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* The Tribune has more about the staff meeting I told you about earlier this morning…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner held a conference call with staff members Thursday morning to announce the departure of his new communications team, saying they were “good people trying to do good work” but ended up being not a “good fit.”
According to one person who was on the call but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it, Rauner told aides “the intensity of the battle is going up” and he wanted to address the staffing rumors because he expected them to continue, the source said.
“The reality is in addition to the enemies on the other side of the aisle (Democrats), we have enemies in the media and enemies who should be on our side, some of them former members of the administration,” the source recounted Rauner as saying.
*** UPDATE *** Sfondeles…
During a morning staff conference call, Rauner sought to dispel controversy over the exodus, according to a source with direct knowledge of the call. He called rumblings of the departures of his chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen and chief legal counsel Dennis Murashko “rumors.” And he confirmed the communications staffers’ exits, saying they were not a “good fit.”
And he pointed the finger at “enemies” — everyone from Democrats, media, bloggers and “people who shouldn’t be our enemies, including people who used to work for this administration.” Rauner, too, vowed to go on the offense against attacks on his administration.
The governor told staffers his team would “fight every rumor and innuendo diligently,” calling them “disgusting,” the source said. The governor said his administration would “stand together” and squash rumors in every possible way and said some were coming because he’s trying to challenge the “status quo.”
Whew.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:37 am
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That’s a pretty long “enemies list.”
Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:38 am
My God. He his Trump’s evil twin.
Comment by Sparky791 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:38 am
Staring to sound a lot like Trump and Nixon
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:39 am
Nixonian.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:39 am
Fortunately, Bruce is the happiest he has ever been, and is willing to take all the arrows to get the job done.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:40 am
Wow. More and more like Trump every day.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:40 am
Paranoia.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:41 am
What I don’t understand is how can only the four comms members be let go when they came, hand picked from Rasmussen. It doesn’t add up. Is the governor not firing her because he can’t be completely bare? In my opinion, he’s already crossed that line.
Comment by Ambassador Abe Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:41 am
It sounds like Springfield shook up Rauner.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:41 am
We commenters here must be nattering nabobs of negativism.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:41 am
Well, if my enemies list gets longer than my friends list I’m going to be forced to look in the mirror and ask why.
Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:43 am
Maybe that old lady stopped coming up to him in restaurants — the one who’d tell him, “Stay strong. You’re our only hope.”
Or maybe all those unnamed dems stopped telling him that they were really on his side — except that Madigan won’t let us.
Either way, Rauner seems sad.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:43 am
Which “former members of the administration” does he feel should be on his side? The ones he unceremoniously canned?
Comment by ??? Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:45 am
How do we know who is on this list?
I remember a US Senator who talked enemies and names and a list…
… who is on this list, just titled groups of people Nruce is mad at, or…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:45 am
Who’s the new deputy CoS for rearranging the deck chairs? That’ll make the difference!
Comment by Northsider Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:46 am
There is an old saying that to have a friend, be a friend. Looks like the obverse is also true.
Comment by Groundhog Day Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:46 am
Thanks for getting me to listen to one of my favorite Kink’s tunes, “Destroyer”:
Silly boy you got so much to live for
So much to aim for, so much to try for
You blow it all with, paranoia
You’re so insecure you, self-destroyer
(And it goes like this, here it goes) paranoia, they destroy ya
(Here it goes again) paranoia, they destroy ya
Comment by phocion Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:47 am
===I remember a US Senator who talked enemies and names and a list…===
And his political demise led to the election of our 44th president.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:49 am
You know, I worried about Trump influencing the nation’s children negatively. I just didn’t think Rauner would be among them.
Comment by Logan's Run Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:49 am
–I’m going to be forced to look in the mirror and ask why.–
…
Nah!!
Comment by Paddy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:49 am
Rauner has created enemies instead of friends. He attacked Republicans when he could have befriended them. He wanted to be the Boss and he used his money to threaten people and not just Democrats. Republicans too.
