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* UPDATED x1 - DPI responds * “Fire Madigan” is now “Fire Pritzker”

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Illinois

* ILGOP…

The 2022 campaign cycle is already underway with statewide candidates from both parties announcing their intentions. The Illinois Republican Party is joining the fray, launching a cycle-long campaign to oust incumbent Illinois Governor, Democrat JB Pritzker. ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy has released the following statement announcing the campaign:

“From Cairo to Chicago, Quincy to Danville, the people of Illinois are saying enough is enough. No more tax hikes, unbalanced budgets, and radical leftist agendas - and no more unaccountable rule by one man shutting down our economy and destroying Illinois’ future. It’s time we FIRE PRITZKER.

The Illinois Republican Party is committed to spending the time, energy, and resources it will take to rid Illinois of our failed Governor. Pritzker ran as an autocrat who would get back the basics of running government. Instead, we got a campaign to raise taxes, a ‘police reform’ bill that makes us less safe, indoctrination of our students, an incompetant unemployment system, over 30 dead veterans at a state facility, and king-like rule during the pandemic - indefinitely shutting down our economy and never consulting the legislature.

Pritzker’s leadership has been terrible for Illinois and people are voting with ‘For Sale’ signs in their front yards. In just the last year, 80,000 Illinoisans - second in the nation - fled the state for lower taxes, less corruption, and better opportunities. The ‘FIRE PRITZKER’ campaign is about harnessing the anger over our friends and family leaving and putting it to good use, defeating JB Pritzker in 2022.”

The ILGOP has launched FirePritzker.org, a website hub where individuals can get involved in the movement to defeat JB Pritzker in the next gubernatorial election by signing up to volunteer, donating, or buying gear such as yard signs, t-shirts or bumper stickers.

If anyone has time, talent, or resources to give to the cause, they should visit FirePritzker.org and sign up today.

Discuss.

*** UPDATE *** DPI…

Morning, Rich – A response from Mary Morrissey, Executive Director of DPI:

“What exactly is the GOP plan for the state of Illinois other than denying science and voting against COVID relief funds? We’ve heard the same tired attacks against Governor Pritzker since he took office, but we’ve yet to hear any solid plans to support our workers and families and move past this catastrophic pandemic. I guess we’ll keep waiting.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:19 am

Comments

As usual, the Republican message isn’t “Vote for us because we have good ideas”, it’s “Vote against the other guy.”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:23 am
Makes sense; with Madigan gone, Pritzker is the face of IL Dems. But it probably won’t work quite yet because they haven’t spent 20 years tuning him up.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:25 am
That “Fire MAdigan” campaign really worked? Ever?
Expect “Fire Pritzker” to be just as wildly successful.

Comment by Touré's Latte Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:28 am
The failure of the progressive tax is on him.
The failure of any success on balancing the budget is on him.
The failure to live by his own dictates regarding Covid is on him.

Comment by Cord cutter Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:28 am
I haven’t gone over to their website, and probably won’t for a while so that I can avoid boosting their “website visitor” numbers.

But since a major part of this website seems to be about selling stuff to boost the party treasury account, shouldn’t the web address be .com, not .org?

Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:29 am
Meh.

The ILGOP welcomes racists, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists. Why not try the alternative of “Fire Madigan” to ignore who exactly is welcomed by the ILGOP?

It will be miles and miles more interesting… miles and miles… who exactly becomes the nominee against Pritzker… versus “Fire Pritzker”… since a Rauner type has already lost by 16 points (moderate, “pro-choice”, criminal justice driven)… they nominate a Trumpkin, conspiracy theorist, angry, white candidate… “Fire Pritzker” prolly won’t be what the discussion will be about.

Does the ILGOP even have enough cash on hand to produce t-shirts, mugs, signs, mouse pads…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:30 am
#becauseJB

Comment by Wow Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:31 am
They are making the same argument over and over and it barely moves the needle. The IL GOP needs better leadership. They haven’t figured out how to reach moderates. A lot of us would vote Republican if they offered a real alterative, but the GOP really doesn’t. It is too bad because there is so much potential.

