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* Gov. JB Pritzker’s convention speech as prepared for delivery…
Fellow Democrats, welcome to Chicago!
We’re a great American city in a proud blue state. Our patriotism was formed in frost and in fire, and in the steel we forged to survive both.
Our love of country has been a tapestry of faith that weaves from Abraham Lincoln reuniting a house divided to Barack Obama declaring blue states and red states make one United States.
Illinois’ presidential pedigree is unmatched. And given that Vice President Kamala Harris spent some of her early life right here – I speak for the entire Illinois delegation when I say we claim her too!
Now, one president we will never claim is the con artist the Republicans nominated in Milwaukee last month.
Donald Trump once called Chicago “embarrassing.” To quote a great Chicagoan who won six world championships on these very grounds: “We take that personally.”
I had to govern for two years while Trump was President. Let me tell you what’s embarrassing.
In Illinois, we passed a massive bill to fix our roads and bridges. When Donald proposed his own plan, he turned right around and called it “stupid.”
We eliminated the grocery tax. Donald hasn’t been in a grocery store since his first bankruptcy.
Illinois invested in clean energy and the jobs it brings. Donald claimed that windmills in the ocean made the whales “a little batty.”
During COVID we supported small businesses and jobs. And Donald, well Donald told us to inject bleach.
Donald Trump thinks we should trust him on the economy because he claims to be very rich.
Take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity.
I meet with business leaders all the time, and there is one universal thing they all need: people. They need more workers to fill all the jobs they have – but the anti-freedom, anti-family policies of MAGA Republicans are driving workers away.
Here’s the thing, Americans don’t want to be forced to drive 100 miles to deliver a baby because draconian abortion laws shut down the maternity ward.
Americans want the hope of giving birth through IVF – not the fear it might be taken away.
Americans with LGBTQ kids don’t want them facing discrimination at school because the state sanctioned it.
Americans want to go to their neighborhood grocery store and not have to worry about some random guy open carrying an AR-15.
Americans don’t want their kids to be taught in history class that slavery was a jobs program.
And if Americans are Black or brown, they want to get promoted at work without being derided as a DEI hire for the sin of being successful while not white.
Let’s be clear, it’s not woke that limits economic growth – it’s weird. These guys aren’t just weird, they’re dangerous.
Democrats are for lower taxes and higher wages, less inflation and more business growth. We just think it’s wrong to craft those policies for Elon Musk - and not for everyday working people. That includes a secure retirement and good healthcare. We think the government should help you prosper, not police who you’re sleeping with.
More than anything Democrats want economic policies that are kind, not cruel.
But Trump chooses cruelty every time. After all, everything he’s achieved in his own life has been by hurting - someone else.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz? Well, they’ve spent their lives lifting people up rather than pushing them down. They know that a White House that leads with kindness looks at someone who is struggling and sees not what they might cost society but what they might create for it.
They want policies that give every American a chance to make it to the middle class.
They want to grow small businesses and cut taxes for everyday people.
More than anything – Kamala Harris and Tim Walz want a country where we can all live with a little serenity. The serenity that comes with a balanced checkbook, an affordable grocery bill, and a housing market that has room for everyone.
And if there’s one thing I know about Donald Trump – he’s not bringing anyone any kind of serenity.
We have a choice, America. Between the man who left our country a total mess -and the woman who has spent four years cleaning it up. And I think it’s time we stop expecting women to clean up messes without the authority and the title to match the job.
Vice President was a good title for Kamala Harris. You know an even better one?
President of the United States of America!
Let’s go get ‘em!
* Senate Republican Leader John Curran…
Gov. Pritzker’s DNC speech and his actual record in Illinois could not be more starkly disconnected. He contends to be for lower taxes just months after imposing $1 billion in tax increases on Illinois families and businesses, while presiding over a state with the second-highest property taxes in the country. He boasts of support for low-income families in the same year that he proposed a regressive tax increase that would only raise taxes on low- and middle-income earners. He says he supports policies for working people while overseeing the state with the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation. It’s time for Gov. Pritzker to take a break from his national campaigning and focus on the job he was elected to, and Think Illinois
…Adding… ILGOP…
Wow, the circus is in town this week! Where is the joy they promised us? All we heard last night were negative, false attacks. JB Pritzker is a shill for his ringmaster Kamala Harris amid his own preparations for a presidential run in 2028. Instead of telling Illinois families why they should raise their families here, as thousands flee the state amid billions in new taxes and out-of-control crime, JB Pritzker further divided our state with divisive rhetoric and bad-faith arguments. See for yourself:
• JB Pritzker bragged about being a billionaire, while taking the toilets out of his mansion to defraud Illinois from property taxes.
