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Madigan warns Dems on Trump

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Illinois

* AP…

Illinois’ top Democrat said Monday that the party can’t rest on its laurels if Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination for president. […]

“Now that the Republicans have nominated Trump, or appear ready to, don’t rest on your laurels,” Madigan told the group in downtown Springfield. “This will be a very contested election, from president on down, and particularly the Illinois election.” […]

“At the end of the day, Democrats will be together,” Madigan said. “This is about the future of the country, and Democrats understand it’s about the future of the country; that’s what will bring them together.” […]

“It’s no surprise that Speaker Madigan is urging party unity,” Illinois Republican Party spokesman Aaron DeGroot said. “Madigan wants the conversation to be about anything other than his disastrous 30-year record of tax hikes, cronyism, and corruption.

* Meanwhile, here’s Mark Brown…

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has become so concerned that he won’t even talk about the presidential race any more — or so much as utter Trump’s name.

Rauner waved off a question about Trump at a Tuesday news conference at Lyons Township High School, declining to expand on comments last week when he confirmed he won’t be going to Cleveland. […]

“I’ve said everything I’m going to say about the presidential race,” Rauner repeated over and over last week in response to questions about Trump. […]

Even some of those who plan to attend the conventions, such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, say they aren’t ready to endorse Trump.

* More on Leader Durkin…

House Republican House Leader Jim Durkin says his focus is on trying to get lawmakers out of Springfield by the end of the month with a budget. But he admits he is thinking about how presidential politics might play into the legislative contests.

“The air is different,” he said. “There is a lot of volatility out there and I’m not going to predict how things are going to end up in November and how they are going to work in the suburbs or in the north part of the state or the southern part of the state but this is going to be a more unique election than the one that I was involved with Senator McCain and then-Senator Obama so I was very involved in that.”

In fact Durkin led John McCain’s campaign in Illinois in 2008. Barack Obama won big here.

* Related…

* Illinois GOP platform committee opens door for suggestions: Sources familiar with this year’s platform committee discussions suggest that while the pro-life plank is always touchy, the biggest controversy appears to be more on the IL GOP’s family plank. Whether the 2012 definition of marriage remains the same could be the most divisive issue with which the committee deals in 2016.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:00 am

Comments

Fire Madigan 3.0 meet Trump Tarnish 1.0.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:10 am
I agree with Madigan. People can’t take things for granted, and they need to work real hard to win elections, especially with someone like Trump, who’s “pivoting” now and taking more liberal positions.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:11 am
==“It’s no surprise that Speaker Madigan is urging party unity,” Illinois Republican Party spokesman Aaron DeGroot said. “Madigan wants the conversation to be about anything other than his disastrous 30-year record of tax hikes, cronyism, and corruption.”

Remarks like this help no one in hammering out a budget deal.

Remember the old saying, “You get more flies with honey than vinegar.”

Comment by Mama Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 10:14 am
==Remember the old saying, “You get more flies with honey than vinegar.”==

I think the Republicans are thinking more along the Kelly Bundy line of thinking: “But if you pull their wings off they’ll eat whatever you give them.”

Comment by HangingOn Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 11:31 am
The battleground state polls indicate a close race. I still think Rauner is the biggest republican drag here

Comment by illinois manufacturer Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Mike Madigan is the Charlie Hustle of politics. All those who complain about how and why he has been in the Speaker’s chair for all but two of the past thirty plus years could take a lesson here — do not ever let off the gas.

Comment by The Valour Nail Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Speaker may see something coming that other’s don’t see coming. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time that happened. He probably speaks often with his PCs and PCs around the state. Something might be brewing that the people who don’t do the kind of due diligence he does, just don’t know. Trump’s appeal is beyond normal battle lines. He sees it now. I have a feeling he saw it in his own race. The cautious guy he is, he’s preparing.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:42 pm
There’s no reason to take anything for granted in politics. You get a gift like Trump, you go for the throat.

–Trump’s appeal is beyond normal battle lines.–

LOL. George Will crunched some numbers.

–In receiving, so far, the support of 4.7 percent of America’s eligible voters, Trump has won a mere plurality of votes in a party approved by only 33 percent of the electorate. This electorate had about 5 percent more Democrats than Republicans even before Trump further tarnished the GOP brand. So, Republicans need to carry independents by more than Romney’s five points. Even in states that have voted Republican since 2000, Trump is viewed unfavorably by 62 percent and strongly unfavorably by 52 percent.–

He has more numbers, explaining Trump’s general election “appeal.”

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/435039/donald-trump-republican-party-will-be-defeated

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 1:59 pm
I would be shocked if Trump won Illinois.

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Well Sling, shoot the Speaker and note telling him not to worry. George Will has no bias to speak of, or does he?
It’s a crazy year.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 4:35 pm
Trump echoing madigan’s tax the wealthy plan will play well with the voters

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, May 10, 16 @ 7:12 pm