* Subscribers were briefed this morning. The Associated Press…
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sharply criticized fellow Democrats on Sunday for not doing enough to oppose President Donald Trump, drawing a clear divide between himself and other high-profile Democrats seen as future presidential contenders.
Pritzker delivered the keynote address at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, the latest and most high-profile in a series of speeches this year.
While Pritzker continued to attack Trump, he also focused on what he says are shortcomings in his own party, assailing Democrats for listening to “a bunch of know-nothing political types” instead of everyday Americans. Without naming names, he called out Democrats “flocking to podcasts and cable news shows to admonish fellow Democrats for not caring enough about the struggles of working families.”
“Those same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants, instead of their own lack of guts and gumption,” Pritzker said.
* The Washington Post…
The billionaire Democratic governor repeatedly brought the crowd to its feet with acidic attacks on the morals and ethics of the president, adviser and top donor Elon Musk, as well as members of the president’s Cabinet. He slammed their efforts to dismantle government programs that the most vulnerable Americans rely on and said the Democratic Party must “abandon the culture of incrementalism that has led us to swallow their cruelty.” It is time for his party, he said, to “knock the rust off poll-tested language” that has obscured “our better instincts.”
Pritzker was most searing in his condemnation of what he cast as the Trump administration’s infringement on the rights enshrined in the Constitution, stating that it should be easy for Democrats to say “it’s wrong to snatch a person off the street and ship them to a foreign gulag with no chance to defend themselves in a court of law.”
“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now,” Pritzker said to a standing ovation accompanied by whistles and cheers from the audience. “These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace. They must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soap box and then punish them at the ballot box.” […]
One of Pritzker’s advantages among the potential White House aspirants is his ability to swing at Trump from a solidly blue state where the legislature is controlled by Democrats. From the outset, he took a more combative approach than other potential rivals such as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Democrats who represent narrowly divided states and initially emphasized their interest in bipartisan collaboration with Trump.
Pritzker also has not faced the same kind of constraints as other top contenders such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was one of Trump’s top antagonists in 2024 but now needs Trump’s cooperation to help him secure the nearly $40 billion in federal disaster aid that he has requested to rebuild Pacific Palisades and Altadena after the devastating fires in January.
* New York Times…
Mr. Pritzker, of course, rebuffed any suggestion that his appearance on Sunday night in Manchester, N.H., represented the opening bell of the 2028 Democratic primary race. He said he was focused on backing the party’s efforts in next year’s midterm elections. […]
“I’m one of the people leading the fight, and that is my role,” he said in an interview before his speech. “We’ve done an awful lot in Illinois, and we can be doing those things in other states.” […]
“The main divide within the Democratic Party is not between left and right — it’s whether you think this is a constitutional crisis or this is politics as usual,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of the progressive activist group Indivisible. “Pritzker is really demonstrating what it looks like to lead an opposition party against the overreaching authority of the federal government.”
In recent months, Mr. Pritzker has preached a gospel of staunch resistance to some of the most engaged Democratic activists across the country, delivering the keynote speech at party fund-raisers in Illinois and Austin, Texas, and at an annual gala for the Human Rights Campaign in Los Angeles. Next month, he is set to speak at a fund-raising dinner in Detroit for the Michigan Democratic Party.
* WMUR New Hampshire…
In a one-on-one interview with WMUR Political Director Adam Sexton, Pritzker said he is fully focused on helping Democrats in the 2026 midterms.
“It is wrong to snatch people off the street with no chance to defend themselves in a court of law,” he said. […]
Pritzker brushed off any talk of a 2028 presidential run. News 9 asked if he thinks Democrats should restore New Hampshire to the top of their primary calendar.
“I don’t know what the DNC is going to do. I don’t have any control over that. I’m not on the DNC. But New Hampshire is very important because it’s an example of a place where you can come, you don’t have to spend a lot of money, you can meet people, and they’ll be the judge,” he said.
* More…
Thoughts?
