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* Sauerberg’s US Senate announcement didn’t get a huge amount of press, considering his opponent, but here’s a roundup…
The Republican physician who hopes to run against and defeat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in 2008 formally announced his candidacy Wednesday.
Fifty-four-year-old Steve Sauerberg of Willowbrook, who has a family practice in LaGrange, criticized Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, as a “career politician” who does not reflect the values of many Illinoisans.
“I can no longer sit by and watch out-of-touch, ultra-liberal Sen. Dick Durbin do to America what his friend Gov. (Rod) Blagojevich is doing to Illinois,” Sauerberg said at a news conference outside the federal building in the Loop where Durbin has offices.
* He plans to highlight his chosen profession…
Sauerberg touted his experience as a physician, even having campaign signs fashioned with “Steve Sauerberg MD.” He received his medical training at Rush Medical College and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital before starting his own practice in the western suburbs in 1985.
* He hasn’t raised a whole lot of money from others…
A Sauerberg aide said the Republican has contributed $250,000 to his campaign and raised an additional $60,000. Sauerberg predicted it would take $10 million overall to oust Durbin.
* While Durbin is flush…
Durbin raised more than $6 million so far, and as number two in Senate Democratic leadership, getting more money shouldn’t be a problem. Durbin won a second term with 60 percent of the vote in 2002.
* Crain’s…
Mr. Sauerberg has hired Pat Carlson, a one-time aide to former U.S. House Speaker and current U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Plano, and retained as a consultant Mark Campbell, whose other clients include presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani.
Other, bigger-named Republicans already have taken a pass on the race — likely a sign that Mr. Durbin is the strong favorite in increasingly Democratic Illinois.
Among other Republicans who are considering running is businessman Jim Nalepa, who previously ran for Congress in the Southwest Side’s 3rd District.
* Chicagoist…
A victory for Illinois centrists? Maybe. But if this guy is going to take on one of the more witty and experienced politicians in Illinois, he’s going to have to do better than that. Dick Durbin isn’t untouchable (few Senators are - especially after 37 years). But this is the best the state GOP can do? Wouldn’t it be better for the party to focus on building victories here in the state, than sending lambs to the slaughter? With a governor a few steps shy of a federal indictment and no state budget, we’re stunned that the state party is so inconsequential. Until the Illinois GOP gets it’s act together enough to run someone against the Democrats that are dragging this state down the drain, those of us that wish there were a reasonable opposition party may just have to wait.
* Sauerberg’s 10 questions for Durbin
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:05 am
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Durbin’s one question for Sauerberg:
Have you already started drafting your concession speech?
Comment by Tom Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:13 am
Anyone notice that Sauerburg had his announcement in Federal Plaza yesterday? As a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Dr. Sauerburg should know that campaigning on federal property is illegal.
Unless he can raise $10 million, there’s little to no chance he can challenge Durbin. As the last campaign cycle had shown, $10-15 million keeps you on TV…
Comment by Super Mega Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:15 am
Why would anyone want to run against Durbin? The state GOP needs to worry more about the governor’s race in 2010 and taking back state senate seats in 2008 and 2010. Building momentum and a palatable base for those goals should be paramount over vainly trying to take down a popular and well-funded candidate like Durbin.
Senator Durbin may have a power position and may wield a lot of influence, but nothing ever gets done in the U.S. Senate - just ask Bill Frist and Mitch McConnell. If I were an up-and-coming or even an established politician, I would have real reservations about running for the U.S. Senate. I don’t even know if I would want to serve in that body. It’s a mess and nothing will ever get done in the Senate unless the ruling party gets ride of the cloture vote or controls 60+ seats.
On a side note, I do like Pat Carlson. I think he’s a hard-worker, but I think he signed on to a campaign with no prayer.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:23 am
Durbin is one of, if not the most liberal Senator in D.C.. It will be up to Sauerberg to make change appealing to the voters. Being a doctor and working with families on a daily basis gives him an advantage over Durbin. He is in touch with the needs and concerns of everyday people. Durbin is the guy that “knows the ways of Washington,” to use an Obama expression. If IL Democrats continue to disappoint, Durbin may have a harder time convincing voters that his party can lead and be effective.
