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Question of the day

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner doesn’t plan to be there when Donald Trump makes his first visit to Illinois as president later this week.

Asked about his plans, Rauner wasn’t even sure when Trump would visit the state.

“I heard the president is coming to Granite City, I think either Thursday or Friday,” Rauner said Monday in Wheaton.

Thursday, a reporter pointed out.

“I, uh, I do not plan to go. I was just in Granite City just in the past week,” he said.

Hilarious.

* The Question: Which would be worse for the governor: POTUS is upset about the guv’s snub and tags him with an unflattering nickname; or POTUS tells the crowd what a great governor Illinois has? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey tool

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 10:57 am

Comments

Having a video clip where Trump talks about how wonderful Rauner is would be pure gold to the Pritzker campaign.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:01 am
How about a third choice for T- “Who’s Rauner?”

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:02 am
That question is just too hard to answer. As your question suggests, both could be pretty bad.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:03 am
Trump praise will be ignored by anti-Rauner voters. Trump turning on Rauner with a diminishing nickname will move the pro-Trump voters into opposition.

Rauner needs Trump supporters.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:04 am
Great question and tough one. I picked unflattering nickname. Rauner nearly lost to a social conservative who’s not afraid of Trump. I’d think he really needs his base to come out and vote after the primary scare.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:05 am
I think Rauner losing Trump base voters would be more detrimental so I voted for the nickname. I think most of the anti-Trump voters likely aren’t in Rauner’s camp anyway so a bear hug from Trump would eat up a news cycle or two but I doubt it would change many votes.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:06 am
Supportive shoutout.

“Why?”

Rauner has gone out of his way to distance himself from POTUS, Rauner being lauded by POTUS would be a disaster.

POTUS lauding McCann would be genius. McCann needs 5% or so to move Rauner, so if POTUS chose McCann as his special candidate… (narrator: POTUS won’t).

If Rauner got a nickname, that only reinforces Rauner has no constituency, the Right, the MAGAs, they may not come back, and if POTUS gins up the anger again at Rauner, it only reinforces the non-constituency.

So… voted “praises Rauner” as worst.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:06 am
Supportive shout out would be better in the moment - Trump Country and happy with tariffs, but recording would be better for JB

Comment by Otown Beatdown Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:07 am
Tough question, but I’m going with “tells the crowd what a great governor Illinois has?”

Pritzker would spend a billion running that on a loop 24/7 in the Chicago TV market.

The GOP base might love Trump, but they aren’t enough to win a statewide election in Illinois, as Trump himself demonstrated. You need Independents and Trump is deeply underwater with them.

I think Rauner would agree. When’s the last time an Illinois governor wouldn’t even be seen with a president of the same party? Ever?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:07 am
I think a sticky and semi-accurate nickname could cause ongoing problems for Bruce.

Like an unflattering song that gets stuck in your head.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:07 am
the right unflattering nickname could stick to him forever.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:07 am
Of course, if he gives him a nickname, Pritzker can just pivot to running that clip on McCann’s behalf.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:09 am
I voted that an unflattering nickname would be worse. Because if the POTUS tells everyone what a great Governor Rauner is, that would merely be one more lie that Trump has told (just another one added to the pile).

Comment by Christopher Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:10 am
Alternate QOTD: Suggest possible Trump nick names for Rauner.

Invisible Bruce.
Rauner the goner.
Bean pole Bruce.
Biker vest Bruce.
Bruce who?
Liberal Bruce.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:11 am
Trump is mostly toxic in the suburbs amongst women voters that Rauner desperately needs. Rauner doesn’t want compliments from Trump. Otherwise, he would be attending the event.

Comment by slow down Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:11 am
Unflattering nickname is worse. Now that McCann will be on the ballot, Rauner needs to keep McCann support as close to zero as possible. An aside, will Sam be in Granite City…?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:11 am
Went with “nickname”. 2 reasons.

1) Trump isn’t unpopular with trade unionists, so his praise might mean something to a cohort JB is trying to win.

2) A semi-pithy semi-clever nickname might be repeated indefinitely in all media. You don’t just need an ad buy for it, every anti-Rauner group can hashtag it in every tweet.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:12 am
I’m going with the nickname simply because it makes Rauner look more like a cuck/beta (such silly terms, but that’s the base now) and that’s where he is weak. He’s already lost anyone who dislikes Trump other than two or three members of the Tronc editorial boards

Comment by Archpundit Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:12 am
I voted unflattering nickname.

Most people shy away from talking politics with family or co-workers due to the tension and passions often involved.

But a good zinger creates common ground that everyone can talk about, no matter whether you like Trump and/or Rauner or not.

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:12 am
I think we saw in the last election what a Trump Nickname can do to someone. I think anyone who would be upset with Trump support for the governor would not vote for Rauner anyway at this point. Getting squeezed by the left and the right dooms Rauner

Comment by BucknIrish Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:12 am
BTW, I would not expect Trump to call out Rauner. He’s not big on object permanence, so if he’s aware of Rauner at all it’s going to be because of his handlers, who certainly won’t bring him up in a way to cause trouble.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:13 am
Trump doesn’t endorse leaders who publically tell citizens that he’s not in charge.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:14 am
==Alternate QOTD: Suggest possible Trump nick names for Rauner.

