“There’s a high chance that I possibly will”
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Ken Dunkin told Mike Flannery this past weekend that he voted for AFSCME’s “no strike” bill last spring and would’ve voted for the bill again last fall if he hadn’t been in New York during the roll call. Asked if he would vote for it on the third try, he said “There’s a high chance that I possibly will.”
The high chance turned out to be no chance…
Dunkin broke ranks with the resurrected arbitration bill Tuesday, and voted no. Dunkin says he’s been with unions most of the time in his 13-year career in Springfield, despite his recently soured relations.
“They have no loyalty to any black politician in the General Assembly,” he said. Dunkin says he wanted a last-minute change to the legislation to help black and Latino state employees.
Welch, who like Dunkin is black, says it was too late to make such a change as it had just been introduced on Tuesday, but would support the idea in the future.
I’m not sure Dunkin realizes that “loyalty” is a two-way street. The unions backed him when he voted with them. They left when he walked away from them. It’s not rocket science.
* More…
State Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, delivered a punishing blow to Dunkin, who spoke against the bill if a last-minute amendment wasn’t adopted. “I find it interesting and perhaps even troubling that the last speaker given his recent voting record spoke about complicity. But I suppose that’s why the president said: ‘Some folks don’t change.’”
Mitchell then seared Dunkin with other remarks Obama made to the embattled Democrat last week. “I am speaking to the bill sir, you might want to take his second bit of advice, which is to sit down.”
Like I’ve been saying for a while now, Dunkin’s biggest problem is with his fellow Democratic legislators. This isn’t just a Madigan thing. His members want the guy punished.
Much the same can be said of Sen. Sam McCann. You don’t see any Republican legislators standing with him at campaign press conferences.
* Related…
* An anonymous dossier at the heart of key Rauner/Madigan battle
- The Captain - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
Madigan and/or his affiliated committees are involved in a number of Democratic House races, either directly or independently, just not this one. Almost all of Stratton’s money/spending is coming from labor or Dem committeemen in the district and she’s been the beneficiary of no independent expenditures on her behalf, from the Speaker or anyone else.
I realize that Dunkin’s focus on the Speaker is just a talking point and it has some effectiveness but on the merits it’s misplaced.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:15 pm:
“I’m not sure Dunkin realizes that “loyalty” is a two-way street…It’s not rocket since [sic].”
It’s only Lincoln Log science and Dunkin still doesn’t get it.
- Down State Paul - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
How hard will it be for Mr. Dunkin to get a lobbying job in IL after elected office?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
So what happens if Dunkin wins his primary? Are the Dems going to treat Dunkin like this for the next several months and another term? Or will they kick him out of their caucus? That is a serious question.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:22 pm:
Lou Lang finally graveled Dunkin down yesterday afternoon when Dunkin was having his “but, but, but” tirade against Welch. Mitchell’s admonishment was GREAT!
- The Muse - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:22 pm:
If Dunkin wins reelection, Rauner will want to keep him around to be a constant annoyance to the rest of the Dem caucus.
If Dunkin loses, NO WAY does he become a lobbyist. He’ll be relying on Rauner for a soft landing spot.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
== “I’m not sure Dunkin realizes that “loyalty” is a two-way street…It’s not rocket since [sic].” ==
Yep. To mix metaphors, either you dance with who brung ya or you burn bridges …
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:29 pm:
If Labor gives a pass (they aren’t) to Dunkin, and don’t support McCann, and win both…
Rauner will crow all the way thru November.
Further,
Labor needs to pick off at least a single incumbent Raunerite in the GOP primaries.
“Why?”
Welp, doing the minimum is huge, but picking off a Raunerite incumbent? Whoa.
“What are you prepared to do?”
As for the Dems, Dunkin is the stranger in your house, are you willing to do what needs to be done and defeat the Democratic Raunerite?
March 15th is looming.
- There is power in a union... - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:31 pm:
“If Dunkin loses, NO WAY does he become a lobbyist. He’ll be relying on Rauner for a soft landing spot.”
