Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Pat Quinn’s Downstate meltdown
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Pat Quinn’s Downstate meltdown

Monday, Sep 27, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Jim Edgar is low-balling

Gov. Pat Quinn is in big trouble with Downstate voters, according to public opinion polls, but he says he is the candidate for Downstate. […]

“I suspect Downstate, statewide candidates probably are gonna see a 20 percent margin by Republicans,” Edgar said.

As subscribers know, Brady’s Downstate margin is much higher than 20 percent right now.

* Scott Reeder has two fine lines about Gov. Quinn

His poll numbers in some downstate communities could make tooth decay look popular. […]

In many ways, Quinn’s main political opponent isn’t Republican Bill Brady. It is himself. And he’s losing.

Can’t argue with either of those.

* Because of the Downstate shellacking, Quinn is being shunned by the region’s Democrats

Gov. Pat Quinn seems like an unwanted man when it comes to campaigning on behalf of some Democrats involved in tight legislative races.

The governor, who is locked in his own tough battle against Republican Bill Brady, is viewed by some Democratic candidates as more of a liability than an asset on the stump because of his low poll numbers and his support for an income tax hike.

Take state Rep. Bob Flider, a Mount Zion Democrat, for example.

Flider, who is being challenged by Republican Adam Brown of Decatur, has repeatedly said he’s against Quinn’s plan to raise income taxes to help pull the state out of its financial mess.

There’s no way Flider wants to stand on a stage with the governor, waiting for some Brown operative to snap a picture that, of course, later appears in a nasty campaign mailer.

* Downstaters are even confident enough to start floating names for Brady’s cabinet

“(State Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria) would be a great choice whether it’s a Republican or Democratic governor. He’s well-thought of on both sides of the political aisle. People rely on him a great deal when it comes to transportation issues important to the state of Illinois,” said Brad McMillan, executive director of Bradley’s Institute for Principled Leadership.

Yes, that Brad McMillan.

* And legislative Democrats are being forced to resort to some extremely hard-hitting ads to hold on to power. The Democrats’ job is made easier because the Republicans are backing some pretty strange candidates this year

The more biting ad [by Democratic state Sen. Deanna Demuzio] shows veterans attacking [Republican opponent Sam McCann] as a “fraud” who “lies about his military career.”

McCann has claimed in literature that he was a member of the Marines and got an “honorable discharge.” He explained later that he signed up and took the oath, but was injured in an accident before going to boot camp. McCann previously promised to try to get a copy of his exact discharge papers, but said this week he has not received them.

He’s clearly touchy about the subject.

“Why is it that the president doesn’t have to display his birth certificate?” McCann said when asked about his discharge papers.

Sen. Demuzio’s ad


* Like just about every other political story these days, the retention race by Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Kilbride is receiving scant media attention. Quinn’s Downstate troubles certainly aren’t helping Kilbride.

The campaign did get a smidgeon of notice in the New York Times, however

In Illinois, business interests are campaigning against the chief justice after a case that removed a cap on malpractice liability, prompting him to run a television ad that opens with the declaration, “I am not a politician.”

Here’s that Kilbride ad


The opposition has posted some videos and press releases attacking Kilbride for wanting to retry a convicted murderer more than nine years ago. Kilbride, however, points to his support from police and prosecutors. No opposition ads have yet been spotted.

* Related…

* Fox Chicago Sunday: Bill Brady

* Patriot: Time for revolution - Rally in Downtown Peoria meant to focus on principles of Constitution

* Lawrence: Voters, now is not the time to check out

* Local, state officials warn politicians about sign placement

* Quinn, Brady split over some ethics issues

* Pat Quinn struggling to find clear message

* Cohen Wants Jobs Initiative Reinstated

* Green candidate for Ill. governor no longer believes capitalism ‘a bad thing’

* Green candidate backs free college

* Green Party candidate for Ill. governor defends big government, taxes

* Democrats fear Midwestern meltdown

       

44 Comments
  1. - Ghost - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 2:47 pm:

    Its hard to call brady an unknown when Quinn has run such a nonexistant campaign s of cook county. heck Brady could run a fewwho is this guy ads about quinn. The silence or lack of a quinn camaping is deafening.


