Elections matter
Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* If just three former GOP Reps. like Dwight Kay, Allen Skillicorn, Jerry Long, Grant Wehrli and David Olsen (among others) hadn’t thoroughly botched or tanked their own reelection campaigns in 2018 or 2020, yesterday’s remap vote would not have been remotely possible because the House Democrats wouldn’t currently have a super-majority…
Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly used their supermajority Tuesday to push through revised boundaries for the state’s 177 legislative districts aimed at ensuring their control of the General Assembly through the end of the decade.
The maps, redrawn following the release of hard census data earlier in August, continue to face lawsuits contesting their fairness in representing minority populations and communities with like interests.
- Otoh - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:47 pm:
If just three House Democrats hadn’t broken their word to constituents and to editorial board questionnaires yesterday wouldn’t have been possible either.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
Otoh, nice whataboutism. /s
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:56 pm:
Can’t say it enough it seems.
Win elections. Win. Hold serve, win open and competitive seats.
The Olsen loss was hilariously avoidable, Wehrli lost a district where the town his own family help create existed… Allen Skillicorn went all “Red Dawn” which meant “lights out” by zero attention to campaign.
I can’t help those who refuse to help themselves.
- en absentia - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:56 pm:
Or this: Thank goodness there’s a D supermajority cause now there’s a fair map. also/s
- Jocko - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:57 pm:
==hadn’t thoroughly botched or tanked==
Because their policies resonated SO strongly with voters. It had to have been their execution. /S
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:58 pm:
A sobering thought, but the current crop of republicans are so awful instead of reflecting and correcting their behavior, and increasing their electability they will just double down on the dumb stuff.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 1:59 pm:
Quit fronting candidates that have no ideas to help Illinois and it’s people. Candidates who’s only claim to fame is that they hate government, and who’s only tactics once elected is to attempt to gum up the works.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:02 pm:
The ILGOP seems intent these days to have rock solid support with their minority base. Instead of considering how to expand the party’s reach they seem perfectly intent on narrowing their focus.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:02 pm:
=== It had to have been their execution===
It was, as well as their behavior. None of those seats should’ve been lost.
- jim - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:06 pm:
With a Democratic majority and a Democratic governor, why would Democrats need a super-majority to pass their map plan?
I might be wrong, but I don’t think Madigan had a super-majority back in 2011 when he passed his maps and quinn signed them
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
=== why would Democrats need a super-majority to pass their map plan?===
Because after May 31st, bills with immediate effective dates require super majorities. Try to keep up here, dude.
- SuburbanObserver - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:20 pm:
Olsen was so confident in his “win” he spent the homestretch of his campaign out knocking for other candidates. He is a nice enough guy, but really messed that one up.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:21 pm:
==Because their policies resonated SO strongly with voters. It had to have been their execution.==
LOL Policies? They have policies? On the things that really matter (budget, redistricting, etc) they complain but reuse to put up an alternative. A good alternative map or budget would be a great potential talking point, but no one seems willing to craft such a thing.
- Actually. . . - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:38 pm:
Actually, if we separate House 81 results from House 82 results we see that Senator John Curran lost the House 81 precincts more decisively than Olsen did. Homer Glen saved Curran’s bacon.
I have yet to identify any GOP candidate who outperformed Olsen if we look only at the House 81 precincts.
Maybe Olsen could have done better but it appears he did do better than any other Republican on the ballot, within the confines of the 81st District.
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:40 pm:
Otoh, would you like a tissue?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
=== I have yet to identify any GOP candidate who outperformed Olsen if we look only at the House 81 precincts.===
Olsen, sadly and quite comically, was walking precincts other than his own. Olsen was running for his first term as a seated member who won the seat via ballot box.
Every day he campaigned for someone else, every precinct walked not in his district, every choice to be away from his own district… mattered.
Glossing over that is making excuses for his ridiculous choices.
- low level - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 3:01 pm:
In order for Term Limits Durkin to emerge out of super minority status, he’ll have to focus. This means issues and recruitment of candidates that have the potential of winning.
In other words, stop being the victim like OTOH above. I dont think he’s up to it.
- Not Actually... - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 3:01 pm:
@Actually: Only thing is Curran outperformed Roskam in those same HD #81 precincts, and let’s not forget Papa Cullerton spent ridiculous money on his neice, Bridget Fitzgerald, to topple Curran but couldn’t! What a waste of money seeing her ads on the networks for an entire month before ED. As for Olsen? ASM didn’t get a dime from DPI/Dem Maj. You shouldn’t compare apples to oranges.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
Imagine being so adamantly opposed to something your own party does in other states.
Get over it, you lost. As Rich said, “elections matter”
- Let’s be Reasonable - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 3:24 pm:
I’d be the top R vote-getter too if my opponent didn’t knock doors and didn’t do mail or anything 😂😂😂 Sorry David, we love you but you lost that one on your own brotha
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Sep 1, 21 @ 6:03 pm:
The ILGOP is in the superduper minority because they don’t get the votes. Period.
Not maps, not money, or even rainy days.
They are not competitive where 85%. of the population lives.
You would think they would give there positions a think but instead the cry.