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House Republicans avoid traditional bloodbath

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Illinois

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

After the Illinois House Republicans met late last month in Springfield to elect a new caucus leader, several members gathered at a local watering hole to toast their top dog, Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs.

Notably, several House Republicans who backed the candidacy of Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, showed up as well and heartily shared in the festivities.

And so, a leadership battle that for a while looked to be heading down a bitterly negative path ended with smiles all around.

Durkin managed to pull off the impossible.

After the failed 1991 ouster attempt of House GOP Leader Lee Daniels, 11 of the 13 coup plotters fled the House within 2 years, either for the Senate or for other jobs. They had no choice. Retribution was in the air.

When Daniels announced he would be stepping aside 10 years later, a months-long feud erupted between Reps. Tom Cross and Art Tenhouse, with the downstater Tenhouse coming out on the losing end.

The fight got personal and emotional, and lots of members were put in highly uncomfortable positions.

The memories of those fights are strong with those who were around back then, and veterans on both sides have tried to help steer this battle away from the abyss ever since Cross announced that he would be stepping aside and running for state treasurer.

Durkin had a reputation among some of his fellow House Republicans as being aloof and even kind of a jerk – his former Cook County prosecutor tendencies have never completely left him. But Durkin patiently traveled the state, meeting with anybody who would sit down with him, and eventually managed to assuage those fears. As a result, he walked into the caucus meeting with far more than the 24 votes he needed to win.

Poe gave what many members said was the speech of his life during the meeting. Poe passionately argued for peace and unity while putting Durkin’s name into nomination. Durkin was elected by acclamation.

Durkin had been a member of Tom Cross’ leadership team, but he’s much better known as being policy oriented. He’s also politically ambitious. He lost a U.S. Senate race in 2002 to Dick Durbin and chaired both of John McCain’s Illinois presidential campaigns.

Durkin was gearing up for an attorney general bid when Cross blindsided him with his own desire for the office. Durkin almost immediately switched gears and focused on the leadership job, which helped box Cross out and forced him to find another job after Lisa Madigan decided to stay put.

Durkin and his team have promised there will be no retribution. There’s a desperate need for unity in that caucus, and pretty much everybody gets it.

If he can suppress those prosecutorial attitude issues, work harder than he ever has, and stay focused and calm while Madigan rattles his cage, Durkin has what it takes to be an effective leader.

Time will tell, but, so far, this looks like a good move by the House GOP.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 9:42 am

Comments

The GOP House experience certainly was quite different then the challenge mounted by the malcontent True Believers in the GOP Senate caucus.

I would think Durkin’s first order of business will be to show he’s not going to be pushed around within the party.

That means going all out for his caucus members being primaried from the right.

It also means finding out what Farmer Bruce and Crew are up to with their own separate GOP House PAC. Rauner’s interests are certainly his own, and not necessarily Durkin’s.

Durkin needs to let Farmer Bruce know that there’s only one sheriff in town.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:00 am
Durkin is a good choice. He has the chance to be better than his predecessor, if he can maintain a relaxed confidence, and understand when to hold fast and when to compromise.

The real challenges will not be in the House, but on the street.

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:08 am
There aren’t enough Republicans left for a bloodbath, and there’s also not the energy.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:26 am
Good first moves by Durkin. I hope he can maintain it.

Comment by Annonymous Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:29 am
I’ve liked him a lot watching him on chicago tonight-and I don’t like many people in our party- over the years. Has a good demeanor and seems like an ok guy. Good luck to cross.

Comment by shore Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:32 am
I hope his election will mark the beginning of a new era: one when the House GOPers are known more for offering superior public policy alternatives, and not simply one-dimensional opposition to the Majority.

Comment by GoldCoastConservative Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:45 am
Great column, Rich.

Glad to have you back. Barton was outstanding keeping the “lights on”, much appreciated!

To the Post,

I have commented on Durkin’s rise to Leader specifically, and if anyone wants to use a “search engine” of their choice to find it, its out there.

I think - wordslinger - is hitting the right tone. Couple that with what was a bit of “push back responding”… to the negative feedback of Slytherin Primary challenges, and not… pushing the postives forward, but reinfocing intolerance, the Conservatives made a point yesterday to say, and I am quoting…

“Conservatives have told Illinois Review they are determined to uphold the planks of the ILGOP platform and force the party to hold to its principles. And they’re not moved by incumbents’ arguments that primaries waste money and create divisions. To them, primaries are where positions on issues are hashed out and candidates are vetted in preparation for the General Election.”

What does that quote from IllinoisReview.com,…. and - wordslinger - ’s post…. have to do with Rich’s column?

Everything.

Let’s take this snipit;

===they (Conservatives) are determined to uphold the planks of the ILGOP platform and force the party to hold to its principles.===

“force”.

There is your Blood Oath and Litmus Test to be 100% pure.

Further,

===And they’re not moved by incumbents’ arguments that primaries waste money and create divisions.===

Just wow. If you are not “pure”, you will face a challenge, to ensure “purity” rules the day.

