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* Brenden Moore at the Herald and Review…
Though some high-profile Republicans, such as Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, have encouraged people to get vaccinated, leadership has been lacking on the issue from others.
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, who has openly flouted the mask mandate on the U.S. House floor and just recently tweeted “Do vaccines work?” in response to the revised CDC mask recommendations (they do).
Only about 34% of Miller’s constituents are fully vaccinated, the lowest of any congressional district in the state, according to data from Harvard University. A public message encouraging vaccination could go a long way.
Same with state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, a downstate candidate for governor. He pointedly refused to endorse the vaccine in an interview earlier this week with WCIA, despite the vaccine’s effectiveness at preventing hospitalization and death.
* No relation…
Um, they're disposable. Sheesh. Also, how about encouraging healthy behavior like getting vaccinated? https://t.co/sM1Po1qlnj
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 1, 2021
* Mark Maxwell on Darren Bailey…
Throughout the pandemic, Bailey has promoted the importance of individual responsibility over collective action and personal freedoms over government mandates. What advice would he give responsible individuals about how they could best protect themselves and others during the pandemic?
“I think the one thing that people need to do is understand the constitutional basis of freedom that this country stands on: the Constitution,” Bailey answered, avoiding any reference to vaccines.
Publicly available data posted on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website says that 97.7% of people who died due to COVID-19 this year were unvaccinated. Asked how he would respond to that data if it came across his desk as governor, Bailey dismissed the readily available numbers as untrustworthy, without offering any evidence or explanation.
“We asked for the proof,” Bailey said. “We want to see it. Where’s this coming from? Where’s this going? And they never present it. So, my facts, your facts, my data, your data.”
* Um…
Sen. Darren Bailey: "A government cannot and should never tell its people how to live, how to behave, what to do." That's… quite a radical leap of logic for a "tough-on-crime" anti-abortion politician https://t.co/kknoF9mcaO
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 27, 2021
* Maxwell…
When a reporter asked Bailey how he squares that comment with speed limit laws that were intended to keep people safe, he seemed to suggest those laws were merely “advice.”
“Speed limit laws, you know, that’s, that’s an advice, that’s a law. You drive the speed limit, or you speed, or you drive slower. It is up to government, it is up to the Illinois Department of Public Health, to best advise what they think is best. It is up to the American people to decide on their own if they’re going to go with that advice or not. It’s that simple.”
* Bailey also refused to say whether he was vaxed…
Asking if a candidate for Illinois’ highest public office is vaccinated is hardly off-limits. The public is entitled to know about a candidate’s health. Former Gov. Jim Edgar underwent heart surgery during his 1994 re-election. Questions about Edgar’s health weren’t off-limits. https://t.co/D5CbTXN4yQ
— Dave McKinney (@davemckinney) July 28, 2021
* He’s not vaxed and neither is fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine…
“I’m not vaccinated,” @DarrenBaileyIL told a room of Republican primary voters last Thursday in Wheeling at the Chevy Chase Country Club. He tells the crowd he wants to see more transparency about what DNA might be in “MMA and rubella.” It’s MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella.” pic.twitter.com/z4eawkCtjH
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) July 28, 2021
* The depths some people will sink just to score political points with the most deliberately ignorant segment of the GOP base…
According to fellow church members, Bailey’s own brother-in-law was transferred to a hospital in St. Louis under a medically induced coma for specialized [COVID] treatment.
The church is asking for urgent prayers while Bailey sows doubts about public health data that shows vaccines are effective.
Public health data shows nearly 98% of Illinois patients who died due to covid-19 illness this year did not have the vaccine.
Pritzker responded to the reports and said leadership is about listening to experts.
“I am sorry for his brother-in-law who is hospitalized with COVID-19,” he said. “Misinformation is killing people. And people who are promoting misinformation, people who are not listening to the science, are not helping anyone. We need leaders in the state of Illinois listening to the science.”
* And Bailey isn’t alone…
Rabine falsely said that if the vaccines were FDA approved, they “would have been taken off the shelf about 5,000 or 6,000 deaths ago.”
