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* Illinois Review…
An Instagram post of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner appearing to officiate at the wedding of Equality Illinois board member Mark Cozzi and James Koeke on July 1st has been stirring interest for the past few days.
The photo is on newlywed Mark Cozzi’s Instagram account, along with photos of him and his new husband on their honeymoon in Italy. While the governor’s part in the ceremony as the photo indicates has not been clarified, it’s obvious that Rauner is no longer hopeful of attracting social conservatives to help re-elect him in November.
“It’s clear that the governor has learned nothing from his near-loss in the Republican primary this year,” Illinois Family Institute’s executive director David E. Smith told Illinois Review. “He’s not interested in attracting social conservatives to get out and vote Republican this fall.” […]
The governor has chosen to snub the Illinois Republican Party social conservative base despite being faced with near-mutiny when he almost lost the 2018 Republican Primary to conservative State Rep. Jeanne Ives in March.
* Sun-Times…
Others applauded the governor’s role in the wedding. Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said it shows “love is love and that people are recognizing that.”
“I don’t really know all the politics of it. I’m going to guess some of it. But the truth is, it’s just a public official respecting and honoring the fact that love is just love,” Yohnka said. “I thought they [the Illinois Family Institute], my friend David, is supposed to be about families and this is a family and it’s a wonderful thing.”
Equality Illinois — the state’s civil rights organization for LGBTQ people — too, applauded Rauner’s role in the wedding.
“As chief executive of our state, it is appropriate for Gov. Rauner to administer government-sanctioned functions, including marriage,” said Mike Ziri, spokesman for Equality Illinois. “There is no license to discriminate in Illinois, as the Illinois Family Institute seems to falsely believe.”
I’ve asked the Pritzker and McCann campaigns for a response.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Pritzker campaign pointed me to this tweet…
Appearing with a Vice President who wanted to take money away from HIV prevention to fund conversion therapy the same week you officiate a gay marriage is a really interesting take on having no social agenda. #ilgov #twill https://t.co/2JuxQNaOLG
— Jason Rubin (@jasrubin) July 12, 2018
*** UPDATE 2 *** Sen. Sam McCann…
Out of respect for a private couple I’d reserve my comment to, Bruce Rauner, you’re fired.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:25 am
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Please, can’t we move past this issue as a social wedge? It’s also disappointing that this even made the news.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:27 am
=not interested in attracting social conservatives to get out and vote Republican this fall=
This says it all about the evangelicals. You have to “attract” them by shunning others.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:28 am
Amen, Colin. Amen.
Comment by morningstar Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:29 am
= The governor has chosen to snub the Illinois Republican Party social conservative base =
Or maybe he just chose to support his friends.
Comment by morningstar Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:30 am
Here, I fixed it:
“It’s clear that our organization has learned nothing from our ignorance,” Illinois Family Institute’s executive director David E. Smith told Illinois Review.
Comment by Christopher Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:34 am
Conservative southern Illinoisans,
Rauner has never
Cared what you think
Or cared about your economic needs
This is a direct disrespect.
Just like not trying at all for the
Metro East NGA bid.
Direct disrespect.
He doesn’t care about you.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:36 am
If this is “disrespect,” keep right on disrespecting as far as I am concerned.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:38 am
Good on the Governor for this.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:38 am
==He’s not interested in attracting social conservatives==
Who conveniently overlook their president’s trampling of the ten commandments.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:41 am
=== - Honeybear - Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:36 am:
Just like not trying at all for the
Metro East NGA bid. ===
Seems labor disagrees with you.
https://labortribune.com/illinois-officials-show-rare-united-front-in-bid-to-win-nga-job/
Comment by Birdseed Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:41 am
Jeanne hauling out the hammer and tongs now. Go get em tiger
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:42 am
Wow…officiating a gay wedding
I think it’s so awesome
HB 40 protections for abortion
Given the new Supreme Court
Roe v wade will come down
But HB 40 insured that
Illinois will remain a pro abortion state
Thanks Bruce
It seems obvious that as long as you don’t
Threaten his investments
He’s okay deferring social issues
To his wife’s needs
Thanks Mrs Rauner
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:42 am
Honeybear, why do all your posts read like a bad haiku?
