* Speaking live on Facebook today, Sen. Darren Bailey called Richard Irvin a “Democrat Mayor,” claimed Irvin has been “bombing” his interviews, brought up the Fox 32 interview, and noted Irvin’s refusal to directly answer “the Trump question”…
Now, friends, you’ve got to scroll down and watch the last post that we posted last night with this Democrat Mayor Irvin that the Republican establishment has propped up to to run for governor. You’re going to love this. He’s had that, for the first time and two weeks since they’ve announced he’s been starting to having interviews. He is bombing them bad. Last night, you know, he said he was no one’s pushover. And yesterday in my live I mentioned that well, you know, you don’t push puppets you pull puppets. And in an interview last night he was asked about the abortion issue. And you could hear someone in the background saying this interview is over. And then he looked at them, he paused and he said well, I think this interview is over. Watch the one and a half minute clip that we posted. It was on Fox 32 last night.
He will not answer the Trump question. He won’t talk about who he voted for in the past. And it just seems like we’re living in some crazy days here in Illinois.
Irvin has repeatedly claimed that Pritzker wants reporters to focus on Trump. He’s right. But so does Bailey.
…Adding… Good point in comments…
It’s ironic that Darren Bailey criticizes Richard Irvin’s interviews with the press. At least Irvin speaks to the press while Bailey hides behind his one-way conversations on FB.
And then Bailey went on to talk extensively about Satan.
* Speaking of which, Mary Ann Ahern asked Irvin this week about Bailey appearing to compare him to Satan…
Well, you know, my opponents will say a lot of things. And what they should be talking about is how JB Pritzker is destroying the state of Illinois. How everything he’s doing is taking Illinois 10 steps back. Now, as governor, what I want to do is focus on the things that people care about when I go around the state. Let me tell you what folks care about. They care about the crime that’s running rampant through the state of Illinois. You know, I want to address that as I have as mayor of the second largest city. They talk about the taxes and the wasteful spending. I want to address that, just like I have as mayor of the second largest city of the state. They talk about the corruption that’s running rampant, that JB Pritzker has bought intom the Madigan Pritzker corruption. I will fight against that just like we have in the city of Aurora. So my opponents should be talking about the state of Illinois and not silly political fire.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked today about Mayor Irvin’s claim that his proposed one-year tax cuts are gimmicks and the governor is just trying to “buy votes”…
Well, this wasn’t a gimmick when Richard Irvin’s running mate proposed precisely this, just earlier this year, last year. You know, this is real relief for families across Illinois. If we can do more, we will do more. When we can do more, we will do more.
* Tribune…
An Irvin campaign commercial that focuses on the law-and-order issue says he called the National Guard into Aurora to quell a May 31, 2020, protest over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police that turned violent.
Only governors have the ability to authorize the use of the National Guard. Asked specifically if he was the one who called in the Guard, Irvin said he watched as his emergency management director requested guard assistance. […]
As for his remarks supportive of Pritzker less than a year ago, Irvin said, “My mother taught me great manners” and “I was just being polite.”
So did Irvin say something he didn’t really mean?
“I’m saying, listen, when the governor of Illinois comes to town and you rely on the governor for so many resources in your city, the second largest city in the state, it’s probably good to be polite,” Irvin said.
I mean, he was mayor, so you gotta figure Irvin was part of the decision to have the city’s emergency management director request the assistance. The DGA, however, claims that Irvin “confessed his TV ad was based on a lie.”
* Press release…
Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia has picked up another endorsement as the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward has announced it is backing her historic candidacy.
“We are excited to support Anna Valencia so that she can build on Secretary White’s legacy of breaking barriers and serving all Illinoisans,” said David Kogan, President of the Democratic Party of the 49th Ward. “We know we can count on Anna to always support Democratic candidates, and her proven track record of making government more accessible for Chicagoans will allow her to bring quality public service to everyone in our state.”
