Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: *** LIVE COVERAGE *** Republican National Convention
Next Post: Having it both ways
Posted in:
* The Chicago Tribune asks if it’s fair or not to attempt to tie Illinois Republican candidates like Mark Kirk and Bob Dold to Donald Trump…
But really, who cares? Does it matter how often or how loudly candidates repudiate Trump?
Guilt-by-association tactics are a tried-and-true campaign strategy. Smearing a candidate through alleged connections is a cheap pivot away from the nation’s pressing problems — stagnant wages, out-of-control debt, civil unrest, terrorist threats here and abroad, the potential of a nuclear Iran, to name a few. Where a candidate stands on those issues ought to be far more important to voters than whether the candidate openly denounces Trump. […]
Are Kirk’s views on Trump or Pence a top priority for voters? No. Kirk vs. Duckworth is one of the most heated races in the country. It could determine whether Republicans keep their grip on the U.S. Senate or lose it to Democrats. Voters should be learning the candidates’ positions — on trade, immigration, spending, entitlement reform.
We can spend these final months grilling candidates about their ties, real or imaginary, to Trump. Or we can spend the rest of the campaign season focusing on issues that separate and distinguish those running for office.
One can only wonder whether the editorial board feels the same about tying state legislative candidates to a certain unnamed Illinois legislative leader. Considering their past editorials, my guess is not. [Adding: Rep. Mike Zalewski agrees.]
Anyway…
* The Question: Is it fair or unfair to try and tie Republican candidates to Donald Trump? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: *** LIVE COVERAGE *** Republican National Convention
Next Post: Having it both ways
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I voted fair. Just like I tie bad trade deals like NAFTA and TPP to both BO and BC.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:17 pm
Voted “fair”
“Why?”
There’s video of Gov. Rauner at the state GOP convention calling upon e dry one present to elect Republicans to ALL… and he paused… and again reiterated “all” offices.
You own it, then you own it.
Rauner is the head of the ILGOP, Rauner said so, Rauner also said what he said at the GOP state convention.
It’s fair game.
If you don’t want Trump, then you constantly and consistently denounce him…
… you don’t, in a sneak manner… encourage his election.
Voted “fair”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:17 pm
I voted fair. Trump is Republican standard bearer and the others are self-identified Republicans. Whether they like it or not, a large plurality (38.8%) of Illinois Republican primary voters cast a ballot for Trump, and many of those same voters will be voting for Kirk, Dold and whomever. If they want to dissociate from Trump they need to disengage from the people who support him. Trump doesn’t exist as a presidential candidate without voters who will support both his caustic agenda, and yes, Kirk.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:19 pm
not only fair, would be political malpractice not to.
Comment by Conn Smythe Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:20 pm
Very fair til the ask voters to go for some else and take BigBrain rental $ for GOTV
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:20 pm
Unfair–if Kirk says he does not support Trump, he does not support Trump, and if he changed his mind, well, gee, he’s hardly the first.
Doesn’t make any difference, he’s gonna lose regardless.
Comment by Harry Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:21 pm
The Tribbies are talking out their troncs. Of course it’s fair.
Trump is the national GOP leader. He’s the nominee for president, not dog-catcher.
Furthermore, GOP candidates should be asked whether they support their nominee on specific issues: banning all Muslims; rounding up and deporting 11 million people within two years; tearing up trade agreements, etc.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:23 pm
Fair to try. Whether it succeeds in a particular case is another matter.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:23 pm
===not only fair, would be political malpractice not to.===
Here’s the rub, and you’re not wrong…
In Ohio, Kasich made clear his feelings on Trump and it would be incredibly unfair, given the same exact parameters (Governor not attending the convention) but Kasich making clear his feelings, while Rauner will feed the Trump machine quietly and privately, but publicly is mute, and further, tries to make being mute his “true feelings”…
… unless you see the video of Rauner at the state GOP convention…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:24 pm
I voted Fair, because like it or not, he IS the Republican nominee for President. Donald Trump won the Illinois Republican primary this year. And truthfully, neither Dold nor Kirk took a bold stand in opposing him before that primary. I might have a different opinion if they were always loudly opposed to Trump and named him as the viper in their midst before the primary. They are leaders in the Illinois Republican party and absent that principled stand prior to the primary, they do have some ownership of where the GOP stands today, with this unhinged narcissistic unqualified dangerous individual as their candidate for President.
