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* Democrat Newton Minow endorsed Republican Bruce Rauner in 2014…
We have serious fiscal mismanagement, giving Illinois one of our nation’s highest unemployment rates and lowest credit ratings. Our neighbors in Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin are not smarter or more hard working than the people of Illinois, yet they are doing far better.
We need change, and Rauner will lead us in the right direction and improve the future for our families. He is a moderate on social issues, and his record on human rights, choice, freedom and equality is excellent. He is not a right-wing Republican.
His wife, Diana (a Democrat) will be a major asset for our state; she runs The Ounce of Prevention Fund, a top-notch nonprofit institution for preschool education, created decades ago by my friend Irving B. Harris. The Rauners have a bipartisan home life, and the same spirit and tone of their politics will animate a Rauner gubernatorial administration. I urge Bruce and Diana to emphasize this fact in the general election campaign.
* Minow penned this Tribune op-ed shortly after the election offering his advice…
1) Send your campaign staff home. The campaign by both sides was disgraceful. Too much money, too many commercials, too much nasty negativism. Campaigning and governing are two very different activities. The purpose of a campaign is to defeat the other side. The purpose of governing is to work with the other side for all the people. So send your campaign staff home.
2) Hire a smart staff and Cabinet of men and women who are not ideologues. You want people, like yourself, who are problem-solvers, who are not partisans, and who know how to compromise. Get some young people who understand the new technologies to bring our government into the 21st century.
3) Some of your supporters booed when you said Tuesday night that you had called the Democratic leaders, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. Tell those who booed to get out of your way.
4) Illinois voters decided to elect a Republican governor and a Democratic House and Senate. That decision does not make you enemies but rather partners. You, Madigan and Cullerton want the same legacies: to make Illinois a better place than it is now. Working together, you can restore the greatness of Illinois.
5) Successful Republican governors such as Richard Ogilvie, Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar learned how to work with Democrats. Study how they did it.
* Minow spoke to the City Club yesterday…
Rauner "has been a big disappointment" says Newton Minnow who endorsed Rauner in 2014. @wlsam890 @CityClubChicago pic.twitter.com/NeG6VHioPT
— Bill Cameron (@billjcameron) September 20, 2016
Rauner should bring in people who can govern instead of people who can campaign. He should also listen to his wife. -Minow #celect16
— Hussien Salama (@hussiens) September 20, 2016
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Well you know what they say, “When you lose Minow, it’s best to cut bait and quit fishing.”
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Mr. Minow
Thank you for your comments. If you go down the hall and around the corner, you might find someone who cares about what you think.
Fake rauner
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Newton Minow said that Illinois government is a vast wasteland.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:54 pm
The five points outlined by Minow were very sage advice. They represent a practical and efficient transition from campaigning to governing. And Rauner has chosen to ignore each and everyone of them.
Comment by pundent Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:56 pm
“Listen to his wife”?
Diana Rauner is “all-in”. Diana thinks Bruce is the tops. Diana Rauner is even donating to have more Raunerites dismantle social services.
The Rauners are making a business decision. The other 6 (or 7, but more than 5, and not ALL of the 9…) homes aren’t here in Illinois. The Rauners investment in Illinois is a personal crusade to Bruce’s Agenda.
To the Post,
If nothing changes, I hope when Rauner is on the ballot, if Mr. Minow feels the same way, and Rauner has not still let him down, minor votes accordingly.
That’s how democracy works, and it’s flawed, and it’s pretty cool too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Nobody wants sour Minows.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Mr. Minow, that was super weak. With the exception of the technology, he didn’t take a word of your good advise. Had he even taken half of it we wouldn’t be here right now. Let him have it sir, BOTH Barrels! Your decorum at this moment only plays into his perfidy. Throw the gloves down and let fly!
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Wow. Both pieces spot on. The first piece spoke to the hopefulness of Rauner as a candidate. It went beyond just “not Pat Quinn”. And it highlights (to me at least) why - despite the power of incumbency and gobs and gobs of money - Rauner is going to have a hard time getting re-elected. Looking at the reasons why Rauner would be a good governor, Bruce has spent the last 18 months proving Minow wrong on every single point. And then looking at his post-election advice, it’s like Bruce looked at everything Minow suggested and doubled his efforts on doing the opposite.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:00 pm
“Governor, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Governor, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”
“You’re not even Ted Kennedy.”
“You’re not even George Kennedy.”
