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* Background is here. Chris Kennedy claims that his remarks at the Tribune editorial board today were taken out of context…

First, set aside the claim that Bruce Rauner publicly released those Blagojevich FBI surveillance tapes. The Chicago Tribune released them. Rauner just put the tapes into TV ads.

* ABC 7 political reporter Craig Wall released the full video of his question to Kennedy “and the full context” of Kennedy’s response. Transcript…

Craig Wall: Somebody said, he put it this way, that Bruce Rauner is almost becoming like a super PAC for you as he’s trying to undermine JB Pritzker.

Chris Kennedy: I think Bruce Rauner is trying to do what he thinks is best for the state of Illinois. Now we may disagree on what that is, but his willingness to speak truth to power, to take on the powers that have been strangling our economy for decades in this state is something that I think he should be applauded for.

* As noted below, Daniel Biss and the JB Pritzker campaign have both taken Kennedy to task. Biss tweeted that Rauner “should not be ‘applauded’ for the lasting damage and harm that he’s done to the state” and the Pritzker campaign released this statement…

“The Worst Republican Governor in America unleashed devastation across this state and is standing in silence as the lives of immigrant families and healthcare for children hang in the balance, but don’t worry, because according to Chris Kennedy, Bruce Rauner is just speaking ‘truth to power,’” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “Throwing bombs and creating crisis is not speaking truth to power, but it’s clear that Chris Kennedy has failed to understand that throughout this campaign.”

…Adding… Another Kennedy campaign statement…

I’ve always been honest about Bruce Rauner’s broken leadership in our state. Under Bruce Rauner’s administration, our state amassed $15 billion in unpaid bills. Under Bruce Rauner’s administration, our state went two years without a budget — the longest budget impasse in U.S. history. Under Bruce Rauner’s administration, 1 million people were cut off of social services.

I’m running because Bruce Rauner has left our state in shambles. He’s a failed governor and our state is desperate for radical change.

Taking my remarks out of context is a weak attempt from JB Pritzker to deflect from the pressure he’s under. JB is the poster child of play to pay politics in Illinois and the FBI wiretaps that feature him begging Rod Blagojevich for political favors prove it. He’s everything the Republicans want to run against.

I believe voters have a right to know what’s on those tapes and I agree that they should’ve been released.

* The Question: Fair hits or not? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey tools

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:34 pm

Comments

In what was is this possibly out of context. He said it. He tweeted it. Then when the geniuses on the campaign realized how idiotic their boss was, they went in full retreat. The context was exactly as advertised. Rauner has become Kennedy’s SuperPac.

Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:40 pm
Considering that Kennedy sounded like a Rauner press staffer in that quote, I’d say those hits are more than fair.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:43 pm
Talk about losing sight of the goal.
This primary did a number on Kennedy. He started off criticizing the ‘heartless’ governor and fast forward to today and he is applauding him.
It will be interesting to see if Kennedy can survive this.

Comment by Red fish blue fish Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:45 pm
Kennedy has been using many of Rauner’s talking points for some time now. This is absolutely a fair hit on Kennedy and he deserves it.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:46 pm
Voted “Yes”

“Why?”

There is a Cardinal sin… you don’t applaud the other party’s candidate for going after your opponent in the Primary.

What Kennedy did… Kennedy excused Bruce Rauner for 3 years of destroying social services, crippling higher education, ruining the state credit from the lows it was at, and ran up debt… all in the name of destroying unions.

Kennedy all but absolved Rauner, applauded Rauner for using what appears to be a sealed tape the US Attorney wonders how it saw daylight.

Kennedy, a name synonymous with “Democrat”, chose to applaud a Republican for how they operate.

It’s more than fair, it’s critical to understanding Kennedy, and that Kennedy sees Rauner as *his* choice over Pritzker and Biss, his fellow Democrats.

Kennedy put into play that his thoughts are those of someone who still sees Rauner and Rauner’s choices as applaudable, and Dems May want to know that.

You can’t unring a bell.

It’s ringing true, Kennedy’s thoughts on Rauner are ringing in the ears of Dems, and will be until this campaign is over.

Voted… fair.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:48 pm
Yes a fair hit. Kennedy is running in a Democratic primary of governor and he endorsed the incumbent Republican governor. Wow

Comment by Turn Around For What? Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:50 pm
Chris Kennedy: I think Bruce Rauner is trying to do what he thinks is best for the state of Illinois….to take on the powers that have been strangling our economy for decades in this state is something that I think he should be applauded for.

Sounds like Kennedy is applauding Rauner’s union busting agenda.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:50 pm
===Kennedy has been using many of Rauner’s talking points for some time now. This is absolutely a fair hit on Kennedy and he deserves it.===

Fly too close to something…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:51 pm
Sounds like Kennedy is applauding Rauner’s union busting agenda.

