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Now, that’s a lede

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Illinois

* I don’t know Kim Geiger at the Tribune, but I sure like her style. Check out this lede…

State Sen. Jim Oberweis, who won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate this year without facing his opponent in a single televised debate, found himself on the other side of that issue Wednesday as Sen. Dick Durbin agreed to meet him in just one TV debate before the Nov. 4 election.

She put that relevant and admittedly zinging context right up top. Good stuff. More…

It was not long ago that Oberweis, himself fairly well-known in Republican political circles, rebuffed invitations to debate his primary opponent, first-time candidate Doug Truax. Oberweis and Truax met for only one debate, which was not broadcast beyond the retirement community where it took place.

Oof.

* But, Sen. Durbin really ought to agree to more than one televised debate. C’mon, dude, you’re a big boy. Start acting like it…

Oberweis, a Republican businessman from Sugar Grove, had proposed seven televised debates between himself and Durbin, a veteran lawmaker and the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat.

Durbin’s campaign countered by offering what it described as four joint appearances, including one TV debate, a radio debate, a meeting with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board and a candidate forum with downstate farmers.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:35 am

Comments

Oberweis has the usual double standard: No televised debates when he’s ahead, but demanding seven when he’s behind. Why should Durbin give Oberweis any more debates than the Milkman gave his primary opponent?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:43 am
Debating Oberweis gives no advantage to Durbin, only risks, so why do it.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:52 am
Oberweis was wise to not give the no-money Truax any free exposure. He had a lot going for him for a GOP primary (Truax got more primary votes than Rauner).

But turnabout is a fair play. Durbin’s just playing the cards he was deal well.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:53 am
I’m not sure I care for the zing - sure, Oberweis is a flaming hypocrit, but how does that make Durbin’s petty offer good for the average voter? I’m all for including the zing, but the focus should be kept on us.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:59 am
this is a 6 year gig he’s reapplying for, you need at least a half dozen debates and durbin’s been in dc for 30 years if he can’t handle it he needs to go. If you’re oberweis you do the research find out how many debates obama did in 04 and durbin and paul simon did and say if you/they did all of these why are you afraid now?

Comment by Shore Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:03 am
Give ChopperJim some debates and the media can egg him into some stupid response that will sink the ticket

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:04 am
I criticized Rauner for pretending that the Tribune meeting was counted as a debate.

Turnabout is fair play — Durbin has agreed to three (not four), debates, including with downstate farmers, which should be Oberweis’ home turf in some sense. This is as good as Obie is going to get.

Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:05 am
Oberweis has to understand, you set a precedent, it might be embraced by his opponent.

Durbin “should” agree” to a Chicago debate, a Central IL debate, and a Southern IL/Metro East/Marion debate.

Three.

Durbin should, but if he doesn’t, I understand.

No use crying over spilled milk, Oberweis, you “own” the one debate idea. Congratulations.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:05 am
=== a meeting with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board ===

What is it with these candidates who think this is a valid alternative to a debate available to the public?

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:15 am
I don’t want to hear or see Oberweis debating anyone - especially Durbin. He wouldn’t stand a chance.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:18 am
I’m disappointed that neither Quinn nor Oberweis has proposed a debate in the comments section on this blog.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:26 am
Totally understandable, from a pure strategy standpoint, why Durbin wants to limit debates. But give Oberweis’ history of making controversial statements, I can’t help but think more debates increases the chances of Oberweis saying something stupid that puts his GOP ticket-mates in a bad spot and helps fire up the Dem base. Then again, Oberweis has been more disciplined this time around.

Comment by F.B. Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:26 am
Durbin should give the baby his bottle. Otherwise he will look bad and the media will make it an issue. Besides, Durbin can out-debate Oberweis any time, any day.

Comment by phocion Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:34 am
For those so inclined, Kim Geiger is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimgeiger

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:48 am
“Debating Oberweis gives no advantage to Durbin, only risks, so why do it.”

Mr. D may only be covering his bases, or maybe he’s slightly worried………

Comment by Jechislo Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:01 am
political karma.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:30 am
Primaries and Generals are different. Those “in the middle” folks probably care more about debates that are not intramural. Durbin should agree to a few, but he’s in the driver’s seat and can accept as many or as few or even none. Everything has some risk. Zero and One aren’t too far apart. I’d do a few if I were Durbin. His greatest risk is a tide against his party. He could actually help the party by stemming that tide with a few good performances.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 11:05 am
I wouldn’t debate him at all. I would be afraid of catching the crazies from Oberweis.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 12:16 pm
I’m not sure why Durbin won’t debate Oberweis. Having seen Oberweis at work in Springfield, if I were Durbin, I would ask for as many debates as possible, all televised.

The more people see of Oberweis, the less impressed they will be.

Comment by AlabamaShake Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 3:17 pm
I get depressed anew every time I think of who the two candidates are running for senate this year. Durbin’s been in D.C. too long. Waaaay too long. He is stale and focuses too much on his party leadership responsibilities and being on TV, while being increasingly disconnected from his state and its citizens. Oberweis pure and simple is not the the right guy for this time in history.

For the winner it’s a six year gig. Bummer.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 5:13 pm
an opening act at the gov debate?(doubleheader)

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:05 pm
Responds you nailed it they are both awful durbin needed to go 6 years ago. Brutal

Comment by outta dodge Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:19 pm
Guess good government dictates more debates but no statagist worth his salt would allow it. Besides. Durbin dont like. The milk man

Comment by out and about Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 8:43 pm