Comment by anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:49 am
I appreciate the radical candor of our governor.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:49 am
It’s not just Madigan/s
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:50 am
Thank goodness he, at least, doesn’t have access to the nuclear codes. …
Comment by Crispy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:50 am
I have a real question: do you think the Governor likes this job and is enjoying this phase of his life? I do not know him, but from afar it does not seem so. My belief is that, having made a fortune in his prior business, he got bored of it and decided to move on to politics. And I also think he is a true-believer is some things, i.e., some-type of Ayn Randian (is that a word) world view, but is that enough to sustain him through this?
Comment by paddyrollingstone Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:51 am
== It sounds like Springfield shook up Rauner. ==
Can somone bring me a paper towel?
My workstation has been drenched with a spit-take of TaB
Comment by Alternative Logic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:51 am
How do we know the Guv said that?
Are you suggesting there are leakers in his administration?
Are there former PQ folks in the deep state undermining him?
Better call the Mooch ASAP and get rid of these leakers.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:52 am
Enemies on the outside, “the loyal opposition” in more genteel times”. Enemies in the media, who wont properly carry our message. Enemies, former staff, apparently radicalized by serving in the administration. Now the IPI messagin’ gurus fail in the big time. Madigan, and the enemies he controls…
But theres no turmoil? If this isnt turmoil, what is?
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:52 am
===According to one person who was on the call but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it, ===
Well, he also has at least one “enemy” still inside the administration. Lol.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:52 am
===And his political demise led to the election of our 44th president===
Sen. McCarthy did that?
News to me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:53 am
Senator Fitzgerald after disclosing that Bush 43 had a list of heads of state that he would “take out” if possible. Shortly after he announced he wasn’t running for reelection and that opened the door for BHO.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:57 am
- Gruntled University Employee -
That wasn’t MY reference, but ok.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:59 am
LOL. Former staffers who were unceremoniously dumped because of coctail party talk are going to love you?
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:01 pm
So many enemies plaguing Bruce’s mind…
Apparently, when Rauner said he was going to govern the state like a businessman, he meant as a latter-day Howard Hughes.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:03 pm
An Enemies List.
Brilliant.
Somebody on the inside leaked this story. That’s intolerable.
Maybe there should be a secret in-house unit to find the leakers.
Let’s code-name them…..The Plumbers.
If anyone sees Rauner babbling to portraits of former governors, give us a heads up.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:06 pm
Did he mention the strawberrys–he has them there that is the key!
Comment by Madame D Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:06 pm
I’m sorry.
I need some real clarification here.
Was the missing strawberries discussed before the enemies list, or like, as part of who is ON the list, or was the frozen strawberries like… after…
… and no mention of a key, which I find odd, but…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:07 pm
Governor, I think your former staff, the media, Democrats in general and JB Pritzker in particular would say:
“You are your own worst enemy.”
Pretty sure RadicalCandorIL and Oswego Willy can provide you with a list.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:07 pm
A governor and a president who appear to be twin sons of different mothers.
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:08 pm
Will Trauner take up angry tweet storms
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:10 pm
He thought that if he shot down Trump at ever opportunity that he would form a bond with the media and they would leave him alone. What a dummy.
Plus he brought on a number of old hangers-on from the staffs of other GOP office holders, people who are really good at nothing except pettiness and nasty office politics. Of course they are going to lash out and undermine when they are kicked to the curb. It’s the only thing they know how to do.
Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:13 pm
I can see the ad now:
“Who said it, Nixon, Trump or Rauner?” Followed by a series of Rauner quotes.
Ouch.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:14 pm
GUE, you’re very confused about much here, not least that W was elected twice and could not run again.
But I’m sure Fitzgerald appreciates your fan-fiction on the historic role he played as senator.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:15 pm
He is still one step away from all out Trumpianism- Durkin is safe for now.
