A top Senate Republican strategist laid out how the party plans to portray U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth should she win the March 15 Democratic primary and face Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in the general election.
Speaking at a Thursday breakfast, Ward Baker, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the GOP will seek to tie Duckworth to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose popularity has plummeted, and “Chicago-style politics.” Emanuel led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during Duckworth’s first, unsuccessful bid for a House seat in 2006 against Republican Rep. Peter Roskam.
Also running in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary is Andrea Zopp, the former head of the Chicago Urban League, and state Sen. Napoleon Harris. The breakfast was hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
The mayor’s numbers are just horrible. I’ve never seen anything like this.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Wordslinger in comments…
Has the RSNC checked in with Kirk?
Because Kirk gave Emanuel a ringing endorsement last year as a “strong capable leader” with “gravitas.” A mayor who can move the markets and the only one who could prevent…. you guessed it, Chicago from becoming “another Detroit.”
–”The people who are running against Rahm don’t have the gravitas with the bond market. I would worry about the value of the Chicago debt if Rahm was not re-elected,” Kirk, R-Ill., told reporters at an event celebrating Casmir Pulaski, the Polish general who fought gallantly in the American Revolutionary War.
……”It’s a concern if we had one of the less-responsible people running against him,” Kirk said at the event in Chicago. “None of them could command the respect of the bond market. The collapse of Chicago debt — which already happened with Detroit — would soon follow if somebody who is very inexperienced replaced Rahm. …You’ve got to have a strong, capable leader and the people I’ve seen running against the mayor are not that leader.”—
And that’s just one reason why I love my commenters so much.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Duckworth campaign…
“The truth hurts: Mark Kirk helped lead the charge into the Iraq War, and that disastrous decision created the conditions which gave rise to ISIS. He was wrong then, he’s wrong now, and his bizarre Twitter tantrum and subsequent statements reveal that he doesn’t appreciate being challenged or held to account for how he’s been wrong on just about every critical national security issue of the past 15 years, or for his irresponsible rhetoric. When Kirk fear mongers over Syrian refugees or says criticism of Iran will just “bounce off their turbans” — or when Donald Trump says we should ban all Muslims from entering the country — these politicians are dividing people and running counter to an America that welcomes people of good will from all faiths. They’re also doing groups like ISIS a favor by painting a phony picture that America is anti-Muslim, which only serves to recruit more terrorists who hate us and want to kill our soldiers and civilians.” — Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* In other news, Sen. Kirk was on WLS this morning…
* Some quotes supplied by the Senator’s campaign…
I would say that for Tammy Duckworth to blame the junior Senator for Illinois for Islamic terror, shows she is a naive fool, not fit for office in the Senate with this threat that’s growing to the United States.
There’s a statement she made that she said of the 900,000 refugees who were let in the country not one has had a problem with law enforcement which is directly wrong, and she knows that in Bowling Green, Kentucky the FBI busted 2 Iraqi refugees who were plotting to conduct terror operations here in the United States. And that was already public record and already broadcasted by ABC news.
Saying that the Jr. Senator from Illinois was responsible for Islamic terror. You know, it was just so dumb. You just lay it out there. So blindingly idiotic to say that the people of Illinois would think that…
A great strategy. But I hope that she gets whacked by Zopp (who I initially thought she didn’t have it in her). Is Napoleon Harris’s campaign actually real. Is he really running? Or is he the Duckworth AA siphon?
I am unclear on the concept. Duckworth has few ties with Emanuel, whereas, it can be argued that Zopp is an ally, doing his bidding on the Chicago School Board. However, it seems the calculation has already been made Duckworth will breeze to victory.
Because Kirk gave Emanuel a ringing endorsement last year as a “strong capable leader” with “gravitas.” A mayor who can move the markets and the only one who could prevent…. you guessed it, Chicago from becoming “another Detroit.”
–”The people who are running against Rahm don’t have the gravitas with the bond market. I would worry about the value of the Chicago debt if Rahm was not re-elected,” Kirk, R-Ill., told reporters at an event celebrating Casmir Pulaski, the Polish general who fought gallantly in the American Revolutionary War.
……”It’s a concern if we had one of the less-responsible people running against him,” Kirk said at the event in Chicago. “None of them could command the respect of the bond market. The collapse of Chicago debt — which already happened with Detroit — would soon follow if somebody who is very inexperienced replaced Rahm. …You’ve got to have a strong, capable leader and the people I’ve seen running against the mayor are not that leader.”—
Not exactly a new strategy. Seems like the national Republicans have been using that attack for years and years. And of course they’d connect her to Rahm, another favorite bogeyman of the National GOP. At least that part might stick somewhat this time given those numbers.
