Bustos will decide in a month
Wednesday, Feb 8, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Ed Tibbetts at the QC Times…
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., said Tuesday that she has given herself 30 days to decide whether to run for governor and that she’ll weigh such factors as whether a downstate figure “with my brand of politics” can appeal to a statewide audience — and if she has the skills to make a difference in the infamously deadlocked state. […]
“As I weigh this, it is a matter of where can I make the biggest difference and how can I be in a position to help our state and region as much as possible,” she said. […]
“Does my brand of politics and governing, does it resonate in other parts of Illinois?” she said. “I’m a downstater. My politics are not the same as perhaps another member of Congress in another part of the state.” […]
“I ask myself, ‘Am I the best person to set our state on a healthier path,’ and I take that part very, very seriously,” she said. “And if there’s something that keeps me up at night as I make that decision, it is that. I think about that a lot.”
She was given an A-minus rating from the NRA, which could go badly in a Democratic primary traditionally dominated by Cook County. She has other conservative votes as well, like voting for a refugee ban in 2015.
But if the votes are split between several Cook candidates, she could have a chance. Deciding this early is understandable, but it doesn’t give the rest of the ticket time to shake itself out.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 9:41 am:
DCCC must be begging her not to run for Gov
- So_Ill - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 9:42 am:
Does anyone know what percentage of democrat primary vote come out of Cook County? I can’t see Rep. Bustos appealing to the liberal Chicago base, but at the same time, not many rumored candidates with name recognition do either.
- A dog to remember - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 9:42 am:
Dragging her feet, she’s not in.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Split the Cook County vote AKA the Glenn Poshard strategy
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 9:49 am:
===Dragging her feet, she’s not in.===
Ugh.
We just came off an election and less than 3 weeks into the national transition of power. Take a breath.
To the Post,
With her own merits and family history in state government and a national seasoning to it, it will be interesting to see a run by Bustos, also given her voting record and reconciling it within a Democratic primary, including Chicago and Cook County.
Then there’s the financial…
Lots to weigh, I’m sure.
Burris could wait until June, but the talent may dry up, along with the money too(?)
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 10:49 am:
I don’t think she pulls the trigger. I think somebody downstate will though. The first domino has fallen
- walker - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 10:54 am:
All about discussions with potential donors right now.
- Progressive labor democrat veteran - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 10:55 am:
We need her in D.C. to oppose the war on the middle class. Democrats can’t afford losing this congressional seat in 2018
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 11:38 am:
I think she does a better job for us out in DC. I do not see her as the person to clean up this mess.
- HumpDay - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
How about a real downstate candidate? She said she’s from downstate? We have some real issues here in the metro-east STL when people say that. Remember, “downstate” is the reason Blago was elected. Upstate split the vote and downstate decides the election. Excited to hear a real “downstate” or “southern” candidate may announce soon.
- WSJ Paywall - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
If she runs, that vote on refugees is going to really hurt her
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 12:31 pm:
=f she runs, that vote on refugees is going to really hurt her=
Don’t want to sound inconsiderate but that’s the flavor of the month. Just wait until Obamacare is repealled, estate tax repealled, and a potential trade war. Not even included is Russia.
My point is 2018 is a long way away.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
== We just came off an election and less than 3 weeks into the national transition of power. Take a breath.==
Right, but as you said, Governor $50 million is anteing up.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
===you said, Governor $50 million is anteing up.===
I also stated that by State Fair is where the time starts to really matter.
Right now it’s more about Staffing up and getting the avenues to that monies. Today. It’s like the “Quarter Pole” in horse racing. The State Fair “quarter pole” could be the beginning and/or the end for any of these “possibles”
With respect.
- scott aster - Wednesday, Feb 8, 17 @ 5:39 pm:
I hope she runs….Ryan could use another R