Obama stumps for the Democrats
Monday, Nov 5, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WGN TV…
Former President Barack Obama returned to Chicago to rally voters while supporting gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats on the ballot in the coming election. […]
Just looking at the latest polls, Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker may not need the help from the former president to defeat Gov. Rauner, but it didn’t stop him from taking the podium.
“Republicans are just plain wrong. Democrats are about being fair and decent we can be to one another,” Pritzker said.
* Sun-Times…
While former presidents often stay in the political background for a few years after leaving office, the Trump-led attacks on Obama’s legacy drew him back onto the campaign trail. Republicans, said Obama, are “blatantly, repeatedly, baldly, shamelessly lying.” And the Trump administration, which promised to “clean the swamp,” instead, Obama said, “racked up enough indictments to field a football team.” […]
Gubernatorial candidate Pritzker took the stage before Obama spoke to say “hatred and misogyny should have no place in America.” He told the crowd, “This election is about what Illinois can be.”
Raoul told the crowd, “I’m a proud son of Haitian immigrants who did not come from [a] s-hole,” referencing reports of President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about immigration from several countries earlier this year. “I am a birthright baby,” Raoul said.
Comptroller and likely Chicago mayoral contender Susana Mendoza called herself at the rally “your truth-telling fiscal watchdog who is not afraid to stand up to Bruce Rauner.”
I’m assuming we’ll hear some “truth-telling” from Mendoza in the coming days about her mayoral bid.
* Tribune…
Pritzker accused Rauner and the state Republican Party of adopting Trump’s “retrograde views,” including viewing people as a threat “because of the way they look or worship or identify.”
“Illinois, my faith in you has never been greater,” Pritzker said, saying residents have shown “you prove progress is always possible.”
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:51 pm:
There was great unity and the overall message was strong—caring about other people. Caring about others to many means helping people in need with food and healthcare. I’ve heard people say they don’t want to pay taxes for others to get help with healthcare. That is very antithetical to many of us.
- Real - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
Sorry, but Obama is as phony as they come. I voted for him his first election, but then realized the real Obama. The same as any other mainstream politician. I listened to most of his speech during the rally and no mention of Bruce Rauner bu name. No real stance on issues. I’m thinking since Rauner and Rahm were friends that maybe Obama has some connection to Rauner too since there is a real lack in criticizing this guy.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:54 pm:
You spend $174 million to defeat the most vulnerable and worst Republican in America, to bring in the favorite son President Obama is a real great example of this campaign and continually make the $174 million seem like a bargain.
It’s a tad odd, I’m sure somewhere else another campaign woulda like President Obama, and while Obama came home, that part kinda-sorta makes sense, if Pritzker is up 16-22, and I think that’s most likely the case and true… it feels odd.
- dilemma - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 12:59 pm:
President Obama’s appearance came on the heels of one in Gary to boost turnout for Joe Donnelly. I suspect it has more to do with helping collar-county House candidates and providing a national narrative of the Illinois president united with the Illinois Democrats.
- Montrose - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:00 pm:
“It’s a tad odd, I’m sure somewhere else another campaign woulda like President Obama, and while Obama came home, that part kinda-sorta makes sense, if Pritzker is up 16-22, and I think that’s most likely the case and true… it feels odd.”
If I thought it was just about Pritzker, I would agree, but there is a good chance of flipping two US House seats, if not more. I think Obama’s visit was much more about the broader ticket and trying to make this blue wave a reality than helping Pritzker.
- JS Mill - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:07 pm:
=if Pritzker is up 16-22, and I think that’s most likely the case and true… it feels odd.=
Maybe they heard somebody say “campaign like you are down 10 points”?
Or maybe they really want to throttle Rauner, but do it with a smile.
- LakeCo - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:08 pm:
“Sorry, but Obama is as phony as they come.”
I can think of a few people who are phonier…
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:08 pm:
===Maybe they heard somebody say “campaign like you are down 10 points”?===
Yep. OW, start listening to your own advice. lol
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:12 pm:
There couldn’t have been a bigger contrast between Obama on stage speaking with Pritzker sitting behind him and Democrats taking the stage together in unity, and Rauner with his pander outfit in the audience at the Trump rally, getting nary a mention.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
===start listening to your own advice.===
LOL… i said it was odd, not that they shouldn’t.
Fair point.
