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* WDWS reporter Michael Kiser interviewed Gov. Rauner this week. Kiser asked him to comment on the field of Democratic candidates who want his job…
What I care about is making Illinois strong and healthy for the next generation, with balanced budgets, good-paying jobs, high quality of life, rising family incomes and the best schools in America. And that’s what I’m fighting to do every day.
The Democrats, the Democratic Party has been in control of Illinois for years and years before I came into office. And they’ve taken us down the drain. And having more Democrat control in the governorship next year, boy oh boy, disaster for the people of Illinois.
The Democrats have had the ability to fix the problems in the past, they’ve controlled everything, they’ve done nothing. And all they’ve done is create the problems that we’re fighting to change right now.
So, I don’t spend any time worrying about who’s going to run. They’re all part of the system of supporting the policies and the politicians that created this mess.
We have to stand strong. I’m fighting for working families. I’m fighting for teachers in Illinois. I’m fighting for small business owners, I’m fighting for taxpayers. The people who’ve been ignored and abused and not taken care of in Illinois is who I’m standing up and working for.
We have got to change our direction. More Democrat control will fail us. They’ve already had control and they’ve broken our system. They’re the cause of the break, the broken system we’re dealing with. They just want to tape it over with tax hikes and more spending and more deficits. We need changes and that’s what we’re fighting to do.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:06 am
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Democrat or republican as governor is not what I care about. I care about a governor that can pass a budget.
Comment by Rocky Rosi Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:11 am
Can we get a governor to pass a budget?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:12 am
It pains me as a Republican to say this….but we need a Democratic Governor at this time. The only way any agenda is going to move forward is with a Democrat at the helm. This inaction is slowly destroying the state. Normally a bipartisan system works best, just not in Illinois.
Comment by cgo75 Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:13 am
I am both a teacher and a tax payer and I don’t think you are fighting for me.
Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:13 am
And Brucie is not a disaster–great campaign slogan.
Comment by d.p.gumby Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:14 am
Bruce has been a disaster.
Comment by Romeo Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:14 am
===And having more Democrat control in the governorship next year, boy oh boy, disaster for the people of Illinois.===
Although he may be right, a disaster for a governor would be a significant improvement. An agenda full of platitudes for an incumbent that has gotten nearly nothing of significance accomplished while taking us down the path of insolvency is beyond a disaster. Imagine the shape of the state if there is a downturn in the economy.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:14 am
I don’t think anyone could do worse then Rauner has in the last 2 years.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:14 am
That the man who at every turn chooses to campaign and refuses to govern, thinks that anyone else would be a disaster is rich.
Comment by slow down Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:15 am
And then the reporter said
“OK governor, enough of the mumbo jumbo. You have generally failed to convince most people to buy your nonsense — you bailed on terms limits and tax freeze — why will anyone listen to you?”
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:19 am
Rauner is the captain of this ship. I think he’s already hit the iceberg.We need help fast and not in the form of Carhatt jackets, duct tape and the very lame excuse that I’m just a volunteer.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:20 am
“I’m fighting for working families..by taking away their rights to bargain with their employers and by denying them a decent living when they get hurt at work. And only after that, I will let working families pay higher taxes.” Fightin’ for or just fightin’?
Comment by The Real Just Me Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:20 am
A Democratic governor would be a “disaster,” but I read somewhere … hmm, wonder where … it was very recent! … that in 2014, when we had a Democratic governor, there was a 30-day billing cycle — a quote “normal backlog” — as opposed to this six-month fiasco.
https://capitolfax.com/2017/04/13/unclear-on-the-history-2/
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:21 am
The “next generation” seems to have higher priority in the Rauner word jumble. I’ve seen the Guv (and LP) start to use it more frequently. Nice sentiment, but how can we be compassionate about the next generation if we aren’t first competitive?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:22 am
It’s like these guys don’t know we had Republicans for 26 straight years and often had Republican majorities in the General Assembly during those years.
