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* Looks like the governor may want a kinder, gentler interview than he’s been getting in recent weeks in his home state. We’ll see…
Good morning! Thoughts on the day? Suggestions? I'll be interviewing IL Governor @BruceRauner later today and we'll have all the news.
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) August 11, 2017
Suggested questions?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:29 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Do you find inspiration in the way President Trump is negotiating with North Korea or is it the other way around?
Comment by Fax Machine Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:30 am
Hope BTIA remembers to adjust for the time change between here and there.
You know how they are with math and numbers and figurin’
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:34 am
Why do you keep dropping g’s from words that end in “ing?” Do you think it makes you sound “folksy” and relatable to common, working-class citizens, even though you’re not, at all.
Comment by Ryan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:34 am
I don’t watch Fox, but what little I know, Bair is no Hannity wannabe. If he poses questions fair and unbiased, leave it to Rauner to repeat his campaign dot points. If he’s forced to use his own brain, the other states will see how lucky they are they don’t have this guy. Lol
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:34 am
Corn Dog or Cheese Curds first?
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:36 am
“It’s been said your ‘Tournaround Agenda’ has no real measurable, monetary value in budgets and governing. Would you like to dispel that by giving some real, monetary numbers that show your ‘Turnaround Agenda’ has that monetary value?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:38 am
Do you support President Trump’s call to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act? What does the replacement part look like?
Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:39 am
Why not pay lower interest rates?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:39 am
I got nothing but snark in my mind. You know this is going to be a snowball of an interview. Basic questions, general platitudes, and absolutely nothing to do with the reality of governing Illinois.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:39 am
Ask why he refuses to work with the General Assembly. Ask how his personal agenda helps the State create more jobs. Ask why he is so anti union.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:40 am
Do you eat chicago style hot dogs, or are you one of those that puts ketchup on your hot dog?
Comment by dishpan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:41 am
“When you point to ending prevailing wage, collective bargaining, are you anti-Labor, and if you’re not anti-organized Labor, how do you reconcile Right to Work or Right to Work Zones as pro organized Labor?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:41 am
Fox viewers love a guy who talks really tough, and blames all his failures on a much weaker character. (Replace Hillary or now McConnell with Madigan). The Guv will fit right in.
Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:41 am
Were you and President Trump separated at birth or was it a cloning process?
Has President Trump already tried to hire away members of the #BestTeamInAmerica?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:41 am
Tell us what you think are Pres. Trump’s accomplishments to date?
Are you in agreement with Mayor Emanuel or Pres. Trump on sanctuary cities?
Do you favor Pres. Trump’s border wall?
Say Pres. Trump — I triple-dog dare you.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:44 am
“You wanted to join in a lawsuit, that will get to the United States Supreme Court, that really targets overturning Supreme Court precedent. Is the sole goal to take on organized Labor and dismantle it?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:45 am
1. How many votes does it take to pass a bill in the Illinois Legislature?
2. What is the longest period of time you’ve been able to speak without blaming Speaker Madigan for something?
3. You’ve been Governor for 2-1/2 years. What is your greatest accomplishment?
4. Conservative Republicans usually talk about encouraging personal responsibility. So do you think it is a good thing or bad thing to sign a contract and then not pay it?
Comment by Biscuit Head Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:46 am
African or European?
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:47 am
I have two questions. Why all of the ridiculous costumes and is your wife really a democrat?
Comment by Flynn's mom Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:47 am
Without a successful legislative record to run on, do you think that blaming Speaker Madigan for all of your problems will be sufficient to win a second term?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:48 am
“Gov. Kasich has been a loud critic of President Trump these 200 plus days of his presidency, be it health care, foreign policy, tweeting, as a Republican governor in a Midwest state, do you agree with any of Gov. Kasich criticisms, especially policy criticisms that effect states like your own?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:48 am
“Today 13 bills automatically became law without your signature, after sitting on your desk for 60 days. Did you read any of those bills? Did your staff review them? Do you approve of all of the bills? If so, why didn’t you just go ahead and sign them?”
Comment by charles in charge Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:49 am
You and Gov Walker of Wisconsin have similar aspirations regarding organized Labor. Where do you think you went wrong? Should have waited to destroy the trades in your second term? Or was it that Illinoisans don’t see how the destruction of labor and the subsequent destruction of the private/public social safety net, education, and state contracts to achieve that aim, is beneficial to them, instead of the owner/investor class?
