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A story in search of a controversy

Posted in:

* From the ILGOP

WCIA reported last week that the General Assembly, under the leadership of Mike Madigan, has “literally produced no significant bills” in 4 months.

Mike Madigan’s “do-nothing” statehouse has refused to pass a balanced budget or reforms for over two years.

Watch WCIA’s coverage here.

It was kind of a silly story because the final deadline for passing House bills out of the originating chamber isn’t until April 28th. The Senate has the same deadline for passing its own bills over to the House. Those deadlines weren’t even mentioned in the story, by the way.

And it’s more than a little ironic that the ILGOP would use this angle since the most important legislation of the year was derailed in the Senate by Gov. Rauner.

* Then again, as we’ve already discussed, Rauner’s latest claim is that Speaker Madigan killed the grand bargain, not him

Gov. Bruce Rauner: The bad news is the House Democratic leadership has been sending over some of their lieutenants and some of the leaders of their special interest groups that fund them over to attack the Senate Democrats — and try to blow up the grand bargain. That’s what’s been happening over the last six weeks. And I feel bad for Senate President Cullerton and some of his Senate Democrats. […]

Tony Sarabia: Where did you hear that about House Democrats, because this is the first time that we’re hearing this — that they’re sending over, as you say, special interests to block …

Rauner: You should check with the Senate Democrats about the pressure they’re getting. President Cullerton has been under relentless pressure. Special interest groups are beating him up. Senate Democrats are feeling a lot of pressure. In fact, I’ve been told that several — I won’t name names right here on this program — but several of the Senate Democrats have decided, boy, it’s not worth the pressure they’re getting. They’re pulling back off the grand bargain and not wanting to negotiate anymore.

Sigh.

The man is our gaslighter in chief.

* Rick Pearson checked in with the Senate Democrats

Cullerton spokesman John Patterson questioned Rauner’s assertion of House Democratic involvement.

“I don’t think they had anything to do with … Republican votes for the budget deal disappearing overnight,” he said.

According to Patterson, the full quote was “I don’t think they had anything to do with all but one of the Republican votes for the budget deal disappearing overnight,” a reference to Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s lone support in the face of the governor’s opposition.

Aside from Radogno, the only people in the Senate who are standing against the groups and people who fund their campaigns are Democrats. Not all of them, for sure, but most.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 11:42 am

Comments

  1. ===The man is our gaslighter in chief.===

    Word.

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 11:47 am

  2. “Those deadlines weren’t even mentioned in the story, by the way”…the WCIA reporter does indeed mention the deadline; check at about the 1:44 mark in the video.

    Comment by Texas Red Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 11:52 am

  3. ===Special interest groups are beating him up. Senate Democrats are feeling a lot of pressure. In fact, I’ve been told that several — I won’t name names right here on this program===

    Unless Rauner starts naming names or these ridiculous radio programs feel the need to actually call out Rauner, “this” will win the day, every day, from now until Rauner takes the oath again(?)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 11:53 am

  4. ===the WCIA reporter does indeed mention the deadline; check at about the 1:44 mark in the video===

    Um, no. He referenced May 31st, not the committee deadline.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 11:58 am

  5. Must be the same House D’s that are always calling him and telling him they like his TA agenda…..

    Comment by Not Rich Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:05 pm

  6. Until the press calls it out every time it occurs it will continue. The Governor is playing to the right demographic, low information voters. Which will get him over 50% and another win.
    Just keep telling partial truths Governor and not really saying anything, while blaming Madigan, you’ve got your next term.

    Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:06 pm

  7. Kinda silly, but effective. I mean, does anyone really think things are going to look different at the end of the month?

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:09 pm

  8. Is “Gaslighter in Chief” a more polite way of saying “liar?” He truly is shameless.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:25 pm

  9. The governor doesn’t like being lumped in with Trump, but he is increasingly adopting his
    “say anything regardless of whether it’s true” style. This is so patently absurd. And so depressing that he thinks he can get a way with it.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:28 pm

  10. ===This is so patently absurd. And so depressing that he thinks he can get a way with it.===

    Rauner gets away with the messaging, winning the day, every day.

