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* Yep…
Text from former Governor Bruce Rauner celebrates the end of Madigan’s career: “In the end, we took each other out.”
Except Democrats voted Madigan out after federal prosecutors weakened him. If anything, Rauner was the one last ingredient galvanizing Democrats to back Madigan.
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) February 23, 2021
The Republican Rauner strengthened and unified unions and Democrats in this state more than anyone in my lifetime ever has, and they flocked to Madigan for protection. A big reason why Madigan survived the intense 2018 sexual harassment scandals was because Rauner was still in office.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:08 am
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How does Bruce fit that big head through doors?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:10 am
Rauner’s lack of self-reflection was a problem on the job, and obviously remains an ongoing feature of who he is.
Comment by slow down Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:12 am
Mark says it perfectly well: while Dems took ‘him out,’ it’s due to the Feds ‘weakening’ him, but also thanks to Gov. Rauner who began chiseling away and tearing down this massive obelisk created since 1983.
But Gov. Rauner started the process of sinking the Madigan Titanic.
Who would of thought of MJM resigning outright in 2021?
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:13 am
Former governor Rauner racked up so few accomplishments that he has to pretend to have “taken out” his adversary to identify any kind of legacy. #sad
Comment by HCMcB4 Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:15 am
Bruce to Madigan: We Are dOne.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:15 am
Local right to work. Very popular.
Comment by Not Again Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:15 am
The net effect of Bruce Rauner’s constant criticism of MJM was that people who already didn’t like MJM disliked him more often.
Rauner claiming he had something to do with Madigan’s fall is classic Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Father Ted Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:16 am
===How does Bruce fit that big head through doors? ===
“We’re doing God’s work here at the Heyward Foundation. First, scores of desperate Third World children brought me all these camels. And then I found all these cancer researchers, made them stop whatever it was they were doing, and devote their energies to trying to force these camels through needles, just like it says in the Bible. I know it sounds impossible, but we have made a lot of progress. We started small. We tried to cram a horse through a drinking straw. The result was pretty ugly and completely unsuccessful. But we learned a lot! Next, we tried pureeing a camel into a thin liquid, then pouring the camel through the eye of a needle. Sure enough, the liquid camel will pass through the needle. But.. we think that might be cheating. We’ve got our lawyers looking into it. But a liquid camel’s only part of it. I’ve also invested millions of dollars from my tobacco and pornography enterprises to build very large needles and very small camels. Unless I’ve completely missed the message of the Bible, somewhere in here is my ticket to Heaven.”
– Bruce Rauner, probably.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:17 am
Well, one of you was re-elected for the 1,000th time to the GA while maintaining a super majority status,
the other was called the loser approximately 10 seconds after the polls closed.
So, no, you obnoxious pile, you didn’t take each other out.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:17 am
I was important, I was somebody, look at me, I did this me me me
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:20 am
=== but also thanks to Gov. Rauner who began chiseling away and tearing down this massive obelisk created since 1983.===
Nope. Sorry. Not even close.
With Rauner, the HDems were at their zenith in seats, they picked up the Munger seat, defeated Kirk, saw Underwood and Casten take congressional seats.
Rauner had JB Pritzker bail out his own wife’s social service.
That’s how utterly pathetic Bruce Rauner was.
It was the 19.
It was the 19 first, last, and forever will be the ones that took down Madigan.
Rauner had as much to do with Madigan as he did with the Janus decision.. which Rauner was told… he had no standing.
Enough of rewriting anything Rauner. He failed, and fails to see his tens of millions would’ve been better burned in a fireplace than anything he did to better Illinois… or help defeat MJM
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:20 am
Does anyone even care what Bruce has to say? What did he achomplish? He was a 1 term governor with no prior or since interest in politics or public service for that matter.
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:21 am
Is Madigan fleeing the state like Rauner did?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:22 am
Agreed, Father Ted. The fact that Rauner continues to get his two cents thrown in on this topic is slightly interesting given how highly ineffective he was at not only his job, but at actually unseating Madigan.
Comment by EssentialWorkingMom Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:22 am
How will history grade both Madigan and Rauner? I would have to give them both the grade.
