* WGN’s Tahman Bradley took a look at some of the more “extreme” candidates running as Republicans in Illinois this year. Here’s one…
In Illinois House District 51, local Republicans chose Helene Miller Walsh to fill the vacant seat. She’s married to conservative firebrand Joe Walsh, a former congressman. Helene Walsh, like her husband, has expressed controversial views, some of which were reportedly posted on Facebook.
“I don’t even know what hate speech is,” Walsh said at a recent League of Women Voters candidate forum. “You’re allowed to say whatever you want in this country. … That’s called free speech.”
When asked whether Walsh represents the values of Illinois Republicans, Schneider said, “The Illinois Republican Party does not put pressure on from the top down. We let the local legislators choose their individuals in those races.”
Saying “I don’t even know what hate speech is,” is kinda like saying “The Mafia doesn’t exist.”
Also, state-level Republicans don’t put pressure on locals when it comes to legislative appointments? Really? That’s a laughably false assertion.
* Anyway, back to Rep. Walsh, who campaigned in Vernon Hills with Gov. Rauner and comptroller candidate Darlene Senger over the weekend…
…Adding… That’s Republican House candidate Ken Idstein just behind Rauner. Idstein is a candidate backed by Dan Proft. Because of Idstein’s tight relationship to Proft, the House Republicans are staying out of the race.
* Background…
* “They can’t kill each other fast enough on the south and southwest sides” - Helene Miller Walsh gets Sauer seat
* Rep. Miller-Walsh slammed for “scrubbed” Facebook page
* What the heck is going on in Lake County?
* Rep. Miller Walsh appointed to committees as more Facebook posts emerge
* Apparently, Rep. Miller Walsh isn’t finished posting extreme stuff on Facebook
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:41 am:
–“I don’t even know what hate speech is,” Walsh said at a recent League of Women Voters candidate forum.–
Maybe all that stuff you scrubbed from your social media accounts? Or was that just some kind of accident?
Like you don’t know what side your bread is buttered.
It’s your whole bit.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:43 am:
Rauner will tack back to the center as soon as he secures the nomination in the Republican primary.
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:44 am:
===“The Illinois Republican Party does not put pressure on from the top down. We let the local legislators choose their individuals in those races.”===
… or John Tillman.
Honest.
#PhonyBaloney
- One hand //ing - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:45 am:
===“The Illinois Republican Party does not put pressure on from the top down.”===
Tell that to Sam McCann.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:45 am:
–Schneider said, “The Illinois Republican Party does not put pressure on from the top down…–
Not very well, anyway. That’s how you ended up with a Nazi and a 9/11 Truther Nut winnin’ GOP primaries.
At least you’re consistent. You’re sure not puttin’ much pressure most Dem statewide candidates or any on the likes of Preckwinkle, Dart and Kaegl in Cook.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:46 am:
Are we sure that picture of the Guv that none of us will ever be able to unsee wasn’t taken as he exited the 2 hour shower he needed after hangin’ with this crowd?
- VanillaMan - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:48 am:
Hate speech is what your political opponents say it is, so you deleted it.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:51 am:
If he’s going to campaign with the racists in his party, he might as well appear with Trump.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:52 am:
–Hate speech is what your political opponents say it is, so you deleted it.–
Is that how it works? Politicians let their opponents control what they say?
Another victim heard from.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:59 am:
You missed my point.
She deleted it, so she had to know what her political opponents were referencing.
- Chris P. Bacon - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 12:00 pm:
“You’re allowed to say whatever you want in this country. … That’s called free speech.”
Umm, some pretty major caveats to that. Yelling fire in a theater the most obvious example. Defamation, slander, and all kinds of restrictions on commercial speech, false claims, etc.
Helene Walsh was a ridiculous pick. Shame on Mark Shaw. That was all him and he didn’t care what voters in his county thought. Fortunately they do get a say in a couple of weeks.
- Pundent - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 12:04 pm:
=She deleted it, so she had to know what her political opponents were referencing.=
I believe that she deleted most of it just before she was appointed to the seat. Must be some crystal ball she has. It can’t be that she’s evolved because she’s right back to spewing garbage.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 12:32 pm:
Rauner’s a “moderate” Republican doncha know.
- Strategy Geek - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:45 pm:
“When we all lose badly next month, will anyone learn a lesson from it?’
Miller-Walsh: “Double down on wingnut crazy”
Rauner: “The media still fails to appreciate the hidden genius in my messaging.”
Senger: “We can maybe blame this on Duckworth?”
- Rabid - Tuesday, Oct 23, 18 @ 8:05 am:
Stuff like this validates Arthur Jones as a statesman
- Rabid - Tuesday, Oct 23, 18 @ 8:29 am:
Rauners people’s pledge puts pressure from the top down. Put yourself beneath Jerry Long