* Bernie profiles Republican congressional candidate Mike Flynn…
While he describes himself as a “pro-life libertarian,” he also said he voted in a Democratic primary in Virginia in 2008 because he wanted to support a local candidate he knew. He did vote for Barack Obama for president on that ballot.
“I thought it would be my only chance to vote against Hillary,” he said of 2016 Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
It may seem like a little thing, until you remember what happened to Kirk Dillard five years ago in the GOP primary after he supported Obama. If Flynn gets any traction and tries to portray Sen. Darin LaHood as some sort of Republicrat centrist, you can bet good money you’ll see the admission about voting for Obama in a mailer and/or TV ad - sans the Hillary stuff, of course.
* Meanwhile…
Flynn says his family has been in Quincy for six generations, but he’s been in the Washington area for 20 years. He is married with four children, ages 9 to 17, and living in Alexandria, Virginia. He got an apartment in Quincy to run for Schock’s seat, and he says “there would be a transition” and his family would move to Illinois if he wins. He lived in Springfield while on the Illinois House Republican staff from 1992 to 1995. […]
In response to some issues raised by Flynn, LaHood’s campaign spokeswoman, Karen Disharoon, wrote in an email, “It’s impossible to change D.C. with a candidate from D.C., and that’s why Darin’s message of eliminating wasteful spending in government, fighting to repeal Obamacare, and working for term limits to get rid of the career politicians in both parties resonates with the families of central Illinois.” She also said LaHood was “the chief prosecutor of an anti-terrorism unit” and understands national security threats.
- MrJM - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:06 pm:
A dead girl, a live boy or a Democratic primary ballot.
– MrJM
- Wordslinger - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:08 pm:
Why in the world did he cop to voting for Obama? Not ready for prime time, much less a GOP primary.
- A guy - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:10 pm:
Answered a question no one asked, or if they did, he didn’t have to answer beyond helping someone out elsewhere on the ballot? I wonder what a GOP primary ballot even looks like in DC. They’re not too pretty here.
I wouldn’t engage that real estate agent here too soon Mr. Flynn.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
Flynn is filling a need no one has, except his own ego.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
I’d rent that apartment on a month-to-month basis.
I’m helping…
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:22 pm:
Don’t bring the Mrs. out for that house-hunting trip quite yet, buddy.
- G'Kar - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:39 pm:
Is there some sort of “universal play-book” that all campaign spokesmen use? There response, regardless of party, all sound alike. The only difference is one party’s guy will be for something and the other party’s will be against it.
- train111 - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
OW states it best, that it comes to addition when party building. Until that time, Flynn and the carnival barkers over at Breitbart can chase Jade Helm and FEMA concentration camp conspiracy theories to their hert’s delight. They throw plenty of red meat to their true believers, but at the cost of actually having a say in anything that goes on. That’s all.
- jeffinginChicago - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
This is a vote in the finest American tradition. “I voted against Hillary”. So did I.
- paddyrollingstone - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
” that’s why Darin’s message of eliminating wasteful spending in government, fighting to repeal Obamacare, and working for term limits to get rid of the career politicians in both parties resonates with the families of central Illinois”
Does this stuff really resonate with the families of central Illinois? I mean, his dad is a career politician and he seems alright. Is Darin going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back of Obamacare?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
And there are those who wonder why I file against Libertarian Petitions? He is pro-life who voted for Obama?
- Amalia - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
the Hillary hatred might be strong in the Republican party, but this is still a not ready for Congress time move.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
Was this in response to Rush Limbaugh’s push to get people to pull a Dem ballot and vote against Hillary? That worked out well for conservatives….
- Century Club - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
Man, I know LaHood’s poll must show those three issues as most important to die hard Republucan voters, if his spokesperson is using them in a quote like that, but Paddy, that was my first reaction, too.
- Dave Victor - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 2:13 pm:
LaHood is running an outstanding campaign. Securing the Kirk endorsement will solidify his conservative cred.
- Recorderofmisdeeds - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 2:16 pm:
Flynn voted for Obama and LaHood sold out the conservative wing of the Republican Party by becoming Obama’s guy. Fair enough.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
===and LaHood sold out the conservative wing of the Republican Party===
How did Darin do that?
