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Under a blazing sun and in front of hundreds of Republican Party faithful on the Illinois State Fairgrounds Thursday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey stayed away from any explicit mention of the types of social issues that are classic red meat for his ultra-conservative voter base.
Instead of invoking abortion, critical race theory, the LGBT community’s influence on the wider culture or even gun rights, Bailey steered clear of the word “woke” while sticking to core “kitchen table” themes like public safety and inflation during his Republican Day speech. […]
Bailey made his grand entrance to the Director’s Lawn on a tractor, though the farm equipment joy ride was mostly for the benefit of reporters and photographers while the majority of the crowd remained in line for their lunch of barbecue and beer.
Here is @DarrenBaileyIL’s grand entrance to the GOP lunch and rally. #twill pic.twitter.com/5XUZXZL0b8
— Mike Miletich (@MikeMiletichTV) August 18, 2022
Bailey’s speech was toned down compared with what he told a much more stratified group of “parental rights” activists two days earlier, when he said he’d prioritize eliminating “critical race theory” and “egregious” sex education standards from Illinois schools at a small rally organized by a group that called Pritzker a “groomer” earlier this summer.
* Sun Times…
“I say he [Pritzker] doesn’t care. But I want to tell you something. Maybe he just doesn’t know. He’s never woken up in the middle of the night, worrying about keeping a job or managing payroll,” Bailey said.
“He’s never had to choose between filling his car up with gas or putting food on the table. He’s surrounded by security guards in the ritzy Gold Coast, and he’s never had to worry if his family is safe.”
Bailey — who is actually a millionaire from his family business, which includes a farm, trucking firm and excavation company — routinely portrays himself as the everyman on the campaign trail. And Thursday was no different.
“You may have already figured this out,” Bailey told the crowd with a chuckle. “I may be a little bit rough around the edges. But I will work for you, because I’m just like you. And friends, I promise you this: No one will work harder for you.”
* Republicans made clear their distaste for the speculation that Pritzker may be eyeing a run for president. Capitol News Illinois…
The rhetoric at the GOP rally was in stark contrast to that used by Democrats the day before, when Pritzker referred to Republicans as “the lunatic fringe.” Republicans fired back on Thursday by casting the Pritzker administration and Democrats in the Statehouse as extreme leftists and accusing Pritzker of having higher ambitions.
“I have traveled all around our state to help our fellow Republicans rescue Illinois from the leftist Gov. Pritzker,” State party chairman Don Tracy, of Springfield said. “He now wants to run for president. Are you kidding me? What a disaster he’s been for Illinois. Gov. Pritzker has done nothing to address public corruption, crime, the rising cost of gas and groceries.”
* WTTW…
Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie charged the crowd of committed Republicans with helping.
“This is what you have to do over the next 80 days,” he said. “J.B. Pritzker’s going to dump millions of dollars into TV ads and stuff in the mailboxes and so forth. There is one surefire way to defeat his money. And that is to invite your neighbors, your friends from church, the moderates — even some of those moderate Democrats who used to be Regan Democrats and they left the party — bring them back.”
But there’s a sense among some Republicans that Bailey at the top of the ticket will make winning over moderate, swing voters impossible because, as Pritzker’s campaign puts it, Bailey’s “too extreme” for Illinois, with his anti-abortion views and a long history of controversial social media posts.
While they didn’t say anything publicly that was explicitly negative, several prominent Republicans refused to outright endorse Bailey.
* ABC7…
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin - who supported Richard Irvin in the primary - did not mention Bailey by name during his speech. Instead, he focused on attacking Democrats.
“Republicans are here to serve people, to make your life better, your children’s life better, your grandchildren’s life better and to safeguard your future,” Durkin said. “Democrats, well, let’s talk about them. It’s all about enriching themselves and feeding from the public trough.”
Republicans said that despite all the Democrats’ talk about abortion, the Supreme Court’s ruling won’t impact Illinois.
“The top issues are crime and the economy and the inflationary policies of the Democrats,” former candidate for governor Jeanne Ives said. “So that is where people are looking to make their vote. The abortion issue is way down on the list of concerns.”
* With Chicago home to more than 20% of Illinois’ people, Bailey’s “hellhole” comments have not gone over well in the Windy City. Block Club Chicago…
Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, called Chicago — the state’s largest city — a “hellhole” twice Thursday speaking at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
The line didn’t land well with Chicagoans.
“Chicagoans are notorious for NOT obsessively loving their city… so this should work out well for him,” one person sarcastically tweeted.
Other Chicagoans responded by sharing photos that show the beauty in the city, making fun of Bailey for not knowing about Chicago or encouraging the politician to visit and help people impacted by problems in the city.
👋 Hi from hell! https://t.co/iFEcetb2j7 pic.twitter.com/aAolcUF05p
— Yael Sheinfeld (@yaelsheinfeld) August 18, 2022
Earlier in the day, Bailey revealed potential campaign problems when he asked county Republican chairmen who gathered for a joint meeting with state central committee members for their contact information — data a well-oiled political operation already would have in hand by this stage of the race.
