* WBEZ…
David Axelrod, former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama in his winning 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, said if Pritzker harbors White House ambitions, he ought to think hard about leaving Springfield after two terms because of the political volatility that being governor can bring.
“Third terms are notoriously perilous, and things that can go wrong tend to go wrong in third terms,” Axelrod said. “If your attention is divided between running for president, which is a hellacious job in itself, and…dealing with crises at home, that is a very difficult balance to strike.
“I honestly think time may be better spent for him if he wants to run for president, traveling the country and interacting with people and not just speaking, but listening. It would enrich him as a candidate and give him a head start. So you have to balance the risks and rewards of each decision. And in my view, the risks of running again [for governor] are greater than the possible rewards,” said Axelrod, a CNN commentator and host of the political podcast, “The Axe Files.” […]
Democratic political strategist Pete Giangreco had roles in nine presidential campaigns dating back to 1984, including Obama’s two victories and the 1992 and 1996 wins by Democrat Bill Clinton. Like Axelrod, Giangreco sees more time in Illinois’ Executive Mansion as a move fraught with risk for Pritzker if the governor has any desire to seek the White House. […]
“Every time Gov. Pritzker goes to New Hampshire and starts swinging a bat at the president, the president’s going to retaliate,” Giangreco said. “If you have a guy at 1600 Pennsylvania who wakes up every morning trying to figure out how to screw Illinois because the governor said something, that’s like a new dynamic that no one’s ever seen before. It’s like you can do one or the other: You can govern or you can run for president.
“The stakes are too high to try to do both,” Giangreco said.
Kinda wondering if maybe those two have someone else in mind for the top state job. Perhaps a certain someone who doesn’t have all ten of his fingers who might possibly have felt targeted by some of Pritzker’s remarks in New Hampshire?…
What I find ironic about the current conversation surrounding our Party is that the voices flocking to podcasts and cable news shows to admonish fellow Democrats for not caring enough about the struggles of working families – are the same ones who, when it comes to relieving the struggles of real people, have been timid, not bold. […]
And now that this culture of timidity is on full display, those same do-nothing Democrats want to blame our losses on our defense of black people and trans kids and immigrants — instead of their own lack of guts and gumption.
Anyway, your thoughts on this topic?
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:48 am:
Ewww please run to spare us Gov. Rahm
- Roadrager - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:49 am:
“David Axelrod said”
Well, there’s all I need to not read or listen to whatever was said. Maybe he can get David Plouffe on board to say the same thing, so I can be compelled to tell.them where they can put their bold new ideas for 1992 in person sometime.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:50 am:
Like Carville, Axelrod’s advice is past it’s sell-by date. The fact he’s recommending it makes me think Pritzker should definitely run for a third term.
- Steve - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:50 am:
I think Pritzker can win a third term. He’s very popular in Illinois. The voters like his agenda. As far as Pritzker going nationwide: the working families thing is harder to sell outside Illinois given his record on taxes. Try selling the Illinois gas tax to red state voters.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:52 am:
I think I’d like to go the rest of my life without hearing from David Axelrod again. How does he not have enough money to go away by now.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:53 am:
I’m actually kind of neutral on a 3rd term–makes the Lt. Gov choice more important, but that’s about it.
On Rahm, no thanks. He already helped screw up Chicago’s budget and he would bring drama after drama as Governor. I don’t know what he’d actually want to accomplish other than promoting Rahm.
- TJ - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:54 am:
Part of Pritzker’s 2028 strategy is undoubtedly going to be pointing to his resume as governor, a huge part of that now is being a bulwark against Trumpism. Being governor and actually being able to do such things rather than being all talk seems to be a pretty big part of that to me.
Pritzker’s going to have a war chest that make’s Raja’s look like a pittance by comparison. He’s going to be readily able to have everything staffed appropriately behind the scenes on both the state side and campaign side to allow him to do both.
And sorry, but fear of the wannabe dictator should not influence our reaction against him.
- P. - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:58 am:
The Gov can do his job into a third term and barnstorm: The legislature is supermajority Ds and largely aligned, it’s 2025 not 1994 and the guy has access to a jet.
- Illinoisgirl - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:59 am:
I know it’s a bit selfish but I like knowing that Governor Pritzker is there doing his job here as long as we have the current administration in Washington.
