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Pritzker campaign tries to put best face on last night’s debate

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* Press release…

Last night at the final Democratic primary debate, JB Pritzker demonstrated why he is the best candidate to beat Bruce Rauner, holding the failed governor accountable for his damage to the state and highlighting his own plans to take charge as governor.

JB blasted Bruce Rauner for decimating Illinois’ finances and skyrocketing state debt:

WATCH:

He then highlighted his plans to pass a progressive income tax while holding Dan Biss and Chris Kennedy accountable for their plans to tax retirement income:

WATCH:

JB continued by emphasizing his plans to put Illinois on a path to 100% renewable energy:

WATCH:

And finished the debate with a personal story reflecting on his mother and the social justice values she taught him:

WATCH:

* The Sun-Times has more on that last question…

The three took on a more personal question to round out the hour-long debate. Asked for an example of a formative life experience, Pritzker spoke of losing his mother at 17 and her struggles with alcoholism: “I watched her struggle with addiction. And I don’t want others to have to go through that. And I want to live up to her values, the things that she set for us about fighting for social and economic justice, equality and inclusion.”

Kennedy spoke of the pain of losing his father, former U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

“I think about my father’s death at an early age, and I know that the bullet that kills the father wounds the child,” Kennedy said, adding his siblings have struggled with substance abuse and mental illness. “Somewhere in all of that there’s empathy that comes from people who are not going to be able to make it on their own and we have a role as a big family and as a government to reach out to folks who are suffering.”

Biss spoke of a more lighthearted moment — meeting his wife Karen in 2005 at a Texas airport: “It changed my life completely.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 10:50 am

Comments

If JB pulls it out on Tuesday, he’ll need to take his debate coach with him on his next trip to the Bahamas to check on his money so he could practice his skills.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 10:56 am
The Pritzker story and discussing his mother, it speaks to the reality that all families have challenges, and what we show, versus what happens behind closed doors, we think we know people, but who do we know, what do we know, what things happen that shape people.

It’s compelling and important to knowing J.B. Pritzker.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 11:23 am
I will have a hard time voting for Pritzker to keep Biss from sneaking in.

I might just have to go with my heart and vote for Kennedy

If he loses, I pray that he won’t leave politics and will try for another office

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 11:25 am
Looks like he tried to run out the clock with a prevent defense.

As we know, a prevent defense can at times prevent victory.

We’ll find out on what’s forecast to be a cold and snowy Tuesday up yonder.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 11:26 am
I don’t agree with Kennedy on all of the issues and some of them I passionately disagree with him on. I lost my father at an early age to and my Mother worked so hard to survive. My family will always be greatful that we have such a great Mother.

I really feel that Kennedy has integrity and intellectual honesty and I vote for that. Nobody will ever agree with a politician on all of the issues. I am a pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Union Kennedy supporter

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 11:30 am
Pritzker closing strong and taking absolutely nothing for granted. Love it.

Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 12:10 pm
Kennedy’s momenmom is at perfect timing

Comment by Hank Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 12:13 pm
Momentum*

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 12:13 pm
Kudos to JB for sharing the story of his mother.
And I note that he shared that story, only after being asked specifically for a formative life experience.

I am frustrated by those politicos who repetitively recount a formative experience, that shaped their character, to then say, “And I never want anyone else to have to go through that.” (Again, I’m not accusing JB of this).

But I’ve heard politicians say things like, “I learned the value of hard work, because I had to pay for every level of my education. And it taught me great life lessons. But no one should have to endure what I did.”

I just don’t get that.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 1:21 pm
How do they plan to implement a progressive income tax? Per Article IX, Section 3(a) - “A tax on or measured by income shall be at a
non-graduated rate.” How exactly does one political figure think they can simply institute a progressive income tax? Amending the state constitution seem like a heavy lift. Is this just political nonsense to excite voters? Sounds like empty promises.

Comment by Wondering Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 1:30 pm
==How do they plan to implement a progressive income tax? Per Article IX, Section 3(a) - “A tax on or measured by income shall be at a
non-graduated rate.”==

JB knows the voters will support him on the graduated income tax rate. The flat tax that we have now is not working.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 2:31 pm
Anyone who even remotely thinks JB or Kennedy are reasonable candidates have been drinkng the democratic cool-aid for far too long. Vote Biss in because he actually has character and isn’t selling lip service.

Comment by JRB Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 5:25 pm
I voted already for Pritzker, but last night it looked like he came in 4th place

Comment by James the Intolerant Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 6:04 pm