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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
Many moons ago, the Daily Southtown moved my weekly newspaper column to Sundays. I was pleased with the development because it meant more readers, but House Speaker Michael Madigan registered a mild complaint.
Madigan said Sunday was his “family day.” He didn’t read newspapers on Sundays because he focused on his wife and children during a traditional day of rest. Now he would have to read a Sunday paper.
I have to admit feeling a little flattered by that revelation. But I also remember being puzzled why Madigan avoided Sunday newspapers. Back in those days, just about every informed person read the Sunday papers. How could he not read them?
And then I met Bruce Rauner.
From the first time I met him in 2014, Rauner has bragged that he…
Go read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:35 am
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===Rauner has bragged that he…===
Doesn’t every story with Bruce begin with;
“…Rauner bragged…”
Business successes
Wealth
Daughter’s test scores
Tenacity
Toughness
Understanding of politics
Donations to charity
Trashcan van
It would be deliciously ironic if Rauner bragged about his humility. The pattern of “the brag” is Rauner’s.
…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:46 am
What you have written is important for us to know. There is an assumption here that state officials are kept informed of opinions regarding their administration, results and services.
If Rauner is not kept informed by what others are saying, then he is not governing. That is, he isn’t being a governor for those whose opinion he does not share, nor listen to. As governor of Illinois, Rauner needs to listen to all Illinois.
Close minded - and in a bubble? He has a royal mind. That isn’t good for anyone, including himself.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:48 am
It sounds like there will need to be physical disruptions like protests to reach this governor.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:50 am
This explains A LOT about the last 100+ days. For his sake I hope he has a court jester type who can break bad news to the Governor without having to sugarcoat it. Otherwise, it’s gonna be a loooong four years for Rauner. Relying on skewed information provided by a sycophantic team is no way to go through life.
Comment by downstate Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:50 am
“downstate” beat me to it, except I was going to stop after “A LOT”
Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:54 am
Wonder how Dave McKinney feels about this. Hamstrung by a bully who didn’t even read his work.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:54 am
Commander McBragg!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNF3JEatyKU
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:55 am
Can’t say that I’m surprised. Rauner strikes me as someone who believes he’s learned all that he needs to know.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:58 am
“Bruce Rauner: in fact, he’s not lying. He really just doesn’t know.”
I prefer the liars, myself.
Comment by ZC Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:07 am
Bubbles aren’t a safe place to live. Especially if you are the guy who is supposed to be in charge.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:08 am
I’d bet a case of scotch rauner reads riches column
Comment by foster brooks Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:12 am
==”…the governor relies on people around him to keep him informed.”
And it just so happens that they say “Yes!” to any idea that comes out of his mouth.
Comment by Jocko Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:13 am
I think he’s aware of what’s written and gets a daily news briefing composite. It may even come in the form of a daily poll in the media; 5 columns favorable, 8 columns unfavorable, 3 neutral, etc. I doubt many elected officials have an opportunity to spend hours each morning combing through a dozen national, state and regional papers and broadcast recaps. It’s just too cumbersome.
He’s not the first to say this. Daily Briefings with internet alerts offering excerpts are a benefit these days. They’re aware without having to read everything themselves. There is the occasional “can’t miss” columnist of the Buckley variety, but far and few between. This just doesn’t surprise me.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:15 am
Bruce “Sarah Palin” Rauner. “I can see Valparaiso from my mansion!”
Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:17 am
==This just doesn’t surprise me.==
But it should give you pause.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:18 am
Dont confuse bruce with contrary facts or opinions.
In life generally, and politics particularly, it is critical to understand the appreciative setting of the other person– what they value, how they view the world, what is acceptable behavior, etc. a salesman should know this. bruce deliberately does the opposite. It makes it easier for him to disassociate numbers/cuts and people/harm. Communication is one way. Now i know how the goose feels when producing foie gras.