Now, Leader-Elect Durkin, he was voted into his new role by acclamation. We all know that means ALL the members of the Caucus, the ones present, decided that Durkin should be a voted unanmiously by a voice vote.

Durkin, and his new (I hope!) Politcal Staff have an obligation, and rightly so, to support the incumbents who trusted Durkin to be the leader needed to get out of the hole they all find themselves in.

So, if one of the Dopey Mushrooms feels the need to support a challenge to another member of the Caucus becuase, well, the “purity” needs to be satisfied, how is that “helping”?

The HGOP needs more Rosemary Mulligan type candidates who win in Rosemary Mulligan districts, districts that reject “purity”, and reject intolerance. The HGOP does not need Caucus members assisting in the challenging of other members who are more “like them” and crushing the idea of a diverse Caucus.

That is where Durkin, the column, and - wordslinger - all meet. Durkin has the mandate from the Caucus, is skilled enough, so far, to handle the politics of the job, and Durkin needs to crush, be it before petitons come out, or by spending whatever it takes, these feeble-minded Slytherin House Republicans, even those that reside in the HGOP Caucus.

Having more “purity” in safe districts, leads to nothing but waste.

“force” …Jim Durkin must force the idea that Slytherin House primary challenges are the best way to ensure a monolithic, super-minority, for a very long time.

The second snipit I pulled out really is the crux of what the Slytherin House Republicans get with the blowback, the cost.

So there is no cost?

Remember, its math;

Every single dollar raised by Durking to do the “right” thing and defend the Caucus from the “Right” is in reality TWO dollars. One dollar spent agains the Dope runing for Purity, and one dollar needed to be raised …again … to take on the Dems in November.

It’s math. It’s real. I hope Durkin does all that needs to be done to take out these “force” Slytherin House candidates, and makes it quite clear, the HGOP, working within the districts, and all the leaders in the distircts, and the polling dictate candidates, and taking on incumbents for personal fame and glory is going to lead to the challenger’s demise, or My Party’s shrinking to nothing. One. Or the Other.

Durkin has 46 members who are bcking his leadership. Which of you Mushrooms feel the need of “purity” so much, that you can just “turn” on Leader-Elect Durkin? Disappointing indeed!

I say, “run them all”, and I still agree to that, but that doesn’t mean that the likes of these “challengers” … “forcing” purity … ignoring tolerance … will be good for My Party, or the HGOP Caucus.

The Breen Primary Challenge … reeks … of Slytherin, of “purity”, of Blood Oaths and Litmus Tests. These are the immediate challenges Jim Durkin and his Caucus …. who spoke in one vice it was said … face.

Find candidates in your Tier One targets like the 1996 Dems did in the South Suburbs; Unique, reflective of the districts, diverse…

The more we look the same … the more will stay … the same.

Do not bend to the “force” of this “purity” Leader-Elect Durkin, be the leader Rich wrote about, understand what - wordslinger - is warning you about, and remember the 3 Principles I gave when you are leading… and you will not fail.

Lastly, make it very clear, crystal clear… any sitting Caucus Member actively working against another Member, based on “purity” will feel the “force” of the rest of the HGOP Caucus, their colleagues …and it won’t be pretty.

“Either hag together, or you all will most assuredly lose … seperatley.”

Good Luck, Leader-Elect Durkin, that is your first charge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 10:54 am
The IPI types are determined to build an ideological cult, not a governing party.

Governing parties thrive on debate, dissent and compromise.

Most religious sects tolerate a degree of internal dissent and debate.

Cults do not.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 11:13 am
What are prosecutorial attitude issues? What is the negative connotation?

Comment by anonymouse Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:29 pm
- anonymouse -,

Imagine… if Rep. Scott, “You know I am a former federal prosecutor, right?”, Drury…. is at a “10″ or even a Spinal Tap “11″ at times…. in Prosecutorial Attitudes, Leader-Elect Durkin could be a “6″(?) at times.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:33 pm
I am curious that some of his Republican colleagues think he’s aloof or a “jerk”. Rep. Durkin, in my humble opinion, is one of the more approachable and friendly Republicans. It’s funny how some people have an axe to grind about someone or everyone.

Comment by Nosmo King Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 12:59 pm
@ anonymouse -

Career prosecutors tend to be “true believers”, unable to grasp the concept that they might be wrong.

Comment by Joan P. Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 1:04 pm
- Nosmo King -,

Durkin has always been great with constituents, and I think having a perspective from Rich as to how Jim Durkin went from “A to B” is actually a compliment to Jim Durkin.

Can you see Scott Drury rallying a Caucus?

I think that is the point(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 1:28 pm
Ok, Oswego Willy, we get it. You don’t like conservatives or people with principles.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 2:49 pm
- Downstater -,

If that is all you got out of my Post, I feel terrible for you.

Read exactly what I Post, and how I Post it.

