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* DGA…
One day after WCIA reported that Governor Bruce Rauner “appeared to blame the people of Champaign-Urbana for big technology companies leaving the state,” Rauner sort of apologized to community leaders for his remarks following a fierce backlash. But, unable to take full responsibility for anything, Rauner also claimed that “my statements got taken out of context.”
Really? Here’s Rauner talking about tech jobs leaving Illinois last week:
“There’s several reasons, but part of the reason is, Champaign-Urbana is wonderful, but it’s very hard to keep a company of more than six people there. There’s no convenient transportation, not much of a workforce. It’s very hard.
Rauner’s comment drew instant and overwhelming rebuke from community and economic leaders, including one Republican state Senator who called for Rauner to apologize. Well, he got half of one.
“Amazing. Bruce Rauner cannot even apologize for badmouthing our state and workers without trying to dodge responsibility,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner got caught dissing Champaign-Urbana just like he bashes Illinois in what is just a desperate attempt to distract from his three years of failed leadership.”
* He didn’t just falsely claim his remarks were taken out of context…
"My point was they and many small communities have some disadvantages relative to large urban centers, but the U of I can help them overcome those disadvantages."
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) June 27, 2018
* News-Gazette…
“Governor Rauner apologized for and clarified his recent remarks about the disadvantages small communities face in competing with large, urban centers. And the governor clarified his firm belief that Champaign-Urbana is doing an outstanding job in economic development by utilizing and promoting its many attributes,” campaign spokesman Will Allison said in an email Tuesday night.
So… all of Downstate gets dissed now? That’s how he gets out of it?
…Adding… This isn’t an isolated incident. Remember the trouble he got himself into about the Rivian plant in Bloomington-Normal and how he tried to blame his enemies for stirring it all up?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 2:57 pm
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Have shovel, keep digging.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:00 pm
Your words are your words, governor.
Reminds me of when Charles Barkley said he was taken out of context in his own autobiography.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:01 pm
While I’m loving watching this, the underlying point is a big concern. This is part of why State Farm is creating centers in large urban centers. He’s butchering the point in hysterical fashion, however and I will continue to enjoy while it takes another week to get it right.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:02 pm
This guy was a salesman? The way he babbles when he’s off script, he couldn’t sell cold beer in the desert.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:09 pm
===So… all of Downstate gets dissed now? That’s how he gets out of it?===
Focus Rich. Focus
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:10 pm
I look forward to the inevitable defenses of this troglodyte from our resident raunerbots. “What’s the big deal?” “He didn’t really mean what he said”. “But…Madigan”
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:12 pm
Rauner doesn’t like downstate.
Rauner accepts UIUC is located where it’s at, and “respects” (but refused to fully fund, by his own signature, for three fiscal years) UIUC… I guess… but…
Rauner mocks downstate, dresses like a rube to try to fool downstate, as that’s how he sees downstaters, drops his Gs like an uneducated oaf, because he has no respect for downstate, and these verbal slip ups aren’t accidents, those are his feelings. Those aren’t out of context items, they are the context of Rauner and how he feels about downstate.
The downstate Raunerites… how they support someone who consistently and constantly thinks so little about downstate… that’s on you downstate Raunerites.
Rauner thinks downstate doesn’t smell too rosey, but Mr. Rose will feign angst, then share a stage with Rauner, two who for a whole GA… just couldn’t fully fund UIUC… purposely.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:13 pm
“I was only keeding.”
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:28 pm
Be fair. Rauner might have bled Downstate by running up the backlog of bills by $12B, zeroing out community colleges and gutting public universities.
But those costumes and the funny cracker-barrel accent….
That’s entertainment.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:30 pm
My problem remains:
It is true that small towns face structural disadvantages in attracting large employers. But Rauner’s solution, judging by DPI, appears to be to simply move small town resources to big cities.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:38 pm
I think we are all missing the bigger picture here!
It’s ‘Right to Work’, people!! /s
Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:49 pm
How does this guy ever tell his backside from a hat?
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:56 pm
It just might be as close as he gets.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 3:58 pm
leaders need to lead. what is rauner doing to help downstate attract and keep jobs? or any of the legislative leaders?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 4:06 pm
Rauner doesn’t like downstate? He doesn’t like Chicago either. Maybe he just feels contempt for the state in general.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 4:09 pm
Downstate folks need to remember how Rauner really feels about us downstate folks when we vote in November.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 4:33 pm
Disadvantaged small communities is the backbone of Illinois
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 5:42 pm
Governor, you are in a deep enough hole. Put down the shovel and slowly back away.
Comment by The Ford Lawyer Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 6:37 pm
There isn’t enough duct-tape and flannel around to make these comments look good.
Comment by Nick Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 10:25 pm
Nick, and you can’t put a Carhartt on a pig.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 27, 18 @ 11:45 pm
I was born in Champaign County. Don’t let the door……
Comment by cc Thursday, Jun 28, 18 @ 12:02 am