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* Fox 32…
After the news conference, Sullivan issued his own response, accusing Irvin of running a “campaign that seems to have no relationship whatsoever with the truth.”
“Richard Irvin yet again ducked important questions on abortion and his own Democrat voting record, distorted his own background, and blatantly lied about Jesse Sullivan,” the downstate venture capitalist’s campaign wrote.
Bailey tweeted out that he is “the only proven conservative leader in this race.”
“A lot of script reading & nervous dipping and dodging from the Irvin basement today,” Bailey’s campaign tweeted “Why did it take him several days to face the public? We need a Governor with the courage to lead and the integrity to tell the truth.”
It’s not like either of those two guys have held regular or even more than occasional press conferences. Maybe practice what you preach, fellas. Show us your stuff.
* It appears from this Mike Miletich report that I may have miscounted…
Irvin cut off many questions by yelling “hold on” and “let me finish.” In fact, Irvin said “let me finish” at least 25 times during the 10 minutes allowed for questions.
* Sun-Times…
But after Monday, it’s unclear when they will see the next news conference.
It gets easier with practice and the only way to do that is to face reporters instead of hiding behind Ken Griffin’s wall of money.
* Craig Wall…
“Did you vote for President Trump, and would you support President Trump if he ran again?” I asked him.
“That’s exactly what JB Pritzker wants,” Irvin said.
“Can you answer the question?” I asked.
“That’s exactly what JB Pritzker wants,” Irvin repeated.
“Can you answer the question?” I asked again.
“That’s exactly what JB Pritzker wants,” Irvin answered. “He wants to be talking about anything other than his failures and his record.”
The general election begins June 29, mayor.
* More Craig Wall…
North Central College Political Science Professor Stephen Caliendo listened to the news conference and said Irvin tried his best to stick to his agenda.
“I don’t think his team is probably scrambling right now saying, you know, how do we deal with that disaster of a press conference we just had,” Caliendo said. “Certainly they’re going to want to talk to him about handling things a little bit differently. But he got, he said the things he wanted to say.”
The problem with Professor Cliendo’s analysis is that, while Irvin was able to say some things, the message received was heavily cluttered by his constant dodging of pretty simple and basic questions.
For example, here’s the Tribune’s hed and lede…
GOP candidate for governor Richard Irvin holds a news conference, but dances around questions on abortion, Trump
Republican candidate for governor Richard Irvin met with the media Monday for only the second time since announcing his candidacy, but deflected questions of likely interest to voters that ranged from his past presidential votes and the prospect of another presidential bid by Donald Trump to whether Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
WTTW…
Aurora Mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin slammed Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s handling of a COVID-19 outbreak at a state-run veterans’ home during a Monday press conference – and repeatedly avoided questions about whether he voted for Donald Trump and his stance on Roe v. Wade potentially being overturned.
Center Square covered it straight, of course, but Irvin’s message was lumped in with the other Republican candidates.
Also…
After getting just one question about the LaSalle Home, Irvin ended the news conference.
* Politico…
As the saying goes: Any press is good press.
If that saying was actually true, nobody would ever need to hire any public relations staff.
…Adding… “Any press is good press”…
Congrats to Richard Irvin for making the front page!#ILGov pic.twitter.com/tsMvEPTdtx
— Democratic Party of Illinois (@illinoisdems) May 10, 2022
The Irvin campaign mantra up until now has been “No press is good press.” You gotta figure they may wind up going back to that.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:28 am
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Further evidence that irony is dead. I just saw Irvin’s ad on TV that starts out “you can tell a lot about a candidate by examining his voting record”. LOL!
Comment by Out Here In The Middle Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:34 am
Any press is good press… unless you are pressed by the press
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:38 am
Candidates like the empty vessel in that press conference can only run as a republican for a reason. Republicans only care about buzz words and truth does not matter.
Comment by Real Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:38 am
Amazing headline
Comment by Lord of the Fries Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:49 am
Well after 5+ months to prep RichieRich, we say’Riffie must demand a refund and get a new team. How after all this time do you turn out a person who looks like he cannot ready, appears shorter than his running and does not try to control the Q & A flow? Refunds please
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:53 am
“Any press is good press.”
