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ABATE president takes offense at Pritzker ad

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* ABATE endorsed Gov. Bruce Rauner today. From its Chicago president, Patrick “PJ” Jones, who is referring to a recent JB Pritzker TV ad. Click here to watch it

“Bruce was a member before becoming Governor and has been a friend to all motorcyclists in the state. He has gone on many rides with the Chicago Chapter, and has supported many of the charities that we support including the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade and Shriners Hospitals.

“Governor Rauner is a true motorcyclist, and we feel it’s a slap in the face of all motorcyclists for someone to have called his riding apparel a COSTUME – we take our riding gear serious, and so does he.”

He does indeed…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:24 am

Comments

  1. It’s one thing to ride your bike wearing a leather vest. It’s another thing to wear it when you jump out of a state trooper-driven SUV to rub elbows with the regular folks at a charity softball game. That’s when it becomes a costume.

    Comment by Roman Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:29 am

  2. Well, Rauner’s got that going for him.

    Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:29 am

  3. “Now, you know it’s up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or… well, like Bruce, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile.”

    Comment by Not It Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:30 am

  4. The rubes really fall for this “regular guy” thing. It’s like they forget he paid $100,000 to join a wine club and owns a $25 million New York apartment, among his many other homes (including a Montana ranch so big it’s in parts of two counties).

    Yeah, he’s just like us. Saps.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:31 am

  5. ABATE is a powerful lobby that cuts across party lines; in a deep blue state they have been able to keep mandatory helmet laws off the books.

    Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:32 am

  6. Fair enough, but he’s still a bit short of the requisite 40 pieces of flair.

    Comment by Father Ted Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:32 am

  7. So the guys who prefer brain injury to helmets support Rauner….

    Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:32 am

  8. I hope ABATE President knows that Illinois voters and residents was calling Rauner’s gear a costume long before Pritzker.

    Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:32 am

  9. Watched the ad twice, could the president of ABATE point out where the word costume is used? Perhaps he’s a bit insecure about the apparel he wears?

    While we are at it, maybe the president of ABATE could push for a helmet law to keep his bikers safe.

    Comment by UISer Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:34 am

  10. Great actors not only bring characters to life, they make the costumes they wear an important part of the performance.

    I’ll leave this here, thanks.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:35 am

  11. ===we take our riding gear serious, and so does he.===

    That’s nice. But everyone else thinks you are auditioning for the Village People.

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:36 am

  12. Does the average worker show up to work in a motorcycle vest as this sitting governor does?

    Comment by Real Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:38 am

  13. Overreach on the costume critique backfiring. I would question how much of an issue this really is with the average voter.

    Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:40 am

  14. If that was the only costume that wore, ABATE may have a point. But when combined with the Carharts, the flannels, the big buckles, the ten gallon hat, and the newly-minted Illini hat in the wake of dumping on Champaign, it’s clear that this guy is a baloney actor.

    Comment by factchecker Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:41 am

  15. ===I would question how much of an issue this really is with the average voter.===

    26/52… approval/disapproval.

    I guessing “the average voter” sees Rauner as a failure, according to polling, costumes notwithstanding, but if you’d like to speak for the average voter, have at it.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:43 am

  16. i can’t take him seriously in that costume, though.

    Comment by Homer J. Quinn Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:43 am

  17. ===== Now, you know it’s up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or… well, like Bruce, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile.”

    ======

    Ok, everyone stop… The internet is won for the day….

    Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:44 am

  18. Great to see all the leftist elites bashing the blue-collar, HD riding, working stiffs that they claim to protect. Identity politics is something the Democrats abhor… unless they are the ones doing it.

    Comment by Flat Bed Ford Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:46 am

  19. Of all the legitimate governing things to go after Rauner about and there are many, his “costumes” which are often mocked here and elsewhere are about the silliest and most unserious attack imaginable.

    Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:46 am

  20. And…. I still say it’s a costume….

    Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:46 am

  21. Not It wins the thread.

    Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:46 am

  22. Governor Rauner likes talking about his flair.

    Comment by HCMcB Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:47 am

  23. ===…leftist elites bashing…===

    I’m not a leftist elitist.

    Rauner is probably a leftist elitist.

    Taxpayer funded abortions, sanctuary state legislation… a left leaning Democrat running for Governor of California would beg for Rauner’s uber-left, costal, limousine liberal, incumbent record. They’d beg for it…

    I’m from Kendall County, vote Republican, own a worn Carhartt, and I see a man from Winnetka, and after owning ranches and being in office nearly four years… his Carhartt is as pristine and stiff as it would be fresh off the rack.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:51 am

  24. ===26/52… approval/disapproval.===

    Indeed, that poll exists. Whether those numbers are attributed to Rauner’s “costumes” is anyone’s guess, but I would probably guess not.

    Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:53 am

  25. Flat Bed Ford, you mean like the governor who wants to do away with unions, slash workplace protections and benefits and drive down the wages of those blue collar working stiffs? It’s scary to think you are so easily duped. Scary.

    Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:54 am

  26. Ha, fake outrage from a group that is scared to death what an anti assault weapon Gov might do.

    Comment by Obamas Puppy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:54 am

  27. ===Whether those numbers are attributed to Rauner’s “costumes” is anyone’s guess, but I would probably guess not.===

    You think the costumes are helping with that 26%… or part of the reason for that 52%?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:54 am

  28. ***Great to see all the leftist elites bashing the blue-collar, HD riding, working stiffs that they claim to protect.***

    When list prices are in the $17-19K how many blue-collar riders can there be? Not many HD’s in the local Walmarts where I live.

    Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:55 am

  29. It’s not the vest or “flair” he’s a-wearin’, it’s the costume of “governor” that he is donnin’.

    With all that bling, you’d expect him to be a-workin’ at a TGIF or Applebees instead of runnin’ the 6th largest state in the country. Furthermore, he would be better off if he stopped “playin’” governor and started “workin’” as governor.

    Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:57 am

  30. “Riding gear”? It is a vest with a bunch of flair. Not exactly up to the standard of “gear”.

    =HD riding, =

    Trump hates HD, didn’t you get the memo? He has been bashing them all summer for using “Market economic” principles.

    @Responsa- really, any critique of the “unseriousness” of any add must start with the many Rauner ads that are a complete joke.

    Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:58 am

  31. I know most of those ABATE guys. I go to their parties every year. Most of them are just regular people who believe in what they’re doing and like each other’s company. Salt of the earth types.

    I also know motorcyclists outside ABATE. Not one of them dresses up like Rauner.

    Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:59 am

  32. ===Just because you claim to be “… from Kendall County, vote Republican, own a worn Carhartt” doesn’t make it true.===

    … and yet, it is.

    ===Your non-stop bashing of Republicans…===

    Yeah, I’m gonna stop ya there.

    Raunerites… Rauner is not a Republican.

    The Raunerites doing Rauner things, they get it too.

    Keep up.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:59 am

  33. ===You think the costumes are helping with that 26%… or part of the reason for that 52%?===

    Probably doesn’t make a darn bit of difference. But I’m sure the lousy state of the state and the perception of such isn’t helping things, either.

    Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:59 am

  34. Aside from all the grammatical and spelling errors are usually people who are better than the common motorcyclist have made in all of his comments give it a rest get a life you bunch of keyboard warriors

    Comment by PJ Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:59 am

  35. –Of all the legitimate governing things to go after Rauner about and there are many, his “costumes” which are often mocked here and elsewhere are about the silliest and most unserious attack imaginable.–

    The costumes are mocked because they’re silly and unserious.

    Congratulations for getting the point.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:00 am

  36. ” the blue-collar, HD riding, working stiffs” No, not all of them, just one piece of deadwood in particular, that’s all.

    Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:00 am

  37. ===solid defense of Madigan===

    Madigan was the lone leader, at times, taking on Raunerism.

    How quickly you forget about the Perfect 10, the Brave 15, those Republicans willing to say “enough” to Rauner.

    Lemme guess, you “turn” on Rauner… to save Illinois from him… it’s a betrayal?

    lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:02 am

  38. ====Many who follow your comments ====

    Dude, step away. Willy has a LONG history of R politics on this very site. He saw what Rauner was in the 2014 primary….

    I don’t agree with Willy very often, but he is most definitely, a Republican.

    Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:02 am

  39. But Responsa, you attack Pritzker on his weight? Pot meet kettle. See yesterday’s food truck post if you have forgotten.

    Anyway the rich guy pretending to be a biker is so outdated like the rest of Rauner’s ideas.

    Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:02 am

  40. ===Probably doesn’t make a darn bit of difference.===

    If it “doesn’t make a darn bit of a difference”… why wear costumes at all?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:04 am

  41. =Aside from all the grammatical and spelling errors are usually people who are better than the common motorcyclist have made in all of his comments give it a rest get a life you bunch of keyboard warriors=

    I read this 4 times and still cannot decipher what you’re trying to say.

    Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:04 am

  42. ===== Madigan was the lone leader, at times, taking on Raunerism.======

    I would make the same claim about the Speaker’s fight with Blagojevich. Early on, he was the lone wolf against Blago’s nonsense.

    Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:04 am

  43. –Great to see all the leftist elites bashing the blue-collar, HD riding, working stiffs that they claim to protect. Identity politics is something the Democrats abhor… unless they are the ones doing it.–

    Hey, someone’s got the cable yakker lingo down. Must spend hours memorizing that stuff.

    Who’s the most prominent basher of Harley these days?

    https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/aug/22/why-go-to-war-with-harley-davidson/

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:04 am

  44. Dude, step away. Willy has a LONG history of R politics on this very site. He saw what Rauner was in the 2014 primary….

    I don’t agree with Willy very often, but he is most definitely, a Republican.

    LOL

    Comment by Rail Splitter Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:06 am

  45. Bruce needs to ditch the macho leather vest and wear something with sleeves long enough to cover up his Winnetka-soft hands.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:08 am

  46. I had no idea that starched white button ups constituted serious riding gear.

    I asked this question a while back - if the Guv loses his upcoming election does JB get to remove the “Governor” patch from the Guv’s vest?

    Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:08 am

  47. (Tips cap humbly to - Try-4-Truth -)

    What I always found interesting…

    Rauner loves his trash can van… but his Carhartt is as pristine and stiff as the day it was bought.

    Try and take away a heavily worn (as in tattered worn) Carhartt from someone. That’s when they’re best.

    Rauner has a, and touts, a beat up van, but wears a pristine Carhartt. Does he understand costumes should reflect actual realities.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:09 am

  48. I would never have joined ABATE had I know they would endorse a malefactor like Rauner.
    Patrick “PJ” Jones = embarrassment.
    How does all of that flair fare down the highway at high speed when the Gov is communing?

    Comment by Deadbeat Conservative Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:09 am

  49. ===why wear costumes at all?===

    One can only hope that such actions help in connecting with voters, but on the whole I can’t speculate as to how/why Rauner picks out his clothing, because I don’t know. I would simply question how much the average voter cares, let alone is bothered by it.

    Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:10 am

  50. Dear ABATE,

    You may be right Bruce Rauner is a “true motorcyclist. ”

    Unfortunately he is a phony politician.

    If the “costume” label fits…

    Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:10 am

  51. The photo shows him in a brand-new vest and hoodie. I haven’t seen a true Motorcycle club member in a brand new vest and hoodie - ever. Although obviously they must have owned brand new stuff at least once. Non club members who wear leathers don’t wear all the ‘flair’ referred to by other posters.
    It’s not the clothes, it’s the man wearing them. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have the average motorcyclists’ concerns at heart. Unless you only care about free motorcycle riding classes and optional helmets. The other concerns you have when you live the rest of your life? Good luck with those.

    Comment by Thoughts Matter Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:12 am

  52. ===I would simply question how much the average voter cares, let alone is bothered by it.===

    This Just In: 26/52… approval/disapproval

    Whatever you want it to be… it ain’t workin’

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:13 am

  53. =I also know motorcyclists outside ABATE. Not one of them dresses up like Rauner.=

    For those of us in the know, Rauner is what we refer to as a “RUB”. I’d bet you dollars to donuts that this is the term most ABATE guys use when describing Rauner.

    Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:19 am

  54. And if you’d like a tutorial on what makes someone a “RUB” look no further. Lots of boxes to check here.

    http://gypsydroppings.blogspot.com/2011/09/bikers-vs-rubs-tips-for-press-on-how-to.html

    Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:25 am

  55. It’s not the clothes themselves, per se, but it’s the wearing of them to convey a certain image, like Rauner does, to make people believe he’s a regular joe. He way overdoes this—the affected speech, too. The dude is a phony.

    “Great to see all the leftist elites bashing the blue-collar, HD riding, working stiffs that they claim to protect.”

    Protect? The people who are right wing pro-Rauner working stiffs are the ones who are attacking union rights. Workers need protection from these people, and hopefully they’ll get it starting January 2019.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:28 am

  56. Here’s the thing some of you are missing: The governor is a serious motorcycle rider. He rides a lot. He loves it. It makes him happy. Some people like wearing silly costumes when they ride motorcycles. So be it.

    Here’s the thing some others are missing: He likes wearing his silly biker costume even when he’s not riding. He wore his vest to the mansion reopening ceremony, for crying out loud. He overdoes it. That opens him up for some ribbing. Don’t be a triggered snowflake.

    Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:31 am

  57. When the Guv is riding, does he wear a helmet? I wonder if he would veto a bill that required minor passengers to wear helmets?

    Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:41 am

  58. Despite ABATE’s acute sensitivity, I doubt biker bars up in the Chain-O-Lakes are installin’ faintin’ couches and stockin’ up on smellin’ salts over the alleged “slap in the face” from funnin’ on Rauner’s flair vest.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:42 am

  59. When did Rauner serve in the Marines that he rates to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor?

    Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:48 am

  60. @Prudent - You had me on “RUB”. Perfect description of our Governor in one of his many personas.

    Comment by illini Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:59 am

  61. RUB: Rich Urban Biker.

    Not a compliment.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:02 pm

  62. Hey PJ-

    Its a costume. Especially as he is really not entitled to properly wear several of the patches he has. The globe Marine one especially

    Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:04 pm

  63. –He wore his vest to the mansion reopening ceremony–

    The most classic of motorcycle events - the mansion unveiling.

    Rich is right - the guy can love something but also use it as fodder for his ‘down to earth’ fake parade.

    Indeed, it appears to be his only skill.

    A side note - for an old job, I talked to one of the ABATE guys at length about an endorsement (or rather, for my candidate, probably just sitting it out, as we were not on the same page). We were about polar opposites on policy, but we had an actual, enjoyable conversation talking about those policies. I really appreciated that, especially considering it was something about which he was very passionate. We both thanked each other for taking the time. Something, something, if we could all just do that, fix our country, etc. But it has always stuck with me.

    Comment by lakeside Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:07 pm

  64. ===Lots of boxes to check here.===

    Totally disagree. Whatever else you can say about him, the dude is a real biker.

    Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:07 pm

  65. vest, vests and more vests. Lot vests in Il politics….

    Comment by 44th Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:12 pm

  66. His plaid shirts remind me of Howdy-Doody. He also reminds me of that character that Johnny Carson used to play, with a goofy hat and plaid shirt. Does he dress like this in Manhattan? Or does he save it for Montana? And Illinois?

    Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:13 pm

  67. ===He likes wearing his silly biker costume even when he’s not riding. He wore his vest to the mansion reopening ceremony, for crying out loud. He overdoes it.===

    This is the rub for me, and allows “me” to see this Biker outfit outside his love for riding, and allow the thinking “he wears things at odd times to fool me”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:16 pm

  68. I had a senator tell me once, that the ABATE guys show up in January to put up hundreds of the larger signs. And every member has to be a registered voter. So, like their positions or not, that’s the stuff that gets your phone calls returned.

    Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:22 pm

  69. The ‘costume’ line fits because its only one in his closet of many, many other costumes designed to bamboozle the rubes. He may bike for real, but that doesn’t make HIM real.

    Comment by Matts Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:27 pm

  70. I have gotten the impression, at least in my neck of the woods, that ABATE is a group that everyone in politics tries to avoid upsetting.

    If I were writing JBs ads (and I am not). I would have the vets home stuff on super heavy rotation.

    If I were writing Rauner (and I am not). I would be running the ‘he is going to raise your taxes and isn’t going to tell you by how much’ stuff in heavy rotation.

    Much of anything (JB has some more ammo for sure) is just advertising people trying to be cute IMHO.

    Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:50 pm

  71. The main thing to remember, for bikers and everyone else, is that Bruce is pro-bidness because he’s pro-worker, pro-bidness because he’s pro-you.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 12:58 pm

  72. Elitist Democrats mocking the lifestyle and the way a lot of regular people in Middle America dress. Thats worked well in the past.

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:17 pm

  73. Dressing for a role is one thing…having the gravitas to do the job is another…I think this ad totally hits the mark…

    Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:23 pm

  74. ==He likes wearing his silly biker costume even when he’s not riding. He wore his vest to the mansion reopening ceremony, for crying out loud. He overdoes it.==

    This leads to one of my more admittedly frivolous complaints about Rauner- but one that I think is nonetheless revealing. The fact is, the clothes you wear send a message. If nothing else, it just shows the respect you have (or lack) for who you’re going to see. That Rauner dresses so silly so often may not mean much…except that he’s said he used to dress in a full suit and tie for his old job (And indeed, we see him do it again when he is, say, meeting with Chinese investors), he feels like since he won he can dress however he wants. It indicates that he doesn’t really respect the job he has.

    Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:37 pm

  75. ***Elitist Democrats mocking the lifestyle and the way a lot of regular people in Middle America dress.***

    Lucky, I reread the comments and have failed to see any comment mocking Middle America Dress. I dare say a majority of us find that the Governor is mocking us by his wardrobe choice.

    Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:37 pm

  76. Are there any pre-2014 campaign photos of Bruce wearing his biker gear anywhere other than on a ride? If not, then it’s a costume. Pre-2014, did he wear the plaid shirts and enormo belt buckles outside any of his ranches, like to any event at all in Winnetka, New York City or Chicago? If not, it’s a costume.

    Comment by 37B Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:43 pm

  77. “Elitist Democrats mocking the lifestyle and the way a lot of regular people in Middle America dress.”

    Those privileged elitists, with their rented apartments and single-family homes, living high on the hog, paycheck to paycheck. They don’t know real economic struggle, like Bruce.

    Others are not being mocked. Bruce is being mocked—because, for example, of the picture in this post, where he’s wearing the biker vest for a political photo-op and not because he’s with bikers.

    Irony is never more lost than when Bruce says he’s not a politician.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 1:44 pm

  78. =I dare say a majority of us find that the Governor is mocking us by his wardrobe choice.=

    Bingo. Rauner’s wardrobe is a caricature of a group of people that he’s trying to appeal to. Whether it’s the barely worn Carhartt, vest w/ flair, or Illini hat it comes off as phony pandering. It’s his attempt to portray himself as “one of us.”

    Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 2:31 pm

  79. == ABATE is a powerful lobby that cuts across party lines; in a deep blue state they have been able to keep mandatory helmet laws off the books. ==

    It was actually a court decision that ABATE won against the previous helmet law that has prevented a new version of the law. They found the helmet itself had no relationship to driver control / safe vehicle operation which was the rationale if the previous law. However, it is legal to require eye protection since clear vision does have said relationship.

    Since then, the Legislature hasn’t been able to find a way around that clear ruling.

    Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 2:45 pm

  80. Say what you will, ABATE activists sometimes work hard to elect candidates that they like. I can think of two congressmen that ABATE delivered for big time (Flanagan and Walsh).

    Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 2:57 pm

  81. ==regular people in Middle America ==

    They aren’t mocking regular people. They are mocking a multi-millionaire. I’m guessing most “regular” people don’t consider someone with the financial means as Rauner as regualr.

    Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 2:57 pm

  82. ===Since then, the Legislature hasn’t been able to find a way around that clear ruling.===

    Yes, and ABATE has inserted itself into municipal debate about requiring minors to wear helmets when riding bicycles. They see those as the camel’s nose under the tent.

    I have no problem with adults riding without helmets, but it would be doing us all a favor if they signed the organ donor registry on their licenses.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 3:00 pm

  83. == When list prices are in the $17-19K how many blue-collar riders can there be? Not many HD’s in the local Walmarts where I live. ==

    You can buy a pretty decent used stock or slightly modified H-D for 1/3 to 1/2 of new. Just about any blue collar worker can swing that.

    Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 3:05 pm

  84. ===we take our riding gear serious, and so does he.===

    costume wearing bikers do take themselves seriously and that makes me laugh

    Comment by We'll See Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 3:51 pm

  85. A billionaire who is not exactly out of central casting himself is mocking a multi millionaire ’s appearance. “Silly biker costume?

    People who live in glass houses (two on Astor Street, one in Lake Geneva and one in the Bahamas) shouldn’t throw stones

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 4:10 pm

  86. @ Not It

    Thank you! LOL

    Comment by Shevek Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 4:28 pm

  87. ==Whatever else you can say about him, the dude is a real biker.

    Harley’s, especially the higher end ones aren’t cheap. There are a lot of professionals out there who ride like Rauner does and that’s fine as Rich points out–good for Rauner that he enjoys it.

    We get to make fun of him for looking like David Clarke and him are in a contest for the best flair for best TGIF servers.

    Comment by Archpundit Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 4:53 pm

  88. –People who live in glass houses (two on Astor Street, one in Lake Geneva and one in the Bahamas) shouldn’t throw stones–

    How can you Fight for Our Right to Party when you’re such Delicate Little Daisies?

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 5:46 pm

  89. “How can you Fight for Our Right to Party when you’re such Delicate Little Daisies?”

    Spike the punch with moonshine.

    Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 7:29 pm

  90. Most bikers I have known support veterans and many are vets. The Quincy debacle should have left a bad taste of Rauneurism.

    Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 10:30 pm

  91. LP - are you really criticizing JB because of a purported costume and that he has 4 houses? JB?

    How Rovian of you.

    Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 11:22 pm

  92. ==A billionaire who is not exactly out of central casting himself is mocking a multi millionaire ’s appearance. ==

    No- his clothes. His clothes, he can control.

    Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 23, 18 @ 9:20 am

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