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Kinzinger continues his Hamlet on the Potomac routine

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* I just do not yet believe anything he told CNN except the possible Quixotic run for the presidency and the possibility that there’s no place for him in his party…

Rep. Adam Kinzinger is actively weighing whether to seek his political fortunes in the Senate, the Illinois governor’s mansion or even the White House, despite serious questions about whether there’s any future at all for a Donald Trump critic like him in today’s GOP.

Acknowledging his potential career options and timeline for the first time since announcing his retirement from the House last week, Kinzinger told CNN he is considering at least a statewide run if not a presidential one, and that he’ll “probably” make his decision on whether to launch a bid for governor or senator by January.

“The key is, how do we restore the honor of the party in the country?” Kinzinger told CNN, adding that he “definitely” wouldn’t rule out a White House run in 2024.
A presidential bid would be a long shot for the Illinois Republican, who voted to impeach Trump and has become one of the most vociferous critics of the former President and his own party.

But a statewide race in Illinois could be just as much of an uphill climb. In either primary, Kinzinger would have to win over a base that is still very much beholden to Trump. In a general election, he’d be running in a fairly blue state, where few Republicans have won statewide races in the past decade or so, including former Gov. Bruce Rauner and former Sen. Mark Kirk.

This is getting tiring.

To my eyes, he’s hoping for an eventual TV gig and maybe some foundation stuff. A brief presidential bid could help that endeavor.

Nobody seems to want to challenge Duckworth, so he’d probably get through the primary. But the reason nobody wants to challenge Duckworth is that she’s very popular, so defeating her would be quite tough and losing a US Senate election wouldn’t help him get a TV gig.

Running for governor would take him out of the national spotlight entirely.

Maybe I’m wrong here, and I’ll fully admit it if I am, but just the other day Kinzinger was saying he didn’t have time to run for reelection because of the big national fight he wants to engage in. How’s he gonna run against Duckworth or Pritzker while fulfilling his promise to fight the MAGA elements in his party?

Again, this is getting tiring.

* On to a fundraising appeal from Marie Newman’s campaign manager Nick Uniejewski…

Richard,

Let’s break down what happened in the last week.

When the General Assembly drew a new congressional map and passed it shortly after midnight last Thursday, they tried to shut out a strong progressive champion from Congress.

I guess they don’t know Marie and our hundreds of volunteers.

Marie is the first woman to represent the Southwest Side and suburbs, and she’s been fighting for the people ever since she took office in January. Already, she’s tackled postal delivery issues, train delays, and is delivering real results for working families in all parts of the district.

But a powerful few still want to shut her out and protect the status quo.

We need Marie Newman to keep fighting for the people across Chicagoland. Can you chip in today so a strong progressive champion can fight off a tough primary challenge?

Throwing the General Assembly under the bus definitely has its political advantages.

* More…

* Rep. Mike Murphy set to become new Chamber of Commerce president and CEO

* State Sen. McClure to run in the 54th district

* Illinois Republicans feel new momentum following Virginia election; Democrats say they’ll keep state blue in 2022

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:22 am

Comments

I had this earlier, seems more appropriate here;

“My thought to Kinzinger is he took himself out of the discussion by his announcement, but he can easily keep his name in this new narrative by claiming he’s exploring things… until the time petitions are filed for Governor or Senate… then he can change the discussion again as 2022 ramps up after primaries and November.

If one looks at the calendar and his own timelines, by the time the next Congress is seated, he will have seemed more relevant on the national stage for a longer time than if he ran, lost, and needed to regroup again.

The one thing Kinzinger can’t do is lose an election. There’s no good in that martyrdom. None. No reward or badge of honor. There is a sense of fighting in the arena while figuratively being in a penalty box type existence.

When he makes his millions, new child, family, I’d like to think Kinzinger will look at these next 15 or so months as theatre of the absurd, not only his own absurd but the absurd he (Kinzinger) must navigate.”

