* US Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly spent much of their US Senate debate last night defending their votes and their positions with long explanations after prodding by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. That is never a good thing. But, as I told subscribers this morning, I’m not sure much news and chatter about this debate will actually penetrate the white noise. We’ll see.
* Let’s start with immigration enforcement…
Stratton was the lone contender to call for the abolishment of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in the wake of the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by immigration enforcement agents there. Krishnamoorthi called for an end to “Trump’s ICE,” no additional funding for immigration enforcement operations and an inspector general to investigate the agency. In Congress, Kelly has filed articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security, which is over ICE and Border Patrol.
“I want to abolish ICE because this agency cannot be reformed,” said Stratton, the two-term running mate of Gov. JB Pritzker. “We are looking at what’s happening and it doesn’t matter whose ICE it is. ICE needs to be abolished and we need to move this country forward and make sure our communities are safe.”
* Corporate PAC money…
“Check the record. Check how I vote. I vote like the people who put me in office want me to vote,” Kelly said. “And the corporate PAC money I take — you see who I take corporate PAC money from, unlike the commercial that the lieutenant governor has, that is paid for by dark money.”
“The corporate PAC money I take” is a very DC response.
Also, it’s not a dark money PAC, but Stratton ignored the jab rather than trying to explain like her opponents did time after time.
* Trump…
Asked to name a Trump policy they support, Kelly said she’s no supporter of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but she appreciates his focus on “wellness and exercise and eating properly.”
Krishnamoorthi said he agrees with Trump that “we have to be concerned about our manufacturing workers and what’s happening to them” in the trade war with China.
Stratton said “there’s nothing that I’m going to say today that I can think of that I agree with Donald Trump on.”
The full exchange…
Kelly: What do I support? That is, let me, let me think about that really, actually, even though he doesn’t follow it himself. I do not. I sit on Energy and Commerce, healthcare is my biggest portfolio. So I do not support Secretary Kennedy, but I do support their one little thing they were trying to do as far as wellness and exercise and eating properly and more preventative to keep us healthier. And I have legislation around food is medicine, so I do a lot of work, you know, around that. As I said, I have 4,500 farms in my district, so I work a lot with my farmers. And that would be working with the farmers getting people, especially people low income communities that live in food deserts, they would have vouchers to get fresh vegetables and fruit and things like that. So that little thing that I can think of that they were trying to do with Americans being healthier, even though that they said that, but then, on the other hand, you know, they don’t want you to have vaccinations and things like that. So they they’re talking out of two sides of their mouth. That’s something I do think that, you know, exercising, eating properly, that’s a good thing.
Krishnamoorthi: Well, he’s such a stable genius I don’t know where to start. Look, this guy is absolutely taking a monkey wrench, a sledgehammer toward democracy right now. Not only that, he’s doing that to the American dream. And I told you all about that previously. The one thing where I do agree with him is I think that we have to be concerned about our manufacturing workers and what’s happening to them. Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party made it their plan to essentially make a lot more stuff than they’d ever need for their country, export the surplus to the United States and other nations at prices beneath the cost of production, dumping it on our markets, driving out their competition. Then they monopolize the market, and then they coerce us to do other things with their monopoly. They weaponize their monopoly. And so I do think that there is increased attention being paid to this particular issue. We have to stand by our workers. We have to stand by people who do everything they can every day to feed their families, to educate themselves, to go to work, play by the rules, and when other countries break trade rules and create an unlevel playing field, that’s unfair. Now where I disagree with him is everything else. So levying tariffs on everything from everywhere increases the prices on everything for everyone. It hurts businesses. It hurts Miles Craft in Rockford, which is devastated by these tariffs. It hurt the farmers at Kindred Farms in Atlanta, Illinois, which I visited because they’re in the crosshairs of this trade war with China, not to mention hurting working families who can’t afford the increased prices. [Cut off by moderator]
Stratton: Donald Trump is not a normal president. In fact, he’s not a normal person. And when I look at this President and his authoritarian agenda, I always say that we’re not just looking at the rise of fascism, we are staring it right in its face. He’s terrorizing our communities. He’s stomping on the Constitution. He’s stomping on the rule of law. Look at the incompetence in his cabinet, and that’s not even a strong enough word. We are seeing a president who is making us a laughing stock on the global stage. He lies. He told us on day one he was going to lower costz, lower inflation, and he has only made things worse. So no, there’s nothing that I’m going to say today that I can think of that I agree with Donald Trump on. And what I will tell you is I’m not going to the United States Senate to find something to agree with Donald Trump on I’m going to the United States Senate to represent you and take your voices with me.