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:49 am
Were you emotional when you did the SB1 amendatory hero? Did you understand the ramifications of the AV?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:50 am
What exactly is your record as the Illinois governor?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:52 am
“Your wife, Diana Rauner, has done ads for you, even doing a web ad touting your education record. She is also President of a Social Service organization that has sued you, and your administration, even calling for an override of your vetoes. How do you both reconcile her support of you on the one hand, and her organization’s actions that run counter to her own support?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:53 am
Why did you sign contracts for social service vendors without having an appropriation to pay them?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:53 am
What did COS do to deserve the rancor and ill will that you have spewed against them?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:55 am
CPS not COS
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:55 am
Isn’t it time to rebrand the ‘Turnaround Agenda’?
It’s been only two years, yeah — but it sounds like something from the Newt Gingrich era.
Comment by Mr. K. Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:56 am
“In 2014 you said you’ve been successful at everything you’ve ever done. Have you been a successful governor, and how do you measure your success as governor?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 9:56 am
Is it true you W* yourself when asked to say the
word Trump?
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:00 am
IIt’s been said your ‘Tournaround Agenda’ has no real measurable, monetary value in budgets and governing. Would you like to dispel that by giving some real, monetary numbers that show your ‘Turnaround Agenda’ has that monetary value?”
That has been said by partisan Democrats who use smoke and mirrors to pass “balanced budgets” and resist any changes to Illinois Government or our business environment because they think both are just fine as is.
Senator Cullerton’s pension reform that passed the Senate and is sitting in a file cabinet in the House would save 1 billion dollars a year.
Only in Springfield would that be “no measurable monetary value”
I don’t see how fostering confidence among Illinois employers so they can expand in Illinois and create middle class jobs for Illinois residents would be so controversial.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:08 am
>Do you support President Trump’s call to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act? What does the replacement part look like?
Definitely this. It’s a national issue. The ACA continues to have a big impact. Repeal of the Medicaid expansion, in particular, would dramatically transform our state budget and services. Governors, especially Republican Governors, are having a huge impact on the process. Whether they support these actions or oppose them, people want to know what Governor Rauner is doing.
Comment by Earnest Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:09 am
If you hired an executive to turn around a company with $4 billion deficit then 2 years later the deficit grew to $14 billion, would you fire him?
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:10 am
===Only in Springfield would that be “no measurable monetary value”===
Only if you believe the pension change is constitutional, and there’s considerable and justifiable doubt about that.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:10 am
This is made for oppo research. If the Trump subject comes up, it’ll appear in every Dem election add after this summer.
I hope the ACA subject comes up, so the Guv can tell us how he plans to protect the state.
Comment by Blue Bayou Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:11 am
What’s your position on the current health care law, ACA, and what would you support with Republican repeal and replacement, including Medicaid funding?
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:12 am
“Running for governor: bad idea, or big mistake?”
Comment by Vote Quimby Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:13 am
===That has been said by partisan Democrats who use smoke and mirrors to pass “balanced budgets” and resist any changes to Illinois Government or our business environment because they think both are just fine as is.===
- Lucky Pierre -
Raunerism, not a Republican thing, has yet to quantify anything beyond 1.4% or $500+ million a year in “growth”
For your ignorance to make sense that it’s rhetoric, your own rhetoric needs monetary values to disprove the reality of 1.4% or $500+ million in value.
If you’d like to show the real value, have at it, I won’t stop you.
The prension savings isn’t a real savings until the bill passes constitutional muster, so…
… I mean it’s all rhetoric, so outside the alleged pension savings, you should be able to quantify all the other real dollar savings.
Right? Exactly right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:17 am
Could you run through in detail the impact of your education proposal in the amendatory veto? Are you working a roll call in the House for SB 1947?
Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:21 am
As the only Republican holding statewide office in a blue state, why did you keep fighting the very people you needed to work with, instead of reaching out and finding common goals?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:25 am
When it was announced that Illinois is in the running for a Toyota/Mazda manufacturing plant, along with 10 other states, why did you have your spokesperson bad-mouth Illinois by saying the following: “We should be an economic power, but unfortunately years of mismanagement, red tape and tax increases have hurt the state’s business climate,” Rauner spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said in an email. “… We need fewer regulations, lower workers’ compensation costs and lower property taxes in order to attract more jobs to our state.” Would you prfer for the plant to be built in another state?