…Adding… ILGOP…
Pritzker Calls For Violence Toward Republicans
While world leaders meet at the Vatican for the Pope’s funeral to discuss the goal of peace, Governor Pritzker calls on us to do the opposite: “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
CHICAGO — Last night, JB Pritzker’s attempt to woo New Hampshire Democrats as he barrels towards the 2028 Democrat primary was full of divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. Pritzker’s obsession, to insult and to chastise President Trump, showed forcefully as he stoked the crowd in calling for political violence against Republicans.
“JB Pritzker’s ego-driven obsession with becoming President is putting Illinois, and Republicans across the country, at risk,” said ILGOP Chairman Kathy Salvi. “His inflammatory and dangerous speech is focused on further dividing our country and I hope to see Illinois Democrats condemn his call for violence.”
“Last night, Pritzker showed us that instead of helping hardworking families, he would rather raise their taxes, defend MS-13 gang members and watch businesses flee Illinois,” Salvi continued. “It’s become clear that Pritzker’s only priority is what’s best for him and his presidential bid. This weekend’s trip to New Hampshire is further proof that he’s already left Illinois behind.”
Don’t forget that Pritzker is an old pro at this shtick, considering how he’s attempted to become the leader of the Democrat party for the last three years. See for yourself:
FIRST: Pritzker traveled to New Hampshire in 2022 to raise his profile and set up a future presidential run.
THEN: Pritzker refused to quash rumors that he would leave Illinois to run for president when Democrats launched their soft coup against Joe Biden.
THEN: When Kamala Harris was announced as the Democrats’ preferred choice, Pritzker launched a full-court press campaign to become her vice president.
THEN: After failing to earn the nod as the vice-presidential nominee, Pritzker immediately pivoted and is working to become the Democrats’ choice for president in 2028.
NOW: Pritzker is in New Hampshire, wooing Democrat donors and soft launching a presidential campaign focused on lies, division and insults.
- Red Ranger - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:02 am:
I think there are legit follow-ups to the Governor’s speech. Should House Dems scream and shout every time a GOP member tries to talk on a bill? Should protesters picket Darin Lahoods home day and night so he and his family cant live in peace? Should protesters try to disrupt every GOP fundraiser? He said it, now defend it.
I think this speech demonstrates why after trying to play in the future POTUS conversation for the last 3 years, few people more than 90 miles outside of the Loop, have taken him seriously as a candidate.
- TJ - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:02 am:
Schumer is assuredly working on his strongest response possible to Pritzker, a non-polite letter to be delivered to the governor’s press secretary’s intern.
- Kristen - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:07 am:
Great speech for the Democratic Party’s (new) base. It seems like he’s telling America that 2026 should be a base turnout election for the dem Party where Democrats do a better (and more aggressive) job of communication the Harris/Walz policy issues.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:15 am:
I’m glad to see Pritzker speaking up. The ongoing violations of constitutional rights need to be pointed out each and every day.
Is he being too harsh on his fellow Dems? Who cares? Keep fighting every day.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:18 am:
===instead of everyday Americans===
Who are the every day Americans that JB Pritzker consults on matters of public policy?
===“flocking to podcasts and cable news shows to admonish fellow Democrats for not caring enough about the struggles of working families.”===
I don’t think he needs to name names here, but one of the reasons why the Democratic Party is where the Democratic Party is right now has a lot to do with ignoring everything that Robert Reich was telling them three decades ago.
The Democrats have put a lot of effort into half measures and also done a very poor job of communicating what they’ve done — but even President Barack Obama campaigned on universal single payer until he didn’t, caved on the public option, and enacted the GOP response from the 1990s to the Democratic efforts to create Medicare for all.
===Those same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants, instead of their own lack of guts and gumption===
This is fair criticism and I agree with the Governor.
But — is the billionaire really going to take a position that suggests his party has not failed the working class and most voters in the bottom 4 quintiles?
I like his kind of energy from the Governor. I hope his team has spared no expense on opposition research because if he is running he is going to find his own record heavily scrutinized and so far he’s been left alone by other Democrats who can draw a national audience. If he keeps doing this, he won’t.
Presidential Primary politics is a different animal and I hope the Governor and his team recognize that.