Yup. Or maybe Rauner’s “Blame Madigan for Everything” trope.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:52 pm
Of course it’s not fair, Kennedy described part of the truth, Madigan and the Dems have strangled this state for generations. But that isn’t the entire story and those of us who deal with state government know that Rauner has botched running this state. While I don’t agree with the Kennedy agenda this comment is proof of willingness to speak the truth, or at least part of it. If any candidate isn’t willing to indicate that they understand the problems why should any voter be willing to elect them to fix the problems.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:56 pm
I hit “unfair” but meant to hit “fair.” What is interesting is the complaint the Pritzker spokeswoman has about Kennedy throwing bombs, and then she tosses a few bombs in response.

Having watched both the Sun-Times and Tribune videos of them in action, I find it interesting that they are nearly unanimous that things in this State need to be fixed or changed. Although I am amused that Kennedy sounds a bit like Rauner, in reality they all do.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 3:59 pm
NeverPoliticallyCorrect - serious question - which primary are you voting in?

Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Rauner certianly seems to be spending a lot of money against someone he really wants to run against in the general.

Comment by FreeCake Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Fair …but he aint wrong in what he said either.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:03 pm
Voted “Fair.”

Those words came From Kennedy’s own foot-filled mouth, and were not taken out of context at all.

Those words also guaranteed my vote goes to Pritzker.

Comment by Northsider Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:05 pm
Blago ran on cleaning up Springfield. People liked that idea whether they liked him or not. They did not like the results.

Much the same could be said about Rauner.

When you’re not Madigan’s candidate, and the system is working against you, you might start to feel some sympathy for the others who dared to take on the machine. You might feel that you have something in common.

But you should never under any circumstances show that sympathy when it’s for your disgraced jailbird gov from your party (which he has avoided), or if it’s for the guy from the other party that you felt was so bad that you had an opening to run. If you’re going to take on the machine you need better discipline than that. The deck is stacked against you, you can’t give any opening.

Voted yes for obvious reasons.

It’s a shame because every time Kennedy gains any positive momentum it comes to a screeching halt. He would probably make the best gov out of the three, but would does not mean could.

Comment by m Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:07 pm
I voted “fair hit.” He just gave a nice campaign ad to the opposing party, and actually equated Rauner with “truth.”

Comment by Earnest Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:08 pm
Kennedy said the words as clear as day. He applauded Rauner. Fair hit, case closed.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:09 pm
Voted fair. Not because I think Kennedy really is a fan of Rauner (though I think he’s relatively insulated and doesn’t really care). But because I think this demonstrates how bereft he is. No core message, no core supporters, and palpable resentment that the nomination wasn’t his for the taking. And now, he’s so turned around he’s praising the guy he needs to ultimately beat.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:09 pm
Of course Chris Kennedy helps give Rauner his best day of press in weeks. He needs to drop out.

Comment by WSJ Paywall Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Fair
Pritzker might want to interview some of the screwed ex-tenants at the Mart. Oddly, rich people don’t ever seem to have clean laundry.

Comment by Belle Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:15 pm
Just as fair as the “I’m not in charge” quote.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:18 pm
what kennedy is applauding is Rauner’s legitimate attack on Pritzker, pointing out that Pritzker’s relationships with Blago and Madigan are going to be a problem going forward if he’s the D’s nominee.
Sure Rauner is hurting JB, and he’s using JB’s own words to do it.

Comment by jim Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:20 pm
If a miracle happens and Kennedy is the nominee I might sit this one out.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Fair hit, though perhaps Kennedy’s just trying to curry favor with the Tribune editorial board by praising Rauner.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:25 pm
I gotta note that the folks applauding Kennedy’s comment all seem to be Republicans. Even the usual pro-Kennedy commenters are silent. No surprise. This is really bad.

Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:34 pm
===I gotta note that the folks applauding Kennedy’s comment all seem to be Republicans===

Yeah, I’m a Republican. Please stop. Your continued spin masqueraded as “unbiased” is hitting a peak today.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:36 pm
“Yeah I’m a Republican” LOL. On opposite day

Plenty of Democrats hate the way Cook County Democrats have governed our state for decades.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:43 pm
Sorry Willy, you’re the exception.

Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:44 pm
==pointing out that Pritzker’s relationships with Blago and Madigan are going to be a problem going forward if he’s the D’s nominee==

Kennedy praising the Republican nominee will probably be a bigger problem.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:47 pm
===On opposite day===

I’m a Republican, not a Raunerite.

You vote in Dem primaries, you told everyone you do… LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:08 pm
If you say it, you own it. A stupid comment, and you can’t fix stupid.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:15 pm
The hits are plenty fair.

Terrible execution of a good idea. One of Rauner’s most effective messages has always been that Illinois politics are all dirty but I am the clean option.

Kennedy definitely has a chance to be seen as a non-corrupt alternative to Pritzker

Comment by Sharky Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 9:15 am