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* Darren Bailey held a press conference in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side today…
I’m sorry we have to be here today on such an occasion. It breaks my heart as well to see what’s happening across Chicago and especially what happened near here last night. Those affected by the senseless shootings in Washington Park, Garfield Park and the families of the more than the 500 people that have been killed in Chicago this year, I want you to know that I am fighting to end this bloodshed.
* Anti-violence organization Acclivus, Inc. runs a softball league, and their game in Washington Park last night was marred by horrible violence when 9 people were shot, two fatally.
The Acclivus folks showed up to the presser and they were not pleased. At one point, two of the group’s leaders engaged with Bailey’s running mate, Stephanie Trussell…
“Our staff was on the frontlines out here last night,” Acclivus organizer Bamani Obadele told Trussell. “We’ve been running these games for five weeks without any incident happening. Last night was the first tragic incident happening. And so it’s shameful to use this as some type of political football on the deaths of innocent people. There are two lives that were lost, a young man and an elderly man who was out there watching the game with us. And so I get it, we’re in this space. But this is really Willie Horton-like tactics.”
Rev. Janette Wilson, who is a senior official at Operation PUSH and very active in the city, told Trussell that Bailey has “never been in this community before doing anything.” When Trussell asked Rev. Wilson when the last time Gov. Pritzker was in the community, Wilson and others said he’s been there several times. They weren’t wrong.
* Anyway, the Bailey press conference was interesting because the activists were also asking questions. Click here to listen. The activists held their own media availability, and Obadele told reporters, “He didn’t come here with any other solution. He’s living downtown in an ivory tower, talking to people here on the South Side. If he wants to impress us, move in to Washington Park.”
Welcome to Chicago, Senator.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 2:51 pm
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Also, video credit goes to Isabel Miller.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 2:52 pm
Well, that got to several points rather quickly, didn’t it.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 2:53 pm
Did I hear Trussell say she looked forward to sitting down and discussing this and “we’re going to have a lot of fun”? (1:02)
Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:00 pm
Hey, at least he found out where Washington Park is.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:01 pm
Bailey is doing great GOTV for JB lol
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:05 pm
Welcome to Chicago indeed. Bailey doesn’t care about crime in Chicago or any other city, urban or rural. This is simply about justifying his prior comments regarding the city and turning his whistle into a bull horn. The next policy Bailey offers to actually address crime will be the first. Good for Acclivus in not allowing themselves to be political pawns and laying bare what Bailey and Trussell are doing.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:08 pm
Cannoli to Isabel.
OW
===Welcome to Chicago, Senator.===
That’s the thing, you can’t be a “Bailey Come Lately”
Can’t.
These are people’s lives that Bailey is trivializing and folks want none of that.
In context? Easy.
The context is Bailey calls Chicago a “He$@hole”, then tried to thread a needle as concerned, a champion to victims… while stating he’d send an “ambassador” to this same town.
That’s the context
It’s not that “Bailey Come Lately” is new, it’s that “Bailey Come Lately” thinks Chicago is less.
Folks don’t want outsiders calling where they live less than try to “immerse themselves in a culture”
I mean, Bailey is the “Borat of the Plains”, but here’s where it backfires because the farce that is the Apostle Darren Bailey has no willing people to phony up their lives.
So much is going on here, comedy is like that, it’s layered, but the folks Bailey thinks help in Bailey’s self comedy know the stakes are too high to humor his antics.
“Welcome to Chicago, Senator.”
Right now, it’s not Bailey’s kind of town… Chicago can’t stand phonies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:09 pm
The Bailey organization got “schooled” by the community groups at Washington Park. Where was Darren Bailey, the candidate?
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:15 pm
At what point do we stop saying Bailey “stepped in it” when it’s clear he prefers to wallow in “it.”
Comment by MG85 Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:15 pm
The people and what happens to their lives and in their lives mean nothing more to Bailey than a political talking point to him. It may be all he’s capable of.
Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:20 pm
Yet another brilliant performance by the up and coming all stars running this campaign.
Did they reach out to Acclivus ahead of time, and if so did they get a positive or negative reaction to wanting to do this press conference? And if they didn’t, what did they expect to happen? They walked right into this one.
Comment by fs Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:24 pm
Manny’s for the obligatory pastrami on rye.
Any food street truck for a Chicago hot dog
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:25 pm
I think I’ve made this comment ten times now but they knew exactly what they were doing in getting Bailey to win the primary. I don’t think anyone is beating Pritzker but this guy just does not belong.
Comment by DuPage Dad Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:30 pm
==If he wants to impress us, move in to Washington Park==
Bailey failed to convert a former campaign worker for Stratton and Raoul. Something tells me Bailey could’ve had every answer in the world and Obadele’s vote wouldn’t have changed one bit.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:31 pm
So. Many. Unforced. Errors.
