* Kinzinger’s link is to yesterday’s post about Sen. Darren Bailey storming out of a press conference…
* DPI…
Yesterday, Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted the following in response to yet another Republican dodging when asked their view on the RNC’s “legitimate political discourse” portrayal of the Jan. 6 insurrection:
@AdamKinzinger: “Every Republican needs asked this question and only this question until they answer clearly. The time for choosing is now…”
Kinzinger’s tweet was in response to gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey angrily storming out of a press conference when asked about the description. Bailey joined candidate Jesse Sullivan who also refused to take a stand on the topic when asked.
But many Republicans have simply avoided answering questions all together. To date, voters have no public response to the issue from the Illinois Republican Party. Ditto for gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin or Attorney General candidate Steve Kim. Nor have we heard from Kinzinger’s Republican colleagues in Congress including Darin LaHood, Rodney Davis, Mike Bost, or Mary Miller. And what about the Republican congressional candidates who seek to work in the very building that was attacked?
It is crystal clear that many Illinois Republicans would love nothing more than for the press to simply move on from this story and stop asking them questions about where they stand on “legitimate political discourse” and the insurrection. As Kinzinger said, every Republican must be asked “this question until they answer clearly. The time for choosing is now.”
- Southern - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:55 am:
The GOPers are busy complaining that Pelosi’s gazpacho police want to put GOP candidates in the goulash.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:57 am:
Apparently not many listening to Adam. He will do good, and be in high demand as an analyst on one of the cable shows soon.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:58 am:
Prolly even a good book deal as well.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:58 am:
==Apparently not many listening to Adam.==
Yeah, sure, that’s clear from the near constant media coverage he gets.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 9:58 am:
===Every Republican needs asked this question and only this question until they answer clearly. The time for choosing is now
Bailey angrily storms out of press conference when pressed on 1/6 and asked if he accepts election results===
A-Men.
Every single one. Every candidate.
Our Republic is predicated on fair and free elections. False statements about election rigging, etc, those willing to parrot Putin-type destructive language to undermine the country, these Republicans need to answer. All of them.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:00 am:
He’s right about this.
And it should be every single one, down to the county and local boards.
There’s a stop the steal organizer currently on the Will County board.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:00 am:
= gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey=
Candidate and toddler.
=Apparently not many listening to Adam.=
At least you know where he stands on the issue. So there is that.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:01 am:
Kizzy must have missed the memo….GOPies are moving forward…1/6 is in the past. Hey many of us are still trying to learn how “Riffie got Trump DOJ to lift the gag order on the Confessed Congressman in time to trash Kilbride.
- Todd - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:01 am:
The answer is simple, Yes we have to. unless you can show definitive proof of something thaat would change it, t they answer is yes.
You may not like it, you may think there was some nefarious activities, but with out proof it is meaningless and I would ask this What is the recourse if not? I see none in the constitution.
- Kent Gray - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:01 am:
I’m have been, and remain, strongly pro Trump. But those three words in the 1 1/2 page RNC statement were just stupid.
- Media Problems - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:03 am:
This is why no one “trusts” the media any more. 1st, I agree he should answer the questions. However, Maxwell clearly has a one sided agenda against Bailey and clearly doesn’t like him. The manner in which he aggressively asks questions to Bailey is no where near how he asks questions to Gov JB. Journalist like him have a narrative they want to spin, and do not leave out their personal beliefs. It’s what both CNN and Foxnews both do as well which is why no one trusts the media anymore.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:03 am:
Also,
…the ILGOP actively courts… racist thinkers, conspiracy theorists… and insurrectionists and those apologists.
The party Chairman even called on them to rally for the ILGOP…
The plan is to hide this as long as they can… without having to answer for courting these people… or in some cases… actually *being* one of these people. (See: Bailey, Darren)
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:04 am:
After Bailey’s hissy fit (no surprise hollowest drums and all that) to the question, I think every one of them will be asked that question.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:05 am:
At the very least it’s like campaign malpractice NOT to be ready for the Q!!