    If I were they, I’d keep “doing what they’re doing”.

    The vertical integration and cycling stories, “washing” them for editorials, commentary on talk radio, Tee-Vee ads, I mean, it’s going to take a Herculean effort to sink Rauner’s messaging.

    Rich, and a handful of others, continues to show the ridiculousness…

    … then ABC7 Chicago and WCIA just don’t care… so there’s that…

    Vertical integration will only fail when $70+ million is put to Ads, just like Rauner did to Quinn, to have sink in… “Bruce Rauner fails”

    I thank Rich for trying to keep perspective, for both sides

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:34 pm

  11. Since the Governor didn’t say, from what state “Senate Democrats” were being pressured, etc., technically he wasn’t lying. One of his superstars probably came up with this logic.

    Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:38 pm

  12. WCIA’s “reporters” would benefit from spending a few months in a class on the Illinois political/legislative process.

    Instead they are either trying out for their next gig a new city, or trying out for the Rauner team.

    Remember the days of guys like Mark McDonald who knew state government? But sadly, even Mark left for a government gig at one time.

    Springfield/Decatur/Champaign TV stations have no one left in Springfield who knows much about the workings of state government.

    Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:44 pm

  13. –Rauner gets away with the messaging, winning the day, every day.–

    If “winning the day” is defined by a 58% disapproval rating, then “losing the day” will be horrific.

    Rauner’s “message” has kept him underwater most of his term despite tweeting’ it, instagrammin’ it, facebookin’ it, snapchatin’ it, etc.

    The Super Stars get Big Brain’s message of platitudes and falsehoods “covered” and kitschy costumes seen, but voters dislike or disbelieve what they hear or see. Or both. Their strategic answer? Add “duct tape” to the PR kitsch. They’re so enamored of tactics and props and “winning the day”, that they’ve forsaken long-term strategy in order to get him out of a public opinion ditch of their own making.

    Sad!

    Comment by King Louis XVI Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:59 pm

  14. @ Give Me A Break -
    The TV stations don’t have any expertise in ANYTHING local any more because . . . they aren’t locally-owned any longer, so management doesn’t really care if they get local stuff “right” or not, and news doesn’t make them enough money to spend on competent reporters. WCIA, et. al., are owned by Nextstar Media Group, which is headquartered in Texas. WAND is owned by Block Communications in Toledo, OH; and WICS/WICD is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group headquartered in Maryland. The stations are simply cash flow deals for the owners; they could care less about local issues, except to the extent that stuff could affect overall station ratings (and hence advertiser payments). At one time in the not-so-recent past, all these stations were locally-owned. The consolidation and “Internetization” of media has not been a plus for competent TV news reporting pretty much anywhere, IMHO.

    Comment by jdcolombo Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:01 pm

  15. Wrong
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zF82qVCJYXs

    Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:04 pm

  16. ===winning the day” is defined by a 58% disapproval rating, then “losing the day” will be horrific.

    Rauner’s “message” has kept him underwater most of his term despite tweeting’ it, instagrammin’ it, facebookin’ it, snapchatin’ it, etc.===

    While true, and also true that Munger losing to Mendoza is also a sign Rauner is toxic too…

    … the reality is… the only message out there IS Rauner’s and allowing that message to go unchecked or unanswered, (let alone being continued within vertical integration), the reality come campaign season is “how long will Rauner have the messaging stage to himself, how long will the media aid in making Rauner messaging?”

    ===They’re so enamored of tactics and props and “winning the day”, that they’ve forsaken long-term strategy in order to get him out of a public opinion ditch of their own making.===

    This is the Achilles’ Heel, but…

    … you can’t beat someone with no one…

    … Rod proved, with enough money, you can be grossly unpopular and still win the-election… so there’s that too.

    Hanging your hat on a now 58% disapproval, that’s not a winning strategy when that person with that strategy has $50 million today to “phony it up” with the press eating it up too.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:06 pm

  17. The only way Rauner isn’t deliberately lying, is if he considers the “grand bargain” as yet to be struck between him and the Senate, and the “killing” to be the Dems willing to move off the bipartisan deal toward a new one. It is reframing as much as gaslighting.

