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* Lots of rumors that some top communications staff and at least one (and maybe more) legal staff have resigned or have been pushed out. Legal staff resignations are reportedly unrelated to the comms staff cleanout, which are directly related to the “as a white male” PR disaster. The comms staff rumors started last night, but their “resignations” were delayed for whatever reason..
BREAKING: Multiple Reliable source say FIRINGS tonight in @GovRauner's NEW staff. #twill
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) August 24, 2017
*** UPDATE 1 *** Pritzker campaign…
Bruce Rauner Goes Full On Trump In Latest Staff Purge
New Illinois Policy Institute Staff Last a Mere 37 Days
Chicago, IL – In a move straight out of the Trump playbook, Bruce Rauner has reportedly fired his communications team who were just 37 days on the job. The rash move comes after the failed governor had to publicly rebuke his own staff yesterday after they said “as a white male — [Rauner] does not have anything more to add to the discussion” on the racist IPI cartoon.
“There is a problem that no amount of staff changes can fix and his name is Bruce Rauner,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “This governor has no moral compass, no vision, and no loyalty. Churning through staff faster than we can say Scaramucci is not going to change the fact that Bruce Rauner is entirely incapable of leading this state.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rasmussen is not yet confirmed, but sources say her resignation may happen later in the week…
Some reports say Rauner’s chief of staff, Kristina Rasmussen, may be out, but are still not confirmed. Sources tell NBC 5 perhaps Rauner’s entire communications team and his general counsel are all out.
Sources confirmed that Diana Rickert, Laurel Patric and Britany Carl, who once compared abortion to Nazi eugenics in a controversial blog post, were all out.
It’s believed Rickert wrote the vexing “white male” press release from Tuesday and Patrick sent it out. Former staffers say Rasmussen would have signed off on it.
Attempts to reach the Rauner team have been unsuccessful. Whether all were fired or quit is not clear.
*** UPDATE 3 *** I’m hearing the same on comms and sources say that more than Murashko may be out in legal staff…
More shakeups in @GovRauner's office. I'm told Laurel Patrick, Diana Rickert and Brittany Carl are out in aftermath of cartoon backlash.
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 24, 2017
Two anonymous sources say Chief of Staff Kristina Rasmussen and legal counsel Dennis Murashko are out too. Murashko over separate fight. https://t.co/dWZulM6KNt
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 24, 2017
*** UPDATE 4 *** Tina (name used with permission)…
A day after crafting a controversial statement citing Gov. Bruce Rauner’s position as a “white male,” the governor’s new communication staff has been ousted — with more exits on the way, according to multiple sources.
Sources said the staffers — hired in July after a staff purge and series of protest resignations — were asked to resign; one was asked to stay but chose to resign.
Sources say that includes former Illinois Policy Institute staffer Diana Rickert, who served as the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications; Laurel Patrick, communications director; Brittany Carl and Meghan Keenan, both communications specialists.
A spokeswoman for the lieutenant governor’s office offered no comment on the resignations but said that she would be assisting with media calls.
*** UPDATE 5 *** I’m hearing the Looch has been set loose. Not confirmed yet, though.
*** UPDATE 6 *** If this does happen, he won’t be chief very long. Just sayin…
People close to @GovRauner's team think Deputy Governor Trey Childress could be in line to become next Chief of Staff. https://t.co/LT1wpp0WMy
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 24, 2017
*** UPDATE 7 *** The Looch was, indeed, set loose, according to Mary Ann…
Also fired — Michael Lucci, Dep CoS for Policy, came from Ill Policy Inst 6 weeks ago #twill
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) August 24, 2017
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:16 pm
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How soon are they back on IPI’s payroll?
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:20 pm
Hey! This is the BTIA! I am sure they are fine. /s
Comment by Union proud Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:21 pm
Wordslinger wins his bet.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:23 pm
Buyer’s remorse? So what’s Plan C, beg the original folks to come back, or just hire a PR firm?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:24 pm
Cue Yakety Sax
Comment by Concerned Dem Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:25 pm
Rasmussen must have played the statement.
Why is she still there?
And to Precinct Captain’s point, I expect Rickert will be back at IPI shortly, perhaps even running the group. As Rich pointed out, her loyalties never left.
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:25 pm
Look at our successful private-sector governor, runnin’ the state like a business! Granted, the business is a Wieboldt’s in the late ’80s, but still!
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:28 pm
The irony is Diana Rauner’s obsession with IPI messaging.
Diana Rauner wanted Goldberg and others gone… for IPI
“How did this work out?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:30 pm
I’m palled, rested, and ready.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:32 pm
==Why is she still there?==
From the story I read, she’s not
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:32 pm
Superstars -> Best Team in America™ -> American Horror Story Season 3
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:33 pm
Who’s next as comms chief? Charles Thomas seems to be auditioning.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:34 pm
Think E.J. Korvette
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:35 pm
==Who’s next as comms chief? Charles Thomas seems to be auditioning.==
Maze Jackson?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:38 pm
Illinois’ version of Trump
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:39 pm
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the BTIA make mince meat outta Bruce and am not at all surprised to hear that someone’s finally getting fired for #whitemalegate.
Mary Ann Ahern is a fantastic reporter but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this.
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:40 pm
The purge was to negate the “poor messaging” according to Bruce and Diana Rauner only exposed the RaunerS real intent…
… to expand and grow Diana’s Brand, and to make pallitable to the Winnetka Cocktail Party crowd that “it’s fine” that the RaunerS are destroying Illinois, “it just needs to be sold better”
Result?
