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#PritzkerPals “a joking-but-not-really” effort to put the governor into the White House

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• Illinois

* Background…

* David Weigel…

Call them the Pritzker Pals. They are left-leaning, politically. They’re depressed by the Biden administration. They are — this is the key — incredibly dangerously online. And they want to meme Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) into the White House.

Launched last month, the “Socialists for Pritzker” account quickly amassed over 10,000 followers, for wisdom like “what if we got J.B. one of those big swords from Final Fantasy.” More irony accounts have sprung up in its wake, like “Anarchists for Pritzker” and “Capitalists for Pritzker,” sharing overlapping memes in which enemies flee from the first-term governor. Most imagine Pritzker the way that 4Chan memes imagine Trump, as a conqueror with supernatural powers; one imagines the governor literally devouring the Secretary of Transportation.

“People see him as a nice placeholder while the left sort of catches its breath,” said the anonymous activist behind the Socialists for Prizker account, in a phone interview. (The account owner was granted anonymity to more openly answer questions about the account and where it came from.) “I don’t think that AOC or any other rising, movement-left star is going to be ready and well-positioned to win in 2024.”

What explains this — a joking-but-not-really groundswell behind the most politically successful member of the Pritzker family, which owns the Hyatt hotel chain? Part of it is left-wing disappointment with the Biden presidency, shared by many Democrats who don’t necessarily want to tweet about it. Part of it is a theory that the Democrats’ frontbench (Biden, Vice President Harris) is too old and/or unpopular to run and win another national election.

And then there is Pritzker’s size, which the advocates see as relatable and endearing, with a nod at how some Pennsylvania voters seem to like 6′8″ Lt. Gov. John Fetterman more than other, smaller, more traditional-talking moderate Democrats. Felix Biederman, a co-host of the left-wing Chapo Trap House podcast, has shared pro-Pritzker takes and called him a “unicorn” for hapless Democrats: “He is enormous, doesn’t come off as particularly intellectual, and has good instincts.”

* The meanies on Twitter have always made fun of Pritzker’s weight, but these #PritzkerPals folks have embraced it…

And they’ve taken to “swarming” some of the detractors on behalf of their “big boy.” For example…

Sometimes they get a little carried away with the irony…

* As today shows, though, their intentions are crystal clear…

They really ought to dump that #Pritzkrieg hashtag, though. Not cool.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:12 pm

Comments

1. It’s 95 percent a bit.

   And 5 percent serious.

   Won’t lie I’ve found it all quite funny since it started a few weeks ago. But it also speaks to how unsatisfied a lot of normal democrats are with the national leadership right now.

   Comment by Nick Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:23 pm

2. I am a believer that there could be a place for Twitter to a discussion. I believe that.

   What has happened with Twitter, and it’s not even close to “new”, is it’s now about hijacking or steering some sort of warped way to message in oddly crafted tweets worded to allegedly be cheeky, if one doesn’t mind a slap to the face being cheeky.

   I’m sure there are good experiences on Twitter, even good uses, but this gorilla marketing style isn’t it… including that hashtag I won’t type here that Rich has above.

   Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:25 pm

3. I’m surprised no one has memed Gov. Pritzker into a Top’s Big Boy suit yet. I mean they have the same hairstyle.

   Comment by Ben Bluesman Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:26 pm

4. Many credit The Onion’s Diamond Joe characterization of Biden as softening his public image, leading directly to him becoming a popular and very well-liked meme for several years.

   This type of online fandom could pay off again.

   Comment by TJ Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:27 pm

5. Just wait until they find out about the Flowbee

   Comment by Surly Dan Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:32 pm

6. Convicts for Pritzker…Best cellie ever…loads of zoo zoos and wham whams for sure.

   Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:34 pm

7. Wawa? WAWA??? Sheetz.

   Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:42 pm

8. This is amusing — in a Dog Days of August light news day kind of way. Except we’re barely into July.

   Comment by jackmac Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:43 pm

9. Funny how the ilgopper’s were carrying on about JB’s size until they got themselves their won “big boy” as the standard bearer. Ilgop candidate moobs must be frustrating for the fat shamers.

   I sure hope JB does not go to DC and is happy being successful here.

   Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:53 pm

10. Looks like some bot accounts in the mix too.
    Gotta love the antifa tent one too. Really selling the big guy there. Thank god the internet doesn’t vote.

    Comment by ;) Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:53 pm

11. TJ - I think the SNL version of Biden, portrayed by Jason Sudekis, also helped.

    I have not watched SNL for a while, so I don’t know if they have lampooned Pritzker as of yet.

    Comment by SomeGuy Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:02 pm

12. TJ - thanks for the reminder haha.

    https://interactives.theonion.com/biden/

    Comment by Sports Stooge Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:11 pm

13. We’ve come to the point where there’s stuff that’s way too online for the comprehension of middle aged folks like me who basically grew up with the internet. My capacity to wrap my head around joking-not joking- but also still joking- but totally mean it except for how they don’t maxes out just watching Succession.

    Comment by In 630 Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:18 pm

14. “I have not watched SNL for a while, so I don’t know if they have lampooned Pritzker as of yet.”

