* Rick Pearson…
Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey on Sunday opened a new avenue in his attacks on Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, questioning the patriotism of the first-term governor.
In a video on Facebook as Bailey was preparing for his annual fundraiser at his farm in downstate Xenia, the GOP state senator noted the set up for the event included a stage featuring a large American flag.
“There’s the stage again. Amazing, beautiful American flag back there,” Bailey said. “I want to share something with you. J.B, Pritzker’s rallies and his events, I don’t, I don’t often see the flag flying in a prominent position, just keep that in mind.” […]
He went on to pray for God’s help to “remove evil, wicked and corruption from our government.”
* Response from Pritzker’s campaign manager…
* And then Ollen’s shop sent this out today…
Bailey Places Allegiance to Trump and Insurrectionists Over Country
Chicago, IL –– After months and ample opportunity to denounce the deadly attack on our nation’s Capitol carried out in the name of Donald Trump and with the intention of overturning democratic election results, Darren Bailey continues to stand with insurrectionists and the twice-impeached former president rather than the Capitol Police officers and patriots who defended our nation that day.
Just last week, when asked whether the House select committee hearings into January 6 show Trump’s culpability in the attack, Bailey declined to answer and instead deflected with a nonanswer, saying: “I’m not educated enough or informed enough to give you an answer on that.”
As an ardent supporter of Trump and his allies, Bailey has spent his entire campaign pushing the Big Lie, understating the January 6 insurrection, promising to “roll the red carpet out” for Trump in 2024 after proudly receiving his endorsement.
He’s been caught campaigning with associates who stormed the Capitol on January 6, including two pastors who live streamed their experience in D.C.. One of his associates, Larry Ligas, was even charged for his participation in the attack. That didn’t stop the Bailey campaign from using him as a campaign surrogate just a few months later.
Bailey relentlessly pushes the baseless narrative that election fraud is rampant and has vowed to bring in thousands of poll watchers for the November election. His campaign hosts frequent “election integrity” trainings with a man who organized a “Stop The Steal” Bus Tour on January 6.
“A man who surrounds himself with January 6 insurrectionists has no business implying others are unpatriotic,” said JB for Governor Press Secretary Eliza Glezer. “Bailey’s hollow version of patriotism stretches insofar as Donald Trump says so and presents a serious threat to the sanctity of our democratic elections. Darren Bailey’s hypocrisy is showing.”
When the Department of Justice searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, Bailey wasted no time joining right-wing actors sowing distrust in the justice system. Bailey quickly questioned the department’s motives, demanding the FBI “immediately explain their actions.” And in May, Bailey and Rudy Giuliani campaigned together on behalf of Scott Kaspar, a Republican Congressional candidate who, like Bailey, has downplayed the January 6 insurrection and stated that he would not have ratified Joe Biden’s presidency.
Bailey perpetuated the Big Lie by telling his supporters to “continue to pray for our President and this election process,” adding: “all this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting. It’s wrong—it’s, in my opinion, almost the highest form of treason in our country, so we pray that that will be dealt with. We pray that the truth will be uncovered.”
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 9:53 am:
“I don’t, I don’t often see the flag flying in a prominent position, just keep that in mind”
Congrats to Bailey for securing the GOP base vote. /s
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 9:57 am:
Bailey should listen to Illinois’ greatest songwriter when it comes to phony patriotic nonsense.
https://youtu.be/sRCLHBhZPQ4
- Roadrager - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:00 am:
Politics ain’t beanbag and Illinois ain’t Xenia, Darren. Almost like the Pritzker campaign has been paying attention, the way they have a response ready for Bailey the moment he says something entirely predictable from someone who never consumes media outside the far-right bubble.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:03 am:
-I don’t often see the flag flying in a prominent position-
Not surprising that someone so into performative religion is also into performative patriotism. Sadly, though, it appears that he has lost any sense of what that flag really stands for.
- JS Mill - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:08 am:
=he has lost any sense of what that flag really stands for.=
I doubt he ever actually knew what the flag stands for.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:10 am:
Patriotism, another right-wing Pavlov word.
- Google Is Your Friend - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:11 am:
From the Oxford/Google English dictionary
patriotic: “having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.”
Does supporting an violent overthrow of the constitutional order to install a candidate who lost a free and fair election sound patriotic? Was it patriotic when Darren Bailey’s buddy Chris Miller was at ground zero of insurrection central whipping up coup fever? Was it patriotic when their allies assaulted Officer Brian Sicknick?
Sounds unpatriotic to me.
- Norseman - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:13 am:
We’ve seen Bailey and the MAGA GOP’s idea of patriotism on January 6th as American flags were used to attack police officers. I’d rather have JB’s view of patriotism over Bailey’s.
- Montrose - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:14 am:
Zing! Now just watch droves of flag-centric democrats and independents flip their vote to Bailey. /s
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:18 am:
I did not see a flag lapel pin on Darren Bailey. Obviously that means he’s not patriotic.
Wait… did I enter a timewarp to 2001 again?
- Meet John Doe - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:18 am:
Bailey reminds me of Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry.