“… as a white male… ”
You absolutely can NOT be someone on a Comm Crew, let alone a governor’s communication staff and ever… ever.. ever… even think aloud..
“… as a white male… ”
Then? Then throw in the utter ignorance that the IPI cartoon, and flat out ignoring the racial underpinnings, that weren’t underpinnings at all, but blatent to all to see, including the Illinois House members that Proft now would like to primary.
Way to go, Diana Rauner, your brand is now known.
Nice job, Bruce Rauner, you just couldn’t help that you wanted your destruction sold… “better”
Let’s see what changes are now made… For Diana’s brand’s sake, first and foremost… Right?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:41 pm
==Who’s next as comms chief? Charles Thomas seems to be auditioning.==
RG Solutions?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:43 pm
=== Churning through staff faster than we can say Scaramucci===
Zing. That’s a good one. Well played. Team Pritzker is having a lot of fun at Rauner’s expense this week.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:43 pm
Madigan and the IPI minions he controls.
Comment by Moderate Condor Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:44 pm
Single mom? Two piece?
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:45 pm
They hired IPI staff… and then expected them to be politically correct.
Who is going to take a job where the staff quit/got fired and then their replacements last only 37 days? Especially at Tier 2 state worker wages for a state that is broke?
Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:46 pm
Legal staff too? Weren’t aggressive enough? Didn’t fully explain Constitutional constraints and legislative rules?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:47 pm
Put me in coach, I’m ready to play. Today.
Comment by Fake Ron Sandack Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:48 pm
Or is it Tier 3 now?
Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:48 pm
Wow
I joked about Plan C yesterday
No understanding of policy or process it’s all message, and only message.
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:50 pm
I anxiously await the announcement of Ron Sandack as Rauner’s new Chief of Staff. . .;)
Comment by wndycty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:51 pm
Some of this is about Rauner’s support for SB31? That’s convenient and should help some of the deposed staff land on their feet after this debacle. I’d argue that he’s been leaning in favor of that bill for a long time and none of these folks should be surprised.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:53 pm
If I may…
After the daily “owning” by actual professionals like Z and his Crew, it’s just… refreshing… to see Bruve and Diana Rauner being handed their lunch these few short weeks, notably and ably by the Pritzker Crew… like “Skyhook, in reverse”, just taking it to Rauner, never letting the incumbent breathe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:53 pm
This is unbelievable. I mean that literally. I cannot believe the last 40 days.
Comment by Alex P. Keaton Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:54 pm
Looking more and more presidential by the minute
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:54 pm
The eclipse lasted longer than some of these people
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:55 pm
If Rauner names Trey Childress as COS this can actually get worse. He is the original Diana-whisperer and has been completely ineffective in two-plus years as “deputy governor”.
Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:56 pm
Brittany Carl stayed too long, this was a convenient way to fix that mistake, a mistake that a real Crew wouldn’t have made… like ignoring weeks old writings of a person applying for a Comms spot…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:57 pm
Lordy I hope there are tapes.
Comment by Slats G Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:57 pm
wndycty — who?
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:58 pm
===If Rauner names Trey Childress===
Too much oppo.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:58 pm
And of course I meant pallid, rested, and ready.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:59 pm
The eclipse jokes will NEVER get old.
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:00 pm
By my calculations they lasted 3.36 (repeating) Moochspans.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:00 pm
Not only is Bruce’s skin white, it’s thin. You know what, He shoulda given the best team in America a chance.
Comment by Winnin' Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:02 pm
For Immediate Release
August 23rd, 2017
Netflix Cancels Illinois-Based “Cascading Failures”
Cast Fired By Lead Actor and Actress
Springfield - Hours after a second purge by “Bruce” and “Diana”, the quasi-fictional leads of a mockumentary about a governor…
…
- 30 -
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:02 pm
For the IPI folks–the Peter Principle applies. They are writers who belong in a back room where they can work quietly, not administrators who work with agency directors, legislators, party leaders and the public.
Will they just go back to their old jobs at IPI? Will Bruce, Diana and their fellow funders still fund that group? Or will IPI turn against Bruce? Will they try to collect unemployment?
It’s going to be hard for Bruce and Diana to recruit the best and the brightest after repeatedly displaying their tantrums in person and by email.
Comment by James Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:03 pm
So, doesn’t saying you want to run the State like a business mean you have experience bringing in talented managers to further your goals? And not firing YOUR own management teams - twice? Yikes!
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:05 pm
That turnover agenda seems to be in high gear.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:05 pm
Lol @ the Rauner implosion.
He deserves all the bad luck he is getting.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:06 pm
Michelle Flaherty is on fire tonight!
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:09 pm
Anyone have Lingle’s number handy? Word is she is still looking for a job.
Time for Munger to get an even bigger role.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:10 pm
BTIA ™ we hardly knew you.
On second thought, we had plenty of your “stuff”.
Comment by Groundhog Day Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:10 pm
We are always adding people, to make sure we have THE BEST TEAM IN AMERICA!
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:10 pm
Now 15-09 comes into play:
“No former State Employee, within one year after leaving his or her position with a State Agency, shall accept compensation from any person or entity for Lobbying any State Agency.”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:10 pm
Don’t tell me he fired BTIA already.. I was beginning to enjoy the big implosion they were creating with Rauner.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:10 pm
If they could get Meeks back from barbados
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:12 pm
With the constant firing of top staff I doubt team Rauner will attract any top talent to work for him.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:14 pm
“Attempts to reach the Rauner team have been unsuccessful. Whether all were fired or quit is not clear.”
