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* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin told Bernie that he’s switching to neutral in the governor’s race…
He said he’s been for state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, for governor in the past, but got the message as he took on his new leadership role that different members of his caucus support all four Republican nominees for governor, so “I’m going to keep my nose out of that.” […]
“This is going to be a very interesting cycle,” Durkin said. “And we’re going to rely upon hard work, aggressive fundraising, good candidates, and each party’s going to need a little luck, also. So, anyone can win.
“Governor Quinn showed he could win four years ago,” Durkin said. “Never underestimate the incumbent. But we’ve got four fine men who are running in the primary, and whoever is successful… we’re planning to partner up with and get them across the finish line.”
* Durkin told the Kankakee Daily Journal pretty much the same thing…
Kirk Dillard has been a friend and a great leader for years, but I told him that the House leader has to be neutral. I’m not going to stick my nose in the governor’s race. I do have a good vibe about Republican chances.
My hope is that we’re unified behind any nominee — Kirk Dillard, Dan Rutherford, Bill Brady or Bruce Rauner.
My job is to be a voice for this caucus (of Republicans). We want to emerge without scars and without bad feelings.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 9:48 am
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Wise move. He has enough on his plate now.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 9:55 am
Leader Durkin;
Last minute, but detailed vetting of Candidates to recruit for state Representative and run them.
Getting petitions out, getting them signed, getting them filed…and …
making it quite clear to sitting members of the HGOP Caucus, that “assisting” the “purity” runs against your fellow members of the HGOP Caucus is not going to be tolerated by you, or your Leadership Teams in the General Assembly and in the Politcal Aparatus.
Raising the cash needed, and in some cases double the cash needed to get through the Primary and General Election seasons.
These are your focuses. Period.
Great to see you are taking your job as Caucus Leader seriously, and understanding that even making it seem the Guv’s Primary is on your radar does not make your job as Leader easier.
Stop the “Purity” primaries, and if you can’t, and there are those in your Caucus “sitting” there making it their business to make the Caucus’ life difficult, make their lives difficult. Very difficult.
Settle all “family business” early. The Guv’s race in the GOP Priamry is not “family business”, but the Slytherins inside you Caucus, that is “family business”.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:02 am
Agreed that it is wise. Also, curious. Not good news for Dillard though. This is a full “walk back”.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:04 am
- A guy… -,
I wouldn’t call it “bad news” for Dillard. Not the “best” news, but not “bad” news.
Further,
Leader Durkin has to get that Caucus in order, and by not endorsing anyone now, it gives those Slytherin members, who think its more than ok for someone to Primary another sitting member of their own Caucus for “Purity”, his full attention.
This will also give “pause” to those against builiding a winning Caucus thinking Leader Durkin could be asleep at the switch.
Also, without the headache of a Guv Primary endorsement, those who crave “Purity” can’t use an endorsement to wedge themselves between the Caucus and their thirst for “Purity” and having that be a way to justify that to others.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:16 am
Purity, by definition, is an EXCLUSIVE minority.
Comment by Robo Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:22 am
Statement translation: “Dillard’s Faustian quest for governor is going nowhere so there is no point to support him. My money support likes Rauner, but I know he’d be a disaster. Brady’s a loser and will continue to be a loser. Rutherford’s still up in the air. So I won’t waste my breath by supporting anyone and I’ll attribute it to my new position.”
Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:25 am
Wise but strange that he endorsed Dillard in the first place, given his role.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:37 am
Focus on winning Illinois House seats.
Beat or equal Mike, then worry about everything else.
Comment by walkinfool Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 10:38 am
O Willie, With due respect my friend, Dillard had Durkin fully in his column. Durkin just moved his marker to the middle, but more importantly, out of the Dillard column. I realize it’s not devastating, but it is more than an annoyance. They don’t get much good news in that campaign. And, this is coming from a guy who actually likes Kirk. It’s a “walk back”. Maybe even a “run back”.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:14 am
- A guy… -,
The politics of being the Caucus Leader outweighs the endorsement.
Leader Durkin can’t “sit” on HGOP Caucus members who are assisting in “Purity” primaries while he, himself, is involved in the framing of any of the 4 GOP Candidates in the Primary.
If someone from Brady’s, Rutherford’s or Rauner’s Camps want to make hay out of this, they can, they might even “do”, but in the reality as I see this HGOP Caucus evolving, and where Tom Cross left it, and where Leader Durkin needs to take it, anything less of a move to “neutral” gives wide openings to Slytherin House Republicans and cover for them to break up the unity of the Caucus which so far more critical than an endorsement of Jim Durkin, who is probably not going to sway enough voters for any of the 4 at this point in his Leadership role.
It’s not like Dillard could count on 100s of bodies on Election Day from Durkin, or Monies from Durkin. Leader Durkin’s own issues dictate that no “support” via troops or cash was coming.
If Dillard can point to Durkin going neutral as a factor in possibly losing, then that has some legs, but in reality its one more name to take off a 2 color mail piece that most will look at and wonder, “Who are some of these people?”
In the prism of where Leader Durkin is in his new position, its far more about the HGOP Caucus, then it could be about Kirk Dillard.
With respect…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:24 am
OW, thoughtful and well reasoned, but I’ve never heard a speech from Kirk in the last couple years that didn’t include “187 votes….” I think you get what I’m saying.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:27 am
With all due respect - this is not a “walk-back” by Durkin. His role as leader requires him to appear, if not be, neutral. His job 1 is to unite the caucus and it is a fact that some caucus members support Rutherford and some support Brady. Durkin’s role has changed. I don’t think you should infer that his position has. Further: it is totally inappropriate to refer to Dillard’s quest to be “Faustian”. Nothing could be farther form the truth. Who did he sell out to?? The only candidate who has “slept with the enemy” and demonstrated a willingness to do anything to achieve his ends is Rauner.
Comment by Veritas Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:28 am
- A guy… -,
Understood, but that “hangup” that Dillard may/does have, is not a mitigating factor upon which Durkin needs to think about in his decisions, or in how Leader Durkin needs to approach this Primary season. Dillard can neutralize it, if need be.
One for Dillard’s Crew.
“Jim Durkin is a friend today, and has been a friend for many years. Now that Jim Durkin has been elevated to Leader Durkin, Jim is taking on a very important responsibility, I applaud Jim for recognizing the importance of this Primary.
I will work very hard to become the Nominee, so after March, I will continue to work with Leader Durkin, as we have for many years, and with his House candidates, and his Caucus, for a better Illinois come November.”
Something like that….
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:43 am
Veritas
Wow it gets exciting when all you wing nuts start with your big words. Get’s us all tingley
He does not need to be neutral, but it is ok in case one of these other magoos wins the primary.
Right now his most important job is to get Skip or Skippette’s office painted by veto
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 11:43 am
So long as Durkin starts every explanation as he has been so far, voters get the message. Dillard’s his friend and respected legislator, but he has to stay neutral, but DILLARD HAS BEEN A FRIEND AND GREAT LEADER FOR YEARS.
Total hanging curve for Dillard to hit out of the park.
Comment by otoh Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 2:52 pm
I think it’s a great message, understand his position based on his role, and don’t see any hidden meaning behind it, including the assumption that it’s some sort of “walk back.”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 7, 13 @ 9:35 pm