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* Chris Kennedy spoke at the Mom+Baby governors candidate meet and greet yesterday. I didn’t see anything on his Twitter page about it, but I’m told about 30 moms and 10 kids had to wait at least half an hour for him to arrive. And it went downhill from there. From a few text messages that were forwarded to me…
He was a hot mess. Shirt barely tucked in. He had on biking shoes. He spoke about Trump the entire time. Crazy!
It was embarrassing. He misquoted stats that our members corrected him on. He got called out on lack of supporting single payer and marijuana legalization
He also starting talking education inequity and misspoke on the cps funding. It was nuts.
* His appearance…
* More slams on Facebook collected yesterday…
Ouch.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:33 pm
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Run for Cook County Assessor already.
Making Moms and Kids wait 30 minutes isn’t what a thoughtful Crew does.
Disheveled…
No, not Kennedy’s appearance, I’m talking about this mediocre, at best, campaign…
Disheveled.
Guess there was no elevator to run and hide in?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:36 pm
“Uh…Uh….Uh….” - Kennedy
Comment by John Rawlss Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Reading this and thinking about his fundraising… his operation is a sinking ship
Comment by Almost The Weekend Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Crash and burn.
Comment by Christopher Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Get out of the governor’s race now.
Comment by Me Again Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:39 pm
The mere opportunity to meet and greet a Kennedy was worth something…up to about 20-25 years ago.
The worst thing here is the alleged lack of an agenda. Warning to ALL Dem candidates: something, even a bad something, beats nothing every time.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:40 pm
This is beyond embarrassing. Kennedy needs a new crew. He should absolutely be called out for this but where are his people? Can you get him some background one pagers? What about practicing with the candidate on Q’s he might get? Can we get a stump speech? It looks bad for him, but it looks terrible for his crew. Get your guy prepped. Geez.
Comment by Corporate Thug Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:41 pm
Looking like the elevator brouhaha was the norm and not the exception. And this apple fell really fricking far from the rest of the Kennedy tree.
Staff gets blame as well for not getting their candidate there on time, prepared and looking sharp. And perhaps shares some with the organizers for not getting a bigger crowd.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:41 pm
Bill Daley waving his magic touch yet again!
Comment by Colchester Freedom Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:42 pm
He paid a lot of money in the quarter for a campaign staff that doesn’t seem to have things together.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Chris, there is a body man who is looking for work.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Maybe Kennedy was running late from his bicycle messenger interview.
Explains the shoes, disheveled look, the shirt, the wind blown hair…
Keep in mind, in polling, Kennedy leads with 44% right now…
Oh boy…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Not a group you want to fall on your face in front of and they are a key demo for successful campaigns. Sounds like Kennedy is not ready for prime time.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:46 pm
Candidacy fail in 3…2…1
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:46 pm
Maybe the reason Pritzker isn’t going negative against Kennedy is because he doesn’t have to. Sheesh.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:47 pm
“A governor, should have, a certain appearance.”
“Jim Edgar for example.”
“But you don’t have it.”
“You look like…a mule skinner.”
“It’s a remarkable thing, but I can tell the occupation of a man, really by looking at him.”
“Note the bandy legs, hmm?”
“Strong arms.”
“This man has spent years with mules.’
“Isn’t that correct?”"
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:48 pm
I’m pro-bike shoes. The rest sounds pretty bad.
Comment by whetstone Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:48 pm
@OW lol at “Run for Cook County Assessor already.”
This dude broke the #1 rule of campaigns: never get on the wrong side of moms!
Comment by JP Altgeld Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:49 pm
Someone forgot to put the meeting on his schedule.
Comment by Saluki Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Mom+Baby=marijuana legalization. In a nutshell that tells it all. And this group gets an audiance with a candidate for governor?
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:52 pm
This is what happens when you underestimate women’s intelligence. You don’t walk into a meeting with a group of women looking sloppy and then start talking down to them. Show some respect.
Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:52 pm
===And this group gets an audiance with a candidate for governor? ===
What a profoundly stupid thing to say.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:53 pm
is this another candidate who will not listen to staff?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:53 pm
“This is beyond embarrassing. Kennedy needs a new crew. He should absolutely be called out for this but where are his people? Can you get him some background one pagers? What about practicing with the candidate on Q’s he might get? Can we get a stump speech? It looks bad for him, but it looks terrible for his crew. Get your guy prepped.”
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. This is especially true for politicians, and we’ve all seen it. You can have the best staff available, but if the candidate doesn’t do the work, then it shows.
They can get him one pagers, but he needs to actually read them. They can schedule preps and give him practice questions, but he can blow them off. It happens. Some people don’t realize how much work they need to put into it to run for office.