- Annonin' - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:21 am:
If Ds aren’t careful they will bury the whack job GOPies so deep they will vaporize and 5 or 10 years from we will see the rational GOPies emerge and perhaps pose the threat they once did. Hopefully we can prepare for that threat too.
- MisterJayEm - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:27 am:
Whodda thunk that Darren Bailey was a Marxist?
– MrJM
- Alice Childress - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:30 am:
Bailey is a mutation of DT, and not a very good one. His sheep herding tactics, as pointed out here already, are ridiculously predictable. I don’t align myself with JB on everything, not have I with any candidate. But to warp the reality of JB’s fiscal accomplishments for this state and some ability to get bi-partisan support for legislation is black and white. I cringe at the thought of a Governor Bailey.
- Curious citizen - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:36 am:
“My flag’s bigger than your flag”
- Henry Francis - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:37 am:
What a wholly unserious man this Bailey fella is. What’s his next criticism, he doesn’t see a cross hanging from JB’s neck?
- Save Ferris - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:48 am:
Bailey isn’t just questioning patriotism, he’s signalling his bigotry. Along the lines of when Donald said Netanyahu was “your prime minister” to the Republican Jewish Coalition.
- Huh? - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 10:53 am:
Is beetle going to start hugging and kissing the flag at his campaign rallies? /s
- TJ - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:06 am:
There have been some Republicans that questioned the patriotism of even Tammy freaking Duckworth. It’s all just garbage throwing spaghetti against the wall by desperate losers hoping for something to stick.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:15 am:
Hard to believe this is the best the ILGOP can offer.
- PublicServant - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:15 am:
Keep burying yourself, Bailey.
- Rudy’s teeth - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:21 am:
Anyone notice the resemblance of Darren Bailey to Elmer Fudd.
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:29 am:
This Bailey attack on Pritzker is in line with other attacks on Dems I heard over the weekend in campaign ads.
Radical leftists hate America
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:30 am:
errgh. last post hit send too soon.
The ad I heard was basically:
“Radical leftists hate America. I’m GOP candidate and I approve this message.”
- Steve - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:30 am:
With many issues to run on: this is what Bailey chooses. It’s almost if the Democrats wanted to run against Bailey.
- former cubs fan - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:31 am:
for the life of me, i can’t fathom the pain it must cause reasonable republicans to see their party nominate unserious candidates like darren bailey. it must feel like the party has quit on them, and that the party has no real desire to be elected to office and governing. we need two parties (banned punctuation). it is essential that voters have real choice, but can anybody really look me in the eye and tell me that bailey is serious.
- Jerry - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:32 am:
Like it was posted on here earlier, the Republican Gubernatorial Candidate does not wear an American Flag lapel pin. Obviously he is not patriotic. And while I’m on the subject. I have many Christian friends, they do their “work” humbly.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:36 am:
=== It’s almost if the Democrats wanted to run against Bailey.===
No.
It’s 56%+ of the voting Republicans wanted Bailey
Your trolling on things is both juvenile and dishonest to the actual, please elevate your trolling
- TJ - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:42 am:
== With many issues to run on: this is what Bailey chooses. It’s almost if the Democrats wanted to run against Bailey. ==
How dare the dastardly left force GOP voters to support Bailey!!!
- Moby - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 11:54 am:
Oh geez, this is right up there with Obama’s tan suit.
- Red Ketcher - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 12:06 pm:
Parties/Politics Instead of Pickin Corn?
Is that a “Farmer”?
Pray Tell
- Amalia - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
Here’s what scares me more than Bailey, that there are…by polling…so many who would vote for that empty…and terrifyingly wrong wing… suit. It’s Illinois and there’s that many of those kinds of people and that is worrisome.
- cermak_rd - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 12:32 pm:
save ferris,
That was exactly my thought as well. It’s an old tired track for Bailey to tread. Not going to say it didn’t make me furious though.
- Cardinal Fan - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 12:55 pm:
== Here’s what scares me more than Bailey, that there are…by polling…so many who would vote for that empty…and terrifyingly wrong wing… suit. It’s Illinois and there’s that many of those kinds of people and that is worrisome. ==
Perhaps it’s because Bailey is the only alternative against JB.
- JS Mill - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 1:13 pm:
I, for one, would like to hear bailey recite the lord’s prayer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhl1cnmOZ0Y
- Sir Reel - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
Rudy’s Teeth, I take exception with your comparison of Bailey and Elmer Fudd. Yes, Elmer hated rabbits, but he was basically a good guy, inept and misguided, but good. Bailey wants to be Supreme Leader. He probably agrees with what the leadership in Iran is now doing.
- MoralMinority - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 2:33 pm:
I wonder if that ginormous flag at Darren’s farmstead is the same one that was flying from the aerial ladder of a fire engine parked in the driveway of his parents’ home in Louisville for a day or so after his primary victory. I missed Darren’s wingding Saturday, darn it, but I bet the Mountain Dew was flowing
- cermak_rd - Monday, Oct 3, 22 @ 3:52 pm:
Mountain Dew, as in that Rare old Mountain Dew? I would have taken Darren for a teetotaler.