- Steve - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:19 am:
-These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace-
Pritker is staking out a position if he runs in the 2028 contest. He’s not used of dealing with a competitive opposition. If he won, he would have a difficult time dealing with non-Democrats. My guess is Pritzker wouldn’t like Republicans using his own language to harass Democrats.
- H-W - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:20 am:
As of this week, I am going to assume that Gov. Pritzker is going to run for President.
I actually think he has a realistic the opportunity to win. He is not too old. Pritzker is not too masculine. He is quick thinking, and he is honest. He is an advocate for diversity (about half of all people under 25 are not White Anglo). And most important, he is intolerant of hate and divisiveness. All of these traits are representative of my current generation of college students.
I was pleased to see the recent poll (NBC News Stay Turned Poll) indicating that Gen Z is done with Trump and also his policies. Indeed, I am heartened that Gen Z women are absolutely opposed. It reminds me of the generational shift in voting we saw when Obama ran. I think the key will be reaching out to Gen Z men who while generally more progressive than other men’s cohorts, are currently getting their knowledge from hate podcasts and male power podcasters.
- Formerly Unemployed - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:23 am:
Someone has to stand up to this disaster in Washington, and it’s clear that most of those in the DNC think that the best way forward is to write strongly worded letters, then send out another round of fundraising texts.
- It's always Sunny in Illinois - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:25 am:
Whether you feel he’s right …..wrong….or your indifferent to Pritzkers continued criticisms of Trump and the Republicans who were voted in…..be prepared for Illinois to lose significant Federal aid during the next years and beyond as he continues to make himself and the state a target ….
Just don’t expect the rest of us to make up the Federal losses with new revenues/taxes……
- *ducks* - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:28 am:
“It seems like he’s telling America that 2026 should be a base turnout election for the dem Party where Democrats do a better (and more aggressive) job of communication the Harris/Walz policy issues.”
If this is truly the play, they’re fighting the last war.
- Mark D - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:30 am:
He’s meeting the moment - at least rhetorically. Now it’s time for the broader party to demonstrate that it can deliver a policy platform that isn’t saddled with technocratic jargon and means testing. Medicare for All, or a $25 minimum wage, or free public college/trade school would be great places to start.
- Arsenal - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:31 am:
==few people more than 90 miles outside of the Loop, have taken him seriously as a candidate==
This does not seem like a statement backed up by facts.
- Arsenal - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:36 am:
==But — is the billionaire really going to take a position that suggests his party has not failed the working class and most voters in the bottom 4 quintiles?==
This very well might be just hearing what I want to hear, but I took this as the opposite- that the “do nothing Dems” were too cowardly to pass working class policies, and that that caused Dems’ 2024 losses.
- Kristen - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:41 am:
Candy ==defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants==
What do you think the specifics are on these issues?
- Kristen - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:44 am:
“ducks” ==If this is truly the play, they’re fighting the last war.==
I think the jury is out on that but I think your comment is fair. Never underestimate Trump’s ability to produce Blue voters, at least in Illinois. This strategy might flip the house back to a Dem majority.
- Johnny B Goode - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 9:52 am:
hes running….
- 312 Lawyer - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:02 am:
He is clearly trying to carve out the progressive lane. It wont win him the primary, but he can spend his inheritance however he wants.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:02 am:
===Without naming names, he called out Democrats “flocking to podcasts and cable news shows to admonish fellow Democrats for not caring enough about the struggles of working families.”
“Those same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of Black people, of trans kids, of immigrants, instead of their own lack of guts and gumption,” Pritzker said.===
Is he talking about Rahm? Or Gavin Newsom? The rhetorical jockeying is interesting.
- 312 Lawyer - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:04 am:
== Is he talking about Rahm? Or Gavin Newsom? The rhetorical jockeying is interesting. ==
Rahm has forgotten more about winning elections than Pritzker has learned.
He’s had 2 tough political fights and lost one of them.
- Sue - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:07 am:
He might have more credibility if Illinois was doing better compared to virtually every other state
- Sue - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:07 am:
He might have more credibility if Illinois was doing better compared to virtually every other state
- Keyrock - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:09 am:
I think the Governor has picked a lane, and he’s running for president to represent “the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.” It didn’t work for Howard Dean, but it’s a viable lane and he’s embraced it.