Comment by Chathamite Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:24 am
He makes a good, disciplined argument for not voting Democratic. But at this rate, he’ll never be able to give a reason to voters why they should affirmatively vote for him. That’s why it’s hard to count the number of candidates lining up to run against him, despite his millions.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:24 am
I don’t honestly know what he wants. He doesn’t want to govern, he’s shown that and I don’t think he wants a budget either. He hasn’t even made an honest effort at that. Maybe he just wants to be an emperor who has complete control over everything. Doesn’t MJM have that job already?
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:26 am
==It’s like these guys don’t know we had Republicans for 26 straight years and often had Republican majorities in the General Assembly during those years.==
It’s almost like having one party in control of all levels of government is a bad thing…
Comment by MacombMike Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:26 am
Rauner is wrong, a Democratic Gov linked with the current Dem leadership in the GA would good -
but only in the long term. As we would finally be able to test that theory that states can’t declare bankruptcy.
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:26 am
Rauner has been more of a disaster for Illinois in his short time as governor than any Democrat or politician in the same time frame. Rauner tries to insult Democrats and others as being corrupt insiders, but he bought a political party who is complicit with him and has done nothing to help us in a meaningful way.
Now Rauner says he’s willing to drop term limits and a property tax freeze for business-friendly legislation. Is he kidding? All this time was wasted and carnage done for something he could have had back in 2015, when House Democrats passed a workers comp bill and Madigan was willing to amend it to be more to the governor’s liking? That’s terrible governance.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:27 am
==It’s almost like having one party in control of all levels of government is a bad thing…==
@MacombMike:
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but at the same time, now seems hardly the time to crow about the new era of reconciliation and compromise that happens when we have divided government.
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:29 am
So… if Rauner is re-elected does the “Raging Bull Rauner” shtick end??? I mean, we’ve seen the “Rebel Without a Cause Rauner” (motorcycle garb), the “Miracle on Ice Rauner” (ice skates over the Carhartt), the “Tool Time Rauner” (sledgehammer and duct tape- or maybe that should be the “Red Green Rauner”), and many other “costumes”. What we have never seen is true governance and leadership when it comes to taking responsibility. He’s the happiest Diana has ever seen him. He told us so. The same cannot be said for millions of people in Illinois that have been caught in his “boxing ring”.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:30 am
Good thing he was on an “official business” tour. Imagine what he might’ve said had he actually been campaigning. /s
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:30 am
He makes a great argument…for someone who hasn’t been governor.
Bruce V. Rauner. The “V” is for victim.
Comment by Telly Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:31 am
Compared to the catastrophe that Rauner has been for Illinois.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:32 am
Rauner really can’t speak extemporaneously or naturally with any confidence, can he? Strange.
He’s like Gov. See N’ Say — pull the string and you’ll get some canned response, relevant of not, depending where the arrow lands.
I half-expect one day he’ll answer a question with “the cow goes ‘moo.’”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:33 am
===”Can we get a governor to pass a budget?”===
All by his little self? Without the cooperation of a legislature?
Nothing like that Illinois myth spread by Democrats eager to rid themselves of any responsibility: “One man and only one man has completely destroyed the State of Illinois in just two short years!”
Yup! Keep tapping those glass slippers together . . .
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:33 am
I wonder if he’d allow any of the CEOs of the companies he devoured to get away with excuses like this.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:33 am
“They’re all part of the system of supporting the policies and the politicians that created this mess.”
What a sad and cynical view. Is it any wonder why he can’t/won’t negotiate in good faith with the other side? This must be the way he views union workers too and why AFSCME can’t get a fair contract proposal from him. I’m an indie politically and see good and bad in each party. But I see it as differences in individuals rather than party. Obviously some pols are more moderate and have better negotiating skills than others.
For this Governor to see all Dems or anything Dem-related as “bad” is the reason this state is a sinking ship. This kind of hyper-partisan ideology has no place in political leadership on either side.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:33 am
So this must be the “g” endin’ part of the state.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:35 am
Governor, stop fightin’ and start finessin’ a balanced budget- all this fightin’ is killin’ us.
Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:37 am
…because right now everything is running so smoothly! /s
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:37 am
– keep tapping those glass slippers together–
Geez, Louis, you’ll cut your feet if you do that.
I think you’re mashing up Dorothy and Cinderella there, with your movie allusions. Slumber party, recently?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:42 am
If they have mirrors in the Governors mansion, Rauner needs to use one. Unreal
Comment by oldman Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:48 am
In the absence of a cohesive, consistent message from the IDP or effective news organizations, his argument is compelling.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:50 am
Hey at least DEMS are trying to hold things together with something. Rauner uses his roll of duct tape to bind hostages hands and cover media’s mouth. Something always beats a willful nothing. Only a something has kept k-12 schools going. Fine if Rauner wants nothing instead of something, why is he so afraid of Lisa Madigans pay stop. That totally drops us to nothing. Maybe then it will force the hostage taker to killing hostages and negotiate.
Stop the Perfidy Gov Rauner
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:52 am
Ok Louis, what’s stopping your benefactor from at least proposing a budget balanced by the cuts we’re assured are needed?
I know of $125k he can’t start with.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:54 am
This Carhartt & Micky Mouse watch wearing, trash can van driving, g-dropping, duct taping fake will “destroy the village to save it” if he has to. His idea of compromise is voter capitulation where enough people decide it is better to have a some state government like Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Kansas than no state government at all. We will see if every news outlet in Illinois will again be bought by his massive Oligarch-funded ad buys. I like to have my little say, and will not give it away to or for the self-dealing billionaires who seem to Napoleonic ideas about their “divine right” to run things.
Comment by James Knell Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:57 am
” I’m fighting for teachers in Illinois. I’m fighting for small business owners, I’m fighting for taxpayers. The people who’ve been ignored and abused and not taken care of in Illinois is who I’m standing up and working for. ”
Rauner’s actual actions contradict everything he says that he wants to do. The people that are ignored and not taken care of are in worse shape today than they were two years ago.
The taxpayers he says he’s looking out for are going to get stuck with a larger tax increase than they otherwise would have had because of the unprecedented amount of debt he has accumulated.
Looking out for teachers and wanting more good paying jobs? Ending Unions in Illinois won’t be helping teachers and will lead to fewer good paying jobs. Ending prevailing wage will also reduce the number of good paying jobs.
For the past 40+ years Democrats have held the Governorship for 12 but the Governor doesn’t deal with facts. He is a proponent of the big lie.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:04 pm
===Nothing like that Illinois myth spread by Democrats eager to rid themselves of any responsibility: “One man and only one man has completely destroyed the State of Illinois in just two short years!”===
Oh - Louis G Atasaves -, LOL!
“Pat Quinn failed”
You ‘nember?
Governors own, candidate Rauner told me so.
And let’s be a bit honest, Counselor, Rauner has proposed 3 consecutive phony, status quo, grossly unbalanced budgets… all by his lil self, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:06 pm
===If they have mirrors in the Governors mansion, Rauner needs to use one. Unreal ===
There are plenty of mirrors. The problem is that when Governor Gaslight looks into one, there’s no reflection
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:07 pm
Here’s what i am sure of…
Since 1818, no governor, Democrat or Republican had refused to want a budget.
A Raunerite governor, that being Bruce Rauner, can care less about social services and higher education.
Since Rauner has owned the Republican Party, the only party with people running for governor that care for Illinoisans will be the Democratic gubenitorial candidates that can easily say they won’t close social services and board up higher education institutions, as Rauner made clear in 2012 that wedges and pain IS a real strategy to hurt real people.
Anyone will be better for “people” in this state than Rauner.
“Why?”
Bruce Rauner wants people hurt. Anyone who doesn’t purposely want people hurt will be better for the people of Illinois.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:11 pm
I could not agree more, a Democrat would be a disaster for Illinois! Which is why the Republican Party needs to replace Rauner and nominate a real Republican in 2018! If they won’t do it, I will! Thank you for your consideration.