I mean, how stupid must you be to think you aren’t going to be asked this Q early and often, and not have an answer ready to go.
Sure, the press won’t like your answer, and they will treat you with a double standard.
But you KNEW that. Especially if you are conservative you KNEW that going in.
Did everybody read and memorize the Randy Hultgren book on how to campaign, or what???
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:07 am:
===both===
No. Not both.
One part of today’s media is pushing Putin propaganda, purposely trying to undermine our Republic.
The other is trying to question why Americans are actively trying to undermine the Republic.
Reconcile that, pick a side.
There is no “both”
- Norseman - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:07 am:
Yes. And every reporter should ask it until answered.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:15 am:
When should we start expecting Minority Leader Durkin to lead the way on this? He’s been able to find his official stationary a couple of times this week. I know tomorrow is a State Holiday, but they’ve got some time to get something out.
- One Trick Pony - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:15 am:
Definitely hope the press asks every candidate for public office this question, and if they say yes ask if it would be alright if the other party did it.
- SAP - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:18 am:
I believe that Richard Irvin is on record as saying that Joe Biden is the duly elected President. He just refused to say who he voted for.
- MisterJayEm - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:20 am:
“The manner in which he aggressively asks questions to Bailey is no where near how he asks questions to Gov JB.”
If Bailey can’t handle the heat as a candidate, he’d certainly wither if elected.
– MrJM
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:23 am:
=and do not leave out their personal beliefs.=
Maybe you can share for us, with evidence, what his “personal beliefs are. Did he state them somewhere?
The reality is that Bailey isn’t answering questions and Maxwell is pressing down hard to get an answer. If Bailey answers the questions than Maxwell should move on.
So maybe it is cool with you that BAiley doesn’t answer the questions and then starts with the word salad when he could. simply give a yes or a no, but it isn’t cool with a lot of people.
You may not like Pritzkers answers, but he usually gives and answer. Case in point- the toilet issue/property tax. Until he gave a clear answer the press hounded him.
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:24 am:
Don’t these boys get their information from the chairman of IGOP? Ask don
- slow down - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:24 am:
Of course Kinzinger is right. It’s time to stand up and be counted. Either you believe in our democracy, or you believe in the big lie and insurrection.
It really is that simple.
- thoughts matter - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:26 am:
Kinzinger is right. Bailey needs to understand that he can’t get elected in the general election solely on what remains of the GOP base. He needs the votes of people who don’t fall into that category. He needs to answer the question and answer it in such a way that satisfies people he needs to win over. He’s not going to get the number of votes needed by storming out of interviews. He’s probably not going to get those needed votes anyway because of his opinions on all sorts of things.
- Steve - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:31 am:
Adam seems to have not gotten the Jonah Goldberg position at CNN (which would have been great for his career) . Adam’s influence in the GOP, in Illinois, isn’t exactly great.
- Long year - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:34 am:
Irvin could answer but that would require him talking to reporters and he’s back in hiding because that didn’t go well last time.
- Southern - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:37 am:
==Kizzy must have missed the memo….GOPies are moving forward…1/6 is in the past.==
But the GOPies haven’t moved so far past it that they can’t issue a censure — in just the past week. Amiright?
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:39 am:
Yep. No more straddling the fence. Time to have some backbone and answer whether you the candidate are worthy of holding office or not. If you won’t completely condemn insurrection or overturning free and fair elections, you should be cast out to the fringes and never show your face in the political arena again.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:40 am:
The ILGOP still has its eyes fixed on Madigan.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:54 am:
So far, the Republican candidates are not impressive. In alphabetical order, Bailey can’t/won’t answer questions without a meltdown.
Irvin’s anti- crime stance belies his occupation as a criminal defense attorney.
Rabine’s position on early childhood education proves he’s never stepped foot in a Montessori classroom.