Despite Ward Baker’s remarks, this is hardly a novel or original line of attack. Also, is there a more National GOP-sounding name than Ward Baker? Shouldn’t he be like, Ward Baker the 3rd or something?
I don’t see that working. Sure Emanuel’s numbers are horrible, but it’s not like Duckworth served under him while he was Mayor.
Though, if they are switching from tagging Duckworth with Blagojevich, a felon who is still in jail and whom she did serve under, Rahm’s numbers must be abysmal.
Never let it be said the national committees are known to doing the local research needed on their own candidates before embarrassingly try to insert themselves in contrast to what actually might refute every word they say.
The Rahm Kirk ties go back decades to New Trier. Some Democrats still hold ill will against rahm for 2006 where he put everything into Duckworth-Roskam in a much more republican district, did almost nothing for dan seals who nearly upset Kirk (to seals teams credit) despite not getting anywhere near the party support. Had Rahm done for seals what he and durbin did for duckworth in 2006, that seat is probably still democratic today as well as Obama’s senate seat and about $40 million of cash that democrats have spent all these years trying to take the 10th from kirk/dold and this senate seat.
If Rahm still has any support outside river north right and northwest dc it’s Kirk’s old bastion of the north shore and like Rauner they share a lot of the same financial supporters.
Not a fight Kirk can really pick and I thought Andrea Zopp really looked like she was in a different more informed/experienced class than Duckworth in their well moderated tribune forum this week.
Don’t leave Bruce Rauner out. He endorsed his pal Rahm too and his big donor Ken Griffin shoveled $$$$$ into all of Rahm’s PACs. Always good to share your top donor with Rahm.
–….and she knows that in Bowling Green, Kentucky the FBI busted 2 Iraqi refugees who were plotting to conduct terror operations here in the United States.–
The Junior Senator certainly knows that the two Iraqi nationals in Kentucky were indicted for alleged terrorist plotting IN Iraq, and feeble attempts to transfer money and weapons to insurgents from the United States to Iraq. The FBI had been on them for months.
They were not tied to any attempt to conduct attacks in the United States. Neither have the other 899,998 refugees admitted to the United States since 9/11/01.
But let’s break down the Junior Senator’s logic: two arrests of Iraqi refugees, out of 900,000 refugees accepted into the United States since 9/11/01, means you shut down allowing in any Syrian refugees.
Um, if that made sense to you, wouldn’t you shut down allowing in Iraqi refugees?
With that kind of logic, what does the Junior Senator think we should do with all the cattle and sheep ranchers, given the actions of a couple of dozen of them out west?
Kirk is grabbing on to Trump’s coattails for dear life. His argument is the same as banning all Muslims.
The politics may be cynical and smart, but the morality is appalling.
- Stretching a point - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
Linking Tammy Duckworth to the unpopular Rahm Emanuel is pretty thin gruel. It has been about a decade since that congressional race. Duckworth’s ties to Blagojevich are more substantial, but he’s safely forgotten in prison now. Unless the whistleblowers’ lawsuit advances, this stuff is going to be almost a nonissue.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:20 am:
A great strategy. But I hope that she gets whacked by Zopp (who I initially thought she didn’t have it in her). Is Napoleon Harris’s campaign actually real. Is he really running? Or is he the Duckworth AA siphon?
- MrGrassroots - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:22 am:
I am unclear on the concept. Duckworth has few ties with Emanuel, whereas, it can be argued that Zopp is an ally, doing his bidding on the Chicago School Board. However, it seems the calculation has already been made Duckworth will breeze to victory.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:22 am:
I know Rahm is toxic, but this is pretty attenuated. Makes it hard to make the attack.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:23 am:
Has the RSNC checked in with Kirk?
Because Kirk gave Emanuel a ringing endorsement last year as a “strong capable leader” with “gravitas.” A mayor who can move the markets and the only one who could prevent…. you guessed it, Chicago from becoming “another Detroit.”
–”The people who are running against Rahm don’t have the gravitas with the bond market. I would worry about the value of the Chicago debt if Rahm was not re-elected,” Kirk, R-Ill., told reporters at an event celebrating Casmir Pulaski, the Polish general who fought gallantly in the American Revolutionary War.