Earlier this week, Valencia was endorsed by ten elected leaders from collar counties, growing her “Women for Valencia” coalition to more than 60 prominent women leaders from across Illinois. The coalition includes U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth; Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts; Ulta Beauty Chairwoman Mary Dillon and more.
* Politico…
GOP gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine was in Springfield wearing a bright orange Chicago Bears insulated jump suit and helping get cars out of the snow. “I was scheduled to meet with state legislators,” he told Playbook. When everything got canceled because of the snowstorm, he went down anyway with his team ready to work. “We got dozens of cars unstuck, plowed a bunch of driveways and shoveled the steps up to the Honest Abe statue at the Capitol late Wednesday night.”
* I tread here with great trepidation, but I’m thinking quite a large number of Illinois Republican leaders won’t be loving this…
The Republican Party on Friday officially declared the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and events that led to it “legitimate political discourse,” formally rebuking two lawmakers in the party who have been most outspoken in condemning the deadly riot and the role of Donald J. Trump in spreading the election lies that fueled it.
The Republican National Committee’s overwhelming voice vote to censure Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois at its winter meeting in Salt Lake City culminated more than a year of vacillation, which started with party leaders condemning the Capitol attack and Mr. Trump’s conduct, then shifted to downplaying and denying it.
Full text…
WHEREAS, Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger are participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse, and they are both utilizing their past professed political affiliation to mask Democrat abuse of prosecutorial power for partisan purposes, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Republican National Committee hereby formally censures Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and shall immediately cease any and all support of them as members of the Republican Party.
* OK, let’s move from state and national to a local race. Signs don’t vote, but they can get you arrested…
A Woodstock attorney accused of vandalizing and damaging campaign signs belonging to a McHenry County sheriff’s candidate turned himself in to police Wednesday night, according to jail records.
Robert T. Hanlon, 55, of the 3700 block of Beresford Drive in Woodstock, is charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property of less than $500, according to a criminal complaint filed in the McHenry County courthouse by the Crystal Lake Police Department.
The attorney is accused of “damaging numerous campaign signs located at 770 S. Virginia Road,” promoting Tony Colatorti who is running for McHenry County sheriff, according to the criminal complaint.
The damage consisted of two stickers put on the signs, Crystal Lake Police Patrol Cmdr. Rick Neumann said. It was not known at the time exactly how many signs were damaged, Neumann said
McHenry County Blog has a pic of a defaced sign…
- Arsenal - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
==Irvin said he watched as his emergency management director requested guard assistance==
God, that’s really funny.
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:05 pm:
Candidate Irvin, do you think Congressman Kinzinger should be thrown out of the party for his part in investigating the insurrection? You do think it’s an insurrection don’t you? Do you think IL should repeal measures to make it easier to vote like other states? Inquiring minds want to know Mayor Irvin.
- Excitable Boy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:07 pm:
- God, that’s really funny. -
“Look, he made the call, but I googled the phone number for him.”
- Lt Guv - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:08 pm:
Probably more appropriate to post Beetle’s response to Irvin’s abortion comments in this thread than the one I originally had.
Yet Beetle can’t even respond to the statements, something which should be within his wheelhouse when addressing his base. Instead, he twits, “Perhaps they should send Democrat Irvin back to the basement with his boy Joe Biden. . .”
I trust he fully realizes that statement could be perceived as having tripped the wire on racism. What a jerk. I’ll say it again, Beetle & Devore deserve each other.
- Excitable Boy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:10 pm:
- Irvin said he watched as his emergency management director requested guard assistance -
“Look, I have phone anxiety. It’s like when we order takeout at home, I write down what I want and my kids call it in. It’s not a big deal.”
- Jocko - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
==legitimate political discourse,==
Right, and Major General Robert Ross and the British troops were testing the building’s sprinkler system in 1814.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
I, too, don’t want to wade into national politics, or the failed insurrection, or the interpretation this thingy the GOP has cooked up.
