* From Pearson’s story about yesterday’s announcement…
Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey on Monday named Stephanie Trussell, a former right-wing radio talk show host in Chicago, as his running mate for the June 28 primary.
Bailey became the first of four announced GOP candidates to pick a lieutenant governor contender. Under state law, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor must run as a team. Team Bailey links a white farmer and state senator from rural downstate Xenia with a Black suburban woman. […]
In her social media posts in 2016, Trussell was opposed to Donald Trump’s Republican presidential nomination. She used the #NeverTrump hashtag on her Twitter account as she wrote Trump “is a despicable human being,” saying he “will donate to #Satan for a land deal” and that her “skin crawls when pundits call #Trump the leader of the #GOP. He doesn’t represent my values.”
Trussell also has used her social media platform to liken Planned Parenthood to the Ku Klux Klan and question the validity of health care professionals calling for vaccinations to deal with the pandemic.
* The governor was asked today about Trussell’s anti-Trump comments coming back on her…
It’s a complete mess over there. I do not know how they’re going to resolve all of this. The cult of personality around Donald Trump is a major factor in the Republican Party, seemingly. And I think they’re going to have lots of disagreements about who’s more Trumpy than the other person. But I know what I’m focused on. And you know what I’m focused on and I’ve been doing it for the last three years and that’s just the people of Illinois, the working families of Illinois
* Trussell had this to say today on the campaign trail…
I support President Trump 100 percent. Like a lot of people, we all had some issues with candidate Trump. My issue with him is that we didn’t think he was conservative enough, that was my issue with him. But you know what? I was so happy to be wrong about him. I voted for Trump in 2016. I campaigned and voted for Trump in 2020. And I will never apologize to the trolls on the Internet for who I am and what I am. I know what I am, that’s unshakeable.
She does more than her share of Internet trolling, as we’re about to see.
* As I told you yesterday, Trussell pulled down her Twitter account not long after people started posting about her. She put it back up at some point, and this was still there…
I asked the Bailey campaign for comment and haven’t heard back. I asked the ILGOP for comment twice (including on one of their Twitter posts about race) and haven’t heard back. I also asked some Democrats for comment, and House Black Caucus Chair Kam Buckner stepped up…
Stephanie Trussell and Darren Bailey should be ashamed of the past remarks regarding President Obama––but we all know they won’t be. These offensive, incendiary comments are unacceptable for someone seeking one of the highest offices in our state, and I look forward to hearing about the mental gymnastics Mrs. Trussell must do to justify these disturbing statements. Stephanie Trussell is exactly the kind of pick we’d expect from this field of far-right extremists, but she doesn’t represent us and never will.
…Adding… Real tough guy, eh?…
*** UPDATE *** Statement provided by the Bailey campaign…
I wouldn’t expect a basement blogger to do his job and add context to a sarcastic tweet from 7 years ago, but here you go: In 2014, Michelle Obama told black voters, “I give everyone full permission to eat some fried chicken after they vote.” This ridiculousness is the kind of stuff we’ve grown to expect from pandering liberals and the left-wing media, though. They put black people in a box, tell us to keep our heads down, our hands out, and vote Democrat. Well, these elitist politicians have failed us. Our streets aren’t safe, our schools are failing our children, our communities lack opportunities, and we need change. I’m proud of being a black woman raised on the Westside of Chicago, and I won’t apologize to the left-wing media or the out-of-touch career politicians who have been selling out Illinoisans for years. We’re here to fight for change for every Illinoisan and turn this state around.
Hilarious. Also, Buckner has been in office not quite three years. Also, too, I don’t think Obama said anything about malt liquor and watermelons.
…Adding… This is hilariously ironic…
I’ve asked for comment.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:21 pm:
It would appear that Ms. Trussell has a little bit of a Candace Owen thing going on. Not the best look, but whatever. It’s a free country.
For now.
