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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
Almost every weekday since the beginning of February, the Richard Irvin campaign has sent at least one press release to reporters about a host of issues, from crime to taxes to corruption to former House Speaker Michael Madigan to, well, you name it.
Last week, however, the Irvin campaign was conspicuously silent for 24 hours. While pretty much everyone in both political parties felt the need to be heard the day after a U.S. Supreme Court draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, the Irvin campaign hit the mute button. No comment would be forthcoming, the campaign told reporters.
It goes without saying that Irvin is attempting to win a Republican Party primary without saying or doing anything that could derail his chances in a general election. Abortion rights are generally popular in Illinois but unpopular with Republican primary voters.
Obviously, the decision was made to protect the candidate and not give his rivals within or outside his party any ammunition to use against him before or after primary day. Again, pretty basic.
Irvin’s Republican opponents are so hapless and cashless that they haven’t yet been able to force him out of his protective shell, including last week on an issue that has, along with gun rights, defined the GOP for decades. Darren Bailey posted a standard milk carton meme on his social media accounts that tried to press the issue, but it was pretty vague and contained a misspelling of the word “statement.” At least he tried, I suppose.
The Chicago-area news media, which dominates coverage in this state, has spent more time focused on the 2023 mayor’s race than the 2022 contests and, perhaps understandably, hasn’t shown much interest in helping a gaggle of ultimately doomed far-right candidates whack a Black and seemingly moderate Republican who has an actual chance of winning in November.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Democrats have spent big bucks on ads trying to deflate Irvin and promote Bailey. Aside from pushing a hoped-for Bailey win, the Democratic Governors Association ads are designed to hit back at the well-funded Irvin, who has focused much of his advertising on Pritzker, which is a surefire unifying force among Irvin’s targeted GOP primary voters and also helps keep the governor’s numbers from rising as the Republicans argue (albeit tepidly to date) among themselves.
From the start, this whole Irvin thing has had the vibe of a campaign apparatus seeking out and building a candidate instead of the usual other way around. The Irvin campaign, of course, denies this. But we’re at about the halfway point between when Irvin formally announced his candidacy in March and nomination day, and his campaign has so far managed to only present what it wants the electorate to see, with just a couple of memorable candidate flubs.
The problem is the Irvin GOP primary strategy is to essentially gaslight Republican voters. In Irvin’s manufactured world, Bailey and Jesse Sullivan are closeted liberal Democrats who hate Donald Trump, despite the fact that Irvin has taken numerous Democratic primary ballots and won’t say if he voted even once for Trump. And I dunno about Sullivan, but I’ve covered Bailey for quite some time now and he ain’t any kind of liberal.
Also in Irvin’s world, the candidate who claims to be pro-life won’t specifically define what that means or what he would do about it if elected. That’s really not much different than any other important issue. Irvin makes a claim, obfuscates when he’s asked to define it, then won’t say what he’d do about it come January 2023.
The gaslighting was elevated to new heights last week when Irvin promised in a television ad that he would refuse to commute Madigan’s sentence if the indicted former House Speaker is convicted. As I pointed out to my blog readers, the pledge is utter nonsense. Madigan is under federal indictment. A state’s governor can’t do anything about that.
Irvin’s campaign has literally created a fantasy world where an ultra-right, anti-vax Republican state senator is a secret Democrat, where a mayor can call out the National Guard to put down rioting and a governor can commute a federal prison sentence. It’s just bonkers, but it’s also brilliant so far because almost nobody else is effectively calling him out on it.
* Meanwhile…
MEDIA ADVISORY: IRVIN, BOURNE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS REACT TO LASALLE VETERANS HOME AUDIT REPORT
WHO: Aurora Mayor and Gubernatorial Candidate Richard Irvin and his running mate, State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris), and State Representative David Welter (R-Morris).
WHAT: Irvin, Bourne and legislative leaders to discuss the Illinois Auditor General’s report that shows J.B. Pritzker’s team and senior leadership at the Illinois Department of Public Health were well aware, in real time, of the Covid-19 epidemic at the LaSalle Veterans Home and failed to take quick action to address the outbreak that ultimately took the lives of 36 veterans.