He’s also telling truths about Trump, MAGA, and much of Democratic leadership that need to be said.
Who knows what will happen between now and 2028, but I admire JB’s decision to go for it.
- low level - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:12 am:
== few people more than 90 miles outside of the Loop, have taken him seriously as a candidate.==
LOL. Your premise is absurd. Rather than worry about JB, You should be more concerned as to how Donnie almost singlehandedly turned counties like DuPage that had been solidly Republican for over 100 years into reliably Dem areas. This is happening in suburbs around the country.
- Arsenal - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:19 am:
==Rahm has forgotten more about winning elections than Pritzker has learned.==
Maybe if he would’ve remembered some of it he wouldn’t have had to beg Joe Biden for a job.
==I think the Governor has picked a lane, and he’s running for president to represent “the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.” It didn’t work for Howard Dean, but it’s a viable lane and he’s embraced it.==
I think it’s probably too early to say what “lane” anyone’s gonna run in, and the “lane” analysis is pretty limited anyway, but he’s clearly giving the base what it wants, which is a lot of rhetoric about fighting and mocking Dems who won’t.
Not sure if the base is still gonna want that in 2027, but we all gotta live in the here and now, so.
- Red Ranger - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:22 am:
Also in terms of do-nothing, and its not fair I get it, but he will wear the jacket for all of the issues in Chicago. People on this website know thats not fair, it should be Da Mayor taking the hits, but theres nothing fair about politics. When people think Chicago, they will think JB. And again, get outside of the Chicago bubble and you will see the Chicago narrative isnt a good one.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:25 am:
Good on JB for calling out Democrats who turn on their own for no good reason, just to virtue signal or something. Political parties always have ups and downs and pay the price for the national mood. Did Democrats suddenly learn to talk to voters during 2018 and 2020 when they had national success, and forgot when they lost? National moods come and go, but integrity remains. Glad JB is not selling out the most vulnerable to appear more politically attractive to those who attack them.
- Chicago Blue - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:36 am:
@ 312 Blue
What has Rahm ever done to help people? He made himself rich, bailed out the bankers, closed 50 schools and helped pass NAFTA (which put the Democrats onto the path of losing the working class for a generation to Donald bleeping Trump.) He also ran with his tail tucked between his legs when it became clear he was going to lose badly if he ran for a third term. I’ll take whatever JB is trying over Rahm’s lukewarm centrist crap.
- Excitable Boy - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:39 am:
- Rahm has forgotten more about winning elections than Pritzker has learned. -
Laughable. Rahm is one of the architects of the do nothing faction of the Democratic party.
- Lurker - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:53 am:
I wish the gov would include JD Vance more often in his speeches. He and his ilk are the ones that really scare me.
- Really? - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:53 am:
Two thoughts - 1) he is hitting the right notes. 2) it really is much easier to be combative when your personal wealth insulates you from career ending and life altering consequences.
- Demoralized - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 10:57 am:
==He might have more credibility if Illinois was doing better compared to virtually every other state==
You might have more credibility if you can . . . wait . . .never mind . . . you have zero credibility
- TJ - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:11 am:
== He might have more credibility if Illinois was doing better compared to virtually every other state ==
By all means, name the states that are better than Illinois and in what categories they’re better than us. I’ll readily admit that there are more affordable states with high standards of living, better education, better public health, and lower taxes, but not too many that are better in all aspects and, if I may take a guess and the political angle you’re upset at Pritzker from, there are basically no red states that you can realistically say that with a straight face unless the only thing you care about is taxes.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:20 am:
He’s not being subtle…
“Stop thinking we can reason or negotiate with a madman,” Pritzker told the crowd, adding that Republicans enabling Trump should “feel in their bones that when we survive this shameful episode of American history” their portraits will be relegated “to the museum halls reserved for tyrants and traitors”.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/27/pritzker-democratic-party-new-hampshire/
- Peoples Republic of Oak Park - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:27 am:
I don’t dislike JB I think he is a good governor, but if he thinks the way to electoral success is engaging in identity politics he is going to lose a presidential election in 2028, assuming we have them. That is not snark I am legitimately afraid of that.
