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Durbin agreed to back Harris before flipping to Kelly

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this controversy yesterday. Here’s Lynn Sweet…

Duckworth and Durbin had both called early on for Madigan to step down as state House Speaker and DPI chair. Madigan announced his party resignation on Feb. 22.

Before that, Duckworth launched conversations with Durbin and Pritzker about who should replace Madigan. Duckworth wanted a unity candidate. There was agreement it was time for a woman of color to be the chair.

The three agreed on Harris not realizing that Kelly would be interested. Kelly told me she held back because there was no official vacancy. She jumped in immediately after Madigan stepped down. Durbin ended up backing Kelly.

* Meanwhile, here’s the Tribune…

The election of U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson as Illinois Democratic chairman represented the party’s growing effort to move beyond the one-man control exercised by embattled former House Speaker Michael Madigan over 23 years.

Kelly’s election over Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th, by the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee also revealed another fault line in the political operation of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who had backed Harris and is seeking reelection in 2022. […]

Instead, the wealthy heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, who has the ability to bankroll Democrats, found a committee more interested in a future of decentralized leadership as it seeks to grow in Republican areas through the participation of activists spawned by Donald Trump’s 2016 election as president.

Heading into a critical reelection year, Pritzker has sustained losses in his push for a graduated-rate income tax, an effort to dictate a new state Senate president and now in his choice for the Democratic chairmanship.

* Politico…

Kelly is beginning to form a post-election transition team to work on her promised revamp of the party organization. Some names already on that team: Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi, state Sen. Cristina Castro and political consultant Scott Kennedy.

* Related…

* NBC 5 Hosts 1-on-1 Interview With Illinois Dem Chair Robin Kelly

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 9:55 am

Comments

To say the the governor in his political calculus has seen setbacks is an understatement.

The Durbin flipping on Harris for Kelly, in the end, what is fascinating to watch is the seemingly unknown to where the votes (weighted) and noses were, as why would anyone want a vote without already knowing where everyone stood?

Durbin turning on both Duckworth and Pritzker, Durbin used some leverage to the de-centralizing aspect to Pritzker running the shop? Ok, then if Durbin is seen as the power behind all things state party, what makes Pritzker want to be someone willing to aid… anyone, frankly?

Pritzker got beat in his Senate president choice, lost the state party leadership, even if it’s Durbin flipping, who’s to say Pritzker doesn’t do a replay of 2018;

* Run a campaign that spends $300k a day, every day.

* Hire and run his own operation outside the state Democratic apparatus, letting Kelly, Durbin, et al., on their own.

* Let both statehouse caucuses fend for themselves.

If anything, when Rauner pulled the plug, first on the state Senate Raunerites, then the state party… Pritzker could save real serious money by letting everyone “figure it out”

It’s not necessarily “sour grapes”, but why work with anyone you can’t trust it or is actively undermining the work Pritzker needs done as *he* gears up.

If Pritzker’s Crew doesn’t decide to go it alone after the Senate president *and* the state party chair losses, they really learned nothing… and are only respected for money folks think Pritzker is required to give, without any say.

It’s a fascinating last week or so.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:13 am
If there’s a lesson to be learned from this, no one would have been embarrassed if endorsements hadn’t been rolled out so early in the process.

I still don’t understand why there would be the need to make a public endorsement when only a few dozen people are involved in the vote.

I admire Congresswoman Kelly all the more for going after this position after vested parties had over looked her.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:13 am
Your word is your bond right Senator? He is for you till he is not.

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:18 am
A person is only as good as their word, and Durbin’s word is meaningless.

Comment by Grand Ave Goodguy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:25 am
=== why would anyone want a vote without already knowing where everyone stood? ===

i do not share the assumption that voters did not know where “everyone stood.” by last weekend, there was definite informed sense that the two contenders were basically tied (and peter put robin over harris in that count). but political or private counts often differ from public or media vote counts…

Comment by bored now Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:29 am
== why would anyone want a vote without already knowing where everyone stood?==

Ha ha. C’mon. Everybody who regularly posts on this site knows that politicians are not always truthful and can often be, uh, persuaded to change their minds at the very last minute for one reason or another. It’s not usually as obvious to the general public as this thing was, though.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:31 am
=== i do not share the assumption that voters did not know where “everyone stood.” by last weekend,===

… and…

===Everybody who regularly posts on this site knows that politicians are not always truthful and can often be, uh, persuaded to change their minds at the very last minute for one reason or another.===

With respect to you both… “sometimes” asking a question is also stating some obvious things that then “transpired”.