The HGOP is at 47 meembers. The goal is to get to 60, at some point. To Primary Pihos by Breen becuase… well, Pihos is not “pure” enough, and if some in the HGOP Caucus are encouraging Breen, after the Caucus unanimously voted for Leader-Elect Durkin by acclamation, why do the Slytherin House Republicans feel the need to cost the HGOP money when the beef with Pihos is purity, and the solution is the Thomas More Society Lawyer?

Durkin has an obligation to his Caucus, as Leader-Elect to stomp out needless primary challenges based on Purity and Blood Oaths and Litmus Tests, which cost monies the Caucus doesn’t have, for a HGOP Caucus Member who shouldn’t have to face a challenge unless the Hubris and the “Purity” … “Must” be quenched.

Read what I Post, and how I Post it.

Dope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:00 pm
Downstater, you cannot possibly be that dense.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 3:01 pm
–Ok, Oswego Willy, we get it. You don’t like conservatives or people with principles.==

Obviously, we have a principled conservative on our hands here.

Lay it down for us, brother. What are your conservative principles, and how do you go about implementing them in a democratic republic?

Or, are you just another whining victim watching Fox and listening to Rush all day?

You know, they’re “entertainers?” You’re not supposed to believe or govern your life on that junk, right?

They peddle kids’ stuff — after a certain age, you put on the big boy pants. Or should.

The word “conservative” is the most abused of our time. It’s regularly trotted out to rationalize the laziest, most ignorant, anti-social, do-nothing, selfish positions unworthy of the great nation we inherited.

I was lucky growing up on the farm in Northern Illinois among GOP conservatives and Democratic liberals who knocked heads, got stuff done and tipped a beer together after a long day’s work.

Salt of the earth, I miss the old-timers more than another breath of air.

They knew the value of a buck and the value of investing a buck in their community. They left it way better than they found it. They were role models.

The concept of “conservative” today has been hijacked by scatter-brained nincompoops who think Dick Lugar was a commie and that Colin Powell is soft on defense.

In fact, the loudest mouths among today’s “conservatives” are the old Dixiecrats who hung around in the Roosevelt Coalition because he, Truman, Rayburn, and Johnson had the audacity to lift them out of their squalor through federal spending provided by the folks from New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

They couldn’t take care of themselves, so we did it for them. As a community, and a nation.

You’re welcome.

The Dixiecrats started leaving in 1948 when old Strom Thurmond led the walkout at the Dem convention during Humphrey’s speech on Civil Rights. They started to leave en masse when LBJ said “we shall overcome.”

And now they’re the Southern GOP that runs the show. They have as much in common with Mark Kirk, JBT, Dan Rutherford and Midwesterners as chicken salad and chicken s—.

Reagan and Barry Goldwater would take today’s “conservatives” and beat them like a rented mule

So I’m way down with Willie and his fight to beat back the mindless extremists who consider themselves “conservatives.”

They’re not “conservatives,” they’re inquisitors, and they’ve never accomplished a damn thing for anyone.

Keep up the fight, Willie.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:27 pm
- wordslinger -,

Thank you.

Your life experiences, and the lessons you pass on about what real conservatives, politcal and governmental history, and just plain common sense, make taking the fight on easier.

Always appreciate you in my corner.

With much respect, as always.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:49 pm
Sam,

As always …appreciate the backup.

Frank.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 4:51 pm
Word, I can’t say that I spent more than a week at one of those northern Illinois farms, but I do recall those days as a better time.

When I was on staff, we’d have a jovial joint Christmas party and other events with Dem staff. I still consider those folks as friends. While Cullerton is trying to resurrect that feeling of camaraderie, I hear that the events devolve into Republicans in their corner and the Democrats in theirs.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 6:27 pm
Willy, you’re still the man for Gov.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 6:29 pm
- Norseman -,

You are running the Show, I will put on reserve a 3rd cubicle at the Library. You have my marker.

To you Point,

The comraderie of the Institution of the General Assembly is being overrun by knowing wether or not a colleague is a former federal prosecutor, and what passes as “talking points” to gain favor of any fringe group that is the Flavor of the Moment.

Working together wasn’t a “bad” thing not too long ago, but that poison of words like “selling out” have made the term “colleague” seem mockable in some circles that require partisanship for acceptance.

More got done, “Better” got done and it wasn’t too long ago to remember … if we try

While just an arm’s length away, the aisles in both Chambers seem wider than moats, and more dangerous then moats too.

Wasn’t always like that…we are worse off because it has faded too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 11, 13 @ 6:54 pm
Oswego Willy, do you oppose the anti-union and no taxes ever litmus tests touted by the IPI as fiercely as you oppose the social litmus tests touted by the IFI?

Comment by Bill White Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 7:31 am
- Bill White -,

I advocate the 80% Rule;

If you and I are Republicans, and I agree with you 80% of the time, you are an 80% friend, not a 20% enemy.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 7:39 am