:)
- Pundent - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:32 pm:
I suspect that the goal of bringing Obama in is to increase enthusiasm towards Democrats across the board. This is just as much about Raoul, Underwood, and Casten as it is about Pritzker. Obama reminds us of the stark contrast between the current President and his predecessor.
- west wing - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:32 pm:
I attended the UI-C rally and, as usual, it was Senator Durbin who lived up to the late Steve Neal’s characterization of him as “senator sound bite”
Durbin said, of Democrats upset with Trump, you’ve been complaining for two years and now you have two days of campaigning to send a message.
Obama was outstanding!
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:44 pm:
It would be strange if Obama didn’t come to Illinois for a GOTV rally.
- A guy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 1:57 pm:
The rally was at UIC. Not exactly like walking into the mouth of a lion….OW is right. It does feel odd.
- Baloneymous - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:44 pm:
why wouldn’t the former president come to his home state and stump for JB, Kwame, Julianna, Susana, and 2 tight Congressional races? pump up the turnout and not leave any stone unturned.
not exactly walking into the mouth of the lion.
huh? Obama was supposed to hold his rally in Effingham or Murphysboro?
- JakeCP - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
Question: Was Jesse White at the rally? He seemed to be the only one missing out of the statewide candidates.
- plutocrat03 - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
Watching excerpts of the former president speech do seem odd.
Campaigning in a State where victory is a slam dunk asks the question of why? Does he need a victory to be associated with?
Seems a bit gloomy for a get out to vote effort.
- JakeCP - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
–Campaigning in a State where victory is a slam dunk asks the question of why? Does he need a victory to be associated with?–
I would think so…..last time around he endorsed Pat Quinn….
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
–Campaigning in a State where victory is a slam dunk asks the question of why? Does he need a victory to be associated with?–
LOL, I imagine he’s content being associated with those two presidential wins of his.
Again, it would be weird if he didn’t come to Illinois.
- Pundent - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:12 pm:
I agree with word. A stop in Illinois is easy for Obama and he knows he’s going to get a friendly crowd. If any of these squeakers come out with Republicans on top there would be lots of talk about the Obama “snub” of his home state.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:13 pm:
===there would be lots of talk about the Obama “snub” of his home===
Agreed, particularly since he was right next door in Gary that same day.
- A guy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
==huh? Obama was supposed to hold his rally in Effingham or Murphysboro?==
Maybe somewhere a little closer to those Congressional seats he’s trying to flip? They ain’t near UIC.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:22 pm:
===Agreed, particularly since he was right next door in Gary that same day.===
I guess I’m approaching it in this way…
It’s very uncommon for the last president, two years removed from being president to campaign against the opposing party, especially with the successor leading that party.
These are odd times.
Now Obama is barnstorming, for those in actual need of a boost, it’s just odd, as is all of this is odd.
- Pundent - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 3:58 pm:
I don’t think that Obama expected to be running the circuit two years after leaving office. But there’s a lot of things we didn’t expect to be occurring at this point and here we are. These aren’t normal times and the old “rules” around what’s common are out the window. I think the Democrats realize that you can’t sit around and wait for things to return to normal. This is the new normal.
And with regards to appearing at UIC vs. Schaumburg or Naperville you’re missing the larger objective. Obama only needs to be on local TV with a large enthusiastic crowd. UIC accomplishes that objective.
- AK - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 4:39 pm:
Yes, Jesse White was also there and spoke. Obama was been traveling the country doing similar rallies in key states and was there to support Ill. Dems up and down the ticket, particularly Congressional candidates.
- A guy - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 4:41 pm:
==And with regards to appearing at UIC vs. Schaumburg or Naperville you’re missing the larger objective. Obama only needs to be on local TV with a large enthusiastic crowd. UIC accomplishes that objective.==
Uh…if it takes thousands of ground workers out of the field…it might just matter.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 4:43 pm:
===if it takes thousands of ground workers out of the field===
Another reason not to do it in-district.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Nov 5, 18 @ 7:59 pm:
In 2010 and 2014 BO(IMO the most dynamic politician of my lifetime), couldn’t negate the off year phenomenon. It does amaze me. In 2014, the economy was clearly on the upswing. Today’s economy appears to be robust. Go figure.
Interesting tidbit I heard on KMOX ‘tis morn. For the last 70 yrs, the DJIA has had an up year following the off year election.