* 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.