Rabine’s comment, which he repeated throughout the interview, either misunderstands or misinterprets the CDC’s regular, routine collection of “adverse event” reports from people who took the vaccine. As a part of rigorous review protocols, the law requires public health experts to cast a wide net and collect a variety of tips or reports from anyone and everyone who may have gone through some sort of medical episode or death after taking a vaccine, even if the vaccine had nothing to do with their medical episode. Those reports are gathered and collected for medical professionals to thoroughly examine and look for any potential link back to the vaccine. The CDC calls the process the “most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history,” and says the vaccines are “safe and effective.” […]
Asked to clarify what he meant, Rabine again incorrectly attributed thousands of deaths directly to the vaccine. He was apparently using the CDC’s ‘Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System’ (VAERS) to inflate fears about the risks of the vaccine. While the CDC says “reports of death after COVID-19 vaccination are rare,” the agency did collect “6,207 reports of death (0.0018%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine,” adding that the “FDA requires healthcare providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS, even if it’s unclear whether the vaccine was the cause.”
* Rabine’s spokesman walked it back…
After the interview, Maxwell wrote in a story for his station that he received a voicemail from Rabine’s spokesman, Travis Akin, who sought to retract the candidate’s claims of thousands of deaths directly attributable to vaccines. “I think we are walking that back,” Akin said, according to Maxwell’s story.
* But…
Rabine's spokesperson @TravisAkin724 walked back his candidate's utter falsehoods earlier this week about the VAERS database: https://t.co/qAP3UPcN2z Looks like the leash broke https://t.co/IK5Ix2e7pO
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 29, 2021
Attacking a reporter for tweeting simple facts. Great. Also, Rabine didn’t go after any of the male reporters who were calling him out and even mocking him. Gonna be a long year.
* Even the ILGOP cringed…
The @ILGOP responds to Rabine: “We encourage folks to get the vaccine so we can put the pandemic behind us.” https://t.co/La1q0JCcX1
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) July 29, 2021
* Like I said, it’s gonna be a long year…
Attorney Tom DeVore, who was active in litigation around the state's covid protocols, has created a candidate committee to run for the 5th appellate district as a Republican.https://t.co/05Tprt8J8S
— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) July 27, 2021
* But hilarity will certainly abound…
"Bailey’s spokesman said the event was supposed to be inside Pizza Ranch, but the restaurant is now closed Monday and Tuesday." https://t.co/5JL7OOgFQX
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 27, 2021
So, he held his little rally outside. Great advance work, bub.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 11:43 am
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ILGOP not exactly sending their best these days…
Comment by Edyrdologist Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 11:54 am
The GOP candidates need to show they are as health conscience as JB Pritzker. It’s going to be a long campaign.
Comment by Stacey Abrams' Fitness Trainer Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 11:54 am
I know most people consider the speed limit a suggestion rather than a law but I think this is the first time I’ve heard a public official take that stance on the record.
Comment by tea_and_honey Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 11:57 am
“Do vaccines work?”
What an inane question.
The deadly polio and smallpox have been eradicated in the US because of vaccines. Childhood diseases are nearly a thing of the past because of vaccines.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 11:57 am
“Walking back” from lies is language in it’s most deceptive and dishonest form…stop it.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:01 pm
I hate that to get the vaccine or not has become a democrat/republican issue. It seems like everything has become us vs them.
Comment by Confederate Railroad Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:01 pm
All these candidates must be “good news” for McConchie and Durkin… new maps, these candidates, some statewide…
Bet they’re throwing a party…
… no masks, no vaccinations, of course.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:04 pm
They are killing people. Full stop.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:08 pm
Bailey is obviously in favor of tribal law…ruled by a thousand local feudal Chieftains…kinda like klans?
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:09 pm
If one of these clowns is the GOP nominee for governor - what is the over/under on them getting under 40% of the vote?
Comment by train111 Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:14 pm
So then I suppose Bailey is against required vaccines for school children? He is the candidate for liberty, polio, smallpox etc. Great platform. I suggest his Lt Governor candidate should be the Grim Reaper or perhaps one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:14 pm
So Darren Bailey is the anti-law and order candidate?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:15 pm
“I think the one thing that people need to do is understand the constitutional basis of freedom that this country stands on: the Constitution,” Bailey answered, avoiding any reference to vaccines” Can someone ask Gomer when he next appears how he squares this line with his all consuming demands to regulate womens’ health care?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:21 pm
I’d like to be the first to congratulate Governor Pritzker on his second term.
Comment by Occasionally Moderated Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Isn’t there one ‘common sense’ Republican who is going to stand up and show some leadership? This is truly embarrassing.