Sullivan’s portrayal of Taylor Street is so misleading. Try these as a background for the next commercial: the Art Institute, MSI, Navy Pier, Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free, by the way), Millennium Park, the Picasso sculpture, and Cloud Gate (The Bean) by acclaimed artist Amish Kapoor. Do better, Jesse.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 10:57 am:
Irvin’s anti- crime stance belies his occupation as a criminal defense attorney.
While I am ordinarily a fan of cheap shots, I like them to be GOOD cheap shots. This isn’t.
He’s earning a living and fulfilling a key role in our system of government.
That should disqualify him?
I am not his fan, but there are WAY more things to dump on him for than that.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:00 am:
As far as I can tell most Republicans want to overthrow the government of this country. Unless I ever get a chance to vote for Kinzinger or Liz Cheney I won’t even bother looking to see which Republicans In voting against.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:01 am:
==That should disqualify him?==
From office? No.
From being taken seriously when he runs as Tuff On Crime? Yes.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:04 am:
I think it’s an important to note that with minimal effort Adam Kinzinger is setting himself up to be a very important part of the denazified version of the GOP.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:05 am:
Bailey’s answer (non-answer) is exactly what his supporters expect. That is the group he is courting.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:14 am:
-From being taken seriously when he runs as Tuff On Crime? Yes.-
Tough to navigate portraying yourself as confronting criminals and rioters in the streets while handing them your business card at the same time.
As someone noted before, everyone is entitled to a defense, but they are not entitled to it from you. There are many other areas of the law he could practice in. He chose this one and has to accept all that goes with it.
- Donny Lucy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:15 am:
==Irvin’s anti- crime stance belies his occupation as a criminal defense attorney.==
Well, I certainly don’t want to vote for the pro-crime candidate. Surely there’s some better way to frame this?
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:18 am:
==As someone noted before, everyone is entitled to a defense, but they are not entitled to it from you.==
Hey, that was me, lol.
==He chose this one and has to accept all that goes with it. ==
And look, as far as consequences go, the worst possible one here is “won’t be Governor”. That’s not exactly a really dire fate.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:24 am:
===Sure, the press won’t like your answer, and they will treat you with a double standard.
But you KNEW that. Especially if you are conservative you KNEW that going in.===
I don’t even understand what being a conservative has to do with the insurrection or the validation of the election.
It was an insurrection. The election was fair and free.
How one is put on any spectrum doesn’t change that… and the press doesn’t have a double standard in these questions posed to Bailey… I can’t think of a Dem that thinks 1/6 wasn’t an insurrection or, using facts, sees the election as fraudulent.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:39 am:
The election was fair and free. Now we have a Joe and his 39% approval ratings. There’s always next time.
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:44 am:
If a candidate’s supports the “legitimate political discourse” statement, the response from the republican’t base will be at best - meh. While the democratic response will be that the candidate is not eligible for office.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:47 am:
===If a candidate’s supports the “legitimate political discourse” statement, the response from the republican’t base will be at best - meh.===
Fine.
Can that candidate win statewide with that “take”
So far it seems the statewide candidates don’t want to see if they can, rather, they’d like it if no one asks.
- Gordon Willis - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:48 am:
Another question all candidates and office holders should be asked: Were you ever a guest of Jeffrey Epstein or visit one of his properties?
- Responsa - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:52 am:
Adam Kinzinger was on CNN a day or two ago conjecturing that a civil war was in this nation’s future. He is an attention seeking, click baiting, panic peddling person with no political home. I used to really like him. He has lost his way-either on his own or he is getting poor advice. Now that he has decided not to run for re-election he is no longer even pretending to represent his district.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 11:54 am:
Yes they should answer. Donald Trump is still pushing the big lie that led to the insurrection and could likely lead to more trouble in the future.
For those who don’t think it was an insurrection, they need to ask themselves what would have happened if the legislators and Vice President were caught by the mob.
