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Ives says Democrats are all running on pot, taxes and spending

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Illinois

Ives insisted that she could win a general election with her fiscally and socially conservative agenda.

“Yes, I can absolutely win the general election,” she said. “Look, the Democrats have destroyed the state and the people know that. And what are all the Democratic candidates selling you? Recreational marijuana, higher taxes, more spending.

“Is anybody buying that shtick? Anybody? No, and that’s the entire agenda of those folks.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:30 am

Comments

I’ll buy the recreational pot. I’m tired of being a criminal.

Comment by The Edge Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:34 am
And look what Republicans are selling you, unfunded higher education, deliberately harmful deficit spending, social service cuts, fear and white supremacy. Yes, Jeanne, YOUR base may eat up that stuff; but most Illinois voters are not your base. Thank heaven.

Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:36 am
She’s not wrong about any of that, except the part about her being able to win the general election.

Comment by AndyIllini Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:36 am
I have to give her credit for studying Nixon. This is just like “Acid, Amnesty, and Abortion” minus the alliteration.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:37 am
Ives is on target with her comments. I’ll save my refer madness comments today since everyone already knows my position. Merry Christmas!

Comment by Saluki Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:38 am
“Is anybody buying that shtick? Anybody? No, and that’s the entire agenda of those folks.”

I’ll accept that no one in your circle is buying that shtick but yours is a fairly small circle compared to the entire state of Illinois. Just sayin’

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:38 am
The number of doobie smoking hippies in the “majority party,” don’t get me started the halls smell like nag champa at the Capitol. Phyllis Schlafly called from the underworld, she wants to talking points back.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:44 am
It woulda been a lot easier if Ives just called them “a bunch of free-spending hippies”?

Ives should just ask them to get off her lawn and be done with it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:50 am
I’m ok on that agenda. Pot, higher taxes on the rich, and more spending for social services. As opposed to her agenda, women without agency, taxing the middle class, cutting social services. No thank you.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:54 am
have fun running on the green boogeyman in 2018, when both Canada and Mexico are legalizing.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:54 am
Legal marijuana and a robustly funded social safety net?! The horror!!

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:55 am
I buy marijuana legalization, a progressive income tax with a higher state spending ratio on education, and investment in education, especially high-tech manufacturing and trades education.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:59 am
I bet all the public workers will be right behind your with your pension scam

Comment by Foster brooks Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:00 am
And Trump will never be president, remember? Yes, it seems very unlikely that Ives could win. the unions will do everything short of double voting to get a Democratic governor again but perhaps enough of the people who voted against Quinn still see the reality of Illinois and would try for someone even more out of the mainstream. I doubt it, but Trump is President.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:01 am
Other than her Howard Beale ravings, what does she have to offer?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:06 am
Rauner is selling white supremacy? Wow.

Exactly how are Cook County Democrats helping African Americans -the biggest demographic fleeing Illinois because of high crime and better job opportunities elsewhere?

Sorry Democrats cannot lecture anyone on deficit spending, their record is plain to see in Illinois, Chicago and Cook County.

JB is running on higher taxes on the rich?

It is not possible for the Democrats to have a worse pitchman for that message.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:11 am
Jeannie is really playing to my 80 year old Grandmother. How about drop the whole weed is evil shtick.

signed,
a realistic republican

Comment by Iggy Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:12 am
=perhaps enough of the people who voted against Quinn still see the reality of Illinois=

I despised Pat Quinn and couldn’t imaging things being any worse. That is until I experienced Bruce Rauner. As far as I can tell Jeanne Ives is nothing more than Bruce Rauner with a much further right conservative agenda. As bad as Bruce Rauner has been Jeanne Ives gives me reason to believe that things could actually be worse.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:13 am
Representative Ives has very clearly forgotten what state she lives in. If she genuinely believes that she can win this election she is even more off her rocker than I originally thought.

Comment by Jack Kemp Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:15 am
If they’re indeed running on “pot, taxes, and spending”, that’s the right order to do it.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:17 am
Ignorance, Fear & Hate - Ives for Governor ‘1618

Comment by Concerned Dem Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:21 am
California goes green a week from Monday. Get on the truck or be run over.

