* Richard Irvin’s candidate media training apparently isn’t yet completed. Politico…
Mayor Richard Irvin, who’s running in the Illinois Republican primary race for governor, hasn’t taken questions since he announced his run by video nine days ago. So, naturally, we made the trip to Aurora and were all ears when he was asked last night, “why run for governor” when there’s more work to be done in Aurora? A few more questions came his way, but he didn’t respond.
Albeit these questions weren’t from journalists. They came from public commenters during an Aurora City Council meeting, a two-hour event that Irvin ran with precision. It’s not unusual that he wouldn’t explain his views on Texas’ abortion law or whether he and the council would affirm that Joe Biden was legitimately elected. We all know how public comment processes can go.
But since Irvin and his running mate, Avery Bourne, haven’t talked much yet about their vision for the state, showing up at a public event seemed like standard fare and your Playbook host decided to watch Irvin in action running a council meeting. After all, he’s going to get chased down a lot when he’s on the road campaigning. He might as well get used to it now. […]
“I’m totally excited about the campaign and announcement and I look forward to riding throughout Illinois and talking to people about what we need to do to make a difference in Illinois,” he said. Even if he wasn’t eager to talk, he definitely sounded like a man running for office.
Asked why he hasn’t been available for questions, Irvin pivoted like a champ: “We’ve got a lot of problems in Illinois. Crime is out of control. Taxes and wasteful spending is out of control. Corruption is out of control. I look forward to riding throughout the state and talking to residents about taking our state back.”
Pivoted like a champ? That’s one way to put it. But, many kudos for at least trying to get him to talk. The Tribune has an Aurora bureau (actually, I’m not sure what to call it because it’s the old Aurora Beacon News), but its most recent story is about high school basketball scores.
…Adding… The questions from the audience were understandable after Irvin’s top campaign guy said this last October…
A campaign official for Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said this week there is “no way” the mayor will join the race for governor.
Dennis Cook, a campaign spokesman who has served as Irvin’s campaign manager in his races for mayor, said this week an online video interview that named Irvin as a potential candidate in the Republican primary was likely “just wishful thinking.”
“No, he’s not running for governor,” Cook told The Beacon-News. “Richard just got re-elected in April. We have a job to do.” […]
“There’s nothing to it,” he said.
Reporters were subsequently referred to Cook’s remarks when they followed up.
Anyway, I’m told Irvin will do interviews next week. We’ll see.
* Meanwhile, Ken Griffin’s dark money judicial campaign mouthpiece Jim Nowlan wrote this in the News-Gazette…
Household incomes in America have become more and more unequal over recent decades, as measured by the Gini Index of Inequality. American society has also become more sharply polarized, as measured by Donald Trump’s continuing, intense support in small-town and rural America. I know why, or at least know some of the key factors.
From my perch in rural Illinois since just after World War II, I have seen the causes at play: Women now work, at any jobs they can achieve, and like kinds marry; unions are often shadows of their former strength and numbers, and single-parent households have tripled since my childhood, to about 30 percent of the total.
Growing up in the 1940s and ’50s, I recall that most married women stayed at home, and single women worked in limited fields until they married. Indeed, school boards required female teachers to stop teaching when they wed, to open a job for a man. Obviously, all is dramatically different today. I illustrate with two families, composites of many households I have known personally.
It’s quite something. A buddy called the column, Nowlan’s “vision of a ladyless workplace.”
* From an Irvin fundraising appeal…
Unlike Pritzker, Richard wasn’t born the heir to a massive family fortune. Richard’s mother had him when she was only 16 and they grew up in the projects. We don’t have $90 million lying around to give to our own campaign. Instead we rely on the grassroots donations of real patriots like yourself.
This is exactly the kind of corruption we’re trying to stop, Friend. Pritzker and Democrats don’t care about you or your vote. They would rather buy elections and continue serving themselves at America’s expense.