- Anon E Moose - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:23 pm:
She should withdraw immediately.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:24 pm:
Also, everybody knows that Barack is a Harold’s Chicken fan. KFC is for tourists.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:27 pm:
=== She should withdraw immediately.===
That’s why Friday News Dumps and Holiday Weekend dumps exist.
I’m afraid, me, that the silence and the patchwork silly is a feature not the bug to keeping her on for all the wrong reasons while callousing over all the right reasons you dump her.
The goal of the grift is to separate money from the marks.
If this choice doesn’t separate marks from their money then it’s a failure. That’s the measure? Maybe?
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:27 pm:
-My issue with him is that we didn’t think he was conservative enough, that was my issue with him.-
Clearly calling him despicable, uncouth, disgusting and of very little character in 2016 was just a philosophical disagreement.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:31 pm:
All publicity is good publicity…amiright?
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:35 pm:
Have at it…
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:36 pm:
I have no party. I have not had a party since Allen Keyes. And unless there is a major realignment I will not have a true Republican Party in my lifetime. The Dixiecrats and old style southern Democrats the Confederacy have taken over what was once a Grand Old Party
- The Way I See It - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:36 pm:
Fried chicken, watermelon, and a 40 of malt liquor - hoo boy. She needs to be asked some direct questions about the thought process behind that photoshop job. I guess that does make her the perfect running mate for Bailey.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:39 pm:
=I asked the ILGOP for comment twice=
I’ll take a stab at it, on behalf of Don Tracy.
It’s a big tent, all are welcome.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:41 pm:
“Like a lot of people, we all had some issues with candidate Trump.” - Stephanie Trussell
No…don’t make everyone co-sign…speak for yourself…alone.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
So much to deal with – ok so she supports past President Donald Trump. She wanted him to be more conservative. She did not say she supports his boorish behavior, or his polarizing speech, or contesting the election. She even eludes to these issues in her statement
“ Like a lot of people, we all had some issues with candidate Trump”
She seems to be taking policies. Lots of GOP folks held their nose and voted for Trump, they supported policies like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, new support for Israel, a renewed emphasis on protecting American intellectual property, energy independence…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
- Prudent -
I default to this, Tracy’s statement as the newly minted Chair;
===“… So, whatever your political leanings, wherever you live - if you want to fight corruption, restore fiscal sanity, grow our economy, and stand for law and order - you’re on our team. It’s time to suit up, work together, and bring home some wins for the people of Illinois.”===
He’s cool with Trussell until I read or hear otherwise?
- Huh? - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:46 pm:
Ms. Trussell didn’t get the costume memo - jeans, big buckle, vest.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:46 pm:
===Lots of GOP folks held their nose and voted for Trump, they supported===
Then the lack of ethics and a lack of deciding racism and conspiracy theories are bad should be noted.
The stain of Trump isn’t wiped away by parsing what allows one to seem acceptable to… acceptable society.
Sorry.
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:48 pm:
Bailey has yet to win a four candidate primary and he’s already ducking the press?
That’s what TikTok is for; wannabe tough guys.
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
If you have to “hold your nose” to vote for someone you’re simply a party chump.
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Pretty Solid Statement by Rep. Buckner. He basically called a black woman a racist. And good for him that he did. If I were the press I would not stop asking why she attached racist imagery to a picture of the first black president.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 2:52 pm:
=He’s cool with Trussell until I read or hear otherwise?=
Of course he is. To Don Tracy, and others in today’s GOP, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you represent. It can be utterly vile and repugnant as long as you’re “with us.”
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:00 pm:
To the update: The bus is hideous, and is that a barn on his logo?
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:01 pm:
=Lots of GOP folks held their nose and voted for Trump=
Are these the same folks that showed up at the Capitol on 1/6? They didn’t seem like a crowd cheering on the Tax Cuts and Job Acts or acting on a desire to protect intellectual property. And make no mistake the President continues to wholeheartedly support these individuals. And if Trussell, as she claims, supports the President 100%, she does as well.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:02 pm:
===She did not say she supports his boorish behavior, or his polarizing speech,===
She posted that offensive Twitter post in 2014. I doubt she had any concerns that Trump was too boorish or polarizing.