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:24 am
I really can’t stand George W. Bush-esque politicians who practice deliberate ignorance. Especially not ones who “brag” about it. At least with Dubya, it seemed like he was conceding something that he knew was a shortcoming.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:27 am
===I think he’s aware of what’s written and gets a daily news briefing composite. It may even come in the form of a daily poll in the media; 5 columns favorable, 8 columns unfavorable, 3 neutral, etc. I doubt many elected officials have an opportunity to spend hours each morning combing through a dozen national, state and regional papers and broadcast recaps. It’s just too cumbersome.===
Can you cite what makes you think this very specific engagement is true to Rauner’s information?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:28 am
++ Commander McBragg!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNF3JEatyKU ++ LOL!
Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:31 am
===Madigan said Sunday was his “family day.===
I’m going to call BS on that statement. Maybe during the off season (if there ever is such a thing). There are plenty of people on here that have received calls from him on Sundays, either campaign or fundraising related. And the Sunday papers are all available by noon on Saturday so he could always read them then. But at least you knew he actually read your column.
Comment by All Day Everyday Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:31 am
My wife cannot get a phone message right and he depends on others to “give” him there version on how they read the news??
Comment by Nieva Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:37 am
I know a lot of people who voted the same way. They relied on their ‘informed’ uncle or friend to tell them who to vote for.
Now we have a new governor.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:41 am
Wow. An elected official actually bragging that he’s uninformed? Somewhere along the way, Rauner didn’t hear the truth that knowledge is power.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:43 am
Rauner goes beyond any “ignorant Republican” myths popularized over the past decade.
Illinois elected a governor who won’t compromise or listen. I mentioned physically engaging him in a demonstration, and I changed my mind about doing that.
Governors in bubbles should be left in them. What needs to be done is for the other state leaders to work around them undisturbed.
Ryan had to eventually be worked around. Blagojevich had to be worked around. After those two, Quinn never got a chance to be included in Illinois governing. He went from gadfly to fall guy.
Rauner has discredited himself beyond repair.
We need another work around for this governor too.
If demonstrations show up, the governor will get empathy. He wants crisis. He wants disunity. Don’t appear before the state as disruptors.
Bruce Rauner will not listen to anyone. So, we need to ignore him and create a workaround. Fortunately, we’ve got a lot of experience over the past decade of doing that.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:44 am
==Can you cite what makes you think this very specific engagement is true to Rauner’s information?===
I believe the blog owner quoted him to say he relies on the people around him.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:45 am
OW, every Governor I knew got a morning composite news summary
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:48 am
“He’s not the first to say this.”
Yeah, there’s a long line of disastrous public officials whose footsteps he can follow.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:51 am
===I believe the blog owner quoted him to say he relies on the people around him.===
Hmm.
===Instead, the governor has said he relies on people around him to keep him informed…===
- A Guy -
=== think he’s aware of what’s written and gets a daily news briefing composite. It may even come in the form of a daily poll in the media; 5 columns favorable, 8 columns unfavorable, 3 neutral, etc. I doubt many elected officials have an opportunity to spend hours each morning combing through a dozen national, state and regional papers and broadcast recaps. It’s just too cumbersome.===
Did Rich Miller say…8. Did Rich Miller say…6? Ratios?
Please stop making up facts. Unless you know how Rauner actually receives his news, the format, the ratios, you are wasting everyone’s time with your made up “guesses” you pass off as fact.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:52 am
- steve schnorf -,
It’s not that I don’t believe the Press Shop is/isn’t doing it, I find it amusing to say the least that - A Guy - seems to know the exact procedure of a man as governor who has made it clear he isn’t purposeful in his searching of press reporting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:54 am
==he relies on the people around him==
That should also give you pause.
You can only rely on the people around you so much. I can tell you I would never trust anybody to tell me 100% of what I needed to know. I’d want to do a little digging on my own.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:55 am
Assuming he votes means we have another uninformed voter and now an uninformed governor.
Comment by Das Kapital Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:01 am
So since the Governor is not reading their stuff anyways, can the Trib editorial board stop with the amateur hour audition columns now?
Comment by Juice Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:04 am
- It may even come in the form of a daily poll in the media; 5 columns favorable, 8 columns unfavorable, 3 neutral, etc. -
It must be easy to worship someone when you imagine that they do what you’d like them to do.