Comment by William j Kelly Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:20 pm
===”Ok Louis, what’s stopping your benefactor from at least proposing a budget balanced by the cuts we’re assured are needed?”===
You mean to say the Democratic majorities in both chambers would have instantly agreed to those cuts, break out the confetti and joyously launch a bipartisan celebration if the Governor did that?
Ah those Illinois political fairytales Democrats spread, Just keep tapping those (non-glass) slippers . . .
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:22 pm
My only concern is getting a governor that works….th state was moving in the right direction under Quinn budgets were passed debt was going down until Rauner let the tax increase sunset saving himself $750,000 ….
Now nothing other than blaming others…sorry that’s not leadership…it’s a cop out….
So I’m for anyone that will do the job, not pull out the carhart after 2 years because running for the job is the only part of it that he’s good at….
Comment by JohnCchmidt Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:26 pm
===You mean to say the Democratic majorities in both chambers would have instantly agreed to those cuts, break out the confetti and joyously launch a bipartisan celebration if the Governor did that?===
This is adorbs, - Louis G Atsaves -
This ignorance only makes sense if Rauner ever proposed balanced budgets and didn’t spend the last two days with a campaign paid tour… you guessed it… bashing Democrats.
Rauner proposes sham, grossly unbalanced, phony budgets. You don’t get to go after Democrats with that truth you’re ignoring.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:31 pm
==Nothing like that Illinois myth spread by Democrats eager to rid themselves of any responsibility==
Sounds like someone else I know.
Always the victim aren’t you Louis.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Disaster? What does he call his 2+ years in office?
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:39 pm
Louis, tapping the slippers is supposed to take you from a fantasy world of danger led by a phony blowhard to the grounded reality and safety of home.
Is that what you’re going for?
Maybe movie analogies aren’t your thing.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Fighting for the teachers?
What?
Where?
When?
Comment by Morty Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:43 pm
- You mean to say the Democratic majorities in both chambers would have instantly agreed to those cuts, -
No, but at least Rauner could talk about balancing budgets with a shred of credibility. Not that it matters to you as long as those WCC checks keep cashing.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Sheesh. Once a BS’er, always a BS’er.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Is it just me or have other people gotten to the point of thinking that BVR is not cynical and hypocritical but has actually moved into ‘mentally unstable’ territory?
Comment by Morty Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:52 pm
‘- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 11:33 am:
===”Can we get a governor to pass a budget?”===
All by his little self? Without the cooperation of a legislature?
Nothing like that Illinois myth spread by Democrats eager to rid themselves of any responsibility: “One man and only one man has completely destroyed the State of Illinois in just two short years!”
Yup! Keep tapping those glass slippers together . . .’
When someone is the executive officer of an organization that, indeed, is very possible. Schools, businesses, armies, etc, can be layed low by a person in charge if they are incompetent/neglectful/abusive
/
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:57 pm
12:57 was me
Comment by Morty Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 12:58 pm
==I’m not saying you’re wrong, but at the same time, now seems hardly the time to crow about the new era of reconciliation and compromise that happens when we have divided government.==
My comments aren’t just reserved for Illinois.
Comment by MacombMike Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 1:04 pm
===It’s almost like having one party in control of all levels of government is a bad thing…===
Yes, but obviously indisputably better than having Bruce Rauner as governor.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 1:40 pm
===”Maybe movie analogies aren’t your thing.”===
You could be right. I could be mixing up the multiple fairy tales told by Illinois Democrats as to why they have zero responsibility for anything wrong with Illinois while the 2 year sitting Governor is responsible for everything under the sun.
I think it all started when I ran across “Ella Enchanted” on cable, which mixed multiple fairy tales with modern rock songs with King Arthur type of backgrounds.
But then, a fairy tale is a fairy tale. “We’ve always had balanced budgets in the past, even with Republican Governors” vs. the 0-15 score in past balancing acts is another slipper tapping fantasy. Did that movie have a pumpkin in it?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 1:47 pm
Not a party thing.
Either of the two strongest Republican opponents to Rauner, in our 2014 primary for governor, would have proposed, negotiated, and signed two annual state budgets by now.