• Pritzker claims to be a champion for lower taxes, but in reality, he has proposed BILLIONS in new taxes that will hurt Illinois families.
• 85,000 fewer Illinoisans are working than in 2019, and Illinois has the second worst unemployment rate in the country - despite Pritzker’s claims that he is a champion for working families.“Last night, JB Pritzker not only claimed Kamala Harris as an Illinoisan, but also claimed her horrid record on immigration, the economy and failures for families across the Prairie State,” said ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi. “Pritzker is a failure for Illinois and families are worse off under his far-left policies that have raised taxes and forced families to flee the state. One thing is clear from Democrats’ divisive agenda and Pritzker’s prime-time speaking spot - the need to vote Republican in November.”
* More from Isabel…
* Block Club | Obamas, Pritzker Bring The Energy — And Clap Back At Trump: Pritzker, who was in contention to be Harris’ running mate earlier this summer, received thunderous cheers for one of his comments. “Donald Trump thinks that we should trust him on the economy, because he claims to be very rich,” Pritzker said. “But take it from an actual billionaire. Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity.”
* Tribune | Gov. JB Pritzker hammers Donald Trump in DNC speech: ‘Take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity’: In a bit of awkward programming, Pritzker’s speech was preceded by Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who railed against the “billionaire class” and “the need to get big money out of our political process.” “Billionaires in both parties should not be able to buy elections, including primary elections,” said Sanders, who received a more enthusiastic reaction than Pritzker from the United Center crowd. Pritzker spent more than $300 million of his own money to win two elections as governor in Illinois and gave at least $27 million to the Democratic Governors Association two years ago to spend on boosting his preferred opponent in the 2022 GOP primary for governor.
* Capitol News Illinois | In primetime DNC speech, Pritzker leans into role of benevolent billionaire: “Donald Trump thinks that we should trust him on the economy, because he claims to be very rich,” the second-term governor said during a primetime speech at the Democratic National Convention. “But take it from an actual billionaire – Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity.” Pritzker, who is worth an estimated $3.4 billion thanks in large part to inherited family wealth from Hyatt Hotels, is the wealthiest current elected official in the U.S. And in the more than seven years since he declared his candidacy for governor, Pritzker has not shied away from pouring cash into not only his own election bids but campaigns up and down the ballot.
* Crain’s | After years of prep, Pritzker finally gets his DNC star turn: “We have a choice America, between the man who left our country a total mess and the woman who has spent four years cleaning it up,” Pritzker told the delegates gathered at the United Center during his prime-time speaking slot. “I think it’s time we stop expecting women to clean up messes without the authority and the title to match the job.”
* SJ-R | Obama’s 2004 DNC speech kickstarted national rise. Could the same hold true for Pritzker?: Pritzker and Obama took the stage separately Tuesday evening during day two of the Democratic National Convention. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, in addition to former First Lady Michelle Obama have also delivered speeches. The vision the 59-year-old governor shared including bolstering support for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and touting what is possible under Democratic leadership as seen in Illinois.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 8:13 am
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It was a good speech, but it was no launchpad speech. Warnock will get a boost from his, and if Harris loses then Michelle Obama’s speech will be held up as an example for why she should run by even more folks.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 8:27 am
The Democrats finally came alive.
That’s the type of engagement from the top I like to see. The new strategy of hitting directly and openly at the egos of the republican party and the top of their ticket is a long time coming.
It’s hard to pick the best speech between Michelle, Barack, and JB. They were certainly unified in the message.
I think Barack had the most fun in his speech though. Subtle, but also not subtle. If you know, you know.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 8:38 am
the speech was good. and it was compared to what came immediately before it, the rambling nonsense of Bernie Sanders. JB radiates normal. a mixture of smarts and fun. yes, just like the Daily Show video, a guy you want to have a beer with. I expect Harris to win, but if not, the turn will be to guys like JB
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:12 am
Pretty good speech. The billionaire line was one of the best of the night. I did notice that he was one of the few speakers called out by the CNN fact checkers for his reference to Trump’s supposed bleach injection advice.