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:22 am
Bruce spent $100 million on his gubernatorial runs; he’d like to think it got him more than exile.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:29 am
Rauner really reminds me of this scene from madmen
“I feel bad for you”
“I don’t think about you at all.”
Comment by Nick Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:31 am
==but also thanks to Gov. Rauner who began chiseling away and tearing down this massive obelisk created since 1983.==
Nah, “Fire Madigan” started well before Rauner appeared on the scene, and he arguably was the least successful at it. After a full term of Rauner, Madigan had a super majority and putative allies in every single state wide office.
Madigan outlasted Rauner by two years and a whole other election. That’s a ton of time in politics. The only argument I can see that Rauner helped take out Madigan is maybe some behind-the-scenes shenanigans on the energy bills that were up during Rauner’s term.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:37 am
“In the end, we took each other out.” Remind me again which incumbent lost by double-digits?
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:44 am
Who is this Bruce Rauner that people are speaking of?
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:49 am
@Nick, I’m reminded of Avengers: Endgame
Scarlet Witch/Rauner: You took everything from me.
Thanos/Madigan: I don’t even know who you are.
Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:51 am
1985 Patriots Coach Raymond Berry on the 1993 firing of Mike Ditka:
“In the end, we took each other out.”
Comment by TradedUpForMitch Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:54 am
Why are we talking about Bruce Rauner? Is he wearing his carhartt again?
Comment by Gohawks123 Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:55 am
I imagine Bruce put on a cowboy outfit and spoke this Western-style delusion to one of the horses at his equestrian compound. “That’s right, Trigger. The valley wasn’t big enough for both of us, so neither could have it.”
Comment by Quizzical Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 10:59 am
Bruce can’t quit embarrassing himself.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:06 am
They took themselves out, Rauner with his cruel governance and Madigan with his ComEd scandal. The way to hurt Democrats might be with pro-union moderate GOP, not with Raunerites.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:15 am
You know, I was wondering who would be the first to claim they “took out” Speaker Madigan.
I should have just guessed - I’d have been right.
Wow, what a blowhard!
Comment by From the far, far western suburbs Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:16 am
I took out MJM and I will take out Bruce eventually.
Comment by Father Time Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:28 am
OW - Dem wins in IL in the last five years or so are significantly more due to Trump than Rauner. The suburbs, Congressionals, and statewides flipped blue because of Bruce Rauner? That’s just not it.
Spending a zillion dollars or so attacking a man absolutely had an impact on Madigan’s overall reputation statewide, and contributed to him being made him more toxic than useful with his own caucus. The FBI issues certainly are up there too. There are other factors as well. But Rauner certainly *did* chisel away at Madigan, even if other factors ultimately knocked him out.
Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:35 am
As my grandfather used to say, “Like I see you, I saw myself. Like you see me is how you will see yourself. Again, no one is eternal. We have lost good politicians like Judy Baar Topinka,Jimmy Carter, and Dan Walker. Let us just come together not as Democrats or Republicans or Lieberatrians, but as Americans. To Speaker Madigan, god speed. To Mr. Rauner, good luck. Now lets unite w/ JB and fix this state otherwise Republicans will take us back to the 60s
Comment by Grandson of my grandfather Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:35 am
=== Dem wins in IL in the last five years or so are significantly more due to Trump than Rauner. The suburbs, Congressionals, and statewides flipped blue because of Bruce Rauner? That’s just not it.===
Munger v. Mendoza was a proxy election.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:40 am
=== But Rauner certainly *did* chisel away at Madigan===
Nope. Sorry No.
The 19 that ended Madigan weren’t swayed, convinced, moved by *anything* Rauner did.
Not. One. Thing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:42 am
“In the end, we took each other out.”
In the end, Madigan took them both out.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:44 am
OW I agree with you on Mendoza vs. Munger.
But, the only IL GOP statewide wins were 10 and 14 (off years) pre Trump. Competing in a presidential year is much different in IL.
Point is, for the most part, blame Trump for IL GOP losses in the last few cycles. Not Rauner. And more credit is due to Trump than Madigan for those losses.
Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:51 am
==OW - Dem wins in IL in the last five years or so are significantly more due to Trump than Rauner.==
The numbers don’t bare this out. ILGOP did measurably better when Trump lead the ticket in ‘16 and ‘20 than when Rauner did in ‘18.
