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* From the Oberweis campaign…
During his 32 years in Washington, Dick Durbin has jumped in front of every TV camera in production. So why is he shy about doing televised debates against Jim Oberweis?
Durbin has agreed to only one Chicago televised debate.
Here are some possible reasons he suddenly is allergic to TV cameras:
1) He infamously lied about Obamacare.
2) Then, he did it again.
3) His policies have devastated Illinois families. Since he last ran re-election, a typical Illinois family is making $5,053 less money in annual income.
4) He pays women staffers $11,000 less than men in his Senate office.
5) He asked the Internal Revenue Service to scrutinize a conservative organization on the eve of the 2010 congressional election and in the midst of illegal targeting of conservatives by the IRS.
6) He refuses to release any other correspondence he had with the IRS during the IRS scandal.
7) He tried to intimidate conservative donors in what the Chicago Tribune editorial described as “Durbin’s enemies list.”
8) He publicly repeated a false story about a Republican leader being rude to the President.
9) He refuses to return $38,550 in campaign contributions linked to one of the most infamous sexual harassment firms in U.S. history.
10) He has said nothing about $4-a-gallon gas prices after spending years haranguing about the issue when prices were lower under a Republican president.
Before we begin, I strongly encourage you to vote and comment quickly because I’m probably shutting down early today ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
* The Question: How many televised debates do you believe Sen. Durbin should agree to? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:42 pm
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3 is enough. I couldn’t take watching the milk man more than once or twice anyway. I actually think Obie would be better off not debating. Durbin has a whole arsenal of stuff to zing him with.
Comment by Been There Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:45 pm
Voted “3″,
One by Phil Ponce and WTTW, at a table, discussion style for Chicago market
One in Springfield, traditional podium/panel style.
One in Metro East, town hall, one moderator, half Q & A with moderator, half questions from the audience. No podiums, stool and water!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Oberwaste’s issues against durbin will lack any credibility unless he denounces Rauner’s armed voter intimidation tactics.
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:49 pm
The same number Rauner agrees to (presently 3?).
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:50 pm
@Been There, and JO clearly has a WHOLE lot of things to zing DD. And the “molkman” as you like to call him, earned his money. How did DD become a millionaire?
Go with 3, that is reasonable, and should show the voters plenty.
Comment by Wally Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:53 pm
I waffled between 2 and 3. Settled on 2 because I really don’t want to see more of Oberweis than I have to.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 12:58 pm
I think one in Chicago with local media asking regionally relevant questions. One somewhere in Central Il with local media focusing on questions most relevant to that geographic constituency and one in Southern IL with local media focusing on issues there. The national stuff from both candidates is easier to get from other sources.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:02 pm
Zero, . . . Who really wants to listen to these two yap at each other?
Comment by East Central Illinois Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:03 pm
0
I can’t believe I am going to type this, but I don’t think debating Jim is going to do Durbin any favors. In fact I think the more he debates Jim, the worse he is going to do.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Voted for 2. I figure that’s about all the entertainment value that we can wring out of the debates.
To paraphrase from a different context, every gaffe Oberweis can say he’ll say in one debate. Don’t worry if you missed it, he’ll just repeat it in the second one.
Comment by VM Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:05 pm
I have always believed all the statewide should do 2 at a minimum, wishing it were a requirement. Ideally though 3…Chicago, Springfield, and Southern Illinois. beyond that, play politics with how many, but 2-3 should be a statutory requirement in my wish list
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:11 pm
I’d debate Oberweis all day long if these are the kinds of dopey things he’s going to raise. Durbin could talk circles around the guy.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:16 pm
Durbin should have enough so there is nothing left of Oberweis.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:16 pm
oh sorry, that means 1.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:16 pm
I even know how Durbin can win it without speaking.
Let Oberweis go first and when it is time for the first response, just stand there like that Indian chief, frozen faced and let one single tear roll down his face.
Senator Dick is so awesome when he cries!
Winner!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:19 pm
I voted more than 5. They should do this weekly in prime time if anyone would broadcast it.
“Never interrupt your opponent when he’s making a fool of himself.”
The more Oberweis talks, the fewer votes he’ll get. He’s like a rich, white Alan Keyes, but without the charisma.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:21 pm
2 debates. But, I wouldn’t be shocked if there are none. Dick Durbin is an arrogant elitist who doesn’t want to debate. Most of Illinois could care less, they are going to vote for tricky Dick Durbin.
Comment by Steve Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:23 pm
Outside of PBS, I’m surprised any broadcast station is actually willing to put one on.
Put me down for three — Chicago, Springfield, Carbodale — followed by a mighty “who cares.”
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:28 pm
I’m sorry, but likening Dick Durbin to “Dick Nixon” - most of us who didn’t know him personally call him Richard Nixon, but whatever - is bonkers. Obie inhabits his own, very strange, world. He’s not a credible candidate, and hasn’t operated his campaign as a credible candidate. Notice how anemic his spending is? Why should Durbin take him seriously? Just because the GOP nominated him and has failed to rally around and support him?
Comment by Willie Stark Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:29 pm
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:16 pm:
I’d debate Oberweis all day long if these are the kinds of dopey things he’s going to raise. Durbin could talk circles around the guy.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:16 pm:
Durbin should have enough so there is nothing left of Oberweis.
Durbin is not any better. I am writing in a candidate because I will NEVER vote for Durbin. He is the worst. I don’t like Oberweis either.
