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* From Rick Pearson’s story on Darren Bailey’s faith-based campaign…

But changing gears to attract the broader electorate needed to defeat Pritzker may be overthinking Bailey and his campaign, said Ryan Burge, an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and a nationally recognized expert on the intersection of religion and politics.

Burge — who was born and raised not far from Bailey’s farming operation and who once taught the candidate’s campaign manager, Jose Durbin, as an undergraduate student — also is a pastor of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.

“I think it’s very important to say that he is not putting on airs when he does this. He really believes this. And I think for him, it would be a betrayal of his principles to do anything but be who he was six months ago,” Burge said. “He is a charismatic, evangelical Christian and he was doing this long before he was running for governor, so I think for him, there’s no going back.”

Burge said Bailey would “rather lose by being 100% who he is and authentic to himself, as opposed to selling out and still probably losing and not be able to look himself in the eye six months from now.”

“If it wins, it wins,” Burge said, citing a political strategy that has advanced Bailey from a rural downstate member of the Illinois House to a statewide candidacy in four years. “If you lose, you become a martyr.”

The whole thing is definitely worth a read.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 10:24 am

Comments

“If you lose, you become a martyr.”

I completely agree that it is a noble thing to be yourself when you are running for office. But you have to die to be a martyr. Losing a political race does not qualify.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 10:28 am
==Bailey would “rather lose by being 100% who he is and authentic to himself==

Deal.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 10:50 am
=“If you lose, you become a martyr.”=

He forgot to say that he would become a martyr in southern Illinois. Not so much up north.

If what Burge says is true, and I think it very well could be, then bailey is even scarier than most people think. Bailey wants a faith based (conservative christian not another faith) government. That is fundamentally un American and very similar to theocracies in the mideast and east asia. That is “freedom” espousing followers don’t get that is simply baffling.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 10:54 am
Agreed. The full article was well worth the read.

While I disagree with almost everything that I’ve ever heard come out of his mouth, I fully agree that if Bailey earnestly holds these convictions, he should not deviate from his beliefs just to gain votes. He will not be the martyr. Republican primary voters - who selected him above other alternatives - are the martyrs in this case.

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 10:57 am
I am not entirely convinced Senator Bailey holds firmly any particular conviction. An example would be the mask mandate. He objected to wearing a mask on the floor of the General Assembly and got tossed out one day. He got his press pop but from thereafter basically followed the rule that he insisted was an unconstitutional affront to the liberty of all Illinoisans.

So much for firmly held convictions.

He is a politician currently auditioning for a radio show hosting job.

As a Republican I will vote for him. He will lose. After that let’s speak of him and, god willing, his fellow charlatan Cicero Dan Prof(i)t no more.

Comment by DougChicago Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:03 am
worth the read and absolutely terrifying. this is not a theocracy.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:04 am
“If you lose, you become a martyr.”

“Martyrs” now make a bunch of money riding the conservative victim speech circuit.

Comment by Downstate Teacher Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:07 am
I don’t really buy this rationale, even granting the premise that Bailey is a true believer on all of this.

There’s nothing in the Bible that says “the City of Chicago must be called a hellhole.” There was no core principle at stake when Bailey bungled his response to the Highland Park shooting. Being able to sleep at night did not require him to invent a nameless rabbi rather than admitting he had spoken offensively about Jewish history.

Making different choices in those situations would not compromise his positions on issues. It wouldn’t be a change to his platform. It would just be him delivering the same message more effectively.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:32 am
==As a Republican I will vote for him. He will lose. After that let’s speak of him and, god willing, his fellow charlatan Cicero Dan Prof(i)t no more.==

Guess what your vote encourages going forward. You can always leave that space on the ballot blank. Or write in “Dick Butkus” or whoever else you want. You, under no circumstances, have to vote for the person with the (R) if you find them unfit to lead, simply because that’s how you registered. The unceasing loyalty to party is what Proft and his ilk are dependent on to keep the checks clearing.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:35 am
=== As a Republican I will vote for him===

Supporting racist thinkers, insurrection apologists and conspiracy theorists is aiding a cult.

Sometimes… country over party isn’t merely talk.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:42 am
Points well taken. Tim Anderson may be getting a vote for governor this year.

