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* NBC5’s Mary Ann Ahern…
Facing increasing pressure to weigh in on a controversial cartoon from the Illinois Policy Institute, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner offered a lengthy response on the conservative think tank’s illustration Tuesday – but yet again refused to say whether or not the governor has seen it.
Hours later, the governor released another a statement saying the initial response “did not accurately reflect my views.
* The AP story went out on the national wire…
Gov. Bruce Rauner offered conflicting statements Tuesday on a political cartoon critics have called racist, first saying he didn’t have anything to add to the discussion “as a white male” before walking it back hours later.
The first-term Republican had repeatedly said he hadn’t seen the image, which depicts a black Chicago schoolchild begging for money from a suit-clad white man who has cash stuffed in one pocket. The cartoon was circulated online last week by the Chicago-based Illinois Policy Institute, a conservative think tank Rauner has links to.
Lawmakers widely criticized the image, with Republicans and Democrats standing up in opposition on the Illinois House floor last week. The image, meant to illustrate inequity in school funding, was removed hours later.
…Adding… The story was picked up as far away as Taiwan. Go team!
* Sun-Times…
For the second time in a little over a week Gov. Bruce Rauner scrambled Tuesday to clarify remarks that have drawn him heat in situations with racial overtones.
Late Tuesday night, Rauner sought to undo the damage from a statement his newly revamped communications office issued earlier in the day, when a top spokeswoman said that the governor would not offer an opinion on a cartoon some called racist — because he is “a white male.”
Democrats blasted Rauner all day — with one lawmaker accusing the governor of “cowardice” and Mayor Rahm Emanuel declaring that Rauner should be “embarrassed for turning a blind eye to what is plain for everyone to see.”
The governor sought to fix the gaffe Tuesday night.
* WTTW…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s spokesman says “fixation” on a controversial cartoon published by a political organization with close ties to his administration is “disappointing” and that “the governor – as a white male – does not have anything more to add to the discussion.”
Legislators from both parties have condemned the Illinois Policy Institute’s cartoon as racist.
Now, legislators are condemning Rauner’s reaction to it.
* Politico…
Team Rauner found a brand-new way last night to revive a story about a racially-charged cartoon created by a conservative think tank from which he’s hired some of his top staffers. Far from tamping down the flames from the governor’s non-answers on the Illinois Policy Institute’s political cartoon, his communication team dumped gasoline on the fire. Their response? The governor couldn’t weigh in further “as a white male.” Rauner, who was out of state helping one of his kids move in at college out East, then released another statement to disavow the earlier one from his own staff. He was skewered by critics and overshadowed headlines about school funding progress and his support for an immigration bill.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:53 am
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Ha. Haaaa. Haaaaaaaa.
Comment by New Slang Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:58 am
And it’s only Wednesday. I’m going to need more popcorn.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:59 am
Maybe Rauner should go live on Fox News to explain.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:03 am
How many times can Rauner shoot himself in the foot before there is nothing left below the ankle?
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:05 am
As a white male, Bruce Rauner wanted to make clear…
.. some see the cartoon as racist. Bruce Rauner, even as a white male, does not.
Bruce Rauner does not, so much so, that IPI doesn’t even deserve to be condemned to offending… “some”…
Yep, as a white male, Bruce Rauner is indeed lucky to have… The Best Team In America ™
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:06 am
BTIA ™ Man, with friends like those Rauner doesn’t even need enemies.
This thing is like an out of control dumpster fire, when it should have simply been a ‘1 and done’ by stating that the cartoon was out of line.
But no…..we now have this inferno brought to you by a delightful combo of hubris and ineptitude.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:06 am
I’d wager that some time around the distractions of the holidays much of BTIA will be thanked for their services as they leave to spend more time with family and pursue other opportunities.
I can’t see Rauner going into the next Spring session and election year with this crew. In a very short time, they’ve proven they’re not suitable for work outside of dorm room debate club.
Who’s next?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:13 am
First rule of bad press - don’t prolong the story. All of the comments they’ve made so far, this one especially, basically guarantee the story will continue. The BTIA ™ didn’t give this story legs, they gave it a Ventra pass.
Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:14 am
If handled properly - with a complete denunciation - this should have been a one-hour story. Instead, it has dragged on for days and fully displayed the incompetence of the guv’s new staff, none of whom have ever governed or been successful in politics. They’re still protecting IPI rather than working for the taxpayers footing their recent salary increases or the guv, who should have been plastered across local, state, and national media in Monday’s eclipse coverage of Carbondale. Instead, he posted a 6-hour late eclipse tweet and made the national news for this.