Comment by Pawn Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:24 pm
It’s too bad no one has figured out how to convert the Chicago Tribune editorial board’s hypocrisy into a clean form of energy.
It’s certainly abundant, dependable and renewable.
Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:25 pm
I suppose it’s fair. He is the party’s nominee for the nation’s highest office. What a disaster for the GOP.
Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Voted unfair. After public disavowals of Trump, the process is those disavowals are ignored and by pretense they are still “lined up with” or “behind” Donald Trump or however they are attempting to make the link? Unless there is a public endorsement that was retracted to muddy the waters, and in both cases, that doesn’t appear to be true, then the Tribune is correct.
This is a little different from Madigan linkage attempts where House Members cast votes for him to become Speaker. If they later disavow their support of Mr. Madigan, it would also be unfair to tag them the same way. To my knowledge, none have done so, even the rebellious Mr. Dunkin.
Thus, my “unfair” vote.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Well, obviously it is fair to do to democrats with Madigan and Obama in cahoots to destroy Bruce Rauner. But a guy that could be the American equivalent of a fascist dictator, no, obviously we can’t tie that guy to the rest of the republicans. Only the Trib Editorial Board could be so daft.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Absolutely fair. R’s have tied every D congressional candidate to Nancy Pelosi for the last several years. Of course it’s fair. Doesn’t mean I like it hindering the R’s chances in the fall, but it’s fair.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Is it fair to tie candidates to their party’s candidate for president?
Sure.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:31 pm
Fair. Whether you want to or not, you own the leaders of your party.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:31 pm
Definitely fair. Republicans voted for him in the primaries. Republicans are in the process of nominating him right now. Republicans are the ones that will be voting for him in November. He is the party. If this or that candidate doesn’t like that, they should have worked harder to ensure he didn’t capture their party’s mantle. I think candidates who speak forcefully enough against him can counteract the attempts to tie them together, but they need to be out there with that message. These mealy mouthed statements trying to walk the line don’t cut it. You can’t support him but not endorse him. That’s gibberish.
Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:33 pm
Fair. One is either a Republican or they are not. That is the way Democrats have been treated too. So what is fair for one is fair for the other.
Comment by Joe M Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:33 pm
What, you don’t like being tied to Trump?
But it’s okay to tie others to Madigan. And claim to be doing Madigan’s “bidding”?
Come on. Rauner and Trump (especially those two) are cut from the same mold. Rich, white, privileged — and without any sense about how *lucky* they are to have been born into the situations they were born in.
Both approach politics and business the same way: spit, hysteria, and opportunism. (Apologies to Pauline Kael.)
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:34 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -
I can add a link where Rauner asks that ALL Republicans should be supported…
ALL.
Would you like me to?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:34 pm
It’s absolutely fair to tie a candidate to other people in their party. Birds of a political feather, so to speak.
In other news: the Chicago Tribune editorial board discovers that the shoe pinches on the other foot.
Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Fair. If you belong to a political party it seems a rebuttable presumption exists that you approve of its top candidates. It is up to you if you disagree with a choice to repudiate it loudly or leave the party.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:36 pm
It is fair because the candidates represent their party platform. That means that trump and other republicans are supporting the same platform. Until we get rid of our de-facto two party system, independent candidates will be forced to run as a member of one of the parties and face the same problem.
Comment by NoGifts Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:37 pm
OW — that’s different, though.
Because Madigan!
Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:37 pm
It’s not just fair, it’s effin’ golden!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Sure it’s fair, but it depends on the level of office. At Sen. Kirk & Gov. Rauner’s level? Fair and vey relevant. Mayoral level - nah, don’t think so.
Comment by Johnny Tractor Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:38 pm
Gee, dont *republicans* tie Democrats to Secretary of State Clinton?
Rauner endorsed Trump, Rauner supports those positions.
Comment by Doug Simpson Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:39 pm
Sure it’s fair. They’re members of the same party. The candidates have some responsibility here to make known whatever it is they think is important to the electorate. The voters have some responsibility to find out at least a little bit of who they’re voting for.
Trump may or may not be a disadvantage to these and other candidates. The Speaker on the other hand, will be a very real disadvantage to many candidates throughout the state.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:40 pm
Fair. Trump is the current standard bearer of the Republican party. He is their nominee for the President of the United States. He is a result of their policies and politics. W
Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Didn’t mean to “say it” just yet on above comment. Final sentence was to be “Why shouldn’t Republicans be tied to their nominee?”
Comment by AlfondGonz Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:43 pm
No it’s not fair to Trump to tie Kirk to him. Trump can’t be held responsible for Kirk’s incompetence. Kirk seems to take every opportunity he can to try to be a Democrat. Why would anybody vote for the pseudo Democrat when if that’s what you want you can just vote for the real Democrat.
Comment by Kozmik Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:43 pm
Fair as it is to “tie” labor leaders to Clinton
Comment by Railrat Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Totally fair. The next president will nominate maybe as many as three Supreme Court justices and the Senate will confirm. A Republican Senate and a Republican President will not be approving the same justices as a Democratic Senate and a Democratic President.
Comment by Chicago Barb Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:46 pm
A couple of weeks ago, Rich posted about a controversy down in Monroe County regarding political signs. Local Dems were doing a bit of early campaigning. Ironic that both Hillary and Tammy endorsements were not to be found? Or calculated?
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:47 pm
===”Whether they like it or not, a large plurality (38.8%) of Illinois Republican primary voters cast a ballot for Trump . . .”===
Yet, 61.2% of Republican primary voters voted for someone else. I bet Madigan would have loved to have 61.2% of the vote on all those veto overrides he lost with his “supermajority” in the Illinois House.
My vote still stands as “unfair.”
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:48 pm
Fair. Whether other R’s want to be tied to him or not, Trump really doesn’t care. No matter how many loops are thrown on him, the R’s are going on a fast and furious ride through the sage and cactus. So they either need to hang on tight and eat the dust, or cut loose and go their own way. It’s Illinois on a larger stage.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:49 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -
Start at the 3:12 mark, go to the 3:50 mark…
“Thanks!
ow”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwo2uuAsdv4
I guess Rauner suppers Trump after all?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:50 pm
How could this not be fair when they’re all on the same ballot?
Why hasn’t the Tribune questioned the Kirk campaign on how fair it is to tie Duckworth with Blagojevich?
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Fair, for better or worse you’re in the same party. Hey, I left the Democrats. I made my choice. Rauner is still using the name Republican even though those he owns are more correctly known as Raunerites. There are only a few Republicans left in the state that stand up for the values affirmed by their history. Just because Trump is redefining the party doesn’t mean that Republicans can escape being tied to him.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Of course it is fair. They are of the same political party. This approach simply makes the legislative candidate distinguish himself or herself from the Donald.
It is an opportunity that might not have occurred.
Comment by Mongo Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:52 pm
@Juvenal 1:25 — Great line!
Voted fair because everything is pretty much fair in politics these days.
Comment by Just Chilling Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Fair. This situation didn’t pop up over night and the silence was deafening.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Politically it’s fair game even if it’s really not “fair” especially for politicians who have repudiated or not endorsed Trump.