No, Irvin will just be handed a fortune by the wealthiest person in Illinois who very much prefers to get his own way. Also, Irvin was raised in Section 8 housing, not “the projects.” And y’all don’t have $90 million lying around yet. And since when do Republicans believe that candidates spending their own money is inherently corrupt? 🙃
* More Irvin…
Taking a step forward in his campaign for Governor, Richard Irvin is announcing the creation of a Law Enforcement Advisory Council with 30 law enforcement leaders and advocates from across the state. As public safety remains a top priority for Irvin, he has pledged to work with this council to best address rising crime rates that have plagued Illinois communities.
One of the law enforcement officials joining the council includes former Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman, who is confident Richard Irvin is the best leader for Illinois, especially to work alongside law enforcement.
“Providing public safety for our communities is the pinnacle of our profession,” said Ziman. “But in the last few years, crime has skyrocketed. Crime remains high, police are limited in how we can respond, and criminals set free. Our communities are less safe. As Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin reduced crime, hired more cops, and invested in prevention programs. It’s that common sense approach that will make a difference in our communities and overall safety.”
Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney, advocated for Richard Irvin’s record of reducing crime, which is needed in communities across the state–including the western suburbs.
“Communities aren’t safe without the work of law enforcement,” said Berlin. “Richard Irvin has proven he is ready and able to work with law enforcement; as a prosecutor he did ride alongs with police on raids, and put criminals behind bars. He hasn’t turned his back on police, he worked with police to reduce crime and increase public safety.”
Neil Williamson, former Sangamon County Sheriff, underlined Richard Irvin’s experience hiring more cops, working with police, and reducing crime rates in Aurora.
“In order to better serve and protect our communities, we need to elect leaders who understand the challenges faced by law enforcement and who care about making our communities safer,” said Williamson. “JB Pritzker’s Administration and the policies he’s supported have made it harder to protect the communities we serve. Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne stand with police, and they understand that the state needs law enforcement to be a safer, better place to live and raise a family.”
As a prosecutor, Tom Haine, Madison County State’s Attorney, believes reduced crime will only become a reality with a change in leadership and voiced support for that leader to be Richard Irvin as Governor.
“Having a leader like Richard Irvin who supports police and is a former prosecutor will benefit every Illinois resident,” said Haine. “Mayor Irvin and Rep. Bourne are motivated to work with law enforcement leaders to ensure safer communities statewide. We need true leadership like that for our state.”
The Law Enforcement Advisory Council includes the following members:
• Rick Ahlgren, Retired Lieutenant (Aurora Police Department)
• Dwight Baird, Kendall County Sheriff
• Anthony Beckman, Police Officer, Norwood Park Township Republican Committeeman
• Peter Bensinger, Former Administrator of US DEA, Former Chair of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Former Member of Interpol Representing the US Dept. of Justice
• Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney
• Larry Brouk, Retired Chief of Police (Forest View)
• Dan Cronin, Former Prosecutor (DuPage County), DuPage County Board Chairman
• Tom Cross, Former Prosecutor (Kendall County), Former Illinois House Republican Leader
• Mike Downey, Kankakee County Sheriff
• Jim Durkin, Former Prosecutor (Cook County), Illinois State Representative (HD 82) and House Republican Leader
• John Fahy, Fire Chief, Retired (City of Elgin)
• Jack Garcia, Director of Public Safety (City of Burbank); Former First Deputy Director, Illinois State Police
• Chad Gessner, Chief of Operations (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office)
• Tom Haine, Madison County State’s Attorney
• Keefe Jackson, Aurora Police Deputy Chief (Retired)
• Ammie Kessem, 41st Ward Committeeperson, Police Officer
• Bruce Kettelkamp, Christian County Sheriff
• Michael McCoy, Chief of Police (Washington), Former Peoria County Sheriff
• Joe McMahon, Former Kane County State’s Attorney
• Joshua Morrison, Fayette County State’s Attorney
• Michael Murphy, Former Chief of Police (Barrington Hills)
• Gray Noll, Morgan County State’s Attorney
• Pat O’Brien, Former State’s Attorney (Cook County)
• Chad Peterson, First Deputy Director of the Illinois State Police (Retired)
• Dennis Reboletti, Former Prosecutor (Will County), Former State Representative, Addison Township Supervisor
• Bob Schillerstrom, Former Prosecutor (DuPage County), Former DuPage County Board Chairman
• Grace Simpson, Mercer County State’s Attorney
• Steve Sloan, Stark County Sheriff
• Eric Thomas, Retired ISP, Master Sergeant
• Neil Williamson, Former Sangamon County Sheriff
• Robert Windon, Former Prosecutor McHenry County, Former Barrington Trustee
• Kristen Ziman, Former Chief of Police (Aurora)
* Irvin made a new digital buy. Click here for the report.
