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* The Algemeiner…
State Senator Darren Bailey (R-Il55), the Republican candidate for Illinois governor, made a campaign stop Saturday at the Palestinian American Club of Bridgeview, Illinois where he spoke in front of a map that erased the state of Israel, depicting the entire region as “Palestine.” The map labeled Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, included Yafo but not Tel Aviv, and restored the Golan Heights to Syria.
* Pic…
His interview with Palestine TV is here.
* Rep. Didech…
✅ Abortion is worse than the Holocaust
✅ Highland Park should “move on” from July 4 massacre
✅ Support BDS and “from the river to the sea” mapThree strikes and you’re out. @DarrenBaileyIL clearly has “issues” with Jews and should resign. https://t.co/QjVL8Oo58V
— Rep. Daniel Didech (@RepDidech) September 12, 2022
* Meanwhile, this relatively new Pritzker campaign video already has 670,001 views as of last check, which is in the top five of all his online videos…
Bailey has just two YouTube videos in the six figures.
*** UPDATE *** Bailey walked it back today, but considering his past behavior, one wonders how long it’ll be before he doubles down or claims he was taken out of context…
I strongly support Israel I always have and I always will. But I will listen to every one who wants to come to the table and talk.
On BDS laws…
That was a conversation that I had had with them earlier and I told them, they they told me it was unconstitutional. I said if it is we’ll take a look at that.
That’s not quite what he said…
In an interview with Palestine TV at the event, Bailey also questioned the constitutionality of legislative measures backed by his opponent Governor JB Pritzker to counter the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
“I’ll always stand on the constitution and it sounds like some of those values are being stepped on right now,” Bailey said in his interview with Palestine TV. “And that makes sense, that’s what’s taking place in every aspect of government with this governor of ours. He doesn’t follow the law, he doesn’t follow the constitution. So the constitution will always be front and center. The Muslim community, the Arab community will always have a seat with me as we learn together, work together, and live together.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 8:55 am
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I don’t attribute it to malice but realize opinions vary. Darren Bailey is just not observant of his surroundings and overall is not a bright person.
Comment by Correcting Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:00 am
“I thought you said Palatine.” /S
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:04 am
Not that it matters, but is this ignorance or “strategy?”
Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:05 am
This seems like a gaffe born out of ignorance- Bailey does not understand the BDS issue, did not properly advance the event, etc.
That doesn’t really excuse much. BDS is a real issue that the state addresses periodically, there is a thriving Jewish community in Illinois, and just in general we shouldn’t want a Governor that would be so…sloppy.
But still, there doesn’t seem to be much conviction behind what Bailey said and did, he was just flailing.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:05 am
Where Bailey is from (and with the people he is courting) being anti-Jewish is a plus. However, Palestinian-Americans shouldn’t be fooled that he cares about them or their cause. He and his ilk would prefer the whole region to be a white Christian theme park that they could have all to themselves.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:06 am
I can’t even…..
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:06 am
==Where Bailey is from (and with the people he is courting) being anti-Jewish is a plus.==
But, paradoxically, being anti-Israel is a liability.
The Republican Party is in a really weird place right now.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:07 am
Bailey’s problem being seen as anti-Semitic in his views masquerading as “Christian” values takes a different feel when standing in front of a map like that.
First, that’s an Advance issue, an issue that any staffer should recognize as problematic as a view of Bailey. It’s not just a mistake, it’s one of those mistakes that ruins full careers for a candidate. It’s that bad.
Second, Bailey prays, Bailey makes religion a cornerstone of his candidacy, and “Christianity” his center, and before this gets warped into my choice of using quotation marks, let’s be clear, if a candidate like Bailey decides to cloak himself with the Bible and Bailey can’t even quote passages correctly or understand the Gospels without a warped way to make them political, then yeah, I took that step with the quotation marks.
Lastly, this is a feature. It’s not a mistake. Bailey himself should’ve recognized that map, likely recognized what was missing, and chose to stand there anyway. Feature. A feature with an opponent who is Jewish, and that is also being used by Bailey every instance Bailey chooses to make his Christian faith a thing, where the bigoted can embrace their own hate.
