66 Comments - Anon0091 - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:06 pm: So the guy who gets so nervous he drops mics wants five televised debates? Is he going to run out before the debates start like he did over the weekend in Rock Island and before that in DuPage? - PJ - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:07 pm: Not to be rude, but … of all the candidates to propose televised debates. He’s by far the worst extemp speaker in the field. - Nixon - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:07 pm: Chris “John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy ” is hoping for a nixionian moment. - The Captain - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:07 pm: At three of them he will leave before it’s his turn to speak. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:08 pm: Kennedy wants 5 debates, I want to see one Kennedy LG running mate… Focus, Kennedy Crew, Focus… - Centenial - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:08 pm: Perhaps get a Gov Lite so you can actually circulate petitions before worrying about debates in January? - Century Club - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:11 pm: I think JB may counter offer 5 Lt. Governor debates… - Dan Johnson - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:11 pm: This would be a good thing for the party and the state. Debates are probably the best way that non-engaged citizens learn about government. And a more informed, educated electorate is as good as it gets. Five debates feels about right. Hopefully there’s a quick consensus among all the candidates and the calendar gets locked down quickly. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:13 pm: Boy, i need to hurry up and pencil in those debate dates. - Anon0091 - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:15 pm: I think five debates would be great. Not sure why the worst speaker thinks this is a good idea for him. Though I do like Century Club’s counter-offer of five Lt. Gov debates. - Dave Nave - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:21 pm: Apparently none of you saw the Kennedy interview on CLTV last night….if you did you would know that each of the democrats in the field should be worried. This guy is winning in the polls and I think he is taking aim at Trump in 2020 more than anything. - DuPage County Steve - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:23 pm: I too saw the Kennedy interview last night. His answers were concise and substantive. His answer on what past governors helped Illinois probably put shivers down the spine of Pritzker and likely why his campaign is calling for more debated today. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:24 pm: ===if you did you would know that each of the democrats in the field should be worried.=== Kennedy can’t even convince anyone to run with him right now. Kennedy needs to worry about getting on the ballot, lol - Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:29 pm: Mr/MsDaveNave Glad you got the CK talkin’ point. Show was a yawner. But thanks for pluggin’ the show - Amalia - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:29 pm: Interesting that he recommends 5 debates. have not seen the interview last night, but if his answers are getting shorter in interviews, that’s beneficial. I like his long form speeches, but that does not wear well in a debate. He is, however, an attractive candidate from a meaning perspective. He speaks with deep meaning. - Wondering - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:29 pm: Kennedy trots out his Hail Mary early….things must look grim to him. - whatthewhat - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:31 pm: Um, you might want to start with getting on the ballot. There are these things called “petitions” you need to circulate. Baby steps. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:31 pm: I agree with Rich. Costello would be risking a lot to team up with Kennedy. But Costello, despite being a popular incumbant, may be in trouble for his relection bid anyway. I am hearing Monroe County cant field a candidate for amy of the county wide offices. He cant lose yhat county 75-25 and still win. My point. Jerry, join team Kennedy. - lake county democrat - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:36 pm: JB refuses to endorse Obama, yuks it up with Blago, appears to donate $100K to Blago for $1million worth of funding to his pet project, and is in the Madigan/Barios machine embrace, and it’s Kennedy who should fear debates? I must have missed that stellar JB performance during the 9th Congressional primary debates. The more times Kennedy can say “Unlike my friend JB here, I didn’t need to wait to know I was supporting Barrack Obama rather than Mitt Romney” the better. What’s JB saying in response “but, but, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum were still in the race when I said that!” - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:42 pm: Yeah, the trailing candidate usually does want more debates. But in this case, the