I want him protecting Illinois.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 11:59 am:
Axelrod, Carville, the lot. If I want political advice that hasn’t been relevant since 2016, they’re my guys.
- I-55 Fanatic - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:01 pm:
I prefer my Presidential candidates to not be the type to shy away from a Governorship out of fear of political peril and retaliation from the White House. Choosing to avoid a job because it’s scary or personally risky is a pathetic quality in a Presidential candidate. I trust that the Governor will not take any of this “advice.”
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:08 pm:
If the goal is winning the presidency, there is no benefit to running for a third term that I can see.
- Morty - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
JB has been doing a great job here- I’d love to see him as president, but I’d hate to lose him as governor.
Rahm.
No.
Just no.
- *ducks* - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
If he’s vetting Lite Gov candidates, which both McKinney reports here and has been heavily heard on the rail grapevine, the decision’s been made. I think a lot of us happen not to agree with it, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
Maybe the speakers are suspect, but Governor of Illinois is a full time job.
- It's Just a Pill - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:16 pm:
Outdated advice. Trump is going to look to hurt Chicago and IL in general no matter who is governor. Better to stay in the fight and in the spotlight.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:17 pm:
I feel like, if JB wanted Axelrod’s advice, he would ask him for it?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
===If he’s vetting Lite Gov candidates===
That’s not what Dave reported.
Also, I asked about a specific possible pick last week and was told they haven’t started vetting candidates.
- New Day - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:21 pm:
JB can walk and chew gum. This isn’t his first year. It will be his ninth. He and his staff and Harmon and Welch can do what’s necessary to run the state while JB also runs for president. Besides, I’ll take half of JB over all of any of the past few governors.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
Bunch of has beens with agendas. I need to know what Pat Quinn thinks
- Enough is Enough - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
I respect what Axelrod did almost 20 years ago. But he is part of the establishment that led to Trump and led to the butt kick the Ds got this last time around. The best advice is to do the opposite of what he says.
- Irreverent - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:26 pm:
I’d rather have him as Illinois governor than a presidential candidate. To say nothing of the fear of who replaces him.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:26 pm:
Bill Clinton was in his 12th year as governor when he ran for President.
Pritzker is going to “own” whatever happens in Illinois in 2027, 2028 regardless of whether he is still Governor. So putting himself in the position where he cannot take credit for the successes or ensure they happen, but is blamed for any failures and can do nothi ng seems like just the kind of bad advice you can expect from David Axelrod.
Who, BTW, did not urge Obama to resign from the US Senate because he might be blamed for any bad thing happening in the US Senate.
And please, do not lump together Axelrod and Carville, that’s like using Tyrese Halliburton and Michael Jordan in the same sentence.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
What Larry Bowa Jr said…
I am so tired of Axelrod and Emanuel anointing themselves as political gurus…move on gents, or fade away into obscurity.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
I hope Pritzker forcefully lets these clowns know where they can put their advice. I’d offer some wording but it’s nearly 100% banned language.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
David Axelrod is full of advice…when he speaks, I only wonder what’s in it for him…same as Carville…two irrelevant dinosaurs in a pod.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:44 pm:
When considering Axelrod’s advice, one should always apply the George Costanza “Do the opposite” rule.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:46 pm:
I wonder if Stacy Davis Gates will weigh in with a few words on a potential Rahm for Guv candidacy
- 100 miles west - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:47 pm:
Nope, want nothing to do with Gov. Rahm.
How can we miss them if they never go away?
- Roadrager - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
==David Axelrod is full of==
Sure is.
- Here and Here - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
Axelrod / Giangreco are right on. To run for President, it’s all hands on deck. They know. They’ve been through the gauntlet. If JB wants to be President, that’s how to do it.
All the other machinations are just that - machinations. If he wants to run for President, this is the path.
- Dire Straits - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:50 pm:
Pritzker benefits from lousy alternatives for Democrats and this time not having Ken Griffin put a fake GOP clown like that loser from Aurora but most or all, never take the advice of David Axelrod or Pete Giancrego who obviously have their selfish motives.
- sewer thoughts - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
I dont want to agree with the national chattering class as they helped usher in Trump, my points about JB not running for term 3 are because I believe the next Presidential primary will be crucial to wrap up early and time will be the only limited resource.
