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* Background is here. Sen. Andy Manar in the SJ-R…
Illinois is in bad fiscal shape. This is not news to those of us who live downstate, where we have borne the brunt of political inaction and fiscal mismanagement for generations.
State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, took to this page recently, not to address the state’s problems or offer solutions, but to absolve the governor of any responsibility for the mess.
It’s no surprise she defends him. He and his ultra-wealthy Chicago friends are key donors for her.
More than halfway through a term devoid of accomplishments, Gov. Bruce Rauner needs people like Rep. Bourne to tell everyone it’s not his fault, because in Rauner’s world nothing is ever his fault.
Who’s responsible for submitting a balanced budget? “Not Me!” says the governor. Who gutted social service agencies, harming vulnerable families? “Not Me!” says the governor.
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that the GOP wants Rep. Bourne to run against Sen. Manar next year. If this op-ed is any indication,. the gloves are off.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:02 am
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Political mismanagement for generations. Who has
been in the General Assembly for years?
Comment by DMAN Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:08 am
Sorry meant to say who has been in charge for
years.
Comment by DMAN Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:10 am
Avery Bourne lacks any credibility of having her own thoughts.
Time after time, Avery Bourne, like a programmed Raunerite, is far more concerned about keeping Bruce and Diana Rauner happy, than serving her constituents, or looking out for the betterment of the state.
For someone who could be a thoughtful leader and a rising star, Avery Bourne is a seat warming Raunerite, will to vote any way she’s told, and say anything that is required.
Bourne is a colossal disappointment for someone who has such promise.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:10 am
Oh - DMAN -
“Pat Quinn failed” - Governors own.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:12 am
Hopefully the democrats will come up with some better messaging at some point. Though far from original, isn’t it time to ask, “Was your life better or worse before Governor Rauner took office?”
Comment by CCP Hostage Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:12 am
Miss Bourne, please go back to law school. Illinois needs another lawyer.
Comment by Valvino Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:13 am
Andy Manar is a tempter tantrum thrower. He showed his pettiness last year with the stupid proposal to ban executive-level staff/directors from engaging in political activities.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:15 am
==Avery Bourne lacks any credibility of having her own thoughts.
That is rich - the entire Dem caucus is under the thumb of MJM, with the exception of one or two. With Franks gone the only voice of opposition to MJM is Drury Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Comment by Lech W Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:20 am
Avery Borne would have a better chance of beating Jason Borne than Andy Manar. But go ahead and try. Been good nowing ya.
Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:22 am
You can substitute any Republican Rep or Senator’s name for “Avery Bourne” and OW’s post applies…..
They are ALL selling out their constituents for BVR’s $$
Comment by Biscuit Head Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:25 am
I’d take Bourne over Blago’s budget creator any day!
Comment by William Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:25 am
- Lech W -
The leader of one’s caucus vs. the Executive branch holding hostage two caucuses of the Legislative branch is far more damaging to democracy.
If you are blinded by Madigan and refuse to see how a governor usurping the powers of the legislative isn’t a problem, that’s on you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:26 am
I am not normally a Manar fan, but I have to give him props for a well written, and generally accurate op ed.
Raunerites like Bourne can never answer a question about what is happening in Illinois without resorting to “but Madigan”. At some point they need to answer for the actions of their boss on it merits.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:29 am
Once again, Andy Manar proves he is the biggest baby south of I-80. It’s remarkable how thin his skin is.
Comment by Chairman McBroom Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:29 am
>the entire Dem caucus is under the thumb of MJM
I agree on the House. I disagree on the Senate.
Comment by Earnest Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:29 am
Excellent piece Senator Manar. Hey IL Democrats: Please start messaging. Please? All day every day.
Comment by dude Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:32 am
Madigan has spent a lifetime as Speaker holding Governors hostage including those of his own party. Don’t act like Madigan hasn’t dug in his heels as well and is going to compromise with the Governor at all. The Illinois government as a whole bears the responsibility of this failure. Madigan’s $7 billion out of balance budget even got shot down by the Senate.
Comment by Arock Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:34 am
I’m no rocket scientist but we’ve been in a mess for years. Got any common denominators?