“I once knew
a Governor
from Nantucket”
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:45 am
–it’s obvious that Rauner is no longer hopeful of attracting social conservatives to help re-elect him in November.–
Meh, Illinois Review. Not truly “social” or “conservative.” More like “bitter” and “antediluvian.”
Props to Rauner for venturing into the light, for a little while. Mazeltov to the newlyweds.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:45 am
Good for Bruce. I like to see this side of him. Have to think this hurts his votes though. With the two new faces on the ballot i’m guessing some Republican voters who take issue with this could send their votes to McCann who voted against same sex marriage & there is little he could do at this point to win Democrats votes.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:48 am
Personally. I don’t care who weds who. But folks who truly have religious convictions on issues aren’t necessarily old fashioned. Maybe. Just maybe they are ahead of their time.
Comment by BlueDogDem Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:51 am
@Honeybear
I agree that Rauner is inconsistent. It makes no sense to me for someone to support egalitarian social policies but be so staunchly opposed to egalitarian economic policies. That said, this cuts both ways — it is equally nonsensical to be an economic egalitarian but to reject policies that promote equality in the non-economic arena. I am a little surprised at what looks like your promotion or at least acceptance of discriminatory ideas about marriage equality, given your usual commitment to equity in economics.
Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:53 am
Well a year from now Smith, Ives, and all the other conservative zealots can complain about a Democratic Governor who is 100% against everything they stand for instead of a Republican Governor who at least is with them when it counts.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:58 am
Weak response by Pritzker camp. Guilty by association is all they have on this issue.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 9:59 am
@Just Me
=instead of a Republican Governor who at least is with them when it counts.=
They would disagree with this statement with their last breath.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:04 am
Good for Rauner, time to sweep Republican anti-LGBT politics into the ash heap of history.
Comment by People Over Parties Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:05 am
I usually refrain from using Politifact as a source but even they admit claims about V.P. Pence’s “conversion therapy” are “half-true” - and they are even not quite sure on that.
http://www.politifact.com/california/statements/2016/dec/02/gavin-newsom/pences-support-conversion-therapy-not-settled-matt/
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:08 am
To the update: it says all you really need to know about Gov. Gaslight.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:10 am
===Good for Rauner, time to sweep Republican anti-LGBT politics into the ash heap of history.===
LOL
LGBTQ couples trying to buy a cake or flowers… you think the GOP as a whole is fine with that now?
Hmm.
You aren’t paying attention
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:12 am
“But folks who truly have religious convictions on issues aren’t necessarily old fashioned. Maybe. Just maybe they are ahead of their time.”
As the Grandson of Man, I confirm that the Son of Man is not against gay marriage. He commands us to love each other, and everything follows from this. Homophobia comes from humans, and these people are not ahead of their time.
Rauner has serious problems with social conservatives. I’m with the social conservatives all the way in this respect: that Rauner lies to suit himself over issues that are very important, like pro-life. Rauner has very little regard for supporters and opponents, as we can see with the “I’m one of you” costumes.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:12 am
Grandson - you are perilously toeing the line of blasphemy.
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:15 am
===Honeybear, why do all your posts read like a bad haiku?
“I once knew
a Governor
from Nantucket”===
Colin, your response isn’t a Haiku either. You can’t rewrite the first line of a famous limerick and call it a Haiku.
Three lines, seventeen syllables total:
Governor Bruce Rauner
Likes to gaslight
Sending votes to Sam McCann
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:15 am
@ Colin O’Scopy -
Please remind me which candidate wants to raise taxes and which candidate wants to cut them. Please remind me which candidate stands with Mike Madigan and which does not.
