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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Richard Irvin is a Republican. Period.
Irvin might not be enough of a Republican for the purists. And Democrats might want to weaken Irvin in the Republican primary for governor by pointing to some of the nice things he’s said about Democrats (including the governor) over the years. But Richard Irvin is still a Republican.
I’ve covered and watched the Aurora mayor for years, and it’s always been obvious to me that he’s a Republican.
If he was a Democrat, why would then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and House Speaker Michael Madigan all campaign against a Black candidate over the years and instead work to elect various white, openly Democratic opponents? Those Democrats were trying to stop Irvin from gaining any kind of foothold because they all knew he was talented enough that he could eventually do something really damaging to their party, like running for governor as a Republican with plenty of cash to spend. Oops.
Maybe he’s not a pure Republican for gubernatorial candidates like state Sen. Darren Bailey, who took a Democratic primary ballot in 2008; or Jesse Sullivan, who appeared to back Obama in 2008; or Gary Rabine, who financially supported Ald. Ed Burke and his ward organization. But if somebody tells you for two decades they’re a Republican while fending off numerous, well-funded, high-profile Democratic attacks, I’d believe them.
And, while I’m at it, Gov. J.B. Pritzker needs to stop helping and enabling the far-right wing of the GOP in this state. No way would Jeanne Ives have given Gov. Bruce Rauner such a run for his money in the 2018 Republican primary had it not been for the generous intervention of the Democratic Governors Association (funded by Pritzker) on Ives’ behalf.
The governor regularly bemoans the fact that Republicans here are too tied to Donald Trump and Rauner, and they don’t want to come to the table and negotiate. Yet, he seems fully prepared to unsubtly support the ultra-right Republican Bailey.
I get that Pritzker doesn’t want to have to face someone backed by Ken Griffin, who is worth almost 10 times what Pritzker is. But if he wants to stamp out the far right, then don’t fund it.
I also get that Pritzker and pretty much everyone else have good reasons to suspect Irvin won’t be his own man. Irvin could very well turn out to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the billionaire Griffin, who once said rich people have “insufficient influence” over politics in this country. Irvin should definitely have to answer for that on a constant basis. Not to mention that almost his entire campaign team elected Rauner in the first place. Who are they bringing us now?
Irvin should also expect to get a much closer once-over than any of the other announced Republicans have received. Hardly anybody has so far taken any of the other Republican hopefuls seriously. The election would effectively end on primary day, so why even bother vetting them?
Irvin, though, is the opposite of that. He may not make it through the primary, but if he does win, he has a shot at giving Pritzker a run for his money. And so he will likely be vetted much more closely.
And how can Irvin win the primary? Griffin’s money, for one. He also threw around some buzzwords in his kickoff video about children being “indoctrinated” and how “All lives matter” and crime is skyrocketing, and the state is broke, and all those other things written by Griffin’s people. Much of it seemed out of place because that’s not the Richard Irvin we’ve seen over the years. But every consultant’s dream candidate is one who says and does whatever he’s told.
Slightly more than half the Republican primary electorate lives downstate, but former Gov. Jim Edgar pointed out to me that if you count the exurban counties within the Chicago media market, that’s most of the primary vote. Even so, it’s still an uphill climb.
It’s also past time for Griffin to publicly account for the tens of millions of dollars he’s spent on campaigns here. Whatever else you can say about the billionaire Pritzker, he (and the self-funding Rauner before him) regularly takes questions from reporters on whatever subjects they want to talk about. Griffin’s money defeated a Supreme Court justice and killed a graduated income tax, and he is now reportedly trying to elect a governor and several others without once ever having the guts to submit himself to public questions. That’s the opposite of democratic.