- Dave Victor - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
“How did Darin do that? ”
Recorder appears to be saying LaHood is going to have to throw his father under the bus much harder and more often.
- Anonin' - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
What a yuck…someone name LaHood is against career pols…..looks like this campaign will be laugh riot
- MoveAlongMoveAlong - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
So no one has ever voted strategic? The Dem primary was a dead heat after Super Tuesday in 2008. Hillary was still the feared nominee. He voted to slow her down and draw out the Dem party nomination. You people are acting like one vote means his a life long Dem now running as a Republican.
Please ask important questions like why Darin LaHood managed to lose a States Atty race after raising $400,000. How bad of a candidate can you be to lose a County-wide race with that amount of money.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
===You people are acting like one vote means his a life long Dem now running as a Republican. ===
Please. Nobody is saying that.
Argue like a grownup.
And that also means lay off the Ray LaHood angle. Darin ain’t Ray. As long as y’all continue doing that, you have zero credibility with me.
- Recorderofmisdeeds - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
No fellas, I am pointing out the obvious. The fact is, LaHood’s lobbyist fathet sold out the Republican Party, and some fear his scoin will do the same.
Trust me fellas, nobody thought Congressman LaHood would become Obama’s chief-apologist before he did.
I know some would like to see LaHood appointed directly to Congress like he was to the Illinois Senate, but running for office will make the scoin of the LaHood Dynasty better politican. Up to this point it appears LaHood can’t take criticisms as even passing comments on this blog are quickly rebuked by the resident blog police.
- Dave Victor - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
I’m sure Flynn is fully prepared to lose the Cap Fax primary.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
===No fellas, I am pointing out the obvious. The fact is, LaHood’s lobbyist fathet sold out the Republican Party, and some fear his scoin will do the same.===
Really?
Seems as some GOP Candidates were dropping out, some endorsed Darin at the same time…
So, “who” is scared?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
I’m starting to dislike Flynn as a candidate, not for Flynn, but for the Dopes thinking they are helping him here…
- Wordslinger - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
What’s a “scoin?”
The Alfalfas and Spankys of the He-Man Obama Haters Club consider serving in the cabinet a sin of the father to be passed on to the son. Pathetic and childish.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 4:05 pm:
==nobody thought Congressman LaHood would become Obama’s chief-apologist ==
Want to explain that a bit further or is this just more dopey ranting?
- Dave Victor - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
Wordslinger, it’s a problem. I hope he feels the same as you.
Oswego, name calling this early? you’re better than that.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 4:18 pm:
Nah, beibg a Dope is a condition, a state of being, and y’all aren’t helping Flynn…
- Under Further Review - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
Many Republicans sometimes take Democratic primary ballots in order to cast meaningful votes or to play defense against certain Democratic candidates. It is not uncommon for Republican primary ballots to have few contested races, so pulling a Republican ballot is usually an empty exercise in many counties.
- Century Club - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 5:07 pm:
For the Flynn supporters - I think you’re missing the point. Everyone on this blog understands that strategic voting happens. But we also understand that (a) voting for Obama for any reason is a hard sell in a R primary campaign, (b) this undercuts what appears to be your main attack (LaHood is like his dad who supported Obama), and (c) Flynn did not need to tell anyone this - making a huge unforced error.
- BIG K - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 5:31 pm:
Renting an apartment in Quincy on a short term basis is indicative of Flynn’s confidence in his own candidacy. A move back to Virginia on July 8th, the day after the primary election, would certainly not come as a surprise.
- Short Bus Rider - Monday, May 11, 15 @ 8:02 pm:
I don’t even live in this district. but there’s Something is terribly wrong with this system when somebody who brags about living in DC for 20 yrs and comes back just to run for congress, the district and this state are only good enough when a congressional seat is at stake.
- Flynnsanity - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:13 am:
This unforced, rookie error completely invalidates the already bogus Ray LaHood/establishment angle that Flynn will certainly still try to exploit, considering he has no other viable options. He’s running as a carpetbagging, first-time candidate..The ‘conservative alternative’ to a well-known, very conservative state senator. I don’t know who conned Flynn into jumping into this race, but I hope he can get his old job back..