I agree with you that the conservative zealots feel that way, but I don’t agree that they’re correct.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:17 am
Pritzker camp should have just congratulated the happy couple and left it at that.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:22 am
“Grandson - you are perilously toeing the line of blasphemy.”
Lol, don’t I know it. They slew the prophets and crucified the Son of Man.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:24 am
==is with them when it counts.==
When exactly would that be? Other than trashing Chicago at every opportunity, he hasn’t really done anything for social conservatives in Illinois. His hostage taking tactics through three consecutive budgets arguably hurt smaller, conservative-leaning downstate communities more than it did Chicago. He’s had a decidedly liberal streak on social issues like marriage equality, criminal justice reform and reproductive rights. He hasn’t gone out on any limbs for the 2A folks, mostly has mouthed the standard republican platitudes about gun owner rights. Signed the sanctuary state bill too.
I think he’s done good job on social issues - and I’m far from a social conservative.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:28 am
@Nick Name
It was a joke. Haiku, limerick, sonnet, pastoral who cares. If I wanted a lit lesson, I would have gone to the blog at the Poetry Society.
Here’s a link if you want to post on their political blog:
http://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:29 am
–But folks who truly have religious convictions on issues aren’t necessarily old fashioned.–
What religious convictions are you talking about? Polygamy?
Plenty of that in the Bible. Moses, the lawgiver, had three wives, so it was certainly kosher in his day.
Maybe he was ahead of his time.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:33 am
Sorry didn’t use the s/ for snark
My bad
I am totally pro choice, lgbtq rights
I was poking social conservatives
As too my blank verse style
It’s easier to type on my old iPhone
But people now associate it with me
“Honeybear poem”
As to Japanese poetry style
A haiku must contain a seasonal reference
What you wrote was a senryu
5-7-5 but no seasonal reference
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:34 am
=Just maybe they are ahead of their time.=
They aren’t
Comment by WSJ Paywall Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:40 am
If Rauner really officiated at a same sex wedding, then I’d put that really high on the list of things I’ll give him credit and praise for. It might even be more praise worthy than restoring the mansion because it certainly took some guts to publicly act our his values on this one. The mansion only cost him some cash.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:46 am
47th - if Mike Ziri is saying it happened then it happened. Mike is as big of a Republican “hater” as I have ever met so I can only imagine that he grit his teeth as he wrote/reported/confirmed it.
Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:49 am
=Maybe. Just maybe they are ahead of their time.=
Nope, they are behind the times.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:06 am
The Guv tweets everything. Yet nothing about this on his official Guv, or personal twitter. What does that say?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:06 am
@Honeybear — apologies for missing the snark.
Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:16 am
As much as I dislike Rauner, I’ll give him props for this.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:25 am
Are pro-traditional marriage comments still allowed in the public square? Just curious. Can a person hold those perspectives and not be a horrible person?….asking for a friend….
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:27 am
–Are pro-traditional marriage comments still allowed in the public square? Just curious. Can a person hold those perspectives and not be a horrible person?….asking for a friend….–
In my opinion, yes, if this friend can refrain from denigrating others while expressing them.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:32 am
Appearing with Pence and officiating a gay wedding does look like evidence of no social agenda to me. Agree with Juice, a simple congrats from Pritzker would have been better.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:46 am
–Are pro-traditional marriage comments still allowed in the public square? Just curious.–
Who would prevent you from making them? Just curious.
The Weepin’ Victim is strong in this one.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:57 am
Governor Rauner
All misrepresentations
Long summer and fall
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:59 am
Saluki. I respect your opinion. Although gay marriage seems like such a non issue to Me, I certainly understand the religious and moral side of abortion. Feel free to stand your ground. You make a lot of sense.
Comment by BlueDogDem Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:08 pm
Saluki - I think that in a generally respectful forum such as this, such comments are allowed, but in the true public forum, such comments, along with anti-abortion comments, get you branded a crazy right-winger.
Comment by Hysteria Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:26 pm
winter turns to spring
as muddy snow melts away
water gets called wet
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:29 pm
Looks like Rauner is trying to win over the gay votes.