There’s a few celebrities that come to mind that might disagree.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:53 am
This particular press conference will soon be forgotten. But the problem it reveals about Irvin- that he’s just garbage in front of the press- has to be addressed. This is the second time something like this has happened, and his turtle strategy makes it very likely to happen the next time he tries to talk to the press, too (Especially since the press can now smell blood). He won’t be able to rely on a huge paid media advantage in the General Election. He’ll need to fix this, but the fix- more time in front of the press, until he gets comfortable- flies in the face of his campaign’s entire strategy up to this point.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:55 am
== Candidates like the empty vessel in that press conference can only run as a republican for a reason. Republicans only care about buzz words and truth does not matter ==
Tehe. Yeah ok. I forgot that all DPI-backed candidates are just bread-baskets of political knowledge, administrative prowess and down-right good morals.
Comment by Lakefront Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:57 am
Is this the same tough law and order candidate who’s going to stand up to the most violent, who repeatedly evades answering questions? So manufactured. How can someone like this who’s totally handled be trusted by anyone? Irvin was a moderate/liberal the other day, today he’s right wing, all while not answering questions.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:58 am
Insert .gif of James Franco in the gallows. “First time (running as a Republican)?”
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:58 am
Any press is good press, maybe for celebrities but I’m sure even Russell Crowe needed a PR firm more than once. After working in a PR firm in Chicago, I can relate to why candidates and companies need a good PR firm from time to time.
And if Irvin didn’t get lectured by KG or Z after yesterday’s debacle, then they don’t seriously think he can win.
Comment by Baloneymous Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:58 am
“If that saying was actually true”
Isn’t it though.
From the point of view of the person making money from PR work, it’s not just true it’s whole the business model.
The PR types are so good at their job in fact that they have been able to convince the public speakers that ‘any press is good press’ refers to the public figure.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 9:59 am
=== Tehe. Yeah ok. I forgot that all DPI-backed candidates are just bread-baskets of political knowledge, administrative prowess and down-right good morals.===
This is gibberish. It doesn’t even go after the fundamental thought to try “whataboutism”
If anything, it shows that a phony empty vessel is fine for you. That’s what Irvin did. I have no idea what you’re trying to equate with a candidate that says “can I finish” 25 or so times and can’t answer the simplest of questions like “who did you vote for” or anything about abortion.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:03 am
I think an ad that played portions of the “press conference” with the tagline, “and Richard Irvin wants to be our latex salesman?” would be fabulous.
Comment by Paddyrollingstone Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:03 am
“ They are who we thought they are.”
Comment by Glengarry Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:08 am
===This particular press conference will soon be forgotten. But the problem it reveals about Irvin- that he’s just…===
… either ill-prepared, over prepared, or off his messaging, and got frustrated and showed real problematic ticks with repeated phrases and odd takes to simple questions.
You’re not wrong, not at all, just seeing it from a nuts and bolts angle “differently”.
This will be forgotten, but remembered for the overall lacking in front of press that had Irvin looking like “Bruce Rauner on Tilt”, lacking composure, strength to message, and a real lack of being nimble to pivot or handle straight up tough questions.
The real problem isn’t for Irvin, it’s for Bailey, Rabine, or Sullivan… what money can they put behind ads that go after Irvin.
Proft has/d $2.55 million. That’s like 9-10 days of statewide ads.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:09 am
== This is gibberish. It doesn’t even go after the fundamental thought to try “whataboutism” ==
I have no defense of Irvin’s performance nor is it my place to give him a defense. But You read the original comment, right?
== candidates like the empty vessel in that press conference can only run as a Republican for a reason ==
Democrat-backed candidates in this state and any other state can be just as much “empty vessels.”The art of being an empty vessel is long-practiced and has little to do with (D) or (R) Does Irvin lack substance? Obviously.
Comment by Lakefront Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:15 am
===Democrat-backed===
The angry in-law uncle speaks.
===can be just as much “empty vessels.===
This is about Irvin.
In this race for governor, it appears Irvin is the lone empty vessel.