  2. - Publius - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:04 pm:

    Most downstate democrats aren’t shy of Quinn it’s just that Quinn is snubbing them. I don’t believe in polls besides exit polls since they tend to be wrong. See the previous British Elections and the primary battles in other states


  3. - Quinn-bashing fad - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:06 pm:

    So the Legislators weren’t willing to vote for any plan that would address the budget, Brady’s “plan” for addressing the budget isn’t based in reality, but Quinn sucks? Is anyone taking the time to connect the dots? Too bad minus $13 Billion ain’t this easy! Addressing it requires a little more than superficial deception. It requires the kind of real, progressive change and reform that Quinn has been pushing as Governor, and for decades previously.


  4. - wordslinger - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:07 pm:

    North of I-80, too. I’ve done a lot of Northern Illinois driving in recent weeks, and have seen some, not a lot, Brady signs in all parts of the region, but virtually none for Quinn.

    Over the weekend, I spotted a couple of enormous, side-of-garage signs for Brady located just a couple blocks from Quinn’s alma mater, Fenwick. Maybe former classmates. Those Irish hold a grudge.


  5. - Publius - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:09 pm:

    Also remember that Quinn signs are in high demand and they are in short supply according to my sources


  6. - shore - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:09 pm:

    since we are hitting the chicago msm like a pinata at albert pujols birthday party today, doesn’t brady’s big win kill their notion that illinois is too democrat to elect a conservative?

    laura washington, here’s looking at you.


  7. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:10 pm:

    20 years ago, the judicial races got some press coverage in Cook County. Now, just about none. Once again, a large number of hack judges will get elected or retained (along with some good ones), and nobody will notice.

    Until some folks have their divorce, or criminal, or accident case before one of those judges. Then they’ll notice.


  8. - 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:10 pm:

    I am resisting the urge to make a joke about the dental health of some of my some downstate neighbors. It’s right there, waiting to jump off the keyboard, but discretion is indeed the better part of valor. Quinn’s downstate poll numbers are enough of a joke for today.

    If he has the money, and I don’t think he does, he should go up with a positive closer in all downstate markets. Something straight to the camera that says, “hey, I’m Pat Quinn. You know me, you know my heart is in the right place. You know I’m in tough spot, but I’m standing with you, fighting for you, through thick and thin. Together we’ll get through this recession and make Illinois great again.” Or some similar schmaltziness.

    It probably won’t help sway any voters, but it might make people feel better about him once he’s gone from public life.


  9. - GetOverIt - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:13 pm:

    One thing is for certain, if we don’t like you we’ll vote for the other guy! So the willingness of voters to vote for the “conservative” in this election says very little for Mr. Brady - who I may vote for. One thing is for certain, Quinn is getting nada from me.


  10. - OneMan - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:15 pm:

    The votes all count the same if it is a vote for a guy or a vote against a guy.


  11. - soccermom - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:22 pm:

    I was walking in the People’s Republic of Oak Park last night and saw an equal number of (huge) Brady signs and (not really legible from the street) Quinn signs. this is scary.


  12. - Are we there yet? - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:23 pm:

    I was convinced that Kilbride was toast given that Ed Murnane’s mission in life is to destroy him. Maybe I was wrong. Murnane hasn’t done anything yet and groups that would traditionally work to oust a guy like Kilbride are now supporting him. I would love to see Kilbride retained, if only to wipe the smug look off Murnane’s face.


  13. - Cincinnatus - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:26 pm:

    We should stop measuring Quinn’s poll numbers in points, and instead use degrees of toastiness.

    He is almost inedibly burnt.


  14. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:37 pm:

    ===He is almost inedibly burnt. ===

    More like charcoal.


  15. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:38 pm:

    Although, I suppose you can eat charcoal.


  16. - Obamarama - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:39 pm:

    I know it’s mean, but I can’t help approaching Quinn staffers at events and asking the old “so how are things going?”

    Responses:
    1. You know, very well… we’re seeing some, you know, good things… getting a positive response. (Stuttering Stanley response)
    2. Brady’s nuts; he can’t win. (Ostrich response)
    3. Well we just came from [city A] and next we are going to [city B] and we have a rally in [city C] tomorrow. So… yeah. (I don’t really want to say so here is our schedule)
    4. Umm… how are things going for YOU GUYS? (Don’t make me cry response)

    Poor blokes.