……”It’s a concern if we had one of the less-responsible people running against him,” Kirk said at the event in Chicago. “None of them could command the respect of the bond market. The collapse of Chicago debt — which already happened with Detroit — would soon follow if somebody who is very inexperienced replaced Rahm. …You’ve got to have a strong, capable leader and the people I’ve seen running against the mayor are not that leader.”—
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/03/02/chicago-mayoral-election-dead-heat-rahm-emanuel-chuy-garcia/24263201/
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:26 am:
If Rahm were a horse in the cavalry, a soldier would have shot him to end his suffering.
The poll numbers are that bad and are likely to get worse.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:29 am:
===and “Chicago-style politics.”===
Not exactly a new strategy. Seems like the national Republicans have been using that attack for years and years. And of course they’d connect her to Rahm, another favorite bogeyman of the National GOP. At least that part might stick somewhat this time given those numbers.
Despite Ward Baker’s remarks, this is hardly a novel or original line of attack. Also, is there a more National GOP-sounding name than Ward Baker? Shouldn’t he be like, Ward Baker the 3rd or something?
- Downstate - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:31 am:
I’d thought Duckworth was going to win the primary in a landslide. Now I’m not so sure.
Kirk might want to hold off attacking her too much. He really needs her to be the D nominee to have a shot at holding this seat.
- And I Approved This Message - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:35 am:
Odd that staff refers to their boss as “the junior Senator for/from Illinois” and not just Senator Kirk.
- Century Club - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:35 am:
I don’t see that working. Sure Emanuel’s numbers are horrible, but it’s not like Duckworth served under him while he was Mayor.
Though, if they are switching from tagging Duckworth with Blagojevich, a felon who is still in jail and whom she did serve under, Rahm’s numbers must be abysmal.
- Century Club - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:36 am:
47th Ward +1, and +100 on the Ward Baker III bit.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Wow.
- Wordslinger -
Wow.
Never let it be said the national committees are known to doing the local research needed on their own candidates before embarrassingly try to insert themselves in contrast to what actually might refute every word they say.
Artl, I feel for ya bud.
Send an email;
In the “subject”?
“Stop helping”
OW
- Shore - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:11 am:
The Rahm Kirk ties go back decades to New Trier. Some Democrats still hold ill will against rahm for 2006 where he put everything into Duckworth-Roskam in a much more republican district, did almost nothing for dan seals who nearly upset Kirk (to seals teams credit) despite not getting anywhere near the party support. Had Rahm done for seals what he and durbin did for duckworth in 2006, that seat is probably still democratic today as well as Obama’s senate seat and about $40 million of cash that democrats have spent all these years trying to take the 10th from kirk/dold and this senate seat.
If Rahm still has any support outside river north right and northwest dc it’s Kirk’s old bastion of the north shore and like Rauner they share a lot of the same financial supporters.
Not a fight Kirk can really pick and I thought Andrea Zopp really looked like she was in a different more informed/experienced class than Duckworth in their well moderated tribune forum this week.
- Anonin - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:18 am:
@wordslinger
Don’t leave Bruce Rauner out. He endorsed his pal Rahm too and his big donor Ken Griffin shoveled $$$$$ into all of Rahm’s PACs. Always good to share your top donor with Rahm.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:54 pm:
–….and she knows that in Bowling Green, Kentucky the FBI busted 2 Iraqi refugees who were plotting to conduct terror operations here in the United States.–
The Junior Senator certainly knows that the two Iraqi nationals in Kentucky were indicted for alleged terrorist plotting IN Iraq, and feeble attempts to transfer money and weapons to insurgents from the United States to Iraq. The FBI had been on them for months.
They were not tied to any attempt to conduct attacks in the United States. Neither have the other 899,998 refugees admitted to the United States since 9/11/01.
But let’s break down the Junior Senator’s logic: two arrests of Iraqi refugees, out of 900,000 refugees accepted into the United States since 9/11/01, means you shut down allowing in any Syrian refugees.
Um, if that made sense to you, wouldn’t you shut down allowing in Iraqi refugees?
With that kind of logic, what does the Junior Senator think we should do with all the cattle and sheep ranchers, given the actions of a couple of dozen of them out west?
Kirk is grabbing on to Trump’s coattails for dear life. His argument is the same as banning all Muslims.
The politics may be cynical and smart, but the morality is appalling.
http://www.wave3.com/story/14756911/2-iraqi-nationalist-indicted-on-terrorism-charges-in-kentucky
- Stretching a point - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
Linking Tammy Duckworth to the unpopular Rahm Emanuel is pretty thin gruel. It has been about a decade since that congressional race. Duckworth’s ties to Blagojevich are more substantial, but he’s safely forgotten in prison now. Unless the whistleblowers’ lawsuit advances, this stuff is going to be almost a nonissue.