Comment by Crash Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:33 am
Heh, fireMadigan only worked when the Dems did it. Never worked for the Repubs.

Great message R’s: we couldn’t do what the Dems finally did, so vote for us.

Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:35 am
It’s simple, straightforward, and to the point. It doesn’t seem like bad messaging at this point.

== As usual, the Republican message isn’t “Vote for us because we have good ideas”, it’s “Vote against the other guy.” ==

Guess I missed the ‘good idea’ campaign JB ran last time? There was the progressive income tax, but we know how that turned out.

Most campaigns against incumbents are to a large degree about “voting for the other guy”

Also considering, before the snow, I would see anti-Pritzker signs in front of homes from time to time, there are some antiPrizker feelings out there, didn’t see too many anti-Rauner signs more than a year before the election.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:37 am
Pritzker response: Get primary pushed back from March 15 to August 16 next year. Official reason, due to late census data give ILGA and county boards up to 4 months to remap right. Real reason, leave Republicans 2 1/2 months between primary and general, especially governor GOP nominee, to raise money for fall campaign. Keep GOP civil war going throughout summer of 2022.

Comment by John Lopez Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:37 am
Fire GOP Creative Consultants.

Comment by SouthSide Markie Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:38 am
— radical leftist agendas—

At least Democrats have, you know, an agenda.

All GOP has are cranks and conspiracy theories.

Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:39 am
Short of Kinzinger who says he’s not interested in running for Governor, who would the GOP slate that would have a chance? They’d have to separate from Trump and the virus deniers - and in so doing, would not be supported by the majority of republicans. Game over.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:39 am
“If any one has time, talent, and resources to give to the cause”

Because, as a party, we are tapped out.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:41 am
And yet, if JB and the GA really did a balanced budget with no gimmicks, the IGOP and their members would be the first ones to scream about the reduced services in their areas.

I sometimes think JB should do 3 budgets: a bare bones balanced one, and a full service one contingent on a tax hike sufficient to generate the revenue needed to balance it. It would be an eye opener for some people.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:43 am
I’ll give them points for the t-shirts being made in the USA. The “Fire Pritzker” logo needs work. Pretty boring.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:44 am
==Short of Kinzinger who says he’s not interested in running for Governor, who would the GOP slate that would have a chance?==

Davis and LaHood would run respectable campaigns, although as Trump co-chairs they would start out as serious underdogs. They’d be good scandal or wave insurance.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:45 am
=== If anyone has time, talent, or resources to give to the cause, they should visit FirePritzker.org and sign up today.===

* Note: you will be aligning yourself with folks who are Covid-19 deniers, non-mask wearers, insurrection supporters, racism apologists, and people who embrace conspiracy theorists.

I don’t think this is a rebranding they hope “volunteers” see as a rebirth. “Fire Pritzker” isn’t enough of a cleansing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:46 am
===As usual, the Republican message isn’t “Vote for us because we have good ideas”, it’s “Vote against the other guy.”===
The last few elections, that has been how I voted. (And I vote mostly Dem)

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:46 am
“Pritzker ran as an autocrat”.
I completely missed that campaign promise.
Not planning on going to buy anything from the website, but a bumper sticker or mouse pad that says “Pritzker is not an Autocrat” might make a good holiday present for my Republican friends that I always have a hard time finding just the “right” gift for.

Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:47 am
The ILGOP has a super minority legislative body, no state wide offices, and is censuring members of their own party who opposed a violent insurrection. Perhaps a bit of self-reflection would be in order. It’s standard bearers are Darren Bailey, failed candidates like Jeanne Ives, Jim Oberweis, and a former governor who unsuccessfully tried to convince anybody he could to run in his stead. You can’t convince me to “Fire Pritzker” without presenting anything close to a viable alternative.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:49 am
When will the Republicans offer candidates and new ideas that really attract people? In a sports analogy, they have a thin bench, coaching staff won/loss record needs serious attention, and the minor league system is not pulling in the talent. You want Miller and Bailey to be your coming starting lineup? Sound like the master plan is limited to getting some “Pritzker” sticky labels to put over ‘Madigan’ in the existing product lines.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:51 am
” Fire Pritzker because he protected you from us”
Would be a more appropriate slogan.

Comment by Drake Mallard Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 9:53 am
“Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate”

—the immortal words of Taylor Swift

Comment by Groundhog Day Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:07 am
==I sometimes think JB should do 3 budgets: a bare bones balanced one, and a full service one contingent on a tax hike sufficient to generate the revenue needed to balance it. It would be an eye opener for some people. ==

Agree. However, it depends on how he does it. Quinn tried to do that in 2014 and it did not get much traction, but that was Quinn. Brown did it in California, and it worked.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:12 am
ILGOP is positioning themselves as the Alden Capital of Illinois politics: sucking the marrow out of government while shutting it down.

Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:15 am
Marketing wise, to a political party;

Who exactly is the ILGOP?

They have this “Fire Pritzker”, even as a rallying cry.

“Ok”

Who exactly *is* the ILGOP going to get to sell that to win elections?

Mary Miller? Jim Oberweis? Jeanne Ives? Darren Bailey?

The face of the ILGOP, they hope is the negatives generated by “Fire Pritzker” from an essentially financially broke, and categorically broke apparatus that can’t separate itself from racists, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists?

I guess it’s a good idea to roll this out… but the nominee who will be actually running against Pritzker is going to find it far more difficult.

The thing about “Fire Madigan”… you didn’t need or WANT to actually “Fire Madigan”… it was to gin up support in races they might be able to win.

Now if they fail to “Fire Pritzker” because of any number of reasons (money, candidate, etc) is that the party failing to realize it’s not a governing party as constructed because of its fringe and Trump?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:16 am
“No more tax hikes, unbalanced budgets, and radical leftist agendas”

Same old regurgitated tripe, just copy and paste for every Democrat in every era. This is just phoning it in. Maybe the ILGOP does not want to grow and change, finding it more comfortable to be a super-minority party, avoiding responsibility of making tough governing choices and remaining on the sidelines doing what it loves, attacking opponents.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:17 am
IL-GOP: The party of ~~new~~ no ideas

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:21 am
Radical Leftist Agenda is my new band name.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:26 am
==I sometimes think JB should do 3 budgets: a bare bones balanced one, and a full service one contingent on a tax hike sufficient to generate the revenue needed to balance it. It would be an eye opener for some people. ==

I think he should have done that (multiple budget proposals i.e. “Recommended” and “Not Recommended” if fair tax doesn’t pass) in last February’s budget address before Covid overtook everything. Then another two budget scenario in May, before the GA returned once the pandemic-induced revenue losses took shape.

Comment by Essential State Employee Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:27 am
Wants people with for sale signs who are not going to be here in two years to join

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:27 am
So if I understand the sneering going around here, the Illinois GOP is going to reinvent itself by extolling the efforts of Pritzker and urging his reelection? Or should the Illinois GOP run up the white flag and simply adopt all Democratic policies? Show up in Springfield and ask Democrats how they are supposed to vote?

Pretty wishful thinking. Fun reading though.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:29 am
Angry white guys on Social Security and Medicare took time out from watching Fox News programs blasting socialism to come up with “Fire Pritzker.”

The “base” will eat it up.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:30 am
==I sometimes think JB should do 3 budgets: a bare bones balanced one, and a full service one contingent on a tax hike sufficient to generate the revenue needed to balance it. It would be an eye opener for some people.==

Not being snarky or rude but what is the third budget?

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:30 am
“indoctrination of our students” the GOP has nothing else to offer voter but grievance politics. No vision. No substance. Also, the work around the new teaching standards is a by-product of work that began under Bruce Rauner…but okay.

Comment by The Failing New York Times Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:37 am
“indoctrination of our students”

Wasn’t Mary Miller saying this was a good idea just a few weeks ago, on stage.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:39 am
== Not being snarky or rude but what is the third budget? ==

A typo I didn’t catch looking at the phone. Should have been 2.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:42 am
“there was the progressive income tax, but we know how that turned out.” Just because it failed doesn’t necessarily make it a bad idea, but precisely to my point, it *was* an idea and not “other guy bad.”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 10:45 am
The GOP has no recent record to defend.

