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Sullivan: “If you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy”

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* Jesse Sullivan was on Tom Miller’s WJPF show yesterday…

Tom Miller: …Some questions people are asking about, did you vote for Obama? Did you vote for Trump? They want to know about your voting record?

Jesse Sullivan:Yeah, well, let me share about my own journey, my own political journey a little bit. So, I grew up in central Illinois working on a farm. I have always been a person of deep faith. But we were a sports family, not a political one. And so I was someone who was paying more attention to the Super Bowl last night than paying attention to who’s funding who and what race and all that. So, my faith drove everything, so that meant I was always pro life. It meant that I was always pro Second Amendment out hunting with my grandpa. But on this one area of poverty, I think the Democrats kind of hoodwinked me because they said, ‘Hey, we’re the ones who care about people in need and poverty.’ But Matthew 25 says, ‘Whatsoever you do for the least among you, that you’ve done unto me.’ I felt like okay, maybe the Democrats have it right on this issue of poverty. I had to learn over time that was a whole lot of talk. And it was about handouts. And it didn’t actually get real outcomes for families in need. What does are these conservative principles of capitalism and hard work, the dignity of hard work, and so…

Miller: Well, Donald Trump’s unemployment record on minorities speaks for itself if people will look at it.

Sullivan: Exactly. And if you want, not dependency, but freedom and opportunity, I’ve grown my way into that. Same with strong on law and order and national security after my time in Afghanistan. You know, I was a civilian intelligence analyst over there doing a seven-month tour…

Miller: Opens your eyes to what poverty really is.

Sullivan: Oh, man, yeah. And I just realized that not only to be grateful for our military to the utmost, also our law enforcement that are serving in these war zones in the state of Illinois. It’s how we can back and support our law enforcement, not just with our words, but with our actions. And so, if you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

* More Sullivan…

I’ve always tried my best to follow where it is that God’s called me, where I feel like I can create the most impact. I’m doing this work around the world, you know, trying to bring these values of freedom, democracy, capitalism, but my own home is under attack. I hate politics. I genuinely hate politics, especially because I grew up around them in Illinois in the corruption. And that’s why I hate, even out there in this backroom dealing and stuff you see even out on the campaign trail so far.

And it’s like, you know what, I’m reaffirmed every single day from God to say, ‘This is why I called you to do it. It’s such a swamp and a cesspool. I need you to help fix it and change it.’

So, my calling is to be faithful to that and my true success is trying to be faithful to this message. Who knows if I’m going to win or not, but I’m going to try to present the best alternative I can to this broken corrupt politics we have in Illinois.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:15 am

Comments

“ And so, if you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy.”

That should be the kiss of death for his campaign right there.

Comment by SpfldWestsider Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:18 am
Is that the guy who lost Illinois by 17 points?

Comment by So_Ill Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:22 am
Still didn’t answer the direct question. As for hating politics, running for Governor as an unknown sure is a funny way of showing it. Watch out for those folks spouting religion and acting like they have been anointed to save us all…

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:22 am
The Pritzker attack ads write themselves…were he (doubtfully) to make it through the primary.

Comment by Edyrdologist Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:23 am
Burning stacks of $100 bills like logs…

This helps Irvin, gives Bailey a headache…

Still is a valor-stealing Californian? Maybe.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:24 am
Nothing like a few (mis)leading prompts as well

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:24 am
You don’t often such an extensive quote from God himself, complete with quotation marks. Was this recorded, or is Sullivan doing his best recollection of the conversation?