Classic. Even NBC5 is getting in on the trolling fun.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:14 pm
Firing messed up staff within weeks? Sounds familiar, like another rich politician….
Comment by The_Equalizer Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:15 pm
I’m actually disappointed…the last 30 days have been wildly entertaining! I don’t want it to end…
Comment by Mary Sunshine Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:15 pm
Next man up–
Evelyn? Evelyn?
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:17 pm
Typical #BTIA…
They can’t even do a Friday News Dump correctly….
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:18 pm
As for the legal folks, I remember thinking at the beginning that for the most part there wasn’t a lot of significant experience on that staff. Many of them were a little too fresh out of law school for comfort.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:18 pm
The shadfly is the official Rauner staff mascot
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:20 pm
Remember when Rauner said just last week that “I alone make the hiring decisions.” How’s that working out for you, Bruce?
Oh & the Governor was worried about his right flank…..wait until Rickert, Rasmussen & Patric get back to the IPI. Not only did Rauner throw them under the bus, but they spent the last 6 weeks learning how truly dysfunctional the Rauner Administration is. They have loads of ammo & plenty of motive.
Comment by Get a Job!! Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:20 pm
Governor fires competent staff.
Governor fires incompetent staff.
Nothing really changes.
Comment by PragmaticR Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:23 pm
I can’t tell if this is Springfield or D.C. anymore.
Comment by Not It Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:24 pm
Couldn’t happen to a better group of people. What goes around comes around and I am happy the BTIA is going to be shown the door.
Comment by Honeybadger Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:27 pm
Whoever gets hired next better ask for a $1M Golden Parachute as a sign bonus …
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:28 pm
Worst thing for Bruce is that by the time he gets around to recruiting experienced, capable staff, not a one will be willing to be seen in public with him.
Wait, isn’t Steve Bannon looking?
Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:29 pm
And I wonder how many trolls will he absent tomorrow … now that the paychecks have stopped.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:30 pm
The main person needing to be shown the door is Rauner himself. 2018 can’t come quick enough. How anyone could still support this guy is insane.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:31 pm
Don’t know if this is the reason Murashko is out but if you go to the ILRB website you’ll see that there is a recent RDO from an ALJ where they side with the nurses union and the union basically eats Murashko’s lunch. Doubt Rauner was happy over that…
Comment by Union Proud Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:32 pm
Rauner just blinked again
Comment by Sgt. Slaughter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:33 pm
In a few more weeks, General Kelly might be available. Diana, invite him to the next cocktail party.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:33 pm
Pontificating is easy. Governing is hard. Lesson learned, hopefully.
Comment by Waterfall Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:33 pm
Ok… here’s some fun math…
You have the Superstars… They get purged first… now their replacements weren’t fans of the Superstars, and after the purge, you could say the Superstars weren’t helpful to the… Best Team In America.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
Purge 2 begins.
Now, the IPI Crew leaving, they are on the outs with the RaunerS and can’t commiserate with the Superstars, who I’m guessing are feeling vindicated with this short stint by their replacements.
So… The BTIA… who do they turn to have commiseration?
They alienated the IPI wunderkind, and they helped instigate the first purge.
They are pariahs… thrice over.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:34 pm
Can Rauner say Breitbart?
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:35 pm
I wish I could believe this was about more than failed marketing and that the guv realizes that the message is the real problem . . . but that would require me to also believe in the tooth fairy.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:38 pm
This is all on Rauner himself. For the past almost 3 years Rauner has been campaigning and traveling the state for photo ops rather than governing like a real Governor. He wanted to spend his time out and about instead of in Springfield working. By him not being in Springfield working and relying on campaign staff to handle all his work for him is why he is in the place he is in now. Time for you to stop acting like a big shot CEO Mr Rauner and get to Springfield and get to work. But ofcourse it would be much better if you just resigned and let a real governor take your spot.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:40 pm
Can hardly wait for the IPI cartoon about this one.
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 pm
so the ROI on that hundreds of thousands of dollars to the IPI didn’t pan out so well in the end. I could have told him that years ago. not sure how the IPI recovers from this one.
Comment by thatsoutrageous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 pm
I just want to go to bed.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:41 pm
I bet Ken Dunkin is available.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:42 pm
I think there might be a chance for AWillyWord Consulting to fill a void…
… but putting a price on having our reputations carrying the two purges, an IPI cartoon, Proft, Besler… that’s such a high number I got a nosebleed starting to add up the billing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:42 pm
I think you are all looking at this incorrectly. Rauner wants to really improve things by hiring The Mooch as his new COS and Spicer to head his com staff.
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:45 pm
Aren’t there revolving door prohibitions that prevent those folks from going back to IPI since it engages in lobbying?
Comment by michel Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:47 pm
The best piece of advice I could give him would be to hire a black woman as chief of staff. It is his only hope. Go full on Al Gore/Bill Clinton in your shameless pandering. The white power shtick is failing.
Comment by Sgt. Slaughter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:49 pm
Leaving the BTIA all alone…. What could have gone wrong???