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:00 pm
@VanillaMan - I think the “vast wasteland” comment referred to TV, yet certainly appropriate to Illinois in 2016.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Now the other thing is. Do you see how people could vote for Rauner if this was the impression he gave people. Rauner is the undisputed master of perfidy and deception. 2/5 union households will not make the same mistake. But glowing recommendations from Mr. Minow and others were what contributed to the deception. Really Mr. Minow I think you owe us all an apology for your recommendation. You were terribly wrong and you should admit that.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:03 pm
Meh. I’m nobody and I saw right through him. If you really thought Bruce Rauner would be anything like you described, you were completely snookered.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:06 pm
This shows the Achilles heal of wealthy liberals, an unshakable trust in the virtue and veracity of the fellow wealthy.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:06 pm
It’s rare when political types admit they made a mistake, which is what Newt is basically doing. He ought to be commended for his candor as well as for his insight into how this governor has hurt IL.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:09 pm
Okay, I caught it faster today. I have no idea if Newton Minow is wealthy. My bad, I made another assumption. But come on, Newton Minow? He’s gotta have some money.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm
===Really Mr. Minow I think you owe us all an apology for your recommendation. You were terribly wrong and you should admit that.===
Nope. Mr. Minow doesn’t owe an apology.
Neither did Crain’s when they stated by nearly every measure, Rauner has Illinois worse off now.
No. They owe us nothing.
Democracy is terribly flawed, some say almost critically flawed. Heck, some say the premise is flawed.
Elections have consequences.
The electorate learns with pain or prosperity if their “gamble” in democracy has worked, and we all line up, again, and try again to do what we think is right… give our vote.
No apologies required.
We learn. We move on.
“Simple”
Simple, and with respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm
how can news organizations continue to call this guy a Democrat?
Every gubernatorial election that I can remember he endorses the Republican! Stop saying Newton Minnow is a Democrat, he is not. he is a Republican.
Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:11 pm
== He should also listen to his wife. ==
He should also listen to the citizens he was elected to govern.
You’re welcome, Newt.
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:15 pm
“Every gubernatorial election that I can remember he endorses the Republican” Well, stop and think who the last two Democratic candidates were…
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Does anyone seriously believe that Madigan cares about making “Illinois a better place than it is now”?
He’s presided over three decades of Illinois’ decline. He kills every good government initiative. He blatantly makes $ off of his political connections. It’s just wrong.
Comment by John Rawls Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:18 pm
A Democrat, with surreal bipartisan expectations, two years ago, is now sour on Rauner?!?! Compelling.
#VastDeftness /s x 1000
Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:18 pm
lol! ” The Rauners have a bipartisan home life, and the same spirit and tone of their politics will animate a Rauner gubernatorial administration.”
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:18 pm
@Skeptic
Stop and think about who the last two Republican candidates were.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:19 pm
==It’s rare when political types admit they made a mistake, which is what Newt is basically doing.==
I’m not sure Minow made a mistake. Like Minow, I voted for Rauner. Not so much because I liked Rauner, but because Quinn was such a nightmare. Even though I don’t like how Rauner is doing, I remember what a weak, bumbling “leader” Quinn was.
Rauner thinks he won. He didn’t. Quinn lost. That’s how Rauner became governor.
Comment by Fusion Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:20 pm
“The Rauners have a bipartisan home life, and the same spirit and tone of their politics will animate a Rauner gubernatorial administration.”
One of the most bizarre — and most egregiously wrong — things I’ve ever read.
Minow: your judgment is remarkably, remarkably bad. Apologize all you want. But face facts: you got taken hook, line, and sinker. Taken once, you’ll be taken again. And again.
Comment by Bobby Catalpa Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:20 pm
Though I did not get taken (did not vote for Rauner), I like Minow’s post-election advice, and dislike the fact that Rauner ignored it.
Comment by illinoised Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Newton Minnow is a testament to good nutrition.
Trying to be nice here.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:36 pm
@siriusly
Surely you cant be serious. Its just not as simple as Republican or Democrat.
Taking the issue of Abortion. Roe V Wade found that Women had a Constitutional Right to Privacy to be free from government regulation of their bodies.
Republicans (”Pro Life” or Anti-Right to Privacy) want to expand the Government Surveillance state of women.
Democrats (”Pro Choice” or Pro-Right to Privacy) believe in Freedom and Liberty for women.
Bruce said he has no social agenda. But stated that Gay Marriage should be decided by a referendum. If he is indeed against Gay Marriage than cannot possibly be a Republican as that would deny Americans of their Freedom and Liberty and no interference from the government.
-with respect-
Comment by Clarence Oveur Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:38 pm
Question…
Did Mr. Minow know Rauner had no social agenda when he endorsed him??? Are economics and education the only two things that lift all boats??? Diana ONLY said he had an education and economic agenda. No “socializing” mentioned.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:39 pm
Who is Minnow? Why should we care what he says?