WHEN: 11:30AM on Monday, May 9th
WHERE: Irvin for Illinois Campaign Headquarters, 1 East Benton Street, Aurora, IL 60505
…Adding… I’ve posted several of these from the ILGOP, so here’s one from DPI…
With only 50 days until the primary election, Richard Irvin still hasn’t answered basic questions of critical importance about his background and his campaign for governor—from who he voted for when he pulled Democratic primary ballots in 2014, 2016, and 2020 to if he thinks Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
As Irvin heads to his first press conference in months, major unanswered questions remain top of mind for voters:
• Does Irvin think Roe should be overturned?
• Does Irvin support the increasingly widespread Republican efforts to enact a nationwide abortion ban? What restrictions on abortion would he like to see in Illinois?
• Will Irvin consider vetoing the state budget to enact his personal agenda like Bruce Rauner did in 2015?
• Who did Irvin vote for in the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries? Did he ever vote for Donald Trump for president? And why is he hitting his opponents for pulling Democratic ballots when Irvin himself did the same?
• Did Joe Biden win the 2020 election fairly?
• Was the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol “legitimate political discourse?”
• Does Irvin support the minimum wage increasing to $15 an hour?
• Is Aurora still a sanctuary city?
• What does Irvin have to say about reporting that shows your campaign donors getting big city contracts in Aurora?Irvin’s endless flip-flops also deserve explanation. Despite requiring vaccines for city workers in Aurora and imposing penalties against businesses that failed to comply with mask mandates, on the campaign trail Irvin now says he is “against all mandates.” He also went from a “strong and passionate supporter” of the Black Lives Matter movement to saying Donald Trump’s favorite phrase, “All Lives Matter.”
It’s time for Irvin to finally come clean with Illinoisans and truthfully answer basic questions about his record. His first press conference in months would be a great place to start.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 9, 22 @ 8:58 am
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If the media is worth anything, they will pepper Irvin with questions on whether or not he would protect a woman’s reproductive rights in Illinois if he were to become governor. its the only question that matters at this point, and irvin may not stick his back out of the foxhole before the june primary. now is your chance to see where irvin stands. do your job.
Comment by pipe fitter Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:02 am
=== Irvin makes a claim, obfuscates when he’s asked to define it, then won’t say what he’d do about it come January 2023. ===
Obfuscates wouldn’t have been my word choice, but, then again, Rich needs to be civil…
Comment by PublicServant Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:09 am
It’s such a risky strategy. Generally, if you don’t speak, your opponents will gladly speak for you. You’re lucky if all they say is that you’re being silent.
It’s also too clever by half. Irvin is explicitly pro-life and chose Avery Bourne as a running mate (or, well, *someone* chose her as his running mate). He will not be able to escape that in the General.
And he’s not going to be able to change the subject today, either.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:11 am
Manufactured is the word. Irvin is totally handled by the Griffin-Rauner crew. He is a Raunerite. How can anyone trust someone like this, who is controlled in this way? He won’t make a statement on one of the most important issues of our time, Roe and abortion.
An Irvin interview could be full evasion and talking points reciting, just like Rauner. “How do you stand on abortion?” “Pritzker and thugs running wild, slash waste and every other talking point.” Focus, interviewer, focus. Message discipline only. Total Raunerism.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:12 am
Irvin is playing the electability card. The GOP has a tug of war going on between a conservative purity test and electability versus JB. The Irvin camp has made his strategy crystal clear. Time and polling will tell how it works.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:14 am
Irvin’s strategy seems to be working, if the polls are to be believed.
Not sure why the Democrats fear Irvin, if he’s been such a loyal D, in the past. Amazing to think that the Democrat Governor’s Association is throwing money against him already. It’s the clearest sign that Irwin is either leading in the polls or their greatest fear.
I’m all for electing Illinois’ first governor of color.
Comment by Downstate Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:16 am
With props to Gertrude Stein, there is no there there.
Comment by Big Dipper Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:22 am
Good job by the Times in covering the Team Irvin approach to running a campaign for Governor.
I really found Mayor Irvin to be an interesting candidate after seeing his first Ad that covered his background, but after his Angry Man and misleading marketing efforts I am beginning to get the impression that Mayor Irvin may just be another empty suit candidate with nothing more going for him than a big checkbook.