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wt37U4Pors
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:49 pm
if the Looch is out, I hope he leaves a post it note with BIMP on his desk
Comment by thatsoutrageous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:50 pm
The Looch is Loose? I guess that leaves The Looch more time for Twitter inaccuracies…
#BIMB #BTIA
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:53 pm
For those of you happy that the IPI crew is gone-ish… thank OW. I. AM. SERIOUS. I truly feel that he got in the RaunerS heads. That man internet shames like no one I’ve ever read. It’s an art. It’s true. I swear there have been nights in the mansion where both of the RaunerS are laying on their backs staring at the ceiling on their respective sides of the beds and Diana says “Hoo is OW, really?” And Bruce responds, “If I only knew!” It’s real.
Comment by W.S. Wolcott Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:55 pm
I’m sure, Rauner, “as a white male”, made decisions here that The New York Times and Washington Post will see as both embarrassing and ridiculous when a single, innocuous, statement condemning a silly cartoon would’ve stopped all this… before… all this.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:58 pm
They will write text books about the Rauner PR machine.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:59 pm
This game of musical staffers certainly ain’t good. But between this and having your voice on FBI tapes kissing up to Blago, I take the staff silliness.
Pritzker got a little taste of it and looked bad. Real bad. Throw about $50 mil in gross ratings points behind it and watch Pritzker sweat.
Comment by Kap Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:01 pm
This game of musical staffers certainly ain’t good. But between this and having your voice on FBI tapes kissing up to Blago, I take the staff silliness.
Pritzker got a little taste of it and looked bad. Real bad. Throw about $50 mil in gross ratings points behind it and watch Pritzker sweat.
+++++
This might be worth something if Pritzker was ever indicted for any wrong doing.
Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:07 pm
Who will do these jobs now?
Comment by Waterfall Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:09 pm
I think they can go back to IPI… they just can’t lobby. So writing columns, research, etc.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:10 pm
Telling how the only “trolls” are Rauner supporters. That is laugh out loud funny.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:11 pm
==Now 15-09 comes into play:==
Except not Rickert, because she was contractual?
Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:12 pm
And let me be very, very clear.
My use of “silly” is reflecting these Rauner ideas, up to this evening, that Rauner “never saw” the cartoon and Rauner didn’t want to comment on people’s views of the cartoon.
I fully condemn the cartoon and stand with the Illinois House in fully condemning the IPI and the cartoon.
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:14 pm
It’ll be interesting to see how Rauner spins this into his usual victimization spin. Baloney and whine now being served???
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:20 pm
How does any Comm/PR professional succeed when your client has no discernible message? Repeating something is broken and Madigan is bad has run its course. It is time Rauner articulates a plan to move the state forward. This crescendo of chaos is completely Bruce and Diana’s fault. They are inept, deceitful and mean spirited. It doesn’t matter what team of superstars they assemble next if they can’t formulate a coherent message.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:22 pm
I was being snarky before. His only real choice is to pull Yaffe, DeGroot, Besler, and Schneider on to the State’s payroll for 9 months and then pull them back off for the campaign. Nothing will be going on stateside next summer anyway. Better to pluck from the Republican party folks he already pays out of his own pocket and let the taxpayers pay for that messagin’. That’s what a good outsourcer does. The state GOP folks have actually been pretty disciplined on message and loyal to the “brand” with few disastrous screw ups.
Comment by Sgt. Slaughter Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:22 pm
so wait, these guys get fired over how they horribly tried to defend the Governor over the cartoon. then they go back to work at the same place where the cartoon originated? who would ever take IPI serious again. that’s like tossing a dumpster fire into another dumpster on fire.
Comment by thatsoutrageous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:22 pm
Rich, I didn’t say Childress would be competent or would last long. He would just be another day in this never-ending tire fire of an administration.
He’s the Peter principle personified. (And did I mention Diana likes him?)
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:24 pm
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:25 pm
Childress is the logical choice. The only person who can continue to downward spiral.
Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:28 pm
Honestly, who would even want this job at this point? There’s no way this problem just gets better. The IPI cloud will hover for months, if not for the rest of his term.
Comment by Mrs Robinson Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:30 pm
- W.S. Wolcott -
You are far too kind and generous.
I think between the NYT and WaPo, the Illinois House and members that if I name, I’ll forget some and feel awful, so I won’t…
Capitol Fax, Mary Ann Ahern, “@RadicalCandorIL”, commenters here on Rich’s blog who’s snark and pithy remarks I try to keep up with…
… the great Springfield Press Corps… Dems who are engaging, including Pritzker’s Crew commenting now and the other campaigns that have been also commenting…
I’m a very small voice that has a great place to hang out.
You’re very kind, thanks, but I’m in the chorus in this musical, not the Lead. - OW
To the Post,
If the IPI were the new branding, New Coke arguably had a better run then IPI helping the RaunerS here.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:40 pm
I hate to break this to the inside baseballers here but 99.9% of the populace has no idea (nor cares) what IPI is. Really. I kid you not.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:42 pm
Heading into SB1 final stages, all this drama is not going to help Guv’s position or prospects for holding R’s to vote his position. Huge distraction and lack of governing or legislating expertise is going to drown this administration. He will have little to run on and management of state will continue to suffer because of inexperience in Guv’s office. He can’t buy a recovery from this disaster. Put a fork in it.
Comment by sldkjtuimvc Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:47 pm
===I hate to break this to the inside baseballers here but 99.9% of the populace has no idea (nor cares) what IPI is. Really. I kid you not.===
Tell that to those that are “no longer with the Administration”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:48 pm
The next Chief of Staff should obviously be Reince Priebus.