Comment by Sue Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:20 pm
No surprise here. It’s something many of us saw a long time ago. Rauner is a hater. He makes enemies out of people and tries to humiliate them. He has caused tremendous damage to the state because of this hatred.
When we couple this hatred with Rauner’s cowardice on the budget and tax hike bills, quickly vetoing them so others can risk so much professionally and personally by overriding the vetoes, and scapegoating his original comms staff, wow, it’s bad.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:22 pm
Everyone better have at least 2 alibis for where they were when those strawberries went missin’.
Comment by igotgotgotgotnotime Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Do they make Carhartt strait jackets in XL long.
Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:27 pm
Rauner’s worst enemy is himself, obviously.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:29 pm
Grandson, according to the Chicago magazine profile someone linked to the other day, he cheated on the first wife with the current wife. So he’s always been a class act.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:29 pm
If you want to have an enemy, you must be an enemy.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:30 pm
does he drop his g’s when he is angry?
Poor Trauner, nobody understands how unfair things are;
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:31 pm
Someone needs to tell Bruce that the “former members of the administration” weren’t on his side, they were on his payroll. Big difference.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:32 pm
No Raunerbots today? The Borg Hive mind must be rebooting.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:32 pm
I think Rauner is about to lose it big time. Very Nixumpian.
Comment by Honeybadger Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:36 pm
The Vulture Capitalist is finding the political field more and more unappetizing day by day. But still happiest he’s ever been, and succeeds in everything he does. #Raunerworld
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Rauner, apparently, despises Trump.
And Trump probably has no idea who Rauner is. Or does but pretends not to.
But these two dudes are remarkably, remarkably similar. They mirror each other like twins.
It’s almost like Trump is Rauner’s soulmate.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:56 pm
Check for the duplicate key. Have them all searched for the key.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:59 pm
I have been saying for a long time, a man is only as good as the people he has around him. Unfortunately for the Governor, he surrounded himself with people who tell him he is right. A man in his position needs to hear the other side of an issue. He does not like to be told he is wrong. Thus the problem. Quit hiring “Yes” people and hire some you will listen to. In my opinion, it is already to late. The voting public has got him figured out.
House and Senate Republicans–I think you have hooked yourself to a person who values himself, and only himself. Good luck in your upcoming election. You have a lot of explaining to do at home.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:59 pm
hahahah
Comment by JDuc Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:03 pm
It all has the whiff of a cult.
Who would want to be a part of this paranoid thing? It’s like something out of a Pynchon novel.
Comment by Mr. K. Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:03 pm
Pacin’ the hallways, talkin’ to the portraits…
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASSue) Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:07 pm
News flash: “Former members of the Administration” are not “on your side” after you fire them with no warning and escort them out. Their friends who resigned in protest of how awfully you treated the people who were fired have no reason to be “on your side” either. Mess with people’s lives and they neither forgive nor forget.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:07 pm
I read Rauner’s quotes above to my wife and played “who said that?” She said, ” Trump” instantly. I’ve been telling her that especially the last two months have seen Rauner become more and more like Trump - or, perhaps, revealing how much like Trump with better message control he’s always been.
Comment by RIJ Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:12 pm
If enemies is not the proper term for Speaker Madigan, many if not most Democrats, 90 percent of the commenters here, and numerous columnists and media figures what is?
President Obama and other politicians have spoken of the political adversaries as enemies.
Where does the Governor have it wrong? He certainly has many enemies who are defending the failed status quo in Illinois government business environment
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:17 pm
Maybe the eclipse has really had an effect on him. Cue the lyrics to Pink Floyd’s Brain Damage.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Enemies lists, plumbers … Where have all the flowers gone?
Comment by Hieronymus Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:26 pm
=Where does the Governor have it wrong? He certainly has many enemies who are defending the failed status quo in Illinois government business environment=
I’m not saying that he is wrong. Only Bruce can tell us who he believes his “enemies” are. But he sure has a long list and not everyone on that list is Mike Madigan.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:31 pm
- Lucky Pierre -
If you want Rauner seen like Sen. McCarthy, President Nixon,,Commander Queeg, and President Trump, I won’t stop you, LOL
Usually successful leaders list the allies they have to accomplish things.
