They no longer had to do it through campaign commercials. Gov. Pat Quinn and his Republican opponent Bruce Rauner faced one another in a joint interview before the Chicago Tribune's Editorial Board Tuesday. So far, Quinn, a Democrat, and businessman Rauner, Republican's nominee, have contested one another from a distance. At this appearance, though, they were seated side-by-side.
At times, that led to heated discussions; often the candidates talked over one another.
Still, the two men largely stuck to their talking points. Quinn, that Rauner tries to take credit for his business success -- success Quinn called "ill-gotten gain" -- while attempting to distance himself from the pitfalls.
"Well I think he's made a fortune out of the misfortune of workers, and everyday people. And I think he has a lot of explaining to do," Quinn said.
Rauner, that Quinn has not done enough to improve Illinois' fortunes in the six years he's been in charge, and who has allowed the culture of patronage to perpetuate.
"We know the corruption that's been going on with Pat Quinn and Rod Blagojevich. The only difference between Pat and Rod is the hair," Rauner said.
Both campaigns afterward claimed their man had shown why the other was not fit to be governor.
Campaign Cash Accusation
The governor claims the House Republican Leader told him GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner made it hard to pass pension reform last year - because Rauner offered lawmakers campaign cash to vote ‘no.’
"He was trying to hold the vote, he said, Rauner’s out there with campaign money, trying to sabotage the bill," Quinn said.
Rauner says he did fight against the bill - but vehemently denies offering campaign money.
"I never, ever, voted - offered somebody cash for a vote. That’s ridiculous. I would never do that," Rauner said.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says Quinn’s story is simply untrue.
"That was out of left field. And that conversation never occurred," Durkin said.
Rauner’s campaign says Quinn is trying to distract from his own political hiring controversy at the state Department of Transportation.