    Yes, I know it’s weak, but there’s no other way to defend Rauner.

    Comment by walker Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:12 pm

  18. – the reality is… the only message out there IS Rauner’s and allowing that message to go unchecked or unanswered. –

    Untrue.

    That 58% disapproval doesn’t fall from the clouds.

    Sustained criticism from rank-and-file Democratic state and federal lawmakers, unions, human services advocates, a smattering of editorial boards over the last two years has been the counter message and it has contributed to Rauner’s collapse in public opinion regarding his stewardship.

    The idea that Team Rauner’s message is “winning the day” because that message is covered by remaining fragments of the traditional media is absurd. Coverage is not the metric. Public opinion persuaded is the metric.

    On that score, he’s losing, not winning.

    Comment by King Louis XVI Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:26 pm

  19. Rauner continues to manipulate and thrill the local media, who look upon him with adoration. Gone are the hard nosed, tough editors.
    Kind of like Ethel in the song The Streak. She’s already got by with running through the gymnasium “nekked as a jailbird” by the time her husband catches on.
    “Ethel, you get your clothes on.”
    But it was too late.

    Comment by Winnin' Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:32 pm

  20. ===Untrue.===

    Really? Where do I find this DPI messaging? House Dems?

    You are mistaking “result” with “action”

    You can be “unpopular” without messaging taking place.

    Good try, thou.

    ===Sustained criticism from rank-and-file Democratic state and federal lawmakers, unions, human services advocates, a smattering of editorial boards over the last two years has been the counter message and it has contributed to Rauner’s collapse in public opinion regarding his stewardship.===

    Yep.

    It has yet to be a coordinated effort, it has yet to produce any wins at the state level, less Munger, you seem to think if enough scatter-shot takes place, that’s “answering” Rauner.

    There’s a whole post about Denocrats joining the 21st Century here… Joining…

    ===The idea that Team Rauner’s message is “winning the day” because that message is covered by remaining fragments of the traditional media is absurd. Coverage is not the metric. Public opinion persuaded is the metric.===

    In a state where Clinton and Duckworth won handily, Democrats lost Illinois House and Senate seats.

    ===On that score, he’s losing, not winning===

    Tell that the Illinois House and Senate Democrats that didn’t return to the General Assembly…

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:37 pm

  21. With all due respect, Willy:

    Rod proved that an unpopular Democratic candidate could win in a Democratic wave year with a Republican in the WH. No one has proven that a horribly unpopular Republican can win statewide in what is possibly shaping up to be another Democratic wave year with a Republican in the WH…yet. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but comparing the two is apples to oranges.

    I’m with King Louie - that 58% disapproval didn’t come from nowhere. Rauner’s message discipline may be on point and he OODA loops with a certain effectiveness, but I think some of the D candidates are starting to take the shine off his messaging some, and Mendoza clearly got under his skin. It can be done.

    Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:52 pm

  22. ===No one has proven that a horribly unpopular Republican can win statewide in what is possibly shaping up to be another Democratic wave year with a Republican in the WH…yet===

    That being said… Can’t beat someone with no one…

    ===that 58% disapproval didn’t come from nowhere. Rauner’s message discipline may be on point and he OODA loops with a certain effectiveness, but I think some of the D candidates are starting to take the shine off his messaging some, and Mendoza clearly got under his skin. It can be done.===

    How do you explain away the Dems losing statehouse seats and… those seats… seats in and around Springfield and Sangamon County, in college towns like Eastern… how did Raunerites prevail?

    Messaging?

    Hmm.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 1:57 pm

  23. - Joe Bidenopolous -

    It with respect I submit to you this things, because all this talk about Rauner NOT winning the day… after day… continues to have Rauner’s sole message being gobbled up, and ILGA seats being gobbled up with Rauner’s messaging.

    Statewide? We’ll see, but Mendoza is a good sign, but not the blueprint, given her own awful campaign, and those… like labor and Dems staying home “enough”, but also losing 11 points from Clinton and Duckworth.

    That’s Rauner messaging peeling off Democratic silence.