Comment by Big Lu Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:36 am
===Madigan’s $7 billion out of balance budget even got shot down by the Senate.===
Two points.
Rauner has proposed 3 grossly unbalanced sham, phony budgets, so you don’t get any budget talking points.
Rauner signed a stopgap budget that was worse to both the idea it was balance and increased the state debt.
===Don’t act like Madigan hasn’t dug in his heels as well and is going to compromise with the Governor at all===
… and yet, Govs Edgar and Ryan both say Rauner is responsible to find 60 and 30, and your lack of understanding that is noted.
===The Illinois government as a whole bears the responsibility of this failure===
By nearly every measure Illinois is worse off since Rauner became governor. Ask Crain’s…
Good try. Appreciate it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:39 am
Andy Pamby thunders….kinda.
Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:39 am
-and yet, Govs Edgar and Ryan both say Rauner is responsible to find 60 and 30-
Good point. That’s how Edgar got an unsustainable pension ramp and Ryan got… Federal prison.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:43 am
As for the politics, wouldn’t this be the mother of all Senate races which means it probably isn’t going to happen? The GOP has been obsessed with Andy ever since he stepped foot in the Senate. In 2012 they had zero chance of beating him yet poured money into the race, money that most would have used in several suburban races they ended up losing by a handful of votes giving the Dems the large super majority. So have it GOP. Good luck. You will lose both the senate and house races.
Comment by Budget hostage Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:46 am
Get used to Avery, as she has a bright future in Springfield. The Dems have only themselves to thanks for her ascendancy. Their own dirty trick team created a martyr… “The campaign took an ugly turn ….week when lewd mailings were sent…contained a picture of Bourne’s head photo-shopped onto a picture of a nude woman”
Comment by T Sowell Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:46 am
===Good point.===
“Thanks!”
===That’s how Edgar got an unsustainable pension ramp===
That the GA and other governors didn’t pay on, timely, but you already know that…
===and Ryan got… Federal prison.===
You sure about that? 60 and 30 got Gov. Ryan prison.
You figure out why GHR was found guilty, you back to all of us
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:48 am
Willy,
Why do you play whack a mole to every negative comment about the Speaker and then reflexively blame Rauner?
You really don’t think the is a problem?
Read the polling, you are defending the man most responsible for dysfunction in Springfield.
Why?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:49 am
What exactly did Senator Manar say that is not true?
Comment by don the legend Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:50 am
OW,
You’re saying someone convicted of federal corruption charges is a better example of leadership than Rauner.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:53 am
You’d some of the state GOP legislators would have a little more self-respect than to grovel before Winnetka Bruce. Or is Chicago Bruce? Or Montana Bruce? Or Wymoing Bruce? Or Florida Keys Bruce? Or Manhattan Bruce?
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:54 am
-That the GA and other governors didn’t pay on, timely, but you already know that-
#everyonefailed #doyourjobs
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:55 am
Wow you Republicans came out of the woodwork to defend your young lady.
Is that the white knight rescue instinct for a pretty young woman or did you just broadcast the fact that she’s vulnerable?
Either way it’s adorbs
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:57 am
===You’re saying someone convicted of federal corruption charges is a better example of leadership than Rauner.==•
Rauner can’t find 60 and 30, Ryan understood the process of being a governor. Yeah incompetence in understanding that is noted.
Rauner also said “Pat Quinn failed”, Rauner is failing.
This is the last I will respond to you until you pick a name.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 9:59 am
===Why do you play whack a mole to every negative comment about the Speaker and then reflexively blame Rauner?===
The ignorance of first defaulting “Because Madigan” by the same (you) ignorant comments that reek of “Pat Quinn failed” and yet absolve Rauner? Yikes.
Also, make a case.
The Executive usurping the Legislative is 3rd world phony democracy. Rauner wants the Blagojevich dream of a Raunerite legislature, like a banana republic.
Madigan, he’s the leader of one Caucus, one chamber.
Why did Rauner not go around Madigan and support the Senate Grand Compromise, to isolate Madigan?