* The Tribune editorial board kinda tiptoes around the GOP billionaire…
We respect the rights of Pritzker and Griffin, highly successful men, to spend their fortunes as they choose and to engage in ideas involving the future of our state. But here’s the other bizarre thing. While Pritzker is self-funding his campaign, Griffin’s name apparently will not be on the ballot. Rather, he is selecting a preferred candidate he intends to bankroll.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:29 am
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The Trib’s point is a good one. The limitation, of course, is that Pritzker/the Dems do seem intent on making Griffin an issue (and frankly, so far, the media seems willing to play along). But Griffin still gets a layer of protection from scrutiny.
I guess my question is, what would probing Griffin’s views really reveal? If you can go from Rauner to Irvin, it seems like all you really care about is low taxes and hating Pritzker.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:33 am
== …a Republican. Period. ==
I think it’s a little more complicated than that. If you’re circulating Democratic petitions this week in Aurora and targeting Hard-Ds only, “Irvin, Richard” would appear on your VoteBuilder walk sheet.
Comment by Roman Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:42 am
Wealth certainly has its privileges, but buying elections should not be one of them. It has devolved to that it seems.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:43 am
This is one of those columns that folks (civilians) confused as what exactly is at play, what this silly fight about “R_N_” credentials versus who is a “Republican, enough. Irvin also has done a good job, easily won re-election, and the GOP in the region, up till “recently”, considered beyond reproach a Republican.
For me… this is probably the most to the whole ball game;
===And, while I’m at it, Gov. J.B. Pritzker needs to stop helping and enabling the far-right wing of the GOP in this state. No way would Jeanne Ives have given Gov. Bruce Rauner such a run for his money in the 2018 Republican primary had it not been for the generous intervention of the Democratic Governors Association (funded by Pritzker) on Ives’ behalf.===
What is happening with likely $200 million in accounts before Valentines Day, Pritzker and the DGA “left-handedly” helping voters, “educating” voters if you will, that’s also on Irvin as their own silence allows another to define them, even if Irvin will be able to, ten-fold, at the time of their choosing.
My fear, as an individual, is Bailey breaks though, not as any identified Republican or identified “whatever”, as Bailey represents so much of what is dangerous to democracy, spouting things about the past election and cozying up with conspiracy theorists (including the Cult Leader) and not distancing himself from insurrectionist or racist thinking.
That’s where I am “fine” (it’s a weird thing to be fine with party incursions) with any education that has a greater goal, but propping up Bailey is tricky and while it may stave off Irvin, what cost is it to encourage folks who do not see our Republic as those willing to destroy democracy see it.
We have 5 months to see how and incursion could evolve or expand, we have 5 months of Irvin threading the needle, we have 5 months of Bailey shoring up cult support.
We have 5 months, how that will shake out with the monies and backing, and the counter-programming by Dems… not enough popcorn.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:45 am
===If you’re circulating Democratic petitions this week in Aurora and targeting Hard-Ds only, “Irvin, Richard” would appear on your VoteBuilder walk sheet.===
Is that true?
That would be an interesting tidbit.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:47 am
=== …billionaire Griffin, who once said rich people have “insufficient influence” over politics in this country…===
You’ll notice he doesn’t say democracy. That’s not a mistake. He want’s a plutocracy. And the last thing he want’s is “to submit himself to public questions”, because people don’t matter to him, just his profits, and he profits at our expense.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:50 am
==Is that true?==
Given the way the VoteBuilder formula works, very possibly. It works mostly on primary ballots pulled- if you pulled one party’s in 2 out of the last 3 elections, you’re considered “strong” for that party. This is how a lot of hard core AFSCME members on the west side of Springfield got considered Strong Republicans- because they’d pulled R ballots to vote for Dillard in ‘14, and for McCann in ‘16.
But a smart organizer can step in and scrub the list. Wouldn’t take much to remember that Irvin was a Republican precinct committeeman. OTOH, such scrubbing usually doesn’t happen until, like, now (and often, not even then).
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:51 am
” … what would probing Griffin’s views really reveal?”