Comment by Back to the Future Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:22 am
===The gaslighting was elevated to new heights last week when Irvin promised in a television ad that he would refuse to commute Madigan’s sentence if the indicted former House Speaker is convicted. As I pointed out to my blog readers, the pledge is utter nonsense. Madigan is under federal indictment. A state’s governor can’t do anything about that. ===
How many voters that vote based on 30-second TV ads are going to realize that?
Comment by DuPage Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:25 am
===It’s the clearest sign that Irwin is either leading in the polls or their greatest fear.===
Irvin could make the race the most expensive in Illinois history. Take him out now, saves tens on Millions of dollars.
=== Not sure why the Democrats fear Irvin===
Redux of the Rauner years.
If you ignore that too, then you’re not grasping the strategy of both… and “to the post”…
And this…
===It’s such a risky strategy. Generally, if you don’t speak, your opponents will gladly speak for you. You’re lucky if all they say is that you’re being silent.===
To both, so much of this is predicated on the field Irvin needs to beat.
“One race at a time” is all I keep seeing, and the silence, there’s more (I can’t believe it’s seemingly true) upside to be quiet. Why? Pick your poison if you speak;
Loudly be pro-life, win the primary, get pummeled with Bourne on the ticket too.
Loudly say “it’s settled in Illinois”, now you face the Ives type backlash that Rauner never had a base of the party, resorting to going, in costume, to be ignored by Trump at a rally.
It’s not like Rabine, Sullivan, or Bailey can fight a two front battle, defining themselves, defining Irvin, heck, all three are still trying to define themselves as Irvin either defines them or gaslights them… now with $25 million more to do it all
Which of the three can take news reports, make ads, use oppo… and stay on TV with merely the negative of Irvin for weeks, not days, weeks.
Irvin saying zero. It’s real smart to the politics. Exceptionally smart.
Why?
It’s like match play golf. You can play the course, but you only need to beat your opponent, no matter how many shots it might take.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:28 am
== It’s the clearest sign that Irwin is either leading in the polls or their greatest fear. ==
By that logic, Irvin running ads against Sullivan must mean that Sullivan is either leading in the polls or Irvin’s greatest fear.
Or maybe campaigns with a lot of cash just spend that cash.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:29 am
Great work here, Rich.
It’s must read and “pass on” to friends and family to educate the why and how silence is deafening here
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:29 am
=the Democrat Governor’s Association=
We see what you’re doing there. You guys probably need new code words.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:30 am
==“One race at a time” is all I keep seeing==
If that were true, he would just repeat that he’s pro-life and picked a pro-life running mate. That he’s silent shows that Irvin’s campaign is not thinking about “one race at a time”.
==get pummeled with Bourne on the ticket too.==
The problem is, Irvin is gonna get pummeled on choice either way. He ID’s as pro-life, and Bourne isn’t going off the ticket. Pritzker won’t let voters forget that.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:34 am
===Democrat Governor’s Association===
It’s the in-law uncle thinking. Can’t help it.
Thing is, Bailey, Rabine, Schimpf, or Sullivan…
Be it policy, infrastructure, cash… now throw in such weak folks as piñatas, being the “anti-woman” candidate, pro-life, dangerous to women’s health… no means to fight back… they all sink the ticket in Illinois, maybe help save a Congressional seat that might be in flux
But, the in-law uncle wants “to own the Democrat Party, the libs”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:35 am
=== If that were true, he would just repeat that he’s pro-life and picked a pro-life running mate. That he’s silent shows that Irvin’s campaign is not thinking about “one race at a time”.===
What good is it to win the primary without every opportunity to win the whole thing.
That’s Proft-type thinking.
One race at a time, win as best you can, without damaging or using needed general election strategy to do so.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:37 am
Cheryl44,
I really don’t understand what you mean by your post. Can you enlighten me? Thank you.
Comment by Downstate Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:39 am
===I really don’t understand===
This is why you fail. Fed ya. Good luck.
===The problem is, Irvin is gonna get pummeled on choice either way. He ID’s as pro-life, and Bourne isn’t going off the ticket. Pritzker won’t let voters forget that.===
That’s a general election problem.