It’s obvious why they sent Trussell to this event, but I’d have paid a month’s salary to see Bailey show up in person. Being a devoted believer, he should relish the chance to work directly with Reverend Wilson on ways to protect the flock he intends to lead.
No? Didn’t think so.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:37 pm
===to see Bailey show up in person===
He was there. His quote is right at the top, for Pete’s sake. Also, read the freaking headline. C’mon.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:39 pm
His justification for why he is in the Hancock Building is laughable - its an increasing crime area - not for anyone in the protective bubble of that building. About the only “danger” he faces in the Hancock is getting indigestion from eating too much at the restaurant on the 95th floor, or maybe getting run over by someone on an electric scooter whizzing down the sidewalk on Michigan Ave. as he steps outside momentarily before he gets into his SUV to go off to the next press conference.
Comment by Facts Matter Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:41 pm
Gee, and you wonder why Uhlein insisted on a campaign staff upgrade before opening the checkbook. O.M.G. These guys are sooooooooooooooooo bad at this.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:46 pm
==Something tells me Bailey could’ve had every answer in the world and Obadele’s vote wouldn’t have changed one bit.==
Maybe, but having *no* answers clearly didn’t work, so.
To the post:
There are certainly electorates out there that would reward a politician who gets yelled at by urban activists. But there ain’t enough of those voters in IL.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:46 pm
==Wilson and others said he’s been there several times. They weren’t wrong.==
Ironically, it was to sign the Reimagine Public Safety Act.
JB has been governor for nearly four years and claims residency in Chicago. One would expect him to pop into Washington Park at some point. A better question is how many times did he show up while campaigning? Because that same query with a date prior to 2019 is coming up goose eggs.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:48 pm
Kudos to Isabel for capturing this.
A suggestion to the Bailey campaign… stop trolling traumatized and grieving people. If they want your help they’ll figure out how and when to invite you.
Comment by XonXoff Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:49 pm
==Gee, and you wonder why Uhlein insisted on a campaign staff upgrade before opening the checkbook. O.M.G. These guys are sooooooooooooooooo bad at this. ==
It’s crazy. It’s actually a good idea to do a press pop there, but you’ve got to do the nuts and bolts of advancing your event. Or, as OW calls it, the blocking and tackling.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:52 pm
===insisted on a campaign staff upgrade===
You think Jeanne Ives is an upgrade?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:53 pm
Thinkin’ Isabell needs to get a local EMMY for this clip. Meanwhile Sen. Bailey came to absorb the culture. Welcome aboard. Reminds us of GovJunk renting a bank on the South Side with a $1 million deposit. BTW anyone ever report on what he made.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:57 pm
“You think Jeanne Ives is an upgrade?”
Touche.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 3:59 pm
==About the only “danger” he faces in the Hancock is getting indigestion from eating too much at the restaurant on the 95th floor==
Hey it was haunted in Poltergeist 3.
Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:02 pm
==A better question is how many times did he show up while campaigning?==
It might not have been Washington Park, but I remember Rich posting a video of Candidate Pritzker at a backyard event for a Chicago anti-violence group. I remember everyone being struck by the fact that JB was clearly just…listening.
I can’t find the post now, but there is just no comparison between how Pritzker and Bailey have been engaged on this issue.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:02 pm
==You think Jeanne Ives is an upgrade? ==
U-Line does. But his record of picking ‘em in IL is…hoo boy.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:03 pm
- Arsenal -, appreciate that, and - JS Mill -, thanks for those earlier in the week.
To - Arsenal -‘s point,
“Things I Know”, the “Apostle Darren Bailey Crew” edition
* Citing “The Purge” as an AARP Member
* Living “above a Cheesecake Factory”
* Choosing ONE good presser location that gets lost with a bad PR stunt
This is a campaign that is helmed by an under 30 “wunderkind”, who is being listened to because all we are seeing are things you’d expect from inexperience looking for lightning in a bottle where they know. That’s really it.
A staff or crew that can understand and expand on what makes a candidate appeal to the greater masses, and that same staff a crew amplifies all that good while looking genuine… that’s the “magic trick”
There’s no magic when we are seeing a campaign that mirrors the staff not the candidate, while at the same time the candidate can’t be himself without himself being the reason his candidacy won’t work.
“I can’t help him” seems to be a consensus thought of pros looking at days like this and see them not even understand why it’s not working.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:03 pm
I often find that a very effective strategy for engaging a community is to show up with no warning right after a tragedy and acting like I know what’s best for them. Add to that Chicago’s racial politics and how could this have not been a home run for Darren?