Rauner wants pain, not compromise.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:04 am
== …or did you just broadcast the fact that she’s vulnerable? ==
Honeybear, please. After Andy Manar arm-twisted Mike Mathis into running for the 95th House District, Avery Bourne crushed Mathis by nearly 15 points in a race the House Dems thought they’d walk away with. Vulnerable? Hardly.
Additionally, Trump won the 48th Senate District by nearly 17 points. As his district moves further to the right, Manar moves further to the left. Manar is clearly concerned about reelection to the Senate since he was crowded out of the Gov’s race. Hence, the early punches.
Comment by Chairman McBroom Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:06 am
OW,
My bad. Didn’t realize the name wasn’t on their.
“Ryan understood the process of being a governor.”
So it’s okay if you’re a criminal? Not a great defense. I get you don’t like Rauner, and by all means that’s fair. But you can’t in good conscience tell me that Ryan was a better example. Edgar maybe, but not Ryan.
Comment by ste_with_av_en Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:07 am
I wanted this to stand alone…
===Read the polling, you are defending the man most responsible for dysfunction in Springfield===
Madigan, 61% unfavorable
Rauner, 58% unfavorable
One might ask you why you…
I dint defend the Speaker, I highlight the blatent untruths you peddle, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:09 am
I love the polarization of our politics. You don’t have to be all in one guys. Illinois has a long history of financial mismanagement. Rauner campaigned on fixin’ that. In two years he’s accompoloshed zilch. Just because someone thinks Rauners a failure doesn’t mean they are automatically part of the Madigan machine.
Comment by Rogue Roni Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:09 am
*There. Phone life.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:10 am
Honeybear - that is a little over-the-top. Pretty young woman? You are correct - Avery is very pretty - but she is also quite intelligent and is a pretty decent retail politician. She also knows how to work a program and is eager to learn. One does not get into Wash U Law School by just being a “pretty young woman”.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:11 am
===a pretty decent retail politician===
Agreed.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:12 am
===So it’s okay if you’re a criminal? Not a great defense===
Ryan was not convicted of not being able to get 60 and 30.
Speaks volumes that Rauner can’t understand 60 and 30, but we all know he does, preventing overrides, hurting social services, destroying higher education, and yet, none of that occurred under any governor, but Rauner.
How you can defend that is puzzling.
===But you can’t in good conscience tell me that Ryan was a better example. Edgar maybe, but not Ryan.===
GHR, as a governor, understood more about process, legislation and 60 and 30 than Rauner claims he does.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:14 am
Anyone that tries to extrapolate from presidential year election results to non-presidential year results should be laughed off of Capitolfax for a lifetime, or at least a week.
The 2016 presidential election was a referendum on Hillary Clinton who — surprise, surprise — did not do well in white, Rural Illinois.
The 2018 gubernatorial election will likely be a referendum on Bruce Rauner who currently is just about as popular if less popular in Central Illinois.
I don’t know if Bourne can hold on to her seat in 2018, but I sure don’t think she can beat Manar. In fact, if I were Rauner I would not want Manar to have anything more than token opposition. Why gin up turnout in the district that leans heavily pro-union?
Rauner needs to boost turnout in the exurbs and solidly GOP areas where he has at least some lingering popularity, not battleground legislative districts.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:23 am
IPI paid shills are out in full force today. Or did Vulture Capitalist Bruce recruit Trump’s Russkies to do his online bidding?
Good on Sen. Manar. Republicans and this state deserve better leaders who aren’t Rauner puppets.
Comment by Mittuns Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:25 am
Manar didn’t “arm-twist” Mathis into that race. Anyone who lives in the area knows that Mathis has wanted to run for that seat for years.
Yes, Bourne won with district - thanks to all the new Trump voters and the lack of Democrat support in the area for Clinton. It will be interesting to see how she does in ‘18 with Rauner at the top of the ticket.
Comment by Been there, done that Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:31 am
OW,
I’m puzzled how you can defend someone who used the office of Governor for personal gain and went to prison for it because he “understood the process”
Comment by ste_with_av_en Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:33 am
Honeybear stop it with the Bill O’Reilly impression. A Wash U lawyer get’s dissed as just another pretty face with no substance.
Sexism from a woman is not ok, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Her record is fair game, not her looks or sex.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:34 am
===I’m puzzled how you can defend someone who used the office of Governor===
The question here is understanding the process of governing within the legislative process.