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:25 am
Someday, Republicans will realize just how insulting the whole “Democrats TRICK minorities into voting for them” line is. But apparently, that day is not today.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:26 am
Trumps’s economic policies were wildly successful and he polls 4 points higher than Joe Biden after his first year in office.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/19/biden-first-year-report-card-trump-527320

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:27 am
= Watch out for those folks spouting religion =

If more people knew about ‘project blitz’, the congressional prayer caucus foundation sponsored group, all this stuff going on in schools with the opposition to CRT seemingly coming out of nowhere would start to make a lot more sense.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:27 am
==As for hating politics, running for Governor as an unknown sure is a funny way of showing it.==

Working for a Democratic congressional campaign, too.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:27 am
I spoke to God this morning, and she told me that she is not endorsing Sullivan, and is very unhappy that he is lying about it. Then she muttered something about lightning bolts.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:27 am
=And it was about handouts.= (Jesse Sullivan) Just look on the farm subsidies database.
=And so, if you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy.= Good lord where are these people coming from? Haven’t we had enough division in our state and country. He seems to want to divide us even more. Scripture quoting is irrelevant when you don’t practice what you preach.

Comment by Mister Ed Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:27 am
Did Sullivan vote for Trump? Al least he embraces him, and God, so that’s two major GOP boxes checked off. Do the other GOP candidates embrace Trump?

“Well, Donald Trump’s unemployment record on minorities speaks for itself if people will look at it”

The economy collapsed under Trump, with major jobs losses. The economy added jobs for 75 straight months under Obama and record/huge numbers added under Biden so far.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:28 am
I, for one, don’t want the policies of a person who believes windmills cause cancer in the land of lincoln.

Comment by Lake Villa Township Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:32 am
Miller: “Some questions people are asking about, did you vote for Obama? Did you vote for Trump? They want to know about your voting record?”

Sullivan: “That’s none of your business”
~
Hello Frank Underwood

Comment by OurSentinel Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:35 am
I’m glad Mr. Sullivan nailed down that God is a big Second Amendment Guy.

Comment by SAP Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:40 am
“I support the right to possess guns, which won’t be invented for at least another 1000 years into the future.” - Jesus.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:41 am
Prefer Trump’s policies to Biden’s. Just that simple.

Comment by Decaturland Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:41 am
Sullivan’s intentional use of “seven month tour” implies military involvement.

Try this, Jesse—employed as a civilian analyst on a work project. So fake.

No matter the way in which he creates a word salad, he did not serve in the military.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:41 am
Well, he’s just about got all the bases covered, guns, God, sports, patriotism, corruption. Throw in pro-life, anti-immigrant, anti Gay and he’ll be there. How nice that God speaks directly to him. This guy is smarmy to the max. He makes my skin crawl.

Comment by Manchester Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:42 am
I audibly laughed at this.

Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:45 am
Homie is tryna cap his general election ceiling at 35%

Comment by Carlos Danger Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:45 am
Well Jesse you were fun for a bit.

You’ve crushed yourself for the general and now you’ve capitulated that you cannot get centrists so your going for Baileys base?

Comment by Tomorrow is yesterday Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:48 am
TLDR: Jesse knows he’s toast. He’s no longer the only candidate with money in the primary. $50 million will make his $10 million look like chump change. He’s being outspent by the center, and being out Trumped on the right. There’s no longer a lane for him to run in.

Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:50 am
== CubsFan16 - Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:45 am:

I audibly laughed at this.==

It’s one of the cringiest statements I have ever read.

Comment by So_Ill Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:50 am
==The economy collapsed under Trump, with major jobs losses.==

Are you referring to the first year of the global pandemic?? If so, you should probably state that. It might have been a factor.

Comment by BigDoggie Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:52 am
What a total tool.

Comment by Lt Guv Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:52 am
If you’re going to make a compelling case to be governor in Illinois it would seem that aligning yourself with the former President is not the way to do it. Donald Trump’s policies were rejected by voters in Illinois - bigly.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:54 am
If God is that upset about what’s going on in Illinois why not just some direct smiting instead of forcing a guy who hates politics to get involved in the political process? That doesn’t sound like the all-loving God I learned about.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:55 am
“Trumps’s economic policies were wildly successful and he polls 4 points higher than Joe Biden after his first year in office.”

