The agony of defeat
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Favorite headline of the day, with bonus quote from the defeated candidate…
* After Staple Gun Attack, Zwolinski Loses To Soto By Landslide: Conceding to Soto, Zwolinski said via text message: “The community has to unfortunately wait two more years for real change and not a just puppet for the machine. It’s a shame because we all suffer. But time flies.”
The staple gun obviously missed his frontal lobes.
* Apparently, David Gergen’s endorsement is worth nothing in the 22nd House District…
* No bitterness here…
“I know I have been criticized that I wasn’t a very good politician, and that is probably right,” [Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez] said. “But I am very damn proud of the fact that I am a good prosecutor.”
She vowed to serve her remaining months “with professionalism and integrity.”
* In denial until the end…
He denied that bucking Madigan had cost the Democrats any key votes in Springfield or that doing so had attracted conservative funders to his campaign.
“This was people looking at me historically and wanting to invest in me,” Dunkin said.
He said he planned to remain active, whether in politics or business, but was focused now on finishing out his term and helping Stratton transition into the role of legislator if she wins the General Election.
The mood was somber at Dunkin’s election night party at Norman’s Bistro, 1001 E. 43rd St., as early election results came in showing Stratton leading Dunkin.
A buffet sat untouched and the coat rack was empty as the few supporters there watched in the back bar.
Campaign staff were still unsure where Dunkin was or when he would arrive as media outnumbered campaign workers waiting for results in the hotly contested race.
* Also…
- Abe the Babe - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:36 am:
Dunkin’s concession was much like his tenure in springfield. Hollow. The guy could have been a decent legislator if he worked harder and shared the glory one in a while.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:37 am:
===A buffet sat untouched and the coat rack was empty as the few supporters there watched in the back bar.===
“Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.”
Dunkin is no George Bailey…
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Dunkin will have to practice showing up for a job. While Rauner will give him a sham job next year, they will at least expect him to show up to get the check.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:42 am:
Cue the theme song.
– MrJM
- Stones - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Anyone “investing” in Ken Dunkin lost…miserably.
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Agencies statewide shiver in a corner, whispering a mantra to themselves, “Don’t pick me, don’t pick me,…” in preparation for Dunkin’s inevitable appointment to some unfortunate agency in January.
- out of touch - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:53 am:
If there was any crow on Dunkin’s buffet, I’m certain that Maze got a belly full.
- Politix - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 10:56 am:
“This was people looking at me historically and wanting to invest in me,” Dunkin said.”
Yep, it was all about YOU, Ken, you stand up…guy.
- IllinoisBoi - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:00 am:
“This was people looking at me historically and wanting to invest in me,” Dunkin said.
That made coffee squirt out of my nose.
- Molly Maguire - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:00 am:
I have never seen a worse concession speech than that of Anita Alvarez. No grace, no humility, nothing but bitterness and self pity. No wonder she got clocked. Foxx has a tough job ahead of her but she hit all the right notes.
- Ted - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:09 am:
Anyone know where I can look up the results for all the state rep primary’s last night???
- Qui Tam - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:15 am:
Dunkin - job at the Guv’s office as legislative liaison? $130k/annual.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:19 am:
Better a just puppet than an unjust one.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:20 am:
=== Dunkin - job at the Guv’s office as legislative liaison? $130k/annual. ===
No, Dunkin doesn’t have what it takes to write snark letters.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:29 am:
It did not take long before the debt was called for his deal at the crossroads at midnight.
- Mama - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:37 am:
==Dunkin - job at the Guv’s office as legislative liaison? $130k/annual.==
Qui Tam, I hope to God you are kidding me!
- Hamilton - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:52 am:
Dunkin’s “act” is different than who he actually is. Ongoing success for him will hinge on his ability to keep those two things separate. I worry that this race pushed so much that he is for the first time believing his own lies.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:56 am:
If Dunkin has any bills pending, he may add to his record in the Century Club.
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
Legislative liason? I would think they’d prefer to have someone that the legislators will talk to, or at least acknowledge the existence of. No, some poor agency will get stuck with him. Hopefully not any agencies that deal with domestic violence.
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
===…and helping Stratton transition into the role of legislator if she wins the General Election.===
IF she wins the General Election? Strange choice of words…
- The Captain - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:06 pm:
The Governor couldn’t protect the guy who stuck his neck out for him (Dunkin) and couldn’t punish the guy who crossed him (McCann) so I suspect the Gov will want it known that he will give Dunkin a soft landing as a message to others who might be willing to stick their neck out this year. I’m not sure those people exist but I still see the need for the message.
On the other hand, the Gov still needs Dunkin to hold his seat the remainder of the year and continue to prevent any veto overrides the Speaker may wish. The Gov now has to keep Dunkin happy enough to keep voting against the Speaker when it matters, keep him right where he is and let others know he will help those who help him, that’s a tough needle to thread.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
Hiring Dunkin is how Rauner will show it’s not business as usual in Springfield
- Stumpy's bunker - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
I can’t imagine Dunkin around the statehouse in any capacity. His presentation and style of campaigning has made him radioactive. And who’s to say his knife & gun crew won’t remain on the payroll?
He’ll be hidden and fed.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:40 pm:
Regarding Dunkin, a funny story from yesterday.
Dunkin’s crew paid their precinct workers upfront.
During the day, the opponent’s crew went around offering Dunkin workers a bonus if they would flip and wear a “Dunkin sold out” t-shirt.
At least 20 Dunkin workers did it, giving up their orange “Dunkin” hats in the process.
Dunkin never thought that part though, just like he never though through his own decision to go to work for Rauner.
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 8:03 am:
==Alvarez vowed to serve her remaining months “with professionalism and integrity.”==
I wish she had began this way of service much sooner.