Failures list their enemies.
So, you enjoy that list, - Lucky Pierre -
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:32 pm
===what is?===
I’d prefer “fellow citizens.”
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:37 pm
LP- Rauner is painting himself even further into that corner that is 10 stories down with no exit ladder. He is willfully alienating members of the party he claims to belong to. He has stated that the State of Illinois is not as important as the two US Supreme Court cases he gushes about. Add “they’re everywhere, they’re everywhere” to the mix, and at some point you’ve got to let go. Send him out to his ranch where he can run free. This volunteer gig is just too much for the “poor” retiree from Winnetka.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:39 pm
“Enemies to the left of me,
Enemies to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle of Springfield…”
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:40 pm
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Of course somebody has to ask the follow up questions:
Which reporters are your enemies?
Which bloggers are your enemies?
Which former employees are your enemies?
Is it appropriate for the governor to describe his Illinois constituents as “enemies”?
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:43 pm
LP, the enemy is everyone not speaking truth to this troubled man.
Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:48 pm
–Rauner has created enemies instead of friends. He attacked Republicans when he could have befriended them. He wanted to be the Boss and he used his money to threaten people and not just Democrats. Republicans too.–
Senator Radogno, is that you?
Comment by King Louis XVI Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:56 pm
===Which bloggers are your enemies?
These kind of proclamations only hurt people’s feelings. I mean what blogger doesn’t want to be on the enemies list.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 1:59 pm
===If enemies is not the proper term … what is? ==
So, disagreeing politically on what is best for the State of Illinois makes people ‘enemies’? Explains the breakdown of discourse when people can’t have differing opinions without being labeled an ‘enemy’. Go back to ILLPO where everybody there is your friend.
Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Bruce,
If you think you have enemies, you need to get another gig. Governing isn’t for you.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Has anyone checked the fairgrounds house for lead, mold, or some other toxic substances? Since he has moved out there, things have been going downhill much faster. It’s hard to top no budget for 2 years and the numerous miscellaneous failures the 1st two years of the administration, but this IPI fiasco, school funding, and talk of “enemies” is speeding up the administration’s demise. What can we expect by the end of the year? Federal subpoenas? Wiretaps?
Comment by Swift Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:11 pm
If you don’t know the difference between opponents and enemies, you’ve already lost.
Comment by a drop in Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:13 pm
Does he realize that his list of “enemies” includes a majority of the people in this state?
And 47th, have I told you lately that you are hilarious?
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:22 pm
Thanks Soccermom. Right back at you.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:31 pm
A shame that businessman Rauner didn’t fully appreciate the world he was promising to conquer.
Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Again, those who disagree with you are not your ‘enemies.’
And respectfully, Governor Rauner: you might not like Madigan or any of the Democrats in the legislature. You might despise Maxwell, Ahern, and any other journalist that isn’t a sncophant.
But Mike Madigan, RadicalCandor, BestTeamAmerica and the whole rest of the lot you deem “enemies” are your constituents. You took an oath of service. To them, and to the entire 63% of Illinoisans that disapprove of your job performance. Are they all your enemies just because they oppose what you have been up to?
That is not a healthy mindset, governor. You should seriously reconsider whether seeking re-election is the right choice for you.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:33 pm
The original fraternity was good at messaging and tamping down the flames. They are D.C. Types and had no idea how to del with the state. They started the downward spiral. Rauner was right in firing them for the destruction they caused and how they made it a priority to be first at the watering hole. The IPI crew was in over their heads and couldn’t save the ship from sinking. Any one who even thinks about hiring Nancy and the frat boys are confused as heck. They sunk the careers of a us senator and now a governor. That is a fact
Comment by Black Balled Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 8:14 pm