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Kennedy positions himself as “radical” and “predictable” at the same time
Wednesday, Jun 21, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller * Chris Kennedy is making two seemingly contradictory claims out on the campaign trail. He says he represents “radical” change, but also says he wants to bring stability and predictability back to state government. Radical change isn’t usually associated with stability, however. Just the opposite. Kennedy did it again yesterday in his reaction to the governor’s TV speech…
Taken together, those two sentences don’t make any sense. I’m sure these diametrically opposed messages both test well. I just wonder if or how long he can get away with saying both things. …Adding… From comments…
That’s an interesting point. Thoughts?
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- Southwest Burbs - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:42 am:
True, but over the last few years, the thought of compromise alone can be construed as radical!
- JPC - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:44 am:
Schrödinger’s candidate.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:49 am:
Kennedy is Logical
When Chris began, it seemed campaigns were so wonderful,
A miracle, oh they were beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they’d be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching him.
But then they sent him away to teach him how to speak sensible,
Logical, … responsible, practical.
And they showed him a phrase where he could seem so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, not cynical.
There are times when all the state’s asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Won’t you please, please tell him what we’ve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell him who he is….
Now watch what you say or they’ll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, forgettable.
Won’t Chris sign up his name, we’d like to feel you’re
Acceptable, respectable, presentable, electable!
At night, when all the state’s asleep,
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Won’t you please, please tell him what we’ve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell him who he is.
- Fax Machine - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:51 am:
Macron just won the French Presidency on this same message - Radical Centrism.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:54 am:
Radical Centrism and radical predictability/stability aren’t exactly the same things, but I see what you’re saying.
- Fax Machine - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:54 am:
In Macron’s case it worked because his predecessor Hollande was an ineffective boob (thus the need for radical change) and his runoff opponent was a far-right ultra-nationalist (hence being stable was attractive).
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:55 am:
If Pritzker’s oppo issues continue Kennedy should be positioning himself as the safe choice, instead he’s all over the map. He has a smart team running a very confusing, stupid campaign.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 9:59 am:
I’d say Rauner has proven to be predictably reactionary in his actions, if not words.
- This is Bat Country - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:02 am:
Though Macron just won on a “Radical Centrism,” Jon Ossoff just got clobbered on the same message. GA-06 isn’t IL, but it’s closer than France.
For what it’s worth, my money is on a stronger, more genuinely “radical” message that gives a different vision for Illinois beyond just actually passing a budget.
- The All Knowing Oz - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:02 am:
The only thing any of these candidates from either Party has to offer is a cure for insomnia. They are all trying to pass the buck. BORING!!! No enthusiasm from either side.
- Franklin Delano Bluth - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:03 am:
==it worked because his predecessor Hollande was an ineffective boob (thus the need for radical change) and his runoff opponent was a far-right ultra-nationalist (hence being stable was attractive).==
Couldn’t one argue that Rauner is both an ineffective boob AND far-right?
- SE Mayor - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:04 am:
In Illinois I can’t imagine anything that would be a more radical change than stability. We haven’t had that for nearly a decade. We are at the point where systemic damage has occurred to every institution, a major turning point would be simple progress. Sometimes radical change can be something as simple as a change in tone.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:12 am:
One can propose radical structural change and predictable daily governance. I support going to multi member districts for the GA, a progressive tax structure tied to a voucher program like the GI Bill, and term limits on Constitutional officers. I also believe in paying what is owed, truly balanced budgets, compromise on programs, and treating competitors and opponents with respect. That is both radical and predictable.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:16 am:
Jumbo Shrimp.
- Ahoy! - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:23 am:
In today’s world it seems that centrism has become radical.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:39 am:
It’s the essential problem of a Kennedy, with all of those connections and all of that name recognition and all of that money, one who has been a statewide appointee in a previous Democratic administration, trying to run as the outsider, the change agent.
Basically, Kennedy wanted to run Pritzker’s campaign, but squandered his head start and has gotten out-worked on that so far. So now, Plan B, try to run Biss/Pawar’s campaign, but it’s not a natural fit, and the old program is still running in the background.
- Harvest76 - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:39 am:
Compared to what we are currently experiencing, centrism truly is a radical concept.
- BeatRauner - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 10:53 am:
In Illinois, a state without a budget, and an insane property tax assessment business, radical change would provide predictability. Like a budget, and a predictable property tax assessment based on the value of your home. Radical..
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 11:14 am:
The adjective ‘radical’ modifies the word ‘change’ not the nature of a hypothetical Kennedy administration.
And a shift from this age of chaos and instability would indeed be a radical change.
– MrJM
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
“Couldn’t one argue that Rauner is both an ineffective boob AND far-right?”
No, Rauner is not far right by any definition used by most of humanity. He is a liberal
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:28 pm:
“Jon Ossoff just got clobbered on the same message. GA-06 isn’t IL, but it’s closer than France.”
Um, 52% to 48% is usually not categorized as clobbered. GA6 last congressional election saw the crazy Republican win by over 20%.
- Ward Heeler - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
Oxymoronic like “compassionate conservatism.”
Oil and water do not mix.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
@Ron:
When you invest a small fortune to run against a mediocre opponent and lose by a respectable margin, it is akin to being clobbered.
- ILPundit - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
I think a “return to normalcy” is both a radical idea in the current climate, and something voters, particularly in Illinois, will have a thirst for
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 6:57 pm:
We will be removing the govenor July first, enough is enough