    With respect.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:01 pm

  24. “How do you explain away the Dems losing statehouse seats and… those seats… seats in and around Springfield and Sangamon County”

    OW, when was the last time a Dem won a state seat in Sangamon County?

    Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:09 pm

  25. ===when was the last time a Dem won a state seat in Sangamon County?===

    That’s only germane if Dems didn’t feel they at least had an outside shot with Bourne and/or Jimenez.

    Lots of money spent on both by Rauner to protect them(?)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:12 pm

  26. “- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 12:34 pm: ”

    You hit that ball right out of the park. I totally agree the Dems need to invest a lot of money in TV & social media ads.

    Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:12 pm

  27. –You can be “unpopular” without messaging taking place.-

    Nonsensical.

    Criticism is message – even if delivered by a multitude of micro messengers.

    The existence of a DPI Twitter account is not the holy grail upon which to prove whether or not a counter message has been delivered by Rauner opponents. DPI social media platforms is your hangup.

    The 58% disapproval rate is not an orphan. It has parentage. It was birthed by opponents delivering a message.

    Nice try though.

    Comment by King Louis XVI Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:19 pm

  28. ===Nonsensical.===

    “Really?”

    Labor, thru something they may only follow, has their issues solely on the Decatur PowerPoint. Yet, Rauner being piecemeal unpopular with Labor still led with ILGA wins for Rauner.

    Higher Ed, towns and universities knowing the damage Rauner conditioned to do, their own issues, still couldn’t do enough with that to cause damage for Raunerites.

    I-80 corridor, where the issues, like Trump aided in beating Clinton nationally, it was the attachment to Madigan not Rauner (Trump carried) that unseat ILGA members.

    There’s no cohesive message. Again, Rich has a whole post about Dems joining the 21st century.

    ===The existence of a DPI Twitter account is not the holy grail upon which to prove whether or not a counter message has been delivered by Rauner opponents. DPI social media platforms is your hangup.===

    Nope. The ad buys and the continued hammering by Rauner, unanswered by a collective (DPI, HDems) that continues to lose the day.

    You’d think Rauner having free range over the media, vertical integration, would continually upset Dems. That it doesn’t is good news for Rauner.

    ===The 58% disapproval rate is not an orphan. It has parentage. It was birthed by opponents delivering a message.===

    … and yet, how did those statehouse races shake out, you know, with Rauner so unpopular and all…

    ===Nice try though===

    You should save that for those Dems who lost their seats when Clinton and Duckworth steamrolled the state, lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 2:37 pm

  29. Why leave out Speaker Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown’s public torching of the Grand Bargain and just focus on Governor Rauner’s efforts to improve the bills?

    Do you really think the Governor is more of a problem than the Speaker?

    The Governor has said a lot of good things about the Grand Bargain. The Speaker has said nothing positive and sent his spokesman out to trash it

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 3:00 pm

  30. ===Why leave out Speaker Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown’s public torching of the Grand Bargain===

    You got a link for that torching because I just Googled it and didn’t see it?

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 3:04 pm

  31. ===Governor Rauner’s efforts to improve the bills?===

    Is that code for…

    “Completely undercutting Leader Radogno publicly and undercut her within her own caucus”?

    That’s fun.

    Bruce Rauner blew up the Grand Bargain.

    This is the first time today you are being reminded that Rauner blew up the Grand Bargain, and further, if tigresses wanted this to go after Brown and/or Madigan, why blow the bargain up? You don’t, if you wanted pressure on Madigan.

    ===Do you really think the Governor is more of a problem than the Speaker?===

    Ask Leader Radogno and the Grand Bargain about that…

    ===The Governor has said a lot of good things about the Grand Bargain===

    … and yet it was Rauner alone that blew it up.

    ===The Speaker has said nothing positive and sent his spokesman out to trash it===

    Had Rauner allowed it to be over to the House, you’d have an argument.

    You don’t.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 3:07 pm

  32. Is this a news story? Or opinion? Because either it was a slow day or they actually thought this had some value. To me, sounded more like an opinion than an actual news story.