The rest of us prefer to read factual accounts, such as what Rich wrote, based on real life conversations that make it clear that the man is ignorant of a wide variety of current events and common knowledge.
But stick with your method, I’m sure it keeps your head from hurting.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:05 am
Why would someone who doesn’t read newspapers and otherwise says that he ignores the media and relies on people around him to keep him informed spend hours in off-the-record conversations with Rich Miller? If what he is saying is true, he wouldn’t know who Miller is.
Comment by Hard To Believe Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:15 am
It’s not just that Rauner isn’t reading original source material, it’s that he is apparently closed off to information.
Rich says in his column that in some areas Rauner’s lack of knowledge was “appalling.” So either Rauner’s information feed is being narrowed too much by those upon whom he depends for information, or Rauner lacks a basic curiosity about anything other than his already formed impressions.
Perhaps that helps explain Rauner’s almost fanatical devotion to demonizing unions.
Comment by Concerned Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:17 am
=== If what he is saying is true, he wouldn’t know who Miller is.===
His wife and his staff are responsible for that.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:18 am
Typical republican. Proud to be ignorant.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:19 am
===Instead, the governor has said he relies on people around him to keep him informed…===
Hedley Lamarr and Miss Stein? The clip from Blazing Saddles is priceless.
Gov. Wm. J. Lepetomane, “I didn’t get a harrumph outa that guy.”
Comment by anonlurker Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:19 am
I find it flabbergasting that the timex watch depends on others to tell him what to think. Is this how he ran his businesses?
When I was in college, I had to attend a survey of engineering class. The one comment that I took from the class was that they were not teaching us how to be engineers, but rather they were teaching us how to be critical thinkers.
My point is that you can not be a critical thinker if the only information you get is what somebody spoon feeds you.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:20 am
===Typical republican. Proud to be ignorant.===
Rauner is a Raunerite, not a Republican. Rauner co-opted the ILGOP. Rauner needed an empty vessel to become Governor, the ILGOP was the perfect shell corporation.
===Typical republican. Proud to be ignorant.===
As a Republican, bite me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:22 am
So Rauner’s “smart and capable” — but also arrogant and unwilling to do his homework?
No wonder he hates school teachers.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:35 am
@OW
As a former republican, consider it bitten.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:40 am
The late Bill O’Connell of the Peoria Journal Star had a saying for people like Rauner. He called them politicians “who believed the lies they told.”
Comment by Suburbanon Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:40 am
- Duckie LaMoore -,
Fair enough, lol
It is a bit of a damper if the Governor isn’t in tune with what goes on here, as he’s getting it second-hand. The governor should get his negative impressions on comments first-hand, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:47 am
a graph that he doesn’t read a lot of media then 70 percent of it on “other pols read news stories”?
This is newsworthy? How?
Comment by Shore Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:52 am
OW, how much of the Republican party that you knew even exists anymore? It seems to me that it’s been nearly completely co-opted by jokers like Rauner.
Comment by CharlieKratos Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:54 am
Why does the Tribune seem to spend so much time trying to appease Rauner when he is not even reading their paper?
Comment by Been There Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:55 am
I often think “He cannot be that stupid, can he?” when Rauner says something clearly false about government, unions, or economics.
There are fair differences of opinion, but then there are things which don’t match the facts available to everyone who looks. The best alternative explanation has been that Rauner’s playing cynical a political game with some issues.
Now I am afraid Rauner is being played in someone else’s political game, due to comfortable gaps in his knowledge.
Comment by walker Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:02 am
Good piece, and frightening Rich.
Comment by Juvenal Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:04 am
So everyone’s going off on the Rauner tidbit, & *no one* has reacted to how the most powerful individual in Illinois–not BR of course–doesn’t use a computer? (presuming Rich is correct). I believe the word “parochial” comes to mind…..
Comment by The Historian Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:12 am
OH stop.
The idea that one political party is ignorant and the other is not sounds as if it comes right out of an elementary school yard.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:14 am
- The Historian -,
It’s not that the Speaker “can’t” use, let’s say, a cell phone, computer, email… the real question is “why use it when you don’t have to?”
