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* Chris Kennedy was interviewed today by WLS AM’s Bill Cameron…
KENNEDY: I won’t be someone who’s tied to the status quo, indebted to them for my election and reliant upon them for all good things in the future. […]
The establishment in both parties has failed to do the basic things like pass a budget. The fact that they can’t get that done is an indictment of their capacity across the board.
CAMERON: Why couldn’t JB [Pritzker] get that done?
KENNEDY: I think the manner in which he might get that done would be in a way that is completely reliant on the status quo and the current leadership. I think he’ll arrive there, if he were to be elected, as the product of the Madigan machine and as such he’ll be indebted to them.
Yikes.
* Kennedy also said this…
The reason we don’t pay for our schools at the state level is it would mean we’d shrink the reliance on property taxes. But the leadership in our party and many of the people in both parties make their money in the property tax appeals business. So, if the property tax is a smaller part of our economy, then they’re going to make less money. So they’re not free of the conflict of interest to vote on what really matters to the future of our state. They can’t embrace a new system because they’re making money off the old one. Someone needs to stand up to that.
Man, that’s quite an indictment. Later, though, he said he thought Madigan would be willing to “sacrifice” by giving up his property tax assessment business. I’m not so sure I agree.
* Kennedy also went after the governor later in the interview, saying Gov. Rauner has created a “culture of fear” in his party and in the state. He also said this about Rauner…
I think his hope, really, is to cripple it - cripple government’s functionality by leaving it with such incredible debt that it’s capable of doing little else than to service that debt.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:22 pm
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Wait… now Kennedy is using Republican talking points? This is getting weird.
Comment by RProgressive Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:33 pm
Wonder if Kennedy knows the law firms deal with assessment mistakes? The level of taxes remain the same for the each unit of government
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:34 pm
Hey Chris,
You started your campaign bragging to people that YOU were Madigan’s candidate. You hired Madigan’s lawyer Mike Kasper as yours. You had Madigan’s guys Thompson and Weir with you. You sucked up to all the insiders and tried to get all the endorsements.
But then a funny thing happened. People met you. You were a lousy candidate. You were stiff. You couldn’t get the unions to like you. You couldn’t get the elected to like you. You couldn’t get the DGA to like you. So when they turned on you, you suddenly became Mr. Outside? A Kennedy as Mr. Outside? Give me a break.
Why don’t you try being a better you rather using Bruce Rauner’s talking points and doing Bruce Rauner’s dirty work for him.
Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:43 pm
Good to see Kennedy finally saying something that will resonate with many on both sides of the aisle and not just babbling incoherently and belittling reporters in elevators.
Comment by Saluki Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:43 pm
I’m pretty sure this is his window to win the primary, though more party-aligned people might mock him “going rogue.” He might be finally getting is sea-legs as a candidate.
Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:50 pm
Truth to power - Illinois should try it sometime.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:55 pm
JB Pritzker is the only Dem candidate who does not need Madigan’s money.
Comment by Hamlets Ghost Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 5:57 pm
As they say in tennis- advantage Kennedy
JB totally out of touch with the mood of Illinois voters by not distancing himself from the Speaker and the property tax shenanigans in this state.
The Speaker still has his base of support in Oswego and in the 22nd district.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:07 pm
Hey Chris,
Anon0091 here again. See what Lucky Pierre is doing? He’s reading off Rauner’s song sheet. If you’re saying the same thing, maybe you should reconsider your strategy.
Your friend.
Anon
Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:09 pm
JB running ads against Trumpcare is probably more effective at winning over the Dem base than piling on Madigan
Comment by Hamlets Ghost Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:23 pm
Whew, Kennedy… whew.
Is Kennedy now the “angry guy” candidate that can’t really formulate a reason to vote for him but thinks being just “angry” people will see him (Kennedy) as “compassionate”?
So… “Kennedy - scorch everything. Pick up the political pieces later?”
Kennedy realizes that lacking a base of operation is a problem and no field ops or base and just being “angry” won’t be enough… Right?
At this point, Rauner may not need Drury, Kennedy dies more to help Rauner here, even with the ding he tries later.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:26 pm
Being a Republican and not a Raunerite… There’s a big difference in that than everyone being required to be a Raunerite to BE a Republican.
Raunerism is played like this religion.
To bring this back to Kennedy and his remarks to Madigan, I stand by my take that within Democratic primary circles, Kennedy will need to solidify that 44% and double-digit lead over a Pritzker, et al.