Love the title of the post, by the way.

“Hamlet on the Potomac” is tiring.

Talk to a media agent a d see how much more cash you’d get, or the money difference, using or not using the Hamlet schtick and just leave for the money come January 2022

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:27 am
I’d love it if Kinzinger took on Trump in the 2024 Presidential primary.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:29 am
Kinzinger can lobby for Guatemala.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:31 am
I dunno, if Biden’s numbers stay crummy, I could see Kinzinger giving Duckworth a real scare.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:31 am
Also, thinking of Kinzinger, metaphorically, holding the skull of the former GOP we all once knew and contemplating his (Kinzinger’s) own future isn’t drama or thoughtful, it’s quite the farce to a reality Kinzinger can’t avoid because his voices will be the same, the outcomes baked as they are… good stuff.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:31 am
“To my eyes, he’s hoping for an eventual TV gig and maybe some foundation stuff.”

I see this ending up as leading some boring consulting group to keep him in DC. Judging by how little time he spent in his district, I don’t think coming back here is at the top of his priority list.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:37 am
==maybe some foundation stuff==

What about the ALPLM Foundation? Adam could also “restore some dignity” to that beleaguered foundation (particularly after the Taper Collection fiasco).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:39 am
Kinzinger would complete with Trump the way grass competes with a lawn mower.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:41 am
=== I see this ending up as leading some boring consulting group to keep him in DC.===

“Why not both?”

Former congressman David Jolly comes to mind as a good example, and Jolly is seemingly on TV whenever a voice of past Republican thoughts are needed for context.

Doing a Quixote-type run against Duckworth, and then losing, the dollars Kinzinger will lose to a media gig will be tall.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:43 am
It is difficult to see a statewide path to victory for Kinzinger, but the state Party desperately needs someone to save them from themselves unless they’re fine with JBT’s benchmarks in 2014 being their peak performance. Perhaps a Kinzinger candidacy can provide SOME cover and launch a rebuild?

A competitive Illinois Republican critical of Trump might have more TV appeal, me thinks, than, say, Rick Santorum.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:43 am
The fact that people think that Kinzinger cannot compete at all with Trump says a lot about the state of our Democracy.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:45 am
I just made some calls, Joe Walsh is available to run as his V.P.

Comment by hannibal hamlin Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:52 am
Adam running for Governor appealing to GOP voters via MSNBC or CNN. What a hoot. Where is the evidence he can win outside his district or statewide ?

Comment by Don Jardine Without a Mask Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:55 am
I think this is a good blog name

Comment by Hamlet on the Potomac Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:55 am
-Can you chip in today so a strong progressive champion can fight off a tough primary challenge?-

She is creating the primary challenge. First question, does she plan to live in the district she is running in?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:56 am
Call me cynical but I think the driving motivation for Kinzinger’s posturing right now is that he needs to buy time b/c his role on the January 6th committee. All reports are that the committee is moving @ a very rapid pace, but Kinzinger can’t be publicly viewed as pursuing a talking head gig w/CNN or anywhere else w/o it diminishing the committee’s efforts. And if he does that, it’d also make him a less marketable commodity for those very media outlets who’d want to hire him.

Comment by Jeff Schoenberg Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:56 am
- Arsenal - Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:31 am:

I hope you aren’t driving with whatever you’re smoking.

Comment by Shield Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 10:56 am
After seeing what happened in New Jersey, I wouldn’t be all that dismissive of Kinzinger’s chances against Duckworth. But I wouldn’t bet the moneyline on him either.

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:02 am
As for Kinzinger, hard to win a primary in IL for anything when the lion’s share of the people that like and respect you aren’t voting in it.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:06 am
Kinzinger’s problem, he doesn’t have a base.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:07 am
I do not see how Kinzinger could get a TV gig with a national audience. Cheney could, but Kinzinger? I think he would just be an occasional voice, not a leading voice.