  17. - Cincinnatus - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:40 pm:

    Charcoal can be good for you:

    //www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=medical+use+of+charcoal&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

    Pat isn’t.


  18. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:42 pm:

    OK, burning charcoal then.


  19. - Ghost - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:46 pm:

    Why not just plain old fashioned ash…


  20. - Responsa - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:49 pm:

    I definitely don’t want him as governor, but he’s a decent human being and I really am starting to feel sorry for the guy.


  21. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:49 pm:

    If he was a smoked turkey, he’d be at 164.5 degrees.


  22. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:49 pm:

    In other words, a half degree from being smoked.


  23. - Aldyth - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:54 pm:

    When I talk politics with my downstate neighbors, all they associate with Quinn is the huge budget disaster and the social services that have been damaged or wiped out by the cuts. They don’t associate Brady with much of anything other than that he’s a businessman and a downstater and maybe a businessman from outside of Chicago could do a better job than another Chicago hack (their words, not mine).

    Short of Quinn coming up with the magic beans to balance the budget, pay the overdue bills, and restore services, I don’t think that there is much that will help him downstate. He’s being looked at as a failure and there’s a downstater running against him.


  24. - Obamarama - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:59 pm:

    ===In other words, a half degree from being smoked.===

    Thanks for clarifying that, Rich. LOL


  25. - Cincinnatus - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:03 pm:

    Aldyth said,

    “Short of Quinn coming up with the magic beans to balance the budget, pay the overdue bills, and restore services, I don’t think that there is much that will help him downstate.”

    This race is WAY beyond even that helping Quinn. The only way Brady now loses is if he is found naked in some park with a couple of hookers. There is absolutely nothing Quinn can do that has a positive effect on his campaign, only some currently unforeseen Brady event can alter this race.

    This one is cooked into the cake already. It is now a completely uninteresting race.


  26. - Obamarama - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:05 pm:

    ===The only way Brady now loses is if he is found naked in some park with a couple of hookers.===

    SLC won the LG primary. Just sayin’


  27. - Amalia - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:12 pm:

    Quinn is for partisan judicial elections? surprising.


  28. - wordslinger - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:13 pm:

    Outside of JBT for one term (and she’s from Riverside) it’s been eight years of Chicago Dems ruling the constitutionals. Just another fact that breaks Brady’s way.

    It’s always, always, better to be lucky than good.


  29. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:23 pm:

    “I definitely don’t want him as governor, but he’s a decent human being and I really am starting to feel sorry for the guy.”
    I recently felt the same way, until he played all the games with protecting the Budget Office raises and sucking up to AFSME while at the same time screwing the merit comps– again. It felt a little too much like his predecessor. Whether he has just been hiding his true self behind a reformer act, or corrupted by his new power, either way he has lost the moral high ground.


  30. - Aldyth - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:26 pm:

    Brady doesn’t have to run on his own record. If he stays quiet and out of trouble, Quinn will lose on his own merits.


  31. - Joe from Joliet - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:29 pm:

    Re: Brady’s cabinet

    I wonder what Jim Ryan will get. Brady certainly would not be where he is without him.


  32. - Rod - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:37 pm:

    As the star wars character Yoda would have said wise are the downstate democrats when I new master appears. Quinn appears to be toast, unless Brady actually presents some sort of plan for the budget. But he too follows the wisdom of Yoda who also said: “The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is.”


  33. - Cool Hand Luke - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:29 pm:

    Regarding the retention of Tom Kilbride: I asked some of the attorneys and judges in my county that I know and respect about whether they personally were going to vote for Kilbride? Granted, the guys in the legal profession that I asked were Republicans but this question was posed to them not as one Republican to another but rather as one friend to another. I have heard them candidly speak out in favor of certain other Democrat judges before when I have asked their opinion. Political affiliations and persuasions were pushed to the side when we talked as “one guy to another” out on the golf course.