He’s got the Wisconsin connection Bruce loves and he has the requisite experience in debasement and whiplash from his tenure in D.C.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:49 pm
I hate to break this to the inside baseballers here but 99.9% of the populace has no idea (nor cares) what IPI is. Really. I kid you not.===
Well, the Rauner’s felt opposite of what you’re saying. Which is why the filled most of there top staff with IPI.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:58 pm
does it really matter who serves on the communications staff? the gov’s message doesn’t change: madigan, madigan madigan. He’s the Jan Brady of Illinois politics.
Comment by Nick Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 11:59 pm
There was a time when Republicans were actually capable of governing.
Comment by PragmaticR Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:11 am
==I hate to break this to the inside baseballers here but 99.9% of the populace has no idea (nor cares) what IPI is. Really. I kid you not.==
When the bill involving their kids schools is at the height of negotiation, and nobody is at the Governor’s office to answer the phone, they’ll know, and they’ll care. If they don’t now, they will soon.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:21 am
==does it really matter who serves on the communications staff? ==
The events of the last 6 weeks would indicate the answer to that question is a big “Yes”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:22 am
Leslie Munger Chief of Staff
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:37 am
Annon@12:22 of course it matters, but you missed the point: the gov is too focused on one man rather than governing the state–you know, the job he was elected to do.
Comment by Nick Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:43 am
Nope. Rich Miller.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:45 am
PragmaticR - Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:11 am:
There was a time when Republicans were actually capable of governing.
Yes, we all pine for the days of Gov. Ogilvie.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:56 am
I think Rauner should ask Felicia Norwood to be chief of staff. She saved Jim Edgar during his reelection run and has been successful in the Thompson administration as well as the private sector. He needs moderation.
Comment by Bitter Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:03 am
What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:21 am
So who eats the hard boiled eggs?
Comment by cc Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:26 am
No surprise here. According to Little Finger, Chaos is but a ladder.
Comment by Glengarry Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:55 am
Everyone is missing the point. As we speak, Bruce and Diana are busy working to replace the BTIA with the Best Team on the Planet ™.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 4:23 am
Oh nuts. I missed out again by being asleep. As far as the revolving door is concerned they will get waivers to lobby again.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 4:55 am
So, his wife “leaks” that they were “fired”…and all the mice run with that story to her/them.
But a couple of you, and a few key media folk(given a heads up) know what really happened…so much for the credibility of most of the posters here.
Dissappointing, and you’re the ones that are supposed to be “in the know”, eh.
Comment by Hardhat Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:05 am
What a disaster, and on the public payroll as well. Well, well, well, look who are tax eaters now.
Never again can the IPI criticize state employees and public workers as overpaid after this egg it laid, this terrible job it did.
I agree with the Pritzker campaign–there is the underlying problem that can’t be fixed, and that’s Bruce Rauner.
Based on the timing, it seemed to me that the initial firings and resignations had nothing to do with messaging but rather Rauner scapegoating his staff for his caving and quickly vetoing the budget and tax hike bills, so they could quickly be overridden. He got flak from his right flank, right around the time of the firings and resignations.
That’s Rauner for you. He profits massively off of unionized public employees via their pensions but he wants to decimate their unions and drastically lower their standards of living. When it suits him and when he wants to cover up his mistakes, he will throw people under the bus faster than you can say Jack Robinson. Human beings are like debt loads to him. That’s the corporate vulture way.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:14 am
Rauner remains a complete and utter disappointment.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:27 am
It just goes to show, an effective person needs people around who will tell him when he is wrong. If all you have around you is “yes”people, you never hear the other side. This is always a problem for leaders who believe themselves right, and don’t want to hear dissenting opinions. Bruce hired the BTIA but left out someone who would tell him he is wrong. A very bad move, and reflects real poor leadership skills.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:33 am
2 questions:
Will Tronc take Rickert back to write Raunerbot columns?
Will Radical Candor have a competitor?
Comment by Keyrocl Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 5:55 am
If Bryan Schneider from DFPR would do it bring him in as COS. Smart, balanced, experienced, mature.
Comment by Eire17 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:07 am
The Rauner administration has finally crashed, could it get any worse? Now, is the time for the GOP’ers who have been thinking about going against him to jump ship and flee the Raunerite party. Walk, no Run away from your party leadership and send a message.
Comment by Honeybadger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:36 am
Loving Jesus, this is just bad. Honestly, I want stable government, not the Hunger Games. How are replacements going to be hired? Who would work for him now? My God this is profound.
Seriously how can we have stable government without stable leadership?
You can’t find quality management of the caliber necessary at a temp agency.
I think he should just resign and save us all including the ILGOP the horror to come.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:41 am
What concerns me most is that
policy has consequences.
Poor policy makers make poor policy.
I thought IPI was bad.
Who are we to get next?
Seriously?
This is disastrous.
Oh……it could get worse
Look for Koch brothers thinktankers now.
Look for ALEC people
Look for AFP goons.
Dear God, Rauners going to bring in the heavies.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:52 am
Nelson’s “haha” to Montgomery Burns (aka Bruce Rauner) just keeps playing in my head.
Comment by We'll See Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:52 am
Hrrrmmm,
(1) Loses Budget Battle - Fires Superstars
(2) Fires BTIA … Loses School Funding fight…
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:53 am
Munger as chief of staff?
Comment by Anoniphone Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 6:57 am
There is plenty of time to right his ship. He has the resources to do so. After all he is a one trick pony, Madigan Madigan Madigan it shouldn’t be that hard to find some good staff.
