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* Erickson…
On Wednesday, a group of Republican office holders had scheduled a “Day at the Races” as part of Governor’s Day activities at the fair.
The event, hosted by Comptroller Leslie Munger, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and several other Republicans, is set for the grandstand where harness horse racing takes place.
But there’s a problem. Due to budget constraints, there is no horse racing on Wednesday.
State Rep. Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican who is co-hosting the event, said the plan was to carry on a tradition launched by the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
When this year’s gala was put together, organizers were unaware racing would be canceled because of the stalemate that has left Illinois without a budget for nearly eight weeks.
“We’re calling it, “A Day at the Races Without the Races,’” Butler said.
* Maybe that’s why Sen. Kirk will be a no-show today…
One prominent Republican who’s skipping the fair festivities is first-term U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who is viewed as one of the top targets for Democrats nationally next year as the party looks to win back President Barack Obama’s former seat. A campaign spokesman said late Tuesday that Kirk has Iran briefings in Chicago on Wednesday.
Or not. All of the state’s political reporters attend the State Fair and Kirk surely knows that. Maybe he’s avoiding us.
* Speaking of Kirk, this is from the National Journal’s Hotline…
(H)ere’s our look at the 2016 Senate landscape, ranked in terms of which seats look most likely to change hands next year:
1. Illinois (Sen. Mark Kirk (R) running for reelection) (Previous rank: 2)
Kirk needs to run close to a perfect race to win reelection in deep-blue Illinois. So far, he’s doing anything but. The first-term Republican has suffered a seemingly uninterrupted series of gaffes this year, causing even close allies to (temporarily) wonder if he should abandon his campaign. His likely opponent, Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, has her own issues to worry about, including a potentially damaging civil lawsuit and a primary opponent. But for now, she looks like a clear-cut general-election favorite.
* And speaking of the fair…
On Governor’s Day three years ago, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn was booed off the stage at the fair director’s lawn and chased around the fairgrounds by public union members angry over his push to cut their pension benefits. The rancor prompted Democrats to avoid the fairgrounds the last two years.
It’s unclear what public employee unions may have planned Wednesday for Rauner’s day. But the Republican governor’s push to weaken collective bargaining rights for teachers and other government workers has become the most significant political issue in Illinois, with legislative candidate signature gathering for the 2016 elections set to begin next month.
The Dems didn’t really “avoid the fairgrounds,” but they did start requiring free tickets for entry, which kept out the boo birds.
Rauner has taken a page out of that Democratic playbook. No ticket, no entry today.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 9:47 am
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No wholesome trottin’ race?
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 9:52 am
“Iran briefings in Chicago.” Where do they hold those, at Reza’s?
Kind of choked on the dodge there, lol.
If you’re going to make up an excuse, why does it have to be a weird, unbelievable one?
Then again, it’s Kirk.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 9:56 am
This might be a case of;
Illinois state problems, and my own “problems” won’t be aided with me attending. There is no upside to attending.
And that, is pretty sad, and pretty true too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 9:58 am
Don’t be so hard on yourself, Rich, Kirk isn’t just avoiding you. He’s also avoiding other Republicans.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 9:58 am
maybe gidwitz called on him to drop out of the the event
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:02 am
===A campaign spokesman said late Tuesday that Kirk has Iran briefings in Chicago on Wednesday===
Yes, because he is still undecided about how he’s going to vote on that Iran nuke deal. Right. That’s a pretty weak excuse. Is that really the best they could come up with?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:05 am
The union members should just stay away and not say anything. They cannot afford the negative press coverage if they do anything. Pick your battles, this isn’t one to engage in.
Comment by Jack Stephens Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:27 am
Kirk wishes to be judged based upon his positions on national issues, not Rauner ones.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 10:28 am
How did TeamBungle blow this?
Racin’ schedule been set for weeks
Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:15 am
“Democrats avoided the fair” was a pretty accurate description. Quinn even said he changed it from a rally to “family barbecue” type event, where only a handful of GA dems attended.
Comment by mcb Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:18 am
===where only a handful of GA dems attended. ===
That’s been the case for many a year.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:21 am
Democrats skipping the fair isn’t a new development. They can’t stand eachother long enough for a whole day without fighting.
If rich wrote a story about each democrat that didn’t make it, he’d fill his quota for the week.
Comment by Caitie Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Do not know the actual date of event but who would not like to see the first lady of Illinois participating in the husband calling contest?
Comment by kegs kid Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Unlike past tough kirk races 2000, 2006, 2008, maybe 2010, he has name id, no party overhang and a weakened opponent. His team around him is not what it once was, but the state knows him and duckworth is unknown and unproven around the state and has to exhaust herself to build an organization.
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 2:06 pm
“His team around him is not what it once was”
Understatement of the day goes to Shore.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 3:02 pm