* Some out of town reporters seemed surprised that Gov. Pat Quinn received such an enthusiastic ovation at yesterday’s annual Democratic County Chairmen’s Association brunch. After all, every poll shows he’s unpopular with voters, even Democratic voters, and he’s not known to be the insiders’ favorite guy.

But Bill Daley made a not so subtle attempt at an answer yesterday…

“It’s Springfield,” he said. “I think there may be a lot of people who obviously have known or worked for Pat, or work for Pat now, over the years and they’re appreciative of those jobs.”

Lots and lots of those county chairmen either have state jobs or contracts for themselves and/or their family members or close friends. Of course they’re with their meal ticket.

* But that didn’t stop Daley and Sen. Kwame Raoul from taking jabs at Quinn…

Daley attempted to seize on the dysfunction and contended Democrats will lose the governor’s office in 2014 unless he is the nominee. “I believe — and I believe strongly — that there’s got to be change,” Daley said of more than five years of Quinn at the helm.

Quinn brushed aside Daley’s comments and vowed to defeat all challengers.

“There’s nobody in Illinois who can run a grass-roots campaign like I can,” said Quinn, who narrowly won the primary and general elections in 2010 despite low approval ratings. “I’m not afraid of big money, big-time lobby groups. I think I can win the day with the kind of campaign people in Illinois will admire.”

And…

Raoul, a Hyde Park/Kenwood Democrat, didn’t have a formal speaking role at the county chairmen’s brunch but presided over a gaggle of reporters later to verify his interest in the race but stress he hasn’t made up his mind about it.

Raoul said he personally likes Quinn but poked at Quinn’s leadership skills.

“The job of governor entails more than just using a pen to sign bills. It involves leadership, and rolling up your sleeves and engaging the Legislature, not just throwing arrows and rocks at the Legislature,” Raoul said.

“It’s a different style of leadership than I’m accustomed to,” he said.

* There was a major no-show yesterday…

[Effingham County Chair Audrey Griffith] was bothered that one politician never showed up — to either the morning meeting, or to the fair: the head of the Democratic Party of Illinois, House Speaker Michael Madigan, didn’t come at all.

“Be nice if he thought enough to be with us, supporting the party and egging people on to support what they believe in. Would have been really nice,” she said.

He’s suing the governor, he probably didn’t want to answer more questions about his daughter and the governor declared yesterday to be exclusively “Governor’s Day.” It’s no wonder he didn’t show. But still probably bad form.

* Quote of the day…

Democrats couldn’t deny the tensions in the room.

“It’s there,” said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a top pensions negotiator. “But we can all come together and enjoy a nice breakfast.”

* And tomorrow could be a big day for the governor…

Democrats in Cook County, the largest county party organization in the state, will gather Friday to formally endorse a candidate for governor. County party officials said only Quinn was on the schedule to attend and ask the group for its endorsement, though Daley has reportedly been making phone calls to committee members over recent days.

“It would be very difficult to imagine the party endorsing someone who is not there,” said state Representative Lou Lang of Skokie, the group’s vice chair.

* Related…

* VIDEO: Illinois Senate President John Cullerton talks to reporters

* VIDEO: Pat Quinn speech 8-14-13

* VIDEO: Durbin on Illinois Democratic Party