The ILGOP strongly opposed impeaching Trump for the insurrection. Certain “law and order” candidates can’t say whether they voted for him. Meanwhile, they are making violent crime an issue while cowering or supporting someone who has already caused violence and could severely damage our nation, if not overthrow democracy outright.
- Arguenda - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:05 pm:
I am a lifelong leftist — far left of the current Democratic party. If I were in Kinziger’s district, he’d have my vote, even if I loved the guy the Dems were running. We need more Republicans like him to make a stand and take back their party.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:16 pm:
Do you (Republican candidate) agree that the insurrection of 1/6/2021 should be referred to as a legitimate political discourse? Answer: silence
Qui tacet consentit
- Long time Independent - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
- TheInvisibleMan- it’s not just the Will County Board. The Cook County Board Commissioner Sean Morrison who’s also the Cook County GOP Chairman has been preaching all about how the election was stolen since the election. Check out his twitter account
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:53 pm:
When such a gap exists between what is right and what is politically expedient, I’d hope we all agree doing what’s right is the obvious choice.
Anyone who falls short of outright condemnation of 1/6 and everyone who enabled or encouraged it should be thought of as unfit for leadership.
- left of what - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 12:55 pm:
This whole thing is interesting for two reasons:
1. Kinzinger is seeking national attention to court moderates and dems for some goal beyond IL politics.
2. The GOP has moved on from Kinzinger. They don’t need to answer these questions because the base and average GOP voter doesn’t think 1/6 or any of this stuff matters. The whole point of his messaging is to skip over GOP voters. Bailey not answering the questions or Irvin dodging them will play well with their base because that’s what the base already believes - that 1/6 is not an issue and those arrested are innocent.
Side note, the way Bailey fumbles his spot light moments and the rest of these GOP gov candidates not quite knowing what to say shows what happens when candidates think (correctly) what the base wants is Trump, but have zero of Trump’s swag.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:05 pm:
Kinzinger is seeking national attention to court moderates and dems for some goal beyond IL politics.
The Lincoln Project people pull in nice bucks, I am sure he wouldn’t mind a nice post Congress job.
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
If Bailey thought that was hardball, wait until someone grills him on taking Federal subsidies for his “I hate government” farming….he’ll go off like a nuke in the desert. The silence of many Republicans IS there answer.
- Publius - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
I think most of the GOP, with the exception of a few, want to turn the United States into some sort of Putin client state. I feel like they need to watch this movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9eAshaPvYw
- The Velvet Frog - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 3:16 pm:
In many parts of this state I would think GOP incumbents/candidates would want to distance themselves from January 6 and Trump in general. I guess they’re worried Trump or his ilk will turn against them in their campaign?
- Pungent - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
==The Lincoln Project people pull in nice bucks==
Their political lifetime is short if not over.
Even the Hill says so:
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/538795-the-swift-death-of-the-media-darlings-known-as-the-lincoln-project
- Snarkie from Schaumburg - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:01 pm:
Press conferences ain’t tea parties. And neither is governing.
And, MSNBC has one and soon two open slots and CNN has one in their prime time schedule.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:23 pm:
The one thing I can positively say about Kinzinger is this…He can flex where it counts.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:33 pm:
I’d call Bailey “Stormy”…but it’s already taken by Trump’s professional pal.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:36 pm:
- Responsa -
=== used to really like him. He has lost his way-either on his own or he is getting poor advice.===
So you don’t think there was an insurrection? You think the election was stolen?
Thanks.
- Pundent - Thursday, Feb 10, 22 @ 4:37 pm:
=If a candidate’s supports the “legitimate political discourse” statement, the response from the republican’t base will be at best - meh.=
But what will the response be from moderate and or suburban Republican voters? Because last I checked you can’t win a statewide race without them.
If the Republican party decides that they want to only focus on “the base” they will be a party of old, rural, and aggrieved voters. And those all appear to be shrinking populations.
Anyone that says 1/6 doesn’t matter is in denial. And we haven’t even reached the stage of public hearings yet.