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* The JB Pritzker campaign’s latest press release covered a bunch of the same ground as his Chicago press conference. Pritzker’s running mate wasn’t at the event because she’s in Springfield for session. Here’s the portion of the release with her statement…
State Representative Juliana Stratton said, “I joined this campaign because of JB’s values, his record of helping people, and his compassion. All along, JB and I have had countless frank conversations about race, the challenges we face as a state and a country, and the path forward. He is someone who really listens and seeks to understand.
“I know JB wishes he had pushed back more on that call and I know he wishes that certain things were not said. While I am in Springfield and was unable to join him at today’s press conference, I remain proud to be on this ticket with someone I know is a better man than who he was on that tape. This is a critical election for so many of our communities and the question in front of us is who can we trust to show up for us, who has the record of lifting people up, and who has demonstrated a commitment to equity and justice. I am confident that leader is JB and I look forward to continuing our work together to move this state forward.”
* And Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago) sent me this a few minutes ago…
J.B. Pritzker is a good man with a good heart, and real experience solving big problems. He is committed to a better future for all Illinoisans, especially those currently struggling. All of us, if every conversation we had was recorded, would have some embarrassing moments. But J.B.’s track record in the African-American community far surpasses that of the other contenders. He has supported the Center on Wrongful Convictions and invested both his time and hundreds of millions of dollars in early childhood education and school breakfast programs, because justice and opportunity are more than just words to him. And unlike the other candidates, J.B. has spent real time in our communities, has listened to our voices, and has a plan for supporting our businesses and our schools. I’m proud to support his candidacy for Governor.
Both legislators are African-Americans.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:33 pm
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Not sure there’s much defending “God damn America”
Comment by Politically incorrect Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:39 pm
At least Pritzker is not trying to exploit the African-American community by saying jobs won’t come unless working class people give up their labor rights so that multimillionaires and billionaires can push their own costs down.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:40 pm
=Not sure there’s much defending “God damn America”=
This all day.
What is really going on here is “we are willing to overlook your racism… as long as you agree to fund all our House races.”
Comment by Just Visiting Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:43 pm
Joking saying “God damn America” is racist? As a black male I find that laughable. If anything many in my community joked the same way.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:47 pm
How is G-D America racist? Thats just trying to paint a narrative because you prefer a different canidate. If you want to claim racism you should be focusing on “least offensive”
Comment by Seats Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:51 pm
Of course Stratton defends. JB’s part of her quick rise. Awful phone call.
Comment by Ugh Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:52 pm
==Not sure there’s much defending “God damn America”==
Oy… They were lightly mocking a very controversial minister who, you know, said it and meant it. It’s not as if JB was lighting a cigar with a burning flag while he was on the phone with Blago. It was mimicry.
Comment by TKMH Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:54 pm
“Least offensive” Please explain that JB. Stratton and Mitchell are now covering for someone who appears to grade others by their… offensiveness
Comment by Just Visiting Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:58 pm
If you had a republican say JB’s exact words, that person would be labeled a racist.
Comment by Jeff Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 4:59 pm
I hope white people are not telling black people how to react to Jb saying “Gd America”
Comment by Real Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:00 pm
That is pretty groundbreaking that JB’s running mate defends him. A real game changer.
Comment by cm Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:01 pm
I have been accused often at going to hard towards things, but I stand by my comments and thoughts.
In this instance, it’s a good rehabilitation, a needed rehabilitation and an honest vouching, as honest as those attacks others make.
It’s good on all of them. We’ll see how this will play out in the coming days, but Secretary White and others like Pritzker’s running mate and other supporters will try to blunt the tape with their support as a good campaign tries to do.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:05 pm
===Kennedy is surging===
What do YOU base this on?
Today has been full of magic polls and imaginary leads.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:07 pm
=I hope white people are not telling black people how to react to Jb saying “Gd America”=
Wasn’t this in the context of JBP mocking Rev. Wright?
Willfull ignorance only equals strength in certian circles…
Comment by Outtacon Text Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:07 pm
We can clearly see that Rauner does not fear Biss or Kennedy in this campaign. With that being said why do Biss and Kennedy supporters think they have the best chance against Rauner
Comment by Real Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:11 pm
==With that being said why do Biss and Kennedy supporters think they have the best chance against Rauner==
They think there’s no good oppo on their guys. That’s probably not true, and even if it is, it doesn’t matter if Rauner gets to run game on them for the first five months of the campaign while they kiss and make up with Madigan, Rahm, etc. to fill the kitty.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:16 pm
Because Biss supporters are a lot of the same people that backed Bernie’s lost cause. Much like the people of the Ives camp, they are so blinded by ideology the can’t see reality coming right for them.