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Madigan and the minnows he controls!
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Ducky: I agree the last two R candidates haven’t been stellar, but at least none of them are in prison.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 2:51 pm
At least Minow stopped short of calling Illinois a “vast wasteland…”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:05 pm
@Skeptic
…yet….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Forget party. That was plain good advice if you wanted our governor to succeed. A lot of the commenters here gave very similar advice to newly-elected Governor Rauner. We have been disappointed in his tactical or strategic choices, and the unnecessary resulting damage to the state.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:10 pm
@walker
Agreed. But I actually talked to Rauner during the primary race. I was fairly open-minded (and supporting Rutherford at the time) and the guy completely turned me off. He had zero good to say and blamed problems on unions. So if Mr Minow had actually talked with Bruce Rauner before the primary election, he would have known what Rauner is all about.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:22 pm
Newt- one question for you - why did all those successful republican governors join hands with Mike Madigan to spend more then our tax rate permitted and forge the pension problem we now face?
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:26 pm
“Who is Minnow?”
Newton Minow was memorialized in popular culture. While head of the FCC, he angered the TV industry by calling it a vast waste land. So the produser of Gilligan’s Island named the sunken boat after him.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Newton Minnow is a man of integrity. Quinn was awful and Rauner showed potential. He endorsed Rauner and gave him some shrewd advice which was ignored. Had Rauner taken the advice, he might have been able to accomplish something.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:41 pm
M-I-N-O-W
The advice was always there for Rauner.
I asked Rauner to
Fix FY2015
Pass a FY2016 Budget
Labor Peace
How many of those got done… or better… how many of those were done perfectly clean and built trust.
The Good Friday Massacre, the cuts Rauner hopes other would ignore… were a warning to where we are now with Rauner.
When you can’t count to 60 or 30, you destroy social services and refuse to fund state universities.
Minow didn’t sign on to that, or the Raunerite ways, and Minow… in those 5 suggestions has nothing on Prevailing Wage, Collective Bargaining, or destroying Labor.
The advice is thoughtful and far sighted.
Rauner isn’t thoughtful to governing and is short sided in this push for an immeasurable Agenda.
Minow isn’t the bad guy here.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:51 pm
===Trying to be nice here.===
Lol. IIRC, two years ago you thought Minow was the smartest man in the planet. What a difference two years can make, eh?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Another “elite” telling us commoners what is best. Frankly he lost me in the 60s I liked my vast wasteland not NPR so much. Well anyway when he pushes Chris Kenedy over the finish line we will become the land of milk and honey. Water will turn to wine and we will all get pie in the sky when we die
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 4:33 pm
47th Ward, I think you’re confusing me with someone else. I’ve never thought Mr. Minow was the smartest man in (or on) the planet. Never.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Would be great to hear from the Democrats who served on Rauner’s transition.
Heck, I’d love someone to go through those transition plans and see what’s actually been done.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 5:00 pm
Not right wing? He said loud and clear that he wanted to emulate Govs Walker and Daniels. He declared loud and clear that the moderate Rep challengers were not extreme enough.
Comment by Dr X Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Lol, you’re 100% correct A guy, you did not call him the smartest man on the planet when you praised him for endorsing Rauner on March 21, 2014.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 7:22 pm
The Search key is not your friend
When telling fibs is what you intend
-Arthur Andersen, MMXVI
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 10:31 pm
–Well you know what they say, “When you lose Minow, it’s best to cut bait and quit fishing.”–
VMan, well done.I bet sometimes when you cut, they don’t even know they’re bleeding, until it’s too late.
Minow has been dining out on “vast wasteland” since 1961.
Meh, good for him. But, whatever.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 16 @ 11:57 pm
How wrong was Minnow about Rauner? His most positive statement back then was a complete lie:
>>3) Some of your supporters booed when you said Tuesday night that you had called the Democratic leaders, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. Tell those who booed to get out of your way.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 7:41 am
Minow, like others, presumes that the fiscal chaos and sabotage of core state responsibilities under Gov. Rauner are a failure on his part.
I’d argue that it is the plan in action, and that Rauner is succeeding brilliantly on his own twisted terms.
Run up new, massive debt, neglect basic functions, stiff creditors…
…squeeze the beast to achieve the necessary shakeout, in the Penthouse Forum prose of Sen. Radogno.
It’s just like running a chain of Florida nursing homes.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 8:49 am
Oh Wordslinger, how I wish you were not so accurate at 8:49.
Comment by Alas Thursday, Sep 22, 16 @ 9:16 am