Sure Sullivan is a contrived candidate, but Sullivan is a caricature designed to show cryptocurrency is relevant, the performance art is targeted for his audience.
Irvin is empty as not to alienate base GOP voters and… not alienate independent voters, in a GOP primary.
Your gibberish neglects the context.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:20 am
This sort of political campaign has become more common as the mainstream/traditional news media loses significance. Just a few years ago, it would have been almost unheard-of for a candidate to ignore a questionnaire from the local newspaper, or to decline an invitation to a legitimate debate. Elections are now mostly a matter of having the best commercials, and enough money to get them aired.
Comment by Southern Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:24 am
That press conference went terribly, but it may be a bit unfair for us to expect a solid improv performance from a marionette.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:28 am
His campaign’s entire strategy up to this point seems to me to be lie, lie, lie, deflect and make up stuff he’ll do/not do only that stuff is not anywhere near the duties of the governor.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:33 am
“Any press is good press” might be true on the socialite beat, but Senators Blair Hull and Jack Ryan might have some quibbles.
Comment by vern Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:33 am
==Elections are now mostly a matter of having the best commercials, and enough money to get them aired. ==
Eh. Earned media still counts for *a lot*. Of course, it’s very hard for a candidate for an office lower than Governor to get much earned media.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:34 am
Sullivan should be careful on this issue. If we put Sullivan and Irvin in an escape room and the only way out was to answer the Trump question, they’d be in there a long time…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:38 am
When Irwin was rumored to be running as the candidate of Ken Griffin, someone told me Griffin’s gatekeeper was totally enamored of the usual singularly unimpressive suspects who, at best, were “good enough to lose.” I guess someone was right on point.
Comment by Midwesterner Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:38 am
Democrat-backed candidates in this state and any other state can be just as much “empty vessels.”The art of being an empty vessel is long-practiced and has little to do with (D) or (R)
Except you don’t see many candidates running on someone else’s beliefs exclusively while repeating buzz words which they also don’t believe in. I am not familiar with any right wing candidates that have ever flipped and started touting blm, reparations, min wage increase, etc etc.
Comment by Real Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 10:50 am
=This particular press conference will soon be forgotten.=
If the Pritzker crew is even remotely competent I would think we will see a loop of Irvins mumbling and stumbling in ads this summer. So don’t bet on this being forgotten.
I saw the presser coverage on WGN this morning. Ouch, that is gonna leave a mark. Irvin looked like a fool and not the mayor of Illinois second largest city.
=Democrat-backed candidates in this state=
Compare a Pritzker presser to Irvins two examples. Pritzker comes off like a seasoned pro. Yes,there have been some gaffs but nothing like Irvins flop sweat inducing, mouth-disco disaster.
And Bailey is such a hypocrite, he is no better than Irvin on the stump and goes all crybaby and refuses to answer questions. What a joke of a response from Beatle.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:06 am
It’s working so far, except with this insider crowd. His goal was only to avoid traps. Irvin will pivot in the general and openly appeal to a broader audience.
Comment by walker Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:08 am
==It’s working so far, except with this insider crowd.==
I mean, it’s beating Bailey, who’s fundraising consists of little more than a Subway Sub Club gift card.
==His goal was only to avoid traps.==
lolol, well, better luck next time.
==Irvin will pivot in the general and openly appeal to a broader audience. ==
You hope. But of course, if he tries, he runs the risk of losing his Republican base in the process…
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:17 am
I love Shia but any press is good press is generally not remotely true in politics unless you’re Donald Trump. And I know of no actual PR pros who believes this nonsense: “The PR types are so good at their job in fact that they have been able to convince the public speakers that ‘any press is good press’ refers to the public figure.” Are there exceptions like Trump? Yes. But for a would-be mainstream candidate trying to define himself, nope. And yea, a day later I think we can all or almost all agree that yesterday was a train wreck for Richard “it’s none of your damned business who I voted for for president” Irvin.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:26 am
==Are there exceptions like Trump?==
y’know what, I’m not even sure. I wouldn’t necessarily agree that Trump’s constant need for- and, importantly, ability to get- attention actually ever served him all that well.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:28 am
==His goal was only to avoid traps.==
Traps? His voting record is private and he doesn’t have a uterus. It’s only getting harder from this point forward.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:37 am
Why would anyone vote for an executive whose purpose is to be the ultimate decision maker if that person is unwilling to stand by decisions he has made?