How about probing Griffin’s actions and investment strategies before, during, and after the Mortgage Crisis? Did he “Short the housing market?” Chicago got hurt badly then, and voters might like to know if that money is funding Irvin.
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:52 am
===very possibly===
But is it true?
With respect, not going after your thoughts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:52 am
Really enjoyed reading the column yesterday.
Have to admit I am a big fan of Chicago newspapers since being a paperboy delivering the the Trib and Times in the morning and the Chicago American and the Daily News at night and getting to read the papers for free. That doesn’t make me any kind of expert on journalism, but I do believe newspapers should inform, but also get readers thinking about issues.
Hope this doesn’t come across as defending a home town fellow, but just not buying into the idea that KG is afraid of interviewers or has an obligation to do interviews on his political views. It is worth noting that the fellow has done a lot of interviews - - a check of YouTube shows interviews with public tv, Bloomberg, CNBC, the US Congress and many other outlets. Of course, I would look forward to and tune into an interview by the author or other reporters or writers (Rick Kogan or the fellow who does interviews at The Hideout would be great to see), but I just don’t think KG is obligated to do more interviews.
I suspect others might not agree.
Again, IMHO that was one solid piece of writing.
Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:52 am
“Richard Irvin is a Republican. Period.”
And he is so sure of his Republicanism that he is man enough to take a Democratic ballot most of the time.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:55 am
===he is man enough to take a Democratic ballot===
He’s wiley, for sure. lol
But Barack Obama called him a Republican. Durbin went all out against him at least twice.
You’re wrong.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:56 am
Also, Democrats who insist that he’s a Democrat are gonna find themselves in a real pickle if he wins the primary.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:57 am
===…just not buying into the idea that KG is afraid of interviewers or has an obligation to do interviews on his political views. It is worth noting that the fellow has done a lot of interviews…===
… and yet publicly discussing his own (Griffin’s) incursion with a slate is “portrayed” up to know as a “passing fancy that Griffin has an interest”
I know the family has a lotta buffers, but let’s not pretend the overt silence to anything politically going on is a mere “coincidence” and Griffin is an open book, talking all the time to whomever.
Otherwise that is defending or ignoring what’s going on.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:58 am
==But is it true?==
Yeah, not in a position to verify right now. I don’t explain it to take a position on “Richard Irvin: Democrat or Republican?” but more to illustrate how fuzzy these labels can be. Even VB’s definition can be “gamed”.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 9:59 am
“Also, Democrats who insist that he’s a Democrat are gonna find themselves in a real pickle if he wins the primary.”
Totally agree. And I am not insisting that he is a Democrat. I pull whatever ballot I feel like. So does Richard Irvin. That does not sound like someone who wins a Republican primary.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:01 am
Irvin has to get through the primary, he will have a headwind after that. His platform of crime, taxes, corruption is likely going to age well with GOP and independent-minded voters. Allies are forming Pastor Brooks on crime is one example. He (and Bourne) will take shots on Abortion - but this is Illinois, having a GOP Governor in power against a huge Dem legislative majority will have no impact on Illinois current status.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:02 am
Pritzker is not “enabling the right wing” by playing to win. Geez. Republicans have built their entire brand on questioning fundamental democracy and demonizing certain demographics (see the debate about crime and critical race theory as well as January 6) and even the so called “moderates” end up not being that so much (see “Youngkin, Glenn”). The GOP primary is what it is because the Republicans drive it their in a cynical ploy to capture whatever they thought Trump enabled for them. Pritzker should play to win. And if that means knocking out a potential opponent early then great.
We don’t live in the kind of times where you can have intellectual conversations about all of our hopes for so called “moderate” Republicans. Particularly if you are black or brown or have a uterus.
Comment by Anchors Away Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:03 am
===Pritzker is not “enabling the right wing” by playing to win===
It’s exactly what he did in 2018 by helping Jeanne Ives.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:04 am
=Irvin might not be enough of a Republican for the purists.=
Are they really “purists”? I don’t think so. They have taken a good portion of the GOP hostage, but to the historical legacy of the GOP, I don’t think so. To me, they are fanatics along the lines of the McCarthyists.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:05 am
- Arsenal -
Fair enough. Be well, bud.