…Adding… DGA…
The DGA is tracking how long he’s been hiding at this new site.
Irvin’s been avoiding the tough questions that big donor Ken Griffin doesn’t want him to answer — like why he’s voted for Democrats, why he’s supported Gov. JB Pritzker, and whether he would reboot the unpopular policies of Bruce Rauner.
“Radio Silent Richard is hiding from reporters because he can’t answer for the unpopular platform Ken Griffin wants him to run on,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Illinoisans deserve answers — and Irvin won’t be able to hide his record of flip-flopping and out-of-touch policies much longer.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
The following is a statement from Illinois Senate Democrats Executive Director Magen Ryan:
“Richard Irvin might not talk to the press, but he’s making his disrespect for democracy painfully clear.
“How can Richard Irvin stack a “law enforcement advisory council” with someone who dishonored the memory of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick by calling the January 6th insurrectionists “patriots”? A candidate for Governor who embraces people spreading vulgar misinformation about the Presidential Election and the deadly attack on our Capitol police – and follows their guidance – is a threat to the future of our state and our nation’s democracy.
“How does surrounding yourself with people like Anthony Beckman, despite the violence they encourage, protect law enforcement? Add this to the list of questions Richard Irvin should have to answer whenever Ken Griffin allows him to speak.”
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:21 am:
No one can accept Griffin bucks and pretend to be anti-crime. If Republicans are serious about fighting crime, they wouldn’t accept money from the dude who financed the shredding of the social safety net, including violence prevention programs.
“Taxes and wasteful spending is out of control.”
The same old GOP tripe. Cutting taxes would again harm social services, as it did when the 2011 state income tax hike ended and Griffin/Rauner sabotaged the budget.
- vern - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:22 am:
The amount of fundraising-related messaging from the Irvin campaign is odd given that Griffin is supposed to be all the way in. Generally one of the benefits of a “fully funded” campaign is that everyone involved can go do non-fundraising stuff. If I remember right, Pritzker didn’t even have a donate button on his website in 2018. He doesn’t have one now. Wouldn’t Irvin rather ask for canvassing shifts than small donations right now?
- Brandon Robinette - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:25 am:
Not taking questions and limiting appearances and availability is a legit comms policy. Worked very well for the current elected President. Olde school campaign hands and jorurno’s may not like it , but times have changed and strategies evolve.
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:27 am:
=Pat O’Brien, Former State’s Attorney (Cook County)=
I assume they meant Former “Assistant” State’s Attorney.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:29 am:
Jim “change is bad” Nowlan
Here’s the central message of every Jim Nowlan column: Life was better for white men like me when the world’s decision making was left to white men like me. We should go back to white men like me making decisions. It would make white men like me feel more comfortable.
That Jim Nowlan feels this way is regrettable but not that surprising.
What is surprising is that he continues to find media outlets who gladly embrace it.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:29 am:
=== is a legit comms policy. Worked very well for the current elected President===
No it isn’t and unlike 2020 we now have vaccines.
