the mayor’s race at this point. I don’t think that’s appropriate,”

Then why did you do what you just said was inappropriate?

I can’t wait for Noon on January 14th. It can’t come soon enough.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:00 am
Was Vallas at CPS when Rauner’s daughter got clouted into Payton Prep?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:00 am
Do I hear Vallas saying with an endorsement like that I don’t need enemies.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:00 am
They might as well quit the race now.

Comment by JoanP Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:02 am
Why does Rauner think that anyone would be interested in his opinion? No one running for office would want a Rauner endorsement. Of course he had to take a shot at Unions while he was at it. He will never get rid of his obsessive dislike for them.

Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:06 am
“And not to Italy”

Indiana’s right next door, he should move there. Why should the gazillionaire stay in Illinois and eat his heart out over the wages, benefits and job protections of middle class workers? He can go there and roll around in anti-unionism and much lower wages, in honor of his idol, Mitch Daniels.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:09 am
Kiss of death.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:19 am
Vallas should go all in and get an endorsement from Trump.

Comment by Angry Republican Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:23 am
It’s like a knife in the back for Vallas. Wilson doesn’t stand a chance.

Comment by Flynn's Mom Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:27 am
=Was Vallas at CPS when Rauner’s daughter got clouted into Payton Prep?=

Nope, that was the Arnie Duncan era if I remember correctly. But definitely not Vallas.

To bad about Vallas, there are some things I liked about him. Not that it matters as I do not live in Chicago.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:37 am
He ”shouldnt opine too extensively”, but then does exactly that. Like he really didnt want to run for re election but does anyway. Chicagoans overwhelmingly are glad he is leaving. Couldn’t care less who he thinks would be good or not.

Comment by low level Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 10:50 am
Can anyone find video of vallas and rauner dancing the polka together?

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 11:02 am
That’s a good reason not to vote for him.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 11:26 am
I hope they post audio of that too. And I don’t think Vallas would be too keen on an endorsement from a lameduck…

Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 11:57 am
I would like to hear any audio about this and it’s doubtful that Vallas or even Wilson would want an endorsement from a lameduck…

Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 11:57 am
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-audio-rauner-s-kinda-sorta-endorsement-of-vallas-for-mayor-20190111-story.html

Comment by Eric Zorn Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 12:06 pm
Stick a fork in Vallas. He’s done.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 12:08 pm
I liked Vallas until I heard that Rauner supports him.

Comment by Overly Moderated Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:25 pm
So I don’t vote for Vallas. Got it.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:29 pm