* Chuck Schumer…
While Kelly and Krishnamoorthi left the door open to potentially backing [Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as the Democratic leader], Stratton was the only candidate who outright refused to back the New York Democrat as leader again.
“I’ve already said that I will not support Chuck Schumer as leader in the Senate, and I’m the only person on this stage that has said so,” Stratton said.
The kinda cringey video is here.
* On to the spin. First paragraph from each of the three campaigns’ post-debate press releases. Krishnamoorthi…
Tonight, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi won the first Illinois U.S. Senate primary debate. Over the course of the hour, while his opponent focused her time not on solutions but cheap political attacks, Raja spoke directly to Illinois voters about his fight to rein in the Trump Administration, lower costs, and ensure that every Illinois family has the opportunity to thrive.
Kelly…
At tonight’s first debate in the race for U.S. Senate, Robin Kelly stood out as the only candidate in the race who rose above political attacks to demonstrate to Illinois voters how she will not just fight but win for them. Her experience and proven track record were on full display, setting her apart from her opponents.
Stratton…
It was abundantly clear to anyone watching tonight that Juliana won this debate – and it wasn’t even close. We’re glad voters had the opportunity to see the contrast firsthand. Juliana is offering bold, unapologetic leadership that fights for working Illinoisans, while Congressman Krishnamoorthi is offering more of the status quo that centers special interests and DC insiders. We look forward to taking the stage again on Thursday.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 8:40 am:
Not an indication of who is winning, but Raja seems to be all over the airwaves. Great messaging.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:02 am:
I have yet to see a Stratton or Kelley ad.
Raja is on T.V. more than The Simpsons.
- Really? - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:05 am:
You are right. Almost nobody will glean anything from an unwatched debate.
It is a sign of life for Stratton, who here to fore has been invisible in this race. Raja continues to be everywhere on TV and other media. Julianna and team very likely waited too long to get started.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:08 am:
- It was abundantly clear to anyone watching tonight that Juliana won this debate – and it wasn’t even close. -
I watched and this was not abundantly clear. As with every aspect of this campaign no one stood out in any meaningful way.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:08 am:
If Stratton did win and the Senate is close I wonder what she’d do regarding Schumer. She’d probably immediately break that promise, right?
Which I get — it’s a popular answer to give right now to be anti Schumer — and she needs to win first. Just seems like she’s pretty much lying to our faces.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:14 am:
===Raja is on T.V. more than The Simpsons.===
He’s approaching Law and Order levels of TV saturation. Almost reminds me of Blair Hull.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:17 am:
I think the Lt Governor’s team is much better at debate prep than her opponents teams are. Stratton did an excellent job. The question as to whether or not it will make a difference is up to the voters and I am not sure to what extent this debate will have an impact.
The more Krishnamoorthi says that isn’t a rehearsed practiced statement the more I think that he should absolutely avoid making off the cuff remarks. The first year of the Trump administration has been worse for American manufacturers and American manufacturing jobs. He is suggesting that Trump is concerned with this, but his administration has absolutely failed to deliver. If what he means is “I agree with tariffs on China” he should have said that. But then at least it’s something Trump has actually done and the congressman can explain why he wants to tax Americans when they buy Chinese good at American owned and operated stores.