I don’t know any Kennedy supporters that are still excited about him.
Comment by TaylorvilleTornado Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:19 pm
Kennedy and Bisd neef to have a seat. They have been helping Rauner in there constant attacks on Pritzker.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:36 pm
==Because Biss supporters are a lot of the same people that backed Bernie’s lost cause.==
I suspect that that’s true, but it remains odd to me. Bernie made his bones railing against the exact kind of bloodless technocrats that Biss voted with.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:42 pm
Like the reality of Dan’s late-in-life, politically expedient conversion to Sanders’ politics?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:52 pm
JB is a softer candidate than I expected. The content of the tapes is not so much a problem for me. Jeremiah Wright cost Obama votes. Now he will hurt JB. How much damage can one fool do?
Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of candidates is something people do. The language is not always polite. Imagine if Rahm had been on the call?
As OW often says, JB needs to go hard after Rauner. By leading the charge against Rauner, she establishes himself as the best person to take Rauner out. Attacking Rauner also reminds people why they cannot take chances this election.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 5:52 pm
JB is taking Rauner’s best punch right now. He’s doing the best he can with a difficult situation. It’s not whether you stumble and fall, it’s whether you get up and finish the race.
The tapes are ugly, but context helps and the context shows this wasn’t what some here would have us believe about JB. He’ll get through this and be a better candidate because of the experience.
You can’t unring a bell, so there is no point trying. Insiders know the context (there but for the grace of God go I), and are watching to see how he navigates forward from here. He will and as I said, this will make him a stronger candidate.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 6:05 pm
I think Biss just saw that riding the tails of the Bernie message as a way to get noticed in an Illinois Democratic primary that would be full of your typical Illinois Democrats.
And as we saw in the last election, what you do isn’t as important as what you say. So what if Biss attacked union members, he’s a real progressive now and really sorry about SB1 (now) and blames it on hysteria.
Side note: I have the same problem with Biss as I did Bernie. All of the plans sound good but I’ve gotten no indication that he’s actually thought any of it through. In fact, that he tried to unconstitutionally slash pensions out of hysteria shows me that he doesn’t.
Comment by TaylorvilleTornado Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 6:24 pm
I am not entirely sold on the idea that Rauner is going after Pritzker simply because he is the most likely to beat Rauner in the general. I think Rauner sees the brilliance in pushing non-Pritzker Dems to a place where they will not vote for Pritzker in the general just as some Dems would never vote for Hillary Clinton. Ives is giving Rauner an assist in the general by demonstrating that Rauner is not a Trumpy candidate but rather a moderate Republican (which we all know he is not). I knew as many folks who threw away their vote on the last gubernatorial election as threw away their vote on the 2016 Presidential election. Maybe this is anecdotal…
Comment by Soothsayer Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 7:10 pm
“We can clearly see that Rauner does not fear Biss or Kennedy in this campaign”
Well, I’m a centrist Dem who voted for President Obama 2x. And I will not vote for Pritzker in the GE.
My vote is for Kennedy in the primary, and I may vote for Rauner if it’s Rauner v Pritzker. Definitely will not vote for Pritzker.
In the AG race, I was (as a Mexican-American) going to support Ruiz. But I like Quinn too much not to vote for him. And unlike the others, he’s championed the working-class
Comment by FearTheTree Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 7:19 pm
–If you had a republican say JB’s exact words, that person would be labeled a racist. –
Geez, took you long enough. Busy day at the ol’ Chronic Victim Plant?
They were referencing what Wright said. How did you reference what Wright said, back in 2008? Golly Willickers, America?
Do you think everyone that references what Trump said about Africa and Haiti agrees with it?
You victims here can’t possibly be that thick. You’re pulling a gag.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 7:38 pm
so, to clarify. JB’s running mate still supports him and Christian Mitchell–who is employed by one of JB’s consulting firms–still supports him. ok, got it.
Comment by canon Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 7:47 pm
Wow, OW rushing to defend JB’s response and calls it “reconciliation”
Color me….shocked
Comment by FDB Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 8:20 pm
===…reconciliation…===
“I have been accused often at going to hard towards things, but I stand by my comments and thoughts.
In this instance, it’s a good rehabilitation, a needed rehabilitation and an honest vouching, as honest as those attacks others make.
It’s good on all of them. We’ll see how this will play out in the coming days, but Secretary White and others like Pritzker’s running mate and other supporters will try to blunt the tape with their support as a good campaign tries to do.”