But both were just abysmal for the state party.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:56 am
==Spending a zillion dollars or so attacking a man absolutely had an impact on Madigan’s overall reputation statewide==
Well, I guess giving him a larger supermajority *is* “an impact”…
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:58 am
=== But, the only IL GOP statewide wins were 10 and 14 (off years) pre Trump. Competing in a presidential year is much different in IL.===
… which are better for the GOP, as was the complaint when Illinois went to off year on gubernatorial elections… and 26 years of the GOP in the Governor’s mansion.
Rauner lost by 16, even in those districts, Rauner couldn’t help.
=== Point is, for the most part, blame Trump for IL GOP losses in the last few cycles. Not Rauner.===
… and yet Rauner starved the GOP, the SGOP specifically, of money and resources… and recruited poorly.
Bruce and Diana Rauner bought the party.
They starved it. They made sure it lacked, out of spite, and ran off other GOP types for an agenda
Again, we are *not* going to rewrite history to blame Trump.
I have the receipts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 11:58 am
Bruce, here’s the difference.
You tried to quit and give away your job, and failed even at that.
Michael quit and everyone is clamoring for the positions and the power he has.
See the difference? I thought not.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:11 pm
“Why are we talking about Bruce Rauner? Is he wearing his carhartt again?”
It is warm enough today for him to see, and be seen, at Obed and Issac’s?
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:13 pm
Failed Governor - no matter how he wants to rewrite history. Final days standing in his motorcycle costume on the outskirts of the Trump rally, all alone, dying for Trump to give him a shout out and say his name. Sums up Bruces career.
Wearing a silly outfit, not knowing where to stand, hoping for recognition, all alone, not in charge.
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:18 pm
===Wearing a silly outfit, not knowing where to stand, hoping for recognition, all alone, not in charge.===
This is restaurant quality.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:19 pm
100%
Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:41 pm
=We have lost good politicians like Judy Baar Topinka,Jimmy Carter, and Dan Walker.==
Jimmy Carter might be surprised to find out you have him dead.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 12:50 pm
Bruce who?
Comment by Anon3 Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 1:07 pm
Maybe he means by signing the 2016 ComEd bill he set Madigan up for federal prosecution?
Comment by Heat Wave Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 1:19 pm
Rauner took him out if you count his signing of the ComEd bill
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 1:21 pm
True, OW. But along with CubFan16…you gotta give it to Gov. Rauner after spending millions in demolishing the Madigan brand.
As mentioned previously, hence, the reason daughter Lisa opted to *abruptly* forgo her once thought easy re-election for AG. By then, under Rauner, the brand was impacted.
(Though MJM did tell her that he wouldn’t leave the speakership when she pondered on running for guv).
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 1:26 pm
=== you gotta give it to Gov. Rauner after spending millions in demolishing the Madigan brand.===
LOL, from what, 39% approval to 21%
I mean, my goodness gracious, the more toxic Madigan got during the Rauner years the stronger the Dems became rallying *behind* Madigan against Rauner.
It’s like this whole imaginary universe where Rauner did something that never happened… ever.
This phony idea that is being peddled only works if you think the 19 were swayed by Rauner.
That’s not even 58th on the list of reasons the 19 were against Rauner.
=== As mentioned previously, hence, the reason daughter Lisa opted to *abruptly* forgo her once thought easy re-election for AG===
You keep trying to peddle this nonsense too, lol
Lisa wanted to run for governor. That’s it. No intention to run for the-elect, and friend, if Lisa felt she could win in a race for governor, she wouldn’t be afraid to run again for AG. I mean, seriously, that’s Kassian silly.
=== By then, under Rauner, the brand was impacted.===
Rauner was badly impaired himself he has ZERO constituency. It embarrassing to think Rauner had any sway. Rauner never did.
Let’s be real frank, again, it’s not speculation, it’s what Lisa told ALL of us.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 1:47 pm
In all truth, who do the Democrats rally around now?
Comment by Joe Schmoe Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 2:08 pm
To Bruce’s credit he left the Illinois Democratic party stronger than when he found it.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Feb 23, 21 @ 2:33 pm