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* I saw this Sun-Times lede and then scrolled through the rest of the story looking for his actual proposals. I didn’t see any…

Illinois’ newest Republican candidate for governor slammed Democrats during his first Chicago news conference Friday, suggesting it’s time for them to stop worrying so much about the COVID-19 pandemic and start worrying more about rising crime.

Jesse Sullivan, a venture capitalist from downstate Petersburg, lambasted President Joe Biden, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx outside the Cook County Criminal Court building, where he said Democratic leaders have been “putting criminals ahead of victims.”

The 37-year-old Sullivan — who made himself an instant contender in the four-man GOP gubernatorial primary with a $10.8 million campaign fund fueled by out-of-state donors — said that’s partly because Democrats in power are too focused on fighting the coronavirus.

Maybe the Sun-Times just skipped over the solutions part. So, I found his press release online and saw not a single idea.

And then I watched his press conference. “This is not a day for policy,” he said.

OK.

* Speaking of punting…

Another key to Bailey’s campaign is correcting the pension system, that appears to be a problem.

“The pension problem has to be addressed,” Bailey said. “I am the only governor candidate, practically the only legislator talking about possible solutions.

“Everybody else is saying it’s protected or there are solutions already in place. No, it just continues to balloon out of control.

“I want to protect the earned obligation of the pensioner and I want to protect that future. To do that, we’ve got to stop the downhill slide now and talk about,” Bailey said.

Part of his proposed solution is to converse with the people that matter to him — the public. He wants to hear what people have to say about the problems being faced.

“I don’t want to talk to the union bosses, and I don’t want to talk to the political leaders,” Bailey said. “I want to talk to the people and offer solutions and see what’s good with them and what’s not. See what ideas they have. We have to come up with a final fix for the pension problem.”

So, basically he wants to focus-group our way out of this?

* Onward…

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK on IL-17: State Sen. Steve Stadelman, a Democrat who represents the Rockford area, is considering a run for the IL-17 congressional seat now held by Rep. Cheri Bustos, who isn’t seeking re-election. “I’m seriously looking at the race. But there’s no congressional map. Until you know the boundaries and where the lines are drawn, you’re a candidate in search of a congressional district,” Stadelman told Playbook. The Illinois senator and former TV journalist made headlines recently for his legislation to create a Local Journalism Task Force to help promote local news, especially in towns that have lost their news source due to an industry in crisis. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the legislation into law.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK also for IL-17: Angela Normoyle, a member of the Rock Island County Board, is making calls in anticipation of a run in IL-17, the seat now held by Rep. Cheri Bustos, who is not seeking re-election. Normoyle is already lining up a campaign team that so far includes B.J. Neidhardt and Maura Dougherty from Prism Communications (to handle media), Mike Luce and Emily Campbell from the Dover Group (mail) and Melissa Bell and Angela Kuefler from Global Strategy Group (polling). Normoyle is well-versed in the area. She’s a communications professor at Augustana College and previously served on the Moline-Coal Valley School board.

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Palatine community organizer Nabeela Syed is running as a Democrat for state representative in the 51st District now represented by Republican Rep. Chris Bos. Syed recently served as campaign manager for Township High School District 211 School Board Member Tim McGowan. She also has mentored high school debate students and done fundraising for Emily’s List. Professionally, Syed works in the nonprofit world on digital strategy. Her campaign points out Syed would be the first Muslim or South Asian woman to be elected to the General Assembly. “I’m hoping to use my lived experience as a young woman of color to elevate the voices and concerns of underrepresented communities,” she said in a statement.

The Daily Herald published a story about Syed’s bid yesterday.

* Other stuff…

* Longtime Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims says she will step down next year, calls for another Black woman to replace her

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:44 am

Comments

“see what ideas they have”

“Ahem”-ILSC.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:51 am
Pension , ain’t no problem you can’t fix with money

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:52 am
“This is not a day for policy,”

I want to see that on a campaign bumper sticker.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:52 am
So the 2 R governor candidates don’t like what the D’s are doing, but won’t tell us how they would fix it.
Didn’t Nixon have a secret plan to get us out of Viet Nam?
Seems like a historical precedent.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:55 am
=“This is not a day for policy,” he said.=

I guess it’s always a day for dog whistles. A once in a 100 year pandemic that has gripped the state is inconsequential and we need to move on. But crime in our cities should now be our immediate statewide priority? For a guy that believes this is an urgent, immediate problem you would think he’d have a policy idea or two.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:55 am
Sullivan was in the UIUC Homecoming Parade Saturday. Only politician I saw in a short parade.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:56 am
Sullivan and Bailey are both just transparently hoping to change the subject to something Pritzker isn’t as strong on. But Sullivan might get his wish eventually, and Bailey’s is just pathetic. “I dunno…what do you think I should do?”