    Comment by RR Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 3:37 pm

  33. Plus, it only had one sound bite…they should not have even let this on air.

    Comment by RR Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 3:39 pm

  34. For those that missed it

    Steve Brown this month-

    “This was neither grand nor a bargain,” said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. “House Democrats were waiting for something to come about in a final form to even comment on. We never really saw that. We saw a group of bad ideas — harder for workers to take care of their injuries, harder for people to pay police and firefighters and teachers. So it’s a little too late for the governor to try to cover up his own derailing of negotiations that were going on between Senator Cullerton and Senator Radogno.”

    Does that sound like a torching or support?

    Is that worse than what the Governor said?

    https://www.wbez.org/shows/morning-shift/gov-bruce-rauner-house-democrats-special-interests-responsible-for-failure-of-grand-bargain/73f819d5-44a1-42c1-85a8-3b27a67607f0

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:04 pm

  35. LP, that was last week. Long after the deal was run off the rails.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:07 pm

  36. Do you think he had a change of heart?

    Was he trying to undermine the deal all along?

    Sure blows up the narrative blame Rauner for everything

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:12 pm

  37. ===Why does the “Speaker” need a “spokesman”?===

    Right now, Lance, “ck”, et al., are wondering where you’re going with this, given Rauner needs communication staff and spokespeople at a pretty decent clip.

    Especially this…

    ===In these tough times maybe these office can be consolidated===

    Hmm… now the Rauner Press Shop is really confused by this. You are questioning the size of Staffs?

    ===Neither seems to be doing a whole lot of speaking recently===

    Neither are running for governor.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:13 pm

  38. ===Sure blows up the narrative blame Rauner for everything===

    Except that Leader Radogno’s situation isn’t too difficult to see.

    Seeing that, only Rauner could peel the SGOP members, unless you think Madigan is using Rauner to blow things up?

    That’s pretty fun

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:19 pm

  39. Not possible the Speaker pulled democrats off the different bills?

    They didn’t all pass did they?

    Who would every worry about crossing the Speaker and his powerful interest groups said no democrat ever.

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:24 pm

  40. ===Not possible the Speaker pulled democrats off the different bills?===

    It’s not up for discussion or debate, in the Senate, Rauner blew up the Senate Grand Bargain. Are you calling Leader Radogno’s integrity into question?

    ===Who would every worry about crossing the Speaker and his powerful interest groups said no democrat ever.===

    Why does Rauner need $50 million to keep ILGOP members from compromising? LOL

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:35 pm

  41. No I am calling your integrity into question

    Democrats were pulled off bills like pension reform that did not pass

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 4:56 pm

  42. Professor, with respect, I mostly agree with your point about local TV statehouse reporters. I think the new bureau chief at WCIA, stumble above notwithstanding, showed some talent and the willingness to dig deep in his “Warehousegate” story.
    Personally, I get all my local news from WCIA because the other two choices are so bad.
    Also concur that the “chain of stations” ownership model is not in the viewer’s best interest. At least WICS dropped Mark Hyman’s nightly rants awhile back.

    Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 5:02 pm

  43. ===Democrats were pulled off bills like pension reform that did not pass===

    Nope. That was always going to be reliant on GOP help, which didn’t come. SDems met their target. GOP did not.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 5:04 pm

  44. ===No I am calling your integrity into question===

    If you’re not calling Leader Radogno’s integrity into question, then you admit Rauner blew up the Grand Bargain.

    The rest of your ignorance about me is just a dodge, “integrity” questioning it not, LOL

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 5:05 pm

  45. Did all the bills that failed get the required democratic votes?

    You are drawing a false equivalency between the Governor’s attempt to Improve the bills to earn his signature versus the Speaker’s out right dismissal of the entire Grand Bargain

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 5:41 pm

  46. ===You are drawing a false equivalency between the Governor’s attempt to Improve the bills to earn his signature versus the Speaker’s out right dismissal of the entire Grand Bargain===

    LOL!

    “You are drawing a false equivalency between the Governor’s attempt to Improve the bills to earn his signature…”

    Improving? Seriously?