We’re not children here. Don’t treat us as such.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:31 am:
===What is surprising is that he continues to find media outlets who gladly embrace it.===
Have you looked at the News-Gazette’s editorial board? lol
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:31 am:
“Instead we rely on the grassroots donations of real patriots like yourself”
Irvin’s campaign is generating excitement among my GOP associates. Griffin’s money will be enormous but he will also end up with a boatload of small individual contributions.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:31 am:
I heard the reason Griff et al. haven’t let Irvin speak to the press yet is because he is still working on dropping his g’s when he speaks. Give him time. He will get there.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:33 am:
==Not taking questions and limiting appearances and availability is a legit comms policy. ==
It’s just not a good one, especially for a challenger with little name rec, facing a reasonably popular incumbent that will match your fundraising dollar for dollar.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:34 am:
Countin’ some of the pols as “prosecutors” could be be a reach.(aka Cross and Schilly) It has been a while since these folks have locked up the bad guys, but names on a list is fun stuff. In a recent crime clash, Sheriff McCoy won a fierce battle to keep his motorcycle squad which gets heavy use in the St. Jude fundraiser efforts. Surprised Everyone’s favorite Anne Diaz did not make the list too.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:36 am:
= unions are often shadows of their former strength and numbers =
I thought for Griffinites that was a feature, not a bug.
- ZC - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:40 am:
If it’s Rauner’s team, I look forward to Irvin also stating that he has a foolproof plan to cut state taxes and balance the budget, and he’ll be releasing it very soon, only to see that pledged roll-out keep sliding back until after November - “just a couple more weeks.”
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:42 am:
=Life was better for white men like me when the world’s decision making was left to white men like me.=
Yep. What I don’t get is what does he think would be different? As a white male in my late 50’s I have never noticed anything that is really different or more difficult. So what is his problem?
=“Instead we rely on the grassroots donations of real patriots like yourself”=
So making political donations is now “patriotic”? Disgusting. False and gross misapplication of the term. I would think Donnie would know better.
- levivotedforjudy - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:45 am:
In this chess game, I hope Mayor Irvin doesn’t look like a pawn. There are independents and Thompson/Edgar Republicans that are out there that he could sway.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:46 am:
==Irvin’s campaign is generating excitement among my GOP associates.==
Things are different where they’re different, but around here he’s made no impact. Of course, Sullivan is right next door, and we’ve got a county Republican Party that rather infamously fails to do what it’s told.
- Fav Human - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:47 am:
Jim “change is bad” Nowlan
That is not at all what he said. He pointed out a fact.
Today you have well educated people marrying each other and having large incomes.
With the relentless downward push on incomes of those without college, when people like that marry each other their income is a much lower fraction of the well educated.
He simply pointed out that women staying at home meant the income ratio was greater.
If you care about income inequality, you need to understand that dynamic, and have a reasonable way to address it.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:51 am:
==A campaign official for Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said this week there is “no way” the mayor will join the race for governor.==
So much flip flopping is, in its own way, a form of consistency.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:52 am:
Lining up with those responsible for shredding the social services net is called ‘selling out’. It’s not patriotic, it’s not community minded. Quite the opposite in my opinion.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:52 am:
“Democrats favor replacing the income provided by a second person with government programs, which runs the risk of increasing long-term dependence on Uncle Sam. Republicans say more education is the answer.”
Another hilarious knee slapper from old Jim Nowlan. If any of you see Jim before I do, please let him know that we all got a great laugh and to keep ‘em coming.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:55 am:
[Sarcasm font on] One member of the “Law Enforcement Advisory Council” IS available for questions from the press … if they can figure out where in Greater Chicagoland he’s playing 9 holes …. .
- Marty Funkhouser - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:56 am:
Whew, something has happened to Jim Nowlan over the past 15 or so years, or he’s been burying these views deep for a while.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:00 am:
Jim Nowlan once wrote a column about being involved in a charitable organization delivering assistance to single-parent households.
“What struck me was how grateful the mother, a bit disheveled, was for the tickets (at $6 each) and the ten bucks for treats. What a miserable life, I thought.”
The point of helping the less fortunate is to mock them in print. Right?
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:02 am:
Fav Human, are you saying that women in the workforce, leading to 2 income families is contributing to the income inequality we have today?