My bet is on a Senate run.

Comment by H-W Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:08 am
===I wouldn’t be all that dismissive of Kinzinger’s chances against Duckworth. But I wouldn’t bet the moneyline on him either.===

Hamlet like on Hamlet’s chances.

Once Kinzinger becomes a candidate that must defend his own voting record and then go after a disabled war veteran in his own defense… the money and opportunities wane a bit.

“Why take a chance”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:10 am
===My bet is on a Senate run.===

His stated goal is to fight Trump and Trumpism within his own party. How does he do that with a Senate run? And how does that messaging work against a Democrat?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:10 am
===After seeing what happened in New Jersey, I wouldn’t be===

1) New Jersey hasn’t reelected a Democratic governor since the 1970s.

2) Biden was elected one year ago. November of 2022 isn’t tomorrow.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:12 am
=And how does that messaging work against a Democrat?=

He could always run as a third party/new Republican candidate. Doing so would allow him to run against the Trump Candidate and against the Democrat, draw national attention as a “new party leader” with no chance of actually winning, but impacting the Party of Trump. I see that as his sort of fight at this point. A run for President would last about 10 seconds and then he would disappear into oblivion.

Comment by H-W Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:17 am
Kinzinger is exactly what the people want in a presidential candidate (1) he’s not crazy; (2) he’s of a younger generation; (3) and he’s willing to disagree with his own party. To me a presidential run is a no doubter. He can win independent voters, he will have a chance to capture some moderate democrats, and a fair amount of republicans will support him they know he will have a better chance against whoever is on the democratic ticket. Further, he is exactly what the republic party needs in a candidate. Biden won because people hated trump, not because they liked Biden. A candidate like Kinzinger will prevent (or at least impede) democrats from running a “their guy is a terrible person” campaign, which is basically their bread and butter. Considering the extremely progressive candidates the democratic party presented the last two cycles, if Kinzinger can get past Trump (if Trump runs) it could be a walk in the park. This country could use a non-crazy and competent person in the Oval Office for a change. That’s just my unsolicited two cents - don’t take it personal.

Comment by Eric Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:17 am
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.

Comment by Bigtwich Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:19 am
DC consultant plus super-pac consultant plus MSNBC gig equal a mighty fine life for a former congressman.

Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:19 am
===He could always run as a third party/new Republican candidate.===

Who exactly will pay for this run?

Free media for a candidate likely helping motivate Trumpkins against Biden…

===if Kinzinger can get past Trump (if Trump runs) it could be a walk in the park.===

The goal of the exercise is to take on Trump thoughts, sustain little or no more damage that has already been put upon him (Kinzinger) and make a boatload of money while doing it.

That’s it.

The Hamlet routine is stall ball until Kinzinger can cash in, and be the voice *in* the GOP taking *on* the GOP

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:22 am
A Republican who disagrees with his own party is a perfect candidate.

One who spends countless hours on MSNBC and CNN criticizing Republicans and not Democrats is even better

Compare that to how the Democrats who dare to do that are hounded in the media, bathrooms and parking garages.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:26 am
===A Republican who disagrees with his own party is a perfect candidate.===

“A former cult member who disagrees with the cult leader is a perfect reality TV hero”

What’s so fascinating about the devolution of - Lucky Pierre - is at one time LP would explain away Rauner not being like Trump, the reason it’s smart to avoid talking Trump, to a full blown cultist, this need of purity to be a “Republican” and be acceptable in this religious crusade.

It also amplifies why Kinzinger needs to avoid losing any race for any office, primary or general, and be a person the devolved like LP can’t stand, but will be used by FoxNews to make rabid.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:33 am
=== One who spends countless hours on MSNBC and CNN criticizing Republicans and not Democrats is even better

Compare that to how the Democrats who dare to do that are hounded in the media, bathrooms and parking garages.===

This is bot-like gibberish fed to the cultists who need that purity requirement.

