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Bailey’s “Punisher” preacher ally was at Stop the Steal rally

Friday, Aug 26, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller

* We talked about this on Monday


Wake up church! We’ve got work to do!

Posted by Darren Bailey on Sunday, August 21, 2022

* Paris Schutz dug deeper

On Sunday, Bailey appeared on stage during a service with Pastor Brian Phillips at his church, the Grove Fellowship in Poplar Grove.

“We have officially worshipped with you as much as we’ve worshipped at our home church,” Bailey told Phillips in front of his congregation.

Above the pulpit was a graphic on a screen featuring a line from the Old Testament of the Bible saying “The Lord is a Man of War,” next to a symbol of “The Punisher” — a popular Marvel Comics character that has been appropriated by far-right militia groups like the Proud Boys.

“The Lord is a man of war but he deals with the spirits of evil in heavenly places,” Phillips said during the service, standing next to both Darren Bailey and his wife, Cindy Bailey.

Bailey has appeared at multiple campaign events with Phillips. He sounded similar ominous tones during his presentation Aug. 21.

“We’re at war,” Bailey told the congregants. “But we have everything we need to win, and it’s up to what we say, what we do, where we go, how we interact.”

Phillips was at former President Donald Trump’s [Stop the Steal] rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. He is seen in Facebook Live video shot by fellow Rockford-area Pastor Steve Cassell. Both Baileys have also campaigned with Cassell and have delivered a guest sermon at Cassell’s church, called Beloved Church, in Lena, Illinois.

There’s lots more, so go read the rest.

* Poitico

In a statement to Playbook, Bailey said: “I’ve said that Jan. 6 was a dark day for America. It was extremely upsetting and those who broke the law should be held accountable. But questions about it are an effort to inject national politics into a race that should be all about fixing Illinois.”

A person close to Bailey’s campaign said neither of the pastors is employed by the campaign and they weren’t part of the attack, just the protest.

It’s been two steps forward, one step back for Bailey. Like Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican in a Blue state who snagged a Donald Trump endorsement, Bailey has focused his energy on talking about kitchen table issues and not the former president. That proved a winning strategy for Youngkin, who was elected in 2021.

What Youngkin didn’t do was hang out with Jan. 6 minions. Meanwhile, Bailey has more than once aligned himself with “stop-the-steal” acolytes.

I don’t think I agree with the claim that Bailey has focused his energy on kitchen table issues.

       

43 Comments
  1. - Dotnonymous - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:27 am:

    Those tight pants on the Preacher man look quite punishing.


  2. - Norseman - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:28 am:

    Reminds me of the WW 2 song, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.” Now we have MAGA preachers want to point that ammunition at our fellow countrymen. This doesn’t fit my definition of Christianity.


  3. - G'Kar - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:28 am:

    If you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas.


  4. - JB13 - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:29 am:

    So simply being at a protest that later turned into violence and mob action is enough now? The story makes clear neither man did anything illegal. It’s no surprise that Bailey would associate with fellow Trumpers. So what’s the story here?

    Not sure this is the standard Democrats might want. I seem to recall quite a few other politicians at certain legitimate protests which later were used to spur mass violence…

    Anyone recall their names?


  5. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:30 am:

    Darren Bailey embraces and wants the support of racist thinkers, conspiracy theorists… and in this case… insurrection apologists.

    That’s who Darren Bailey is… that’s who the ILGOP is too.

    Right Chairman Tracy?

    ======So, whatever your political leanings, wherever you live - if you want to fight corruption, restore fiscal sanity, grow our economy, and stand for law and order - you’re on our team. It’s time to suit up, work together, and bring home some wins for the people of Illinois.”===

    “Exactly right”


  6. - Roadrager - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:30 am:

    ==It’s been two steps forward, one step back for Bailey.==

    Name two, and perhaps more importantly, name only one.


  7. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:31 am:

    ===So simply being at a protest that later turned into violence and mob action is enough now? ===

    The mass protest was designed to stop Congress from certifying a legitimate presidential election. Infinitely higher bar here, despite your feeble attempt to minimize it.


  8. - Save Ferris - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:32 am:

    If your kitchen table is a hellhole, then Bailey is focused on it.


  9. - Psalm 109:8 - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:35 am:

    Let his days be few; let another take over his position.