At that meeting Tracy also acknowledged difficulty in party fundraising.
“Used to be the Democrats were the party of the people and the Republicans were the party of the fat cat donors, the big money. My how times have changed,” Tracy said.
“Now Democrats represent woke corporations, other elites and special interests that have the money that dominates in places like Illinois, and we have become the party of working families,” he said, sidestepping the fact that Pritzker’s predecessor, GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner, was a wealthy private equity executive who during his single term bankrolled the state party organization.
* Fair happenings via Twitter…
“We are going to restore Illinois to like it’s never been before,” Republican candidate for Governor Darren Bailey riles up a crowd of GOP workers. He said he’ll make the state more affordable by lowering taxes & called public safety Illinois’s number one problem. pic.twitter.com/oIozzIve0J
— Danny Connolly (@DConnollyTV) August 18, 2022
Greeting @ILGOP party faithful out at @ILStateFair fairgrounds is this bedecked trailer and @DarrenBaileyIL’s campaign bus. Bailey himself is arriving on a tractor around noon, a one-up of former @GovRauner always arriving to GOP Day on his Harley. pic.twitter.com/rWWHHbJlwZ
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) August 18, 2022
On brand.
“The hands of a farmer”
Darren Bailey arrives at the Illinois State Fair pic.twitter.com/T91ZoZQi2k
— Tahman Bradley (@tahmanbradley) August 18, 2022
Chicago is no hellhole, but the Bailey campaign sure is a dumpster fire. https://t.co/zU7wLte4y4
— Lori Lightfoot (@LoriLightfoot) August 19, 2022
Such a fun time at The Illinois State Fair “Illinois Chopped Challenge”!! Kelly Turner and I chopped it up for charity. Kelly’s team edged me and Adam White, but Adam and I made those “secret ingredients” tasty!!!!! pic.twitter.com/4vLcA2sQln
— Doris Turner (@VoteforDoris) August 18, 2022
2022 Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes Champions 👑crowned👑…
Mike has all the details below 👇🏻 https://t.co/sZkRgQ0SGy
📸: Four Footed Fotos pic.twitter.com/iO665VED7y
— IL Harness Horsemen (@illinoisharness) August 19, 2022
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:45 am
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He didn’t bring the “We Are All Domestic Terrorists” banner from CPAC? What a shame
Comment by SWIL_Voter Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:51 am
==We are going to restore Illinois to like it’s never been before==
Um by definition that wouldn’t be a restoration.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:53 am
==“We are going to restore Illinois to like it’s never been before,”==
So we can add that to the list of words Darren does not know the meaning of, then. What a fine education his students must be receiving.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:54 am
==the Republicans were the party of the fat cat donors==
Does Ken Griffin not count?
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:55 am
Someone should tell Tracy that as soon as you throw around the word “woke” you become the crank uncle at Thanksgiving.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:58 am
What’s really amazing about Baily’s hellhole comment is that even Chicagoans that have nothing good to say about the city aren’t going to put up with an outsider calling us a hellhole.
To paraphrase Will Smith - keep our city’s name out of your mouth.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 11:59 am
“We are going to restore Illinois to like it’s never been before,”
Pretty sure he means “tear it down and rebuild in how I want it.”
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:01 pm
Do you really look like an average Joe when you ride in on a $400,000 tractor?
Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:01 pm
==Bailey revealed potential campaign problems==
Other than… *waves arms around at every part of his campaign so far*.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:03 pm
The Mayor of Chicago has an approval rating under 30%
Nearly 1/5th of the alderman elected in 2019 are not running for re-election.
The crown jewel of our city, North Michigan Avenue has a 29% vacancy rate
Can we stop pretending there are not serious issues not being addressed by the Mayor and every other elected official that represents Chicago?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022/6/2/23151975/lightfoot-re-election-challengers-mayoral-campaign-sawyer?_amp=true
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:11 pm
=== … Democrats were the party of the people and the Republicans were the party of the fat cat donors, the big money. My how times have changed, … ===
Actually, times haven’t changed that much. Fat cat money is still the big driver of the MAGA GOP, it’s just that these folks don’t waste their money on losers. The former IL GOP’s embrace of the MAGA crazies means their statewide electoral chances are slim in IL.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:13 pm
The trump/gun bus actually had Montana license plates on it. I beleive ISP moved that along before the start of the show.
Comment by flea Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:18 pm
===Can we stop pretending there are not serious issues not being addressed===
He didn’t say that, he called it a hellhole. Again.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:28 pm
If a Democrat called a rural county a hellhole the Republicans would never stop screaming.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:29 pm
I just clicked on the responses to LL’s comments about Bailey. Eeek!
I have no dog in the fight and just spitballing here, how come Bailey hasn’t forced the issue more about Governor Pritzker ‘s non-endorsement of Mayor Lightfoot?
