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Quinn “hedged,” but “didn’t say no” to possible run

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Illinois
Polls

It was a normal afternoon at Erik’s Deli in Oak Park – normal in that Gov. Pat Quinn was there eating lunch.

Also normal in that the former governor was engrossed in a conversation with his two lunch mates about, you guessed it, Illinois politics. […]

Asked whether he plans to run against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the next election, Quinn hedged, but he didn’t say no.

“It’s hard to watch right now, just looking at what’s happened to the budget or lack of a budget,” he said. “The help for lots of vulnerable people in Illinois has been shredded by the current governor, and I think there are a lot of people who want to make a change.”

Something else that’s hard to watch? A guy who’s polling at 10 percent in a Democratic gubernatorial primary.

* Related…

* Pat Quinn: Trump’s remarks about Khans can’t be excused

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 10:51 am

Comments

Way to hammer BadaBing Bamboozler King Trump. - stay at lunch Pat, keep it talk and only talk. Leave us alone, and please pass this on to Shiela Simon

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 10:56 am
Someone else, anyone else, but not Quinn.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 10:58 am
People dreaming of a Pay Quinn entering the Governor’s race in 2018, besides Pat Quinn, are likely big fans of the Illinois Policy Institute. Bruce Rauner probably reads articles like this doing his best Montgomery Burns exclaiming, “Excellent!”

Comment by AC Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:09 am
Pat Quinn not a Pay Quinn. I’m blaming Autocorrect, Rauner and Madigan for my typo.

Comment by AC Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:10 am
Please no.

Comment by Stones Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:13 am
It’s Quinn’s fault we’re in this mess in the first place. Didn’t anyone tell him that?

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:13 am
Going to Oak Park for a sandwich. I’ll make sure I call the local paper to let them know I’m there.

Can’t wait for the State Fair, I’m still waiting for my invite though.

Please go away PQ

Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:14 am
@NoGifts

Please specify.

To the post, maybe 10%, but 2nd place. 2nd. If Durbin doesn’t run, who is the odds on favorite? Yep. Pat Quinn.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:16 am
Quinn should try to be a leader like Edgar, trying to pass on knowledge and goodwill for the greater good of all instead of his continued thought that people need HIM and only him to save us.

Please, Mr. Quinn, “move on”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:16 am
I find his interest ironic. Quinn’s lack of popularity propelled Rauner to victory now it appears that Quinn is hoping the roles will be reversed. Unfortunately Pat Quinn is exactly who we thought he was and that’s not going to change.

Comment by pundent Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:19 am
Ducky - there were a lot of people who were torn and wanted to vote for a democratic candidate but did not want to vote for Quinn. Many took a chance and voted republican and many regret it now. In fact, I considered it myself.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:24 am
@Ducky - Rauner was voted in because of the anti-Quinn votes. The electorate had it with PQ and wanted someone new - see how well that worked.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:25 am
I think it was ticked off retired teachers that sunk him.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:26 am
Oh, I get it. It is Pat Quinn’s fault we got Bruce Rauner. I thought you were saying it is Pat Quinn’s fault that the budget is in shambles.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:28 am
Pat Quinn was put on this earth to run again.
But he would lose in a primary to almost anyone so maybe he should just avoid the embarrassment.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:29 am
C’mon, Rich, although you can’t seem to resist that Totally Sick Burn, that poll was WAY to early to be informative.

Comment by Moist von Lipwig Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:30 am
It is PQ,RB,MM for the mess we are in….have a nice weekend Rich and all the rest.

Comment by scott aster Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:32 am
please go away Pat.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:36 am
Again … how can we miss you if you won’t go away?

Comment by Smitty Irving Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:39 am
No - please. Please - no. No running again Pat. Someone find this guy a gig he can’t refuse that doesn’t involve running for Governor or Mayor of Chicago, or Cook County Prez, US Senate or US House of Rep. He might be entertaining in state leg. if he just cannot help himself. Same plea on any and all of his close minions and agency heads. Have some mercy already. I so want to be able to vote D without retching or leaving blank spots again.

Comment by Alas Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:43 am
I know many voters who are reliable Democrats who rolled the dice by voting for Rauner simply to be done with Quinn. Apart from defeating Quinn, the dice came up “snake eyes.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:43 am
Pat Q was a very good governor in my book.

I for one would welcome a Quinn comeback.

Clearly not a popular view in this comment section, but I think I speak for a lot of other Illinois liberals who love Durbin, Quinn and the causes they represent.

Comment by Upper Respiratory Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:46 am
It’d be fascinating to see an article in Crain’s or Chicago Mag or some such with a reporter finding out what all Man of the People Pat’s been up to and what he does to keep himself occupied these days since losing the governorship. (Beyond occasionally popping up to say silly things, of course.)

Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:52 am
What do Pat Quinn, Bruce Rauner and Rod Blagoevich all have in common? All have been unable to work with the Speaker with the 13% approval.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:18 pm
Love Pat Quinn but don’t think he should run for Governor.

The Democrats need a new candidate.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:20 pm
@Upper Respiratory - I’d also love Quinn to keep representing those causes, just not from the Governor’s office.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:24 pm
We know this make the BigBrainers feel good, but can you check back when some actually asks him to run?

Comment by Annonin' Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:35 pm
He came in second in the referenced poll, after the huge percentage that favored Durbin. Given that Durbin’s age makes his candidacy unlikely, I would be interested to see what Quinn’s numbers are if Durbin was not included in the poll.

Comment by Southside Markie Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:51 pm
quinn = re-elected raunner

Comment by atsuishin Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm
I appreciate Quinn. He succeeded in stabilizing the budget. And that’s not something voters would take for granted anymore.

Comment by State worker Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:22 pm
Just say no.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:32 pm
I’m quite surprised at the number of positive comments for PQ on this blog today (usually he’s the whipping boy for Rauner’s election).

I think I can speak for many Illinois voters who appreciate Quinn’s stewardship of state government during his helm. Same goes for Barack at the fed level. Where would be today without their steady leadership during the dark days following the twin 2008 Great Recession and Blago disasters? The more time that passes, the more I appreciate their service during these difficult times.

That said, it’s very difficult for a past officeholder to win back his previous position. I’d love to see him run for public office again, just not as governor.

Comment by Sox fan Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 2:41 pm
If it hasn’t become clear over the past quarter century, it should be clear now. PQ can only do two things — hold office or run for office. He apparently has no interest or ability to do anything else.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 3:40 pm
Pat, I have known you, albeit not that well, for close to 40 years. I love your passion and respect your service ( especially as it relates to respecting fallen soldiers from our state )but this is not the time or the race for you to become involved again.

You can contribute to the dialogue in this state and can perhaps help move some matters to some resolution, but please do not think about running again.

Comment by illini Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 4:06 pm