Comment by mana Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:32 pm
Actually just laughed out loud at the McCann update. What does that even mean? “Out of respect for the couple, Rauner shouldn’t be officiatin’ gay weddings”
Fixed it.
Comment by Bumblin stumblin rumblin Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:38 pm
They may be just comparing notes on things to see and do in Italy. The couple is honeymooning in Italy and Rauner will likely move to Italy soon.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:39 pm
===trying to win over the===
Or maybe he just did something decent for a friend and supporter.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:39 pm
== Out of respect for a private couple I’d reserve my comment to, Bruce Rauner, you’re fired. ==
Sam has learned the value of a good sound bite.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:45 pm
Oh for Petes’ sake. I don’t care if the Governor attended or officiated this wedding. I’m not going to vote for him because he’s practically destroyed this state because he didn’t care about anyone less fortunate than himself and his cronies.
Those who believe in traditional marriage should not participate in or attend one. Otherwise I’d suggest trying to get stuff like ‘Married at First Sight, Married by Mom and Dad, 90 day fiancée, the Bachelor(Ette) and the Proposal off the TV. That’s what actually goes against the sanctity of marriage.
For once, the governor showed some respect for others.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:03 pm
I’m a little confused by the sentence structure of that McCann statement…
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:09 pm
@Saluki - You’re more than welcome to express your opinion for special benefits that only straight people are able to enjoy. You are not allowed to do so while saying mean, inappropriate, or discriminatory things towards a minority group that has to deal with such harassment on a regular basis simply because they are who God made them.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:13 pm
I wonder when the first time will be that the Pritzker campaign responds to a McCann statement or response. Something tells me I wouldn’t be surprised if they might respond to today’s statement.
Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:21 pm
Good on Rauner to officiate.
Rauner could face backlash, (apparently has) and with all choices, even making a choice that is deemed logical to his position and the law, the politics will again be the focal point.
Conservatives will feel as the feel.
Phonies like Mr. Breen, and the HB40 example, will hem and haw, but will support Rauner.
Will conservatives who still believe this is something they can’t support, what will they do in November, support McCann?
Dunno.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:25 pm
= The Guv tweets everything. Yet nothing about this on his official Guv, or personal twitter. What does that say? =
It says nothing which is what it should say. Tad disheartening this is still a story in this day and age.
Comment by I Miss Bentohs Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:41 pm
Mr JM wins the haiku.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 3:28 pm
snark ON in reaction to Jason’s statement:
Governor Rauner isn’t inconsistent with his pro/anti LGBTQ votes and actions; he’s schizoid.
In other items, watch for Honeybear’s Haikus
And finally:”The long sobbing violins of Illinois
wound my heart with a monotonous languor…”
(Verlaine)
Comment by revvedup Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 3:39 pm
Meh, whatever, doesn’t matter to me that it was gay or straight. I’m more fascinated by the fact that Bruce is officiating weddings. I got married last year and he would be one of the last guys I would think about when it would come to doing that gig. Anybody have video, would be interested in his message.
Comment by Snapper Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 5:58 pm
And the Pritzker message is petty. His family was equal partners with Donald Trump on a grand Hyatt and had other business dealings with the president. Pretty sure his family doing business with the president is greater than or equal to a meeting with a vice president on the connection to the Trump administration scale.
Comment by Snapper Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 6:04 pm
@Just me
How do you know Pritzger is going to stand with Madigan, he hasn’t been elected yet. Given that he would be the largest Democrat contributor he will have leverage on Madigan that no one else has previously had.
As far as taxes go, Rauner wanted that tax increase, he had to have that tax increase. If he had not wanted that tax increase he would have sat on that bill for almost the full 60 days then vetoed it, which has been his customary way of dealing with bills he has no intention of signing. He vetoed that budget with the tax increase as soon as it hit his desk so that the Legislature could override him before leaving town. He allowed them to do his heavy lifting for him as he’s never been one to accept any responsibility for tough decisions.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 9:03 am