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Durbin begs backers: “Cool it”

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this way back on January 11th. But the rumor has taken on a life of its own and just won’t die…

It may be the worst-kept political secret in Springfield, and now the chatter has reached fever pitch.

Sources in the Democratic Party, progressive and labor circles are all buzzing about the possibility of Illinois’ senior U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018, with some saying it is more than innuendo and that the talk is emanating from Durbin’s Illinois office.

“It’s coming from his political staff,” said a state labor leader. “They’ve talked to me, asking questions like, ‘Would you be supportive?’ and just generally asking people’s opinions.”

Sources all speak favorably about Durbin’s chances against the wealthy incumbent, citing his statewide name recognition, fundraising ability, and the fact that his primary residence is in Springfield.

* But, as before, Durbin is dumping cold water on the rumor…

“I don’t see anything in the Turnaround Agenda that really will help the economy of this state,” Durbin said.

Durbin, who toured a Logan Square neighborhood infant welfare program, agreed that the state’s economy is endangered by the stalemate.

He also dismissed reports that some Illinois Democrats want him to challenge Rauner in 2018.

“I have no aspirations for any other office and I would beg the people who are doing all the speculation to cool it,” Durbin said.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:19 am

Comments

Maybe he just wants to avoid Rauner funded attacks for as long as possible?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:22 am
Come January, he will again be Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. There are few better positions in DC. He ain’t goin’ nowhere.

Comment by Beaner Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:23 am
He would win in a walk.

Comment by Saluki Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:24 am
=He would win in a walk.=

Agreed

Comment by MSIX Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:25 am
“I have no aspirations for any other office and I would beg the people who are doing all the speculation to cool it,” Durbin said.

Didn’t the junior senator from Illinois say something very similar right before his campaign for president?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:25 am
In other words, standby by for the formation of the exploration committee.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:26 am
=He would win in a walk.=

Agreed X 2

Comment by chi Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:26 am
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Comment by Bronco Bahma Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:26 am
Don’t be so sure he would “win in a walk.” And never count out a guy with a gazillion dollars plus in the bank, with more from where that came from.

Comment by Biography Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:29 am
By the time that November of 2018 comes along, Durbin will be 74 years old. I think he could win, but I’m not sure he would want to embark on that journey at 74.

Comment by Anonymouth Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:31 am
Help us Obi Wan-Kenobi. You’re our only hope.

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:31 am
Yes, he’d very probably win. But wouldn’t a lot depend on whether the Dems take the Senate this fall. He could accomplish more if he were in a powerful spot in the national arena, especially if Hillary wins.

Comment by cassandra Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:32 am
My impression is that he’d have trouble in an organization that can’t print money and run up massive deficits legally. He’s been “recruited over” by Shumer, so a move would not be disadvantageous. The problem is that it would take fiscal discipline and sound management to clean up the hellacious mess in Illinois state government. No way he’s up to that task, nor should he want it.

Comment by Illinois Bob Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:32 am
Actually, I like what he said. Cool it. So what if he runs in 2018? If both sides don’t start figuring this mess out, it’s irrelevant. Furthermore, at his point in his career he was talking retirement last time possibly. I like his advice. Cool it and fix it first.

Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:33 am
what a great guy!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:33 am
>Thoughts?

In 2014 I made a joke at my expense about him running for President. The only time I’ve seen a Senator leave a situation faster was that video where Rand Paul was hanging out with Iowa’s Steve King IA CD-4 at a fair when Steve King was confronted by Dreamers.

Staffers sometimes have to convince their boss of their boss’ realistic options. Running in 2018 could be a real tough decision for a person who may not want the legacy of his political career to be defined by several million in attack ads.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:33 am
===He would win in a walk. ===

Some of you people are clueless.

He might be able to win, but in a walk? C’mon.

Also, when was the last time he had a truly contested statewide general election race against a well-funded, well-known opponent? If you said “never,” you hit the jackpot.

Cool it, indeed.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:35 am
this is cute. Please realize he is only still a senator because the Republicans absolutely fumbled 14 and didnt run any worth anything against him. In a serious race Durbin would not win a walk.

Comment by FeelTheChurn Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:35 am
I have my own speculation that I’ll keep to “myself” as to possible Rauner challengers, but I don’t see Durbin as one on my radar.

The “thing” anyone thinking about taking on a wealthy incumbent without a primary challenge (Rauner won’t face one) and a unified party apparatus behind all this millions is someone Rauner can’t pigeon-hole at the $50-70 million clip, and Rauner still will have $20-30 million to the positive.

So, while that candidate is fending off attack and attack, Rauner will be able to brand himself at a clip must candidates spend on a whole campaign from soup to nuts.