Next are you going to tell us that Griffin is so concerned about income inequality and that is why he divorced his wife? So he wouldn’t be a dual income household contributing to income inequality?
- here we go - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:02 am:
The issue I have with Jim Nowlan is that he has built himself up as a sort of paragon of virtue, complaining about the evil Democrats and then aligns himself closely with the dark-money groups that pollute the judicial campaigns with non-transparent money. What? You can’t have it both ways., And he says, “Republicans say education is the answer.” Then why is Nowlan backing a ticket, co-lead by Avery Bourne who battled Andy Manar on Manar’s strong leadership for school funding reform?
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:04 am:
Pete Bensinger? Really? Good to know he’s still alive, but not sure his endorsement carries much weight with people under age 85.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:05 am:
‘Riffin’s dark money judicial campaign mouthpiece Jim Nowlan … speaking of efforts by RichieRich backers … Confessed Congressman Ray LaHood was pushin’ passenger rail service from Peoria to Chicago. Unclear who is paying his freight right now
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:05 am:
“Taxes and wasteful spending is out of control.” I think he misspelled “Waste, fraud and abuse.”
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:13 am:
== Irvin was raised in Section 8 housing, not “the projects.” ==
Thank you for pointing that out, Rich! Section 8 is certainly not the projects.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:14 am:
=== Richard Irvin’s candidate media training apparently isn’t yet completed. ===
Remember your lines Mayor, remember your lines. Stick to the code words, duck and pivot.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:16 am:
Law Enforcement Advisory Council
Bob Berlin and Joe McMahon will be a nice counter-narrative to the Dem’s lineup of Abolishing cash bail and Kim Foxx.
- watchful eye - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:19 am:
Irvin is the establishment candidate in a party that is non-establishment. Every time he rolls out endorsements of Rauner guys–it just emboldens Bailey supporters.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:20 am:
“real patriots like yourself”
We can’t have GOP pandering without the word “patriot,” can we? It’s so obvious. Lol.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:21 am:
I used to have a great deal of respect for Nowlan and corresponded with him. But, once he got on the Griffin bandwagon, I lost all respect for him. This screed of his reinforces it.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:22 am:
===And since when do Republicans believe that candidates spending their own money is inherently corrupt?===
When the candidate is Jewish.
- ZC - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:25 am:
When does Irvin start rolling out answers to where he stands on abortion in Illinois, in a post-Roe v Wade world? All signs point to that being a real-stakes question again come July. That might be one he’s going to try and fudge on until after the GOP primary.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:28 am:
The “Aurora bureau” aka The Beacon News for the most part gave up of aggressive journalism quite some time ago. They have and editor/columnist who finds the positive in everything and used to give the former mayor a pass on everything.
Their cover the local schools well, but if you are looking for coverage of local municipal government the Daily Herald is a better bet imho
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:30 am:
That’s right old man. Everything wrong with the world is because of women.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:32 am:
==Irvin’s campaign is generating excitement among my GOP associates.==
On the downstate FB political group I watch, Irvin is also generating excitement–that he isn’t Republican at all and actually a leftist Dem who will give the governorship back to Pritzker.
- walker - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:37 am:
Cannot tell whether crime is up or down under Mayor Irvin’s watch, from his messaging. It’s early but it looks like too many cooks in the comms kitchen right now
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:44 am:
=Women now work=
And thank god they do. Who would want to exclude half of the population from the workforce? Think of the brain power, incredible ideas, break throughs in science and technology because the entire population is empowered to pursue their ideas.
Baseball wasn’t better before Jackie Robinson and the work place wasn’t better before women started entering the workforce.
- yinn - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:47 am:
Had to laugh at the media training comment, remembering a photo of Irvin last week using the classic “leaning steeple” hand gesture.
== When does Irvin start rolling out answers to where he stands on abortion in Illinois, in a post-Roe v Wade world? ==
Looking at the names on the advisory council list, I have a theory where the flippity-floppity on abortion rights will land.