Comment by Al Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:22 am
You know, one of these days Illinois republicans are going to have to start appealing to more than just elderly white voters. Recreational marijuana polls off the charts, and the millionaire tax referendum was approved by something like 67% of voters a couple years back. Everyone not named Bruce Rauner, Barbara Wheeler and Lucky Pierre wanted the budget hostage taking to stop. This state could really use an opposition party that’s not run by motorcycle cosplayers and loons.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:32 am
As long as paying past due debts is defined as “spending”, the Ive’s and other deadbeats will continue to carry the day with the “tax and spend” diversion.

Comment by Deadbeat Conservative (Blocked early by Rich today) Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:37 am
She forgot we’re all unemployed hippies being infiltrated by communism.
For cripes sake woman, you can’t forget the communism.

Comment by efudd Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:39 am
Is she really going to run an anti-marijuana campaign? In 2018?

That’s a sure fire way to lose. It has bi-partisan popularity.

Comment by Phil King Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:42 am
One of the GOP gubernatorial candidates is too(maybe minus the maryjeewanna thing). Cant think of his name though.

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:44 am
Ives forgot transgender rights.
It’s not surprise that conservatives support the status quo on marijuana. Precious few of them even support medical marijuana.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:56 am
Have fun Jeanne. Go after Rauner with the relentless bile which you are capable and he so richly deserves

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:57 am
Can someone please slip Ives some edibles? Jeez, does she need to just chill out.

Comment by Just Visiting Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:01 am
A piece of advice specifically for Ms. Ives but also generally applicable — don’t sample “public opinion” in an echo chamber.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:04 am
Do people understand that legalizing “recreational weed” will not keep the street dealers from dealing they will just traffic in harder drugs (oh wait that’s been going on for a couple of decades)and sell pot too because of taxes. Also that making it legal will not get you out of DUI nor allow you to by pass work testing requirements. Tax it all you want the revenues wont balance out the loses. Dump the revenue largesse into Education at least that will make some sense. This educational opportunity provided by Illinois Green (aka ditch weed). Or “I got my high..er education on hemp”

Comment by theCardinal Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:18 am
I seldom agree with any of the views Ms. Ives holds, but she is consistent. Rauner refuses to answer questions, whines about everything, blames others for his failures and says different things at different locations in the state, seemingly unaware of smart phones that capture his inconsistencies and post them on the Internet. He’s worn out his welcome, his act is tired and the continued use of props and costumes is insulting. As Elwood told Jake, “you can’t lie to a nun” but he jumped that up and lied to the Cardinal. He lied to the Cardinal’s face. The commercials write themselves. I do not share the same world view as Ms. Ives nor can I support the vast majority of her political beliefs but I am certain that her views don’t change based on her audience.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:26 am
Will admit a Bliss Ives general where they just complain about everyone else would be fun…

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:27 am
What caused Rauner to get elected is still out there, but Rauner has repeatedly failed to govern.

Voters don’t want single party rule. But Rauner makes it look good.

So, in my opinion, there is an opening for another Republican that isn’t Rauner. Ives is the only other option for the GOP. I’d have preferred an experienced leader, but it’s either the Worst Republican Governor in America, or Ives - so I’m voting for Ives.

If Rauner get nominated, I’m forced to vote for a Democrat. I’d rather not. Here’s why - no new ideas. None. Legalizing pot is not new, it’s circa 1975 High Society. What’s next? JB promoting Jeri curls? Jumpsuits? Ford Granadas?

I’m tired of governing in a rut. Even Blagojevich pitched himself in a fresher way than dull JB. He’s running as a 75 year old Vermont senator, for Pete’s sake.

1975 is not the future and neither is Rauner. JB you’re losing me. Find the 21st century and get Illinois out of the broken old Disco Days of MJM. Find a new governing for the Democrats. What they’re offering now, is what they offered my Grandpa.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:39 am
With respect and apologies to VM

Well, I went and ate with Madigan
The way I always do
How was I to know
He was a property tax lawyer too

I was gambling with pension funding
I took a little risk
Send pot, taxes, and spending
Voters, get us out of this

I’m the innocent legislator
Somehow I got stuck
Between the right and the hard hard hard right
And I’m down on my luck
And I’m down on my luck
And I’m down on my luck

Now I’m running against Rauner
He doesn’t have a plan,
Send pot, taxes, and spending,
It has hit the fan

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:42 am
Can women even vote in the year Jeannie Ives lives in?