However, I can’t wait for all the calls of unfairness when their favorite Dem candidate is tied to Madigan or Quinn or Blagojevich. Duckworth has been trying to claim that the tie is unfair.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Fair, but with exceptions. Kasich, the gov of Ohio, where the convention is being held, not involved in the convention nor endorsing Trump. he has his own problems….anti choice actions…but on the Trump score, he’s doing what he can. Kirk is much the same. the difference with Kirk is that he’s insulated in large part by his more progressive politics on reproductive choices and firearms issues. so, there are exceptions. deny Trump at your peril, Rs.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Kirk should have endorsed the party nominee..just as Jeb Bush and John Kasich should have they took the pledge just like Trump. Trump will win anyway.
Comment by scott aster Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Voted Fair, Gov said he is the head of the Illinois GOP, Trump is a member of the GOP, what is there to question?
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:12 pm
My issue is linkage to Mitch McConnell, not Trump.
And I cannot vote for Kirk because the Senate must no longer be led by McConnell and his colleagues.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Voted fair.
It is just as fair as tying the state of Illinois decades of failure to Mike Madigan and the legislators who vote him in as Speaker every two years. Dem House members “own” that vote and their constituents will be reminded of that now through November.
Comment by Anon2U Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:19 pm
You bet it is fair. The GOP created the monster known as Trump by their dog whistle politics for years. Trump just comes out and says it without being veiled. He belongs to every GOPer.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:20 pm
Oops - last anonymous at 2:20 was me.
Comment by kimocat Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:21 pm
For all the attempts to distance himself from Trump, you know that Kirk i)will going to vote for McConnell to set the Senate timetable and agenda; ii) will also fall in line,when push comes to shove, on close votes for lowering taxes on the rich, or confirming some dreadful Supreme Court Justice. So the efforts to distance himself from Trump mostly seem like lip-service for electioneering purposes.
Comment by UIC Guy Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Is anything unfair in politics anymore?
Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:27 pm
Completely fair. If and when Kirk decides to announce he’s voting for someone besides Trump who is actually on the ballot and might actually win.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:32 pm
“Fair” under the current construct that pretty much anything goes in modern political campaign rhetoric. That said, it is up to the candidates to differentiate themselves. In the scratch for the apparently significant numbers of “independent” and “undecided” vote in Illinois I’d guess that Dold and Kirk for example– to the extent they choose to —will have an easier time distancing themselves on certain issues from the R standard bearer than their Dem counterparts will have distancing themselves from Mrs. Clinton’s problems and alliances.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:38 pm
Totally fair. They will be expected to support Trump on appointments and policy. Pinning them down is critically important to know how they will govern.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:40 pm
Fair. Those of us who oppose Trump lost. Now we are chained to him. It is worse than being shackled to a corpse. A corpse is quiet!
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:45 pm
It’s entirely fair, and Rauner refusing to even acknowledge Trump, much less say where he stands on Trump, is making this more of an issue than it needs to be. What is Rauner hiding?
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Voted unfair because Tammy Duckworth cannot stop promoting the myth that Mark Kirk is a Trump delegate and state chairman.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I voted “Fair.” If Bruce Rauner supports Trump’s agenda and Trump’s hostility toward Muslims, working women, and Lations, he should come out and say so. If he opposes Trump on those counts, he should be willing to stick his neck out and say that. I’ll give Mark Kirk some credit for taking the latter route, even if he was doing the political math while deciding what position to take on Trump.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Voted Fair
Is it fair to blame the Clintons for Vince Foster’s death? It goes on and on–that is politics.
But, I doubt that anyone cares what I think. Since, they would do it anyway.
Comment by Belle Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 3:02 pm
It’s at least as fair as tying moderate Democrats to Hillary.
Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 3:02 pm
Absolutely Fair - If it is OK for the Rauner Machine to castigate, malign and misrepresent certain Downstate Democrats members of the GA and accuse then for taking their “marching orders” from an unnamed Chicago politician, I only ask what is the difference here?
