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* Jim Dey on the governor’s response to criticism of his emergency rules imposing restrictions on a healthcare program for some undocumented immigrants…

In the meantime, as is his practice, Pritzker launched a strong counter-attack on his critics.

For starters, he’s suggested that much of the criticism is insincere noise designed to pacify certain groups. He said he made it clear to Hispanic legislative leaders that exploding program costs had to be contained.

He said the Legislative Latino Caucus “knew what was going on” and that the public criticism of his decision is just political posturing.

One thing Pritzker certainly hasn’t done is show any sign of backing off.

That’s one aspect of Pritzker’s political personality that is striking and, to many, appealing. He’s a belligerent pol who never pulls a punch. Usually, he bashes defenseless Republicans. But he’ll go after anyone who crosses him.

* The Question: Do you agree or disagree that Pritzker is a “belligerent pol who never pulls a punch” and will “go after anyone who crosses him”? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

online polls

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:12 pm

Comments

I don’t think he’s belligerent just because he disagrees or refuses to cave in on a policy. He always stands firm in his position, usually providing factual information to back up his position and calling the other side out for what they are actually doing. Defending yourself from attack is not being belligerent.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:17 pm
Voted no.

He’s a governor that gets things done and who gets elected by overwhelming margins.

As far as “defenseless Republicans”, old enough to remember when the GOP was the tough guys’ party.

Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:19 pm
That’s actually not a bad description of Dey, an opinion writer who regularly frames subjects so as to reinforce his political biases.

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:19 pm
Jim Dey is a cranky old man who doesn’t deserve this much time or attention. What was it he called the people of Frerichs’ hometown of Gifford, Champaign County, Illinois? Oh, that’s right, “hayseeds.”

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:20 pm
I think he has the capability, but deploys it somewhat randomly. He certainly swung a big stick during the State Central Committee fight, and he never misses a chance to slap down Proft.

But others have crossed him with no visible consequences. Paul Vallas said some really aggressive stuff about Pritzker’s COVID policies and JB still stayed out of that race. Harmon and the Senate Caucus have caused all sorts of headaches on appointments, CEJA, etc. It’s hard to tell what will and won’t incur the heavy end of the hammer, but maybe he wants it that way.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:22 pm
I voted no. I think he is a strong person who wants what he wants and is smart enough to figure out how to get it. I think Ruaner was belligerent there is a huge difference

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:23 pm
Strongly disagree. Dey is a looney tune. Per usual, he is exaggerating to fit his biases.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:25 pm
I’ve followed every Governor from Sam Shapiro on (and followed this Governor’s career since his losing race to Cong. Schakowsky). The present Governor seems very hands-on, seems to be a “talk less, listen more” personality in negotiations, and balances head and heart as well as anyone in the business.

Comment by Mike K Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:30 pm
Voted disagree. Having said that, he’s off a fresh win (even tho his opponent was blah) and as a previous commenter mentioned, he’s accomplished in office; he has that to back up his moves now. We will see how the AFSCME negotiations play out; he’s definitely digging in with some aspects of the contract. Personally, I believe the union is being unreasonable in some of the demands and should actually negotiate. And to relate that to the QOTD, he definitely will come out of negotiations taking victory and appearing strong in his positions.

Comment by Alice Childress Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:30 pm
Politics ain’t beanbag.

You want punches pulled to feel good?

Prolly says more about Dey than anything else.

The use of belligerent is a person seemingly upset that a pol won’t just quietly “eat it”.

Voted “disagree”, obviously.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:31 pm
Pritzker is leading Illinois in ways that the majority of voters want to go. Dey’s accusation is yet another confession. Rauner, Trump, Day and. Republicans in general model belligerent, fact free blather on a daily basis. Groups who want a bigger revenue pie need to persuade voters to pass a graduated income tax.

Comment by froganon Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:32 pm
Disagree.

I do agree with the first part, I also see that as a good quality in how he chooses to use it. It’s the ‘and’ qualifier for the second part where my disagreement comes from.

Slightly off-topic;

“Usually, he bashes defenseless Republicans.”