Comment by 413 South Eighth Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:19 am
=== Ventra pass ===
Good one.
Is there is any doubt this statement was approved by the Chief of Staff and Director of Communications? Did they decide to cut the First Lady out of the loop?
Agreed. The governor’s response only raises more questions.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:22 am
If Rauner fires the IPI crew; do you think the IPI social media team would turn on him?
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:29 am
10:29 was me sorry! I meant to ask Wordslinger that question, not list it was from him.
Comment by Seats Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:30 am
=== If Rauner fires the IPI crew; do you think the IPI social media team would turn on him? ===
That seems to be the pattern of the purists.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:31 am
10:29 was me sorry wordslinger. I meant to ask you the question, not put you as the sender. One of those mornings.. My apologies
Comment by Seats Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:32 am
Wow only the BTIA ™ could keep this story going this long. Way to go guys. /s
#EpicDumpsterFire
How they have not been able to put this to bed?
Comment by RD55 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:33 am
“they’ve proven they’re not suitable for work outside of dorm room debate club”
They’re overpaid state workers earning six-figure salaries.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:34 am
So while Rauner was out of town, the BTIA overstepped??? Is that what Rauner wants us to “drink”??? Exactly who is in charge here? Does Dr. Rauner approve of these hijinks???
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:37 am
So, explain to me again why Dr. Rauner gave the shovels to IPI and ordered them to start digging holes, so Bruce could fall into them?
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 am
“I’ve been successful at everything I’ve ever done.”*
*Except for this one, that one, and the other one.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 am
When Diana Rauner sends 350+ emails to the previous Superstars and allows this messaging to continue…
… maybe Rickerts and Rasmussen have Diana flagged as “Spam”?
… maybe Diana Rauner’s fascination with IPI and IPI messaging is now over?
If I were Rickerts and Rasmussen I’d check my emails more often.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 am
The best PR team money can buy, eh?
Did this team come with a receipt? Where’s the return desk?
Comment by illini97 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:52 am
Is it possible that BTIA is doing all of this stuff on purpose, to prove that state workers are useless and are paid way too much? #selfsacrifice
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:53 am
@Oswego Willy
I’ll wager that statement wasn’t run by @FirstLady.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:11 am
- Thomas Paine -
My point was… with 350+ emails that were sent by Diana Rauner and her obsession with IPI and IPI messaging, and her belief for months that a “change” was needed… and Diana’s concern about her “brand”… my point was Diana wanted the IPI Crew to run the Governor’s Office and approval or not, this is what Diana Rauner got.
The mocking of the 350+ emails… that’s the needle part.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:15 am
==If Rauner fires the IPI crew; do you think the IPI social media team would turn on him?==
IPI, in the past has condemned some of Rauner’s actions or lack there of. Only reason they aren’t tearing into him now is because they now share staffers. No doubt IPI would turn on him, it’s what they do best.
As Rich mentioned this morning, word was he was pretty furious and was looking at some changes again…Also, word was the Governor was calling former staffers, for only what we can assume as a desperate call for help.
Comment by Ambassador Abe Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:17 am
Seats, no worries.
My bet is that BTIA will get canned before the holidays are over. Still, in an election year, they have nowhere to go but to support Rauner. They’ll do what their paymasters tell them.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:22 am
The insertion of the “as a white male” line was an intentionally provocative move by self-serving kiddie korps wannabes seeking to get on cable gabfests.
It’s not possible BTIA thought they were serving their employers interests with that line. Is it?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:37 am
Anyone on Team JB, please remember to bring this back right before the election. Thanks.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 12:04 pm
When you hire arsonists why are you surprised when they set fires?
Comment by Annon3 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 12:04 pm
== Also, word was the Governor was calling former staffers, for only what we can assume as a desperate call for help. ==
Assuming that report is true …
If I thought he was lacking people skills before, now I know he is. Must think his money outweighs everything else.
At this rate, he’ll be down to hiring 3rd graders next summer before the election … send they will all be smarter than he is.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 12:11 pm
===My bet is that BTIA will get canned before the holidays are over.
Who takes the job after how the last group was let go? The problem of quick turnover and no loyalty is you go from the C Team to the … Team pretty quickly.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 1:00 pm
Does it not all come down to never learning the difference between wants and needs.
Thoughtless people in power do what they want and give no thought to what those around them need. Doesn’t matter if it is bad parents, bad teachers, bad employers or bad elected officials that don’t care not about those they cause harm.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 1:04 pm
@1:04 was me.
Comment by cc Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 1:06 pm
“The BTIA ™ didn’t give this story legs, they gave it a Ventra pass.” Unless he vetoed that too…
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 3:01 pm