How can anyone who supports Irving justify doing so when they don’t know how he votes, what he supports, or even why he is unwilling to inform his prospective constituents?
If the answer is “anyone but Pritzker,” may I present Darren Bailey. Who, I mean, c’mon already, guys. Just…be better.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:50 am
==If we put Sullivan and Irvin in an escape room and the only way out was to answer the Trump question, they’d be in there a long time…==
Great premise for a JB commercial in the general. Show walls closing in on Irvin and all Irvin has to do is answer straight forward questions and he won’t be crushed to death. Irvin screams “Let me finish….” as he is getting squished.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 11:51 am
Richard Irvin’s strategy has been to avoid answering questions and rely on his significant money disparity over his opponents. The fact remains that we really don’t know how he’ll perform in the general election campaign because we have such a small sample size. He’ll obviously have no choice but to come out of his bunker when he’s up against Pritzker and the financial playing field is more even. How effective he will be is anybody’s guess. And voters, Republican and Democrat alike, we’ll expect him to take a position on the issues he’s currently avoiding. The strategy he’s currently employing simply won’t work in the general election particularly given Pritzker’s accessibility.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 12:17 pm
I like watching New Coke being asked questions. He is so confused and cannot remember is now Original Coke, New Coke, or the New Original Coke.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 12:50 pm
=== “That’s exactly what JB Pritzker wants,” ===
It’s what the people deserve. Honest answers to legitimate questions. Especially, questions that go to the same issues that Irvin’s campaign is using against his GOP opponents.
As far as impact in the primary, like many have said it will not have a significant impact because of the “money wall.”
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 12:52 pm
=== “Let me finish” ===
Oh, you’re finished.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 1:21 pm
He couldn’t even say if he voted for Trump?
That’s embarrassing.
Comment by Nick Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 1:26 pm
“Let me finish” is just code for “I haven’t said what Z told me to say yet”.
Comment by Soapbox Derby Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 1:37 pm
I just pulled up an Irvin press conference from June 1, 2020. It was during the social unrest. That guy is really different from the one in the recent presser. That 2020 guy should scare JB. He looked and sounded like a true leader with a sincere, clear-headed, seemingly fair demeaner. But he may be gone and is a victim of Invasion of the Body Snatchers with an Illinois political twist.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 2:13 pm
From what I’ve heard Mayor Irvin is a genuine authentic guy and would be a compelling candidate. Candidate Irvin, at least the current version, not so much. But who knows, maybe Irvin 2.0 will bear a closer resemblance to the Mayor. Strange that he applies the Trump litmus test to his opponents but refuses to answer the question himself. That approach won’t work in the general.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 2:33 pm
Irvin’s ego shines bright…
Comment by Jenny Clark Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 3:23 pm
“y’know what, I’m not even sure. I wouldn’t necessarily agree that Trump’s constant need for- and, importantly, ability to get- attention actually ever served him all that well.”
Once he was elected, I agree. But the media carrying all his speeches live allowed him to not only dominate the media but crowd out everyone else. In that context, the crazy and coverage of the crazy worked for Trump and definitely helped him become the nominee.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 3:37 pm
There are far more problems with Irvin than just his voting record or being a Democrat. There’s widespread corruption in Aurora (see WTTW’s recent stories for the tip of the iceberg). KG should freeze contributions before the Titanic sinks and takes him down with it.
Comment by 7th Inning Stretch Tuesday, May 10, 22 @ 3:38 pm
I used to be a mayor of a fairly small city and I knew a man who we will refer to as “B”. After I finished my short term as Mayor, he succeeded me. He was a great, authentic, and sincere man. Until, the Illinois GOP got to him and transformed him into some talking point puppet. He won election to the Legislature. Never been the same since. Reminds me of Richie.
Comment by FmrPrincetonILMayor Monday, May 16, 22 @ 11:00 am