You’re Not a Republican if You Endorse Kamala Harris—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 65

JB Pritzker lost the VP race. Sad for him. What does this mean for Illinois?

We have expert politicos joining us this week to break down what’s been going on inside Illinois politics over the last week. Peoria County GOP Chairman and former state senator Chuck Weaver, Director of the Illinois Freedom Caucus Collin Moseley, and political consultant Jim Thacker enter the Smoke-Filled Room with Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak and host Collin Corbett.

With Pritzker staying in Illinois through the election, what’s next for him? Secretary position if Harris wins in November or a run for Senate if Dick Durbin doesn’t seek re-election? Does he even run for governor again? We’re in the midst of what will be one of the wildest elections in history, and yet we’re already talking about future elections.

There’s no denying Democrats have momentum right now and it’ll likely last through the DNC Convention. But with protests happening outside the convention, Republicans may have an opportunity to seize on intra-party drama just like the Left has tried to do to Republicans. We discuss if Republicans have the right message and contrast to take advantage.

Later, all of our guests have something to say about Jim Edgar, Adam Kinzinger, and Joe Walsh being the headline names for “Republicans for Harris.” Our guests we’re pretty adamant that if you’re endorsing the most progressive nominee for President in the history of the United States, you aren’t a Republican.

We close out the back half of this week’s episode happy to see Katie Stuart woefully behind in running her re-election campaign, pointing to Democrats’ effort to recruit down-ballot candidates in 2025 and how Republicans better be on their game since petitions are going in the field for the consolidated election now, and calling on conservative election security advocates to focus on the Will County Clerk race. We then close out the episode with rapid-fire topics that Republican candidates and organizations should be using to put Democrats on the defensive and motivate volunteers and donors.

00:00: Introductions
02:33: Pritzker Loses Veep Sweepstakes. What's Next for Pritzker and Durbin in 2026?
15:05: Democrats Have Momentum. When Will It End?
23:09: Edgar, Kinzinger, & Walsh Headline "Republicans for Harris"
37:05: Joe McGraw Added to "Young Gun" Program as Campaign Gains Momentum in IL-17
46:45: Katie Stuart Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign for HD112...in August
53:24: Will County Clerk Resigns, Creating Opportunity for Republicans
57:38: Democrats Announce Effort to Recruit Down-Ballot Candidates in 2025
01:05:35: Pro-Criminal Illinois Democrats Propose Cutting All Prison Sentences in Half
01:11:59: People Leaving IL at Record Pace While Democrats Say Don't Believe Your Own Eyes
01:15:55: Progressive" Cook County Assessor Yet Again Hurting Lower Income Homeowners
01:17:40: Democrats' Tax Hike on Sports Books Being Passed on to Customers
01:20:42: Illinois Economy Worsens and Unemployment Rises Yet Again in July
01:22:11: OG & Clown of the Week
01:24:44: Closing Thoughts