Comment by DougChicago Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:51 am
=“If it wins, it wins,” Burge said, citing a political strategy that has advanced Bailey from a rural downstate member of the Illinois House to a statewide candidacy in four years. “If you lose, you become a martyr.”=

He’s going to use this run and a pending loss to challenge Mike Bost in a Congressional race in two years. Bailey knows he’s not winning this race - but by sticking to is platform and gaining name recognition - he believes that he can take Mary Millers’ path to Washington.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:51 am
=== As a Republican I will vote for him===

Gross. How about “As an American, I won’t vote for theocracy, as a Republican, I won’t vote for Pritzker, so I guess I’m writing in or under voting”

“ theocracies in … east asia”

Honest question: which one(s)? You have the historical—Japan and arguably Tibet, but those were more “divine right” kingdoms than regular theocracies.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:54 am
The piece was very good, but it could have gone a little more in-depth on how Bailey would apply his faith the existing state program services — other than firing people or repealing existing laws. Rampant firing probably get him law suits. Repealing requires votes he does not have. Seems like he could more advancing “whack job” agenda with some explanations. Not our problem to work out.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 11:55 am
@DougChicago….. Prof(i)t…perfect.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:01 pm
==Points well taken. Tim Anderson may be getting a vote for governor this year.==

I hope you’re doing early voting. That gentleman deserves an appearance in October one way or another.

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:03 pm
“rather lose by being 100% who he is and authentic to himself, as opposed to selling out and still probably losing and not be able to look himself in the eye six months from now”

Very refreshing. Just properly represent yourself to your voters, unlike Irvin, who pandered and could have switched back to being a woke BLM liberal/RINO as he needed, once elected. Voters were spot-on in rejecting this pandering.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:06 pm
===He is a politician currently auditioning for a radio show hosting job.===

This. He’s not a politician, he’s a grifter.
He’s running under my party (whatever that means now), but there’s absolutely no chance I fill in the oval next to his name.

Comment by God's Country Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:07 pm
Tim Anderson is great, but how about showing future hall of famer Candace Parker some love.

Comment by New Day Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:10 pm
By November 6th 95percent will be saying Darren who? Maybe the old GOP will step to the forefront and make this a better state. They showed incredible courage in helping the state survive Rauner and paid for it. I’m a D but I recognize the state need 2 functional parties.

Comment by Stormsw7706 Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:34 pm
The beauty of a Democracy is choice. Not voting for either is a choice.

Comment by May Soon Be Required Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:37 pm
=== “The Lord is a Man of War” next to a symbol of “The Punisher” — a Marvel Comics character that has been appropriated by far-right militia groups such as the Proud Boys, WTTW said.

Minor critique, it’s also used by police quite often.

Darren Bailey is exactly who he presents himself as and bless his heart that he lives in Illinois and not Alabama.

Both parties are going to have a problem with the rise of non party money (dark money as it’s not disclosed often), but Dan Proft is really trying to prove that point by using that money to find the most unelectable candidates who make people tune into this show and other grifts.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 12:53 pm
== Tim Anderson may be getting a vote for governor this year.==

As a long time election judge in Illinois I implore you, beg you all not to use the write in line on the ballot to cast a “protest vote” for Timmy, Candace or Mickey Mouse. Each cute protest vote serves no purpose other than to alienate and lengthen the already long day of the election judges who must sort through all voted ballots to determine if the “write in” is a legitimate registered candidate. Only votes for the official write in candidate(s) for a given race can be counted and logged.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 1:08 pm
Responsa is correct. Just skip it if you don’t want to vote for someone.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 1:14 pm
“No one questions his faith.”

Matthew 25:34-40:

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

Huh.

– MrJM

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 1:33 pm
Cool Papa Bell hit the nail on the head.
Donors are not emptying pockets into his warchest just yet because he’s go no chance statewide. His Con/Dis, now that may be for his taking with the right commas in the bank account and point-man running his message…

Comment by CentralILCentrist Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 2:08 pm
=As a Republican I will vote for him.=

Bailey will characterize the number of votes in his favor as a “win.” The party is best served by having members who don’t support Bailey make it clear that they won’t vote for him simply because he has an R behind his name.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 2:38 pm
==He’s going to use this run and a pending loss to challenge Mike Bost in a Congressional race in two years.==I’m afraid you might be right on this one, Cool Papa, and he will have a lot better chance.

Comment by MoralMinority Wednesday, Sep 7, 22 @ 3:59 pm