===Democrats who insist that he’s a Democrat are gonna find themselves in a real pickle if he wins the primary.===
Is the bet that the “base” voter after the primary will abandon Irvin, if he wins, like they did with Rauner?
After the politicization of Covid, that task has become harder, as those opposing Pritzker on Covid are also likely the same Bailey voters, if Bailey loses, that want Pritzker gone, no matter what.
Truly a fascinating watch this whole Irvin “identification” game
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:07 am
The GOP enabled the right wing. As Trump used to like to say “you knew I was a snake when you let me in.” The Democrats should not hesitate to use that to win. After all, that’s exactly what the GOP would do.
Comment by Anchors Away Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:09 am
===His platform of crime, taxes, corruption is likely going to age well with GOP and independent-minded voters.===
Now throw in Abortion.
Bourne touted the March for Life event where she spoke as well.
There’s a much bigger picture to a discussion of what can and will play after (checks calendar) June… 5 months from now.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:10 am
==he will have a headwind after that==
This is actually true, but I don’t think you intended it as such.
Headwind means the wind is blowing right in your face. It slows you down. That is what Irvin will face, as Pritzker is a reasonably popular incumbent Democrat in a state that usually (though not always) puts a thumb (and sometimes an entire hand) on the scale for Dems.
He can still win, though. People reach their destination against headwinds all the time.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:17 am
meant “tailwind” Irvin’s crime, taxes, and corruption platform will be popular in relation to the Dems with the so-called bail reform/crime bill, inflation which destroys purchasing power will be laid at the feet of the Dems, and plenty of brewing corruption investigations. But yeah JB is popular.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:24 am
In the past, I’ve taken opposing-party ballots for my own reasons. There are reasons, so I don’t put a lot of stock into that issue.
How much money has far-left George Soros pumped into this state and to whom? Perhaps opposing money is a good idea. Not that I think money should matter in elections but, unfortunately, it does.
Comment by Leer Jet Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:25 am
I get that Pritzker and the DGA have a history of trying to influence Republican primaries, but it still rubs me the wrong way to blame Democrats for the results of internal Republican Party conflicts. Sure, DGA put some ads up for Ives, but Rauner also got a lot of negative coverage on Fox News over immigration and abortion. That’s probably closer to the proximate cause of Ives’ strong performance.
I worry a lot about the national media tendency to treat Republicans like wild animals that have no moral or political agency. Too many stories are framed as though Democratic politicians have the power to moderate the far-right by never provoking them. It’s all bank-shot strategic game theory. If their party keeps nominating candidates who are unelectable in the general, is that really because of Democratic gamesmanship? Or is the simplest explanation that that’s what Republican primary voters want?
Comment by vern Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:30 am
===Sure, DGA put some ads up for Ives===
Way to downplay it.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:32 am
===“tailwind” Irvin’s crime, taxes, and corruption platform will be popular in relation to the Dems with the so-called bail reform/crime bill, inflation which destroys purchasing power will be laid at the feet of the Dems===
So if Dems pass more criminal justice reform this session, the GOP vote against it, (including Bourne) how exactly will that look?
Also, are you ignoring the abortion angle?
How can all the things you see as staying ripe works when a possible “overturn”, as Mike Pence sees it, of Roe could happen in June?
Will that be a tailwind too?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:33 am
As just a political-geek watcher, the GOP primary is going to be fascinating. It will answer the question of what if a Thompson/Edgar - type Republican ran for governor in this new hyper-partisan climate (which is more caffeinated than when Dillard ran). We’ll find out now.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:37 am
==Irvin’s crime, taxes, and corruption platform will be popular in relation to the Dems with the so-called bail reform/crime bill, inflation which destroys purchasing power will be laid at the feet of the Dems, and plenty of brewing corruption investigations==
This assumes that Irvin’s message will get out unchallenged-but we know that JB Pritzker isn’t going to be outspent in this race (and in fact, right now, it’s *Pritzker’s* message that is largely unchallenged).
