On Tuesday, Robin Kelly became the de facto U.S. rep for Illinois’ Second District by winning the Democratic nomination to replace former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. As chicagotribune.com points out “Kelly didn’t mention Michael Bloomberg by name during her victory speech. But he made his way into nearly every news story about her landslide win.” The media narrative is no surprise; the gun control jefe spent $2.2m on ads for Kelly. Even before she won, the media painted Kelly’s electoral ascension as evidence that Bloomberg, the billionaire behind The Mayors Against Illegal Guns, is becoming the new NRA, only in reverse. Only he isn’t. Not according to the Trib . . .
She may be little-known in New York or even in broad swaths of metropolitan Chicago. But she is well known throughout the south suburbs, which make up most of the freshly reapportioned 2nd District. She had a message that connected, a message that went well beyond guns.
Yes, Bloomberg’s money made it difficult for Kelly’s opponents to keep up with her. Yes, the attacks on Halvorson’s pro-gun record propelled Kelly into a strong position. Gun violence resonated with voters here.
But it was more than just money that helped her collect more than half the votes in a contest with so many candidates. You can take that to the bank.
You can also take this to the bank: gun violence had sweet FA to do with this election. See: video above. Kelly made all the right noises in all the right places to convince voters that she isn’t a gun grabber. Even though she is.
Besides, we’re talking about Chicago, where only the good die young—and then cast their vote. In other words, the Chicago Machine may pay lip service to civilian disarmament but elections there are about guns like Gor C’s sex appeal is about her wardrobe.
The question remains: when and where will gun owners get a chance to show their power by un-electing disarmament proponents? Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and, I’m thinking, for the rest of their lives.
Maybe efsha move the auto-play video “below the fold?”
No surprise RF that a F-rated antigunner won in Chicago to replace another F rated antigunner no brainier RF!!!!
The Machine gets what the Machine wants. The Machine has it easiest when information is hard to come by and voter turnout is low. She received 30K votes out of 420K registered voters. That’s 7%.
Kelly skipped many of the debates and said little during the primary. Most of the focus was on Halverson being a NRA loving nut job and how could anyone be so stupid, even though she a raging progressive statist on just about every other subject. The 2nd district gets what it deserves.
Illustrating Chicagoland Idiocy, Mayhem and Stupidity at heyjackass.com
Excellent local perspective, as usual. Much appreciated.
Perhaps TTAG should have WH Thompson covering Chicago news? Just a thought…
$2.2 million divided by 30k votes?
$73 per vote.
taking all the guns away so you can takeover the world?
priceless.
Thank you. I attempt to add value wherever I believe it’ll make the most sense. Usually that’s confined to Tiny Dancer’s Progressive Utopia.
Excellent link, Mr. Farago
counting down the days to her indictment . . . that district is corrupt and cursed.
Give her time. The last two reps, JJJ and Mel Reynolds, were/are both convicted felons. Let’s try for 3!
That would be “Gro” C, not “Gor” C. PErsonally, though, I’d rather find myself astride Astrid….
bloomberg quotes of the day:
“When it comes to the United States federal government, people do seem willing to lend us an infinite amount of money. … Our debt is so big and so many people own it that it’s preposterous to think that they would stop selling us more. ”
“You think the programs that I want are waste. And I think the problems that you want are waste.”
This dude has high hopes. and $25billion. Better watch out.
For those of you who didn’t/can’t watch the video:
“I’m not against guns. I grew up in a family of cops … and my grandfather was a hunter. I have a cousin that’s a hunter also, so it’s not that I’m against guns but we have to stop the violence”
– cops
– hunters
– impossible expectations
She forgot/neglected to address the issue.
> the gun control jefe spent $2.2m on ads for Kelly
Billionaires buying elections is a good thing. Only a smelly Occupy-hippie would argue otherwise.
“Bloomberg Blows.” Fixed the headline for ya.
One party government — it is a b!tch.
A district like this one is not a problem. One can, however, worry about districts that are at least accepting of guns if not in love with them. In those types of districts, if the antis succeed in painting the pro-gun forces as extremist, one could lose, especially with millions in advertising dollars pouring in from the outside.
Is it me, or does she strongly resemble a puggle???
Her Republican’t opponent is a 6 time felon.
I think she can accumulate that many felonies in her term,
without trying.
Is this the retarded child of Dianne Feinstein?
Shicago/NY politics as usual – Bought and paid fhore
“… like Gor C’s sex appeal is about her wardrobe…”
Your link is broken. I think it was supposed to take me to a page for a specific model. Instead it took me to the whole index.
This is not a complaint.
*eye rolll* News headlines the next day
“Death toll unaffected – what ever shall we do? Ban more guns? Next at 11!”
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