It’s bad.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:10 am
=but is this ignorance or “strategy=
Mostly incompetence. I give Bailey a generous benefit of the doubt by saying that he probably hasn’t familiarized himself with history. Because of that he could have just as easily attended an event where he alienated Palestinian voters. And given the fact that there’s still roughly two months until the election he probably will.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:10 am
Yikes.
Comment by JSI Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:11 am
And here I thought all Born Agains were now strongly
pro Israel because in their reading of Scripture those of Jewish faith must control the Holy Land in order for the Savior to return?
As for the politics, Bailey once more shows he’s brain dead. He further alienates Jewish voters to appeal to Arab ones?
Ironically, his pro BDS stand aligns him with AOC and other far out leftists. I wonder if he realizes that?
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:12 am
“Palestine (IL) is a fine small town near the bank of the Wabash River down in my district. Of course I support its existence!”
Comment by someonehastosayit Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:14 am
I think Didech has the right of this one. Bailey really does have some kind of Jewish problem, which could be anything from a blind spot to outright prejudice. It’s time for Bailey to address this directly.
Comment by vern Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:14 am
-First, that’s an Advance issue, an issue that any staffer should recognize as problematic as a view of Bailey. -
And not the first. Recall the Punisher Skull issue at the church. Is anyone even looking to see what their candidate is going to be standing in front of?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:14 am
==Second, Bailey prays, Bailey makes religion a cornerstone of his candidacy, and “Christianity” his center==
And frankly, that’s always been kinda weird when going up against a Jewish Governor.
Was weird when Sullivan was doing it, too.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:16 am
I don’t know why he even bothers trying to hype up the base that he’s got. He’s going to get pummeled in the election. The only reason I can think of is to mark those folks who might be called on if Trump somehow succeeds. That and draining those same folks dry of campaign funds.
It’s like they are all out of regular whistles.
Dog whistles from here on out.
Broken dog whistles that annoy
All those with ears
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:19 am
Sheesh. Bailey wants downstate to be its own state. He wants Chicago to be its own state. And now he wants a Palestinian state? How many states does this guy want? I thought he was supposed to be a small government Republican.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:19 am
If it’s either a mistake or a strategy, both are indications of a level of incompetence and ignorance that are disqualifying. It’s time to focus on what common sense clearly dictates and stop the foolishness.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:20 am
=====Where Bailey is from (and with the people he is courting) being anti-Jewish is a plus. ==
But, paradoxically, being anti-Israel is a liability.
The Republican Party is in a really weird place right now. ===
I have a perfect example of this. In my town there is a house with a Trump flag, a Confederate flag, and an Israeli flag. Every time I drive by, I wonder whether on that particular day if he is feeling anti-Jewish or pro-Israel or a combination of both. My mind can’t process the logic of these guys.
Comment by Baloneymous Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:23 am
Mary Miller and Darren Bailey *are* the ILGOP.
Makes you wonder if you’re still with folks like them… and Chairman Tracy sits silently.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:25 am
I don’t understand how someone who wants to be Governor has done so much wrong.
I am beginning to believe he wants Gov Pritzker re elected. How else can you explain his campaign?
Comment by FormerParatrooper Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:26 am
Let’s be super honest here: I ‘d be surprised if the voters of Jewish heritage comprised even 1% of all the voters in Bailey’s senate district.
So, like others have noted, he can get away with being antisemitic but pro-Israel. His base doesn’t care about that.
But going to an event in She-caw-go with Ay-rabs? That’s what his base will have an issue with.
Especially since his base can’t distinguish between Arab Christians and Muslims, no matter what country the Muslims are from.
Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:28 am
I don’t think Bailey has any particular interest or position on complex issues related to Israel/Palestine. I do think he is pandering to anyone who is interested in being pandered to.
I also think his campaign isn’t being run by people actually trying to win (or who have any idea of a realistic path to victory).
Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:28 am
-Was weird when Sullivan was doing it, too.-
Yep. When’s the last time this state elected someone statewide who wore their religion on their sleeve? These guys are running a strategy that might work in more religiously monolithic states down South, but when has it ever worked here? I might chalk it up to them being from sparsely populated downstate counties where most people are like them, but Sullivan has lived elsewhere and should have known better. Illinois as a whole doesn’t go for that sort of thing.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:30 am
When the GOP decided to embrace radicalism and ignore policy or principle the result was fairly predictable. Bailey is following a playbook that works on a regional basis but shows no signs of being successful statewide. I don’t think he really cares. He’ll still be a hero to those that support him at the end of the day. And the ILGOP will have only dug itself a deeper hole.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:31 am
===The Republican Party is in a really weird place right now===
Yep.
Comment by Wading in... Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:32 am
==But still, there doesn’t seem to be much conviction behind what Bailey said and did, he was just flailing.==
I personally haven’t seen much conviction in any of Bailey’s public utterances except for abortion and getting rid of Pritzker. Everything else just seems to be a distraction to him.
Comment by Curious citizen Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:32 am
Sullivan was always the “Silicon Valley Bailey”
Neither have positions consistent with majority voters in this state, and thought a religious zealot bend would help, in a primary of folks courting cult thinking.
The ILGOP is really-really low right now. Like “Proft-Low”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:36 am
Maybe Bailey should have run as a DSA LG candidate instead.
Comment by Over It Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:39 am
==When’s the last time this state elected someone statewide who wore their religion on their sleeve?==
Or even ran a campaign that way? Was maybe Bill Brady particularly showy with his faith? Otherwise I got nothing. Even against the obviously secular Blago and Quinn, no one ran like this, so it feels weird for it to pop up with a Jewish incumbent.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:40 am
Mr. Harris - Top notch presentation
Comment by Red Ketcher Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:42 am
===The ILGOP is really-really low right now. Like “Proft-Low”===
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…”Proft-Low” makes me giggle.
Comment by Nadigam Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:51 am
Color me paranoid but my expectations of Bailey accepting the results of this election, anywhere short of a win, are pretty low at this point. TFG endorsement bugs me.
Comment by XonXoff Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:53 am
==Darren Bailey is just not observant of his surroundings and overall is not a bright person.==
Which alone should be disqualifying from holding the office.
Comment by Anonymusings Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:54 am
Michelle Flaherty, that was BRILLIANT. LOL. So not only does Darren have an annoying voice, he also isnt a real conservative is he?
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:55 am
-Color me paranoid but my expectations of Bailey accepting the results of this election, anywhere short of a win, are pretty low at this point.-
Beat him badly and no one will care what he thinks.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 9:58 am
Darren Bailey today after a Christian blows a shofar: “The Jewish community themselves have told me that I’m right,”
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:00 am
I wonder what his imaginary Rabbi friend thinks of all this.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:02 am
So are we still supposed to consider his campaign team a bunch of rising stars, or no?
I mean, yikes. This isn’t just bad, it’s striking out in T-ball bad.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:08 am
To be fair to Bailey, the map is close to accurate for the time when his haircut was en vogue.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:13 am
Yeah, another vote for “incompentent campaigning, not actual policy position.” There’s probably no deeper meaning there. But this is not a good look for someone who claims he can manage the state better than Pritzker.
Comment by Benjamin Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:15 am
==I mean, yikes. This isn’t just bad, it’s striking out in T-ball bad.==
You know, I keep thinking about the well oiled statewide IL GOP machines of the past and comparing them to now. How the mighty have fallen.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:19 am
I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day
Comment by South of 80 Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:31 am
Being pro-Israel and anti-Jew is actually a theologically consistent viewpoint in evangelicalism. That so many don’t understand this is probably a good thing - it means you weren’t indoctrinated in an evangelical church.
That said, if this fact alarms you, then you may want to look further into their beliefs. Many of them are way scarier than this.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:35 am
The more this drags on, Bailey should just campaign as ‘Bizarro Pritzker’.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:58 am
I guess I’d be more worried about Bailey’s views on Jews (generally I think he’s more ignorant than anything else) if I thought he had a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. Still, what’s most disturbing about this is when you combine it with the White Christian nationalism you begin to see a really dangerous ideology. I think that’s what Sam Harris was really driving at and he’s absolutely right.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 10:59 am
=Bailey makes religion a cornerstone of his candidacy=
Strikes me as odd that such a religious man would have such a poor mental map of the holy land.