Comment by Annon3 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:12 am
Laurel Patrick, Brittany Carl and Meghan Keenan.
This is what happens when you hire children to do adult work. These people are literally children.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:18 am
Who is going to be there to spin for the Governor next week when SB1 fails to override?
Comment by Seats Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:19 am
===
so wait, these guys get fired over how they horribly tried to defend the Governor over the cartoon. then they go back to work at the same place where the cartoon originated? who would ever take IPI serious again. that’s like tossing a dumpster fire into another dumpster on fire.===
Bingo
Comment by Alternative Logic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:20 am
It’s a bit weird for a business guy to make these rookie mistakes.
Comment by Anoniphone Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:27 am
Today’s QOTD should be “what’s in your fridge with an expiration date older then BTIA tenure with the State?”
Comment by Annon3 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:30 am
Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked have been sacked.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:30 am
Anoniphone @ 7:27 — It’s weird only if one assumes that running a business and governing a state are the same, which they’re not as is being amply demonstrated by the guv. Governing is, as the saying goes, a whole ‘nother thing and the Rauner crowd doesn’t understand that at all.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:33 am
Tuesday night, Durkin asked for 24 hours to “review” the SB 1 compromise. I guess we know why…no one in the governor’s office was around to return his call. The Purge II was just beginning.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:34 am
==Who is going to be there to spin for the Governor next week when SB1 fails to override?==
These events probably make SB1 override or SB1 ‘compromise’ more likely. House Republicans will find it more difficult to support the position of the Governor with respect to CPS funding because the Governor failed to effectively denounce the cartoon about CPS.
Comment by PragmaticR Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:36 am
PragmaticR - I agree it helps the chances that a deal gets done, not really convinced a deal will get done, but this makes it more likely than a few days ago
Comment by Seats Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:51 am
Looks like we have seen the last of the BIMB eruptions.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:52 am
FUBAR
Comment by Chris Robling Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:54 am
When will Munger lose the job with no duties?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 7:58 am
===These events probably make SB1 override or SB1 ‘compromise’ more likely.===
(Sigh)
The override of SB1 is a political move.
The compromise funding bill is required for sound governing.
The override won’t happen, the compromise is needed for governing to occur.
To the post,
Now that the sun has risen to bring daylight to the happenings of the night, what will today mean to Rauner’s tomorrows?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:00 am
Messaging problems aside, I think there is a very real possibility that IPI strategists led the Governor to believe a simple majority could sustain his AV of SB1.
It also appears that mistaken belief was the linchpin of the Governor’s strategy for SB1.
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:03 am
Madigan
Comment by STOPH Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:05 am
I hear Foxconn is hiring.
Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:07 am
== The compromise funding bill is required for sound governing. The override won’t happen, the compromise is needed for governing to occur. ==
If Durkin is willing to cut a deal with Madigan, I believe Madigan will be savvy enough to give Durkin barely enough cover. But that also will render Rauner essentially irrelevant, going forward.
After this, and if Rauner signs the immigration bill, will we see a viable primary challenge of Rauner?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:07 am
Geez, when I said yesterday that BTIA would be canned by the holidays I meant New Year’s, not Labor Day.
The market has spoken. BTIA was simply providing a lousy work product. They damaged the brand, severely, in a very short time.
That IPI cartoon wasn’t a brain-teaser challenge for a smart and competent staff. The fact that they, as a group, could not handle it and instead made it worse (”…as a white male”) revealed a future of nothing but screwups with them around.
No way Rauner could go into a Spring session or election year with that crew. They demonstrated on a daily basis that they couldnt find their tukkus with both hands. There are countless others in the marketplace who can do much better.
I’m sure IPI applauds the invisible hand of the market making the necessary corrections.
Back to safe-place deep thinking in the dorms, away from the harsh realities of responsibility and accountability in the working world.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:09 am
==These events probably make SB1 override or SB1 ‘compromise’ more likely.==
I hope you are right, but I’m still skeptical on this. Durkin and the rest of the House republicans will still have to rely heavily on the Gov’s money for their reelection campaigns 8 or 9 months from now. Those retiring may be interested in party politics at some point in the future, and even if Bruce loses next year there is no guarantee that he won’t keep spending his vast wealth to settle old scores. Mr. Rauner doesn’t seem like the type to just waive off a perceived slight to me.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:11 am
===If Durkin is willing to cut a deal with Madigan, I believe Madigan will be savvy enough to give Durkin barely enough cover===
Tell that to Rep. Andersson.
There will be no cover. Rauner owns the switches, and when Rep. Andersson himself he won’t vote to override SB1, why do you think the compromise bill is the real play?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:13 am
After two purges in two months, try to imagine the quality of the applicants who will step forward to fill these top jobs on Rauner’s communications and legal staffs.
They’ll wind-up hiring the first six resumes not written in crayon.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:18 am
Anybody check the IPI Facebook page? The ‘end is near’?
Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:19 am
Rauner will announce that he won’t seek reelection.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:21 am
—
Rauner will announce that he won’t seek reelection.
—
I think so, too. I think he’s about to drop the mic and walk off the stage.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:24 am
===Rauner will announce that he won’t seek reelection.===
Are you laying odds? I’d like to see the action on both sides.
The fact this might garner odds would be interesting in of itself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:26 am
Does the IPI webpage news summary report the resignations/firings at the top, since its the biggest news in the State?