One race at a time.
Bourne’s own words, speeches and questions on the floor, they won’t help, abortion will be a big thing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:42 am
==I really don’t understand what you mean by your post. Can you enlighten me? Thank you. ==
I’m really sure you need this explained to you, Downsta.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:44 am
This silence is the new normal for the gop. Don’t answer the questions that you don’t want to answer. Don’t even respond. We are all accustomed to dancing around the issue and parsing words, but the silence is aggravating (probably a goal) and much of the media either does not care or does not have the wherewithal to pursue and answer. Thankfully, WE have Rich.
Irvin’s competitors (and that is being kind at this point) just don’t have the bucks to get the message out. Bailey fades more every second, the rest were never had a serious shot at the nomination.
I can only hope he is exposed in the general election. The man flip flops more than a gymnast.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:45 am
Gotta wonder why ‘Riffie allows RichieRich and Everybody’s Favorite to appear in public? Well it is Aurora…so who will venture to the edge of the earth before lunch? Maybe RichieRich will announce plans for mass execution of all associated with LaSalle just as soon as he is elected? Gotta think even GOPies would not be dumb enough for Rauner2.0. But many in IL fell for Blagoof just after George went to clink.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:45 am
Downstate,
Yeah, right
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:46 am
That tv ad about not commuting Madigan’s sentence ran just this morning. It’s deliberate. I thought they would pull it or fix the ad. Guess not.
Comment by Baloneymous Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:48 am
Okay. Democratic Governor’s Association.
I candidly didn’t realize the difference between “Democrat” and “Democratic” is triggering.
Sorry if I offended anyone. Clearly was not my intent.
Comment by Downstate Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:49 am
=== I candidly didn’t realize the difference between “Democrat” and “Democratic” is triggering.===
Blindly being conditioned by FoxNews will do that.
To the “Madigan” ad in this context too, and the post,
Irvin is counting on the rabid FoxNews conditioned folks… old, angry, white… it doesn’t matter the truth, or if it offends, or if it’s gaslighting, untruthful… it fits the old, angry, white wants
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:53 am
== I candidly didn’t realize the difference between “Democrat” and “Democratic” is triggering. ==
It’s not triggering; it just absolutely betrays the intention of the speaker when they can’t bother to refer to an organization by its correct name, and instead intentionally chooses to use a word that is known to be coded.
Comment by Leap Day William Monday, May 9, 22 @ 9:55 am
Let’s be fair to Irvin. He’s still waiting for directives from the Geppetto of Citadel before he knows what he thinks about a number of public policy questions.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:04 am
==It’s not triggering==
It’s a little triggering; when someone does something intentionally to upset you, it’s actually pretty rational to wonder why someone wants to do that.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:06 am
Manufactured silence from a manufactured candidate. Brought to you by the wealth of a kingmaker.
Comment by Norseman Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:16 am
So far Irwin’s a bit player in this show. I honestly have no idea where he really stands. Hopefully time will tell.
Comment by walker Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:19 am
=== It’s just bonkers, but it’s also brilliant so far because almost nobody else is effectively calling him out on it. ===
I do wonder what “effectively calling him out” would look like in practice. The Irvin campaign is extremely disciplined, I doubt there’s anything Bailey could do to draw Irvin into addressing something he doesn’t want to. Irvin did a full round of interviews and we still don’t know who he voted for in 2020. When the Irvin campaign first launched and made clear the candidate wouldn’t be accessible, I thought it would leave room for various LBJ-type “make him deny it” plays, but that hasn’t happened. It’s been Bailey who is showing a glass jaw and playing whackamole defense.
PS - thanks to Cheryl and OW for their defense of grammar and civility this morning. I’m sure it seems low-stakes to some, but it’s one of the bricks in the toxic partisan wall that will need to come out.
Comment by vern Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:20 am
“Irvin’s opponents are hapless and cashless”
Rich, that’s chef’s kiss.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:26 am
===Rich, that’s chef’s kiss.===
It’s dropping a line too perfect
(Tips cap to - vern -)
Also, this breaking down by Rich, simple and pointed.