- sal-says - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 11:53 am:
== And since when do Republicans believe that candidates spending their own money is inherently corrupt? ==
Since anytime they think they can get mileage out of & be against anything/everything.
== …creation of a Law Enforcement Advisory Council ==
Ain’t these the same guys that oppose all gun control/registration & are opposed to taking AR15 type assault weapons off the street ?
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:11 pm:
Next up Griffie and RichieRich will unveil a women’s advisory auxiliary at the Feb. Kendall County Tea.
- Moi - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
Yesterday, I was texted Irvin’s tough-on-crime video yesterday by a number I don’t know. I’m assuming it was his campaign texting to registered voters who provided phones numbers.
- Chicago Blue - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
@ Brandon Robinette
I think the current president also had a 46 year record and 8 years of being #2 in the White House that folks could reference.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:28 pm:
Richard Irvin seems to be trotting out the standard GOP stuff, tough on crime, cut taxes, get rid of waste. But that’s the old school GOP.
Today’s GOP doesn’t have much use for policy.
They want to go back to the 50s. Darren Bailey wants to go out and punch Pritzker in the face and Jim Nowlan wants ladies at home in the kitchen tending to the youngins’.
- WestBurbs - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:36 pm:
Candy - thanks for saying it out loud. Too much of a pattern to be an accident.
- Louis G Atsaves - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:44 pm:
Rauner spent millions on his own campaign, for party organizations and individual Republicans running for office. But we can’t go back to that behavior.
Pritzker spends millions on his own campaign, on a pro-tax increase campaign, for party organizations and individual Democrats running for office. His behavior is constantly praised these days.
Now Democrats are totally freaked out over the Irvin candidacy that a billionaire claims he will outspend Pritzker in funding? Plants asking questions at council meetings about Texas abortion laws and the legitimacy of the Biden election? Nothing about snow plowing, street repairs, garbage pickups? Mayor Lightfoot wholeheartedly endorsing Pritzker’s reelection, leaving our current Governor fumbling for words like Ralph Cramden? You would think he would proudly spend a few million on some TV ads bragging about that endorsement.
Too funny.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:53 pm:
The IPI is furiously trying to bust unions, so unions are very important (public employee unions). This is Griffin, basically, and what the GOP is about to be tied to again. Making a quality grassroots movement would involve standing with the working women and men who volunteer on campaigns, with unions and their rights. This should be in high focus this year, with the union rights amendment on the ballot.
The anger of rural America at unions or the politicians who support them must be heeded. It looks in Illinois and America that there’s some bi-partisan response, led by Democratic votes, on national and Illinois infrastructure. It looks like Biden is very pro-union, again with infrastructure and with trying to build a greener economy.
The problem with much of rural America is that it runs so willingly into far right wing economic arms. Trump said himself, through his presidential spokesperson (Spicer), that he supports RTWFL because workers have to sacrifice for “job creators.” He’s asking the middle class to permanently tilt the economic playing field to the richest (like they’ve been doing so poorly). In Illinois, Griffin and the IPI are trying to rip apart the economic safety net of many downstate workers. Democrats need to communicate with downstate/rural voters and stay on the pro-union path.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 12:59 pm:
=But we can’t go back to that behavior.=
Sure you can, and probably will. But realize in doing so Irvin will have to show that in going back we’re not signing up for a repeat of the Rauner years. But first he has to win a primary.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:04 pm:
===Candy - thanks for saying it out loud. Too much of a pattern to be an accident.===
Agree.
- Real - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:11 pm:
Not taking questions and limiting appearances and availability is a legit comms policy.
-well one is a former Vice President and the other is a town mayor.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:32 pm:
Jim Nowlan… sittin’ in his rockin’ chair, ‘membering the good ole days, and yellin’, “Git off my lawn (banned punctuation).”
- Unconventional wisdom - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:36 pm:
Will be interesting to see how this Irwin really plays out in a Republican primary. So far a lot of hype but little light.
And he has to come out with specific policy on number of issues or I do not believe Griffens money will get him the nomination.