  10. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:35 am:

    === So simply being at===

    Prime… prime example of an insurrection apologist.

    You are trying to make overturning a fair and free election “ok”

    They made &@$#% t-shirts… “stop the steal”

    What is this stealing?

    I appreciate you giving a clear example of an insurrection apologist.

    Sincerely. It helps.


  11. - Pundent - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:36 am:

    I’d say that it’s more like 1 step forward 2 steps back for Darren Bailey. He doesn’t seem to show much if any interest in appealing to an audience beyond his base and in many instances is doubling down on that strategy. And while some might defend Bailey’s association with Donald Trump it is worth noting that the man got trounced both times he was on the ballot in Illinois. Aligning yourself with a candidate who was soundly rejected by the voters of Illinois and is arguably only grown less popular with those voters doesn’t seem like a viable strategy. If Bailey wants to talk about things other than January 6th its up to him to make that happen. Who he continues to associate himself with is a logical starting point.


  12. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:39 am:

    As this has evolved, including WTTW’s own report last night…

    Not ONE member of the GOP has condemned such a relation(ship) to an insurrection apologist.

    Not. One.


  13. - Ron Burgundy - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:39 am:

    -So simply being at a protest that later turned into violence and mob action is enough now?-

    When running for the highest office in the state, you are the company you keep. Here, Bailey consorts with two people who attended a rally promoting false narratives about the election and calling for overthrow of the properly elected government. Just hanging out with the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, etc. is not a crime in itself, but it does and should reflect badly on these men and anyone who associates with them.


  14. - Kippax Blue - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:43 am:

    Seditious traitors need god too…


  15. - Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:45 am:

    Insurrectionest-Lite

    All the whacko right-wing paranoia, none of the federal charges.


  16. - Sports Stooge - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:56 am:

    So if that church employs The Punisher as a preacher did they also hire Daredevil as their youth pastor?


  17. - very old soil - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:57 am:

    https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/05/04/federal-judge-rules-against-lena/1248816007/

    I remember looking into the Lena church when he sued the governor.


  18. - clec dcn - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:03 am:

    I just do not see this as anything good. Praising the Lord and religion are fundamental but to me this speaks of anything but the Holy spirit. I could be wrong but that is what seems clear. Drumming up votes in the sanctuary, might not be a good idea.


  19. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:04 am:

    The irony of these people is that if they actually adhered to the Gospels and teachings of the one they say their opponents is tearing out of America, they would see that he was criticizing them.


  20. - vern - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:06 am:

    === So what’s the story here? ===

    The story is that Bailey still seems to support the overthrow of the United States government. Enough of his supporters do so that it’s worth asking about. No part of January 6th was normal political activity. The protest was specifically to threaten lawmakers with violence into assisting in a coup. When enough refused, that threat was carried out immediately.

    I know many Republicans have decided that the best way to deal with January 6th is to forget and move on. The bipartisan response to past attacks on the United States has been “never forget,” but that’s inconvenient for Republicans because this attack was carried out by Republicans in order to illegally install a Republican President.

    I know cognitive dissonance is more comfortable than acknowledging all that, but it’s not anyone else’s responsibility to make those mental gymnastics easier for you. If it’s no surprise that Bailey would associate with fellow “Trumpers,” then it’s no surprise that many people are concerned Bailey might support a violent overthrow of the US government.


  21. - Bruce( no not him) - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:09 am:

    Man of war or turn the other cheek?
    I can never keep my Bible verses straight.


  22. - Mary Poppins - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:11 am:

    This is so gross. Darren should be ashamed of himself, but that’s would require him to have shame.


  23. - cermak_rd - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:13 am:

    Bailey has not really focused on anything useful though, other than shooting off whatever toes he happens to have left. Instead of offering some policies to reduce crime, he calls Chicago a hellhole. Instead of dealing with rising acts of hate against Asian-Americans and Jews, he compares abortion to the holocaust, instead of guaranteeing a woman’s bodily autonomy, he says she should not be able to get an abortion even in cases of rape. He hasn’t even talked about the problems that plague his own district–shrinking towns that struggle to have enough tax base to pay for needed services. Rising crime there, too due to the what is becoming generational poverty due to deindustrialization.