Comment by SAP Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:29 am
Why did you seek the job since you obviously don’t want to do the job?
Comment by just sayin' Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:30 am
As governor, you repeatedly claimed that the speaker of the house committed crimes in order to gain wealth and power. If true, what have you done to see justice done? If untrue, why would you use your office to spread those lies?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:30 am
Its Bret…
single ‘t’
Comment by Bret* Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:31 am
@Skeptic 9:47 am “African or European?”
Oh, please, please ask that question. And then pray as hard as you all can that he can’t answer.
Comment by Hieronymus Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:32 am
What is your favorite?
A. Place to live (you have so many choices)
B. Wine
C. Villian (can’t say Madigan)
Comment by HoneyBadger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:33 am
Do you believe Illinois should seek bankruptsy?
If your state’s bonds become junk, what are your plans as governor?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:36 am
When you clouted your daughter into Payton Prep school in Chicago, did you feel remorse for the deserving student who actually lived in Chicago, who did not get in and why?
Comment by HoneyBadger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:40 am
Have you decided on wall colors for the Governor’s Mansion remodeling? Will you be doing the painting yourself?
Comment by zatoichi Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:42 am
Your wife, Diana campaigned for you in tv commercials, claiming she was a Democrat and that you had no social agenda, how do you reconcile the fact, she has given millions to the ILGOP and her non-profit that helped those in need oppose your agenda?
Comment by HoneyBadger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:42 am
What are your plans to help 200 people of Cairo who are in the midst of a public housing crisis? Two large public housing projects are being torn down.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:52 am
Are you looking into moving Guantanamo detainees to Thomson prison? Now that we have Republicans dominance in all branches of the government is this more doable?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:56 am
Same regurgitated nonsense from one article several years ago OW
1 billion in pension just pension savings annual is double your $500 million number.
Pension bill has to pass the House before it passes constitutional muster. The Speaker agree pensions are unsustainable but does not move legislation that affects current employees. The Speaker who more than anyone else enabled in 130 billion in debt that will be paid by the next generation will only modify pensions for future workers, not those currently employed
Rauner has proposed true compromise by supporting Senator Cullerton’s bill. What has the Speaker done in the way of compromise in the past two and half years?
Democrats will have to run on their platform of record tax increases and no reform of our business environment or state government.
Should be fun to watch them explain how all we need to solve Illinois problems is more tax revenue and zero reforms.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 10:58 am
What about all the millions of dollars in federal matching funds Illinois is losing? Would you run a private business without maximizing ROI?
Comment by DuPage Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:02 am
Northshore cocktail parties or hot dogs ‘n beer with the BTIA tm.?
Comment by HoneyBadger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:03 am
You regularly use your personal donations as evidence of supporting education or social services. Yet you have systematically dismantled higher education and social services in pursuit of a failed agenda. How do you justify your willful destruction of such important functions of government?
Comment by Huh? Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:04 am
You and your administration are being stymied at every turn by a diminutive septuagenarian. Is Speaker Michael Madigan the strongest Democrat in the country or are you simply incapable of neutralizing him?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:10 am
Here’s a softball question:
What are your vacation plans for January 2019?
Comment by Today's Pick 4 are 3671 Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:11 am
Bruce, Can you where your flood make up, flannel shirt, Timex watch, Cowboy hat, Biker vest festooned wth pins, Carhart jacket and drive up in the old van and drop the G’s so the folks watching can see it to believe it.
Comment by DeseDemDose Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:15 am
== Senator Cullerton’s pension reform that passed the Senate and is sitting in a file cabinet in the House would save 1 billion dollars a year. ==
Given the Kanerva and SB-1 pension decisions by the IL SC, please explain how the Cullerton/Rauner involuntary choice pension bill will be found legal under the IL Pension Clause, and both IL send US Contract Law.
If you can’t explain it, there is no $1B in pension savings. thanks
Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:17 am
===Same regurgitated nonsense from one article several years ago…===
The 1.4% or $500+ million were the financials Rauner’s own staff gave Rich Miller.
Those numbers ARE the “Turnaround Agenda” measurables, according to Rauner’s Administration.
If you don’t believe them, take it up with Rauner, lol
The rest of your drivel…
I asked you for numbers. It’s been pointed out, the pension plan has serious flaws. Outside that, can you show significant financial and monetary value to the “Turnaround Agenda”?
