* Last week…
“People have often said that I’m a happy warrior, and I’ve always taken seriously my role as a happy warrior on behalf of this state,” Pritzker said in a news conference Thursday. “Even today, when I’m struggling with many of the difficult questions this election poses, my optimism for the future remains undiminished.”
“To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans: I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” he said. “You come for my people, you come through me.”
* Senate Republican Leader John Curran yesterday…
Unlike other Democratic governors in other states, like Pennsylvania, that have approached the election results with calls for collaboration and working in a more bipartisan manner, Governor Pritzker recently with his press conference, has doubled down on his anti-Republican rhetoric, bashing Donald Trump and telling Illinoisians he was going to be protecting them from the incoming administration. Despite the electoral outcome, he still does not seem to understand that he represents all Illinoisians, including the 2.4 million that voted for Donald Trump.
Governor, the people of Illinois are not happy with the incompetent governance your administration has displayed. They’re not happy that your administration continues to fail our most vulnerable populations, where your failure to meet the requirements of our consent decrees with abused and neglected children under the state’s care, as well as develop adults with developmental disabilities. Illinoisans are not happy paying the highest property tax rate in the nation, as well as the highest overall effective tax rate. Illinoisans are not happy about living in a state that continues to be known for crime and corruption, and they certainly are not happy with your repeat broken repeated promise that you broke with regards to not signing a map drawn by politicians and instead signing the most gerrymandered map in the nation. Illinoisans are now seeing the dramatic effect from that gerrymandered map with this last election, where they’re able to hold on to power for he and his allies and really thwart the will of the electorate that are looking for new leaders.
You know what would make Illinoisans happy? A state government that meets its obligations. So maybe instead of reaching into Illinois’ pocketbooks for more of their hard earned dollars and being happy leading an administration that continually fails our most vulnerable population, Governor, you should stop with the national campaigns. Come home, sharpen your budget pencil, and let’s get to work. It is time for you and your administration to work with both parties in approaching the upcoming budget. In that spirit, on behalf of all Illinoisans, regardless of who they voted for, I am calling on Governor Pritzker to pledge to not increase taxes on Illinois families and businesses in this upcoming budget year, Illinois has real Illinois problems right here that need to be dealt with. It is time for Governor Pritzker to take a break from the national campaigns and to start to think Illinois.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
* Wirepoints.org’s Ted Dabrowski was on WLS Radio yesterday…
Q: I guess the place we start with you is, when did Governor Pritzker become a warrior of any kind?
Dabrowski: Well, he’s always been a culture warrior. He’s been, I guess, very tribalistic, separating people, dividing. He’s really good at delivering his talk. He’s smooth, he’s controlled. But underneath it all, he’s always dividing people, and that’s why I think he’s a warrior. He’s saying, ‘Look, you come after the people that I’ve segmented out, the ones that I’ve instilled fear in. If you come after them, I’m going to defend them. And that’s basically the message he had for Trump right after Trump won. So you know, he didn’t, he didn’t waste any time in telling Trump, stay away from Illinois. He went right at it. […]
Q: The election here, and we saw these gains being made by Republicans here in Illinois. I mean, not enough to swing this state red. But is part of that playing into Pritzker coming out and saying, ‘Hey, don’t screw with me’. Because, I mean, I think there’s a real chance that 10 years from now, this state might be swinging the other direction.
Dabrowski: Look, he’s certainly on defense, right? I mean, you know, he tried that, if you look at his rhetoric, especially like at the DNC, and even before that, you know, he’s always calling Pritzker all kinds of things. Pritzker all kinds of names, misogynistic, all those names, homophobic, blah, blah, blah. He was aggressive. And then the press has been aggressive against Trump here in Illinois. So, you know, they didn’t, they weren’t successful in slowing down the move, right? So Trump got, Trump did the best he’s ever done in the three different elections he’s had. He got 45% of Illinois. Nobody expected that. So the other side is under threat. And a lot of people, I should say, are sick of kind of this culture wars and tribalism that Illinois pushes.
Q: Yeah, but realistically, what can Pritzker do to stop, I mean, the federal government’s the federal government, you know? I mean, like, what’s Pritzker thinking he can really accomplish here by, by saying, ‘Hey, Trump, don’t come after me and my people.’