Sen. Durbin, while accomplished, and an undisputed leader in the Illinois Democratic Party, there’s plenty there, just by longevity alone, to focus an 8-digit negative Mesa campaign for weeks upon weeks.

Something else to… ponder. This is totally Illinois-centric. The national successes can be manipulated here as a failure to Illinois, putting on its ear the entire laundry list of well deserved kudos Durbin has earned, framed as a DC Insider more focused on things that “hurt” Illinois (even if it didn’t).

It also wears on a candidate and Crew the constant barrage, like a million a week spent to tear down a legacy, abd shall a million a week to prop up the incumbent’s own record, ahead of any counter-attacks.

Durbin is 1,000% right. We all have an election before Dems consider a Democratic Nominee for Governor.

But, thinking about Durbin running, it can make sense, but I see a different kind of candidate needing to emerge to take the slings and arrows the successful Rauner Crew can duplicate to defeat any possible challenger.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:35 am
Durbin will not be Minority Leader after Reid leaves the Senate. So, I’ll take the above as a meh for now. After the elections he may look into other options.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:36 am
Durbin; would win and he would be a blessing for our state - maybe their is hope in a few years. But knowing Dick Durbin for almost 40 years, I question if he would want to be governor.

Comment by The Professor Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:36 am
“I have no aspirations for any other office and I would beg the people who are doing all the speculation to cool it,” Durbin said.

Psst, the calls are coming from inside the house. Yes it’s taken on a life of its own and expanded to many corners but patient zero for all this speculation is on your payroll.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:38 am
Durbin would be formidable, but I think it’s more than a stretch to say he’d “win in a walk” against a GOP incumbent in an off-presidential year who would likely spend $100 million.

Here’s hoping, though, that it gives Rauner some pause and motivation to accomplish something other than wrecking higher ed and social services, repeating meaningless catch phrases, making up preposterous stories and playing Gov. Impotent all the time.

If the governor had to run on his record to date, that would be a barrel of laughs.

Cue the negative dark-money ads against Durbin from that Cincinatti lawyer’s PAC, the one who tuned up Schock, Dillard, Brady and Rutherford…. you remember, the negative spots Rauner said he had nothing to do with. \

Some people probably believed him.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:40 am
The line is “even money” today… Durbin v. Rauner, and that’s being very generous to Durbin.

It’s like everyone forgets Rod winning reelection.

Incumbent governors in Illinois are tough to beat.

Quinn lost because so many of his own base voters were tired of him(?), but Quinn also won s “re-elect” on his own.

Now we have a governor who may go 9-digits, that’s $100 million, to prove a point his win ain’t no fluke.

“… in a walk… “?

No way.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:41 am
“Also, when was the last time he had a truly contested statewide general election race against a well-funded, well-known opponent? If you said “never,” you hit the jackpot.”

Yup. Voters aren’t as sold on him as people think…he’s just at the point of being a “constant” on the ballot.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:47 am
I think he’d win, but not some big 60%-40% blowout. That being said, he won’t do it.

Honestly, I hope he doesn’t. - he’s served our state in Washington with integrity and distinction for decades. He deserves to enjoy time with his family in retirement.

Comment by The Muse Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:53 am
Furthermore, the further speculation of Durbin and others about a challenge actually plays to Rauners advantage. The article From Brown has a valid point. With the stalemate, it ain’t just the Governor for 18 months that have caused the woes of our state. Both sides. Cool it is right. How about a few Rauner ad’s that say the controlling party is more interested in Politics and causing a stalemate. Tread lightly.

Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:54 am
Chicago Tonight only had brief soundbites of bim last night so perhaps someone can fill in the blanks. The report said he does not support anything that will affect unions. I guess that is a no to any pension reform. He also said nothing in the Turnaround agenda will help our economy so he is a no to property tax reform, workers comp, term limits, redistricting and any changes to collective bargaining.

So he has the support of labor and core democrats, what is the appeal to everyone else? How high would be raise taxes to cover all of this spending?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:56 am
Hilary v Trump on a smaller scale.

Comment by Gordon Gecko Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:57 am
Too much smoke for no fire.

@Anonymous 9:22 might be on point. We have seen Rauner’s proclivity for early attacks on possible rivals.

Remember the Super PAC from Ohio that suddenly began attacking Aaron Schock in February of 2013 during the Gov primary?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:58 am
Although it’s unlikely, how do we know Lord .001 is going to not going to run for a second term?
If he gets bloodied up in the elections in November he may just figure the heck with the state of Illinois I did my best & ride his Harley to one of his million dollar houses.