Heard there is still an opening for associate director of early childhood… /s
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:31 pm:
Yeah, that’ll work.
“Senator, Ken Dunkin is on the line about the–”
“Tell him I took a surprise trip New York.”
– MrJM
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:33 pm:
I watched the exchange yesterday on the GA House feed. Embarrassing.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:33 pm:
It’s worth noting that Christian Miller also isn’t a union apologist: if I recall CTU targeted him for defeat.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:35 pm:
Sorry, Mitchell (Christian Miller: Roll Tide)
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:36 pm:
He will need Rauner upon losing. He has his masters in social work…but no social service agency will hire him…if they are still able to provide services
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
Lobbyist? Don’t they need trustworthiness and credibility?
- Small Town Girl - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
If he is no longer any use to Rauner does anyone think he will just cut Dunkin loose?
- Politix - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:38 pm:
Dunkin’s last minute amendment addition was a spectacular failure and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
The Republicans also put on an outstanding show.
I want to thank Rep. Ives for Ives-splainin’ how AFSCME is misrepresenting us lowly union members.We aren’t so smart, see. We need the nice Republican lady to save us from ourselves.
And I had to laugh when Sandack barked, “I will ask the questions!” during a long exchange with Rep. Welch. The House Floor is not a courtroom, Owl. And a bill debate isn’t an invitation for you to interrogate your colleagues as if they are criminals.
This from a man who has never even set foot in a courtroom as a prosecutor.
- Mouthy - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:41 pm:
If he loses Rauner won’t let him go anywhere this year. That’s a given. His purchased vote will still be needed..
- There is power in a union... - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
Ask management how underutilization is in their ranks…
Hint/ those eeo reports say not good…
- Beaner - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
McCann is not as isolated as Dunkin from his colleagues. They are just afraid of the crazy coup leader.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 2:59 pm:
The references by Hinz to Reilly’s ties to Madigan are a bit of a stretch. Reilly tends to try to use his power on races that impact his ward. He’s never liked Dunkin, so of course he’s going after Dunkin now.
Regarding Dunkin’s post Springfield career — his problem is that nobody likes him. It is tough to have a job dealing with the House when nobody in the House can stand you.
His career options are somewhat limited.
One last note — that race is going to be a challenge. In 2010, both he and those on his side were pretty aggressive on election day. Dunkin himself kept walking into precincts introducing himself to voters while they were voting, and there were also a few actual fights that day. This one, with Dunkin has a real chance of losing, should mean that CPD and the ASAs should be out in full force.
- Small Town Girl - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
Did Dunkin file a bill containing the language from HB 580 Amendment 3? I searched but have not come up with it.
- burbanite - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:06 pm:
How do you kick someone out of the caucus? I would fear at this point that Dunkin would run back to the Gov. with what people believed were off the record discussions.
- Columbo - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:07 pm:
Congrats Rich, I never thought I’d see Dunkin and Rocket Science in the same sentence. You succeeded.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:07 pm:
–“There’s a high chance that I possibly will.”–
Why even say that? Who was supposed to believe it?
He’s made his deal. You’re supposed to believe there’s a chance he’d flip on Rauner now when he needs all his money that he can get for the primary?
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:08 pm:
HAM 3: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09900HB0580ham003&GA=99&SessionId=88&DocTypeId=HB&LegID=85037&DocNum=580&GAID=13&Session=
Referred to rules committee. In other words, it was DOA.
- AlabamaShake - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 3:13 pm:
**Did Dunkin file a bill containing the language from HB 580 Amendment 3? I searched but have not come up with it.**
He filed an amendment to HB580, but it appears that he has yet to file a standalone bill. Because, why do something that wouldn’t be a blatant attempt to hijack the bill and the press.
- anon - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 6:20 pm:
== Much the same can be said of Sen. Sam McCann. You don’t see any Republican legislators standing with him at campaign press conferences.==
The first case has to do with anger and disgust, while the latter has to do with fear.
- Rufus - Wednesday, Feb 17, 16 @ 8:27 pm:
@anon - How true, how true… And in there lies the difference to this power game.