Dabrowski: Well, you know, he’s trying to create a mecca for the kind of vision he has, trying to invite everybody from the rest of the country here. Whereas a lot of people going to Florida and Texas, yeah. So, you know, you will have some movement from Florida to Illinois and in from Texas to Illinois, for those people who are of the issues that Pritzker pushes so hard, the whole LGBTQ and the abortion and things like that. So he’s going to try to attract people that way. But, you know, it’s not a winning strategy, it’s a divisive strategy. And this is my problem with Pritzker, he’s not standing on just general American principles of merit and achievement and accomplishment. And you know, in the just being generally good people to everybody. He really points out who are those who’ve been aggrieved. He wants to single them out, and then he wants to act like he’s gonna be the one to save them. And that’s why he’s calling himself the warrior. He’s gonna save those people. It’s a bad strategy, because he’s not saving all Americans. He’s not saving all Illinoisans. He’s picking out people that he wants to, quote, protect.
* Today, Pritzker was asked how he thought it had reached the point where “we need to be protected from our own president”…
Well, that’s not exactly what the purpose of it is. We’re protecting democracy, and we do believe that between the Congress and the President, that there are proposals that I’ve heard, like we heard recently, I think the last few days, about the potential for passing laws that would take money away from states where we don’t allow prayer in schools. Now, you could say that’s a constitutional issue for the Supreme Court, or you could say it’s an attack on a state, where we need to protect the separation of church and state. So that’s something that comes out of the President-Elect’s transition, and I’ve heard echoed by members of the Congress.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:15 pm:
“Governor Pritzker recently with his press conference, has doubled down on his anti-Republican rhetoric, bashing Donald Trump and telling Illinoisians he was going to be protecting them from the incoming administration”
But it’s okay when right-wing sheriff’s do it, amirite??
– MrJM
- Former Downstater - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:25 pm:
I’m confused as to why anyone should care what Ted Dabrowski has to say on . . . anything.
- You win more bees with honey - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:27 pm:
Who? I have never heard of these people. And they’re upset over this? Snowflakes.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:29 pm:
It’s 50 degrees out this afternoon, but I can see the first snowflakes of the season.
“How dare you use divisive language against us when we are simply trying to unite the country under the belief that immigrants, single women, and gays need to be culled into a pit.”
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:34 pm:
“potential for passing laws that would take money away from states where we don’t allow prayer in schools.”
On a purely objective observation, as a country we are about to learn why the separation existed. Well, at least some are going to learn it. It was never really something the state wanted to keep separate, as much as it was something the church(es) really wanted to keep separate. It was the Baptists who first created this as a public phrase almost 400 years ago, because they understand something a lot of people today do not. It was then Jefferson who 200 years later coined the common phrase we know today when he included this concept in his writings - in a letter to a Baptist association.
It’s not going to be a fun few years, but my personal silver lining is that the next few years have a high potential to almost completely destroy organized religion in this country. And it’s going to be willingly done by the hands of people who in their minds think they are doing exactly the opposite of that.
- James - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:38 pm:
“Potential to almost completely destroy organized religion in this country”
lol. I doubt that.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
Until the Republicans in Illinois choose candidates that are literate and display logic, the result will be the same. They will continue to lose.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:43 pm:
Be interesting to see how this all plays out in the courts re the Federal Supremacy Clause …
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:44 pm:
“I am calling on Governor Pritzker to pledge to not increase taxes on Illinois families and businesses in this upcoming budget year, Illinois has real Illinois problems right here that need to be dealt with.”
Curious to hear Leader Curran’s plans to address the transit funding cliff without a tax increase.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:45 pm:
“…the incompetent governance your administration has displayed…”
Kinda lost me right there. But just in case, he made sure of it by saying that inviting people to Illinois who have been targeted by the GOP elsewhere is “divisive.” That word does not mean what you think it does.
- Two Left Feet - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 12:55 pm:
I do enjoy how the state’s rights verse federal authority argument switches depending on who is in power. I don’t think I could ever lean right enough to agree with Curran or Dabrowski. The “my people” language is a little weird, but I get the gist.
- Tom - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:00 pm:
So childish
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:02 pm:
“lol. I doubt that.”
The potential has always existed. That’s why that wall existed. It was religious leaders who understood why.
Like I said, Now it’s time for a lot of other people who never took the time to think past their own nose, to learn that too.
People really aren’t that complicated. The year on the calendar might change, but a glowing red hot iron is still glowing red hot and will still lead to the same outcome if grasped with a bare hand.
Maybe you can help draft the 21st century version of the Syllabus of Errors. After all, it only took 6 years for the complete downfall of the papal states which were being defended in the original.
- Peleg Carr - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:23 pm:
In 2022, the voters of Illinois gave Pritzker a mandate. He won by over 12% of the vote (Trump only won by 2% nationally).
Democrats maintain a supermajority in the General Assembly.
Pritzker can and will use every tactic available to him to protect democracy and human rights. If you don’t like that, there’s some cheap real estate in Missouri.