Also, our locals have a history of jerking around. Why deal with 2027s version of the hemp bill with anybody’s time when they can be winning whole states for you.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 12:59 pm:
“Try selling the Illinois gas tax to red state voters.”
Easy sell, when the neighboring red state of Indiana passed a law to raise its gas tax every year, for a decade. Not even Illinois has done that.
Oh, and now they’re also talking about how they can convert interstates into toll roads to raise more revenue. In Indiana.
If we’re just going by policy alone, it will not be a difficult sell.
- JoanP - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:02 pm:
= How does he not have enough money to go away by now. =
He will not be needing a Gofundme any time soon.
= the guy has access to a jet.=
And it’s not a “gift” from Qatar, either.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:11 pm:
I am with many here who would like to see Axelrod go away. He is living on an exaggerated reputation in my opinion. I am happy with the work Pritzker has done in Illinois, even if I do not always agree with his every aspect of his progressive social agenda or the HBC education agenda. I am just more of a centrist. But I think he can run Illinois and run for higher office. He has shown far greater competence as governor than at least our last three.
=I wonder if Stacy Davis Gates will weigh in with a few words on a potential Rahm for Guv candidacy=
I cannot think of a voice that I am less interested in hearing on any leadership topic. SDG has never been part of any productive process, just loud noises and asking for more, more, more.
What Emmanuel did as mayor, especially as it pertains to CPS, was a matter of necessity due to the fiscal disaster left by Daley and the gross mismangement of CPS by the same.
- low level - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:12 pm:
JB3T (JB for 3rd Term). He can run for president while continuing to do a fantastic job for the State of Illinois.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:18 pm:
===Anyway, your thoughts on this topic? ===
Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are name checked in this. Both continued to hold office during and throughout their presidential primaries, the general election, and up until after they won.
Bill Clinton not only was Governor of Arkansas in 1991 when he was running for the 1992 Presidential Election, he was Governor of Arkansas in 1987 when he was running for the 1988 Presidential Election.
Name a Democratic presidential candidate that won the primary that was not holding office at the time.
Quitters don’t win primaries.
- ZC - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:18 pm:
Not really getting the hate for Axe, who is one of the shrewdest political strategists the modern Democratic party has produced. He was sure still right, pretty early on, that Biden shouldn’t run again in 2024. Obviously he’s not always right. And I was all-in for a new progressive alternative to Rahm and a new leadership for Chicago, but progressives kind of shot themselves twice in the foot there - once for ditching Toni in favor of Lori, second by rallying around a clearly-in-over-his-head Mayor Johnson - so god help me, I’m warming back up to Rahm’s mayoral record. I’d certainly vote for him again over Johnson, if somehow that unlikely matchup came to pass.
I feel like Pritzker has a very difficult road to the Dem nomination - because everyone does; you’d be crazy to give anyone strong odds - and failing that, I’d like him to stay on as Governor because he does a good job of it (the bar is low). So, yeah, pragmatically, Run JB run, and you can stay on as Governor if you like while you do so.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:21 pm:
- Name a Democratic presidential candidate that won the primary that was not holding office at the time. -
Um, Joe Biden? However I do agree with the rest of your post.
- Here and Here - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:22 pm:
The elephant in the room on this presidential topic is that JB’s top government staff probably love their jobs and don’t want the uncertainty of a presidential run when they would have to relinquish their government jobs to help the campaign.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
===Try selling the Illinois gas tax to red state voters.===
As I’ve posted before, driving Springfield to OKC, in total I-55 in IL is better than I-44 in MO, OK toll roads the best, OK free roads by far the worse. And remember how MO is paying for the I-70 upgrade?
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
“interacting with people and not just speaking, but listening”
I have to agree with this…Pritzker is still a “canned” speaker on national issues when he’s out on the stump. He needs to be perceived off the stage and start hearing voices from voters on the ground, both for his sake as a speaker and for the image of him.
Hard to do that while running a state and campaigning for president on your off-time…
- Spa Day - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:27 pm:
“Perhaps a certain someone who doesn’t have all ten of his fingers…”
Finger shamer!
- Eire17 - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
If the Gov runs I think he easily wins. But why do it. The calendar is a repeat of Obama—minus the Senate seat—in 2007.