Comment by walker Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Illinois has had more years under a republican Governor than a Democratic Governor since 1970…
Just sayin’
Comment by Union Man Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 2:55 pm
The usual suspects think all Illinois has to do is raise taxes and everything work out.
How you can beat someone with nothing is beyond me.
Democrats have proposed nothing, no cuts, no reforms, no revenues and their 12 years of one party rule in Springfield had disastrous consequences and 12 unbalanced budgets in a row
Now they claim the Governor is to blame for all of the dysfunction
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 3:05 pm
Why does he dig his heels in the way he does? If he had chosen to lead on negotiating budgets that resolved or made progress toward resolving the State’s budget crisis, he would have won over the voting public and secured so much political capital to pursue the non-budget-related elements of his turnaround agenda.
Comment by GA Watcher Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 3:08 pm
===The usual suspects think all Illinois has to do is raise taxes and everything work out.===
Not one person has said that. You are blatently dishonest to that truth, and that Revenue is required, as Rauner’s 3 phony budgets required revenue too.
This is the first time you are being reminded that Revenue is required.
===How you can beat someone with nothing is beyond me.===
I know, right? Rauner has accomplished nothing, how can Rauner beat… anyone?
===…and 12 unbalanced budgets in a row===
“Cowards and losers live in the past” - Lucky Pierre -, citing Mike Ditka.
Which are you, coward or loser?
===Democrats have proposed nothing, no cuts, no reforms, no revenues===
Article VIII, Section 2, (a).
Further, when questioned, Rauner’s own budget director and agency heads offered no cuts.
This is the first time you are being reminded about the constitutional obligation of the governor that Rauner refuses to do, and the fact that Rauner refuses to show any cuts.
All of this should make you angry, why doesn’t it?
===Now they claim the Governor is to blame for all of the dysfunction===
“Pat Quinn failed”
“Bruce Rauner fails”
Skyhook, in reverse. Get use to it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Rauner still governing like a cocktail party blowhard.
Comment by Liberty Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 3:22 pm
Let’s settle something here. As far off as the state is with its bills you are not going to get a balanced budget in 1 year. The cuts and the tax increases would be too much. It may take 5 to 10 years of gradually chipping away at it without effecting services dramatically. The last time the US Govt. had a balanced budget was when Andrew Jackson was president. BTW they celebrated by tapping a keg of whiskey.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 4:06 pm
If Rauner wants good paying jobs and rising incomes, why is he fighting so hard against his own employees?
Comment by South Illinoisan Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 4:57 pm
===But then, a fairy tale is a fairy tale. “We’ve always had balanced budgets in the past, even with Republican Governors” vs. the 0-15 score in past balancing acts is another slipper tapping fantasy. Did that movie have a pumpkin in it?===
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -, lol
Your “phony-baloney” can only make sense if Bruce Rauner proposed non… Sham, Phony, Grossly Unbalanced budgets… 3 times.
Now, as a Raunerite, I know it makes sense to you to ignore facts like Rauner submitting status quo budgets… thrice.
That ain’t no fairy tale, Counselor…
That is the truth you keep hoping everyone ignores with your blinded loyalty… leading word salads that are false to their core.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 7:10 pm
== In the absence of a cohesive, consistent message from the IDP or effective news organizations, his argument is compelling.==
I blame both the mainstream media and the IDP for giving BVR a “pass” at every press event, every interview, every editorial. No tough questions are asked. There are no editorials demanding he “do his job.” BVR is handing campaign soundbites to the IDP, but yet, I see nothing.
My biggest fear heading into 2018 is an uninformed/disinterested public.
“People want leadership. And in the absence of genuine leadership, they will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They’re so thirsty for it, they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand.”
“People don’t drink the sand because they’re thirsty. They drink it because they don’t know the difference.”
Exactly.
Comment by Cardsfan Thursday, Apr 13, 17 @ 10:17 pm
I think he’s catching on that a democrat govenor will end the turnaround
Comment by Rabid Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:38 am