Comment by Joe Schmoe Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:26 pm
“Understanding” the Constitution is great at preventing disease as long as you wrap it around your head and secure it with duct tape.
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:28 pm
==He tells the crowd he wants to see more transparency about what DNA might be in “MMA and rubella==
Come to think of it. Jonas Salk never patented the polio vaccine. What was he hiding? /S
Comment by Jocko Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:30 pm
For freedom of the body, except for the pro-life stuff
For backing the blue, except if the blue go after racists and insurrectionists
For following the science, except if it means masks or vaccines
None of these phonies care about the greater good, honesty, integrity, or people.
All of these people care about the grift, appeasing racists, insurrectionists, conspiracy theorists, and being angry white victims to urban persons of color… and libs… and libs mean anyone outside the cult.
Good on DeVore, this side grift might mean a seat on the Bench, a pension, and knowing he can be overturned countless times… and stay seated.
Mary Miller scared off Davis, who knows where Davis might land.
Bailey, et al, are willing to have death be the winning minority strategy… as long as racism makes a primary win possible in these times.
Emboldened and empowered, they all are.
Congratulations ILGOP
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:36 pm
Oh, Darren. Jumping from topic to topic with no clear answers or solutions.
Sounds nervous and out of his element when faced with reporters’ questions. Confident demeanor is lacking.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:41 pm
Call this what it is;
=== “Speed limit laws, you know, that’s, that’s an advice, that’s a law. You drive the speed limit, or you speed, or you drive slower. It is up to government, it is up to the Illinois Department of Public Health, to best advise what they think is best. It is up to the American people to decide on their own if they’re going to go with that advice or not. It’s that simple.”===
It’s performance art. Nothing more, nothing less… the lowest common denominator of ignorance, appealing to the in-law uncle wanting freedom for ‘Merica… while dividing ‘Merica too.
It’s utter gibberish you’d hear at the end of a bar who tips the bartender poorly and yells at the TV in between shots of bad whiskey and worse takes.
It’s performance art. It’s a caricature of a hollow man who may believe every word, but knows he must appeal to the lowest forms.
It’s like knowing the magic trick, the luster of it to fool people then becomes how much of a grift can be made off the gullible… performance art
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:45 pm
==what is the over/under on them getting under 40% of the vote?==
Bailey gets 40% or more in the General: +250
Rabine gets 40% or more in the General: +1000
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:52 pm
Darren’s take on traffic laws is just as funny as his take on everything else, and just as wrong. ILGOP: The party of FAIL.
Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:53 pm
I am asking everyone to vote in the GOP primary and to vote for Bailey. My bucket list dream is to see Bailey debate Pritzker. If he is this shaky in front of small market (although very skilled) media, a debate would be a hoot.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:53 pm
=== “MMA and rubella.” It’s MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella.”===
Has BoJo put Bailey in direct contact with Andrew Wakefield and Julie Kirkbride?
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:57 pm
Never thought of it that way Rich but you are correct. Please keep posting these because this is the only place I see them. I’m going to get a crick in my neck from shaking my head so much over the next 12+ months.
Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 12:57 pm
There are literally people in Miller’s District who by following her advice will get Covid and some will die. What a disgusting example she is.
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:00 pm
To Rabine?
Easy.
It’s not even close.
I’m trusting Hannah Meisel… all day
Not a contest.
Hannah Meisel is tops, one of the best covering the Illinois beat, and shines especially when shining a light on the truth of things others want spun to her… or about her.
Also?
Rabine needs to realize he’s not running against Hannah, and running against the truth is just as bad.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:01 pm
There is a whole lot of stupid to digest here. Bailey’s brother-in-law makes this whole thing even sadder. The one thing I will add is that it’s time for the FDA to fully approve the vaccine and end the “emergency” terminology. This would take away a lot of their arguments and put the vaccine on level with measles, polio, etc for mandatory vaccination in school enrollment, etc.
Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:02 pm
===”Bailey’s spokesman said the event was supposed to be inside Pizza Ranch, but the restaurant is now closed Monday and Tuesday.”===
All I hear is Peewee Herman’s voice. “I meant to do that”
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:09 pm
Remember when Rabine openly admitted he was too stupid to understand how elections work.
He wasn’t lying.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:11 pm
Did Darren Bailey take elocution lessons from Ralph Kramden? When reporters ask questions, they expect answers.