Bailey could actually take some union votes away from Pritzker downstate (not enough to offset the suburban voters he will repulse, but still). But not if he starts talking about cutting pensions.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:58 am
=So, basically he wants to focus-group our way out of this?=

That would be far too sophisticated for Bailey. I think what he means is, “lets see what Facebook has to say about it.”

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 9:58 am
“Didn’t Nixon have a secret plan to get us out of Viet Nam?” And TFG had a secret plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days too.

“I want to protect the earned obligation of the pensioner” Dear Mr. Bailey: It’s not earned, it’s promised on the day of first hire. Tnx.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:01 am
More interesting to me in the Sun-Times story is he couldn’t say whether he voted for Trump or whether he co-signs Trump’s voter fraud claims.

Who does this guy think will vote for him in a GOP primary?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:06 am
The “thing” about Sullivan and Bailey?

They are about… “not being Dems”. That’s it. That’s the campaign.

Going about it differently, Bailey wants that warm Trumpkin embrace, Sullivan wants to be seen as an alternative to Trumpkins, while walking a line as a Republican.

They both are NOT policy driven, they are driven by being alternatives to Pritzker.

Sullivan has shown a real lacking to detail and honesty to those details, so not having a policy is probably best.

Bailey has shown he embraces the angst, not a way to solve the angst.

We’ll see.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:10 am
Playbook gonna Playbook

Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:12 am
What if, stick with me here, the violence and Covid-19 are intertwined?

===This is not a day for policy,” he said.

I guess sounding tough is the solution or something?

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:29 am
Jessivan is not ready for prime time. He shows that each time he makes an appearance. Look at me, look at me, crime, crime, don’t worry about the Covid/24k deaths. And what about crime? Softball question that you were begging for. Pfffft.

And Bailey? Bailey wants to talk to regular folks to get ideas on solving large, expensive, legally intricate, long term problems. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t look to the well meaning patrons of diners or taverns for constitutional analysis of public policy problems that have vexxed us for decades. They still believe Chicago is sucking up cash from downstate.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:33 am
===“This is not a day for policy,” he said.===

If that isn’t the ILGOP (and national GOP) motto, I don’t know what is.

There are absolutely valid criticisms of many things that have been done (or not done) by City, County, and State elected officials with regard to crime and justice, but those criticisms and attempts to fix things only ever seem to come from other Dems.

Until the ILGOP does something other than grandstand and stomp their feet, I don’t know why anyone should ever listen to them.

Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 10:39 am
==I want to talk to the people and offer solutions==

You could be honest and say “Shut up and pay (exclamation point)” or offer empty platitudes. I’ll put you down for the latter.

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:00 am
~~A once in a 100 year pandemic that has gripped the state is inconsequential and we need to move on~~

Only tangentially related, but there’s a Chicago mayoral hopeful running frequent Youtube ads who *as an official platform point* wants to outlaw any official from discussing Covid-19, and also to ban new free Covid-19 testing sites.

Sigh.

Comment by jimbo Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:05 am
=it’s time for them to stop worrying so much about the COVID-19 pandemic and start worrying more about rising crime.=

Very Hegelian.

Comment by H-W Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:17 am
===I want to talk to the people ===

===too focused on fighting the coronavirus===

If either of these people were even slightly competitive, I would be horrified, but instead they gave me the giggles today.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:28 am
Now that it looks like Rodney Davis might be drawn out come the end of this month, what’s the possibility that he can change the tone of the race and have focus on Pritzker’s vulnerabilities?

Comment by Voting2022 Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:45 am
Is Normoyle Republican or Democrat? Related to Bob Normoyle, Republican supporter a while back?

Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:53 am
===what’s the possibility that he can change the tone of the race and have focus on Pritzker’s vulnerabilities?===

You mean the Rodney Davis that refused to vote to impeach Trump twice, pro-life Davis with the Texas abortion law being enforced again… that Rodney Davis?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 11:56 am
Dear Mr. Bailey,

Pay the pension funds first, in full, and on time first, then fund other items. Problem solved.

