It was a scene nobody could have purchased: the Capitol as a backdrop against a mostly clear blue sky.
It was part of Bruce Rauner’s election eve push to become governor. Joined by his wife, running mate, former Gov. Jim Edgar, and other Republicans, Rauner tried to close the sale.
“We need a new direction. We need major change. We can’t deal with these brutal tax hikes. We can’t deal with our schools being defunded. And this corruption is just ripping at the heart of our proud state of Illinois,” he said. “Help is on the way. A big change in direction is comin’. We’re comin’ to work for ya.”
As for Edgar, he derided Rauner in the primary – when he backed another candidate, then-State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) – as someone who would need “on-the-job training.” He’s walking back that remark now, saying simply that the race is between Rauner and incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn.
Rauner’s theme in these final weeks has been the combined “100 years of failure” among the state’s leaders. Wasn’t Edgar governor during some of that time?
“The four folks, I told (you), combined together: Madigan, Cullerton, Quinn, and Blagojevich,” said Rauner, referring to the speaker of the House, president of the Senate, incumbent governor, and prior governor.