* Background is here if you need it…
…Adding… Last week, Bailey was making fun of Richard Irvin for not answering questions and abruptly ending an interview…
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.
Indeed, Senator. Indeed.
…Adding… More…
…Adding… Does the candidate have a hearing problem?…
…Adding… From the campaign…
IN A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT MANDATES Senator Bailey was asked “do you believe President Trump when he said it was unvaccinated people driving hospitalizations and deaths…” He replied that he didn’t agree Trump said that in regard to mandates. He then stated his opposition to mandates. Senator Bailey believes vaccines have helped save lives, but believes it should be a personal choice.
- Fixer - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:19 pm:
The manchild in a suit strikes again.
- Zoomer - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:20 pm:
Predictable, if not cliché.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
Why would Darren be afraid of his colleague answering a yes or no question about whether or not they agree with an action from the RNC?
Why on earth would the initial response be, “Come on, Mark” like that’s not an appropriate question to ask.
The answer is supposed to be “no.” It’s an easy answer to give.
The if they’re too afraid of answering the question that means they must not be able to say “no.”
- Senator Clay Davis - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
And his supporters just love him more
- Long year - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:23 pm:
Now do the rest of the republicans. They should all have to answer for this.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:24 pm:
Bailey must be scared of his primary opposition; now he’s stealing Richard Irvin’s move.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:25 pm:
Bailey’s strategy is real simple;
Get all the racist thinkers, conspiracy theorists, and insurrectionists and insurrection sympathizers to vote for him in June… but not be exposed as one who courts… racist thinkers, conspiracy theorists, and insurrectionists and insurrection sympathizers.
See, Bailey thinks those 25%+ voters in a primary helps the grift thru November.
Truly a disingenuous and dangerous fellow to democracy, so… can’t let the press expose him until July… or pin him down in a media he *can’t* control (his sickening Facebook rants are targeted for this reason)
Once you reconcile this, accept this, the rest makes sense… and storming out helps with those cultists too who don’t trust the media.
It was a win for Bailey, lol
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:28 pm:
Irvin got an early lead in the foot race away from reporters, but Bailey ain’t got no quit in him!
- The Velvet Frog - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:29 pm:
So when it comes to vaccines he’s dumber than Trump. Does he understand which state he’s running for governor in?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:31 pm:
It’s good to know Bailey IS Anti-Vaxx
Going forward that needs sunshine
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:32 pm:
It was hardly a week ago when Bailey attempted to shame one of his opponents for not answering questions.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:34 pm:
What is it with the bootstrap-pulling tough law and order people running from media questions?
- Amalia - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:34 pm:
No on vaccines. well, ok then. Polio victims for Bailey. Bailey endorses measles spread. It’s on.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:35 pm:
He really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Sure hope the gazpacho don’t get him.
- Manchester - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
The dumbing down of our citizens certainly found a host in Bailey. He’s shrewd but not particularly intelligent.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
If someone asks him in his next press conference how to spell Pritzkers name, he might actually pass out from anger.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:37 pm:
Honest question–why is he giving a press conference (albeit one with no responses) in the Capitol basement press room? Can anyone book that room?
- vern - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:38 pm:
I really wish there were a way to push politicians into long-form interviews. I think everyone would benefit from high profile candidates sitting with a good interviewer for an hour or longer. No off-limit topics, no storming out, no kindergarten antics, just a long and deep conversation on how the candidate sees the world.
Not that he’s the best example of a good interviewer, but Barack Obama sat with Jeff Berkowitz for at least 3 half-hour interviews in the run up to his Senate campaign. Will any candidate for Governor have an on-camera conversation that long with a neutral journalist? I doubt it, but will be pleased if I’m wrong.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:39 pm:
Sorry–forgot he is a sitting senator
- At what point - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:44 pm:
is it considered that media is badgering?
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:45 pm:
Thinking Bailey has to be sinking fast.
If you are a voter in the Republican Primary, a vote for Bailey is a vote to re-elect Pritzker.
- fs - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
“I’ve told you from day one you can’t ask a legitimate question and report the truth”
Darren Bailey assertively saying that he will only speak to media who ask illegitimate questions and report lies. If they fail to do that, or even threaten to do that, he will abruptly end interview.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
===…is it considered that media is badgering?===
Bailey is not a victim.
Bailey is a candidate for the nomination of a party in hopes to be elected governor of the 6th most populous state in America.