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:40 am
Membership on numerous Governor-appointed boards and commissions (like the Brd of Elections or ICC) require a partisan balance. Participation in primary elections is often used to demonstrate the affiliation of appointees. If JB tapped Irvin to fill a Republican seat on the ICC sometime last year, how would have the GOP members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee reacted?
Comment by BC Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:43 am
=having a GOP Governor in power against a huge Dem legislative majority will have no impact on Illinois current status=
Couldn’t that be said about virtually anything. And if we assume that is the case what’s the compelling argument for electing Irvin? I would think that voters would expect him to accomplish something and not simply claim “I’m not in charge.”
And therein lies the problem. We saw with Governor Rauner that he was so intent on eliminating public sector unions that nothing else mattered. Do we really believe that Ken Griffin’s main objectives now lie in reducing inner city crime or keeping kids from being “indoctrinated?” What is it that truly motivates Irvin/Griffin to run and what reason do we have to believe that it was any different than what motivated Rauner/Griffin?
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:44 am
Pritzker is taking any Griffin-backed candidate quite seriously, in dumping $90 million into his campaign. That is how it should be.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 10:54 am
“every consultant’s dream candidate is one who says and does whatever he’s told.”
It’s also the dream of every aspiring political boss.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 11:11 am
Rich - terrific piece on Irvin, Griffin and Pritzker. This kind of writing my force me to become a subscriber.
I’m a “Sanders Democrat” who can feel nauseated about the ultra big money tossed around by the likes of Ken Griffin. This said, at the risk of being “cancelled” by some, I’m happy to see a viable challenger to Pritzker being funded. Our system can only function well if there is true competition - Pritzker simply isn’t doing well enough that he deserves a lay-up victory. Because Pritzker is so wealthy, the only way you can have a competitive election is to also have ultra big money on the other side. The current system is terrible - in large part due to Citizens United - but until there is true campaign finance reform/contribution limits, I’d rather see a competitive election (where Griffin uses Irvin to propose his solutions, which I believe will be unpopular) than Pritzker not be forced to defend his performance in office and put forward a second-term vision.
Comment by DarkHorse Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 11:46 am
I just deleted a comment and it’s for the usual reason during campaign season. Speak for yourself here, unless you have polling data. Don’t presume to speak for an entire class of people. It makes you look goofy and will get you banned.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 11:50 am
Irvin is devo to Rauner Redux.
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 1:47 pm
Some thoughts:
The amount of money spent on campaigns is beyond obscene. And this particularly applies when it is huge money from individuals. But make no mistake the Democrats certainly are big spenders so I doubt if any campaign finance ‘reform’ will be forth.
Trump was outspent by both Clinton and Biden and by large amounts. Durbin received over $10 million while Curran got $376 thousand. And in my 17th Bustos received $5 million to $2 million for her Republican opponent. Everything I have seen printed seems to indicate that Pritzker significantly outspent Rauner and the the Governor has already written a check for $90 million to finance his new campaign. Cherry picking? No. these are officials that represent me.
I also find it interesting that the term ‘right wing’ is so generously thrown around on this post
while policies of Pritzker and the Democrats seem to avoid any labeling of being ‘left wing.’
Comment by Unconventional wisdom Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 2:14 pm
===Everything I have seen printed seems to indicate that Pritzker significantly outspent Rauner===
At one point, Rauner, self funding, wasn’t gonna chase good money after bad.
Rauner lost by 15+ points, why drop another $10-15 million to lose by… 12 points.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 2:18 pm
=At one point, Rauner, self funding, wasn’t gonna chase good money after bad.=
I could have saved him a lot of money in the first place. He was horrible as a Governor and had no real support from conservatives who did not like or trust him.