Devolution

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:34 am
=Who exactly will pay for this run?=

Obviously a good question, and I am not one to know how much is needed. But the PAC he is pushing does already have a sizable purse, which might be enough to begin a statewide campaign. Sustaining it would certainly be costly, and require disgruntled GOP types to sustain a campaign.

I do not see an national run by Kingzinger as fruitful in anyway at this point. Cheney? I am not even sure she will have a chance, and she could generate greater resources. For this reason I think Kinzinger needs to think “grassroots, state-level, “new GOP style” politics.

But like most laypeople who have no real knowledge of politics, I am just spitballing.

Comment by H-W Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:37 am
“shortly after midnight last Thursday”
Is this added for dramatic effect? Is “after midnight” supposed to appeal to some emotion?

Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homer Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:45 am
Pure speculation here but I believe that if Kinzinger is going to lose his next race, losing on the biggest stage possible provides the greatest advantage and exposure. And if he sees a Presidential run as an effective way to keep Donald Trump from winning by siphoning off traditional Republican votes all the better.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:51 am
When democrats supprt a Republican, you run very quickly in the opposite direction.

Comment by The Dewg Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:55 am
Have to admit I like Congressman Kinzinger and am not tired of hearing from him.
He just does not seem to be the kind of person who is after a “boatload of money” or a gig on CNN as a talking head. His whole life has been about public service.
Agree that running against Senator Duckworth is not a good idea and while running for Governor would take him off the National scene it seems more likely as not that that would be a direction he could follow to get the Republican Party headed in a rebuilding path here in Illinois.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 11:57 am
===a rebuilding path here in Illinois===

Except that isn’t his stated goal.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:06 pm
===… or a gig on CNN as a talking head.===

lol, he’s been auditioning for months.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:12 pm
Kinzinger is a breath of fresh air to those of us who still believe in a two party system with both parties not controlled by either the far left or the far right.

I am not tired of him.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:14 pm
- Louis G Atsaves -

Do you agree with Kinzinger’s vote to impeach Trump, either of them?

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:18 pm
A run for anything in Illinois ends in the primary. Kinzinger pulled a Mark Kirk. With half the counties censuring him the only path to the general is no opponent in the primary.

Comment by Been There Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:33 pm
=With half the counties censuring him the only path to the general is no opponent in the primary.=

That’s an important point worth repeating. You can’t support Kinzinger and simultaneously support the former President. The rules of the former President will not allow it. And if such a candidate were to survive a primary, the former President would likely instruct Republicans to stay home and/or vote for the Democratic nominee. He’s made that fairly clear.

The best way for Kinzinger to be part of the national conversation and take on the MAGA wing of the Republican party is through a third-party or independent campaign for President.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:41 pm
Dream team 2024 matchup

Kinzinger Cheney vs Manchin Sinema

See the difference in how they are perceived? It is real

The brushback confirms it

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:49 pm
LP, did Kinzinger or Cheney stop even one of Trump’s bills from passing? If they had, you’d have seen a huge scrum.

===See the difference in how they are perceived?===

Trumpists hate Kinzinger and Cheney for being disloyal. Many Democrats hate Manchin and Sinema for stopping their own party from passing legislation. What’s your point?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:55 pm
=Kinzinger Cheney vs Manchin Sinema=

Manchin Sinema disagree with their party on matters of policy. Kinzinger Cheney disagree with their party on matters of democracy.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 12:58 pm
=== Kinzinger Cheney===

Traitors to Trump, vilified.

===Manchin Sinema===

Traitors to Dems, celebrated by Trumpkins.

===See the difference in how they are perceived? It is real===

This is exactly like celebrating Dunkin, Franks and Drury, and vilifying Andersson… during the Rauner years

Purity or out… defiance to those stopping the cult, celebrated

This is you on brand. Congratulations.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:01 pm
People will find that they like the idea of Adam Kinzinger more than they actually like Adam Kinzinger.