Rauner locally, Trump nationally.

“Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand.”

Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:05 am
==So if I understand the sneering going around here==

You don’t.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:10 am
=== So if I understand===

Meh. You don’t want to.

As an apologist and someone who’s family made out well during the Rauner administration,

=== Or should the Illinois GOP run up the white flag and simply adopt all Democratic policies?===

Rauner signed HB40, criminal justice reform, all things Jeanne Ives had in an ad that Rauner supported, allegedly “Democrat ideas”, not “conservative” ideas.

So… I wonder why you are confused. You seem to be all about Rauner’s liberal, coastal, uber-left agenda… what’s different now?

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:15 am
==the Illinois GOP is going to reinvent itself by extolling the efforts of Pritzker and urging his reelection?==

Oh for pete’s sake stop being dense. Nobody said any of that. But, the Republican Party could at least offer some ideas of what they would do differently instead of just saying don’t vote for the other guy. As far as I can tell that’s been the Republican Party platform in Illinois for years - we don’t have any ideas we just don’t thik you should vote for the other guy.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:21 am
Also, all you ever hear the Republicans whining about is that the Democrats have control so let them deal with things on their own. Again, no ideas. Just whining.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:22 am
Why did the Exec Director issue the statement instead of the Dem Party Chairman? Oh yeah…

Comment by Referred Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:26 am
What would Republicans do…without Democrats?

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 11:51 am
It took the GOP two decades and tens of millions of RaunerBucks to give the FireMadigan brand any sticking power. Doing this against a billionaire who is still relatively popular, especially on the issue they seem to want to run against him on (Covid), seems pretty ineffective.

It’s also worth knowing that there was a lot of consultation with legislators and legislative leaders. But the GA wasn’t in session and remote legislating was killed by…the GOP.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 12:01 pm
=the Illinois GOP is going to reinvent itself by extolling the efforts of Pritzker and urging his reelection?=

Giving some consideration to Adam Kinzinger’s future in the party might be a start. But he’s struggling to convince his family members that he’s still a Republican. As I said earlier maybe a bit of self-reflection is in order.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 12:59 pm
“indoctrination of our students”

Last time I was in a classroom I couldn’t help but feel that the Pledge of Allegiance sounded kinda like indoctrination.

Imagine how it would be presented if it was in a s-hole country full of brown folks:

Every single day students are forced to stand, hands over their hearts recite a mantra that promises their allegiance, under the eyes of God, to an banner that is held as proof of their countries superiority.

Just me? Oh well.

Comment by SomeGuy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 1:05 pm
And now I know why Kinzinger is unlikely to run.

Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 1:22 pm
* Just me? *

Yup, just you.

Comment by Sloppy Joseph Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 1:26 pm
=So if I understand the sneering going around here=

Point conceded. Now, if you have the capacity for honesty, tell me about the republican sneering and name calling and your thoughts on the hypocritical lawsuityness (trademarked term) of the ILGOP? We are talking about the Bailey’s, Miller’s, and DeVore’s of the world who are the ILGOP standard bearers these days. Remember, be honest (pretend wonder woman has her golden lariat around you).

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 1:40 pm
The GOP appears to lack electable gubernatorial candidates. I could see Ken Griffin deciding to run rather than writing more big checks to back guaranteed losers. He’d articulate a more traditional, less Trumpian conservative vision with ideas. The Trump supporters will vote for the GOP primary winner regardless of who it is. The challenge for the GOP is to lure independents and Democrats.

Comment by James Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 2:05 pm
=== The Trump supporters will vote for the GOP primary winner regardless of who it is.===

That’s *kinda* what Rauner thought, after running and beating someone to the right of himself in the primary.

“We’ll see”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 2:08 pm
=== I could see Ken Griffin deciding to run===

Thinking you need to make an ophthalmologist appointment STAT.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 2:08 pm
=The Trump supporters will vote for the GOP primary winner regardless of who it is.=

Or they could stay home if the chosen candidate doesn’t meet their idea of what a Republican should be. We’ve already seen that they don’t look kindly on those Republicans who are unwilling to embrace Trumpism.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 17, 21 @ 3:09 pm