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* If you go to about the 18:10 mark of Friday morning’s WBEZ interview, you’ll hear Gov. Rauner asked if he’d like to see Speaker Madigan challenged in the upcoming primary and whether he’d work to defeat Madigan. The governor’s response…
“I’m not focused on the politics. I’m trying to get a balanced budget with structural changes to grow the economy, protect our taxpayers, properly fund our schools and our human services.”
* After the interview, the governor visited a school in Bloomingdale and then attended a fundraiser for himself…
With less than three weeks left until the end of the legislative session, Governor Bruce Rauner is busy jamming both work-related and campaign events into his schedule.
After leaving a school in Bloomingdale Friday, Rauner headed to a midday fundraiser at Bentley’s Pancake House in the northwest suburb. The flier for the fundraiser, which was emailed to supporters, asked for donations from $5 to $50.
Rauner again refused to discuss his re-election campaign during the event and has not formally announced that he’s a candidate in the 2018 race.
* He refused to comment, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Mary Ann’s part…
Nice vest.
* Politico…
The anti-Rauner group, Illinois Working Together, is making hay about the exchange, complaining that Rauner made the campaign stop at the time the Illinois Senate was in session. “It is inexcusable for Gov. Rauner to be campaigning while legislators are trying to find a path forward on a budget,” Jake Lewis, campaign director for the group told POLITICO in a statement.
It’s a state SUV — NBC’s camera shot shows Rauner entering a state SUV. Well, he is governor and has state police security detail. A Rauner campaign spokeswoman, Kirsten Kukowski, said this via text message: “Since the Governor’s term in office, the party has reimbursed and will continue to reimburse the state of Illinois for the Governor’s travel outside official state business.” She added that “most executives are in this position and handle similarly.”
Asked how his campaign stop squares with comments hours earlier that he’s not thinking about politics, Kukowski said: “As far as your question goes, he made a stop to talk to people between official events and it’s paid for by political funds as we’ve explained in the past. We will of course continue to do that.”
* Related…
* Rauner celebrates ‘innovative’ program at Bloomingdale middle school
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 15, 17 @ 9:57 am
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While Mary Ann Ahern does try to hold accountable the governor, Rauner own the messaging, daily.
So Rauner in a 1:30 piece on the news isn’t going to derail Rauner saying one thing, doing another, and that happening with ZERO ramifications.
It’s not being done shamelessly, Rauner feels no reason to feel shame. Rauner owns his messaging, uninhibited.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:04 am
Outside a handful of media, there aren’t more than a dozen voters who care.
Comment by Yawn Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:04 am
I would like to see the paper trail on those “reimbursements.”
Comment by My New Handle Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:16 am
Gov. Gaslight strikes again!
Bruce makes Eddie Haskell look quaint.
Comment by Jocko Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:17 am
What’s wrong with saying something like: “Look, it’s unfortunate, but part of governing is practicing politics. I spend countless hours a day governing, but occasionally I have to delve into politics…I have to build support politically to make the changes we need.”
Would that be so damaging? You don’t always have to default to B.S.
Comment by Roman Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:17 am
My governor’s reelection announcement bid on 6-20-16 was premature, like being just a little bit pregnant
Comment by Rabid Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:21 am
There’s no point in paying attention to what this guys says. Watch what he does.
I’m curious as to the the thought process of anyone who would give five bucks to the Rauner/Griff money machine. Why?
It reminds me of the old Monty Python bit of oil sheiks on the street begging pocket lint from the homeless.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:23 am
===I’m curious as to the the thought process of anyone who would give five bucks===
A chance to be in the same room with the governor.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:25 am
===Outside a handful of media, there aren’t more than a dozen voters who care.===
You really think only a handful of voters care that while the state has been without a budget for two years, the governor is doing campaign events while the Senate is trying to pass a budget? Really? Okay then…
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:26 am
Last I checked there were still 24 hours in each day, and as long as he is attending to official duties as well, what is the big deal. He had an official visit to the school in Bloomingdale, an area that is generally supportive of GOP candidates, so it seem logical that he would have a political stop. I noticed local mayor and former State Rep , Franco Coladipietro was in audience and at $5-$50 it was very affordable for his supporters. Nothing new here.