The Internet is for always, like phone records, like emails…
Paulie never used the phone…never trusted them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:15 am
- CharlieKratos -,
In Illinois, the jury is out. Rauner has taken over the apparatus, assuming his beliefs are now doctrine.
In 2016, the GA makeup and the acceptance or rejection of Rauner’s doctrine will dictate how dead the ILGOP actually is or will be.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:21 am
Capt Fax:
If BVR read anything he would not be on the race to become West Indiana and he would be planning a huge welcome home party for Jeff Brincat’s dad who is just days away from USBOP release.
Comment by Anonin' Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:35 am
=== Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:54 am:
- steve schnorf -,
It’s not that I don’t believe the Press Shop is/isn’t doing it, I find it amusing to say the least that - A Guy - seems to know the exact procedure of a man as governor who has made it clear he isn’t purposeful in his searching of press reporting.====
Willy, change the messenger and it’s believable- Got it! lol. I offered you an example of how I was taught to do this and how I’ve done it (at much lower levels than Governor of the State). Mostly in a time when there were many more hard copies and the only electronic copy was AP, Reuters and UPI. This is how busy people get the important stuff. If Mr. Schnorf’s experience is anything akin to mine, on some occasions the “briefee” asked for the full content of an article. That told me to pay a bit more attention to something.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:39 am
Um, - A Guy -, no.
- steve schnorf - didn’t have a measured matrix, spoke as though he had complete knowledge as to even the packaging.
If you do know differently, exactly, than say so. Don’t pretend as is your custom to speak to things you walk back knowing you are not speaking factual, yet again.
Your experience, versus speaking to the specifics…not the same.
Also, read how - steve schnorf - responded, and your “I know exactly!” comment read out…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 11:52 am
I’m not surprised. Many of the people in his exclusive set (the .01%) don’t believe the world exists outside of their rarified communities. They don’t want to see, hear, believe how the rest of us live and function. Our opinions are beneath notice. They believe they should get what they want with a snap of their fingers from the sycophants they employ. I hope Rauner’s up to the rude awakening coming ahead. If he’s stays with oblivious, we’re all in for a rough ride.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Oops, “he stays”
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:06 pm
Smart man.
Comment by The obvious Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:07 pm
OW: Here’s what I said:
I think he’s aware of what’s written and gets a daily news briefing composite. It may even come in the form of a daily poll in the media; 5 columns favorable, 8 columns unfavorable, 3 neutral, etc. I doubt many elected officials have an opportunity to spend hours each morning combing through a dozen national, state and regional papers and broadcast recaps. It’s just too cumbersome.
He’s not the first to say this. Daily Briefings with internet alerts offering excerpts are a benefit these days. They’re aware without having to read everything themselves. There is the occasional “can’t miss” columnist of the Buckley variety, but far and few between. This just doesn’t surprise me.
Here’s what Mr. Schnorf said;
OW, every Governor I knew got a morning composite news summary.==
When I suggest “It may come in the form…”
And you state it as:
===Also, read how - steve schnorf - responded, and your “I know exactly!” comment read out…===,
I’m just not seeing the part of “I know exactly..”
Who’s really making stuff up here friend?
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:13 pm
So, “5, 8, 3″… Where did ya get those numbers, lol
You made up those numbers.
Just stop with inserting perceived numeric “facts” to seem more informed.
Unless, like Rauner, numbers aren’t facts?
If you can’t see the difference, I know I can’t help you…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Makes it easier and swifter to “govern” in black and white and not have to think in the shades of gray demanded of a democratically elected leader in an extremely complex world. There is a constituency for “deciders” but there is also a long tail of dealing with deciders’ decisions, e.g. Iraq. Fits the generals and CEOs better than governors and presidents. And it goes with the myth of self made men.
Comment by vole Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Managing the inflow of information is tricky. Too strong filters create ignorance. Too weak create overload.
Rauner would benefit from a “Devil’s Advocate ” tasked with presenting the other side in discussions and with quizzing him at least weekly on noteworthy events.