- TJ - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:29 pm:
The GOP is full-blown masks off about wanting a denaturalization process.
I’ll take pointed rhetoric opposing that to weak rhetoric supporting or ignoring that any day of the week, thank you very much.
- TJ - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:33 pm:
Oh, and wanting to “finish the job” in Gaza, and re-enacting Muslim travel bans, and wanting to roll back trans and gay rights, and wanting to expose women to significantly higher healthcare risks, etc., etc., etc.
I can go about this all day.
The GOP has a wild case of being able to dish it out but being unable to take it.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 1:55 pm:
Ohh the conservative pearl clutching. Deary me oh my.
I just heard a new thing “your body, my choice” today, and is coming from the same side that Curran is on. Tough to take them seriously ever.
- Central Ill - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:08 pm:
“I just heard a new thing ‘your body, my choice’ today…”. Yeah, okay sounds legit.
- Suburban Mom - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:15 pm:
===“I just heard a new thing ‘your body, my choice’ today…”. Yeah, okay sounds legit. ===
Prominent manosphere podcasters are platforming it and college students at pro-GOP rallies have held signs displaying it. It’s real, and women are scared.
That’s why we choose the bear.
- Google Is Your Friend - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:19 pm:
- Central Ill - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:08 pm:
Pro tip, next time don’t confirm yourself as a fool.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/business/your-body-my-choice-movement-election/index.html
- TJ - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:43 pm:
== “I just heard a new thing ‘your body, my choice’ today…”. Yeah, okay sounds legit. ==
Just because you haven’t been paying attention doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Yes, that’s been making its rounds among certain deplorable circles online, particularly by conservative commentator (and unfortunately Illinois’ very own) Nick Fuentes. Friendly reminder, he was specifically courted by Trump in 2022 and personally reinstated on twitter by Musk.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 2:47 pm:
- Yeah, okay sounds legit. -
Better brush up on what the alt-right fanboys are indeed saying.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/13/your-body-my-choice-maga-men
- Tiffany Darwish - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 3:01 pm:
Am I the only one who remembers Pritzker camp crowing that they won the 2022 election by making abortion rights the central issue of the campaign, and Democrats were going to win in 2024 by doing the same thing in the Presidential?
If you do not think Democrats have anything to worry about, look around. They thought they were going to pick up legislative seats. Everything broke against them because they made very bad assumptions.
Do not assume another Darren Bailey will be nominated. Do not assume that Trump uprooting migrants will be wildly unpopular. Do not assume voters will blame Trump in two years for runaway inflation.
Durbin seat will be up, pray for a strong Democratic nominee and Mary Miller as the GOP candidate. But don’t presume that’s what will happen.
- Colors of Fall - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 3:01 pm:
Pritzker ought protect IL red voters whether they like it or not.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 3:09 pm:
As they say, do you want a little cheese with that whine.
The total absurdity of the all lying all vitriol MAGA GOP complaining when a Dem calls them out is hilarious.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 3:36 pm:
Having a “hair on fire” point of view from certain candidates indicates there is nothing behind the rhetoric. Empty words from empty heads.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 3:51 pm:
Sadly, the rhetoric is the least of our worries. The new administration will not be checked, and it will be worse than anyone thought.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 4:18 pm:
==and it will be worse than anyone thought.==
The appointment of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General confirms that it will be worse . . . much, much, much worse.
- Tired Teacher - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 4:30 pm:
Every day I am glad JB is governor.
- low level - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 4:42 pm:
Thanks for that nonsense, Tiffany. You made my day.
- low level - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 5:03 pm:
Tiffany, when you begin reclaiming seats such as House District 45 which is the ancestral home of longtime House GOP leader Lee Daniels or Senate District 23, held by SGOP head Pate Philip, then you can talk about how Illinois may become Republican again someday. Both those suburban districts are now securely held by Dems.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 6:58 pm:
- They thought they were going to pick up legislative seats. -
I mean, they already have quite a few. Best of luck in a couple years.
- Tiffany Darwish - Wednesday, Nov 13, 24 @ 9:12 pm:
@ Low level - Do you think Martha Deuter will be voting to raise revenue? To reauthorize health care for undocumented immigrants? No.
Also, as Curran points out, you can gerrymander the legislature, but you cannot gerrymander statewide offices.
Combine decreased turnout among younger voters in a non-presidential year with a trumpsized turn out in rural areas, depressed turnout in a city unhappy with Brandon Johnson, and Democrats are in trouble.
There has never been a mayor this unpopular. JB has a record to run on, but voters neither care nor remember what he did in 2019-2023.
People have forgotten that we just legalized weed, to voters it feels like forever ago.