46 Comments - Election Lawyer Abe - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:13 am: The toothpaste is already out of the tube. Even still, the explanation has conservative undertones such as the use of the word “traditional”. - Ahoy! - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:17 am: It’s adequate for me, people can easily misspeak and he acknowledged it looked bad, so hopefully he acknowledges that it was bad. The president had the Jedi Mind Meld, even confusing Star Trek and Star Wars is forgivable. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:18 am: It was “acceptable” until this … ===I don’t use the word ‘traditional,’ ”=== You may not use it, “often”, but I have “seen and heard” the undercurrent has been about the Bachelor possible candidates, and not in a subtle way at times. Dillard, himself, gets a “pass” this time, but I will be listening and reading what narrative is coing out from the Dillard Camp alot closer, and see if the “Principle” stumbles upon the narrative…again. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:20 am: It’s like Biden’s presidential announcement. Perhaps he’s setting himself up for the lt. gov pick. - Whatever - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:22 am: Sounds like a tortured response. Dillard always tries to have things both ways (see Obama endorsement!), and he really dislikes criticism, so this non-apology apology seems about right for him. Obviously, he was spooked by the tremendously negative reaction on this site, but let’s be honest: his team has been pushing this argument subtly — and not so subtly — for a while, so I doubt it was just a slip of the tongue. And interesting that he admist he has been saying for a long time that it’s time to put a “Republican first family back in the governor’s residence”. Again, what if that Republican is single and doesn’t have a “family”?? - Whatever - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:24 am: Sorry. Obviously meant “And interesting that he ADMITS…” - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:32 am: It’s adequate for now but he’s on a short leash I think. Any more innuendo about the irrelevant private lives of his potential opponents will not be excused. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:33 am: It’s the same thing Cincy wrote yesterday, almost word for word. I didn’t buy it from him, and I don’t buy it from Dillard. They know what they were doing. Own it. Dillard today: –The comment, Dillard said, “is not denigrating anybody’s ability who might want to hold the governor’s office.” He said it was “taken out of context,” and was in the context of knowing firsthand how working families struggle. Since before people knew the potential GOP field of candidates, he said, he has spoken of it being time to put a “Republican first family back in the governor’s residence” because of “my vision of Illinois, through the eyes of being the father of 10- and 12-year-old daughters” and “knowing how unbelievably busy families are.”– Cincy yesterday: –For the past year, before the Treasurer was a known candidate for Governor, Dillard always mentions in his speeches that, “It was time to put a Republican First Family back in the Governor’s residence.” Dillard uses this statement in the context of talking about his vision of Illinois and as the father of 10 and 12 year old daughters. It has nothing to do with, and is not denigrating the ability of anyone else who might hold the Governor’s office. This quote is being taken out of context. – - Nick - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:33 am: ===“my vision of Illinois, through the eyes of being the father of 10- and 12-year-old daughters” and “knowing how unbelievably busy families are.”=== This is practically the same thing that Cincy was saying yesterday. Cincy must be even more connected to Dillard than I thought. - Nick - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:33 am: Word, you beat me to it! - So. ILL - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:34 am: “Playing the family card” - It is disgusting to me that vernacular was used. So, being pro-family means you are anti-single person? This is the society we live in now, where a happily married, proud father who happens to be running for governor, has to downplay or not mention it, to avoid having his comments likened to that of someone playing the race card. No wonder this state and this nation are in trouble. - MrGrassroots - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:38 am: Kirk Dillard has earned the benefit of the doubt. It was one of those thoughtless things we all say from time to time, but not a fatal statement by any means. I am a Democrat, but have no ill feelings about Dillard, as I would for say, Bill Brady, Dan Rutherford or any of a number of far right GOPers. - Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:42 am: Sorry - not buying it. The only reason he’s walking this back is because of the intensely negative reaction. Stupid, clumsy and on the record. - Wensicia - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:43 am: It seems to me whenever I hear the words “taken out of context” I think the original message was actually spot-on. Like others have said, own it. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:48 am: - wordslinger - Great work. I stick by my Post, but again, let me be clear; === I will be listening and reading what narrative is coing out from the Dillard Camp alot closer, and see if the “Principle” stumbles upon the narrative…again. === - wordslinger - got my attention. The “amount of rope” you use will be up to you, and THIS is about as good as your Camp, Sen. Dillard, is going to get it. - Darienite - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:52 am: Dillard is intending to appease the far righters now with a pro-family comment. Remember he needs to get a few more downstate votes to offset his 200 vote loss to Brady 4 years ago. Now if he makes the same comment the day after the primary, he may lose the independents. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:57 am: –but let’s be honest: his team has been pushing this argument subtly — and not so subtly — for a while, so I doubt it was just a slip of the tongue.– Exactly. It’s called “strategy.” He’s hardly the first to use it in an Illinois GOP primary (Dems certainly tried it against a very successful GOP opponent, way back in the day). In fact, it seems someone always does. This time, it was him. - Madison - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:30 am: At times it seems that this elephant in the room consistently does not learn from others mistakes. If they invent a Republican that could simply avoid talking about social issues, he or she may be impossible to defeat! Walks like a duck… Quacks like a duck… - Chavez-respecting Obamist - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:33 am: How does this explanation change what he said? According to him Rutherford, Quinn, and I have no family because the people we are related to don’t count because none of us live with a spouse and offspring. You know, a tradtional family. - Midstate Indy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:42 am: The follow up seems to be more stately than the initial comment. Debatable as to whether the while thing was genuinely impromptu or not, but the reaction does a good job at sharing what Dillard says were his insights when he initially spoke. Really a no win for him to keep this discussion going, the undercurrents exist, but not a stately play for him to be the standard bearer of this issue. Dillard needs to keep making headlines, just not on this topic…ie, change the conversation…*cough, cough - Shore - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:45 am: half of marriages today end in divorce and more people than ever are living alone. It’s these kinds obsessions with 1990s social conservative issues that have repeatedly tripped up Illinois republicans over the years. Dillard remains one of the few people on the planet who’ve ever backed someone as conservative as rick perry, as liberal as barack obama and spent 20 years talking about their role as a governors ex chief of staff. he will not be governor. - The Muse - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:57 am: To the public at large, it’s adequate. Personally though, it was a low-blow. Once you have put it out there, it can never be retracted… Smart move on Dillard’s part to appeal to the GOP base. - too obvious - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:07 pm: Such a joke. Dillard is on his second wife and family. Yeah just the guy to preach about traditional. And his backtrack is lame. - Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:10 pm: @wordslinger - I was about to write “give the man the benefit of the doubt” or something of the sort. Not so certain after reading your post. Let’s see how he plays it moving forward. If that was a first and last time “slip” I’ll believe it was an error at the end of a long day. If he “slips” again, then we’ll know how permanent his shift to the right has been during the past three years. Leave the dog whistle at home, Senator. - AFSCME Steward - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:16 pm: Taking out the word “traditional” doesn’t change what he said. He’s either trying to imply that a candidate is unfit to be governor because he is either single or something unappealing to the GOP base. I’ll leave the later for you to decide. - DanL60 - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:19 pm: Meh, call me a minority, I do not have any problem with him pushing he has a family. And please, can we leave ‘dog whistle’ with ‘fiscal conservative’ in the worn-out-phrases pile? - Levois - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:38 pm: I think it’s adequate and also it may not be reasonable to say that Rutherford can’t relate to a working family who’s struggling in the current economy. It’s preferable that all candidates for Governor focus on the most important issues the economy, pensions, and the state’s fiscal picture. - siriusly - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:43 pm: Blago had a family. Not sure that qualified him to be governor. - siriusly - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:43 pm: Sorry, has. He has a family. - Kyle Hillman - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:47 pm: I don’t think he meant traditional in a single vs. married definition. I do think he got off message and that his campaign surrogates are better suited to make that kind of disgusting political hit. So not surprised he walked it back. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:00 pm: Absolutely adequate. It is indeed a misfortune that less than 500 primary votes in the last election costs us a Governor Dillard. I really believe this State would be extremely better off today with Dillard rather than the incredably incompetent Gov. Quinn - downstate commissioner - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:07 pm: Sorry, to me (age 64) a “traditional family” is two persons (generally male and female, but I accept same sex couples) with kids, living in a house, working, playing, taking baths, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning, doing the normal things that a family does. No big deal. Bachelors are not a “family”, and quite frankly, probably do not have the need or desire for a big house like the mansion. I don’t believe that Dillard really meant much more than that-he simply wants a family living in, and occupying the mansion (and according to what I see, so does a lot of the public). His family happens to fit that description; why shouldn’t he use it in his campaign? Actually, without actually knowing for sure, Brady and Rauner probably would fit, too. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:12 pm: ===It is indeed a misfortune that less than 500 primary votes in the last election costs us a Governor Dillard. I really believe this State would be extremely better off today with Dillard rather than the incredably incompetent Gov. Quinn=== 193 Votes with no Field Operations… no one to blame, feel bad for, Dillard blew it. Kirk Dillard and his Crew blew it…. Get over it!!! - Kyle Hillman -, I think - wordslinger - made it quite clear and you make a good point, and Dillard thought he could slip one by, saying it himself, but in reality, no one, should be pushing that agenda…then you don’t have to worry who says it - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:18 pm: - downstate commissioner -, Really? ===Bachelors are not a “family”,…=== Very sad statement on your part. So, unless you are “married”, your parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins … what do they call a bachelor in the family … “aquaintence”? ===… and quite frankly, probably do not have the need or desire for a big house like the mansion.=== Single people can NOT have a house greater than 800 square feet. So let it be written, so let it be done. ===I don’t believe that Dillard really meant much more than that-he simply wants a family living in, and occupying the mansion (and according to what I see, so does a lot of the public). His family happens to fit that description; why shouldn’t he use it in his campaign?=== I can not do it any more justice than to point to - wordslinger -’s post and the constant theme that has been oozing from the campaign. I was born at night, just not last night, and I can read, and hear the message it what is being meant when it’s being used. - wordslinger - has it up, take a read. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:28 pm: It was adequate for me and most likely not a game changer. Politicians say dumb things all the time with some things dumber than others. Joe Biden anyone? - Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:39 pm: - Anonymous - Fair enough. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 1:41 pm: Sorry, 2nd - Anonymous - was me. - Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:01 pm: I think his quote, whether he uses traditional or not, is ignorant. What does having a family have to do with being governor. It’s still an insulting comment to suggest that having a family makes a person more appealing to be governor. Dillard should shut up before he gets himself in more trouble. - Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:02 pm: ==It was one of those thoughtless things we all say from time to time== I could believe that if he didn’t continue to reiterate it. It’s not thoughtless if you keep saying it over and over. - HenryVK - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:03 pm: “That just came out … on the last day of session when we were talking about a lot of other issues.” Hmmnn, the last day of the session was quite a while ago, but let me try to recall. What other issues of any importance were being discussed that day? What could those other issues be? I sure wonder what would have made him think of “traditional” marriage on that day, and decide to use it contrast his opponents. - Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:07 pm: @downstate commissioner: I think you probably adequately explained what Dillard meant. Problem is that it’s still ridiculous. Having a family has absolutely NOTHING to do with being Governor. If he wants to point out that he will live in the Mansion then that’s fine and probably a legitimate thing to say. Saying that a family needs to be in the Mansion is dumb. Go ahead and advise him to keep saying it. You’ll be stuck on this topic forever though. He needs to stop saying it an move on. It’s insulting. - Endangered Moderate Species - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:48 pm: “Over the last year, when I’ve been saying it’s time to put a first family back in there, I don’t use the word ‘traditional,’ ” Dillard said. “That just came out … on the last day of session when we were talking about a lot of other issues.” Great example of a Freudian Slip. DanL60- In place of the term dog whistle, maybe we should more appropriately describe this political tactic, as ” subtlety feeding the red meat to your base.” - Kana - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:56 pm: Kind of ironic that this coming from a guy (Dillard) who was endorsed in the last GOP primary for Gov by the Log Cabin Republicans. - John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 5:33 pm: I’ve had enough of Dillard, and so have many others, I would imagine. - Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 5:44 pm: Ah, back-pedalling and explaining the context, Even just a bit, so as to calm any choppier waters coming your way enough, and avoid creating any more–the sign of a true Moderate…! Well done, Senator. I think there’s still plenty of hope for Kirk yet…193 measly vote deficit really is “a spit in the bucket” after all…! - votecounter - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:01 pm: Dillard was saying what everyone here knows he meant! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.