These are the *easy* questions
- Kyle’s mom - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
The best thing that could possibly happen for JB Pritzker’s reelection chances are for Darren Bailey to win the Republican primary.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:49 pm:
=is it considered that media is badgering?=
Sorry, but I’m still catching up on Bailey lingo and just adapted to “K” dropping. So it’s a bit difficult to translate your question. Are you somehow suggesting that Bailey is a victim here? I know we like to say that Facebook is further down the dial, but you might have to take that comment straight to The Onion.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:49 pm:
===If you are a voter in the Republican Primary, a vote for Bailey is a vote to re-elect Pritzker.===
Sssshhhhhhhh.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:53 pm:
Does Bailey believe that it’s merely a coincidence that 98% of the people in hospitals with Covid are unvaccinated?
- Jenny Clark - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:54 pm:
Maybe Bailey should be Irvin’s running mate. Neither one likes to answer questions and they both have an ego that’s too big for even them.
- fs - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:54 pm:
Reporter: “Do you agree with President Trump when he says things that are scientifically proven are actually true?”
Darren Bailey: “I don’t not agree with that.”
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 4:57 pm:
-is it considered that media is badgering?-
For his crowd the Bill of Rights starts with the 2nd Amendment, which hoo boy they love. There is a First Amendment, but they aren’t so wild about it when it applies to people other than themselves.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:00 pm:
Bailey brings to mind a professor I had in college who used to say “He’s one of a kind. Thank God.”
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:01 pm:
Bailey is morally outraged he is asked questions about the leader of the GOP who is worshiped as Lord, Messiah and Savior by his base.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:03 pm:
Bailey folds like a cheap suit.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:04 pm:
Florida and Texas are significantly warmer in the winter. It also is worth questioning “what’s better?” since Texas reports some 81,000 COVID-19 deaths and Florida reports some 66,000 COVID-19 deaths without even accounting for some reporting and validity concerns for their public health data. But he wasn’t exactly citing statistics to support his point.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:04 pm:
I figure we won’t see many Republican candidate press conferences in the future. But, I would love to see these clowns debate each other before the primary.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:08 pm:
- Does he understand which state he’s running for governor in? -
He’s running to funnel money from rubes to his buddies. Nothing more.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:13 pm:
Bailey may return to his one-way conversations on FB. Darren’s not ready for reporters’ questions.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:23 pm:
Outrageously dumb and petulant, just what the base wants.
- BTO2 - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:25 pm:
Maybe Devore can file a TRO against the reporters…
- Moral minority - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:26 pm:
Poor Darren. First no Griffin bux, still no Trump endorsement, and now the mean old fake press is asking him tough questions that he doesn’t want to answer. So sad.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:46 pm:
That was almost too easy…doesn’t take much too make Bailey’s face flush with anger…kinda bigly.
Too… easy.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:48 pm:
Mark Maxwell…for the honest question.
I’ve rarely been a fan of a newsman.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:52 pm:
Kudos to all for some good work here. But, let’s give Derun a break, he missed his nap trying to figure out what all the missing “K” stuff was all about.
I wasn’t particularly sophisticated as a teen, but we used to have a word for guys like Bailey started with a p and ended with a y.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 5:55 pm:
This was the last dance?…two left feet astumblin’.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:00 pm:
“Bailey brings to mind a professor I had in college who used to say “He’s one of a kind.” Although if he’s one-in-a-million, then there are 300 more of them in this country.
- Lt Guv - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:22 pm:
He is who he keeps proving he is. That’s really sad.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:25 pm:
Four or five more handlers couldn’t have helped…at all…even whiny ones.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:30 pm:
Must have been warm in the room, because the snowflake melted down.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:31 pm:
Mark Maxwell provided an update on the 6 o’clock news and his Twitter account-
“BAILEY BACKPEDALS: “Senator Bailey believes vaccines have helped save lives, but believes it should be a personal choice.”
After I repeated the question twice for Bailey to hear, now his campaign flak spins, says Bailey misunderstood, thought question was about mandates.”
https://twitter.com/MarkMaxwellTV/status/1491560949668585475?cxt=HHwWhoC53f6xi7MpAAAA
- Donut Man - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:38 pm:
All these gotcha questions about 1/6 are just childish, is that all ya got democrat party?
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 6:41 pm:
Cant wait for debates. And ads.
Do vaccinations save lives?
I dont agree with that. Freedom.
Mask, don’t mask. Freedom.
Vaccinate, don’t vaccinate. Freedom.
We’re not here to answer legitimate public discourse.