Being the angry candidate from now until March, with Labor not with Kennedy, with limited regular Democratic support with troops and money (where is Kennedy on that? But, I digress… ) where is the Kennedy sweet spot to organizationally build?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:45 pm
Chris Kennedy sure has courage to say what he’s saying because he doesn’t have to do this. He might not win but you can’t say he doesn’t have nerve.
Comment by Steve Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 7:44 pm
Outside of having the name I have yet to see a reason why he should get any votes.
Comment by Nikolas Name Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:13 pm
=
Good to see Kennedy finally saying something that will resonate with many on both sides of the aisle and not just babbling incoherently and belittling reporters in elevators.=
It may resonate and maybe that’s all that matters. But each time Kennedy talks about property taxes he only further reinforces that he hasn’t a clue on how the levy and assessment process actually works. Now I get it that a lot of people don’t, but I’d expect a little more from a candidate who keeps going back to the topic.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:20 pm
If he keeps that up he will get the nomination and win in the general as well. Mike Madigan is not the only politician with this exact conflict around property tax assessment appeals. At this late date, he is 75 after all, if he were to give it up it would be after feasting at the trough for a very, very long time. I for one wouldn’t applaud a glutton from leaving the final Oreo in the sleeve.
Comment by Mike Royko Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:26 pm
Maybe it’s the beer talking, but I think people would rather vote for a guy that will work with those in the legislature than a guy who won’t. Also, I doubt people will elect someone that looks like a real life South Park character.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:32 pm
You don’t have to be part of Madigan’s machine to be Governor but in the end you have to work with him. Any candidate can be independent and win on his/her own in the end you will run into MJM. Extremely frustrating but a necessary evil.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 8:47 pm
Does Kennedy not understand that if Illinois is to provide 50% of school funding, that means that our state income tax rates have to go waaaayy up.
Not to mention, how are you going to reconcile state funding with the differing programs that property tax wealth allows the North Shore districts to offer? Can’t imagine the New Tried folks will want to accept state funding if it means they lose programs, and many folks will want funding equity if New Tried is getting $12,000 or more per student as 50% from the State.
Heck, Champaign Unit 4 spends about $12,000 per student now (75% local, 10% state, 15% Feds).
How does Kennedy tell downstate voters they’re going to get less school $$$ than Chicago Metro area folks?
Not sure I see a winning path here for anyone…
But I’m just a girl
Comment by Lynn S. Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 9:13 pm
So refreshing to have a candidate tell the truth about this sorry state - go Kennedy! Defenders of the status quo are afraid of Kennedy.
Refreshing to see this kind of backbone and courage.
Comment by downstate dem Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:47 pm
anon0091 - when you can’t win the argument on merits attack the messenger. this state, and the Democratic Party, need radical change which is Kennedy’s message …kennedy’s record crowds downstate, and his truth telling, will help all democrats in 2018.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:54 pm
By attacking other Democrats, Kennedy is helping Rauner.
Comment by DuPage Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 12:06 am
Anonymous, this has zero to do with his message. I like his message. I agree with his message. But the fact is that Kennedy tried to be Mr. Inside first. What I reported above about his bragging about his Madigan connections is true - I’ve personally talked with multiple people who heard him say exactly that. When he got rejected by union leaders, donors and electeds, he settled on this plan B.
Comment by Anon0091 Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 1:45 am
Anon0091
I followed your posts over these past few months and it seems like you’re a keen supporter of Pritzker.
Nothing wrong with that, everyone gets to pick a horse in this race. My question is did you even listen to the interview? Kennedy comes off as calm collected and honest– not to mention he can articulate his policy proposals.
Say what you want, but this is a competitive race.
Comment by Red fish blue fish Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 6:32 am
Kennedy needs to go after Rauner. This is war. Let’s see what he has got.
Comment by DeseDemDose Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 10:23 am
J.B. isn’t going to get any votes south of I-80. I’ll bet you a double cheeseburger with fries on that. Also, Kennedy should do pretty well against J.B. in the collar counties and affluent suburbs. I’ll put my money on Kennedy in a squeaker.
Comment by goofy66 Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 11:05 am
Kennedy is doing well and still in the game. The majority of voters see Madigan as a problem as well. Myth that he is stiff. Myth that the Unions don’t like Kennedy.
Comment by Southwestsider Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 11:13 am
Since when are Kennedys outsiders? That’s laughable and he seems to forget his own history with Madigan. Better still, Dem candidates should stop using GOP talking points against each other for chrissakes.
Comment by Shytown Saturday, Jul 1, 17 @ 4:18 pm