He has the dynamisn and charisma of a Solo cup and isn’t the brightest bulb. Granted, he had the political savvy to marry well and vote with Trump 90% of the time before deciding to turn against him.

JB would make short work of him as would Tammy. The presidential run is a joke but is his only path to ever making serious money.

Comment by JP Altgeld Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:08 pm
===Kinzinger is exactly what the people want===

Meh. Highly conservative policies in an attractive package, nothing more. His votes against Trump produce respect but not a desire for his policies (and frankly it is almost inconceivable that most Republicans can’t clear this very low bar). Most will see beyond that once the attack ads come.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:12 pm
Adam Kinzinger voted 90% of the time with Donald Trump.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/house/

Comment by Shield Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:16 pm
@Shield

Precisely. He only turned on Trump when it was politically expedient to do so.

Comment by JP Altgeld Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:17 pm
As an early supporter (and I mean early) of Kinzinger I have sadly come to the conclusion that he has somehow lost his mind. If, a few months ago he had made his “conscience” votes and then laid low-ish, limited his appearances on national cable news, listened to and did his job for his district constituents, and absorbed the zeitgeist that exists outside of D,C., I think probably he could have forged a broader constituency and an ongoing and useful place for himself in politics in some capacity beyond Illinois. But yeah, I’m afraid at this point it’s going to be an opinion news show gig for him. What a waste.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:18 pm
===He only turned on Trump when it was politically expedient to do so.===

Or he couldn’t support an insurrection and felt elections are and were fair and free.

You’re gonna vilify a guy for standing up during those actual times of peril to the country?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:19 pm
==Kinzinger Cheney vs Manchin Sinema

See the difference in how they are perceived?==

Wow, you grocked that the parties dislike the members who vote against their priorities. Really cracked the case their, Poirot.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:20 pm
@OW

If it took the insurrection for one to finally find their conscience then I have to think it is out of expediency.

Comment by JP Altgeld Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:21 pm
I know this is repeating previous comments, but reframed as a specific question for LP: How much of the Trump/Republican agenda did Kinzinger (and/or Cheney) block from moving forward and/or vote against? Please list the important Trump bills he blocked and/or voted against.

The bottom line on Kinzinger is that he is a conservative Republican. The only problem Republicans have with him is not policy, it’s Trump. Kinzinger is one of the very few Republicans willing to state that Trump overstepped when he sent a mob to the Capitol to stop the certification of a free and fair election. (Free and fair having been upheld by courts across the country.)

That said, if Kinzinger were to face a Democrat in a state-wide election in Illinois, he would lose because he is not a moderate Republican and he doesn’t have a moderate voting record. I cannot think of any moderate positions he holds.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:29 pm
==I do not see how Kinzinger could get a TV gig with a national audience.==

Kinzinger on cable news would be the NFL announcer equivalent of the recently-retired, average tight end providing color commentary for the Jaguars/Dolphins game.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:31 pm
==the NFL announcer equivalent of the recently-retired, average tight end providing color commentary for the Jaguars/Dolphins game.==

Or the way the season is going, all remaining Bears games.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:50 pm
When someone votes your way 90% of the time and you ostracize them from the group because they won’t support the Leader blindly… you may be encouraging cult behavior.

The GOP platform when the cult leader ran last?

“We believe whatever the President believes”

Religions have more “leeway”

Kinzinger will make an outstanding talking head. Losing a race to Duckworth won’t help, and depending how Kinzinger would run that race it could hurt *even more*

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:52 pm
===holding the skull of the former GOP we all once knew===

I’m not sure Adam is old enough to make the claim that the GOP now is materially different than the GOP at the start of his career. He was first elected in part of the wave of 2010 as the GOP full on embraced right wing fringe elements and racists in an effort to make Barack Obama’s presidency unsuccessful in every way they could.