Besides, one of the posters commented that the staff was respectful, and Kennedy wasn’t. I’ve seen it before when you see the staff trying to hide their grimace when they’re candidate screws it up. Can you imagine how soul sucking it is to work your hardest for a candidate that puts in minimal effort?
Kennedy needs to get his own act together, not the staff.
Comment by Miss Marie Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:54 pm
When I have to give a candidate for governor the same advice I need to give my teenage kid before a job interview, it is time for the candidate to drop out of the governor’s race.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:58 pm
And this guy was the head of the Board of Trustees for the U of I system.
Sheesh
Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:58 pm
Well, it could be worse, he might have mansplained how to set valve lash, too.
Comment by Puddintaine Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 12:59 pm
When was the last poll taken for the primary?
Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:00 pm
I bet in his heart he doesn’t want to be governor.
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:00 pm
New met no wussy Mule Skinners. Where did you say you were from?
Comment by Well Pardner Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:01 pm
The Speaker, JB, Chris Kennedy and the Governor.
Not exactly the four horsemen of fashion.
What does that have to do with anything?
Jim Edgar and Rod Blagoevich were well tailored and fit.
Both made disastrous choices about pensions that will haunt Illinois for decades.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:05 pm
It looks like he just rolled out of bed in the suit he wore the night before and biked over there. But hey, at least his banner didn’t fall on him this time.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:09 pm
Didn’t he bike from Wilmette/Winnetka/Wherever to the Merch when he was running it? I can see him biking to this event. So I wouldn’t worry about his appearance nearly as much as I would his complete lack of preparation.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:09 pm
The important thing here is that Lucky Pierre got to talk about pensions.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:14 pm
Lucky, this post is 90% to your liking. Take the win.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:20 pm
Montrose FTW
Comment by Conn Smythe Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:20 pm
Who called him out on refusing to support marijuana legalization- the 30 Moms or the 10 kids?
I would love to see the video of that exchange.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Dan Biss was very pleased with Kennedy’s appearance.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:30 pm
also,why this group? who are they? a yuppie version of Family Focus?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:32 pm
LP - you and I agree on most issues/topics but I am 100% in support of marijuana legalization. In the 2017 - and in a socially moderate state such as Illinois - this should not really be up for debate.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:33 pm
==So I wouldn’t worry about his appearance==
I go back and forth on this, because I really don’t want to go all Mean Girl on this. But, on the other hand, clothes send a signal to your audience. They actually send lots of signals to lots of different people, so you should think very carefully about them if you’re a public figure. This is one low-key thing that drives me nuts about Rauner. He’s flat out said that he used to wear ties to business meetings, but feels like since he won, he doesn’t need to most of the time. I really try to get over this, but the signal I get from that is that he just doesn’t respect state government enough to put on a stupid tie when he’s working on it.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:34 pm
Can we please stop bashing staff? As our Governor has just shown us, the only power a staff member has is conferred by the principal — and that can be ignored or revoked at any time.
A brilliant former staffer once told me that every Governor needs a top advisor who will threaten to quit if the Gov is about to do something truly stupid. But that only works if the Gov values his/her top staff.
(And let me stress that I am in no way comparing Kennedy to our Dear Leader Rauner… I’m just saying that when a principal gets dressed in the morning, there usually is not a staffer there saying, “Um, maybe the wingtips today?”)
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:35 pm
All I can say is… undershirts are worth the five bucks you spend on them….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:38 pm
I don’t have an issue with the group’s substance or the issues important to it, but it’s on the group and the candidate’s staff to get a better turnout. If you put out an invite to a forum for gubernatorial candidates you need to have a certain minimum attendance (of voting and walking age) to make the event worth the candidate’s while. If an event gets below a certain level, staff needs to make a decision as to whether the candidate’s limited time can be better spent elsewhere (I don’t know… at a different event, making calls, RAISING MONEY, etc.). If you do decide to ultimately go, however, you need to be on your game and 100% there in the moment. Neither happened here.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:41 pm
From my admittedly limited experience, this isn’t an uncommon reaction to Kennedy. He seems to run really hot and really cold.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:54 pm
I am open to marijuana legalization, it is only a matter of time.
Just not the forum I would have expected huge pushback. Of all of the issues affecting Moms and babies that does not really fit.
Colorado is a good example of how legalization can attract 20 somethings who are vital to a state’s future. It has also been very good for the guys who work at the airport car rentals.
You can’t take your supply on the plane per Federal law so those guys are making out like bandits.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 1:55 pm
Now I understand how and why things went to pot at U. of I — he was Chairman of the Board. If ¥ø¨’re not gonna get your act together, get out of the race. What does he think he is running for?