Mitch Daniels in Indiana was famous for calling people dealing directly with problems and learning the specifics of what they saw. Information doesn’t always travel well through the chain of command.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:10 pm
We have all seen how he reacts when confronted by media. He thinks his stuff don’t stink. His way or the highway. Major protests might not even sway this guy. Lets just hope he strikes a nerve that gets national attention otherwise IL will be POW at Fort Rauner for the entire term.
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Training in plausible deniability to avoid lawsuits
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Speakin’ of homecoming parties, BVR may want to really get ready for the return of his former employee on 8-6–16
Comment by Anonin' Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:54 pm
=== ==he relies on the people around him==
That should also give you pause.
You can only rely on the people around you so much. I can tell you I would never trust anybody to tell me 100% of what I needed to know. I’d want to do a little digging on my own. ===
Keeping in mind a lot of it was self-inflicted…
Former Congressman Schock says “Hi”
Comment by Graduated College Student Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Don’t you get it? The only opinion that matters is his own. And he is always right according to the only opinion that matters, which is his.
Comment by Bobbysox Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Oswego Willy - Sad to say but the GOP is fast becoming the ignorant party. Where are the creationists, climate change deniers, women being raped can’t get pregnant crowd? Rauner is not alone in his fight against unions, abhorrence of taxes on the wealthy or lack of concern for the poor and disabled. See Wisconsin, Kansas… It pains me to see it too.
Comment by Midway Gardens Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:30 pm
During the campaign, wasn’t their a thread in which Rauner took cap fax commenter feedback? Memory is fuzzy, but I thought that thread implied he read this blog.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:31 pm
- implied he read this blog. -
Shocking that it was a lie.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:26 pm
- Midway Gardens -,
We are old pilgrims in a new world…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:37 pm
I didn’t wabt this Post that Rich put up to go without sayibg thanks to Rich;
I have now read the column a few times, three different sittings, and the revelation and insight to how information seems to get to the governor fascinates me. Rich sharing that, really opens my eyes to what I am seeing in Rauner’s responses to crisis, and how Rauner handles political jousting.
I woukd fear having that responsibility.
“Why?”
It’s one thing to be the “Paul Lis” for a governor, but to be the “Paul Harvey” for a governor, giving the “rest of the story”, dangerous role for a Staff or a Crew. Neither should have the burden of started knowledge, but should have responsibility of enhanced knowledge to pass on to the governor.
Thanks Rich, great work as always.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 7:38 pm
When I first read Rich’s column yesterday, my reaction was “that explains a lot”. Re-reading it today and the comments here, I still have the same reaction.
Can’t imagine how you can govern like that. It would be like living inside the “Cone of Silence”.
http://www.wouldyoubelieve.com/cone.html
Comment by RNUG Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 8:31 pm
“How do you like the Emperor’s new clothes?”
Comment by Property of IDOC Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:57 pm
Deliberate and willful ignorance is simply a way to sidestep accountability…although that would imply he had a conscience.
Comment by Property of IDOC Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 10:19 pm
Does Rahm read John Kass everyday? Does President Obama watch Fox News and read the WSJ editorial page?
An unfortunate fact is that most people only consume media which confirms their biases. They completely disregard the other side. Senator Cullerton does not read the Tribune editorial page. Could be one reason compromise is so elusive.
There is a great quote from Pauline Kael who was the New York Times theater critic during the 70’s. She lived on the Upper West side and said I can’ t believe Nixon won, I don’t know a single person who voted for him.
Most posters on this Blog are completely dismissive of the other side. As Rich’s article points out Rauner is more popular than the GA. The comments here certainly don’t reflect that.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 5:58 am
Bruce is a popular governor? Just can’t stop talking about him.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 6:52 am
===Most posters on this Blog are completely dismissive of the other side.===
Yeah, maybe you should start reading some of the comments.
===As Rich’s article points out Rauner is more popular than the GA. The comments here certainly don’t reflect that.===
“More popular” and actually being “popular” are two different things.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 7:42 am