Cash Grab Bruce
Beta Bruce
Money Blowin’ Bruce

Comment by Archpundit Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:14 am
Rauner is such a nothing I doubt if the President wastes any time on him. Bost will definitely get a shout out.

Comment by get real Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:17 am
Supportive shout out hurts a lot more, if Trump gives him an awkward nick-name and gives him flack, it hurts the Rauner-Trump narrative.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:21 am
There is absolutely zero chance that Trump could name the Governor of Illinois if asked. And I can’t even blame him.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:22 am
I don’t think Trump can come up with anything more harmful than the “Worst Governor in America” floating around the airways now. A negative nickname may turn off some of Rauner’s Trump supporters, but their numbers aren’t enough to get him reelected anyway. However, an endorsement would play very well for Pritzger.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:23 am
I cannot begin to fathom how lame, clunky, and childish Trump’s nickname for Rauner will be.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:23 am
A shout out from Trump would be worse. I think the Republicans are rethinking their blind support for Trump. We are seeing more and more trying to distance themselves from his hateful rhetoric and dangerous policy decisions.

Comment by Flynn's Mom Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:23 am
President Reagan and Governor Thompson were “pals” and visited publically.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:26 am
Rauner is a goner.

Comment by Just Sayin Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:27 am
It’s a little over 3 months until election day and Rauner still needs to shore up his base, so I voted unflattering nickname.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:27 am
Vote nickname
A new one might help replace GovJunk
Guessin Nick Ayers must be losin’ clout and could not get GovJunk a little greetin’ time at Scott Air Force Base.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:29 am
Governor Edgar and both President Bushes were publically seen. Edgar was W’s Illinois chairman.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:29 am
Voted for the shout-out, especially if Trump slips up and makes some comment about how his tariffs helped the steel industry without hurting anyone except a bunch of farmers.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:31 am
President Obama and Governor Quinn publically endorsed each other.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:31 am
Voted for unflattering nickname, but honestly, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I do think he’ll beat the heck out of Rahm, Chicago, and Mike Madigan. Doubt he’ll consider the Governor even worth a snub.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:31 am
Trump is working on such a higher level than the useless yokels in state politics here. No need for Trump to waste his time with likes of Rauner.

Comment by GOPgal Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:32 am
If he does, he could call him: “Harley-Quinn” and please and offend everyone.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:33 am
The Spruce Bruce. As in something that looked impressive in theory but never really got off the ground.

Comment by Former Hillrod Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:34 am
==When’s the last time an Illinois governor wouldn’t even be seen with a president of the same party? Ever?==

None that I’ve found, so far.

Rauner is not a very good predictor of politics, at any level, is he?

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:35 am
I voted nickname. Hating/trolling seems to be the more widely used means of political discourse for the GOP these days. Plus a nickname from Trump will speak much more loudly than thousands of political ads from JB.

I don’t see much of a path to victory for the Guv here, but in any scenario he must have the trump voters. A nickname from the troll in chief would end any chance of that.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:35 am
I went with unflattering nickname. A shout-out will go only as far as the audio system’s volume will take it.

An unflattering nickname will stick with him forever. Just ask Lyin Ted or Crooked Hillary.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:36 am
I think Rauner’s need to turn out his base narrowly trumps (pun intended) his need to retain suburban swing voters, so the nickname would be more damaging. I think the fact that Rauner is in that position shows what a tough road he has to reelection.

Comment by Actual Red Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:42 am
Its about the same. If he followed up an insulting nickname with a compliment towards Sam McCann that would be worst case scenerio.

But an insult or a praise alone cause about the same amount of damage. If Pritzker wasn’t rich enough to blast the support commercials to Chicago, I would say the Rauner nickname would be worse. But Pritzker has put himself in a position where either would be effective.

Comment by Seats Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:42 am
Unflattering nickname. Trump can run circles around Rauner on social media, and every unflattering tweet is campaign ad fodder.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:45 am
As people have noted, no good options. Great question!

Unflattering nickname - McCann / Ives takes it and runs with it.

Supportive shout-out - Pritzker takes it and runs with it.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:47 am
I picked supportive shout out. Pick a number from 3 to 9, now add seven zeros behind it. That number is the amount that JB would spend on tv ads in the Chicagoland area featuring the supportive shout out. Doubt he would do that much with the unflattering nickname.

Comment by Guzzlepot Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:47 am
–If he followed up an insulting nickname with a compliment towards Sam McCann that would be worst case scenerio.–

When’s the DGA’s “Sam McCann: Too Conservative for Illinois” spot airing?