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:27 am
I’ll wait for the comments to roll in about how these folks have families, and how it was brutal that Rauner treated them this way without finding them some other job in state government. Seemed this blog was extremely concerned with those two points in the wake of Goldberg’s exit. So much so that it dictated the media narrative in the aftermath. Let’s see what happens today.
Comment by Waiting Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:27 am
== The compromise funding bill is required for sound governing. ==
This.
If Durkin cannot rally enough votes for the compromise that is needed for sound governing, Illinois will remain rudderless until the next election.
And after two purges in six months, can Team Rauner hire anyone capable of running an effective campaign to gain IL House seats?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:27 am
Wasn’t Rickert the one that wrote the editorial encouraging Rauner to fire all state workers?
Good start yesterday.
Comment by The_Equalizer Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:28 am
These folks have families, and it was brutal. Deserved and unsurprising, perhaps, but brutal.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:30 am
==Rauner will announce that he won’t seek reelection.==
I disagree. I think he goes the other way: doubles down, deposits another $30 million into his reelection fund and threatens both R caucuses with Bryce Benton type primary challengers if they don’t toe the company line between now and next November.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:32 am
- Waiting -
For your sake, if you’re looking for me, don’t hold your breath.
Between not understanding 3/5th override, the unneeded Twitter fued on BIM… B, the Fox News interview with Bret Baier, and “as a white male”…
The gross malpractice in these past 37 days is stuff other Crews might not face in 4 whole years.
Anything else?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:33 am
–I’ll wait for the comments to roll in about how these folks have families–
Two differences: These folks took the job knowing full well that the first purge happened, and almost certainly had a hand in orchestrating it. That it could happen to them as well should not have been a surprise. Also, their landing spot seems clear — back where they came from.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:34 am
Not even sure James Baker himself could buoy that sinking ship.
Comment by JP Altgeld Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:34 am
@Lester Holt
I agree that is what Rauner will want to do. But who will Rauner find to serve as his lieutenants?
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:34 am
Bruce and Diana’s true colors are showing. Fifty shades of white.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:35 am
===I think he goes the other way: doubles down, deposits another $30 million into his reelection fund and threatens both R caucuses with Bryce Benton type primary challengers if they don’t toe the company line between now and next November.===
The odds will be far lower for the re-elect path. Rauner has proved to be a “rascal” and this is more likely.
However, I’d like to see odds on both sides of the equation.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:38 am
I hear that Circus Circus in Vegas is offering an over/under on the new BTIA’s tenure. /s
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:39 am
Hamlet - I think he goes outside Illinois, like he did for his campaign manager. There are a ton of folks bailing out of national politics, and Bruce has more than enough cash to entice a group to Chicago.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:40 am
=Rauner will announce that he won’t seek reelection.=
I think there’s a good chance of this. With the budget veto and now SB1 Rauner has finally been forced to govern. I don’t think he likes it and he’s obviously not very good at it.
He had one of the best messaging crews that I’ve ever seen but he dispatched them. That decision now haunts him. He also managed to put the IPI on the map and not in a positive way at all. And these were supposed to be the individuals who would “fix” his messaging problem (which while I disagreed with it didn’t really need fixing). But more importantly people and the media have started paying closer attention to his ability to govern verses campaign. He’s way off message and his weaknesses are now on full display. Could he run again? Sure. But if this trend continues I think the odds against it start to rise.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:42 am
The Democrats might not get a Rauner relection to run against. What has happened is severe enough for Rauner to hang it all up.
Illinoisans voted in Rauner to change Illinois, but he failed. That doesn’t mean change failed. Illinoisans still don’t want the entire state to de dominated by Madigan. They just know Rauner failed.
So, if Rauner drops out, an opportunity is created for ILGOP to nominate a former congressperson that would look attractive to voters looking for anyone but Madigan.
That ILGOP candidate can begin with Downstate support, and grab votes in Cook over the Pop Tax fiasco. Madigan remains as a boogeyman scaring voters away from Pritzker, or whomever.
Rauner haters might get him out of office, but they may see that the movement that elected Rauner won’t vote for a Madigan-endorsed governor if Rauner drops out.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:43 am
Rich,
Surely this thread has set a new record for overnight comments?
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:47 am
The only reactions that came to mind when I saw this info when I walked into work involved banned words so I will just leave it at this: WOW.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:47 am
OW - I’d like to see odds too but like I said earlier, Rauner doesn’t strike me as the type who will just throw up his hands and walk away from it all. What he has built over the last 5 or 6 years is a huge sunk cost to walk away from. He has invested what, $75 million? $100 million? into Illinois republican politics over that period of time? Probably more if you count donations to mayors, county board members, outside third party groups to sink Aaron Schock, etc.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:49 am
How about Kristen McQueary aka Statehouse Girl for Comms Director. She could wish a hurricane to hit Rauner’s opponents again, instead of the hurricane that just hit Rauner’s office.
Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:49 am
Bruce Rauner, “as a white male” will find it difficult to explain 2 purges of Comms Crews and senior staff on “Because… Madigan”
“I imploded, because Madigan” - Fake Bruce Rauner
Oh boy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:50 am
Priebus and Spicer are available.
Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:51 am
Michael- if Katrina were the comms director, she’d have to give the dictation to the Tronc editorial board. It would be a very different role.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:52 am
===I’d like to see odds too but like I said earlier, Rauner doesn’t strike me as the type who will just throw up his hands and walk away from it all.===
They’d be like 5/2 run for re-elect, almost “off the board” odds but enough to give it a peek.