Comment by Chungas revenge Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:58 am
===Some of you people are clueless.===

Rich, it’s not so much being clueless as it is apparent loyalty. Near as I can tell, apparent loyalty was more important that skill and ability during the heyday of patronage.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 9:58 am
In the echo chamber of Springfield politics of course Durbin seems like a slam dunk against Rauner, what many here fail to appreciate is that many Illinois voters will find Durbin’s progressive stance hard to swallow. No doubt he is a great leader of the Democratic Party in Illinois, but Durbin is also routinely ranked in the top 10 in terms of his liberal/progressive bona fides. Add to that the likelihood that the financial mess in Illinois will not be fixed by 2018, many voters will be hesitant to embrace a tax and spend Dem. The Rauner/Quinn election should give you pause before you plan the election night parties.

Comment by lech W Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:02 am
- Chungas revenge -

Rauner went $20+ million to win, and is over $20 million more in additional funds since.

You don’t put $30-40 million in to walk away.

The ROI for Rauner isn’t complete.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:06 am
Even though I definitely lean Republican, I’ve always found working with Senator Durbin’s Office a professional pleasure. They’re always kind and generally respectful, and interested in moving the ball forward………which is why I’m not surprised that instead of getting folks excited about him running he is trying to get people focused on solving the problems in front of them. We can’t wait 2.5 years for a new Governor to get a budget done.

P.S. His wife would make a fun first lady!

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:27 am
Durbin
will never run. Too much work involved - after all he’s a Senator. But then again if he takes Rauners work ethic to heart, this could be a sweet gig too.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:35 am
“Please realize he is only still a senator because the Republicans absolutely fumbled 14 and didnt run any worth anything against him.”

The inability of a party to find a serious challenger to an incumbent is a sign of the incumbent’s strength. Elections start long before anyone files.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:40 am
To defeat Brucie the candidate will need to be a T-Rump who talks and rabble rouses w/ no connection to truth or reality or a Bernie who creates a world view that stirs hearts and minds.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:45 am
I believe it would be a tough race but think Durbin would win. He is a candidate Dems across the state can unite around, and he’s politically savy enough to pick a rising star as his lt. Gov from Cook County.

With nothing being done for four years I think voters will want to see somebody with credentials who has a track record. Durbin can point to multiple things across the state. Stopping Walgreens from relocating out of Illinois. Keeping the Rock Island Arsenal open, the list goes on. He has statewide name recognition immediately. Will be a very negative campaign of course, but the Blagojevich, Madigan, Durbin commercial barrage won’t stick. Rauner has been in office for four years and have no track record to run on.

Just a side note there are much more jobs at the state level compared to federal level food for thought why Durbin political staff might be pushing this story.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 10:59 am
I think people hate both Hillary and Trump. In the end, I believe Hillary gets elected only because the GOP nominated Trump — against nearly anyone else she would lose.

That being stated, voters will take their revenge in 2018 and it will be a bloodbath for Democrats. I just don’t see Durbin, who has become a millionaire while in office, running at age 74 offering himself up to be pummeled by negative ads only to take the reins of the mess that is Illinois. His ego is prodigious, but he has his sweet condo on Belmont harbor and grandkids and legacy to think about.

Comment by Indochine Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 11:05 am
Dick Durbin in a walk??? I’m sure Rahner would remind voters that Dick Durbin and Loretta got into to politics to make big money.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-durbin-wife-lobbyist-20141004-story.html

Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 11:43 am
IL Gov is a definite demotion. Why would he want it? When the Senate switches to Dem majority next Jan he would be in line for majority leader.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 11:44 am
===When the Senate switches to Dem majority next Jan he would be in line for majority leader.===

You’re thinking of Schumer… not Durbin.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 11:45 am
Bernie Sanders may be available, if he’s willing to move.

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 11:50 am
===Dick Durbin and Loretta got into to politics to make big money===

Lol! They’re doing it wrong.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 1:21 pm
–have my own speculation that I’ll keep to “myself” as to possible Rauner challengers–

OW you said you wouldn’t even hint! Dammit, now everybody is going to know.

HONEYBEAR 2018! “Passion over Substance”
or
“I’ll Give you Ragnarok!”

lol

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 3:13 pm
- Honeybear -

Good luck!

Get yourself a good Crew…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 3:25 pm
Durbin (and Hilary Rodham Clinton) understand that change in this country (at least politically) is done in small bit and incremental.

Bruce and the presumptive Republican nominee, who have no political experience and self inflated views of their business experience, do NOT understand this.

Let me know when the wall is up and the other country has paid for it.

Comment by Mike Cirrincione Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 5:19 pm
I’ve railed against Durbin here. I’ve never voted for him. But if the choice is Rauner or Durbin for Gov, I’ll vote for Durbin.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, May 24, 16 @ 6:40 pm