Attempting to define the beginning
Thursday, Aug 29, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* For some reason, reporters lately have been trying to pinpoint when Campaign 2014 began for Gov. Quinn. From earlier this week…
The busy chief executive of the nation’s fifth-largest state probably wouldn’t be expected to set aside time to attend an initial hearing in a lawsuit filed against him, but there was Gov. Pat Quinn on the 23rd floor of the Daley Center.
The Democratic governor had made what lawmakers contended was a constitutionally dubious move to take away their paychecks until they send him a pension reform bill. While not much was decided in court that day, the scene allowed a confident Quinn to flick the switch on his populist persona as the glare from a phalanx of TV camera lights shone on him.
“You don’t get paid if you don’t do your job,” the governor declared as though he already had won the lawsuit.
The moment this month marked the unofficial launch of Quinn’s re-election effort.
That was the moment? Really? How about when he vetoed the salaries in the first place? Or how about his splashy press conference accompanying his amendatory veto of the concealed carry bill?
* The AP tries to define the start as being today…
The 2014 race for Illinois governor has entered a new phase with Gov. Pat Quinn taking time out of a work day to accept a union endorsement.
The Chicago Democrat has kept campaigning low-key so far with events such as speeches at churches and small fundraisers.
But on Thursday he stopped by the Chicago International Produce Market to pick up a re-election nod from Teamsters Joint Council 25.
The labor union endorsed him four years ago around the same time. Quinn was a member during college from 1969 to 1971.
He’s kept his campaigning low key?
This is a silly news hook.
No matter what they say, incumbents who want to run for reelection are always, in one way or another, in campaign mode.
…Adding… A good point from a commenter…
Don’t blame the reporters. Trust me, these stories are the concoction of thumb-sucking editors trying to prove they’re worth their considerable salaries.