  24. - Rudy’s teeth - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:14 am:

    Candidate Bailey’s antics in his campaign prove that he is not qualified or prepared to be in the governor’s office. Posing with a preacher who displays graphics affiliated with questionable groups. What?

    As a State Senator, Bailey votes no on issues and programs which would support the residents of Illinois. Darren Bailey’s myopic attitude precludes him from being an effective public servant.


  25. - Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:22 am:

    Just when I think the oddballs in fringy New Testament churches and the oddballs in the new “Republican” party can’t get more weird…


  26. - education first - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:24 am:

    As this man campaigns at churchs that are subsidized by ‘the state” as they do no pay taxes, lets talk about the separation of church and state and why penalties aren’t being levied as clearly politics and the pulpit have been combined.


  27. - 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:24 am:

    Increasingly there are two types of Republicans, those who condemn the January 6 insurrection, and traitors.

    It’s time to choose sides and tell us which kind of a Republican you want to be.


  28. - Candy Dogood - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:30 am:

    I don’t know if Jesus is embarrassed by all of this, but I certainly am embarrassed for Jesus.


  29. - Anonymous - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:46 am:

    ===The story makes clear neither man did anything illegal.===


  30. - Amalia - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:49 am:

    De….lusional. the preacher is just wrong.


  31. - Big Dipper - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:56 am:

    == those who broke the law should be held accountable.==

    I’m not sure he thought this through.


  32. - Jocko - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 12:00 pm:

    ==So simply being at a protest==

    Next you’ll tell me the bear spray, baseball bats, and zip handcuffs were for personal protection.


  33. - Dotnonymous - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 12:08 pm:

    Ye shall know the insurrectionists by their presence at the insurrection…and their tight pants.


  34. - Huh? - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 12:17 pm:

    “Seditious traitors need god too…”

    Right now he is living either on a golf course in New Jersey or a gilded penthouse in New York.


  35. - Manchester - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 12:27 pm:

    The far right Christian Taliban will not stop in their efforts to remake this country into a Christian theocracy. Their brand of Christianity bears no resemblance to what I grew up with in a mainline Protestant church in the 60’s. Bailey is just another shrill mouthpiece for them. It’s up to all of us to go to the polls to stop them.


  36. - City Guy - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 12:38 pm:

    When someone says “the Lord is a man of war” I wonder about there credentials and background. I’m a decent researcher, but couldn’t find anything on where Pastor Brian Phillips went to college/seminary.


  37. - XonXoff - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 1:13 pm:

    // So simply being at a protest that later turned into violence and mob action is enough now? //

    This isn’t court. And they’re not Kyle Rittenhouse.


  38. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 1:28 pm:

    “Not ONE member of the GOP has condemned such a relation(ship) to an insurrection apologist.”

    Sorry to keep bringing it up, but this is what the party has signaled it wants in strongly opposing the J6 impeachment. We saw how Irvin pandered to this element and got trounced, and the statewide slate lost. The so-called Frankenstein monster has destroyed its own now (ILGOP establishment).


  39. - cermak_rd - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 1:30 pm:

    City Guy,

    I think it’s going to depend on the “Lord” involved. Vishnu, Mars, Thor, Zeus, Old Testament deity in some of the creepier books like Judges, etc.


  40. - Bourbon Street - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 2:03 pm:

    City Guy,

    “The Lord is a man of war.” Exodus 15:3. In this passage, the Lord is being exalted because he cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his host into the sea.

    I also wonder about the credentials and background of preachers who yank a biblical passage out of context in order to portray their Lord as a tough-talking gunslinger-type who is “at war” with anyone who has different values than the preacher. The fact that Bailey seeks the approval of such a preacher (who was at the January 6 insurrection, to boot) says a lot about Bailey’s character.


  41. - Xeno - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 2:24 pm:

    “… went to college/seminary.”
    Your answer is at about the 11:30 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS6KcMv5uZo


  42. - Seymourkid - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 2:43 pm:

    Was this politickin’ going on at a tax exempt church?? If so the IRS should be notified.


  43. - MoralMinority - Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 4:02 pm:

    What’s with the suit coat and jeans look? Bailey is wearing it lately and so has Pritzker. That looks more like a suit coat, not a sport coat which would be more appropriate with jeans. Is this a new men’s fashion trend I have thankfully missed out on? Covid casual? When I wear my suit coats it will be with their matching pants and a tie, thank you.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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