Assuming JB does not run he’s done in January of 2027. He can announce in Feb of 27 for the Nov 28 election.
It’s exactly what Obama did 20 years ago. Announced in Feb of 2007 for an election in Nov 2028.
Assuming JB is running for President then he should pass on a third term.
- Center Drift - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
Do i want Rahm to run, absolutely. I am convinced he would create chaos and pave the way for a Republican governor.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
===Pritzker is still a “canned” speaker on national issues when he’s out on the stump===
Agreed. He’s very personable one-on-one. But he sounds like an old timey politician on the stump. Seems to shout at times.
- Eire17 - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:28 pm:
Typo
2008
- phocion - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:29 pm:
Axelrod was also one of the few braves Democrats who called on Biden to not run for reelection. He was also among the first to call on Biden to drop out immediately following the disastrous debate. He was pilloried by the mainstream Democrats then (and yes, JB punched back hard on anyone who said Biden wasn’t the right guy to run in 2024. I’d say the Axe has a pretty decent track record and maybe some knee jerk types should listen to him.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
Some of y’all don’t appreciate how easily it’d be to paint JB Pritzker as an unemployed billionaire.
- Give Us Barrabbas - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:42 pm:
I’m pleased with the job he’s doing as governor and want him to run again to continue the progress and vision he has laid down. I’m sure if Dems take back the White House, he’ll be offered a cabinet position. Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the Supreme Court someday.
- Merica - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:49 pm:
I think JB is doing a great job as governor. I would encourage him to run for a third term. I would discourage him for running for president, unless he shifts his platform to appeal mainly to independent voters in battleground states.
- illinifan - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:54 pm:
JB is still needed in Illinois. Run for a third term. One on one he asks the right questions, is prepared for meetings with content knowledge, and is concerned about meeting the needs of Illinois residents. Even thought these traits would be good in a president unfortunately voters seem to want presidential candidates that inspire them.
- Just wondering - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 1:56 pm:
How does anyone think that Rham would win a primary
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:11 pm:
===How does anyone think that Rham would win a primary ===
Because we’re in the worst timeline.
- It's always Sunny in Illinois - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:15 pm:
===Pritzker is still a “canned” speaker on national issues when he’s out on the stump===
Pritzker is a reader behind a podium….google a video of his “fiery ” New Hampshire speech…..he barely looks up as he reads the text…..
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:19 pm:
==Name a Democratic presidential candidate that won the primary that was not holding office at the time.==
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Walter Mondale
Jimmy Carter
- Chicago Traffic - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:23 pm:
JB Pritzker is wildly popular in Illinois overall and leading progressive voice in the movement for democrats. Why would he give up his gig for a fringe shot at becoming the president or more likely VP?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:30 pm:
=Some of y’all don’t appreciate how easily it’d be to paint JB Pritzker as an unemployed billionaire.=
Should he be the MAGA candidate? They seem ok with it. /s
- Regina G. - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:40 pm:
Axelrod is past him prime and STILL thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. Lots has happened since 2008 sweetie. Rahm as governor, that’s cute. JB should run for a 3rd term as Gov. Right now we don’t know if we are in for a 3rd term of The Cheeto. They also said they would only deport “criminals” and they just deported 50 moms & dads at a school in front of their kids. I think we stay the course locally. We as Democrats have nothing but the strength of our local government right now. We build from there. The core strength of the party is US as local democrats. Until we see a pathway, stay the course.
- Responsa - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:48 pm:
Serious question: I’d be interested in hearing which current or up and coming political strategists are more to the liking of Giangreco and Axe bashers.
- Sue - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 2:52 pm:
Someone has convincedJB that there is a
Progressive lane for 2028- not likely -even Crockett thinks they need a moderate white male to win- the D’s best shot is currently the Gov of KY- he will draw I’s and a lot of disaffected R’s - JB is not going to be the nominee or the VP
- Jerry - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 3:00 pm:
look no further than how big the guv’mint has become under Project 2025. Pronouns are no longer an issue if that is your idea of “Progressive”.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Tuesday, May 13, 25 @ 3:10 pm:
I think Axelrod’s got a candidate other than Emanuel. And agree with everyone who says his advice is both bad and self-serving.