* The Sierra Club endorsed Gov. Pat Quinn the other day, but don’t expect any endorsement like that for Republican US Senate candidate Mark Kirk…
Environmental groups who champion cap-and-trade say Kirk has now cost himself general election support in a decidedly Democratic state. Cap-and-trade tops their agenda and appears to surpass other pro-environment positions the congressman holds.
“Mark Kirk is catering to a very vocal, very angry minority,” says Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter. “This is a very important seat and we want to know that our next U.S. senator is going to be a leader on environmental and energy policy.”
Both the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters sided with Kirk in his 2008 race against Wilmette Democrat Dan Seals, a battle that drew millions of dollars in spending and national attention.
In the past, Kirk has used endorsements from groups like the Sierra Club and others (anti-gun, pro-choice, pro-gay rights, etc.) to prove to his constituents that he’s not like other Republicans. That’s a big reason, maybe one of the main reasons, why he’s withstood assault after assault during gigantic Democratic years. Then again, Illinois isn’t like his congressional district - it’s more conservative as a whole.
* Turning to more local politics, a comment by Todd Stroger caused a stuttering, sputtering rejoinder by Mayor Daley. First, the comment…
The embattled president of the Cook County Board says he can name a long list of elected officials and labor union leaders who have forsaken him. But it is the name at the top of Todd H. Stroger’s tally of defectors that stands out: Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Chicago’s mayor, Mr. Stroger said, has delivered a “slap” to his face by failing to support him in his bid for re-election when he badly needs political support.
“I’ve never slapped anyone in the face — even symbolically I haven’t,” Daley said. “When is the last time you heard me criticize him?”
Asked if he supports Stroger’s re-election bid, Daley tripped all over himself.
“No, I didn’t — how do you know? How does he know?” Daley stammered.
Told that Stroger believes he does not have the mayor’s endorsement, Daley said, “Well, that’s his problem.” Asked if he intends to issue an endorsement, Daley said, “We’ll see.”
In more important county board president endorsement news, Ald. Toni Preckwinkle was endorsed by the New Trier Township Democrats yesterday with a whopping 83 percent of the votes.
* Back to statewide endorsements. I told you about this last week, but the Illinois Federation of Teachers made it official today. From a press release…
Citing his record as Illinois comptroller and stances on education and labor issues, the Illinois Federation of Teachers has unanimously endorsed Dan Hynes for governor in the Feb. 2, 2010 primary election.
Hynes wants a progressive tax increase, which would have to first be approved by voters, since he’d have to change the state’s constitution. The IFT, however, was a major force in pushing for a higher tax increase right away. Here’s how the IFT finesses the issue…
“The IFT has supported a variety of revenue proposals over the years to provide needed funding for public education and public services,” said Geppert. “The IFT still supports an income tax increase this year to prevent layoffs in schools and in state government. Dan Hynes is the best candidate to work with us and finally fix the state’s structural deficit for the long term.”
Quinn is announcing support from U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, state Sens. Rickey Hendon and Kimberly Lightford, state Reps. Annazette Collins and Karen Yarborough, as well as Cook County Commissioners Earlean Collins and Robert Steele. Other endorsements include Chicago Alds. Walter Burnett, 27th, Sharon Denise-Dixon, 24th, Emma Mitts, 37th, and Ed Smith, 28th.
I kinda wonder if anyone will use the opportunity to ask Quinn about Hendon’s candidacy for lieutenant governor.
A challenger to state Rep. Suzie Bassi landed the official endorsement of the Palatine Township Republican organization Saturday, continuing a historic feud between the incumbent and a local party boss.
Tom Morrison, a Palatine businessman, was backed by the organization over Bassi, who has held the 54th District seat since 1999. […]
“It was not the least bit unexpected,” Bassi said of the group’s snub. “But I’m glad I showed up to remind them of what I have done.”
* Our campaign video this morning is from Gov. Quinn. It’s a video wrapup of the Sierra Club nod. Have a look…
* Related…
* Illinois sets public hearing on Thomson prison plan