    No. They have not. If they do, that will be a happy day.

    Comment by New Day Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:18 pm

15. Not sure if astroturf or if the bernie meme-ers are adopting JB. Maybe both?

    Comment by Steve Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:19 pm

16. JB, you’re a big fish in a big lake loaded with friendly fish who outnumber the unfriendly ones. Savor it. Don’t let the whiny/crazy fish faction push you into unfriendly waters.

    Stop with the silly ego-inflating flirtation with the presidency. Focus on your reelection and the election of Dem candidates throughout the state.

    Comment by Norseman Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:29 pm

17. - Ben Bluesman - Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 2:26 pm:

    I’m surprised no one has memed Gov. Pritzker into a Top’s Big Boy suit yet. I mean they have the same hairstyle.

    As a native Michigander, it’s hard for me not to see Pritzker in the checkered outfit of (Elias’ Brothers) Big Boy.

    Comment by Just a guy Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:32 pm

18. JS Mill, I also hope he stays another full term as Govenor for the benefit of Illinois. He can run for POTUS in 2028.

    Comment by Just A Dude Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:36 pm

19. Like seeing the Illini orange and blue suit.

    I would prefer JB stay here instead of heading to D.C. but the Dem leadership in D.C. is so out of touch and refusing to understand when it is time to get off the stage that it is not surprising that youngish Dems across the country are using memes to boost people like JB and Gavin Newsom.

    Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:50 pm

20. Over the last several years left leaning Governors, including Governor Pritzker, have responded to public demand by creating their own DEI initiatives. How has Pritzker’s done? Has which on going issues has he successfully redressed in State Government? Does he have something specific to point to or are the state agencies still up to the same things they’ve always been up to? How much more diverse have management roles in State agencies become in the last several years?

    This is just one of the many things Governor Pritzker will have to address in a national primary. We’ve talked about a few before, but he is going to need a satisfactory answer. What’s the Office of Equity done and specifically achieved to make highlight it as something other than lip service?

    I like JB. He’d probably make a great President. But his candidacy would not be smooth sailing in a competitive primary and he is not remotely engaged in the activities that he’d need to be doing to make that path easier.

    Plenty of Governors have decided to let a failed presidential campaign be the capstone to their public service, though so lord knows lack of a realistic plan or failing to address serious concerns hasn’t stopped a Governor from seeking the Presidency before.

    Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 3:59 pm

21. My kids have enlightened me about the complicated nonsense of internet memes…if you have no teens in your house, you have no idea. Joke on joke on suss with a little serious joking on the side, dipped in sprinkles. Anyone taking it seriously is a bot or old.

    As for JB, he could be presidential material some day if he keeps Illinois in a good financial position for the remainder of his time AND gets on top of the dumpster fire mismanagement of DCFS and the MCOs. Modernizing the delivery of services is a real way to show his leadership and readiness. Time to do the work.

    Comment by Jibba Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 4:00 pm

22. This makes me feel better about wasting my summer at Guaranteed Rate Field. At least I get outside.

    Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 4:09 pm

23. wait start with Socialists for Pritzker. cause JB was an avid Hillary supporter, so the socialist part is lol. who created that? and then it flows from there.

    Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 4:11 pm

24. Another native Michigander here and yeah, I did think of Elias Brothers.
    The Anarchists’ cartoon made me think of Ralph Kramden.

    Comment by Proud Papa Bear Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 4:21 pm

25. Anytime the fringe left rallies around a candidate, the traditional democrats should run as far and as fast as they can from that candidate

    Comment by Not A DJT Apologist Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 4:53 pm

26. “Not an intellectual”…

    OK, that there shows you how uselessly wrong the people posting that junk are. JB is highly educated and whip-smart, like him or not.

    Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 5:01 pm

27. @ Dance Band & anyone else wondering –

    WaWa is a narrowly regional chain of convenience stores/gas stations with somewhat of a cult following for its fresh hoagies and other delicacies. And as a place to stock up on Tastykakes and other such treats.

    From an ex-Philly area resident . . .

    Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 5:11 pm

28. Furries for Pritzker, and his comms team is probably behind the account.

    Comment by Furries for Pritzker Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 5:12 pm

29. Um, how can you be very online and still drop a “unicorn” reference? Come on, people.

    JB has received glowing coverage. It’s the “grass is greener” honestly. How many articles were about his “angry” response and how much passion he had (not so subtle jab at Biden)? Well, go to the video. He’s reading, “I’m angry.” I personally don’t care that much, but I think we’re at peak JB and reality will catch up soon, just as Politics Twitter usually devours all Democrats.

    Comment by Torco Sign Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 8:38 pm

30. Please, no flashmob dances.

    Comment by Ok Monday, Jul 11, 22 @ 11:06 pm

31. =Anytime the fringe left rallies around a candidate=

    The main thing that is causing this to spread is how he appeals to both the moderates and progressives in the party. The actual fringe left has not been particularly fond of the memes.

    I’d also say it’s more young progressives as the central group spreading this, more so than the fringe.

    Comment by Shibboleth Tuesday, Jul 12, 22 @ 8:13 am

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