Rauner ad calls Wheaton lawmaker 'Madigan's favorite Republican.'

Gov. Bruce Rauner must really be freaked out by Jeanne Ives' fledgling challenge in the March 20 GOP primary. So freaked out, in fact, that his re-election campaign has put up TV ads that link the conservative state representative from Wheaton to the liberal House Speaker Mike Madigan.

"Jeanne Ives might just be Mike Madigan's favorite Republican," the ad says, suggesting that if Ives splits the GOP it will only lead to a Democratic victory in the governor's race in November.

Ives did not help her credibility by running a simply awful introductory ad that mocked unionized teachers, transgender people, abortion rights activists and electric company lobbyists played by actors who "thanked" Rauner for signing bills that benefited them.

I would have advised her to use some of the $2.5 million she has now received from Lake Forest businessman Dick Uihlein to make a positive ad, introducing the West Point graduate and former Army officer to the people of Illinois. She's got an impressive story to tell, but noooooooo. Then again, I'm not a consultant.

Rauner minion state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, picked up on the governor's theme and turned it up a notch, wondering whether Ives might really be in cahoots with Madigan. Posting on Facebook, Syverson said the following:

"Ives needs to come out publicly and say she is not part of Madigan's plan to defeat Rauner. She also has (to tell) us what conversations she has had with Madigan about this race. Madigan is a great campaigner, maybe the best. He plays moves way ahead of most and has used Republicans before. I would be very disappointed if she was working with Madigan."

Syverson is playing an old political trick. By saying he hopes she's not working with Madigan, he sows doubt among GOP voters, so that some may think "hmmmm, maybe her candidacy is a Democratic plot." And Syverson can retain plausible deniability by saying he never suggested he thought she was working with Madigan — he just hopes she isn't. (Roll eyes here.)

I don't for a minute believe Ives is linked to Madigan. It wouldn't make any sense.

However, Ives' candidacy does point out once again the Achilles' heel of the Illinois GOP — the gap between the party's business interests and its socially conservative base supporters. If the two groups don't unite and work together after the primary, it opens the door to a Democratic gubernatorial victory in November — and the probability of another income tax increase for most of us in 2019.

Stock jitters

I admit I was a little nervous when the stock market was having palpitations on Friday and Monday, dropping 1,175 points after reaching record highs in January. But that doesn't mean there wasn't some ironic humor in the mini-panic.

You see, up until last week, President Donald Trump had claimed total credit numerous times for the stock market's incredible rise, which actually began in the spring of 2009 at the beginning of Barack Obama's first term.

But while Trump was quick to claim credit for the market's rise, when it came to the market's fall, it sure wasn't his fault.

Sarah Sanders, his spokeswoman, said: “The president’s focus is on our long-term economic fundamentals, which remain exceptionally strong, with strengthening U.S. economic growth, historically low unemployment and increasing wages for American workers. The president's tax cuts and regulatory reforms will further enhance the U.S. economy and continue to increase prosperity for the American people.”

Now, that happens to be true, in my opinion. Unemployment is at a 17-year low, wages are up, and companies are beginning to bring their overseas profits back home. And we should not forget that the stock market is just one aspect of the economy.

However, Trump's minister of propaganda, Sean Hannity, jumped the shark. On his Fox News Channel program, Hannity actually blamed Barack Obama, the 44th president, for causing the stock market to plunge Monday.

“Because the Obama economy was so weak all of these years, we had just artificially cheap money,” Hannity said, adding that the market downturn is actually good for the economy.

That prompted Andy Borowitz, the satrical columnist at The New Yorker, to write that Obama was chastened by Hannity's remark and repented. Said Obama, according to Borowitz: “I guess since leaving the White House I haven’t really found enough ways to fill my time, so tanking the stock market seemed like something to do.  But I know that’s not a good excuse. The fact is, I caused a lot of folks a lot of pain yesterday, and for that I am very, very sorry.”

Obama, Borowitz said, promised to get right to work restoring the bull market.

Chuck Sweeny: 815-987-1366; csweeny@rrstar.com; @chucksweeny