My only take to it now is… to any of the GOP gubernatorial candidates….
“Would you take an endorsement from Adam Kinzinger?”
“Would you want an endorsement from Donald Trump?”
Kinzinger, Illinois’ own, is relevant *here* in Illinois, and I’d be curious to that accepting.
Trump is only relevant if he identifies whom Illinois needs to not have as governor.
The rest is the Illinois branch of what Bailey hopes to capture to win a nomination…
- Arsenal - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
==“Look, he made the call, but I googled the phone number for him.” ==
“I mean, I’m the one who pays the phone bill every month.”
- Buford - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:13 pm:
Aurora’s emergency management director for Gov 2026, they called in the Guard!
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
===The Republican Party on Friday officially declared the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and events that led to it “legitimate political discourse,”===
That’s today’s Republican Party. Abraham Lincoln must be weeping.
- Huh? - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
===The Republican Party on Friday officially declared the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and events that led to it “legitimate political discourse,”===
An American political party acrively condoning sedition and the violent overthrow of a duly elected president.
- Annonin' - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:24 pm:
“perceived as having tripped the wire on racism’….
we are sure Gomer did on purpose to remind his base
- Responsa - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:26 pm:
The censure of Adam Kinzinger will be of no consequence to Illinois poliitics. The removal of Zucker at CNN which, under his leadership seemed to be more highly focused on the doings of the Jan 6 committee than most other networks, may further limit Kinzinger’s future job prospects. I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:29 pm:
=== I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career.===
Because supporting an insurrection of our government isn’t what his oath and allegiance to America were about?
I mean, if you need to support an insurrection and nullifying an election to be relevant in GOP politics… that says *a great deal*… about people requiring that support.
Not understanding that… well…
- Middle Way - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:30 pm:
47th Ward - The “legitimate political discourse” line is the one that really stung and makes no sense as a long-time Republican. As Abraham Lincoln stated in his Lyceum Address, “There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law.” Sen. Ben Sasse recently stated in a speech on the filibuster, “Americans don’t want one-party rule, by the Democrats or by the Republicans. Both of these parties are really cra#py. The American people are not fans of these political parties. American people do not want revolution. They do not want fundamental change. What they want is competence. What they want is more honesty. What they want is less performative grandstanding [Ahem, national GOP].
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
This alone…
===The censure of Adam Kinzinger will be of no consequence to Illinois politics.===
Depends if reporters decide it’s an important question to where they think the party should be…
“Would you take an endorsement from Adam Kinzinger?”
Why or why not?
Kinzinger is an Illinoisan. It’s not like the ILGOP has supported Kinzinger… why is that?
- Arsenal - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:35 pm:
==The censure of Adam Kinzinger will be of no consequence to Illinois poliitics.==
The national party officially condemning 1/5th of IL’s Republican delegation will have no affect? Are you sure we’re not marrying our hopes to our predictions?
- Arsenal - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:37 pm:
==Depends if reporters decide it’s an important question to where they think the party should be…==
Even then…
Adam Kinzinger is very conservative, and a very attractive candidate. He could be a very strong candidate for statewide office if only the Republicans could learn to take “Yes On Everything But Should Trump Be Above the Law” for an answer.
Instead, they’re gonna be stuck with the guy who watches other guys make phone calls.
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:39 pm:
=== I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career. ===
Some people just decide that principles and the betterment of others require sacrifice. In the military, these people get medals. Because the arena is politics, sacrifice like his is looked on with surprise. Unfortunately it’s rare, but I can’t help but admire it.
- Middle Way - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:40 pm:
===It’s not like the ILGOP has supported Kinzinger… why is that?===
Truly toxic levels of tribalism my friend. And Trump’s hostile takeover of the GOP party structure (see the role of his friend David Bossie in the censure resolution). If you want to get fundraising $$$ and go to the party events and have access, you have to go along to get along (even if it means selling out your principles). A sad but true truth.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
===He could be a very strong candidate for statewide office===
Too small of a stage now.
