Illinois

TexasTowelie

(116,813 posts) Mon Jun 5, 2017, 06:03 PM Jun 2017

Kennedy says Pritzker doesn't 'deserve' to be governor, cites FBI recordings

Democratic governor hopeful Chris Kennedy on Sunday said J.B. Pritzker doesn't "deserve" to hold the state's highest office, citing comments his opponent made to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich during phone conversations recorded by federal agents in 2008.

The FBI recordings, first reported by the Tribune last week, captured Pritzker asking Blagojevich to appoint him state treasurer should the office become open. In one conversation, Blagojevich sought a campaign donation, with Pritzker replying he didn't "think we should even talk about it," but also saying at one point, "I hear ya."

Kennedy, appearing on WGN 720-AM on Sunday, seized on that remark.

"See, a guy like J.B. Pritzker, they catch him on tape and he's talking about maybe swapping money for an appointment with Gov. Blagojevich and he's using insider language, he's using code words like, 'I hear ya, I hear ya,'" Kennedy said.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chris-kennedy-pritzker-blagojevich-met-0605-20170604-story.html

10 replies

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Kennedy says Pritzker doesn't 'deserve' to be governor, cites FBI recordings (Original Post) TexasTowelie Jun 2017 OP

Saturday evening, my husband and I were at the McHenry County... 3catwoman3 Jun 2017 #1

Thinking about going to local meet and greet for Biss this weekend Freethinker65 Jun 2017 #2

Where in Illinois... 3catwoman3 Jun 2017 #3

Western Cook County suburbs. Freethinker65 Jun 2017 #4

Hey neighbor! Another blue speck in this red County. Snarkoleptic Jun 2017 #5

I will check it out, thanks. 3catwoman3 Jun 2017 #8

Hi 3catwoman3.. whathehell Jun 2017 #10

Biss was a bit awkward in explaining his vote for pension 'reform' Snarkoleptic Jun 2017 #6

We should plan an... 3catwoman3 Jun 2017 #7

I met Pritzker the other night, too. murielm99 Jun 2017 #9

3catwoman3

(25,453 posts)

1. Saturday evening, my husband and I were at the McHenry County...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 06:29 PM

Jun 2017

...Demcrats annual fundraising dinner. Pritzker was one of the 2 guest speakers, both of whom are vying to be the Democratic candidate to run against Rauner. He has a number of slickly produced campaign commercials already. I must confess he didn't really hold my attention that well.

The other speaker was state Senator Daniel Biss. I had already heard him interviewed on WCPT, Chicago Progressive Talk. He was very impressive on the radio, and equally so in person. I would happily vote for him.

Chris Kennedy was supposed to be there, but was not. No reason given.

Freethinker65

(11,139 posts)

2. Thinking about going to local meet and greet for Biss this weekend

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #1)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 06:37 PM

Jun 2017

3catwoman3

(25,453 posts)

3. Where in Illinois...

Reply to Freethinker65 (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 06:55 PM

Jun 2017

...are you, if you are comfortable answering. I am in Algonquin, in McHenry county. Very red here, and Algonquin was highlighted on NPR back in January as a Republican stronghold in this area.

If I am ever not sure who to vote for because I haven't done my research yet, I just look at the signs in my neighbors' yards and know who NOT to vote for.

Freethinker65

(11,139 posts)

4. Western Cook County suburbs.

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #3)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 07:44 PM

Jun 2017

Politically mixed area. Gerrymandered Democratic.

Snarkoleptic

(6,027 posts)

5. Hey neighbor! Another blue speck in this red County.

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #3)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 09:05 PM

Jun 2017

If you are on Facebook, you might like the group "McHenry County Progressives".

3catwoman3

(25,453 posts)

8. I will check it out, thanks.

Reply to Snarkoleptic (Reply #5)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 09:30 PM

Jun 2017

I do have a FB account, but next to never put anything on it.

whathehell

(29,802 posts)

10. Hi 3catwoman3..

Reply to 3catwoman3 (Reply #3)

Mon Jun 12, 2017, 05:21 AM

Jun 2017

I'm also in the 14th district (Wauconda,) and have been to a few McHenry Dem meetings...I'm concerned about the Governor's race as well, and would enjoy meeting up with you & other McHenry DUers sometime.

Snarkoleptic

(6,027 posts)

6. Biss was a bit awkward in explaining his vote for pension 'reform'

Reply to Freethinker65 (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 09:21 PM

Jun 2017

during his interview with Ben Joravsky on WCPT.
He basically said that he was forced to vote for either cuts to social safety net programs OR pension cuts.
He said that, in retrospect, it was a bad decision and he wished he'd rejected the "either or" choice that was placed before him.

Here's the show- skip to 6:30 to get to the Biss interview.
https://soundcloud.com/chicagosprogressivetalk/the-ben-joravsky-show-6117

If it were between Biss and Pritzker, I'd vote for Biss.

3catwoman3

(25,453 posts)

7. We should plan an...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 09:28 PM

Jun 2017

...IRL lunch meet up or something.

murielm99

(31,438 posts)

9. I met Pritzker the other night, too.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Jun 5, 2017, 11:09 PM

Jun 2017

He appeared at a JFK dinner here in Northern Illinois. It is an annual event, hosted by five county Democratic central committees.

He had someone following him around recording all his interactions with the crowd. My friend sitting next to me is a retired lawyer. She said she knows the family and is not voting for him. She did not elaborate.

I noticed how badly Pritzker was dressed. He did not look like a billionaire. I wondered if he was dressing down for the hicks from the sticks.

I like Chris Kennedy. He was unable to attend our event, so his son spoke for him.

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