=== made it their plan to essentially make a lot more stuff than they’d ever need for their country===
I thought this was the hallmark of Capitalism and International Trade. But hey, weird rants about the Chinese Communist Party is a fun thrown back to a bygone era. Fits right in with Fallout season 2 being released this month.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:18 am:
With regards to the debate, Stratton understood the assignment. She was on the attack all night and was the most clear and concise person on stage. Her only weakness was perhaps focusing a bit too much on PAC money and I’m not sure she drew the contrast she was hoping for.
Raja has a tendency to ramble and Kelly seemed a bit detached and disinterested.
As I said on a prior thread, Stratton is the best candidate and Raja has run the best campaign. I’m not sure where that leaves Kelly.
- Steve - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:20 am:
Stratton seems the most angry about ICE. This could play well in the primary. Don’t know how this will play out.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:20 am:
==Almost reminds me of Blair Hull.==
Lol. So true.
I’m voting for Raja but would be fine with the others. I dont see a lot of difference policy wise between them.
- Is There Hope - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:21 am:
Only 5 weeks to go with 46% undecided, Juliana (and Illinois Future PAC aka JB & Friends) have clearly concluded that the only path that remains for Juliana runs through the progressive wing. People are angry; democratic primary voters most so. It’s going to take a lot of things going right for her for this plan to succeed by March. Of course up to this point, you’d obviously rather be Raja, but events outside the candidates’ control happening in the wider world could impact this race more than people anticipate.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:23 am:
I thought it was a decent debate with mostly decent responses. I tried to grade the performances on each answer (mostly based on if they answered the question and how clear the answer was). It was close, but Raja ended up with a C+, Robin a B-, and Juliana a B. I don’t think any stood out across the board, each had some stand out moments. Raja was definitely on point for his supporters in the building trade unions. Juliana, with no voting record (and limited fundraising) to defend was able to score points on a few of her opponents’ votes and fund-raising without worrying about getting hit back. Robin is correct when she characterizes herself as a “workhorse, not a show horse,” but voters respond to show horses - she needs to be both.
Kudos to the moderators for doing their best to keep the candidates on topic and asking them to answer the question asked.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:28 am:
=== it’s a popular answer to give right now to be anti Schumer===
Schumer literally made up people that didn’t exist to tell stories that allowed him to justify siding with the Republicans on policy positions. Schumer has also refused to support Democratic candidates for high profile offices — we should be able to count on one of the leaders of the party to be a reliable partisan, but nope, not this guy.
If Stratton wins and Schumer is still the leader — let him go after her for refusing to support him and see how that goes for him.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:30 am:
- it’s a popular answer to give right now to be anti Schumer -
In what possible reality does that answer get less popular? That train has left the station, it’s silly for any candidate not to be on it.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:34 am:
I went into the debate leaning Stratton and she sealed my vote at least.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:34 am:
===In what possible reality does that answer get less popular? ===
Careful, he might write you a strongly worded letter.
- *ducks* - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:35 am:
I’m struck by how easily Stratton cornered the progressive lane in this race, as was evidenced last evening. The Schumer question doesn’t equal the Madigan question anymore - you have to read the room and lock down. And if you pull at that string, and the corporate pac string, and the abolish any ICE string, it starts to form a thread. I don’t know who’s voting in this primary. But if it’s dominated by the bluesky true believers, Juliana broke contain last night, as the sports metaphor goes.
- Hot Taeks - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:37 am:
Why didn’t the debate moderators ask about Foreign Policy specifically the U.S. funding Israel to the tune of billions a year? Many constituents are upset about the the thousands of civilians killed in Gaza and I know AIPAC has funded some of these candidates before.
Is Israel and the Middle East a no-go topic for televised (er streamed on Internet) debates?
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 9:46 am:
She sealed up my vote, between the spontaneous (ish) rally comments and this performance.
I mean, I’ll vote for Raja if he wins and all, but she has really impressed me this past week.
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Jan 27, 26 @ 10:11 am:
Hot Taeks,
Because the average voter has never cared about foreign affairs and, especially when there is so much domestic controversy, the average voter cares even less.