Well, you run with that, I think you got a winner here, probably beat JB by 20 points, unless you remember the head to head Biden vs Trump results.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:59 am
Sullivan reminds me of Pete Dawkins. Dawkins was a true hero who blew up his campaign by overstating his accomplishments. (Heisman, Rhodes, 2 Bronze stars and he still overstated.) Sullivan is Dawkins light.
Backing Trump policies with no specifics is worse than useless.
Not interested now.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 11:59 am
==Trumps’s economic policies were wildly successful==

20 million people *Successfully* lost their jobs, exclamation point.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:00 pm
= why not just some direct smiting =

I’m pretty sure the republicans invited a priest to come in front of the GA to ask for exactly that a few years ago.

My township has escalated that even more, by having the actual members of the township board pray to open the public meeting.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:01 pm
==he polls 4 points higher than Joe Biden after his first year in office==

Wow, I wonder how he’d do if there was an actual election between the two-

*touches ear*

Wait, I’m being told…

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:03 pm
===This helps Irvin, gives Bailey a headache… ===

A cynic would think that was the point of unremarkable valor stealing ideologue candidate for governor Jesse Sullivan the whole time.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:14 pm
Arsenal - I am no Trump fan but saying Trump was responsible for losing 20 million jobs is really stupid. Trump pre- Covid had the best economy in 40 years. The job loss was all Covid which Trump didn’t cause any more then Biden saying he created 6 million jobs in 2021. All that is occurring is folks returning to work from Covid but we are still down 6 million jobs which were in existence pre- covid

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:16 pm
“If you’re looking for [a rich kid who is bored and thought being Governor would be a great way to become President] in Illinois, I’m your guy.”

There, I fixed the quote.

Comment by MG85 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:16 pm
“And it’s like, you know what, I’m reaffirmed every single day from God to say, ‘This is why I called you to do it. It’s such a swamp and a cesspool. I need you to help fix it and change it.”’

Only I/we Can fix it? God, guns, crime, Afghanistan, TRUMP.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:21 pm
Sully last week…I don’t follow national politics.

Sully this week…If you like Trump’s policies I’m your guy. (Guess he follows national politics, because how would he know of Trump’s policies).

Are these highly paid campaign consultants steering this? It’s getting embarrassing.

Comment by B Team Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:22 pm
You might be “their guy”, but sadly for you, you won’t be “their gov”.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:27 pm
This is the Reagan administration’s fault. We used to find places to put people who thought God was talking to them.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:33 pm
Could it be possible that now that Democrats are running on their record instead of their attacking their opponents that voters will judge them on that instead of campaign rhetoric?

JB winning by 20 points with 50% approval and strong headwinds for Democrats is an interesting prediction

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:36 pm
Sullivan’s pivot to this over the last month has been hilarious. He must have hired a better consultant or something. Back in like early January he was tweeting stuff like “God is so good, blessed to awake to his glory in our beautiful state” to get like 4 likes.

Now he has gone full mask mandates are the work of pure evil and getting hundreds, thousands in some instances, of likes per tweet. It is completely clear what level the GOP base is vibing on. The funniest part is nothing is closed. you’re free to go to bars, concerts, mid priced chain restaurants to your heart’s content. It is entirely based on ginned-up perceived grievances.

Comment by left of what Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:42 pm
Cheryl44
Ouch.
That was seriously a hard hit- - and accurate.

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:46 pm
Let’s take a look at Matthew 25 - what does it say? “I was ahungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Mt 25:35-36, King James version

Jesus specifically and clearly advocates for handouts. Because they work. Especially so in a society as unequal as ours.

It’s worth reading the whole section (Mt 25:31-46): https://www.bartleby.com/108/40/25.html#S123

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:53 pm
I assume Sullivan knows he cannot win and that is why he is not bothered by advancing a losing argument that Illinois voters want a Trump-like candidate. I’m skeptical that any Republican could even win a statewide primary in Illinois by openly running as a Trump.