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:43 am
Nice observation Cheryl44. It begs the next question, can she even run in the year she lives in?

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:50 am
A majority of Illinois residents support legalizing weed, Mrs. Ives. Maybe take a took outside once in awhile.

Comment by ste_with_a_v_en Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:54 am
In 1900 marijuana and hard drugs were legal in most of the states with no Federal ban. I can support a return to untrammeled freedom. Better than the illegal organizations we fund today.

I would prefer state control and distribution of all recreational drugs. I don’t like putting private marketing skills into promoting drug use.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:11 pm
VM, in 1975 pot was illegal and the disastrous war on drugs was just getting started. Legalizing marijuana in 2017 is the exact opposite of 1975.

with respect

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:25 pm
She is all for minimal government until it comes to my garden and my bedroom. Is there a legislative track record she is running on or did i miss that memo?

Comment by frisbee Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:40 pm
==Can someone please slip Ives some edibles? Jeez, does she need to just chill out.==

Good thing you didn’t direct this to the Comptroller’s office, or else you’d get a 1200-word press release in return about how that’s a sexist comment.

Comment by Chris Widger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:11 pm
Honest curiosity here — Ives graduated from the Point and served from 1987 to 1993, with time as a platoon leader and a HQ detachment commander. But does anyone know what branch of the Army she was in? I have a little bet going with someone in the office.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:27 pm
I know she offered it as a General Election strategy, but this is really more of a winning message in a Republican primary…much more likely to resonate with GOPers than Rauner’s “I-fund-pro-lifers” pitch.

Maybe she loses some libertarian leaning GOPers with the marijuana stuff. After all, “libertarian” is just a fancy word to describe a conservative who smokes weed.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:30 pm
In 1976, both Carter and Ford publically favored decriminalizing pot. Both candidates wanted Baby Boomer voters and if you look at the movies during this era, Cheech and Chong weren’t the only stars getting stoned in movies.

It was the Reagans that went from that to, “Just say NO to drugs!” Boomers became closet pot smoking parents who didn’t want their kids getting stoned. Cocaine was supposedly “non-addictive”.

So hearing today’s call for legalization old news. What JB is selling us is not fresh. It’s stale. Blago promised new ideas and proposed a state soft drink, a VAT tax, selling Thompson Center and Cash for Senate Seats.

What’s JB proposing? Not being Rauner.

Big woo.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:47 pm
Ives would be wise to focus on the GOP primary and raise her profile among potential voters there. She has to win that first.

That means HB40, the Trust Act, and Rauner’s complicity in the tax increase, as evidenced by his refusal to use all his governmental and political powers to uphold his veto.

(But,her campaign apparently does not include Trump; he’s on the milk carton.).

Ives is pretty easy to wind up and distract, though.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:52 pm
The “state rights” and “smaller government” right wing republicans have an issue with legalizing cannabis? Cannabis that will increase taxes and lower the tax burden on its citizens and create jobs and industry. Legalization is going to happen in this state because it is just plain common sense. Politicians that still say no in 2018 will not win the election.

Comment by Illinois Resident Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:55 pm
==Sorry Democrats cannot lecture anyone on deficit spending, their record is plain to see in Illinois, Chicago and Cook County.==

Rauner went two years cutting checks without a budget in place.

==JB is running on higher taxes on the rich?

It is not possible for the Democrats to have a worse pitchman for that message.==

“Raise my taxes, not yours” has always been an effective message.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:41 pm
She left out abortion and porn

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Bliss Ives General would be super crabby.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 6:19 pm
To Vanilla Man:

“So hearing today’s call for legalization old news. What JB is selling us is not fresh. It’s stale.”

The last time I checked cannabis was still illegal and it should not be. Until the laws change it is not a stale concept.

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Dec 22, 17 @ 9:34 am