Comment by Terry Salad Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:07 pm
I know this post wasn’t necessarily about pot legalization. But I would like to invite anyone interested to one of the many drug coalition groups popping up throughout the state. Better yet, volunteer for a heroin hot line. It has completely changed my way of thinking.
Two years ago I was lock,stock on board with pot legalization. Today. Not so much. Everyone has their hot button issues. Pot legalization troops are energized. But the same goes to the heroin abuse groups.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:10 pm
Abe Lincoln was quite the natty dresser.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:18 pm
O U C H
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:19 pm
==Pot legalization troops are energized. But the same goes to the heroin abuse groups.==
They’re not really mutually exclusive.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:21 pm
blue dog dem, pot has been legal for many many years. I had some on my wedding registry and no one said anything about them being illegal.
If you’re talking about marijuana legalization, you should probably check your facts. Research done in states that have legalized the sale of marijuana have 10% to 20% less hospitalizations due to opioid overdoses/abuse.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:21 pm
He has no business running for governor and the fact that he is leading based purely on his name is embarrassing for democracy.
Comment by Periwinkle Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:26 pm
I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow my way into the Springfield Governor’s mansion!
Comment by Hawkeye Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Top. I have seen countless statistics on the issue. Very contradictory. I am basing my opinion on testimony from heroin overdose victims themselves. Pot/marijuana use does not automatically ensure a heroin problem. Neither does opiate use. We are finding out what a legal drug can lead to. I think,after talking to some 40 heroin addicts, it will be tough for me to switch back to a pot supporter.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Chris is a nice guy who is capable of a performance just like this…on any given day.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:44 pm
“Condescending” is perhaps the scariest tag politicians can earn from voters they’re trying to attract.
Dude, get it together toot-sweet or stay home until you do.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Take away the last name and the guy is truly an empty suit. Why embarrass either yourself or the family legacy. Just leave now please
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:18 pm
He’s a Kennedy- he was probably out late last night partying.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:34 pm
Chris rides his bike regularly, like an average American. He doesn’t spew alternative facts and knows that communities all over the state are in desperate need of leadership. These kind of comments don’t reflect Chris’s work ethic and his ability to reach regular voters on both sides of the aisle. Good luck finding that in either Pritzker or Rauner.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:42 pm
Bill,
That was the lamest defense of an unprepared disheveled embarrassing appearance I’ve ever seen. Your candidate is doing this all over the place - from the elevator to the DuPage Dems disappearing act to the EI dinner to this and a lot more. Oh yea, and there’s the failed fundraising and the Mr. Outside bringing in Mr. Inside to run his fundraising. So it’s kind of hard to take seriously when you say, “Chris’s work ethic and his ability to reach regular voters” when he hasn’t shown it. Lots of Dems keep scratching their heads saying “what’s up with Kennedy?” This is just more proof that he’s not ready for prime time.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:49 pm
===These kind of comments don’t reflect Chris’s work ethic and his ability to reach regular voters on both sides of the aisle.===
Being late and looking disheveled is a reflection on Kennedy. Also sounding ill-prepared is a reflection on Kemnedy too
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:51 pm
Perhaps he can recover at tonight’s forum, but it’s not looking good.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Bill, if a person showed up like Kennedy to interview for a weekend position at Casey’s, looking like he did and being totally unprepared, would that be impressive?
Of course not, and this guy is running for guv!
Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:49 pm
Come on Daley, you need to spend a lot more time prepping Mr. Kennedy on how to be a good candidate. He is way to green around the ears to beat Rauner.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:51 pm
We should start publishing Facebook comments as news now.
Reminder when you type in JB pritzker on Facebook, the top three stories are
1. Blago
2. Mansion mess
But Kennedy came after biking and some people didn’t like this message, so…
It’s all over!
Comment by Reality Check Mixed with hack takes Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:53 pm
Kennedy, hire some good experienced staff.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:56 pm
It’s hard to believe that a political stop with 30 adults could create so much negative feedback.
This doesn’t fit from what I’ve previously seen and heard of Christopher Kennedy.
I would like to hear from someone else who was there and get their perspective.
Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 5:30 pm
Pot legalization is a must in our insolvent state. Easy tax collections.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 6:39 pm
He looks fine. Better than the other density other than Pawar, who has 0% chance of winning.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 6:42 pm
You can’t blame his staff for the failure to dress like you want to be Gov. Does he look in a mirror or does he always look like he slept on the couch??
Comment by Nieva Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 6:54 pm
Anonymous 3:34, that was a nasty thing to say.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 8:51 pm