Things like budgets and Illinois First are items showing a competent governor getting 60 and 30, and working with a legislature to get budgets and an agenda item passed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:37 am
==Trump won the 48th Senate District by nearly 17 points.
Maybe so. But Quinn lost the 95th House district by 23 points and Manar won it by 14. Add to that his solid numbers on the democratic side of the disrict in Springfield and Decatur and he’s a solid re-elect. You Raunerites need to understand your “norms” don’t apply to Manar and this district isn’t as republican and Manar often claims it is.
== …or did you just broadcast the fact that she’s vulnerable?
Read between the lines. Manar is literally daring her to run.
Comment by Anon-- Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:43 am
Calling out Rauner for his failed leadership and constant campaigning doesn’t equate eliminating blame from all parties.
Comment by Under Influenced Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:47 am
Lucky Pierre
“A Wash U lawyer”
LOL! Us real lawyers resent labeling a 1L dropout a “lawyer.” Try again.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:49 am
But Avery Bourne helped legalize bobcat hunting and proclaiming Taylorville the Chilli Capitol of Ill. What else could her district need? I’m sure BVR can find a cushy $100k job for her when she loses like he did Munger
Comment by ToughGuy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:52 am
“Time after time, Avery Bourne, like a programmed Raunerite, is far more concerned about keeping Bruce and Diana Rauner happy, than serving her constituents, or looking out for the betterment of the state.”
Is that why her constituents decided to give her a full term (double digit win) last November? OW your “vote accordingly” line failed when Jimenez and Bourne both posted double digit victories and the Dems failed to find even one opponent against Butler. Try something new.
Comment by OW at it again Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:59 am
Agree with AlfondoGonz at 10:40
Bourne Ain’t No Lawyer
Comment by x ace Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 10:59 am
Designating my hometown Chili Cap of IL is solid stuff. That’s job creation & economic development! Thanks Avery for fighting for stuff that matters!
Comment by Christian Co Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:00 am
==this district isn’t as republican and Manar often claims it is==
It was basically built for Manar. I wouldn’t entirely discount the idea that it’s gotten away from him, and I don’t think there’s any other Dem who can hold it, but analyzing it based only on Bourne’s part of the district literally leaves out half the district.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:02 am
It would be best if she returned to law school. The ‘Gidget goes to Springfield” act has a limited run.
At least Gidget always stood up for the little guy.
Comment by northsider (the original) Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:04 am
===Is that why her constituents decided to give her a full term (double digit win) last November===
A win doesn’t equate that Bourne isn’t beholden to Diana and Bruce’s money, or that her rhetoric is Raunerite.
It’s the same with Reggie Phillips.
Phillips works tirelessly voting against Eastern, and yet his district sent him back.
Democracy doesn’t make sense, lol
===OW your “vote accordingly” line failed when Jimenez and Bourne both posted double digit victories and the Dems failed to find even one opponent against Butler. Try something new.===
.., and yet, Sam McCann won…
Hmm.
Jimenez and Bourne continue to serve Raunerite ideals, speak in Raunerite tones, vote to hurt Illinois. I can’t help their districts think they are doing well, LOL!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:08 am
Will someone please tell OW it’s not imperative to bloviate ad nauseum on every topic 12 times. ‘Own that’. fixed it. lol
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:10 am
What chance would Bourne have against Manar if she ran?
Comment by Ohhaimark Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:13 am
Rich, could you confirm a hilarious one I heard? That Rauner (or his peeps) met not with Avery to convince her to take on Manar but he actually met with her and her parents? Does she need a note to run for Senate? I think she’s got a great chance to beat him but come on put your big girl pants on and decide yourself. Hope Manar runs for Sec of State, he’s a better state-wide candidate.
Comment by Hit Em With the Hein Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:28 am
So sexism is ok if it is a 25 year old Republican woman smart enough to be admitted to Washington University Law School and elected by a majority of her constituents?
Gidget, pretty face? Really?
You people are a disgrace. Stick to the facts not ad hominem attacks
Do you remember the disgraceful mailer that was sent about her last year?
Your behavior is mainstreaming that kind of misogony.
