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The [Thursday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

Exclusive! Official Illinois Bicentennial Beer Entries
From Blago Beer to Madigale to Pabst Blue State Ribbon!

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Debate State
The media consensus that Chris Kennedy won last night's Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate blows my mind. After all, at one point during the proceedings I tweeted:

Here's a few tweets that show why I thought Kennedy's showing was actually awful - and mind you, you can't get a feel for his (again) awful temperament, but just think of Kennedy's infamous elevator incident. He's still that guy.

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Note: Mr. Suddenly Anti-Establishment is the only one in favor of a Chicago casino, a regressive tax the Establishment craves.

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I'm not for Biss - I'm not for anyone - but he did actually spend those seven years legislating. Where the hell has Kennedy been? (Answer: He's been "not that into politics.")

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At least Pritzker's been in the thick of it.

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So is every solution that challenges power, at first. Think about how many fights Kennedy wouldn't have fought and ask if that's the person you want as governor.

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How much more do you need to know?

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At least the crooks got something done!

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I just don't get Kennedy's appeal at this point. He's bumbled his way through the entire campaign. He has no record to speak of. For all his supposed fire last night, he told a couple of whoppers.

As for Pritzker, the sole rationale for his campaign is his checkbook. Nonetheless, he's still the most commanding presence, for whatever that's worth.

I also thought he did quite well with the questions thrown at him about his offshore holdings. He didn't appear defensive to me at all. I found his answers to be persuasive. That doesn't mean they're true, but the problem was that moderator Phil Ponce wasn't properly enough prepared and familiar with the details of the story about Pritzker's holdings that the Tribune reported that morning to adequately press Pritzker on his responses.

To wit:

But then, I guess it's damaging to Pritzker when a newspaper decides to write a headline like this based on desperate rhetorical attacks it must believe are true.

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By the way, I wish the Trib had completed this reporting sooner and not just a few days before Election Day, but then again it's difficult, complicated reporting, I get that. It also shows, again, why I hate early voting. Reporting up until Election Day - or even just things candidates do or say - always has the potential to sway voters. It would be interesting to see a study of voters who regretted their early choices because of information they learned later.

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Finally, Biss is getting beat up for expressing idealistic notions that should instead be seen as normal, such as such revolutionary ideas that there's too much money in politics and rich people shouldn't benefit from a skewed property tax system that in turn badly hurts the poor and middle class.

I'm not sold on Biss but I find the nature of the attacks on him from Pritzker and Kennedy to be telling.

That's not to say he'd be a good governor. I don't know that. He's more of a gamble than Pritzker, who is the safe choice, if you will. Biss's challenge has been to pass the "able to beat Rauner's money" and "up to the job" tests in people's minds. Only a few days left - and still a lot of undecideds. No one has closed the deal.

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To the consensus: Maybe the mainstream media mindset values spluttering in two directions outside of any context more highly than I do. Unlike the other candidates, Kennedy didn't demonstrate a fitness for office or offer any sort of agenda. Pritzker's pocketbook has done more for Illinois already than Kennedy's name. Which isn't to say I like everything Pritzker has spent his money on, but that I don't find Kennedy to be in his league - or Biss's. And I don't like Biss either!

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The Great School Walkout Of 2018

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See also:

* DIY Gunshot Treatment In Chicago.

"Ujimaa Medics trains locals kids as young as 12 on how to treat gunshot wounds and how to manage crowds at the scene of a shooting."

* G Herbo On Almost Getting Shot In The Head, Bullet Hole In His Hat, And Moving Out Of Chicago.

Witnessed his first murder when he was 8.

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Flint Town
"An alarming portrait of cops, politics and a reeling city."

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Today's Worst Company In America

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See also:

* Bloomberg: United's Quest To Be Less Awful. From 2016!

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So it turns out:

* CNN: United Airlines Had The Highest Rate Of Pet Deaths In 2017. And In 2016. And In 2015.

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Look for the usual articles about crisis management, quoting corporate communications folks explaining to reporters how United should spin their ongoing PR disaster (as opposed to management experts explaining how United should fix itself):

* Marketing Dive: United Airlines Sees 140% Increase In Negative Social Chatter.

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Like this:

* United Airlines Shows How To Make A PR Crisis A Total Disaster. From 2017!

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ChicagoTube

United Airlines commercial, 1992.

"Nothing is more Chicago."

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ChicagoGram

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BeachBook
A sampling.

How An Art Collective Is Mercilessly Pranking Germany's Far-Right Politicians With Guerilla Works.

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Why Your Pharmacist Can't Tell You That $20 Prescription Could Cost Only $8.

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A Journey Through A Land Of Extreme Poverty: Welcome To America.

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TweetWood
A sampling.

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The Beachwood Tronc Line: Dank.



Permalink

Posted on March 14, 2018
MUSIC - Did Academia Kill Jazz?
TV - Hugely Profitable Netflix Pays $0 In Taxes.
POLITICS - Long Look At Lori Lightfoot.
SPORTS - Beachwood Sports Radio: Thanks For Playing, White Sox!

BOOKS - Living & Dying On The Factory Floor.
PEOPLE PLACES & THINGS - Chicago's Wild Things Conference.

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