- former southerner - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
I note Irvin twice used the “I look forward to riding through the state” line in his brief comments. Does this mean Rauner is gifting version 2.0 his cycle, vest, and patches?
- Real - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
Ken Duncan 2.0
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 1:54 pm:
=Does this mean Rauner is gifting version 2.0 his cycle, vest, and patches?=
I would never describe Rauner as a particularly warm and engaging individual. But the script that he was intent on following turned him into a stilted caricature - focus, focus. I hope that Irvin doesn’t suffer the same fate. But I’ve already got my doubts as this is starting to look a bit scripted. And say what you will about Bailey and Rabine, but they are certainly what I would consider to be authentic. And I think that resonates with today’s GOP. There’s not much use for an empty suit (or vest).
- jim - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
rich,
Your buddy’s characterization of Nowlan’s column as hostile to women is baloney.
He’s writing about income inequality, family disintegration and what to do about addressing the problem.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
The “riding around Illinois”, twice, seemed to whistle up Lincoln. Is “Old Bob” part of the deal with Griffin??? (in case you need some background- https://www.ofhorse.com/view-post/Abraham-Lincolns-Old-Bob#:~:text=Lincoln%20owned%20Old%20Bob%20prior,too%20old%20for%20regular%20use. )
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:19 pm:
Jim, Mr Nowlan needs some real friends to tell him why he’s crossing lines before he truly damages his once sterling reputation, not sycophants propping up is disturbingly outdated rhetoric toward women and others not like him.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
Wait…..did he just try to somehow connect women in the workplace with household income inequality?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
=== He’s writing about income inequality, family ===
LOL, nice baloney. Add two slices of bread and one victim of inequality can eat lunch.
One thing that Nowlan avoids in his reminiscence about his childhood was that the top income tax rate then was quite hefty. Not to mention that there was a large number of people prohibited from enjoying that quaint life because of the color of their skin.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:35 pm:
Michelle, it’s too late.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:39 pm:
Anon221:
Nowlin remembers what he thinks (key word thinks) were the good old days.
That’s the problem.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 2:44 pm:
btowntruthfromforgottonia- Yep. Blinders then. Blinders now. Thrown in some rose colored glasses, and his “vision” is definitely compromised.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
==He’s writing about . . . family disintegration and what to do about addressing the problem.==
I thought it was pretty self explanatory what his thoughts were. He wants to get women out of the workforce and back in the house where they belong.
That seems ok with you by your response. It’s ok. Own it.
- People come on - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 3:22 pm:
Griffin is going to give the big money to Irvin. But think about it - strategically they aren’t going to have that happen week one so that all the stories can be about how the big donation proves that Irvin is bought and paid for. He’ll get all the other business money now, which will be enough to spend what he needs to spend, then on the first spring Friday when it hits 60 degrees with sun, the Griffin bucks will hit the campaign account.
- Da big bad wolf - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
=== Plants asking questions at council meetings about Texas abortion laws and the legitimacy of the Biden election?===
Right. They have to be plants because regular folks never think about these things./s
===Nothing about snow plowing, street repairs, garbage pickups?===
Right, because running for governor is all about snow plows and garbage pickups
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 5:10 pm:
Michelle:
Unfortunately what Nowlin says resonates with more than a few rural residents of Illinois.
Especially older residents and more than a few of all ages here in my part of Forgottonia.
They also like him have a warped view of the “good old days” and think things were “simpler” and life was “better” back then.
People like Nowlin push that nonsense because it gets them clicks and likes and votes from the people who believe that stuff and gets the people they want to reach saying “Yeah,you tell them how it was and how it is”.
Because that is what they want to hear and that is what they want things to be like.
No matter how wrong they are.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jan 26, 22 @ 10:12 pm:
Tom Haine is a rabid Covidiot who refuses to enforce the mask mandate in Madison County.
https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article253797048.html
How does Ken Griffin feel about having a rabid anti-masker on the team, and where does Mayor Irvin stand?