I might hold my nose and vote for Quinn but NEVER Durbin.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:35 pm
3 sounds like the right number to me as well. Depending on who the moderators are, they could be helpful to a lot of voters.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:37 pm
Durbin is no better then Oberweis. Durbin has said tons and tons of dopey and offensive things.
Also, Durbin is dishonest and will do anything for power. This is why he has changed his position on many major issues over the years. He is NO credibility and NO character and NO morals and/or ethics and NO principles and NO believes other then the worship of his own power.
I don’t like Oberweis either.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:40 pm
I hope one of the questions is “Sen Durbin- if the Dems lose the majority will you serve out your term?”
Comment by Sue Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Senator Durbin will win all five of the debates I recommend that he do … and he can use some of his time to help define Rauner and thereby help the Quinn Campaign …
Comment by Downstate Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Just as many as Rahm is going to do with bi polar Bill Kelly ZERO!
Comment by Eloise Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:43 pm
Although I believe there is a good chance that in a debate Obie will make more ridiculous claims, helping to drag the whole GOP ticket down, I voted zero.
Durbin is up. There is no reason for the guy with the lead to debate. Obie knew that from the primary. I would be conservative and ignore the requests.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:44 pm
–Also, Durbin is dishonest and will do anything for power. This is why he has changed his position on many major issues over the years. He is NO credibility and NO character and NO morals and/or ethics and NO principles and NO believes other then the worship of his own power.
I don’t like Oberweis either.–
Bet you’re fun at parties, lol.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:46 pm
I voted for three because four seemed too many and two seemed too few. (What can I say, I’m a deep thinker.)
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:53 pm
Two.
Normally three, but deduct one for Oberweis’s recent GOP primary hypocrisy on this topic (”What? Me debate?”) Deducting one is an inducement for future GOP challengers to actually practice what they preach.
Comment by ZC Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:57 pm
3 is a good number. Everyone has an “off day” - 3 debates gives them a good chance to show their stuff.
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 1:58 pm
I voted 0. He has more to lose than to win in a debate. Why give your opponent free publicity?
Comment by Stones Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:02 pm
I voted “0.” I don’t care for political debates of any sort unless there is a panel of experts backed up by a super computer capable of fact checking on a split screen in real time as to assertions made by each candidate with citations to written materials for future reference.
I’m interested in a candidates capacity to govern , which a debate doesn’t provide, in my view.
I’d prefer in-depth, at least an hour, interviews of one candidate by a panel.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:03 pm
One televised debate is 100% more than Oberweis agreed to with his last opponent. It’s extremely hypocritical for Oberweis to demand 600% more than he agreed to when he had a lead in the primary.
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:22 pm
This seems like it is directed at the base. The words Conservative and Republican appear which is interesting because politicians from both sides of the aisle are dropping the political affiliation from their campaign materials. In a blue state he should be capturing indepndents and moderate Dems. Maybe I just think semantics are too important.
Comment by Modest proposal Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:23 pm
Voted 2. Since I only get over the air tv I probably won’t see it anyway. Since they’re both politicians it won’t matter because their lips will be moving and everyone will know. If I were Oberweis, I would ask Durbin is there has been one thing that Obama has asked him to vote for that he hasn’t. Pretty well sums it up.
Comment by Southpaw Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:40 pm
i said 3. that’s a good fair number of debates…
Comment by bored now Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:43 pm
1-Since hardly anyone would watch no matter who was debating for Senator. It’s just not that interesting to most people.
Comment by Belle Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:50 pm
I’m w/47th, only for the other side. The more I see of Durbin, the more I despise him. Sadly, I think I do not represent the majority of voters. Now, if we could just get Oberweis to wear a mask and not show up.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:53 pm
None. Who in their right mind would watch this???
Comment by Formerpol Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:57 pm
Voted more than 5. Candiates running for an office of such import deserve exposure in all parts of the state, preferrably live and televised. Their strengths and weaknesses should be put on full view.
Comment by Living in Machiaville Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 2:58 pm
3. And that should be the general standard for senate and governor races.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Part of me says three, or as many as Bruce Rauner will agree to.
Part of me says having Oberweis on TV every day would be a godsend.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:17 pm
None. Guy in front doesn’t need it, plus Durbin has all the cash in the world to take him out in ads (if Rauner leaves any ad time available).
Comment by Archiesmom Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:35 pm
Does anyone remember when Durbin said that Anita flipping Alavarez deserved a look for the Supreme Court of the United flipping States?!?
http://www.wbez.org/story/news/anita-alvarez-supreme-court-contender
Snark aside I am amazed that there appears to be no political cost for such an amazingly stupid, pandering recommendation.
Comment by Count Floyd Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:43 pm
He should addmit that he has long ago outlived his usefullness to the citizens of Illinois and go join his buddy on the golf course is
Comment by outta dodge Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:44 pm
Two is enough, I doubt the interest is there for more.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 3:58 pm
Some of the comments here regarding Durbin seem to go far beyond disagreeing with his policy.
There seems to be a lot of hatred expressed.
That’s interesting because of the elected officials I’ve known, Sen. Durbin is one of the most down to earth and nicest people I’ve met.
It would be nice if a few of you would step back and realize we are talking about an actual person, and treat him as such. Those comments say far more about the character of those making the comments than about the Senator.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 29, 14 @ 4:13 pm