If republicans are constantly pointing out they are ineffectual, fearful, incompetent, and defenseless - why on earth do they think anyone should elect them?

Someone should have a sit-down and explain they can’t be both the face AND the heel.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:33 pm
If you remove “belligerent” I’d agree.

Not saying it’s a bad thing.

Comment by hehe Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:35 pm
Voted no. What Dey characterizes as “belligerent” is actually JB saying what is really going on - standing up for his positions and himself by stating facts. I don’t think JB gets down in the mud, but he’ll call a pig a pig.

Comment by Riversidian Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:36 pm
Stick to the question, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:39 pm
Voted disagree. Leaders lead and once they make a decision they don’t cave under a little criticism. The problem for the Dems is that their factions always pout when they don’t get EVERYTHING on their agenda.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:45 pm
This couldn’t be further from the truth. He is pretty direct with his views, which are typically spot on. That’s not belligerence.

Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:52 pm
Would agree that Pritzker is as belligerent and doesn’t pull a punch as he has to be. His opponents are a party who never stops attacking.

Do not agree with the second part. Going after anyone who crosses him, he’d need a seat in the back of a restaurant and a pair of dark glasses, and to speak with few words but menacing gestures to subordinates.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:53 pm
Disagree. He’s got people he pays for that.

Comment by The Opinions Bureau Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:06 pm
I don’t think that phrasing is fair. He doesn’t crumble at the first sign of pressure and tell you the lies he thinks you want to hear so you stop being mad at him. He argues with you and defends his position. He’s still a politician, still minces words or tries to be diplomatic, but the goal of his response isn’t to placate his detractors. Where your normal politician has all the backbone of a glass of water, they try to pour themselves into whatever vessel they think will get them votes.
Just my opinion, of course.

Also, “defenseless Republicans”? Come on.

Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:11 pm
He absolutely fits that description. He is *always* right, and if you somehow disagree, you’re criticism or counterarguments are *always* rooted in bad faith, or bigotry, or posturing, or whatever allows him to be right and you wrong.

Some of you are just a bunch of obvious JBP fan boys.

Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:12 pm
I voted no. He is too kind to too many mayors that need crossing. The former Chicago mayor included.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:12 pm
Voted disagree. He’s a political realist unlike some of the further left Dems.

Comment by Glengarry Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:17 pm
===you’re criticism or counterarguments are *always* rooted in bad faith, or bigotry, or posturing, or whatever allows him to be right and you wrong.===

Would you like to put up an example of such a thing.

Since you chose “always” it should be real easy since it’s… well… always. I’d like an example of such.

Thanks.

===fan boys===

Are *you* triggered that others disagree with you?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:18 pm
Voted no. We see daily examples of truly belligerent pols. And Pritzker is rarely if ever one of them. The projection from Dey is strong on this comment.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:20 pm
Disagree, I disagree based on the bi-partisan budgets he has passed. disagree based on the praise he has received on multiple bills from the other side of the isle. Disagree based on not pursuing a graduated income tax when it did not get passed and has found other ways to balance budgets and raise wages as well as getting an infrastructure bill passed. Disagree based on the City Club coming up with recommendations to fund the pension shortfall based on his leadership- because they know he listens and comprimises.

Comment by T.S. Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:24 pm
I don’t think he is belligerent. Smarmy and smug know it all, but not belligerent. Certainly not one to brook disagreement and overly defensive against criticism. I don’t think he believes any criticism of him or his policies are justified.

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:32 pm
- Captain Obvious -

Wait, didn’t you just recently type..

===Anything that makes abortion expensive and difficult is fine with me. Dangerous for women’s health?===

That’s sounds quite smug, maybe smarmy… and a know it all to women’s health?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:44 pm
Belligerent? No. But when you are a governor, and “governors own,” there will always be someone that disagrees with you. If he didn’t defend his position, he would be described as “weak.” But he still is deliberate in picking his battles. Belligerent would be somebody who always attacks no matter the situation, almost compulsively. I wonder if there is a politician out there like that…?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:46 pm
Well, JB didn’t punch Dick Durbin when they appeared together this week, so he must leave SOME people who cross him alone.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:06 pm
Okay, so, JB is bad because:

==He is *always* right, and if you somehow disagree, you’re criticism or counterarguments are *always* rooted in bad faith, or bigotry, or posturing, or whatever allows him to be right and you wrong.==

But also, if you disagree with JB13:

==Some of you are just a bunch of obvious JBP fan boys.==

Every accusation is a confession.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:10 pm
Laugh. Out. Loud. Belligerent? The desire to be liked is far too strong for Pritzker to slip into belligerence. He can be diplomatic to a fault and assumes the best intentions from most people. When they disappoint him, he says so. But I’m thinking through the people who have “crossed” him and trying to find one he’s “gone after.” I got nothing.

Comment by Who else Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:13 pm
JB isn’t afraid to punch low but he is silent on the many failures of the federal government now that it is controlled by his party.

He is far too smug to be interviewed for an hour by someone like like Gavin Newsom .did with Sean Hannity.

Newsom acknowledged many failures and it was refreshing.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:15 pm
==JB isn’t afraid to punch low but he is silent on the many failures of the federal government now that it is controlled by his party.==

Sorry he won’t help you trash Democrats, LP.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:29 pm
==silent on the many failures==

That’s pretty rich coming from someone like you. Again, you’re dishonest. Not a lot to offer.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:31 pm
You both have short memories

JB was a relentless critic of the Federal Government’s response to Covid under the previous administration. He was on Meet the Press and morning shows regularly

Strangely he could find no fault on Covid response under Biden despite more deaths and disastrous school lockdowns demanded by the Teachers unions that have severely impacted learning

The largest city in his state cannot deal with the immigrants now here and JB can only criticize the Texas Governor for the problem

If you can find a more partisan Democrat Governor let me know who he is.

He stands up for Democratic interest groups first, his constituents second.

He also had zero problem breaking his promise to veto political maps disenfranchising the 45% of the state that disagrees with him

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:44 pm
=he is silent on the many failures=

Your failures and inaccuracies are called out here daily. I’ve never yet heard you speak to any of them. So chastising someone for being silent is a bit rich.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:48 pm
==If you can find a more partisan Democrat Governor let me know who he is.==

And I repeat: “Sorry he won’t help you trash Democrats, LP.”

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:53 pm
My sole insight (possibly out of date, but character doesn’t change that much) into this was observing JB back in 1998, when he had his political platter pretty much handed to him by Jan Schakowsky in JB’s first bid for office, especially in Evanston where he was supposed to do well. What impressed me at the time was JB clearly wasn’t -happy- but he wasn’t bitter, nor has he struck me as someone who’s been angling to payback Jan ever since. He was showing up at her fundraisers almost right after the loss.

He strikes me more as a “don’t get mad, don’t get even; get ahead” type of dude.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:53 pm
=But also, if you disagree with JB13:

==Some of you are just a bunch of obvious JBP fan boys.==

Every accusation is a confession.=

The last part is the reality.

I voted disagree. He can fire back at times but compare Pritzker and his language to the likes of Bailey, DeVore, and the Millers (no relation) and he is quite tame by comparison.

He does not have to apologize for being right either.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:53 pm
===He also had zero problem breaking his promise to veto political maps disenfranchising the 45% of the state that disagrees with him===

Meh.

He won re-election. Double digits.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:54 pm
- LP -

Don’t you need the governor to sign on to the Bears bailout.

I dunno if this is a way to making that happen, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:55 pm
Like, I get it, LP. You’re constantly proven wrong, sometimes shown to be outright deceitful, and you’ve repeatedly demonstrated that you can’t grok basic math. You really need to borrow someone else’s credibility to bolster your pathological screeds, and the Governor of Illinois would be as good as anyone.

But he’s just not gonna do it. I’m sorry.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:56 pm
==He won re-election. Double digits.==

One thing that the “he arrogant because he won’t say that he’s terrible” crowd misses is that dude put up a platform and won a pretty big majority off of it. If he comes back now and starts dismantling that platform, it’s pretty disrespectful of the voters.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 3:02 pm
Disagree. He had ample reason to go after Mayor Lightfoot and/or Dick Durbin and he let a lot of opportunities for petty political responses to be left unsaid. He shown restraint when provoked, and I’d say that’s the opposite of belligerent.