    Rauner blew up it up. Ask Leader Radogno. The only way you can believe this is if you believe Leader Radogno isn’t truthful.

    The rest is jibberish, noting that it’s nothing close to Rauner inserting himself to blow up the bargain.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 5:48 pm

  47. “Springfield/Decatur/Champaign TV stations have no one left in Springfield who knows much about the workings of state government.”

    That.Right.There.

    Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:07 pm

  48. Oswego Willy logic

    The most powerful democrat in Illinois Speaker Madigan who controls the pursestrings of the party and it’s fundraising dismissing the entire Bargain as bad- no problem, nothing to see her folks keep moving along

    The Governor calling out the obvious flaws in the bill like trading a two year property tax freeze for a permanent income tax increase are the sole reason the bill is stalled

    Typical Madigan “Republican”

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:08 pm

  49. Last, first…

    ===Typical Madigan “Republican”===

    Rauner is a Raunerite, not a Republican. Diana Rauner donating millions to destroy Democratic ideals.

    So… there’s that.

    ===..,dismissing the entire Bargain as bad- no problem, nothing to see her folks keep moving along===

    … after Rauner blew it up.

    Rich Miller tried to set you straight. You just can’t read, or…

    It’s indisputable. Bruce Rauner undercut Leader Radogno, the Republican Leader. It’s not up for discussion or debate. Not Madigan.

    ===The Governor calling out the obvious flaws in the bill like trading a two year property tax freeze for a permanent income tax increase are the sole reason the bill is stalled===

    That’s not what Leader Radogno said.

    And if you remotely believe that, that you admit Rauner blew up a bargain.

    So there’s that too, lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:15 pm

  50. As the biggest Madiganite on this blog you are probably the wrong person to ask you his because you will have no answer

    What specifically is different from Governor Rauner’s policies and standard Repiblican orthodoxy

    Despite of your obvious spin Rauner is far more moderate than Scott Walker, Mitch Daniels or other conservative Republican Governors?

    A budget deal blows up in May or June, not March are you just pretending not to know that?

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:24 pm

  51. ===What specifically is different from Governor Rauner’s policies and standard Repiblican orthodoxy===

    I am a Republican… Republicans don’t…

    Sign state contracts without any items on paying them…

    Refusing to fully fund higher education…

    Seeing trade labor unions as the enemy…

    Let’s start there. I keep looking at Republican ideals, none of those come to mind.

    Rauner isn’t a Republican. I do enjoy being called out that I’m not a Raunerite, however, lol.

    ===Despite of your obvious spin Rauner is far more moderate than Scott Walker, Mitch Daniels or other conservative Republican Governors===

    They got things thru their legislatures, Republican legislatures without destroying Wisconsin - Madison or Indiana University - Bloomington, and there were no hostages. Not one. They did the doable.

    ===A budget deal blows up in May or June, not March are you just pretending not to know that?===

    Hmm, talk to everyone, like our host. It’s not just me saying Rauber blew it up, and that includes those “close” to the process.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:31 pm

  52. LP,

    So far Rich has had to show you that one of your theories was arithmetically insufficient and that another violated one of the most fundamental and essential notions of physics, causality.

    May I suggest a nap?

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:43 pm

  53. Why are you the Speaker’s biggest defender?

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:50 pm

  54. ===Why are you the Speaker’s biggest defender?===

    I’m not.

    I actually in line with both Govs. Edgar and Ryan.

    Rauner isn’t in line with either governor, and I see what they see in working with the legislature, something Rauner refuses to do.

    Good try, thou.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 6:53 pm

  55. Both of those esteemed gentlemen gentlemen capitulated to the Speaker and kicked the can down the road

    That was the easy way out

    The can is like an anvil now and can’t be kicked down the road

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:02 pm

  56. ===Both of those esteemed gentlemen gentlemen capitulated to the Speaker and kicked the can down the road===

    … and yet, Rauner himself, with phony, sham, unbalanced budgets too. So, you should like both former governors, heck, Rauner is emulating them.