I’d color you… “I don’t read good”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 8:25 pm
I am absolutely sure “insiders” understand the context here, and won’t care a lick. Same reason they’re all for #MeToo, and yet all the same people who presided over Springfield for decades of sexual harassment, are *still there* and not a little bit uncomfortable. Because, you know, priorities.
Comment by JB13 Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 9:08 pm
==Christian Mitchell–who is employed by one of JB’s consulting firms==
The Strategy Group: I cannot read their bio without hearing echos of Prestige Worldwide.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 9:55 pm
===You victims here can’t possibly be that thick. You’re pulling a gag.
Amazingly slow by those folks. It’s not GD America that African-Americans are complaining about. I picked out the Emil line the first time I listed to the tape as the thing that was a problem. But then they would have to read and understand what African-Americans are finding to be offensive in the recording.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 10:30 pm
Rep. Mitchell, which other candidates are you referring to? Certainly not Chris Kennedy. Who started Top Box Foods, which actually operates on the south and west sides of the City. He and his wife are actually at those sites every month. You ever see JB on the south side before this campaign? Give me a break. How many African American candidates did he support in Illinois before he decided to run for Governor? ZERO. Give me a break.
Oh, wait… and your firm profits off of JB’s campaign. Surprise surprise. You are truly the worst of the worst.
Everyone standing up behind JB today has received checks from him in the last year. Coincidence?
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 12:19 am
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 6, 18 @ 6:05 pm:
JB is taking Rauner’s best punch right now. He’s doing the best he can with a difficult situation.
He’s doing the best he can? He hasn’t had a good answer yet. 100s of people talked to Rod? GMAFB. Only gave him tens of thousands of dollars and asked for an appointment. Only one.
Also, did you say this was Rauner’s best punch during the last tape? What will you say during the next one?
Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 12:22 am
canon @ 7:47 pm- “…Christian Mitchell–who is employed by one of JB’s consulting firms–still supports him.” Interesting!
Rep. Mitchell never impressed me as much more than an average politician, and certainly not anyone looking out for the black community.
To explain, I met with him at his district office in spring of 2013 re. all the deadly stuff that could get citizens killed by police that NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde placed in Rep. Brandon Phelps concealed carry bill. We discussed among other provisions the Duty to Inform deal they cut with the IL Chiefs of Police. (See Philando Castile in Minnesota for the effects of DTI on legally armed black motorists)
When I mentioned that there was no way for the average citizen to know if the person questioning them was even a cop if not in uniform, since John Gacy had a sheriff’s badge, Mitchell suggested that he could sponsor an amendment to require that the Duty to Inform for licensed citizens only
be required for uniformed police. Great idea, but he never did anything as far as I know. Just talk.
LaShawn Ford, Chris Welch and Will Davis (God bless them) recognized the danger of DTI for the black community and debated it with Phelps on the floor, or brought it up in committee. Mitchell, nothing. No Great Black Hope there.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 12:39 am
Words matter and JB is choking on his right now. Biss and Kennedy need to line up support and hold pressers and keep the pressure on. JBs numbers will drop below 30% now. If they can message to the black community and get them come out in the primary JB is sunk. Whats on the next tape release ?
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 7:33 am
===JB is taking Rauner’s best punch right now.===
Not so sure. Depends what else is on Memorex…
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 8:32 am
On the taped conversations, JB was in the inferior role of the conversation with Gov Rod in the superior role. Everyone has been in that situation, it’s awkward and you just sort of wait it out and get the conversation over with and not start a fight. He absolutely should have pushed back on Hot Rod, but he didn’t, it’s exposed and now’s he apologized. I think the voters will judge his body of work more than a conversation with Rod.
Comment by Truckin' On Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 8:55 am
== I think the voters will judge his body of work more than a conversation with Rod.===
Because it’s worked out for everyone else who was conversing with Rod??? Don’t think so.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 9:06 am
AG: Not gonna name names but several people recorded on the tapes are still doing just fine.
Comment by Truckin' On Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 9:11 am
Truck…no one who was sucking up for an appointment is doing so well.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 9:15 am
For those that think Biss doesn’t have baggage, they’re ignoring his long history of taking money from anything that breathes. His donor history ain’t all that progressive.
His superpac took $500k from Madigan and $30k from Berrios.
And the supposed smartest guy in the room? Unlike most politicians that try to create a trail to hide this stuff (PO Box, lawyer’s office, etc.), Biss ran the super pac from his own house.
Those are just some of his ties that undermine his “progressive” roots. There’s a lot more.
https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cmte=C00625525&cycle=2016
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 7, 18 @ 10:37 am