Thats not on the test. Freedom.
- South of I-64 - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 7:04 pm:
He probably just didn’t understand the question. Sincerely, Darren isn’t the brightest light bulb ever packaged.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 7:11 pm:
=== All these gotcha questions about 1/6 are just childish===
They’re pretty easy.
Do you recognize an insurrection.
I’m guessing you’re an insurrection apologist?
It’s only our democracy
- Not a Superstar - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 8:03 pm:
Who will win the GOP primary: the MAGA grifter or the cynical Griffin-ter?
- Pundent - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 8:14 pm:
=All these gotcha questions about 1/6 are just childish=
LOL. These are the easy question. If you can’t defend democracy or acknowledge that vaccines work, how are you going to handle questions on budgeting and legislative priorities? And if Bailey is opposed to vaccines and masks because of “freedom” I can hardly wait for his response on abortion.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 8:20 pm:
===is that all ya got democrat party===
Isn’t that enough? Thanks for telling us who you are. I believe you.
- Fixer - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 8:41 pm:
== All these gotcha questions about 1/6 are just childish, is that all ya got democrat party?==
If he can’t handle that soft pitch right down Main Street, he’s going to have a tough time handling any sort of actual tough questions that come up in the general election. He botched this, badly.
- Eddy - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 8:43 pm:
Absolutely clueless. An embarrassment to the Illinois General Assembly.
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 9:08 pm:
Bailey must have admired Rocky Wirtz’s performance.
- Lake Villa Township - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 9:11 pm:
Why does Leader McConchie continue to allow Darren Bailey serve as a member of the senate health committee?
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 9:13 pm:
=gotcha questions=
What in the world are you talking about? Is the right so delicate that they cannot answer a question they should know is coming. I mean talk about tipping pitches sheesh.
And the wanna be tough guys through a tantrum and run away.
I hope Bailey’s wife leaves a night light in for him tonight. Wouldn’t want him to get scared.
- Three Dimensional Checker - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 9:50 pm:
Sen. Bailey needs to work on his neutral facial expressions.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 9:57 pm:
Just watched the video. Spokesman comes off a heck of a lot better than Bailey.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 8:13 am:
It is never a good sign when the candidate’s staff has to say the candidate meant to say the exact opposite of what he actually said. The staff should jump ship now because it isn’t going to get any better and they’ll forever be branded with this loser race. They’ll actually have to leave it off their resumes because every interview will start with, “How could you have let him do that?”
- vern - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 8:17 am:
The funny thing is that I actually believe the campaign’s final statement is Bailey’s actual position, and that he could’ve squeezed that combination of words out if he took a deep breath, put aside his obvious hatred for Maxwell, and addressed each part of the question separately. He was unable to think and speak clearly in the face of a multi-part question from a nonpartisan interlocutor. Goes back to my original point about candidates sitting down for long form interviews.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 8:47 am:
vern is likely right.
- Transplant - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:15 am:
Is Bailey or his spokesman running for governor? Seems his spokesman did most of the talking.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:17 am:
===Seems his spokesman did most of the talking===
Huh?
- Transplant - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:27 am:
==Huh?==
In the second clip, Bailey first asked Maxwell to repeat the question then stumbled through a word salad.
Finally, the gentleman standing to his right, whom I presume is his spokesman, stepped in and provided the bulk of the answer.
When you have someone else do all the talking, it makes me wonder exactly who is running for governor.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:37 am:
===whom I presume===
That’s a state Rep.
Maybe you don’t belong on this blog (or you’re a Senate person).
- actionsub - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
Oh man! I heard him speak at a church service once, and what he said there should answer any questions about 1/6. He told the congregation that they should all sign up to be poll judges because the 2022 election was likely to be “stolen”.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:27 pm:
Someone might want to tell Gomer that custom and practice in the Blue Room mean that the caller of the presser gets to take ALL questions. Pick another venue next time…Maybe the tailgate of dem fancy trucks
BTW RicheRich did Tom Miller this a.m. Mo major gaffes, but he kinds mumbled through the man fro the projects tale and phoned it in. Why not hope ‘Riffie Gulfstream and whiz to Carterville?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:36 pm:
===custom and practice in the Blue Room mean that the caller of the presser gets to take ALL questions===
That is long gone. When I suggested to somebody yesterday that we revert back to that tradition to discourage this behavior, the person worried that they could just hold pressers somewhere else. I’m cool with that, by the way. But our house, our rules. You walk out, you can’t come back.