Few thought former Senate Minorty leader Tom Daschle could be beaten in 2004- anything can happen.
Comment by Thirtysomething Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:29 am
I’m no fan of Senator Durbin, but I wish Dr. Sauerberg and the rest of the challengers would trash the cliches: “career politician” “does not reflect the values of many Illinoisans” “out-of-touch, ultra-liberal Sen. Dick Durbin.”
While all of this may be true, come up with something new! This is just withered rhetoric making gurgling noises before it dies.
I agree with the notion that the Illinois GOP would be better off leaving this race alone and using their resources on seats they can win within the state and from their build strong candidates who can challenge Sen. Durbin in the future
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:41 am
Thirtysomething
Daschle was defeated by John Thune, the former at large representative for the state. Most voters already knew Thune from both being the representative as well from the election 2 years before when Thune nearly beat Tim Johnson, the other senator. In addition, South Dakota is one of the reddest states in the union, with Bush winning 60% of the vote in 2000. In other words, pretty much everyone thought that Daschle could be defeated.
Contrast that with Sauerberg and Durbin. Nobody except his patients have ever heard of the good doctor. He has never run for public office as far as I know and finally Illinois is getting bluer and bluer every election. I will grant you that some may be dispirited by Rod, but that will not matter as much in 2008 which is more a national as opposed to a state election cycle.
Comment by Tom Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:42 am
Or from “there” build strong candidates *slaps forehead*
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:48 am
Tom: Do you mean his concession speech to Jim Nalepa?
Comment by 1930s Labor Racketeer Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 9:50 am
Pat’s a great guy and a god political mind to have around but no one has a shot against Dick. Still maybe it’s worth fighting the good fight, even with a sure loss looming ahead.
Comment by youngrepub Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 10:37 am
And the State yawned. . .
Comment by Jake from Elwood Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 10:39 am
Dr. Sauerberg’s campaign has peaked and is now in critical condition, soon to be DOA.
Dick Durbin will slaughter any sacrificial lamb the Republican party will nominate. It would be a foolish to divert relatively scarce GOP funds or other resources to any Republican Senate campaign in Illinois this cycle. The only Republican who could even make Durbin break into a sweat in 2008 would be Jim Edgar. Edgar isn’t running, and if he did run, he would lose.
All hail Dick Durbin, our future Democratic Senate majority leader!
Did I forget to mention that Time magazine recently declared Dick Durbin one of the most effective legislative leaders in Washington, D.C.? Eat your hearts out, Durbin-haters! I know you’re out there.
Comment by Captain America Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 10:45 am
I am Don Quixote of Lagranga
Comment by Spingfeild Solly Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 11:35 am
I would say, at this point, Jim Nalepa is the only legitimate for the GOP nomination at this point.
That said, what a thankless position to be in. Hope he can raise the cash.
Comment by Super Mega Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 12:33 pm
If the Ray Wardingly of the far right is the only “legitimate” candidate for the GOP nomination, the party is in a lot more trouble than I thought.
Comment by Tom Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 12:45 pm
I wonder if Andy McKenna will run and then realize the GOP faithful really don’t want him as our chairman. Or something like that.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 2:06 pm
Loss of offices + no money + no viable candidates + lack of party unity = Andy McKenna
Comment by Super Mega Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 2:36 pm
amen to that. mc kenna’s less than stellar style leaves alot to desired. he should step down…..but who then to step up ???
Comment by annon Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 5:21 pm
I’ll throw a name out for the GOP Chair to replace Andy McKenna - Mike Bost. He’d clean house and rebuild the base while keeping country clubbers from launching out to the Democrats. He could unite the base while moving the party in Illinois in a more Reagan-esque direction.
Comment by Southern Illinois iPhone Thursday, Aug 2, 07 @ 11:57 pm
I agree with the earlier post. Pat’s a great guy and a political genius! To the mopes who are pushing Jim Nalepa…hahahahahahahha
Comment by Arlington HTS Office Friday, Aug 3, 07 @ 8:55 am