candidate seems uniquely ill-disposed to take advantage of them. - Thomas Paine - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:46 pm: Pritzker should suggest he wants atleast seven debates, at the Lincoln-Douglas debate sites, possibly more. - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:48 pm: I dont think any of the fringe candidates should muddy the debate. …just sayin… - 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:51 pm: ===Apparently none of you saw the Kennedy interview on CLTV last night=== CLTV? It’s not even offered by DirecTV. How many people do you think watch CLTV? If he gets permission, he should post it on his website and instantly triple the viewership to an even dozen. - Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:59 pm: -Pritzker can’t stop holding hands with Blago -Biss looks absolutely disorganized & incompetent -Pawar wants Columbus’ Day name changed Kennedy is the only candidate that is talking about HOW to fix things, not what the problem is. He’s already got 44% of the democrats in the bag & hasn’t aired a single ad. Good luck field. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:02 pm: ===He’s already got 44% of the democrats in the bag=== The primary is 7 months away and he has no money. Don’t bring that bag to the checkout counter quite yet. - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:03 pm: ==-Biss looks absolutely disorganized & incompetent== Yeah, Kennedy sure nailed that running mate thing. - City Zen - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:04 pm: ==How many people do you think watch CLTV?== I’m guessing more folks watched a rerun of Welcome Back Kotter on Antenna TV. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:05 pm: ===He’s already got 44% of the democrats in the bag & hasn’t aired a single ad.=== … and is unable to circulate a single petition to get in the ballot. “Good luck Kennedy” Ugh. - Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:05 pm: = The primary is 7 months away and he has no money. Don’t bring that bag to the checkout counter quite yet.= You’re right, Rich…..although the personal checkbook has yet to be opened. - Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:07 pm: === … and is unable to circulate a single petition to get in the ballot.=== People think THAT will be a problem? Seriously? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:08 pm: ===…although the personal checkbook has yet to be opened.=== How about a running mate? Get one if those, pick a name here, then get back to all of us. Kennedy was the one that broke the caps and yet looks utterly foolish with a ridiculous burn rate, that you point out doesn’t include a single ad aired. LOL - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:08 pm: ==People think THAT will be a problem? Seriously?== *Probably* not, but given all the other organizational problems he’s had, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:09 pm: ===People think THAT will be a problem? Seriously?=== Welp, so far, legally… It’s a problem, lol - Dave Nave - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:09 pm: People get so caught up in the running mate thing. All it can do is hurt you, and it cannot help. SEE: Daniel Biss - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:09 pm: LOL, Drury. Why not 50 debates? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:11 pm: Without a running mate, you can’t circulate, you can’t circulate, you can’t get on the ballot. It’s not being hung up on it, it’s a statutory requirement, lol - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:17 pm: To the Drury proposal, I think the mathematical formula is something like the number of debates a candidate wants directly correlates with their need for free media coverage. Does anyone really want to hear from these guys 10 times? Anyone? - Almost the weekend - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:20 pm: That 44% must be regressing. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:25 pm: ===All it can do is hurt you, and it cannot help=== I disagree. I think Stratton has helped Pritzker. - BuckinIrish - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:29 pm: That Kennedy name means something folks. He has shown barely any positive momentum since forming his campaign, yet he stands at 44%. Less informed voters may see the Kennedy name and think “He’s someone I can trust” just based on his relatives. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:32 pm: ===That Kennedy name means something folks. He has shown barely any positive momentum since forming his campaign, yet he stands at 44%. Less informed voters may see the Kennedy name and think “He’s someone I can trust” just based on his relatives.