Here…
===From the start, this whole Irvin thing has had the vibe of a campaign apparatus seeking out and building a candidate instead of the usual other way around.===
… and here…
=== The problem is the Irvin GOP primary strategy is to essentially gaslight Republican voters. In Irvin’s manufactured world…===
It’s these two facts, or “Givens” in a geometric proof type facting… you need to acknowledge both things to Irvin.
Rauner was manufactured too, but an empty vessel. Irvin is a current sitting mayor, with a record, quotes, even accomplishments.
It’s more brazen, and Rich pins it down … especially with…
===Irvin’s opponents are hapless and cashless===
That’s a tasty line, truthful, and condensing it all to both “why” it can happen, and “why” they know they could and should do it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 10:34 am
Im glad the Republiconartists got it straight now
Comment by low level Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:16 am
The question that popped into my head last week watching this all play out is why has Ken Griffin already invested $45 million on Irvin?
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:18 am
==why has Ken Griffin already invested $45 million on Irvin? ==
‘Cause he hates Pritzker but sure can’t count on Bailey to take him out.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:24 am
Rich’s column received a prominent position on the Bloomington Pantagraph’s Opinions page yesterday. I would like to see Irvin’s handlers lock down his positions on serious issues and quit stalling.
Undoubtedly they’d like to just stonewall those pesky reporters until the primary, thinking a TV ad blitz will be enough to carry the win.
As it stands now in the polls, Irvin might be able to pull that off, but eventually he’ll have to come up with some attackable specifics.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:25 am
===why has Ken Griffin already invested $45 million on Irvin? ==
It’s nothing like an investment.
It’s literally fun money, used to buy exotic things…
===Ken Griffin, billionaire CEO of hedge fund Citadel, paid $43.2 million for a first-edition copy of the U.S. Constitution at a Sotheby’s auction.===
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:27 am
But it’s so easy to issue press releases and tape campaign ads. Answering questions without using talking points is hard work, something most politicians are adverse to.
Comment by Sir Reel Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:28 am
Mayor Irving is just trying to get past the primary. Once that happens I would expect that he changes to a moderate and spends as little time as possible south of I-80. He wins or looses in the Suburbs. There are not enough votes in the rest of the state to make a difference against Pritzker.
Comment by Publius Monday, May 9, 22 @ 11:31 am
Rich is unfair. Irvin has said, if elected governor, he will not pardon Madigan. That is absolutely true.
Promises made, promises kept.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, May 9, 22 @ 12:29 pm
Rich, good piece here. I had the same thought (almost uncontrolled laughter) when I received the mailer (which I have received many times) making Bailey out to be a Democrat sympathizer. Don’t play the voters for fools even if you have the $$ to control the race.
Comment by Middle Way Monday, May 9, 22 @ 12:32 pm
You know Illinois is below rock bottom when you aren’t considered a viable statewide candidate unless you are excited about the prospect of unfettered slaughter of defenseless babies (even at the point of birth), and mostly defenseless babies of color at that. Why would anyone move to a state with such horrible people?
Comment by Denise Monday, May 9, 22 @ 12:38 pm
===unless you are excited about===
Zealots are gonna zealot…
===Why would anyone move to a state with such horrible people?===
You realize… If you live here, this is a self own.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, May 9, 22 @ 12:45 pm
Um fetuses aren’t babies.
Comment by Big Dipper Monday, May 9, 22 @ 1:02 pm
=(even at the point of birth)=
That is simply a lie. Breaking a commandment and christian, muslim, or jew that is a no no.
=Why would anyone move to a state with such horrible people?=
Judge ye not lest ye be judged.
What bible are you reading?
Hypocrite.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, May 9, 22 @ 1:27 pm
I get so tired of the whole “killing babies at the moment of birth” thing. Has anyone here ever met a woman who was hugely pregnant who waddled into a hospital, announced she had simply changed her mind, and found a doctor, nurses, and hospital ethics board who responded “no prob” and murdered the healthy infant? I mean, if this were a thing that happens, wouldn’t your nurse friends mention it? Wouldn’t hospitals advertise, “Come here and we’ll help you murder your children, all you silly and irresponsible pregnant moms”?
Comment by Soccermom Monday, May 9, 22 @ 7:29 pm