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:09 pm
==I remember Rich posting a video of Candidate Pritzker at a backyard event for a Chicago anti-violence group.==
Let’s say you’re right. Was JB invited? Has Bailey been invited to anything on the South Side, let alone anti-violence themed?
Bailey is certainly the king of unforced errors, but let’s not pretend this is equal treatment. And throwing a few political operatives with strong ties to the Democratic Party in his campaign’s face isn’t exactly unbiased community feedback.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:15 pm
===Let’s say you’re right. Was JB invited? Has Bailey been invited to anything on the South Side, let alone anti-violence themed?===
Do you invite people to your house that call your place a “He&@hole”
Or someone who then double downs on it?
At least you aren’t complaining about pensions and unions, that’s good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:21 pm
The ILGOP loves banging the crime drum, but never actually has any proposals that aren’t already warmed over rehashes of other things that didn’t work before.
Comment by Homebody Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:22 pm
==And throwing a few political operatives with strong ties to the Democratic Party in his campaign’s face isn’t exactly unbiased community feedback.==
I mean, when those operatives are leaders of the organization that was the victim of the crime you are trying to exploi…I mean, addressing, a good campaign might anticipate this exact scarily playing out. Unfortunately for Bailey, he doesn’t appear to be running a good campaign.
Comment by fs Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:23 pm
- City Zen -
If Pritzker ever calls downstate Illinois a “He&@hole” and shows up to a place after said slight, lemme know how that goes.
Equally bad result would happen, doncha think?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:23 pm
*scenario, not scarily. Although scared might be a good description of their reaction when they realized who was in the crowd.
Comment by fs Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:25 pm
==Has Bailey been invited to anything on the South Side, let alone anti-violence themed?==
We’ll see if Corey Brooks comes calling in the next week.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:50 pm
=but let’s not pretend this is equal treatment.=
Equal? Have you looked at how the proft papers treat JB? Let me know when they are “equal.”
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 4:58 pm
It’s late in the fourth quarter.
Bailey is an inexperienced candidate with an inexperienced team.
They are down 22 points, so they need to get into the end zone a bunch of times quickly.
That means taking risks, and it also means making mistakes.
How well can Pritzker capitalize on those mistakes?
Today shows.
The other thing worth saying is we are seeing a high degree of synchronization obviously between Proft and Bailey. That is not necessarily great for Bailey.
Proft has a habit of doubling and tripling down on his mistakes. Good campaigns try new things, if it doesn’t work, try something else.
Proft reminds me of that Kevin Costner character from Tin Cup who puts the ball in the water and instead of taking the drop and the penalty, just keeps teeing it up repeatedly and putting it in the water again until he’s out of balls.
Proft is so amped up right now, he cannot walk away from a losing argument. If Bailey continues to putter around after him repeating the same failed arguments, he is going down in a ball of fire.
Remember: Bailey is not playing to win here. The goal is to finish above 45 and try like hell to lose by less than 10. That makes him the official conservative leader of Illinois, kingmaker, and probably candidate for US Senate.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 5:09 pm
I know Acclivus’ work quite well. One of the things they do is go to trauma centers when a person has been wounded and may be paralyzed and/or need amputations. They work with them and their families to retro-fit their homes and help them adjust to a new life. Team Bailey ran into a bunch of experts on dealing with urban violence (and probably didn’t realize it).
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 5:21 pm
I will be so glad when this election is over and Bailey can find his way back to the farm. He uses people’s misfortunes for his own political gain, while pretending to care about them. He uses his faith for his own political gain, while making Christians like myself look bad because when people think of Christians, they think of Darren Bailey and not Jesus.
T-minus 55 days and counting.
Comment by Fivegreenleaves Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 5:57 pm
== Let’s say you’re right. Was JB invited? Has Bailey been invited to anything on the South Side, let alone anti-violence themed?==
This is an awful lot of special pleading and goalpost moving.
But let’s say *you’re* right. If anti-violence activists never invite Bailey, we might want to ponder why they don’t view him as a useful potential ally.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 14, 22 @ 6:13 pm
While he was there, did he visit the DuSable Museum of African-American History? Check out the Green Line Performing Arts Center? The Arts Incubator? Retreat at Currency Exchange? Maybe head a bit further south to Kenwood Gardens, the Stony Island Arts Bank?
No, I didn’t think so.
Comment by JoanP Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 2:33 am
Bravo Isabel. Not just getting the exchange with the campaign and Acclivus, but the entirety of their comments and response. It was clear the Bailey campaign was out of its depth here, as they have been much of the time.
Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 7:53 am
From what I gathered from the link to a Google search, why ever you would do that, the last time Pritzker was in Washington Park was in 2020, to call for “police reform” the day after another shooting.
Did I miss something?
Comment by Ainsley Hayes Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 2:47 pm