You’re welcome.
DuPage

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 12:08 pm
I appreciate the comments on Mr. Sullivan not being ready for prime time. He does come across as a bit naive, but I like naive better than the arrogance of a lot of folks in politics.
I am surprised at how effective his team has been in getting coverage on major media outlets. Being smart and working hard can still win the day and it appears Mr. Sullivan and his team are smart and prepared to work hard.
He basically went from 0 to 6% in a recent poll in just a few weeks. I suspect he is continuing to move up.
Of course, he needs more specific plans, but his message of “change” and being the “not Pritzker” alternative seems to be moving him onto voter’s radar screens.
I remember Governor Walker started up talking about change and securing media coverage. No one gave him a chance, but as he was a bit light on specifics, but long on a message if “change”.
Long time to go, but clearly Mr. Sullivan is going in a good direction.

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:27 pm
===but as he was a bit light on specifics, but long on a message if “change”.===

And turned out to be a lousy governor.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:31 pm
===clearly Mr. Sullivan is going in a good direction.===

Is stolen valor a good direction?

Who knew?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:32 pm
“but he was a lousy Governor”.
Yep,

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:37 pm
===He does come across as a bit naive, but I like naive better than the arrogance of a lot of folks in politics.===

Yeah, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is a fairy tale. If you like fairy tales…

=== Mr. Sullivan and his team are smart and prepared to work hard.===

They released information that Sullivan had “many kids”, that’s flat out lazy and ignorant, not too smart or savvy. Further, this idea of “military service” has yet to be cleaned up, and the “Bro-Fest” ad where the premise is going to gyms to talk and meet people… it comes off meathead and simple-minded.

=== Of course, he needs more specific plans, but his message of “change” and being the “not Pritzker” alternative seems to be moving him onto voter’s radar screens.===

LOL… Bailey is at 33% of GOP voters polled, in a 4-way choice, and the Trumpkin base is not where Sullivan is courting. It’s like watching amateurs saying “we can win the general if it wasn’t for that pesky primary”

Sullivan has significant and serious character issues with his “military service” that pros are waiting in the weeds to pummel.

Plus… Sullivan is a California guy… business in California, business tax information (for profit or not) and filing docs in California.

Sullivan running for student body President by courting the jocks and military mind folks… not a great look, amateurish.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:41 pm
The phrase “all hat no cattle” comes to mind with these guys - no solutions, lots of jibber jabber. Bailey seems to be going for the “common sense” lane, not appreciating that public policy and public administration are things that people get masters degrees and PH.D.’s for, but they don’t give those degrees out for common sense either. Public policy, public health, economics, government - those are all hard. Leading from behind is easy.

Comment by The Way I See It Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:44 pm
The only thing I know about Angela Normoyle is that when she was on the Moline Public School Board she home schooled her kids. Odd choice to run for Congress.

Comment by here we go Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 1:49 pm
Ok OW, I admit I do like “Mr. Smith goes to Washington”.
I think we can agree it generally plays better than
“Mr. Blago (or substitute any number of our former political leaders) goes to Jail”.
You do make a good point on the obstacles Mr. Sullivan faces in the primary, but it is hard for me to believe Mr. Bailey will the win the primary to be the candidate for Governor of the Republican Party in Illinois.

Comment by Backtothe Future Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 2:24 pm
===Blago===

He, and none of the electeds whom have done jail time are running for governor.

I’ll decide what to agree with, thanks, your premise is something not in play.

===… it is hard for me to believe Mr. Bailey will the win the primary to be the candidate for Governor of the Republican Party in Illinois.===

Ives showed the path. The right amount of Right, 39% in a four way race… in the window of possible.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 2:27 pm
== but I like naive better than the arrogance==

You don’t think he comes off as arrogant? Because that’s all I see in his first-time candidacy for the highest elected position in Illinois while running on a California Tech Bro, stolen valor, Instagram platform.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 3:54 pm
=it is hard for me to believe Mr. Bailey will the win the primary to be the candidate for Governor of the Republican Party in Illinois.=

With the current crop of candidates, and the parties narrow minded focus on “the base” it’s likely Bailey’s to lose.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 4:12 pm
With who’s in the primary- Bailey takes it. Will it change if Griffin and his money get involved probably but that’s an unknown at this point.

Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 4:16 pm
=== With who’s in the primary===

That’s just it. Sullivan would need to regroup and maybe reintroduce himself, including the military aspects. Schimpf may or may not win either, but Schimpf could show the avenues that will go after Sullivan’s character with his claims.

The real thing, for me, with Sullivan is this rollout, and the building upon the poor rollout with “poorer blocks of building”

If they don’t think things aren’t going smoothly, then they are unrealistic to where they are.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 12, 21 @ 4:23 pm
Disappointed that outgoing Commissioner Sims believes that Race & Gender are qualifiers (or disqualifiers) to serve the public. Thought we were past that line of thinking….

Comment by South Side Sam Wednesday, Oct 13, 21 @ 8:33 am