Every little bit helps, I suppose
Wednesday, Aug 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
Former President Barack Obama is endorsing Democrat J.B. Pritzker for Illinois governor. He’s also backing Kwame Raoul for attorney general and three Illinois Democrats looking to unseat GOP congressmen.
Obama announced his first midterm endorsements Wednesday and said he expects to campaign for several of them this fall.
The three Democratic U.S. House candidates Obama endorsed are Sean Casten, who’s running against Rep. Peter Roskam; Brendan Kelly, who’s challenging Rep. Mike Bost and Lauren Underwood, who’s trying to unseat Rep. Randy Hultgren.
* One reason Pritzker needs even totally expected endorsements like this is because he’s still a relatively unknown quantity, even after a katrillion dollars in TV ads. His favorability is also low, so he could use as many boosts as he can get…
* From Sen. Raoul…
I sincerely appreciate the endorsement of my predecessor in the Illinois Senate and a great president, Barack Obama. We have lived in the same neighborhood, represented the same communities and worked to address many of the same challenges. His confidence is meaningful to me as I seek to continue my advocacy as Attorney General.
Obama endorsed several state legislative candidates in other states today, but none here. Also, nothing for comptroller and treasurer here.
- Shelby Thomas Weems - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:30 pm:
Why does he keep taking passes on endorsing Comp/Treasurer?
No snark or anything. Just looking for insight.
- DarkHorse - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
You can just see Raoul’s “Obama endorsement” TV ad….
- DarkHorse - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
The former President is endorsing J.B. and Raoul because they could conceivably lose
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:36 pm:
Keep endorsing Barry, that will push the R’s to vote.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:41 pm:
===that will push the R’s to vote===
lol
Kind of a slender reed there.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:41 pm:
Barack’s endorsement of Kwame was certainly Kool and proves Raoul has come a long way, baby.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
===Also, nothing for comptroller and treasurer here.===
Nor Jesse White. I’m pretty sure these endorsements reflect races where Obama wants to make a difference. Does anybody think White, Mendoza or Frerichs is in trouble?
Bonus question: name their GOP challengers without looking it up.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:50 pm:
–Keep endorsing Barry, that will push the R’s to vote.–
Think first, write second, edit third, send last.
Obama’s percentage of the vote in three statewide elections:
2004: 70%
2008: 62%
2012: 58%
- Long time R - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 12:56 pm:
Mendoza will blame Rauner for Obama not endorsing her.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:08 pm:
==Obama’s percentage of the vote in three statewide elections: 2004: 70%”
We don’t take kindly to carpetbaggers.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 1:39 pm:
To be fair, Anny didn’t say which way President Obama would push the R votes.
– MrJM
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 1, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
–Hey Word, see any trend in those %’s you listed for Barry.–
Yes. They were all landslide victories.