Rauner: 'I don't condone the Confederate flag'

A group of Democratic leaders today called on Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner to apologize for shaking hands with a man who is wearing the Confederate flag on his sleeve — but the GOP candidate said he didn’t even know he did it.

Those who signed off on a press release on Monday included: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Secretary of State Jesse White, Congressman Bobby Rush, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Danny Davis, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough.

Rauner was filmed with the man, who appeared to be another biker, in a piece aired by ABC/7 on Sunday in which Rauner was filmed riding his motorcyle and chumming around with others in the group. ABC/7 reporter Charles Thomas reported Rauner joined this motorcyle group Rauner in 2008.

“I was not aware that that happened. Are you referring to when I was riding a motorcyle on Saturday?” Rauner said when asked about the handshake. “When I’m out meeting with voters, I can’t always control who I shake hands, and who’s in which crowd and I certainly don’t condone the Confederate flag. I support the American flag.”

Here’s the ABC clip.