Hillary Clinton had it wrong, it is not just 50 % of Trump supporters who are deplorable.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:47 am
Will someone please tell Anonymous 11:10 that the term is “ad nauseam”, it’s redundant when used with “bloviate”, and if you are gonna spend that much time trying to parry criticism of Avery Bourne you should take 15 seconds to think up a nickname.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:48 am
@OW- McCann won but lost Sangamon County. McCann beating Benton had to do with the Western part of the district not state workers in Sangamon county.
Comment by OW at it again Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:56 am
===McCann won…===
I’m gonna stop you right there.
That’s all that matters.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 11:59 am
That Manar, He’s so classy. Went to the same charm school as OW.
Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Curl the Burl- you are totally right. I regret calling her a pretty young woman. That was inappropriate and wrong. It was intentionally demeaning and you were right to call me on it.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:18 pm
Ask Bradley and Forby if Andy is untouchable.
Comment by A guy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:20 pm
Lucky- unlike O’Rielly I will admit that I was wrong and apologize. But that aside I do unreservedly apologize. I have no excuse in my defense.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:21 pm
Under Governor Inept, past-due bills have raised faster than a United Way thermometer. In two years, past-due debt has nearly tripled.
Does the governor want everyone to forget that, even before being sworn in, he implored Madigan and Cullerton to give him time to improve the state’s fiscal condition his way?
Rep. Bourne was in college at the time, but someone should remind her that she is defending Rauner doing it “his way.”
And it ain’t work in’ out so good.
Comment by Winnin' Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:32 pm
===
Hillary Clinton had it wrong, it is not just 50 % of Trump supporters who are deplorable.
===
Shocking to see you admit that Trump’s supporters are deplorable, Lucky
A guy - everyone is touchable (don’t be gross with that).
Comment by Under Influenced Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:42 pm
LP-
I’m sorry, I must’ve missed all of your vigorous defenses of Lisa Madigan when the IL GOP called her “Daddy’s little girl” and all of the other wonderful nonsense they put out.
Can you point me to that, please? If you can’t, then please shut it.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 12:55 pm
Wow, just wow , based on the numerous responses to this post I would say Avery has a good shot at that State Senate seat !
Comment by T Sowell Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 1:15 pm
===Went to the same charm school as OW.===
Oh - Big Muddy -
Bourne can handle pointed criticisms, which I leveled.
Saying Bourne can’t isn’t giving her the proper respect she’s earned by winning her seat.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 1:18 pm
Let’s boil this down, real simple…
Between Bourne and Manar, who has better chops in understanding the number one issue facing Illinois: the budget?
Honestly, which of the two are more qualified and better understands how to craft an effective, efficient, fair, reasoned budget that assists the district and the state?
Perhaps we’re better off with lawmakers who don’t understand the budget, the process, the impact, the benefits of having one…If so, then I’d recon Bourne is your choice.
And c’mon, spare me the whole “Blagojevich’s budget master” rhetoric unless you’re willing to acknowledge the same faulty dot-connections that holds Manar solely responsible for convicting Blago in the Senate.
Comment by Carhartt Union Negotiating Team Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 1:29 pm
LP asking people to stick to the facts after calling Rep. Bourne a lawyer will be my favorite part of today.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 1:34 pm
Favorite part of the day? Alfondo O’Reilly? Not the misogony but the confusing of a former law student from a prestigious university and now promising state legislator with a lawyer like you who could have graduated from a terrible law school as someone who is inferior to you.
Not the calling of a state legislator, Gidget, your young lady who is pretty and needs a note from her parents to run.
Very chivalrous Joe Bidenpopolis. Nice new standard for discourse. Not allowed to comment on an obvious wrong unless you commented on another obvious wrong you had no awareness of.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 2:02 pm
LP
You don’t look good on a soapbox.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:30 pm
So what exactly has Manar accomplished? I mean he’s good in front of a camera and has good people writing for him, but what are his big accomplishments? (And don’t say School Reform, nothing’s been accomplished there and I’m not impressed with a guy that sends the same bill for three years in a row and he blames the Governor when he incorrectly submits the wrong equation to the General Assembly.)
Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:38 pm