It’s not the question that starts the wonder. It’s the answer to the question… that’s the exercise.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:34 am
=== but political or private counts often differ from public or media vote counts…===

If Madigan taught anyone anything… never want for a vote unless the vote will turn out as desired (win, lose)

Now, if someone was *already* going to flip and that was either missed, was misled, both… another real reason Pritzker should essentially walk away, let them figure it out.

I mean, I’m sure labor will be excited to donate with Chair Kelly… oh, wait…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:38 am
Not a good look for Durbin lying and flip flopping, not a good look for Pritzker still losing, worse for the state party that the chair will be totally handicapped in managing the party due to her role as a federal officeholder. Pritzker will just likely run more through his campaign committee like 2018.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:45 am
I’m betting Durbin will look to use ILDCCC as a soft-money clearinghouse. Problem is, the Kelly election to DPI will bring questions forward about the longtime role Durbin and Houlihan, as Federal officers, steering labor money to that organization.

Best move for Pritzker is three-fold. #1 — Fire your political team. They are not up to the job, and #2 - Start building your own statewide organization now, and start spending the big money now, and #3) tie your well-funded efforts into the House and Senate campaign’s ASAP. They tend to build their pwn political operations, and you need to build the goodwill with the legislature.

Comment by SpiDem Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:57 am
===Pritzker got beat in his Senate president choice, lost the state party leadership, even if it’s Durbin flipping, who’s to say Pritzker doesn’t do a replay of 2018;===

2018 went well for Governor Pritzker, and 2022 will probably also go well for Governor Pritzker, the hickups don’t seem to be in getting Governor Pritzker elected, they seem to be in the actual job of governing the state and lets face it, the failure of the Fair Tax Amendment is daunting and I have difficulty believing they spent all of that money to have so little impact.

Pritzker’s sphere of influence was basically given autonomy over that aspect of the 2020 ballot, and if I had shelled out the money I’d be wanting to know where every dime went and wanting to see the receipts.

=== is actively undermining the work Pritzker needs done as *he* gears up.===

After the fair tax flop, I’m not sure I would trust Team Pritzker to accurately identify their needs and if I were on the ballot in a competitive legislative race in 2022 I am certain that I couldn’t rely on them to identify my needs accurately.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:57 am
Sorry, that should have been ILDCCA

Comment by SpiDem Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 10:57 am
“political consultant Scott Kennedy”

There goes the neighborhood.

Comment by Ok Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:00 am
=== If Madigan taught anyone anything… never want for a vote unless the vote will turn out as desired (win, lose) ===

hmmm, i wonder if harris was aware of this? kelly, of course, had no say (ifaik) in the timing of the vote.

having said that, there were no defections from the whip count that i saw. *shrug*

and i would add that it is harder to see the proxy battle that people discussed in light of the fact that madigan and durbin started on the same side. while i don’t question that there was something to this, i never got the sense that the people who were actually voting felt as keenly about that as those who did not have a vote. *shrug*

Comment by bored now Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:05 am
Illuminating, in my view, as to one of the reasons Durbin and Madigan have never been simpatico.

For Madigan, your word is your bond. He had no use for people who didn’t adhere to that practice.

Madigan’s brilliance was not trying to ride herd over all these different centers of Democratic power. Let everyone do their own thing. Hard to argue with the results.

We’re pretty much at the limits of Democratic success as Madigan exits the party leadership role. Republicans seem to have understood this better than his fellow Democrats, which is why they’ve been so hysterical about “But Madigan.”

The newbies are talking a good game about a more democratic Democratic Party. We’ll see if that’s how it works out.

Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:07 am
Seriously doubt the Governor will ever walk away from the Democratic Party.
He has been engaged in political discussions with party folks for at least 30 years and he always comes across as interested and engaged in politics.
Of course, he has taken some hits here lately, but he will bounce back with a smile on his face and his commitment to the Democratic Party consistent with his past.

Comment by Back to the future Future Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:07 am
=== the hickups don’t seem to be in getting Governor Pritzker elected, they seem to be in the actual job of governing the state and lets face it, the failure of the Fair Tax Amendment is daunting and I have difficulty believing they spent all of that money to have so little impact.===

The politics and the governing are two different animals.