=== … and yet not a soul, up to now, is willing to run with the guy? If all you say is indeed the truth to the politics, not finding a running mate up to now is even a bigger fail than even I think. - Joe M - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:36 pm: Drury: “there should be 10 televised debates, with at least 4 taking place in Central and Southern Illinois.” He makes it sound like folks in Central and Southern Illinois don’t have TV sets. If its televised, does it really make a difference where they are held? Usually the audience doesn’t seem to be a huge factor in these debates, does it? - Jack Kemp - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:40 pm: What’s that? My opponent wants 10 debates? I say we should have 20, nay, 30! 30 debates! - TopHatMonocle - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:41 pm: The 44% number for Kennedy is being thrown around here a lot. That poll was from two months ago. Kennedy has basically done nothing since then, while Pritzker has been on TV, done numerous mailings, and picked up endorsements. If all Kennedy has going for him is that one old poll, good luck with that. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:44 pm: - TopHatMonocle - No one is stopping Pritzker, Biss, even Kennedy from dropping a poll and running with the results It’s confusing to me, actually, why Pritzker hasn’t dropped a poll where he’s within striking distance or surpassed Kennedy from the last poll… as Pritzker circulated petitions with Stratton and Kennedy, and now Biss, continue to search for running mates. It’s puzzling… - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:53 pm: Running mates only really matter inasmuch as they say something about the principal. In Stratton’s case, she may have helped because apparently picking a legit running mate is harder than it looks, but Pritzker pulled it off, and showed some leg to a few underrepresented parts of the Democratic coalition in the process. - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:55 pm: ==That poll was from two months ago.== OTOH, someone else has certainly polled the race since then, but not updated the numbers. - lake county democrat - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:57 pm: Kennedy’s name recognition counts a lot because I think there’s going to be a Trump effect on turnout. I could be wrong, but I think there’s a part of the Dem electorate which realizes they’ve really hurt themselves by not turning out in non-presidential elections and there’s lots of “grassroots needs to get involved” and voter reg talk out there. If you get typically weak primary turnout, then JB’s union/Madigan ties help him immensely. And by at least blunting Kennedy’s African-American appeal, the White endorsement and Stratton pick plays to that scenario as well. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:01 pm: ===OTOH, someone else has certainly polled the race since then, but not updated the numbers.=== Yep. That’s why this no new numbers, after Pritzker’s buys in the summer on TV, after state fair, after Stratton was chosen, I’m led to believe there aren’t numbers somewhere? Puzzling. - Politix - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:02 pm: Nice one-upmanship from former prosecutor Scott Drury. Pritzker should demand 15 debates. Per day. Starting tonight. - Precinct Captain - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:06 pm: If there were ten debates, how many would Drury actually make through before he crashed and burned? Robot Rubio is nothing compared to the “former federal prosecutor.” - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:11 pm: ==Yep. That’s why this no new numbers, after Pritzker’s buys in the summer on TV, after state fair, after Stratton was chosen, I’m led to believe there aren’t numbers somewhere?== Simplest explanation is that Pritzker doesn’t have numbers showing him with a lead. But I suspect they show something he likes, as we haven’t seen any resets from him yet. That Kennedy, who could desperately use some good press, hasn’t put out fresh numbers is interesting, too. I’m guessing he’s given a couple points back and doesn’t want to talk about that. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:14 pm: ===But I suspect they show something he likes, as we haven’t seen any resets from him yet.=== - Arsenal - I’d say you’re not wrong, but that strategy may not be a that right. While there hasn’t been any substantial changes and Stratton is a great pick, the natural political jump, a good jump, is to have fresh poll numbers coincide with petitions going out, ginning up a natural push of mommentum. Sitting on good numbers as petitions go out is puzzling. People like to back winners, and those leading in the polls. - TopHatMonocle - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:17 pm: Kennedy wouldn’t release a poll with him losing. Biss and Pawar wouldn’t release a poll because they’re both sub-10%. I also think it’s possible none of them have spent money on polling since the one Kennedy released in July. If Pritzker has a poll with him in the lead, which I would bet he does, what does he gain by releasing it? He has all the money he needs and endorsements are rolling in. But Biss is taking potshots at him, and if Kennedy saw a poll with him losing then maybe he’d start swinging at Pritzker too. Longer he holds that off, the better. Also, sorry to digress away from debates which are clearly important to hash out these days… - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:20 pm: ===If Pritzker has a poll with him in the lead, which I would bet he does, what does he gain by releasing it? He has all the money he needs and endorsements are rolling in.