- Brave New World - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:29 am:
=you have zero credibility=
That’s rich coming from the commentor who spent years lying that he had no personal interest in state pensions only to let it slip in another post he’s married to a state employee.
- James - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:32 am:
Republicans and Democrats are pandering to the extremists in their base, and its a road that leads to perdition. Perhaps it has led to perdition. I find it astonishing that Dem primary votes think they just need to “fight harder” against Trump. I got news for you, Dems have fought Trump more than anyone in US political history and it led to Trump being re-elected. If the democrats think the road to power is becoming more liberal, they are playing right into the republicans hands. Dems lost ground with every demographic except college educated women in Nov. 2024. It’s because Dems appeal more to the faculty lounge than the warehouse floor. Pritzker call holler about disruption all he wants, it won’t lead to the result he desires.
- clec dcn - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:39 am:
Illinois has too many problems and issues from other states point of view. This does not help JB which to me is a great thing for sure. He might be thought of in Illinois as fine but my guess outside Illinois he is not so electable as the next president. The very far left and even some of the not as far left, like him. At the moment is seems not enough.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:44 am:
===At the moment===
It’s 2025. We’re only a hundred or so days into the president’s term.
If you think you can predict that far into the future, then you need to get off this blog and become a billionaire.
- Arsenal - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:46 am:
==I got news for you, Dems have fought Trump more than anyone in US political history and it led to Trump being re-elected.==
The Biden Admin conceded to Trump’s position on immigration and tariffs, never had an answer on inflation, and delayed prosecution of Trump.
==If the democrats think the road to power is becoming more liberal==
It’s not about ideology, it’s about standing up for what they believe in. Democrats of all stripes- moderates, lefties, etc.- do not like what the Trump Admin is doing. They will not win by pretending they do.
- walker - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:48 am:
Why I most like about JB is that while he delivers messages that are politically focused, the drive and substance behind those messages come more from his own of values and sense of history, than from expediency. He’s basically someone you can trust, regardless of whether you agree with him.
Caprara’s comments in the NYT article are on point..
- Arsenal - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:49 am:
==It’s 2025. We’re only a hundred or so days into the president’s term.==
And this goes the other way, too. I think Pritzker is clearly “winning 2025″, but maybe in 2026 or 2027 Gretchen Whitmer stops hiding behind blue folders and takes the title. We just don’t know.
- JS Mill - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:53 am:
=He’s not being subtle…=
Subtle will not win the next presidential election. It will be all about social media zingers and podcast diatribes as the current president demonstrated. Sad, but that is the reality. Statemenaship is a relic of the past.
Pritzker is staking out his narrative early in what has become a tiringly endless election cycle, but that is what he as to do if he wants his name to rise to the top of the presidential election.
JB has done a very good job here in Illinois. I say that as an independent voter. Whomever takes the nod for the democrats, it is my hope that they move more to the center (without abandoning anyone) and focus on the very things the democrats missed on in the last election, things they deserved quite a bit of credit for but the message got away from them on the economy somehow.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 11:58 am:
==It’s because Dems appeal more to the faculty lounge than the warehouse floor.==
I have to agree with James. Ironically, the hourly workers who supported Trump are going to suffer the most, but they believed podcasts, social media, and right-wing pundits instead of their own eyes.
Pritzker is still seeking his footing in this, I think. I’m sure he has lots of expensive campaign advice, but Republican candidates have some sort of hypnotic appeal that conventional approaches don’t work against.
It’s a long shot, but Democrats’ best hope may be that things get so bad by 2026 that the whiplash effect works in their favor.
- Capcitynewt - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 12:07 pm:
So glad democrats don’t support billionaires.
- Chambanalyst - Monday, Apr 28, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
“be prepared for Illinois to lose significant Federal aid during the next years and beyond as he continues to make himself and the state a target ….”
100% this. How much damage is he willing to allow to be inflicted on his constituents in favor of his own personal political aspirations? Like it or not, there will be consequences to this, if it happens.