Comment by Unconventional wisdom Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 2:27 pm
== Irvin is devo to Rauner Redux.==
He’s what? Devo? What does that mean? Is he going to whip it? Whip it good?
Comment by fs Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 2:38 pm
Republicans I know tend to take a Republican primary ballot more than once in the past decade.
Comment by Soapbox Derby Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 3:00 pm
===Republicans I know tend===
There’s only one Black Republican mayor of Aurora.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 3:06 pm
The “black Republican Mayor of Aurora” has voted in one Republican primary in the past decade.
One.
Comment by Soapbox Derby Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 3:14 pm
===One===
A point others will try to make under further examination.
What’s funny is Dillard “endorsed” Obama, he’s a R_N_
Durbin, et al work purposely *against* Irvin, Irvin is a R_N_ too…
This purity thing is a bad drug.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 3:17 pm
Many GOP voters aren’t looking for purity, just a record of participation and involvement.
Comment by Soapbox Derby Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:04 pm
===Many GOP voters…===
Please speak for yourself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:05 pm
Oswego, when was the last Republican primary you voted in?
Comment by Soapbox Derby Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:33 pm
- Soapbox Derby -
I’ve never NOT voted in a GOP primary.
I’m not gonna let you age me, and I’m especially not gonna have you speak for anyone other than yourself.
:)
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:34 pm
Perhaps our razor sharp media could ask Griffie how he got the Trump DoJ to lift the gag order on the confessed Congressman to appear in the $2 million ad blitz trashing Kalibride?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:37 pm
I don’t know if the Claire McCaskill strategy is immoral. The Republican are the ones who fosters the far right. That’s on them. Nothing immoral about exploiting the reality the Republicans knowingly and willfully created.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checker Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 4:48 pm
Irvin is NOT a Republican in voting record, policy or governing. He obviously started in politics trying to stick out as a Black Republican and that didn’t work out in a Democrat city like Aurora, but now that he has someone dangling millions, he’s showing he is just available for the right price.
Comment by Robbie Gould Fan Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 5:10 pm
===Democrat city===
What makes it a “Democrat” city, you know, besides the persons of color that live there?
===stick out as a Black Republican===
So, a black Republican can’t be any type of Republican.
You think you’re being clever, what you are doing is kinda saying the quiet part out loud to your thoughts about who and what are Republicans…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 5:13 pm
===What makes it a “Democrat” city, you know, besides the persons of color that live there?===
Because voters have chosen Democrats overwhelmingly from knocking out Hastert to state reps, state senators, state offices and POTUS.
Irvin thought by being a Black Republican, he would get more attention decades ago. He shifted to voting for Democrats once it was safe. That is who he really is.
Comment by Robbie Gould Fan Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 5:23 pm
===Because voters have chosen Democrats overwhelmingly from knocking out Hastert to state reps, state senators, state offices and POTUS.===
Good point, yeah, good point…
But why do you make the point of the black Republican, why would it matter? You’d think being *any* Republican would be bad… so why go there?
You should think on why you did, maybe.
===He shifted to voting for Democrats once it was safe. That is who he really is.===
Why would it be safe again? Why?
I’d stop digging.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 5:28 pm
From someone who’s lived in Kane County for over a dozen years and worked in 6 different levels of government during that time - Richard Irvin is a democrat.
Comment by Citizen Kane Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 6:20 pm
===Richard Irvin is a democrat===
We are gonna see if that’s gonna work, given Irvin is gonna be on Tee-Vee in the coming… hours.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 6:25 pm
What proof does Irvin have that he’s a Republican?
A multi-million dollar ad buy that says he is.
Comment by Band of Brothers Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:12 pm
===What proof does Irvin have that he’s a Republican?===
Did you even *read* Rich’s column or this post?
Sincerely. Did you?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:13 pm
Rich Miller, and you, don’t determine who is or isn’t a Republican.