Comment by Texas Red Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:37 am
“I’m not focused on the politics.”
Gov. Gaslight, you aren’t ever focused on anything but politics. it’s what you do in lieu of actual work.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:39 am
Please don’t smudge the honorable reputation of the beloved Eddie Haskell.
Comment by DeseDemDose Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:46 am
=as long as he is attending to official duties as well, what is the big deal.=
It wouldn’t be a big deal but for this comment “I’m not focused on the politics. I’m trying to get a balanced budget…”. Rauner’s comments show complete disdain for our intelligence. If he can’t be honest about attending a fundraiser (not an unusual activity at all) why should we believe anything he says?
Rauner’s actions certainly suggest that he’s far more interested in campaigning than governing. The fact that he continually denies that reality says a lot.
Comment by Pundent Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:46 am
Nothing wrong with campaigning, , but why lie about it?
Rauner and Trump are in the same capsized boat when it comes to speaking the truth.
Comment by Truthteller Monday, May 15, 17 @ 10:56 am
Voters are used to seeing Governor Wham-o, grinning, dropping his g’s- and talking happy-smack. Having him walk away from a conversational question and heading to his protected SUV needs to be seen.
Rauner isn’t doing his Ron Popiel impersonation, and we see a guy running from a lady with a microphone. He isn’t spinning, or grinning, or pitching his “everyone’s fault but mine” schtick.
Good stuff.
Keep it up!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, May 15, 17 @ 11:04 am
After all, Madigan and Cullerton have attended zero fundraisers since this legislature convened. If they were asked the same question, they too would answer the same way. Politics second or not at all on their minds, governance first!
Doesn’t pass the “So What” test.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, May 15, 17 @ 11:25 am
===After all, Madigan and Cullerton have attended zero fundraisers since this legislature convened.===
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -, lol
Rauner, personally, is saying he’s NOT focused on politics, then goes to a fundraiser?
Rauner’s own personal phoniness sees this is ridiculous.
Rauner says things that need not be said to continue his caricature of phony. Then, the same day, points how how much of a phony he (Rauner) really is.
That’s Rauner mocking Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 15, 17 @ 11:30 am
Politicians attend fundraisers pretty much year round. It’s part of the job and nobody bats an eye. Only Rauner has pretend that he has no interest in politics — while obviously campaigning and fundraising.
Only Rauner, a Republican, has to pretend he has no interest in a presidential election in which he won’t even say the GOP nominee’s name.
Only Rauner… oh, never mind.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, May 15, 17 @ 11:52 am
@OswegoWIlly, @NickName: I repeat: “So What.”
Measure them all by the same standard, or stop measuring.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, May 15, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -
I am measuring, by the exacting matrix Rauner wants himself to be judged.
You many not like it - Louis G Atsaves -, but…
===“I’m not focused on the politics. I’m trying to get a balanced budget with structural changes to grow the economy, protect our taxpayers, properly fund our schools and our human services.”
* After the interview, the governor visited a school in Bloomingdale and then attended a fundraiser for himself…===
LOL!
Ok, if you admit Rauner is just like career politicians, and worse that Rauner’s own phoniness is only honest for hours, I’ll let it slide.
I did like the costume Rauner wore. That’s fun.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 15, 17 @ 12:26 pm
“I am measuring, by the exacting matrix all politicians want themselves to be judged.”
Fixed it for you Oswego WIlly. Remember, measure them all by the same standard, or stop measuring.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, May 15, 17 @ 12:50 pm
===“I am measuring, by the exacting matrix all politicians want themselves to be judged.”===
Rauner is NOT a politician.
Rauner told me so.
Rauner can’t stand politicians, especially career politicians.
The only way it’s fixed if you say…
“Yeah, Rauner is a complete phony, don’t listen to his phoniness”
Then, yeah, ok… lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 15, 17 @ 12:52 pm
“I’m trying to get a balanced budget with structural changes to grow the economy, protect our taxpayers, properly fund our schools and our human services.”
After more than two years in office, Bruce Rauner can either be telling the truth, or he can be competent.
But he cannot be both.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, May 15, 17 @ 1:29 pm