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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
One of the most common analytical errors made during the Illinois primary season was treating the state’s two hottest legislative contests the same.
Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, and downstate Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, were both portrayed as legislators who broke with their parties and, as a result, faced harsh punishment by their respective party leaders.
If you want to merely skim the surface, that’s kind of true. But scratch a millimeter more and you’ll see the huge difference between the two men.
First, a little background.
Dunkin enraged his fellow Democrats and organized labor when he left town for a New York jaunt and missed two highly important votes. One vote was to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a bill to prevent a strike by American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees. The other was to override a veto of a bill to fully fund the state’s child care program for working-poor as well as indigent parents attending college. After he came back to town, Dunkin made things worse by openly siding with the Republican governor.
McCann voted to override the veto of that AFSCME-backed “no strike” bill, against the wishes of his party and especially Rauner, who claimed the bill would’ve tied his hands by forcing the two sides into binding arbitration. Proponents were convinced that Rauner was (and still is) trying to force a state workers strike in order to break the union, which he often calls “AFScammy.”
The bottom line here is that Dunkin…
Click here to read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:21 am
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Gotta always watch who has your back…or doesn’t…
Comment by Slient Majority Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:28 am
“vote accordingly”- Oswego Willy They did.
Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:29 am
Hey….Rep. Terri Bryant:
Take note.
Comment by Bronco Bahma Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:32 am
Agree 100%. McCann may be an idiot, but he’s our idiot. Rauner doesn’t get to decide to run another Republican against him, we do.
Comment by Yep Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:33 am
The only way I’d agree with this more is if I’d written it myself. Ya gotta dance with the one who bring ya.
Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:36 am
*brung ya, autocorrect!
Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:37 am
This is exactly the reason why I will be voting against my Republican state Senstor and Rep, if and when they ever get an opponent. They have proven they vote against my interests, an eventual challenger still has the benefit of the doubt.
Note to Democratic Party: please fill your slate for the General election.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:38 am
Senator. phone typing, ugh.
Comment by thoughts matter Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:39 am
First and foremost, two great pieces, Rich.
The insight is always helpful to recalibrate.
To the Post,
===The bottom line here is that Dunkin broke with his party and stood against his district, while McCann broke with his party and stood with his district.===
If the Rauner Crew can learn just ONE thing, even if they admit both races were lost causes, that truth above should be remembered as to why money and brutally awful research is difficult to take two different incumbents with the same losing strategy, driving the losses.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:42 am
I’m glad there were consequences for Dunkin selling out his districts for personal gain. It goes to show that there are limits to financial resources. Money can’t buy you EVERYTHING. Political suicide for Dunkin? Absolutely. Either he grossly underestimated the voters in his districts or he has a back-up gig already arranged.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:44 am
=== The bottom line here is that Dunkin broke with his party and stood against his district, while McCann broke with his party and stood with his district. ===
As usual, Rich is on it. This is the message all legislators should heed. Especially those university GOP legislators.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:45 am
I would hope other Republicans in union stong districts get this message. Rauner’s millions won’t help you if you betray your constituents.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:51 am
+++++The bottom line here is that Dunkin broke with his party and stood against his district, while McCann broke with his party and stood with his district. ++++
Character counts even more in the face of threats from the powerful.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:59 am
Perfect column Rich. I loved how it funneled down to the simple learning. Solid gold that. Don’t go against your constituents or they WILL vote accordingly.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 10:13 am
“The bottom line here is that Dunkin broke with his party and stood against his district, while McCann broke with his party and stood with his district.”
Leaders Durkin and Radogno, and Republican officeholders around the state, especially those with colleges and universities in your districts: take heed, unless you want the Dem supermajorities in both chambers to get even bigger.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 10:30 am
Excellent column, Rich.
Comment by guh Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:03 am
I think this was an excellent piece.
Comment by here we go Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:13 am
Brilliant statement of the truth that constituents rule.
Comment by walker Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:15 am
I heard a rumor that Ken Dunkin was going to move to the Southern Hemisphere, possibly Australia. That way he can watch his political career circle the drain in a counter-clockwise direction.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:46 am
Rich, Great piece.
Bronco — you are spot on with the comment about Bryant. Her constituents are watching.
Comment by dr. reason a, goodwin Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:57 am
- downstate commissioner -,
Thanks for the cite. Appreciate that.
And you are Spot On… they did.
Good on them all.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:00 pm
Great article.
The side note to me is the Rauner believes you can cnvince the people you are on their side and younopponent is against them with money and ad’s. The voters new McCann was with them in spite of the money spent saying he was against them. so not only is siding w/ you local voters the way tot go, but you cant use money to trick the voters percpetion of how their candidates are doing. a message the gop candidates in university towns are missing
Comment by Ghost Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:32 pm
As solid an analysis as it gets, Rich.
Comment by Will Caskey Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Great Piece Rich. I know it was a tough vote for McCann. I respect him for staying with his constitutiants. But at least he didn’t run away from the vote.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:10 pm
@ Thoughts Matter - “Note to Democratic Party: please fill your slate for the General election.”
Why aren’t you running?
It’s easy to be an armchair quarterback.
There being an opening in the nomination… volunteer to fill it!
Comment by anono Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Constituents in the university towns/city need to wake up and learn to throw out their reps and senators who do not support them!
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:46 pm
Voters need to start educating themselves on what their local candidates stand for a vote accordingly. Stop voting for the party and start voting for person.
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:48 pm
–The bottom line here is that Dunkin broke with his party and stood against his district, while McCann broke with his party and stood with his district.–
Wow, could that be right? You sure it’s not….
…Obama?
Dunkin represents one the most Democratic districts in the state.
Out of nowhere, he flipped and became the MVP for a reactionary GOP governor whose role model is Warren Harding.
Big mystery, as to why his constituents pounded him when they got the chance.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:18 pm
–As usual, Rich is on it. This is the message all legislators should heed. Especially those university GOP legislators.–
What are those guys on?
It’s mind-boggling that anyone could be so scared of Rauner and the Frat Boys that they continually vote to take bread off the table of their communities.
Not welfare, but reasonably expected regular payments for just general upkeep of valued state institutions.
If you’re so scared, and will sell out your peeps when a Frat Boy says “boo,” what are you doing in that business, anyway?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:26 pm
====Why aren’t you running?====
1. Not a Democrat, just willing to vote for one when they are the best person for the job, and when they are on the ballot.
2. Would have to give up my day job.
3. Frankly, I haven’t got the talent to do it. I am not a public speaker, not all that good of a negotiator, and really not all that good at solving other people’s problems.
3. Frankly
Comment by thoughts matter Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:20 pm