    ===The can is like an anvil now and can’t be kicked down the road===

    Rauner had tried 3 times.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:06 pm

  57. LP

    The lengths you go to in order to attempt to deflect blame away from the Governor for the torching of the Grand Bargain are laughable. The evidence is plain as day. Enough with the rewriting of history. You play the Governor’s game of victimhood well. You are an unserious commenter who has no interest in honest discussion

    Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:28 pm

  58. More false equivalency

    Sweeping the problem under the rug i.e. Edgar ramp is easy

    Solving the problem- pension reform is difficult

    You speak highly of Governor Edgar often

    Why do you admire convicted felon Governor George Ryan?

    He single handely sent the Republican Party in Illinois into the wilderness 12 years and by that measure shares the blame for that periods disastrous decline in our finances and competitiveness

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:29 pm

  59. Demoralized

    How is the view from your glass house?

    Constant defending the Democrats in Illinois and constantly ignoring their failures is tone deaf and not serious

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:32 pm

  60. ===More false equivalency===

    Nope.

    Rauner complained about “decades” of phony sham budgets, budgets Rauner has proposed 3 times. You may not like it, but it’s true.

    ===Why do you admire convicted felon Governor George Ryan?===

    Ryan understood the governing aspects necessary to get things done. If you’d like to argue the “decades” garbage and “adding to” ridiculousness, I’d suggest you read Rich’s column recently on the past, and all McKinney.

    Since I agree with both, your trying to make true something that isn’t remotely accurate.

    Isn’t you that still needs to decide if you’re a loser or a coward, per Mike Ditka and those living in the past?

    Rauner isn’t about being governor, Rauner is about using the leverage as governor to destroy as much as possible, see what pieces are left, and still destroy labor. If higher ed collapses, that’s fine too. The Rauner Library and Rauner Dormatory will stay, unlike Eastern or…

    Edgar and Ryan were about leaving the state as best they could. Many ways they succeeded, some ways they added to failure.

    Rauner’s legacy is “welp, if it wasn’t strong enough to survive me, it shouldn’t survive.”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:40 pm

  61. More false equivalency

    Pointing out the 12 previous budgets were unbalanced is garbage

    Rauner’s 3 unsuccessful budgets not called for a vote are garbage

    Edgar and Ryan left the state as best they could

    Passing the Edgar ramp and then bragging about a surplus doesn’t exactly fit the bill does it.

    Ryan taking trust in Illinois government from a record high to destroying his party and the state’s finances for 12 years doesn’t fit the bill either

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 7:58 pm

  62. ===Pointing out the 12 previous budgets were unbalanced is garbage

    Rauner’s 3 unsuccessful budgets not called for a vote are garbage===

    Hypocrisy denies Rauner, and you, the opportunity to blame or point to past budgets when Rauner continues to propose like budgets. Sorry.

    ===Edgar and Ryan left the state as best they could

    Passing the Edgar ramp and then bragging about a surplus doesn’t exactly fit the bill does it.===

    Edgar’s Ramp and the refusal to pay on the ramp didn’t help, allowing Republicans and Democrats to both be complicit in this hole that Rauner refuses, himself, to address until Labor is crushed.

    Not having budgets has made Rauner’s tenure being governor less that… less.

    By nearly every measure, Illinous is worse since Rauner became governor.

    I could cite where I got that, but already know where it was printed.

    ===…state’s finances for 12 years doesn’t fit the bill either===

    Gov. Ryan served one term.

    Rod went to prison.

    “Pat Quinn failed”… but Quinn made all the pension payments.

    Rauner IS failing. We’ll see if Democrats can decide beating Rauner is most important, no matter their nominee.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 8:07 pm

  63. Lucky

    Only in your world does calling the Governor out for his failures equate to defending the democrats. I’ve assigned partial blame to Madigan multiple times but I’m sure you were too busy playing the victim to notice. Not once - NOT ONCE - have I seen you assign even the most minute blame to the Governor. You deflect. Obfuscate. And twist yourself in knots attempting to defend the guy. Tell us all this. Do you believe the Governor shares any of the blame for our current mess? It’s a simple question. We’ll see if you have any interest in serious discussion by your answer

    Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 17, 17 @ 9:04 pm

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