Comment by TNR Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:14 am
=actual billionaire=
claims of being a bona fide Billionaire hardly seem to make this a classic Dem speech ala Obama.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:17 am
JB had some good lines, maybe yelled a bit much. Someone hire Curran a proofreader/editor. Yikes.
Comment by Sam Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:21 am
JB is the whole package. On stage he has a phenomenal persona and an unmatched ability to sway the masses with his powerful oratory skills.
Comment by Frumpy White Guy Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:24 am
A billionaire, huh? OK. Must be nice to inherit the billions from the people that actually did the work.
Comment by Tim Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:30 am
=== Must be nice to inherit the billions ===
Haters gonna hate.
Comment by Barrister's Lectern Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:34 am
==Must be nice to inherit the billions from the people that actually did the work.==
You have the same criticism of Donnie Dumb Dumb?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:42 am
“An actual billionaire”
I mean yeah but just by being born into a wealthy family lol not like he did a ton to earn it. I say this as a huge fan of JB too
Comment by Beep booo Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:46 am
It was not a good speech he kind of did a Trump in some ways on the response. I just hope he does not run again for Gov and I don’t think he would take a job if Harris were elected.
Comment by clec dcn Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:48 am
= I think Barack had the most fun in his speech though. =
Nah, that was Doug Emhoff.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 9:52 am
Was this an audition for a cabinet position?
Comment by holdingback Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:00 am
=== called out by the CNN fact checkers for his reference to Trump’s supposed bleach injection advice ===
Another ridiculous example of the MSM bending over backwards to appear “balanced” compared to lengthy fact checks of Trump’s firehose of lies. Trump said “disinfectant,” not bleach. However, in the midst of his rambling about bleach everyone with a brain got the point. Clorox and others warned people about the misuse of bleach.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:06 am
== Lots of hypocrisy related to wealth, some yelling, average content and delivery C-==
You weren’t going to vote Dem anyway, were you?
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:18 am
== Was this an audition for a cabinet position? ==
His surrogacy in the coming weeks campaigning for Harris in Wisconsin and Michigan plus fundraising for them are his audition.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:22 am
Agree with NYTimes writers that Pritzker gave us one of the worse moments of the conference last night.
The -“I am a Billionaire”- comment will go down as a classic unfortunate statement.
The rest was just ok and did seem to work with the audience last night.
Have no idea where the billionaire reference came from, but it is very hard to forget the statement or the tone that was used to deliver it.
Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:22 am
If Harris wins, JB has no path to POTUS for a while. I doubt he would want a cabinet position. If she loses, the path is there. One aside, some people are born into money, some poverty. You can’t do anything about it, but you can do things because of it.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:46 am
I thought it was not a very well-written speech, and with Bernie being the lead, it was almost tone-deaf. Being a billionaire isn’t something I nor anyone I know can relate to, so it’s not wise to remind us of your vast wealth. My wife didn’t like it either, so it was probably the weakest link of the night.
Comment by Howdy Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:53 am
“I mean yeah but just by being born into a wealthy family lol not like he did a ton to earn it.”
That is so untrue. The man practically built the tech sector in Illinois, creating 1871 and helping create numerous other organizations, built numerous businesses, seeded countless organizations. Yea, he inherited a LOT of $$, but he actually turned it into something far greater.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:14 am
I thought it was a solid speech, but I think this week has shown that there’s a very deep Dem bench, and if JB wants to compete on the national stage he’s going to have to raise his game.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:14 am
===The man practically built the tech sector in Illinois, creating 1871===
1871 has a lot of parents, but, yes, he was a very important one.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:18 am
The billionaire line wasn’t meant to appeal to most voters, it was meant to:
A) Get under Trump’s skin, given that he’s very much into flagrantly overstating his wealth, and
B) Send a message to wealthier Americans that they don’t need to fear Harris’s economic agenda, given that he’s on board as one of the folks that’d assuredly be taxed more, too.