I’ll let Republican primary voters decide that.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:52 pm
Rich Miller, and you, don’t determine who is or isn’t a Republican.
I’ll let Republican primary voters decide that.
Comment by Band of Brothers Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:53 pm
Rich Miller, and you, don’t determine who is or isn’t a Republican.
I’ll let Republican primary voters decide that.
Comment by Band of Brothers Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:55 pm
===Why would it be safe again? Why?
I’d stop digging.===
Not sure what you are asking. Irvin thought he could stand out being a Black Republican instead of one of many Black Democrats when he started in politics.
He got a lot of campaign contributions, help and assistance from gullible Republicans that way, but then veered off to what he really is…a Democrat.
Now, he’s veered back, but it’s incorrect to refer to him as Republican just because he claims he is all of a sudden.
Nothing (voting, policies or views) is consistent with being a Republican.
If Rahm Emanuel launched a campaign video calling himself a Republican after voting as a Democrat, would anyone fall for it? No, of course not…because we all know Rahm.
Irvin is banking on people to be foolish enough to fall for it all.
More bizarre is GOP political operatives or anyone in media falling for it.
Comment by Robbie Gould Fan Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 7:55 pm
===He got a lot of campaign contributions, help and assistance from gullible Republicans that way, but then veered off to what he really is…a Democrat.===
It seems like you are disqualifying Irvin because of his race, and that a black Republican can’t be a real thing.
Is it because you can’t except a black Republican?
It keeps reading like his race disqualifies him, to you be Cate being a black Republican is phony thing.
But if you’d like to keep digging, have at it, it’s only logical if “old, angry, white” is the only Republican standard.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 8:02 pm
===From someone who’s lived in Kane County for over a dozen years and worked in 6 different levels of government during that time - Richard Irvin is a democrat.===
This is 100% accurate.
In 2020, Irvin funded the campaign of a Kane County judge candidate (Brittany Pederson).
She is a Democrat.
He also had his so-called GOP operatives run her campaign.
If it talks, walks and votes as a Democrat, maybe he is a Democrat.
Comment by Robbie Gould Fan Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 8:03 pm
How many electeds do you guys really think wouldn’t be Republicans if Chicago wasn’t a Dem town and Illinois wasn’t a Dem state? The answer is *a lot*. People who run for office - especially the smart ones - run on what they think will get them elected, i.e. whatever platform gets them the win number. So if Irvin has a chance as a Republican, he’s gonna take it, plain and simple. If he thought he could primary JB Pritzker and succeed he’d probably do that too.
Dems in Aurora say that Irvin has very successfully blurred the line as to what party he belongs to among the local population. Why? Sure it’s possible that he’s just very moderate, but it’s a lot more likely that he’s just savvy and realizes he needs to get elected. He’s just scaling that up to the Governor’s race. The game is to get elected and stay elected, it’s not about your ideas.
Comment by Chicago Political Burnout Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 8:16 pm
===People who run for office - especially the smart ones - run on what they think will get them elected, i.e. whatever platform gets them the win number. So if Irvin has a chance as a Republican, he’s gonna take it, plain and simple.===
Cynicism aside, thinking this is one thing, trying to be everything to everyone won’t win that many elections in a long run, as *results* win re-election.
===How many electeds do you guys really think wouldn’t be Republicans if Chicago wasn’t a Dem town and Illinois wasn’t a Dem state?===
Name an elected that falls under this “ruse”
It should be easy to point out.
===Sure it’s possible that he’s just very moderate, but it’s a lot more likely that he’s just savvy and realizes he needs to get elected. He’s just scaling that up to the Governor’s race.===
Or his governing record? Isn’t that a factor too?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 24, 22 @ 8:31 pm
Seems like Richard Irvin has a lot of Republicans worried. The cries of “he’s not one of us,” from newly minted commenters, a are more than just a little obvious. Purity runs deep I guess.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 25, 22 @ 7:07 am