=== Above… ===…the natural political jump, a good jump, is to have fresh poll numbers coincide with petitions going out, ginning up a natural push of mommentum. Sitting on good numbers as petitions go out is puzzling.=== To the debates, Kennedy asking for 5 could be Kennedy seeing his lead slip, the burn rate of his monies as troubling, the lack of a running mate scary… and Kennedy needs something to seem engaged. Thus… “5 debates” - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:25 pm: ==Sitting on good numbers as petitions go out is puzzling.== Hmm, I don’t think I made myself clear. I suspect Pritzker doesn’t have a poll showing him winning- at least not outside the MOE. Thus, he has nothing to put out to coincide with petitions. But the fact that he’s not shaking up his operation indicates that he’s currently satisfied with how things are going. Maybe he shouldn’t be, but the non-polling indicators of the state of the race certainly aren’t smiling on any other candidate right now. - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:38 pm: ==I also think it’s possible none of them have spent money on polling since the one Kennedy released in July.== Mmmaybe. Kennedy has spent a lot on consultants, Pritzker has a lot to spend, and Biss certainly has enough to get one poll out there. Now, maybe they’ve all focused more on modeling and issue testing. But you’d think someone would get a topline number in the last 60 days. ==If Pritzker has a poll with him in the lead, which I would bet he does, what does he gain by releasing it?== It’s an interesting question because, really, the narrative is already that he’s winning, and it’s just that poll that says otherwise. Does he need to rebut that? I’m not sure he needs to, but I don’t see how it would hurt, either. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:58 pm: Five televised debates with Chris Kennddy sounds like a fantastic idea. Sufferers of sleep disorders would greatly benefit. Mattress, pillow and bed manufacturers would see an incredible increase in sales. Not to even mention the economic growth nine months later. - Pushback - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:04 pm: I’m gonna push back on those that say if Pritzker had a poll showing a lead he would have released it. Why? All the momentum is going his way. Biss is imploding. Kennedy can’t find someone willing to run with him. Pawar just raised 250k from his spokesman’s Dad and the rest are nowhere. So if it’s going well for Pritzker, why would you need to put out a poll? Why wouldn’t you wait until you needed good news or a distraction? - Pushback - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:06 pm: Also, the “44% in the bag” number was from a head to head poll that didn’t have the other candidates. It’s old and it’s bogus. And even with this supposed advantage, he can’t raise money ($50k since 7/1) or find a running mate. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:09 pm: ===Why wouldn’t you wait until you needed good news or a distraction?=== 1) a bad news day (bad news) isn’t buoyed by a good poll number report. “We messed this up, but look at the poll”. No. Then the next question is “oh yeah, for how long” 2) you release to buoy your volunteers. People love to back a winner. “Work hard and get signatures, our candidate is leading” 3) discourage others working on other canpaigns on first day of circulating. “We need signatures and now we’re trailing in the polls” 4) momentum. You want to start petition time with momentum rolling your way. A good poll helps. - Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:14 pm: OW, in regards to #3, most of the other campaigns couldn’t circulate on 9/5 anyway. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:22 pm: ===in regards to #3, most of the other campaigns couldn’t circulate on 9/5 anyway. === Ok, you got me there, lol - wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 3:52 pm: ===He’s already got 44% of the democrats in the bag=== If that’s the case, why would he want any debates? Dazzle, with your logical explanation on that one. - DuPage Bard - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 4:19 pm: If Kennedy wanted to really make a splash he should just challenge Pritzker. 5, 10, 15, 20 debates doesn’t matter. Need to go after the biggest bull in the room. Drury wants debates downstate so he can actually see downstate and maybe someone down there will know he’s a candidate. - CatAttack - Friday, Sep 8, 17 @ 7:36 am: Why do we have to wait until January? If the establishment is gonna trip all over themselves to endorse a year out, why not let people compare the candidates side by side earlier too? Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.