Still a long way to the November election, but things are getting nasty already down here - and I don’t even live in those districts!
Comment by illini Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 3:22 pm
Because Madigan…
Comment by burbanite Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 3:32 pm
I get the “fair” pov but I voted unfair. When Judy Baar Topinka was head of the state GOP and allowed Alan Keyes - easily as horrific a figure as Donald Trump - to be the party’s nominee for one of the most powerful positions on the planet - without actively fighting it and then simply not publicly endorsing him, I didn’t let her off the hook. But if she had: if she had done a “Never Keyes,” if she had said she was withholding her vote (if not voting for Obama), I wouldn’t have blamed her.
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 3:35 pm
I would say fair. The real question, though, that should be asked– Would it hurt Trump by having having these Republicans from the failed State of Illinois affiliated with him?
Comment by Big Mouth Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 4:29 pm
LCD: I recall that election cycle; Topinka (of whom I was very fond) deserved to own that as well.
If there’s something distasteful in a candidate, it’s an ethical responsibility to acknowledge that. (But then, that’s why I could never join a political party; I’d be awful at toeing the party line in that regard.)
Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 4:34 pm
Curiously, Katrina just posted a column ripping Illinois GOP “elites” for snubbing Trump delegates in Cleveland.
I guess she can handle the cognitive dissonance.
–The elite within the party should have been shaking hands and getting to know the delegates. Instead, they stayed in their fluffy hotel beds and probably ordered room service, precisely the tone-deafness that got us here.–
No, the the real “elites,” as in the two highest elected GOP officials and more, didn’t go to Cleveland at all.
Question: Is it fair to criticize GOP “elites” who didn’t go to Cleveland and mingle with Trump delegates?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-republican-convention-illinois-delegates-trump-mcqueary-perspec-0719-jm-20160718-story.html
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Fair- Pot meet kettle.
Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 4:41 pm
Fair to link party affiliation from top down and bottom to upper; it’s a network of values, power, and money.
Comment by AJ_yooper Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Totally fair…
Comment by Stan Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 5:08 pm
Fair because Trump is a symptom of a larger problem within the GOP itself.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 5:20 pm
I voted as fair. For better or worse out political system from day one has been fought with varying degrees of dirty tactics and character assassinations. And in the current climate that gave rise to Trump, while these tactics may work a little in Illinois, in most other States these games are not going to help. Those who are single party voters will vote that way regardless of the candidate, no matter what is said about their party’s candidate. And from being in several States over the course of this election cycle, Trump is a topic I hear discussed often, and it is pretty much 50/50 on love or hate. I honestly do not see him winning in Illinois, but in many other States he has a better chance than most here give him credit for. He may just be voted as POTUS.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 5:27 pm
Is it surprising McQueary criticized “elite” delegates in Cleveland while giving Rauner and Kirk a pass?
Not really. But, does she admire the “New blood and a motivated, growing membership…” that are supporting Trump? Seems so.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 5:34 pm
They’re reaping what they’ve sown for the last decade or so.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 6:23 pm
I voted fair, because Republicans want Republicans to win nationally, but some, like Rauner, try to weasel out of outright support for Trump (they’re too busy to go to the convention).
Rauner probably really wants Trump to win, so SCOTUS can overturn Abood and wipe out fair share fees for all public unions.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 8:24 pm
There’s no “fair” in politics.
Not in the land of the free and home of the brave.
Comment by walker Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 8:43 pm
Utterly fair. For Kirk, he may not support Trump the candidate, but if both Trump and Kirk are elected, Kirk will vote for McConnell for Senate Leader. McConnell supports Trump. Is Kirk going to vote against McConnell? Will he vote against whomever President Trump nominates for the Supreme Court? Of course not. He may not verbally support Trump the candidate, but he will certainly support him once in office with his votes.
Comment by The_Equalizer Monday, Jul 18, 16 @ 9:19 pm