    Each of them told me that they are hoping that Tom Kilbride is “not” retained. The judges that I know each told me that they can’t speak out publicly about their opposition to Kilbride or it would come back and haunt them and their judicial/legal careers. They said if they were retired, then they would speak out publicly against Kilbride. They said he is a very vindictive-type of guy so they are keeping their thoughts to themselves and “keeping out of the fray” as far as speaking out publicly against voting for Kilbride’s retention. They said that Kilbride was a left-winger’s left-winger and usually sides with those who have been found guilty. Chances are (based on his record) Kilbride isn’t likely to get any Tea-Bagger’s voting for his retention. I guess we will soon find out come November 2nd.


  34. - Squideshi - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:26 pm:

    I love how media outlets always seem to report that Whitney wants to raise the income tax; and while they might sometimes mention that this would be coupled with property tax relief, they almost NEVER mention that MOST people–more than a majority–would actually see a REDUCTION in overall taxes under this plan. I think that’s biased reporting, but I guess all reporting is, by necessity, biased some way or another.


  35. - phil sanders - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:27 pm:

    I have a question for everyone out there-What would Blago’s poll numbers be if he were running for re-election (without the indictment of course). He was far from perfect but nobody was more disciplined on the stump than him I miss the guy just for that. Quinn not even close in that department


  36. - Just The Way It Is One - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:35 pm:

    Oh my! Such Brady-backin’ boldness and complacency a good month and a quarter b/4 the votes are actually counted! For your pre-coronation ceremonies and/or Cabinet-planning, folks, which is more food for thought for ya at this point: “Accidental” leader Harry Truman holding up “DEWEY WINS” headline or all of the “Quinn is dead” prognostications from late December, 2009 until that (were you shocked THEN too?) early February Quinn VICTORY after having trailed in EVERY 1/2 way or better respectable Poll with his opponent solidly ahead? Oh my…just to remind you open or closeted “Brash Bradyites” that in downstate Illinois even, there’s this old sayin’ about not “countin’ your chickens before they’re hatched???”


  37. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:47 pm:

    ===after having trailed in EVERY 1/2 way or better respectable Poll with his opponent solidly ahead? ===

    Pat Quinn never once trailed in any poll before primary day. Never.


  38. - RMW Stanford - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:44 pm:

    To add into that I would point out that for most of the early polls Pat Quinn held a pretty large lead over Dan Hynes that fell off the closer it got to the primary.


  39. - D.P. Gumby - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 8:26 pm:

    Cool Hand, you must be far right handed carrying Murnane’s water. Kilbride is NOT vindictive nor “left-wing”–except perhaps to a right-winger to whom anyone who is not used to having someone who actually has an interest in civil liberties and the general public instead of just the corporate interests…but never mind. Tom Kilbride is a great judge and doesn’t deserve such slander.


  40. - Rick - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 8:45 pm:

    Cant wait to see wait Brady does when he gets a real cup of reality after the election and realizes that a cut of 10% across the board wont fix the $13 billion mess we are in.


  41. - state employee - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 9:57 pm:

    God help us if Brady wins. He is disastrous.
    I vote for Whitney.


  42. - Emily Booth - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 10:41 pm:

    I don’t want Quinn or Brady. Sigh. With Quinn, we’re still walking on 2 legs, even if they’re wobbly. With Brady, we’re looking at amputation.


  43. - Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Sep 28, 10 @ 6:38 pm:

    Sorry, Rich–you do know your stuff overall, and, indeed, from late December, 2009 until Feb. 2, 2010 primary election day, PQ wasn’t behind in every poll as mentioned. However, and for RMW Stanford, part of the shock in the all-critical couple of WEEKS leading UP to Feb. 2nd was the FACT that in at least TWO respectable polls, Quinn HAD not “never” (sorry for the double negative)”trailed” Hynes. 1)RASMUSSEN REPORTS of January 27, 2010–Hynes: 43% Quinn : 37%. 2)PUBLIC POLICY POLLING of January 26, 2010–Hynes: 41% Quinn: 40%. Just to set the record straight–and even though PQ WAS well ahead in early December, he had actually fallen BEHIND shortly before 2-2, per at least a couple of polls, but still pulled it off. I just honestly don’t think the Fat Lady has started singing yet, that’s all….


  44. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 28, 10 @ 6:52 pm:

    Darn. I totally forgot about those polls. Thanks.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Madigan trial roundup: Solis leaves the witness stand
* Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards
* Appellate court grants 35-day stay in Grayson release hearing
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller