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Ives says she’s “ready to lead the charge”

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Illinois

* Nice pivot…

Final media stop last night at WTIM Taylorsville. While our Governor says he's not in charge. I am ready to lead the charge. #twill #ilgov pic.twitter.com/ocIaqm7xFz

— Jeanne Ives (@JeanneIves) December 5, 2017

That “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge” comment is gonna haunt this governor for a very long time.

* More from Ives…

“Our governorship is a very strong position,” Ives said Monday afternoon. “We have one of the strongest governorship positions because you can veto in several different ways, you run the executive branch, you have access to all sorts of… you have a bully pulpit to get policy through.

“While Mike Madigan runs the Illinois House,” Ives said, “the truth is there were a number of bills that were signed by Governor Rauner that he did not have to sign.”

Still, Ives acknowledged her own role in Springfield has largely been to play spoiler.

“My best work is actually getting traction on killing legislation that is bad, not necessarily passing legislation bad [sic], which is what my role is as a member of both first the super minority (2013-2016) and then the minority (2017-present).

After five years in office, Ives has seen just five of her 134 bills become law, according to the Illinois General Assembly records.

* And…

Among those endorsing Ives Tuesday was State Sen. Dave McSweeney, who called Rauner a “failed governor.”

“[He] is not in charge,” McSweeney told NBC 5. “You saw him admit it yesterday.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:24 am

Comments

While I’ve no intention of voting for Ives - I’m a Democrat - read her announcement speech and thought it was pretty good. Very hard for her to actually win, but she’s making herself look good and if she keeps this up, will have enhanced her standing (though exiting from her House seat). Good for her!

Comment by DarkHorse Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:28 am
Is “Taylorsville” in Lincoln County?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:28 am
Ives is right about the power of the Governor, under the Illinois Constitution. Rauner is really in charge, but he’s upset that Madigan won’t do his dirty work and propose a balanced budget with the lower personal income tax rate!!! Governor’s power over the State budget is enormous!!!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:28 am
“My best work is actually getting traction on killing legislation that is bad, not necessarily passing legislation bad [sic], which is what my role is as a member of both first the super minority (2013-2016) and then the minority (2017-present).
After five years in office, Ives has seen just five of her 134 bills become law, according to the Illinois General Assembly records.”

A whole 3% success rate. Give it up for the least effective legislator.

Comment by ste_with_a_v_en Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:31 am
You can’t run a whole $60+ million campaign with a centerpiece of “Pat Quinn fails” and say “I’m not in charge” when you run for re-election.

As Baier points out, what will be different in a second term?

Rauner will continue to be an ultra-left, coastal liberal Democrat that wants to destroy social services not named The Ounce, close state universities, and destroy the existence of organized labor.

That’s Rsunerism… that’s… “not in charge”

Ives is going to hammer and shake Rauner with these points.., but in the end will hell Rauner seem moderate, thoughtful, and less scary… compared to Ives.

This is where Ives needs to be, can Ives get tracktion to get over 37.5%… that I dunno

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:33 am
She’s got my vote in the primary, but will vote for Pritzker in the general. She is another Bill Brady-too hardcore right-wing…

Comment by Downstate Commissioner Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:35 am
===A whole 3% success rate. Give it up for the least effective legislator.===

lol…

Considering the dozens and dozens of “Turnaround Agenda” items never passing and Rauner being labeled the “Worst Republican Governor in America”, I dunno if going after Ives and effectiveness is a bit wise.

Rauner himself, using Ken Dunkin, a Democrat, was an obstructor, at one point 66 of 67 times to keep vetoes intact.

But, by all means, let’s have that “effective” argument, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:38 am
==That “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge” comment is gonna haunt this governor for a very long time.=

Yeah, people tend to remember when grown men throw temper tantrums. Just ask Lee Elia.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:38 am
==She is another Bill Brady==

If only that were true.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:41 am
Pro tip: When promoting local stops, make sure to spell the name of the town correctly. It’s Taylorville.

Comment by Small Town Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:41 am
BTW — the “I’m trying to get power” is almost worse than the original admission of “I’m have no power”.

How, exactly, is Rauner going to “get” something he’s had nearly three years to get?

And what contemporary politican admits that they have no power? Who does that? (And who uses that as a way to run for re-election)?

At least Trump’s a showman. Rauner can’t even manage that.

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:42 am
Willy, with all due respect, a “coastal liberal Democrat” does NOT want to “destroy social services…close state universities, and destroy the existence of organized labor.” A heartless Libertarian, maybe, but NOT a “coastal liberal Democrat.” I just think you need a better analogy–just sayin’ as a *heartland* liberal Democrat.

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:42 am
@Small Town….maybe she thinks it’s Andy Taylorsville. She still seems to live in that era.

Comment by Flynn's mom Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:43 am
Rauner doesn’t handle assertive women very well, witness his reaction to Comptroller Mendoza.
With a female thorn on both his left and right side, Rauner is likely to continue his missteps.
He will spend a lot of time holed up in the Mansion with one of the few women who appreciate him.

Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:43 am
Whether you are an R or D, the evidence clearly shows that the Gov has less power than the Speaker. Look at Blago, Quinn, and now Rauner. After Thompson left office, there was a political influence vacuum that Madigan took advantage of. We need a constitution convention.

Concerning Ives, what’s her point? She is riding the Trump wave in central and southern Illinois. She is unelectable in this state. Pat Quinn would beat her today. The only point of her campaign is to increase her power and influence in far right circles, to the detriment of the incumbent Republican governor. Ives primary voters will have a hard time voting for Rauner in the general.

Between Ives and Trump, Rauner will have a hard time getting to a second term. Ives can then take over a Republican Party with little to no influence or money.

Comment by KAIR-oh Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:43 am
==Taylorsville==

Jesus.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:44 am
Which “Taylorsville” is she in….Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana or Utah? And why is she campaigning out of state? Weird.

Comment by Moby Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:44 am
- Ray del Camino -

With all due respect…

That’s why it’s called… Raunerism…

That’s also why I’ve called it warped.

===Rauner will continue to be an ultra-left, coastal liberal Democrat that wants to destroy social services not named The Ounce, close state universities, and destroy the existence of organized labor.

That’s Raunerism…===

With respect again, pointing out how messed up Raunerism is given HB40, sanctuary state, criminal justice reforms… things a coastal ultra-liberal Democratic Governor would give their eye-teeth to run on… is paired with…

“…wants to destroy social services not named The Ounce, close state universities, and destroy the existence of organized labor.”

That’s the warped Raunerism that polls at 30% approval.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:48 am
- Flynn’s mom - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:43 am:

@Small Town….maybe she thinks it’s Andy Taylorsville. She still seems to live in that era.

Andy Taylorsville–whose State Senator is Andy Manar.

Comment by Leatherneck Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:57 am
I wish Ives would get called out more on her views toward the LGBT community. Her statements in the past were stunning enough, now she doesn’t care to discuss it. Comments like hers shouldn’t be tolerated.

Comment by People Over Parties Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:01 am
With all this talk about who’s in charge, it’s a shame no candidate is named Charles.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:13 am
==I wish Ives would get called out more on her views toward the LGBT community. Her statements in the past were stunning enough, now she doesn’t care to discuss it. Comments like hers shouldn’t be tolerated.==

I doubt she would mind it too much. Her former statements about LGBT folks and especially the quote about the “transgenders” will be more than tolerated within a large segment of republican primary voters, they’ll be cheered. Conservative voters in central and southern Illinois are her main audience for the next four months.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:17 am
In 2016, one million Illinois GOP primary voters cast ballots for Trump or Cruz, 70% of the total. I’d imagine they’d be interested to know the differences between Rauner and Ives on abortion and the Trust Act.

Which begs the question: why hasn’t Ives gone Full Trump? It’s the quickest way to lay down markers against Rauner and raise her very low profile among the donors and voters she needs to win the primary.

It’s inexplicable to me that she hasn’t done so. I can’t see any other possible path for her to a primary victory except as Full Trump.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:20 am
==Whether you are an R or D, the evidence clearly shows that the Gov has less power than the Speaker.==

Nah. Even this Governor, while insisting upon his own irrelevance, has scored important wins over the Speaker on unions, wages, and government structure. And he still sets the agenda; his stated priorities are what we talk about, even if he can’t ultimately get all of them passed.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:28 am
Why is she doing a radio show in south central Indiana?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:29 am
Fun historical fact. Taylorville was frequently called Taylorsville in the 1840s-1850s. The official post office name was Taylorsville and changed to Taylorville in 1869. With some of her policies, Ives is clearly living in the 1840s and 50s. But if that were true, she wouldn’t even be allowed to vote-let alone run for office.

Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:31 am
–.. evidence clearly shows that the Gov has less power than the Speaker.-

Then clearly show the evidence.

Governor has a wide array of veto powers, decides when payments get processed, can award grants, can hand out tax credits, awards all contracts, has tons of jobs…..

That’s just a little bit of evidence.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:36 am
The Governor has now made the fight personal, which means his judgement is now compromised.

Comment by Not It Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:38 am
Not defending the “Taylorsville” miscue in any way, but if you do a Google search specifically for “Taylorsville, IL” and don’t let Google drop the “s”, it’s amazing how often the town is spelled that way.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:42 am
=Which begs the question: why hasn’t Ives gone Full Trump?=

Because even if she runs the table in Central and Southern Il the strategy would hurt her in the collar counties around Chicago that tend to be far more moderate and these are the votes that Rauner is counting on.

I also don’t know if Ives is fully committed to this race and is concerned about her ability to run for something in the future. Going full Trump might not be the best long term strategy in this state.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 10:54 am
That “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge” comment is gonna haunt this governor for a very long time.

For sure.

Originally, there seemed to be few options for Ives other than attacking Rauner hard from the hard right, i.e. the Full Trump. But with his gaffe, Rauner all but begged Ives to attack him as a self-pitying, self-confessed incompetent not up to the task of the office.

And that’s great news for Democrats.

If Ives had been confined to making hard-right arguments against Rauner, every attack against him in the primary would have made him appear more moderate (by comparison). Ives’ extremist primary campaign would have made Rauner more electable in the general election.

But now every Ives attack using Rauner’s own words — “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge” — reveals Rauner as incompetent and weak and foolish.

Those attacks on Rauner’s fundamental character will not just be damaging, their damage will be lasting. The kind of lasting damage that will make Rauner less electable in the general election.

By combining his bumbling self-pity and her characteristic mean-spiritedness, Rauner and Ives have given Illinois Democrats a beautiful holiday gift.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:08 am
Since she’s conquered the airwaves of Taylorsville, she’s well on her way to shakin’ up Springsfield.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:16 am
pundent, I think youre confusing the GOP primary and general electorates. It ain’t 1992 in the Illinois GOP anymore.

In 2016, Trump won the Illinois GOP primary with 562K votes; Cruz was second with 438K votes.

By comparison, Rauner won the 2014 primary with 329K votes.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:22 am
==it’s amazing how often the town is spelled that way.==

Not by people who claim to want to represent it. At least not competent people.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:24 am
Wordslinger - Your point is well taken but the GOP primary last year was a bit unusual in terms of the choices available and the way that the campaign was fought.

It is quite possible though that the shift in the party could provide significant benefits to Ives if she chooses to adopt a more Trumpian tone. I don’t think she has any chance of winning either way and I’d personally rather have her attack Rauner’s “I’m not in charge” competence.

I also think that a heavy dose of Trumpism is going to leave a lot of people with a massive headache and hangover at some point. Probably when they look at their tax bill.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 11:43 am
===But now every Ives attack using Rauner’s own words — “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge” — reveals Rauner as incompetent and weak and foolish.

Those attacks on Rauner’s fundamental character will not just be damaging, their damage will be lasting. The kind of lasting damage that will make Rauner less electable in the general election.===

Very well said.

I know I didn’t “count” on two days of a Rauner meltdown, but Ives can take these “candid gaffes” and cause serious damage, lasting damage, if they can choose to make Rauber the issue and his incompetence and turning his back on GOP fundamentals, and meld that with Trump too… that needle can be threaded.

This is good stuff.

Rauner is hurting himself. Can Ives take advantage, with serious money to the message?

We’ll see

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:02 pm
Jeanne doesn’t have to Trumpian.
She just has to be “not Rauner”.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:08 pm
===Ives says she’s “ready to lead the charge”===

Pickett’s Charge I should think.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:51 pm
Ives will implode before the primary. She will be hounded by tough questions on her whackado stances on social issues and will only be able to contain it for only so long. Then the real Ives will come out and we all know how that will go. She’s extremely intolerant of anyone who doesn’t think EXACTLY like her. She’s never wrong, just ask her.

Comment by Just Visiting Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 12:54 pm
She’s running in the ILGOP primary. Her conservative social stands aren’t considered whackado, anymore than the extremist liberal positions aren’t wackado in Democratic side.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 2:29 pm
===She is another Bill Brady

She makes Bill Brady look like Lenin.

===By combining his bumbling self-pity and her characteristic mean-spiritedness, Rauner and Ives have given Illinois Democrats a beautiful holiday gift.

And at the same time she will say insane things dragging all sorts of Legislative candidates into unfortunate statements.

==Pickett’s Charge I should think.

And again you beat me to it.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:32 pm
People Over Parties-10:01. You sound like a intolerant liberal.
Her comments are her beliefs - you despise her/her beliefs. Do you see why you and your ilk are despised in kind? Hypocrites. She speaks what she believes, you speak to get kudos from your ilk.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:38 pm
Ives will spend the primary auditioning for a talk radio gig, a la Joe Walsh. She isn’t going to moderate her views in the least. She knows she isn’t going to win.

Comment by igotgotgotgotnotime Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 3:45 pm
charge of the right brigade, it’s not voting for, but voting against the worst

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 4:50 am
has the ILGOP welcomed Jeanne to the primary yet, or made any statement

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 7:52 am
Has Edgar weighed in on the GOP primary yet

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 6, 17 @ 9:55 am

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