The one for Ives almost did the trick. Run the play until they figure out how to stop it.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:52 am
It was almost too close to decide (as is the current voting). Went with the shoutout as I think any snark from POTUS could put him in good company.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:53 am
You call people nicknames that aren’t there, you support who shows up

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:54 am
Hmmm, not sure yet. What unflattering nick names could Trump apply to Rauner?

Comment by Slim Jim Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:57 am
trump may not be very happy with brucie since he is one of the govs, who does not support trumps supreme court pick

Comment by jwI Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:08 pm
“What unflattering nick names could Trump apply to Rauner?” “Madigan’s Favorite Republican”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:16 pm
I wonder if Sam McCann is going to be in Granite City on Thursday? And I kind of like Governor Gridlock, but a new name would be good.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:31 pm
The unflattering nickname for the following reasons.
- The Trump / Rauner base share the same plunderer fact-free universe. Accordingly Trump’s hit could hurt Rauner in his base.
- The Dems and their republican-lite ways are often happy to lend credibility to the GOP when it suits their short-term objectives. Therefore they would be likely to stand with Trump against Rauner. After all they’re already standing with the RGA and “the worst…”

In the inverse - Trump praising Rauner will be a non-event, he’s not going to convince the anyone who opposes Rauner to now support him.

Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:32 pm
Backporch Bruce maybe?

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:33 pm
–President Obama and Governor Quinn publically endorsed each other.–

Gov. Rauner went down to Pullman to share the stage with Pres. Obama, back in the day.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:33 pm
I like the Alternate Nickname’s games

Rauner the Downer

Voted for Unflattering Nickname because, as others said, that gets stuck in your head like an earworm.

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:34 pm
Without the Republican base’s support, Rauner has no chance. Rauner is struggling mightily to regain votes from a large base on the right who think he is too far to the left. An unflattering nickname certainly does the most damage.

Comment by INI Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:34 pm
I voted “supportive shout out” because that would work well into Pritzker’s campaign theme. I’d have voted “unflattering nickname” if it were going to be something like “bad Governor who’s not pro-life like McCann.”

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Babbling Bruce. Bumbling Bruce. Buffoon Bruce.

Comment by DeseDemDose Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:10 pm
Donald Trump probably doesn’t know who the IL governor is. I’d be surprised if he could find us on a map.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:34 pm
Trump doesnt seem to appreciate spineless guys like rauner very much. An unflattering name should be forthcoming

Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:37 pm
—Babbling Bruce. Bumbling Bruce

Small correction to any ing nicknames

Babblin’ Bruce
Bumblin’ Bruce

Comment by Archpundit Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:51 pm
I voted shout-out for the commercials, but the nickname is growing on me, especially if the Donald ran a few Tweets with it.

So-
Costume Man?
Governor Chameleon?
Mr. Popularity?
Harley Boy?
26?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:21 pm
I guess the best-case scenario is Trump goes there and just bashes McCann endlessly, omitting whom people should vote for instead.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:52 pm
“Bruce who?” — The President

Comment by Just an fyi Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:05 pm
If you hate Trump, you are not voting for Rauner. His best bet is to ride the Trump waive.

I was thinking what did Quinn do when Obama came downstate to reopen a plant and remembered Obama never came down state and no plants were re-opened.

Not in jest, but if Rauner wants to increase the margin downstate, Trump is the answer, If he is all in in Chicago, stay away.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:23 pm
Shoutout would be much worse. Bet JB’s folks are out in force capturing footage of both Trump AND various attendees as they seek those precious sound bites.

Comment by Contract disputin’ Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:41 pm
==If you hate Trump, you are not voting for Rauner==

That’s not necessarily true. I know plenty of Republicans who despise the President and who will likely vote for Rauner.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:54 pm
How about both. Trump gets up and says something like “my good friend Battling Brucie is a very very good governor. My only knock on him is that he is a bit too close with Rahm Emmanuel. If he’d stop being such good pals with Rahm he would be a very very strong governor.”

Comment by Guzzlepot Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:14 pm
Demoralized,

agreed, but he is not losing them for an appearance with Trump. Those people are voting republican regardless, but how does he get the people in the middle?

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:14 pm
==If you hate Trump, you are not voting for Rauner==

Tell Bruce to put his money away then. Because that’s his only chance.

–His best bet is to ride the Trump waive.–

Clinton beat Trump by 944K votes in Illinois, 56% to 39%.

Dude, this happened less than two years ago. It ain’t ancient history, just discovered. It was in all the papers.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:19 pm
Trump - “This guy, Bruce Rauner… I mean, have you seen him? He looks like a scarecrow… Scarecrow Bruce!”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:31 pm
Trump should announce the pardon of Rod Blagojevich and credit Governor Junk for endorsing the move.

Comment by Cocoa Dave Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:48 pm
How about neither: Trump does the unthinkable and endorses Sam McCann.

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:45 pm
Supportive because Rauner supported his Supreme Court Justice.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:49 pm
Trump will leave him alone, as long as he doesn’t go on the attack. Rauner’s reelection is doomed anyway, with or without Trumpy.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 7:18 pm