Kinzinger is national. Why be a Governor, Comptroller, and no offense to the offices or officeholders, sincerely…
… Kinzinger is on a bigger stage, without worrying about any agency heads, constitutional duties in Illinois, heck, “4th of July parades”
- MisterJayEm - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
Someone should advise Tony Colatorti to google the “Streisand Effect.”
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:42 pm:
===Truly toxic levels of tribalism my friend.===
Some questions are rhetorical… but I appreciate your thoughts to it.
- Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
It’s ironic that Darren Bailey criticizes Richard Irvin’s interviews with the press. At least Irvin speaks to the press while Bailey hides behind his one-way conversations on FB.
When will Bailey meet with reporters who will ask a multitude of questions? Crickets.
- Pundent - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
=I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career.=
Because he’s what many of today’s Republicans only proport to be, a patriot. Normally sacrificing your own aspirations for the better of the country is seen as heroic.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:50 pm:
- Arsenal -
Read your comment, but read it reverse…
=== Had Republicans not chosen to make him an issue, he could be a real asset to him. But they’ve thrown that away, and the idea that that just doesn’t matter…boggles my mind.
But my point is he also could never win a primary now.===
It’s not Kinzinger’s party anymore, or Lincoln’s either.
- AD - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
For a second there, I thought Rich had a bone to pick with Mary Ann, I read it as:
“And then Bailey went on to talk extensively about Satan.
* Speaking of which, Mary Ann Ahern”.
Then I read the rest of the sentence and laughed, but I was taken back for a minute there.
- SaulGoodman - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:52 pm:
RE: Hanlon and the defaced signs…
Hanlon has done a ton of government/municipal legal work, especially in McHenry County. What an embarrassment.
- SuburbanRepublican - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
@Responsa
Why would Kinzinger set fire to his promising career? Because some things are more important than politics. Most Republicans today will either keep quiet about Trump/Jan 6 or go along with the narrative that the Party has created. I appreciate Congressman Kinzinger’s willingness to speak out on this issue without regard to how it will affect him politically. It’s sad to see what the GOP has become. I’ve spent a large chunk of my life working to help Republicans. It’s almost unrecognizable to what it was just 10-15 years ago.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
Agree a hundred percent with OW, he’s too big now for statewide.
Once heard a sitting member of congress who was being courted to run for Gov say, “right now I have a vote on if this country enters a war and can call the president and he will take my call, I’m going to give that up to argue with AFSCME over putting third restroom in some state building”.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:56 pm:
=== I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career. ===
American first. Politician second. Not a difficult concept.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:03 pm:
“I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career”
Because there are times furthering a political career takes a back seat to violating an oath and accepting the violent overthrow of the US government and the will of the people.
Why is this so hard to understand?
- Juvenal - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
=== I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career. ===
He just had his first kid in January. Maybe he cares more about what his son thinks of him in 10, 20, or 30 years than what Twitter thinks of him this week.
- Snarkie from Schaumburg - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
Stay tuned for the Olympic-level verbal gymnastics performances in response to the question; Do you believe the January 6 attack on the US Capitol was “legitimate political discourse?” Some responses may be more like the 100-yard-dash — out the nearest exit.
- former southerner - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:55 pm:
If you have to ask why Adam did this, you will never understand why. For him, it wasn’t a choice to turn his back on who he is and what he believes in which is something “cadet bone spurs” and his followers will never be able to comprehend.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:06 pm:
=== I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career. ===
No. You meant this? Maybe?
“I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career and not merely joined the cult.”
Hmm.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:23 pm:
It’s nice to remember that there was a time not so very long ago where acknowledging who won a previous election was not a GOP primary issue.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:35 pm:
===I will never understand why Adam set fire to his promising political career.===
I would say the GOP house is on fire and Adam had the good sense to use the fire escape. It’s still there, if anybody else wants to get out before it all comes crashing down.