“I’m not going to answer that” is petulant. Darren, you’re not ready for the big chair.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:18 pm
===There is a whole lot of stupid to digest here. Bailey’s brother-in-law makes this whole thing even sadder. The one thing I will add is that it’s time for the FDA to fully approve the vaccine and end the “emergency” terminology. This would take away a lot of their arguments and put the vaccine on level with measles, polio, etc for mandatory vaccination in school enrollment, etc.===
Unfortunately, I’m already reading comments that full approval won’t change the viewpoint of many re: the vaccine because the approval will have been rushed, rather than taking years as other vaccines. We’re sunk.
Comment by historic66 Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:32 pm
This is what it sounds like…when a minor attempts to sound like a major… not even close to ready for the Big Show.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:32 pm
Where do they find these guys? Basic principles of electoral politics suggest that you reach out to a wide range of voters that can give you a majority and get you elected.
Yet these two are reaching out to a subset of a subset of voters that are fired up about the vaccine issue. This will not gain them any voters not already in the red column.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:34 pm
I was really hoping Bailey and Rabine were just the extreme elements before someone more prominent/reasonable jumped into the race…nope, looks like this is it.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:39 pm
I never knew that all these government laws didn’t mean a thing. Next time I get pulled over for speeding, I’ll remind the police officer that Bailey says obeying laws is up to me. [facepalm gif]
Comment by Norseman Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 1:46 pm
Darren Bailey don’t need no stinkin’ vaccine…He gonna rassel the virus away….MMA style.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 2:08 pm
If Darren Bailey and Gary Rabine are the best the IL GOP can cough up, they are in worse shape than I thought. Clearly, no serious candidate is getting into the GOP primary (yet), and therefore they are left with brain-trusts like Bailey. And why is he/they running? Either they have no political understanding whatsoever, or they just like to hear themselves talk (and to raise money). These guys need to be held accountable for the death and suffering that they are causing with their ridiculousness on the vax. (And I’ll bet you a dime that Bailey got his vax as soon as he was eligible.) But I guess if Trump is getting a pass for killing 500K people (yes, I’ll give him 100K– maybe a competent president might have lost that many), then maybe the IL GOP’s dream-like state just continues, and the Dems will just run the state forever.
Comment by 47th and Lake Park Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 3:36 pm
I, too, would like to know the DNA in mixed martial arts.
Comment by Menardian Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 3:37 pm
=This would take away a lot of their arguments and put the vaccine on level with measles, polio, etc for mandatory vaccination in school enrollment, etc.=
When a candidate confuses a vaccine with mixed martial arts they have no arguments. Bailey offers nothing more than liberty, freedom, constitutional word salad. He’s pandering to those foolish enough to listen even when sickness or death are the consequence.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 3:43 pm
There is no DNA in mRNA vaccines. I know I’m just yelling at clouds at this point, but I just had to point this out.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 3:55 pm
Again, yelling at clouds, but he wants to disclose the DNA in MMR? It’s the RNA for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (there isn’t DNA in those viruses). What’s the question? That’s what it’s made from–attenuated viruses. Look up the RNA for those viruses. That’s it and some chemicals that are listed on the medication and in the paperwork you are given to preserve the attenuated viruses.
He keeps finding ways to sound dumber.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 4:02 pm
Saw a recent item on Redit - In WWII, London required all lights out at night so German bombers would have trouble finding London. So would Bailey and Miller be the people demanding their right to turn on lights because light restriction is not in the constitution? I’d vote for Bailey in the primary just to see the Pritzker/Bailey debate.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 4:58 pm
Bailey is the Tailban of Illinois.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Aug 2, 21 @ 6:01 pm
A DeVore campaign, in my appellate district, could be incredibly entertaining. I just hope the media gives it the coverage it deserves, but nowadays, I doubt it. Any appellate court race in this district will mostly be played out on people’s social media, where TD will be heralded as the guy who fought Pritzker and got things opened with his dazzling legal skills.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 10:04 am
Bailey is pro-choice on the vaccine, and insists it’s unconstitutional for government to tell people what to do. Yet he wants the government to force pregnant women to carry their pregnancies full term. That will go over well in the greater Chicago area.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 11:51 am
I bet Bailey would like to repeal the safety-belt law, and existing mandatory vaccines for children to attend school. Hopefully some reporter will get him on record.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 11:53 am
I bet Bailey would like to repeal the safety-belt law and existing mandatory vaccines for children to attend school. Hopefully some reporter will get him on record.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 11:54 am