Comment by Original Anon Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:56 pm
==And it was about handouts. And it didn’t actually get real outcomes for families in need.==

Reminds me when Jesus asked to see W-2’s before distributing fishes and loaves.

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:57 pm
Is Sullivan capable of doing anything other than repeating meaningless talking points?

Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 12:59 pm
What a highly tortured interpretation of Biblical principles. I am not sure where Sullivan’s faith resides, but it is not Christian, nor Godly. But when he states, “And it’s like, you know what, I’m reaffirmed every single day from God to say, ‘This is why I called you to do it. It’s such a swamp and a cesspool. I need you to help fix it and change it,’” he declares himself a Prophet. Not good. Not good at all.

Comment by H-W Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:03 pm
The part about the bible and handouts is bizarre, he makes it sound like first he agreed with the bible but then he came around and realized that it was wrong about helping the poor.

More and more of these candidates sound like they know they can’t actually win so they’re making the most of the spotlight while it lasts.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:04 pm
“And so, if you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy.”

Can’t put two coherent sentences together. Check.
Thinks only rich businessmen can solve political problems. Check.
Uses religion to divide further the public. Check.
Bone spurs/stolen valor. Check.
Thinks he’s the smartest person in the room when in reality is the dumbest. Check.

Yeah, he’s right.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:06 pm
Anonymous at 1:06 was me. Sorry.

Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:09 pm
== to this broken corrupt politics we have in Illinois. ==

Is he harkening back to Non-Gov Ruiner’s time in office ?

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:10 pm
Still very telling that they won’t say who they voted for. Are these the tough guys who are going to stand up to violent criminals but can’t say if they voted for their party’s leader? Did they vote for Biden and secretly want that big government funds infusion, and are now running against “socialism?” These are important and relevant questions.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:12 pm
So, I do not think he’s a plant/stooge/patsy, but isn’t that basically what you would want a plant/stooge/patsy to say in this particular primary race?

Comment by Chris Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:28 pm
So now we have two “pastors” running?

Comment by btowntruthfromforgottonia Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:30 pm
I liked JoanP’s post.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:31 pm
Sullivan says he will be faithful to God’s calling by adopting Trump policies such as, presumably, slashing taxes on the rich. WWJD.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:38 pm
==JB winning by 20 points with 50% approval and strong headwinds for Democrats is an interesting prediction==

Are you making that prediction? I don’t see anyone else saying that here.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:42 pm
Reading these comments is the next best thing to a caption contest.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:46 pm
I read about the republican’t candidates and I start checking for my watch, rings, and wallet.

What maroons.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:46 pm
= ==JB winning by 20 points with 50% approval and strong headwinds for Democrats is an interesting prediction===

The thing about - LP - and the bot programming, it truly is about ridiculous thoughts no one says, and pretending to knock them down.

The dishonesty to discussion is baked in.

To Sullivan,

Let’s pretend Sullivan wins, and Roe is *overturned*… is the thought that the GOP here in Illinois will do well?

Oh, throw in Piton for Senate…

Disaster ensues.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:48 pm
== Are you referring to the first year of the global pandemic?? If so, you should probably state that. It might have been a factor. ==
The US has by far the highest number of covid deaths in the world. If Trump has any responsibility for that, then he also gets blame for the skyrocketing unemployment the pandemic caused.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:50 pm
So the same guy who feigned ignorance of the Jan. 6 insurrection is all Trump, all the time. Got it.

Comment by Bud's Bar Stool Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 1:51 pm
Sullivan’s commercials in the Chicago market…Jesse comes across as a kid on his first field trip to the big city.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:18 pm
” if you’re looking for Donald Trump’s policies in the state of Illinois, I’m your guy.”

So, he’s going to suggest nuking tornados in place of hurricanes? Injecting bleach? Or just advocating for tax cuts for himself and folks like him? Trying to nail down which policies specifically he’s aiming for here.

Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:25 pm
==Could it be possible that now that Democrats are running on their record instead of their attacking their opponents that voters will judge them on that instead of campaign rhetoric?==

You’d better hope not. JB would love to run on his record. Legalizing marijuana, Rebuild IL, credit upgrades. And Joe Biden would much rather we talk about 6.4M new jobs and 6.9% GDP growth in the fourth quarter.

Look at Sullivan. All this “I’m a man of faith” stuff. Look at Irvin. “I’m TUFF on crime”. It’s Republicans who want this election to be about empty slogans. And they might just get it.

==JB winning by 20 points with 50% approval and strong headwinds for Democrats is an interesting prediction ==

Who predicted that? Granted, Pritzker’s approval ratings are above 50%, but I didn’t see anyone say he’s going to win by 20. This is like in that other thread where Rich simply pointed out that Republicans could get a nut as their nominee for Senate and you took it to mean he was predicting their doom. You keep pushing back against points no one has made.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:25 pm
==JB winning by 20 points with 50% approval and strong headwinds for Democrats is an interesting prediction ==

Lucky, given the currently slate on the field, I’d bet JB wins by double digits over any of them, based on where things stand today. The folks tilting at windmills on masks and the like are, while very vocal, a very small minority of the electorate in this state. Things are trending upward in the state lately and there’s no Madigan this go round, either.

Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:47 pm
Super Bowl + faith + pro life + Second Amendment = Jesus being opposed to “handouts” to impoverished people and possibly voting for Trump. Is that the message, Jesse, because I’m having a little trouble deciphering it.

Comment by Bourbon Street Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:49 pm
Not sure why he would seem to pivot to the “Trump base”, might he be looking to get some money from Peter Thiel?

You would think that Bailey has enough of a claim on that voting block the best you could hope to do his chip at it a bit. Part of the whole idea of his campaign was ‘I am different’ not sure how this plays to that.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 2:56 pm
==The folks tilting at windmills on masks and the like are, while very vocal, a very small minority of the electorate in this state. ==

Intensity counts, tho. I bet the anti maskers will turn out more than the sane. But it probably won’t matter much either way by November, when all mask mandates are probably gone.

==Super Bowl + faith + pro life + Second Amendment = Jesus being opposed to “handouts” to impoverished people and possibly voting for Trump.==

But boyohboy, it’s the Democrats who rely on campaign rhetoric instead of records.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 3:01 pm
It should be noted that - Lucky Pierre - supports Trump, as trying to parse this as “his policies” must include the man and his rhetoric towards his policies, and all the bad with it.

Sullivan is courting to worst elements of Trump as well, even saying it out loud

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 3:11 pm
= It’s worth reading the whole section (Mt 25:31-46): https://www.bartleby.com =

Jesse Sullivan: “I would prefer not to.”

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 3:25 pm
==Intensity counts, tho. I bet the anti maskers will turn out more than the sane.==

Agreed, to an extent. The ILGOP isn’t doing anything to grow their base, though, and folks like myself, OW, and others… We don’t have a spot in that tent any longer because of the rhetoric they’ve been using for the better part of the last decade. The likes of JBT, Edgar, Ryan… They wouldn’t survive a primary to even get to a general in this party now. I just don’t see any message from them that resonates with folks that either used to support their party or that would draw folks away from Dem leanings.

Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 3:35 pm
That’s the angle he’s using to try to win in Illinois? Be more like Trump? Good luck with that.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 4:12 pm
“I had to learn over time that was a whole lot of talk.”

If it was up to Sullivan’s new party, we’d have no union rights, no Social Security, no Medicare, no Medicaid, no ACA, etc. Republicans would have enacted these things? We just experienced Raunerites and the ILGOP wreaking massive damage to our social safety net and attacking union rights, purposely jamming non-budget items into budget negotiations.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 4:18 pm
Doesn’t matter much to be if he wants to be our version of Trump? What’s his plan for this state? Perhaps he needs to drop references to Trump.

Comment by Levois J Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 4:35 pm
“I’m your guy.”

Get off my porch.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 15, 22 @ 6:20 pm