And the ILGOP being mad about Pritzker bragging about his wealth and using tax loopholes is rich given their bootlicking of a candidate for twelve years that has non-stop done both much more flagrantly. That’s the equivalent of constantly going 95 mph in a school zone but then being mad at another drive going 30 mph.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:33 am
Lots of hypocrisy related to wealth, some yelling, average content and delivery C-
Comment by Dragnet Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:34 am
And the “billionaire” comment was, well, priceless! Who cares that you inherited a fortune and used it to help you get elected. Money was not the only factor, but the last two governors sure had plenty of it to make sure that was covered
Comment by Dragnet Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:36 am
=Being a billionaire isn’t something I nor anyone I know can relate to, so it’s not wise to remind us of your vast wealth.=
You’re missing the rather obvious contrast and point being made here. Donald Trump believes his wealth has made him smarter and better than everyone else. JB Pritker’s wealth has made him empathetic and humble. You can be a billionaire, still be kind, and do great things.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:37 am
“1871 has a lot of parents, but, yes, he was a very important one.”
1871 was his brainchild, he funded all the development work and the project manager worked for him. So yea.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:41 am
==Yea, he inherited a LOT of $$, but he actually turned it into something far greater.==
Very funny to be that the “far greater” thing you’re talking about is a tech incubator and not, I don’t know, something that helps improves the lives of millions.
Listen, I get you love him, but let’s not go overboard.
Comment by SWSider Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 11:47 am
==== Must be nice to inherit the billions ====
I am sure it is, and JB has never said otherwise.
How has JB used his wealth? While not perfect he has used much of it to make thing better.
How has trump used his inherited wealth? No honest person can make a genuine comparison between the two.
I thought the billionaire line was a little cringy, but he has been a good governor and been a positive impact on our state.
I give it a B+, and I think that is being conservative.
And it was nice to see the democrats take it to trump. They hit his sensitive narcissism very hard and as he loses his mind over it, they will continue to hit him.
I would rather the democratic platform be a bit more centrist, but it will do far more good than the maga platform ever could.
The night was a win and Barack Obama may be the snarkiest former president ever.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 12:21 pm
===so it’s not wise to remind us ===
You weren’t aware of this? I mean, it’s just a fact.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 12:26 pm
Anyone know where the 85,000 number from the GOP is coming from? A 2 minute Google search shows 6.192 million jobs in June 2019 and 6.212 million in June 2024. Massive growth, no? But why pull a lie out of thin air?
Comment by Chicago Blue Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 12:37 pm
=Very funny to be that the “far greater” thing you’re talking about is a tech incubator and not, I don’t know, something that helps improves the lives of millions.=
Oh please. 1871 is just one example. He was the chairman and significant donor to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and his foundation has annual grants in excess of $50M. Donald Trump’s foundation was shut down due to fraud.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 12:40 pm
In my limited experience, convention speeches are largely written or heavily edited by the nominee’s campaign team. They don’t give you stage time without basically telling you what to say and in some cases, handing you a speech to read. This was true in 2004 when Obama made his famous keynote. Kerry’s team insisted on some changes and that was incorporated into that great speech.
Also, the DNC asked everyone to cut their remarks last night after Monday’s program went on for way too long. The poets and wordsmiths who are criticizing JB’s remarks should keep that in mind. He did a gear job with the material he had, but don’t think for a second that he wrote every word in that speech himself.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 12:48 pm
Re: Republican Update:
“All we heard last night were negative, false attacks.”
… and that’s our thing. No fair taking what we do to you and turning it back onto us like a mirror.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 1:01 pm
JB gave a solid speech, made some good hits. I’d call it a triple. But Duckworth and Michelle Obama hit grand slam home runs, best of the night. President Obama sealed the deal.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 1:55 pm
More than anything decent human beings want economic policies that are kind, not cruel.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 1:56 pm
“Where is the joy they promised us?”
This is a legitimately hilarious comment to hear from a Republican in 2024. Turns out IL GOP does in fact include some people with a sense of humor.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 2:34 pm
Republicans criticizing someone for being a billionaire. Wonders never cease.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 2:43 pm
===Where is the joy they promised us?===
What convention are they watching?
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 3:43 pm
Governor Pritzker came out strong…only lacking better segues…his remark about billionaire’s was obviously directed at the charlatan Trump…but should have been caught as (Obvious) food for the GOP grifter grist mill.
My unsolicited advice?…better advisers.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 5:57 pm
Personally, I thought the billionaire line fell flat. I love JB and his governance, but this shows he is not quite ready for higher office. A little more seasoning.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Aug 21, 24 @ 10:21 pm