Comment by Jockey Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:30 pm
Bailey arriving on a tractor; harkens, “Mission accomplished” rural style.
Comment by Groucho Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:30 pm
Nice ride with infinite crossover appeal.
Comment by Politix Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:31 pm
I used to like Don Tracy as a rival when he was a democrat. I found him honest and thoughtful. Now that he is a republican, I find him neither honest nor thoughtful but at least he’s still friendly.
Comment by Lurker Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:47 pm
- He’s never had to choose between filling his car up with gas or putting food on the table. -
Neither have you, Darren.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:52 pm
Every successful Republican campaign for statewide office must do two things: appeal to moderate suburban women and hold down Democratic turnout in Chicago by, among other things, not agitating city voters. This has been true for at least half a century.
Bailey is proactively doing the exact opposite.
Comment by Roman Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:53 pm
== The Mayor of Chicago has an approval rating under 30%==
Is that counting all voters, or did you leave half a million out again?
== The crown jewel of our city, North Michigan Avenue has a 29% vacancy rate==
Will your cite actually show that this time?
== Can we stop pretending==
That Bailey said something else? No, apparently you can’t.
== Can we stop pretending==
That the health of a city is best measured by a politician’s approval ratings or it’s commitment to an ossified business model? Again, no, apparently, you cannot. You will continue to live in your fantasy.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 12:58 pm
“—Bailey riles up a crowd of GOP workers.” All 8 of them.
Comment by illini Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:02 pm
Did MC “Bob Hopeless” return this year with more “zingers”?
Comment by Give us Barabbas Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:03 pm
The last GOP nominee for Gov was a north shore Richie rich who liked to dress up like a farmer.
The current GOP nominee is a farmer but wearing a polo button down.
Such a weird party.
Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:07 pm
Here is your cite on the 29% vacancy rate on North Michigan Avenue.
I have no idea what an ossified business model is in a city that was thriving pre pandemic and is struggling to recover now largely because of concerns about public safety.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/retail-vacancies-chicago-magnificent-mile-landlords-teardowns
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:14 pm
LP
You seem to hate Illinois. You do nothing but bad mouth the state and its leadership. If your life is so miserable why don’t you leave? I for the life of me don’t understand people who do nothing but bellyache about everything.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:21 pm
If Chicago is a “hellhole, what is Xenia?
Comment by So_Ill Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:25 pm
== Here is your cite ==
And credit to you, this time the link actually has the number you said, unlike “ZOMG GAS IN CHICAGO IS OVER $5”
== I have no idea what an ossified business model is ==
Of course you don’t, because you’re hopelessly out of touch, but despite your fondest hopes the modern world still exists and it includes a ton of online shopping. Brick and mortar stores are going to just be a worse and worse investment and no one is going to believe you when you say their struggles are a good reason to vote for Darren Bailey.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:26 pm
“Used to be the Democrats were the party of the people and the Republicans were the party of the fat cat donors, the big money. My how times have changed,” Tracy said.
Oh how things have changed from when Tracy ran for the State Senate as a Democrat…
Comment by SportShoz Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:31 pm
But I guess I am interested to see what Darren Bailey’s plan to repopulate Michigan Avenue is. That oughtta be good.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:35 pm
Sun-Times mentions that Bailey is a millionaire from his family business which includes a farm, a trucking firm and excavation company.
According to an article on www.agupdate.com published in 2017, that farm has grown to 12,000 acres. This is the large family farm that averages 1,241 acres on steroids.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:50 pm
==Nearly 1/5th of the alderman elected in 2019 are not running for re-election.==
Your ilk are always pushing term limits but when it’s voluntary you suddenly have a problem with it.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 1:56 pm
==But I guess I am interested to see what Darren Bailey’s plan to repopulate Michigan Avenue is. That oughtta be good==
Not his problem, once he evicts Chicago from the state.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 2:02 pm
=Can we stop pretending there are not serious issues not being addressed by the Mayor and every other elected official that represents Chicago?=
Can we stop pretending you care about Illinois? Oh wait, we all already know you don’t.
And Chicago is incredibly prosperous.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 2:08 pm
=Can we stop pretending there are not serious issues not being addressed by the Mayor and every other elected official that represents Chicago?=
A guy rides in on a tractor claiming that Chicago is a hellhole, offers no plan to address it, and you think that somehow the rest of us aren’t being serious?
Comment by Pundent Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 2:18 pm
Chicago is such a hellhole that these demons in Lincoln Park won’t stop paying above asking on the 3 Bedroom condos I’m looking at. How much would $750k get me in Xenia among the angels?
Comment by Chicago Blue Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 2:20 pm
===even some of those moderate Democrats who used to be Regan Democrats and they left the party===
Good luck with that with Bailey at the top of the crazy ticket. These are folks who seem to have no idea that most Dems actually like JB and the job he’s been doing. That’s what happens when you live in an echo chamber.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 3:34 pm
How original that Fire Madigan is now Fire Pritzker.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, Aug 19, 22 @ 4:30 pm