One can’t spend a decade winking at the “Tea Party” and loyally supporting the awful things brought forth by the Trump administration and then pretend like the GOP he once knew disappeared magically in an instance on January 6th, 2021.

He can either claim to be part of the flock, part of the pack, or a leader of either — but he can’t pretend like he doesn’t have a role in how the Republican Party got to where it is today.

He wasn’t in the audience for that. He was on stage for the entire performance.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:52 pm
In what world is voting to remove a President from office twice (once after he has already been defeated) not blocking his agenda?

Comment by Lucky Pieere Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 1:55 pm
===not blocking his agenda?===

What was blocked? He wasn’t even removed from office.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:01 pm
===I’m not sure Adam is old enough to make the claim that the GOP now is materially different than the GOP at the start of his career.===

So insurrections were a thing when Kinzinger first got to DC?

Huh.

I guess he and I both missed that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:04 pm
===then pretend like the GOP he once knew disappeared magically in an instance on January 6th, 2021.===

Then do NOT say that January 6th matters to *you*

You can’t say one *can’t” see that event as a difference in party and you later make it a point of how bad things have devolved. Nope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:09 pm
Fundraising for a “strong progressive champion” and talking about bread and butter constituent service issues like postal delivery and train delays? Those seem more like things the Lipinskis did rather than the progressive agenda. Maybe the district, under whatever map was drawn, is not as “progressive” as some people would like it to be.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:09 pm
==In what world is voting to remove a President from office twice (once after he has already been defeated) not blocking his agenda? ==

Neither Kinzinger nor Cheney voted in favor of impeachment the first time around. The second time, as you state, Trump had only days remaining in office. Policy-wise, Kinzinger was (and remains) a strong supporter of conservative, Republican policy.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:15 pm
I will concede that Kinzinger opposed Trump’s singular policy of overthrowing the Constitution. That said, as a member of the military and as a Congressperson, Kinzinger did swear to support and defend the Constitution.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:18 pm
Thinking if Congressman Kinzinger was flying planes in combat zones in the United States Air Force he would not have a second thought about entering a primary with the possibility of losing if he felt that that public service choice would be important.
I know I may be on the wrong side of thinking about this and I respect everyone’s views, but I just can not see Bailey beating Kinzinger in a Republican primary for Governor.
Of course, I should add I don’t see Bailey beating anyone in a Republican Primary for Governor.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 2:28 pm
I think Candy Dogood captures it correctly. January 6th was a culmination of events but the ground work was laid well before that and in many respects before Trump took office. No doubt that Trump took it to a whole other level but we can’t ignore the conditions that existed in the GOP that allowed that to happen.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 4:06 pm
K Street calling to a Kinzinger town
New maps are declared and the battle won’t go down
K Street calling to the underworld
Come out of for the cable shows, you congressional boys and girls
K Street calling, now don’t look to us
Phony GOP anger has bitten the dust
K Street calling, see we ain’t got no-thing
Except for the cell phones of our colleagues we bring

Thank you to The Clash

Comment by Frank talks Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 4:11 pm
=== I know I may be on the wrong side of thinking about this and I respect everyone’s views, but I just can not see Bailey beating Kinzinger in a Republican primary for Governor. ===

2/3 of GOP voters believe Trump won the 2020 election, and nearly that many say anyone who believes Trump lost isn’t really a Republican.

In a contested primary, Kinzinger is disqualified by 2/3 of voters.

And as I pointed out last week, the minute Kinzinger announces, Bailey will start pillorying him and boost his own name tremendously.

The fact Bailey isnt blasting Kinzinger already is sheer incompetence. Maybe he’s waiting to see if Kinzinger runs for Senate?

Fortunately for Kimzinger, Catalina Lauf is too young to challenge him in a US Senate primary. She is in Bill Foster’s district, she would be a primary favorite in the district and a dream opponen5 for Foster.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 5, 21 @ 4:53 pm