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Durbin bites back at Rauner in campaign e-mail

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* If you were watching the Governor’s Day live feed, you know that Congressman Rodney Davis called out US Sen. Dick Durbin for being a longtime politician who has helped create trillions of dollars in deficit spending at the national level. Durbin has been musing about a gubernatorial bid and this Durbin campaign e-mail will only increase the speculation…

We should be making it easier for people in this country to vote.

I honestly don’t think this is a radical idea, which is why I was disappointed to see Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner veto legislation to modernize voter registration.

This bill would dramatically modernize voter registration in Illinois, adding thousands of eligible voters to the rolls and making our state’s voting lists more accurate and secure. In addition, this idea would remove an obstacle for people who live far from where they need to register.

And it even included strict provisions to protect against voter fraud.

In short, there was no reason to veto this legislation, which is why I’m asking you to join me today in expressing your disappointment with Governor Rauner’s action:

Tell Governor Rauner that it is unacceptable to veto modernizing voter registration in the state of Illinois by adding your name today.

I was proud to see my State Senator and good friend Andy Manar introduce this idea and happy to see it received overwhelming bipartisan support when it passed the General Assembly.

This legislation will make it easier for two million people in Illinois to vote in future elections. My hope is that the General Assembly will move quickly and overturn this shortsighted veto.

In the meantime, let’s make sure that Governor Rauner hears from people like us. He needs to know that we’re all going to continue fighting to make it easier for people in this country vote.

ADD YOUR NAME

Best wishes,

Dick Durbin

The e-mail’s links connect to this website.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 3:30 pm

Comments

Gee whiz, if he keeps this up, Davis can forget about getting the Trump Administration’s Agriculture program through the Senate.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 3:36 pm
It’s “fun”, it’s Durbin trolling Rauner…

If this more than trolling and deciding here and now to lead up and gear up to take on a $60-90 million dollar heavyweight…

… this will be one interesting February 2017

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Now, will the ILGOP follow Rauners lead and vote Red or Yellow on the override vote??? Their “true colors” will show on that or any bill that had full bipartisan support in passage that Rauner vetoed that may come up in the override session.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 5:23 pm
Willy, I’m hoping Durkin, a true statesman, isn’t put off by the threat of Rauner’s ability to spend on his disinformation campaign. The state needs a strong, well known, respected alternative to .01 percent Rauner. I really hope he runs. If he does, I’d expect Rauner’s and his buddies spending to be at least matched dollar for dollar, and as for the ground game, a total annihilation of boots for Durbin.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 6:36 pm
- PublicServant -

By the time Rauner is finished, Durbin will be covered in so much mud, he’ll be unrecognizable.

Rauner plays for keeps, like “destroy a family and giggle about it” keeps.

Durbin will have to think long on this. Tough decision.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 7:58 pm
OW,

You and I have different views of Sen. Durbin. The Senator plays for keeps in a much bigger pond than Illinois, and is much more experienced at it. If he wants to run, Sen. Durbin will do just fine.

For cry-eye, Gov. Rauner was running against Gov. Quinn and barley received over 50%.

Comment by Newbie Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 9:45 pm
Didn’t we just see a poll that has Rauner trailing Durbin by nine points?

No doubt Rauner will spend $50 million out of his own pocket. And he might raise $50 million more.

But only 34% of voters approve of the job he is doing.

That ain’t quite as bad as where Tom Corbett found himself in 2014.

But it is two points worse that where Quinn found himself in 2014.

$100 million will make it interesting. But I do not think a Republican governor can win a state as blue as Illinois with job approval numbers like that against a halfway credible candidate.

And Durbin sure is not going to be cowered by Rauner. Durbin stood with Paul Wellstone, Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy to vote against authorizing the Iraq War.

He will do whatever he decides is best for the people of Illinois.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Aug 17, 16 @ 11:19 pm
2 million voters! Sounds like we really need this. When did they get rid of same day registration?

Comment by Taylorvillain Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 2:17 am
Also, if money makes someone a heavyweight in politics, we need to change things, because his ideas certainly don’t support his alleged political heft…nor do his political accomplishments. He’s done nothing but make things much worse here in Illinois since becoming governor simply because he was not Quinn. We’ll fix that come 2018.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 6:49 am
Me above

Comment by publicServant Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 6:50 am
To All,

Thanks for all the perspectives. I do understand your takes and processes, but if we’re all honest when has Durbin faced $100 million in a political campaign, while campaigning in Illinois? When has Durbin faced scrutiny or a barrage of ads here in Illinois that has twisted and manipulated votes and his career where answering dollar for dollar has a question mark?

It’s tough beating incumbent governors.

With respect.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 7:11 am
“I really hope he runs.”

I do too, at this point. I would like to see someone with Durbin’s experience run as a stark contrast to Rauner, the super-rich guy who attacks unions, drastically cuts the most vulnerable and protects the super-wealthy from paying more in state income tax than everyone else.

“and as for the ground game, a total annihilation of boots for Durbin”

It would be great to hit the pavement for a Durbin.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 8:19 am
Let me turn this upside down for you Mr. Willy…

When has Gov. Rauner ran against an intelligent, fierce and talented politician? One that lists the President of the United States as his biggest ally? Gov. Rauner has never faced real opposition in the political realm.

Again, with respect, T-4-T.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 8:39 am
- Try-4-Truth -

All true. Now we’ll have to see if Durbin, come February, wants to BE governor, and more importantly, wants to face the hurdles.

Should be interesting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 8:44 am
The biggest hurdle I see is that it is likely an incredibly unpopular president will be facing a midterm election that will bring out every single voter who typically votes in mid term elections. That does NOT bode well for any democrat anywhere.

Comment by Delimma Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 9:05 am
Yeah Rauner ran in an “off” year and was the lowest turnouts in recent history. There were almost as many that voted in the IL primary this year. And I think he woke up those college kids that didn’t get their MAP grants, who didn’t come out to vote in 2014. He might be spending the money but the electorate isn’t seeing it. I have no doubt he’ll lose, unless Quinn gets nominated again.

Comment by gdubya Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 9:14 am
Mr. Willy,

Yes, Sen. Durbin has a long career behind him. One that is loaded with struggles and political battles. He may just want to rest.

Ever since I heard his name floated as a possible candidate, I have believed that Sen. Durbin would be a perfect bridge to sanity for Illinois. After 4 years, this state could have a real campaign for Gov. A REAL battle for the soul of Illinois. No Quinns, Blagojevich’s, or Rauners allowed.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Aug 18, 16 @ 9:39 am