Diana Rauner has but her own name… her name… to millions to create Raunerism. Diana’s Brand needs a re-election to salvage her role in the Rauner - Illinois destruction.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:53 am
Is he so incompetent to fire everyone without having new people lined up?
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:54 am
Bring back Jim Kaitschek as you Chief
Comment by Calming Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:54 am
Short list: Griffin, Uhlinein, Kass, Gidwitcz, Proft, Walsh, Duffy, Ives…..
Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:55 am
Two Guys and a Truck are making a fortune off the Rauner administration…
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:56 am
I don’t think Rauner won’t run again. He’s one of those people who utterly refuses to see that he himself is the problem or a very large part of the problem. When asked about what he does wrong, he launches into attacks on Madigan.
I think Rauner absolutely loves the political trench warfare. He’s never been happier in his life.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:00 am
I think his next chief of staff will be and should be Representative Ives. She is a perfect match. Her four years of legislative experience dwarf anyone else involved in the governor’s office. She is, ahem, very knowledgeable about the process. If she cannot do it, I think Grant Wehrli would suffice. He should get paid less, he only has two years experience.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:02 am
In the meantime, government grinds to a halt. . .
Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:06 am
This is a serious question. For those that were just fired or got quit - do they list their 37 day state job on their resume? That is bound to raise the eyebrows of future employers. On the other hand, if you omit it, your prospective employer can easily google you and find it.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:06 am
Dr. Rauner could just take the dual role of COS/Comms herself.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:06 am
Yes. Please bring back Kaitcheck
Comment by Adult in Room Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:08 am
If Dr. Rauner takes over, if anything goes wrong, Bruce can just say: “Don’t criticize my family.”
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:08 am
===Dr. Rauner could just take the dual role of COS/Comms herself.===
Welp, it would stop the “350+ emails” type of micro-managing Diana has done, all the while protecting the Diana brand.
She’d have to leave the cornerstone of her brand, the Dem that’s the president of a social service, a much needed cloak for Bruce and his branding too…
Maybe Diana will choose who she wants… again… but this time the new hires need to…
“Focus… Focus new Crew, focus.”
If Diana’s brand is good, then the state of Illinois’ health and governing might be saved(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:10 am
How is this guy supposed to run a state? He doesn’t even qualify to run a human resources department.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:11 am
Maybe now he just wants to take “being his own man” to its literal extreme?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:12 am
GOM, by his actions, Rauner has shown he ain’t very happy right now and has admitted that he messed up badly by hiring the BTIA crew. They couldn’t handle the proverbial one-car funeral.
As someone who’s opposed to Rauner’s social Darwinist agenda, I’m sad to see BTIA go. They were spectacularly incompetent and didn’t know it, which made for hilarity on a daily basis.
No laughs with the old superstars. They made the trains run on time when it came to fulfilling and obfuscating Rauner’s squeeze the beast objectives. I’m glad they’re gone.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:15 am
—
On the other hand, if you omit it, your prospective employer can easily google you and find it.
—
Meh. The bigger issue — and something interesting (to me, at least) — is this 37 day experience shows IPI as pretty much an empty. All talk — and literally no ability to act.
Now that the IPI has state government failure taint over it — it’ll be hard to take whatever IPI says about the state and its actual, working employes with any kind of seriousness.
Essentially, this is a bigger loss for IPI than Rauner. IPI ain’t gonna live this one down.
Ever.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:15 am
If I were advising JB at this point, I would stop issuing comments for a bit and just let the show continue.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:15 am
So if Rauner resigns, we get Slip & Fall as gov? Yikes.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:15 am
Somewhere there is a quote from Rauner, circa 2014 or so, saying what a great talent evaluator he is, that he knows how to find the best executives and managers, that that was his forte as a venture capitalist: bringing in new managers to turn around failing companies.
And there is another Rauner quote from around the same time that I think we all remember quite well: “I have been successful at everything I’ve ever done.”
Pride goeth before the fall. All glory is fleeting. Etc., etc.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:18 am
–If I were advising JB at this point, I would stop issuing comments for a bit and just let the show continue.–
Totally. They don’t need to rapid react to everything. If your possible opponent is self-immolating just stay out of the way of the flames.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:18 am
===… we get Slip & Fall… ===
Please. It’s Slip and Sue.
The hilarity was the lawsuit that couldn’t determine how much was really agreed to in a settlement that ole Slip and Sue finally got… “After attorney fees”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:19 am
== So if Rauner resigns, we get Slip & Fall as gov? Yikes. ==
Serious question:
How could she be any worse than the deliberate destruction of this state under Rauner?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:21 am
The IPI releases its “no backsies” policy to Bruce.
Comment by Ipso facto Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:21 am
Lester- Yes Bruce has given a lot of money to the political scene, but you have to remember he also made a lot more money last year which I would ASSume was in part do to being Gov. So it would be closer to a wash than a big loss imo
Comment by Seats Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:23 am
==Will Tronc take Rickert back to write Raunerbot columns?==
==Messaging problems aside, I think there is a very real possibility that IPI strategists led the Governor to believe a simple majority could sustain his AV of SB1.==
My thoughts exactly.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:23 am
We have a fresh thread, so I’m shutting this one down https://capitolfax.com/2017/08/24/rauner-tells-staff-that-three-have-resigned/
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 9:24 am