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
Birds of a feather flock together.
- Leap Day William - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
== To the update: The bus is hideous, and is that a barn on his logo? ==
Nothing says “I understand the interests of people north of I-80″ like a big ol’ barn as your campaign logo.
- Publius - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
Guess Senator Bailey heard about that Supreme Court ruling yesterday also.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:20 pm:
Ms. Trussell is the gift that keeps on giving. Good pick, Darren. In the future, have your team investigate thoroughly before you deliver another blunder.
Darren, ‘ya picked from the D list.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:27 pm:
Baily avoiding the reporters, that will get them to stop asking about it for sure…
Also
“She rails against the “woke left” who wants to take the influence of parents out of the classroom.”
Again, just so I am clear, public education is terrible, but they can do a better job indoctrinating my kids than I can? Just want to be sure I am getting the whole GOP narrative right.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:45 pm:
-basement blogger-
Ouch. Beats former talk show host.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
=== I wouldn’t expect a basement blogger to do his job and add context to a sarcastic tweet from 7 years ago…===
But….
===Buckner has been in office not quite three years.===
If your pivot is… time… you’ve clocked this response poorly.
Poking the bear never helps, by the way.
As Bailey shrinks his own pool of base voters, the larger group that may get to look at what’s here or what’s written will be educated as to how Bailey, his crew, and his running mate go about their business… and right now… that’s not gonna help them… this screech
- duck duck goose - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
Why would Bailey expect a blogger (of the basement variety or otherwise–or anybody else) to “add context” to somebody’s racist tweet? That means that, in Bailey’s brain, there exists some type of context that would render the fried-chicken/watermelon/malt-liquor photoshop perfectly innocent. It’s just apparently our responsibility to come up with it! These are not top-shelf people.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:09 pm:
Did Michelle Obama say it was OK for everybody to have watermelon and malt liquor with their fried chicken? How did that get in there? Or am I taking this racist meme out of context?
But thankfully for Bailey, I’m glad to know this is all Michelle Obama’s fault.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Some books are easier to read than others
—
Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:33 pm:
[…]The entire ILGOP platform seems to be nothing more than ‘democrats bad’.
Nothing here changes that in their eyes.
The plusses of bailey(in his voters eyes) will easily negate anything negative in his lt gov pick. If anything, her coming around to the past office holder she previously criticized will be seen as a positive.
- Numbers matter - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Fairly certain Reagan would be appealed by the Trussel view of conservatism. And Trump is not and never was a conservative Sad thing is Republicans used to win a lot of elections with non litmus test conservative candidates, recognizing the diversity in the state and respecting private sector labor. Those days long gone and so is the party until the put candidates like these two on the “ash heap of history” as Reagan used to say about the Soviet Union, Sad and horrible for the state. We need parties.
- Joe Schmoe - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:18 pm:
The Trussel debacle is exactly what mainstream Republicans need to field truly qualified candidates for the offices of governor and Lt. Governor. At least I hope and pray……
- OneMan - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:18 pm:
==I wouldn’t expect a basement blogger to do his job and add context to a sarcastic tweet from 7 years ago, but here you go: ==
As a former basement blogger, I am not sure I would consider Rich “one of us”. Nothing personal Rich, but you get paid for the stuff you write. I think I made $10 off of google ad words over 10 years.
Also if you think “context” makes that seem funny/ironic/whatever you need to ponder the context a bit more.
- #NeverBailey - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:21 pm:
Darren Bailey…Wow is all we can say about him southeastern Illinois. He probably won’t be around by the time the primary hits. His farm financing magic will catch up with him.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:32 pm:
===Reagan would be appealed===
Freudian slip?
In 1980, Reagan gave his famous “states rights” speech in Mississippi, just a few miles from where the Freedom Summer murders occurred. Many people, including some on his own staff, thought that was a wink to white rural racists then.