The Healthy Illinois thing got to him a little bit and it’s hard to blame him. The state is providing $550 million for healthcare and they are attacking him for it. As Wordslinger used to say, “anybody that won’t take half a loaf wasn’t really hungry.”

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 3:11 pm
- Newsom acknowledged many failures and it was refreshing. -

Refresh us?

Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 3:28 pm
Pure nonsense.

JB always counters quickly when people publicly misrepresent his policy or negotiations. On this issue, everyone I’ve seen who has criticized him severely, appears ignorant of what actually occurred.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 3:46 pm
Voted No. I rather admire Pritzker when he calls a spade a spade, — like when he called a certain anti-mask, anti-vax attorney a grifter.
The thing about Dey is that is he really does consistently mislead readers to make his desired case. For example, he cites Wirepoints propaganda in his columns as if it is provided by these good old joes without an agenda who are just trying to do research for the common good.

Comment by Medvale School for the Gifted Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 4:02 pm
That article is just garbage! JB did the right thing. Leaders have to make tough choices, and he did. That’s why Illinois is back on sound fiscal ground.

Comment by Capitol Observer Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 4:03 pm
“Newsom acknowledged many failures and it was refreshing.”

Bahaha. So let me get this straight. Gavin Newsom, the smarmiest politician (and Kimberly Gilfoyle ex) in the entire Democratic Party is “refreshing.” Uh-huh. And this was the last time LP ever praised Gavin Newsom.

Comment by New Day Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 4:10 pm
==JB was a relentless critic of the Federal Government’s response to Covid under the previous administration.==

And this was a problem because…?

It’s generally recognized that Trump’s COVID response, which included denying its existence, blaming China, and recommending bleach injections, was a failure. Every governor in the country should have been angry.

Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 4:33 pm
“He hires people for that.” And those people are very petty.

Comment by Agreeing with someone else Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 5:15 pm
@LP

It’s pretty rich that you of all people would be complaining about partisanship. Look in the mirror for crying out loud. You’re as partisan as they come. Again, your dishonesty knows no bounds. You are a phony.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 5:35 pm
Pritzker has a history of publicly going after Republicans. That’s good politics.

His administration and his political apparatus also have a history of privately going after Democrats that have disagreed with him.

It is a very DC-style of doing things. You criticize the President of your own party, you get called into the office for a meeting with staff and chewed a new one. Before you leave, The Boss strolls into the office and shakes your hand to say he appreciates your loyalty and thats a wrap.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 5:36 pm
I voted no. I don’t believe he’s belligerent but he will go toe to toe with someone leveling unfair criticism and stands up for what he believes is right and correct. That’s one of the reason I like him, he’s not wishy washy.

Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 7:39 pm
Voted yes. I assume many here view the term “belligerent” as negative. Those folks should reread the Prince for a prescription to see what it takes to be an effective leader.

That said, who can argue that JB hasn’t taken all who have opposed him? GOP, Durbin, Houlihan, union workers against vaccine mandates…the list goes on. He’s hostile and aggressive towards those folks.

In the past, that was sometimes blamed on Christian Mitchell and others, but the reality is he is the leader. This is his style. His motto to many on the right is “bring it on” and those who oppose him on the left is “we don’t need you.”

He is belligerent. He does aggressively go against those who oppose him. Sometimes that’s good politics. Sometimes that’s bad politics. It was “good” politics when he aggressively took on Trump trying to impose illegal Muslim bans. It was “good” when he aggressively fought for marijuana legalization. Now all of a sudden we can’t admit he’s aggressive against his foes? Is he not the governor in his first inaugural address who said,
“I’m not naïve about what it will take to do this. All who enter a discussion about our state’s budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcomed to the table. But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will.”

What did everyone think he meant? And did you all think he only meant on taxing systems? His brand is “big.” He thinks big. He talks big. He looms big. If necessary, he will fight back…big.

The analysis is spot on. No need to defend against it.

Comment by MG85 Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 9:16 pm