It’s been nearly 3 years, you don’t have any measurables, - Lucky Pierre -?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:19 am
Not for me to explain RNUG, I am not on the Supreme Court.
A majority of the supermajority Democratic Senate disagrees with you.
Our process is the legislature passes laws and the Supreme Court determines whether or not they are constitutional.
There is clearly disagreement here that can only be resolved by the courts not on a blog
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:21 am
“Who is you favorite hs ffootball team, and will you be attending opening kickoff?’
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:23 am
- Lucky Pierre -,
If you’d like to talk pension numbers and legalities with - RNUG - … please… bring actual numbers and argue the legality of the language with him.
I’d like to read this discussion.
If you could send it to Bret Baier to ask Gov. Rauner on the legality and the financials, I’d like Mr. Baier to ask the Governor about that too…
… on camera… with Rauner giving his own numbers.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:32 am
== A majority of the supermajority Democratic Senate disagrees with you ==
And the GA is 0 for 2 on the IL SC pension decisions.
== Not for me to explain RNUG, I am not on the Supreme Court. ==
You are the one making the argument $1B in savings exist … so explain why. If you can’t take the trouble to at least argue “police powers”, Sidney-Austin “unearned” theory, or something similar, you have no basis for your savings argument.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:36 am
LP, you’re off the milk carton.
BTIA didn’t re-indoctrinate you with new talking points for attempting to hijack threads?
That’s not better messagin’.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:38 am
Senator Cullerton’s number is 1 billion dollars, not mine.
Expressing support for Senator Cullerton’s plan passed by the Democratic Senate and supported by the Republican Governor and opposed by the Speaker is apparently not allowed on this blog,
Your questions should be directed at the Senate President and the Speaker who is refusing to call the bill
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:45 am
Governor, how do you sleep at night?
Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:45 am
LP-why can’t you ever back up your claims?
Comment by HoneyBadger Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:45 am
LP. Stick to the post and give a question for your Governor.
To the post: If Speaker Madigan were gone do you think the democratic majorities would just abandon their support of collective bargaining, teachers etc.?
Comment by don the legend Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:52 am
===Expressing support for Senator Cullerton’s plan passed by the Democratic Senate and supported by the Republican Governor and opposed by the Speaker is apparently not allowed on this blog,
Your questions should be directed at the Senate President and the Speaker who is refusing to call the bill===
This is kinda like when you asked “what poll has the governor losing to a generic Dem”
- RNUG - has gone chapter and verse, “line by line”, point by point, numerous times, at times asked specifically by our host, other times when commenters had questions on the peoposal.
- RNUG - isn’t asking for information, - RNUG - is trying to figure out if you even know what you are talking about and take your points down, like it’s been done numerous times before.
Capiche?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 11:57 am
“You are a Republican governor in a state that Hillary won by 17 points, 2 Democrats in the US Senate, and a Republican President in his midterm, do you feel the overwhelming odds you face in winning re-election?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 12:35 pm
‘Most numbers people believe Illinois’ financial future is beyond repair, assuming a continuation of spend as usual motto, how high is the income tax on the WPAMC going to have to be?”
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:31 pm
How many Carhart jackets do you own and how do they stay so clean?
Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:50 pm
Cheryl44, Napa Valley Reaerve wine an a couple of melatonins.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:57 pm
My question for the Governor is:
Given your track record to date, what makes you think a second term will turn out any different?
Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:55 pm
The Senate President, the Governor and the majority of the Senate and perhaps the House disagree with RNUG. I am hardly alone here
The reason why Rauner will get reelected is because the other than raising taxes the Democrats are running on absolutely nothing.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 3:54 pm
===Democrats are running on absolutely nothing.===
LOL
Higher Ed?
Rauner vetoed that, Dems funded State Universities with an override.
Social Services?
Rauner vetoed that. Democrats funded the paying of social service providers with an override.
Department of Aging, all of state government?
Rauner vetoed that. Drmocrats funded all state agencies with an override.
Highway improvements and safety?
Rauner vetoed that. Democrats funded projects and safety changes with an override.
Lots and lots and lots…
Rauner vetoed that.
Democrats funded that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 4:01 pm
Constructive criticism is generally looked upon as becoming politically incorrect.
Comment by Nature and Garden Logos Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 3:27 pm