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 4:32 pm:
Numbers matter,
But do we need parties? It seems that the dems have enough internecine warfare that they can make sure all issues are debated all by themselves. Or maybe the Greens can grow to replace the GOP as the 2nd party.
I promised myself in 2004 that I would never vote for another GOPer. I thought I would live to regret that promise. Not looking like it. Not that I haven’t voted green or independent before, but with the GOP being overtaken by weird, just not compelling.
- Captain Obvious - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 5:48 pm:
The watermelon and 40 were just natural extensions of the meme. A bit of artistic license. Your average basement blogger knows this.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 5:53 pm:
===… were just natural extensions of the meme.===
Going full race bating is on brand.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 5:56 pm:
Bailey and Trussel stopped in Ottawa last night. Right after photos of the event appeared on a LaSalle County Republican group’s FB page, there were comments condemning Trussel for her lack of support for Trump.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 5:58 pm:
===her lack of support for Trump===
This is what happens when you enable conspiracy theorists.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 6:01 pm:
=… were just natural extensions of the meme.=
Pretty much sums up Bailey’s candidacy. A meme come to life. Bailey’s not a serious candidate. He’s in it for “the likes.” And the ILGOP hopelessly sits and watches. When you have no platform, can’t govern, or win elections “owning the libs” is all that’s left.
- Al - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 6:22 pm:
I heard these candidates speak at Weeble’ s this afternoon in Springfield. They do not view government as a solution to all our problems. They are in favor of controlling government spending and allowing private enterprises to grow. Stephanie’s time as a radio personality has given her experience in communicating and both Bailey, Niemerg and she were well spoken this day. I have photos if Rich is interested.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 7:35 pm:
- conspiracy theorists. -
That’s a nice way to say lunatics.
- Tom - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 7:44 pm:
=Bailey’s not a serious candidate.= Anyone who thinks Bailey isn’t the front runner in the Republican primary hasn’t run a legitimate race in Illinois. I don’t agree with a single thing he stands for, but those who discount him, do so at the party’s peril.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 7:53 pm:
Did I miss the responses from Durkin, Tracy, Davis, LaHood, Butler, Bourne, Davidsmeyer?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 8:05 pm:
=== Did I miss the responses from Durkin, Tracy, Davis, LaHood, Butler, Bourne, Davidsmeyer?===
Nope.
Silence isn’t an accident.
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 8:21 pm:
Hey, Bailey campaign. It’s “West Side”, not “Westside” of Chicago.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 9:24 pm:
=Anyone who thinks Bailey isn’t the front runner in the Republican primary hasn’t run a legitimate race in Illinois.=
He’s clearly the front runner. And that should be very, very concerning for the ILGOP if it’s the best that they can do.
- Henry - Tuesday, Dec 14, 21 @ 10:13 pm:
Poor vetting, juvenile response. This JV team isn’t ready for the bright lights.
- Mr. Green Genes - Wednesday, Dec 15, 21 @ 6:01 am:
Who doesn’t like fried chicken?
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Dec 15, 21 @ 8:47 am:
=I heard these candidates speak at Weeble’ s this afternoon in Springfield. They do not view government as a solution to all our problems. They are in favor of controlling government spending and allowing private enterprises to grow.=
Explain Bailey’s millions in government subsidies as he works to deny others.Government is certainly a financial solution for him and he is happy to allow that spending without control.
Most want to grow businesses and employment.
Bailey well spoken? Maybe by the standards of Mississippi.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Dec 15, 21 @ 8:48 am:
Seeing as how beetle’s campaign like to claim being taken out of context by misusing an Obama quote.
Here is the context to the Obama chicken comment made during get out the vote interview:
Roland Martin: If we’re having souls to the poll on Sunday, can we do soul food after we vote?
Mrs. Obama: Absolutely. I give everyone full permission to eat fried chicken after they vote. Only after — if you haven’t voted. [laughter]
Martin: Well just checking!
https://newsone.com/3068466/mrs-obama-said-go-vote-these-right-wingers-heard-fried-chicken/