And he is opposed to all of this alleged new fangled shoolin, he appears to be also opposed to geography learnin.
So much for being old school huh?
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 11:01 am
===I guess I’d be more worried===
You’re not worried that a nominee from one of the two major parties will do this and *still* won’t face blowback from their party?
This is ridiculously bigger than just Bailey.
Bailey *is* the ILGOP, as nary a criticism is put upon Bailey?
That’s the lede, the silence of the ILGOP as Bailey continues…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 11:06 am
“Bailey wants downstate to be its own state. He wants Chicago to be its own state. And now he wants a Palestinian state? How many states does this guy want?”
I understand that this is a joke, but Bailey’s state-mania is also emblematic of his white Christian nationalist world-view, i.e. that humanity is comprised of natural and discrete “peoples” who share inherent, immutable traits, and that such peoples should ideally live amongst themselves and not mingle (”cosmopolitanism”).
This is the reason why I don’t believe that his private Christian school is any kind of grift. It’s a wrong-headed but sincere mechanism for preventing the kind of cosmopolitan mingling that occurs in public schools.
“is this ignorance or “strategy?””
I don’t believe that it’s either.
Rather it appears to be another expression of his fundamentally ethno-nationalist view of human beings — a world-view that isn’t subject to either education or rationality.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 11:51 am
Poor Darren, so many blunders. Makes me wonder if they don’t serve Mountain Dew and Cheetos during communion at his church.
Comment by MoralMinority Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:02 pm
This is beyond disqualifying for many voters, and is a problem for those of us in the Jewish community.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:13 pm
=This is the reason why I don’t believe that his private Christian school is any kind of grift. It’s a wrong-headed but sincere mechanism for preventing the kind of cosmopolitan mingling that occurs in public schools.
“is this ignorance or “strategy?””
I don’t believe that it’s either.
Rather it appears to be another expression of his fundamentally ethno-nationalist view of human beings — a world-view that isn’t subject to either education or rationality.
– MrJM=
Perfectly summarized and astutely identified.
We tend to think of it as a grift because it is so backwards and no modern candidate for high office from a major party in a northern state would think/act this way but that is exactly who bailey is.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:18 pm
== Beat him badly and no one will care what he thinks. ==
So long as that still includes Judges.
Comment by XonXoff Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:19 pm
=== Beat him badly and no one will care what he thinks. ===
That’s not how cults work.
Empowered and emboldened folks see “losing” as winning and others are wrong.
Now imagine a party that lives that.
Actually, no need for an imagining, it’s real. The GOP.
Until that cult implodes, it will likely take a few elections
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:22 pm
=I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day=
South of 80 - that’s one of my favorite sayings as well, but I’m confused as to how the metaphor applies here. Who’s the stopped clock in this example, and what is he or she right about? Seems like everyone’s just breezed by your comment.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 12:58 pm
Bold move for Bailey to court the Black Caucus like that
Comment by Surly Dan Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 1:00 pm
I’ve known plenty of downstaters and people from central Illinois who don’t know Jews or anything about Jews or Israel or BDS. It’s a very reasonable thing for people to ask for context to say “Can you explain this?” or to say “I’m not familiar with this, I’m from a small town”
This isn’t that. He is actively choosing to not understand and maybe even actively choosing to be bigoted. Maybe. Maybe not - but even if this was a mistake, it’s a campaign error the size of the 618 area code.
As a publicly elected veteran State Senator who ran and won a statewide primary for Governor. The man literally got votes in every county, including the suburbs. It’s 100% inexcusable for him not to seek to understand who he is talking to in any given situation.
At best - incompetent and dumb
At worst - he could be using the cover of ignorance “aw shucks” to dog whistle
Comment by wow now Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 3:23 pm
@Joe Bidenopolous at 10:35: Excellent point; you hit the nail on the head.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Tuesday, Sep 13, 22 @ 8:17 pm
@ MisterJayEm 1151 –
This is truly one of the most astute comments I’ve ever read on this blog. Sums up a complex national movement and places Bailey’s state campaign squarely within it. Well done, sir.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 8:47 am