Illinois GOP chairman Tim Schneider says something kind of amazing on national TV during the Trump nomination process.
This article was picked up in Politico's newsletter, probably for the jibarito line.
By Dennis Robaugh
CLEVELAND, OH — As each state and territory took its turn declaring electoral votes, the leader of the delegation touted something unique and amazing about their home. The declarations come with emotion and over-the-top declarations of fealty for the nominee, at times.
American Samoa, endearingly, cited its status as the leading exporter of professional football players. Idaho grows the best potatoes, if you didn't know. Idaho reminded us of that fact for probably the millionth time on Tuesday night. (Yes, Idaho, we love your potatoes.)
Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider, during his moment in front of the national TV cameras, could have mentioned the Land of Lincoln's status as America's most plentiful grower of pumpkins.
He could have praised the jibarito, a sandwich invented in Chicago.
He could have gushed that Illinois was home to the first Ferris wheel.
Instead, he said Illinoisans have "the finest governor in the United States of America in Bruce Rauner."
Schneider, of Bartlett, is also a Cook County commissioner.
#RNCinCLE. Illinois missing most of its big GOPsters proclaims @realDonaldTrump in roll call. pic.twitter.com/fyXDRfsbzR
— Edward Marshall (@edmarshallcbs2) July 19, 2016
Paris Schultz, reporting for WTTW's Chicago Tonight, caught up with Schneider afterward.
"I’ve never been to a convention before and they asked me to announce the roll call vote, and it was a real privilege for me to do that," he said. "It’s been a historic evening for me."
Rauner marked his first year in office without actually passing a state budget. His state is $8 billion in debt, and that debt is getting higher. Governing magazine last fall rated Rauner as one of the least effective governors in the nation. Rauner's 34 percent approval rating is one of the lowest in the country, too.
Rauner isn't at the convention. He decided to stay home. He also has not endorsed Trump.
After announcing Illinois as having 54 votes for Trump, nine votes for Ted Cruz and six votes for John Kasich, Schneider then fist pumped and bully-boy chanted, "TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP."
Instead of Rauner, I would have gone with our pride in the mysterious and intriguing jibarito.