Choosing to governmentally go how they did, and then the Fair Tax Flop ruined the governing path, it was first the governing decision *to* the amendment is one prong, how that played out to the campaign and the political, whole different animal entirely.

You can have good governing ideas that flame out politically or a great political maneuver that governmentally won’t fly.

Two different aspects with the Fair Tax lacked, and did so on their own.

===#2 - Start building your own statewide organization now, and start spending the big money now===

This should be Pritzker’s lone and most important priority after losing Harris; get set up alone, get the infrastructure in place.

To the Statehouse races, either chamber, pick and choose, why wade in? Let’s wait and watch on budget issues, votes, bills, no hurry, just wait on the sidelines where it seems others want, and be precise later where to be.

It’s not like the Raunerites are knocking in the door with 60 and 30… and Bailey out there running for governor.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:11 am
To (hopefully) put a little levity to it: JB Pritzker is finding out the way most sugar daddies do, that ultimately it ain’t you–it’s your money they want and love.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:13 am
=== Seriously doubt the Governor will ever walk away from the Democratic Party.
He has been engaged in political discussions with party folks for at least 30 years and he always comes across as interested and engaged in politics.===

Why waste his time and money while taking a backseat… as a sitting governor?

Gear up his own crew, “support” those who support him, why the need to get all involved with others whom dismissed him, let them figure it out

Pritzker only owes it to himself to win his own race now.

The politics of policy, if Dems are going to vote his way anyway for his policies, why reward them for their agreed thoughts?

=== hmmm, i wonder if harris was aware of this? kelly, of course, had no say … in the timing of the vote.

having said that, there were no defections from the whip count that i saw. *shrug*===

So… I guess my “wondering” aloud kinda put a finer point on the process?

If Kelly had no say in the date, and they all went along with how it went down, that’s an odd political maneuver.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:17 am
Assuming MJM escapes any Federal charges, JB needs to hire MJM to run his political operation … that would be the nuclear response to his setbacks to date, and a real thorn in any plans of Durbin’s.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:40 am
===For Madigan, your word is your bond. He had no use for people who didn’t adhere to that practice. ===

This kind of evaluation of Mike Madigan needs to be parsed with the fact that Mike Madigan was the willing participant in a public bribery scheme that cost the taxpayers & utility rate payers of Illinois billions of dollars, but got some good kids of Madigan’s ward some internships.

If that’s not compelling enough to counteract that opinion, it might be helpful to recall the harassment allegations.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:40 am
===The three agreed on Harris not realizing that Kelly would be interested.===

$5 says Lynn got that from Duckworth.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:44 am
Cabonargi/Castro/Kennedy….seems like an excellent start to me. JB would be fortunate to have a team like that at his table.

The Gov is hopefully learning that the checkbook alone doesn’t buy loyalty (at least not from everyone). Durbin and Kelly have been out party building for years.

Comment by McGuppin Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:46 am
===This kind of evaluation of Mike Madigan needs to be parsed with===

No doubt. Doesn’t change the fact that Durbin flipped.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:50 am
=== Doesn’t change the fact that Durbin flipped.===

… making the Durbin v Pritzker battle loom over the candidates.

Dismissing Durbin flipping, if Durbin doesn’t flip, does Kelly win without Durbin?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:54 am
If it actually came down like this, then why was a backroom deal so hard to put together? Something is not adding up.

Comment by Carla Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 11:59 am
JB and crew, start to build right now. Think big, get the data machines moving, get the message testing going move it all right now. Never know if Durbin will flip again and be looking for a coalition style candidate over the next couple months. Losing bring weakness. You’ve had a few too many lately. Durbin already stuck you he can do it again, no risk to him.

Comment by Frank talks Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 1:13 pm
===No doubt. Doesn’t change the fact that Durbin flipped. ===

I think of myself as being wet behind the ears, but I’ve always operated with the assumption that this was considered normal political behavior. For everyone and all the time, but especially when the political landscape dramatically changes.

Though the fact that the sitting Governor’s known preferred candidate for party chair did not receive a majority of the support for party chair is very uncommon when compared to the practices of other states. Illinois has been unique in that regard for a while because Governors also typically get to replace the party chair with their preferred chair person when they assume office and become the defacto leader of the state party.

I just hope that the powers that be don’t let any of what transpired get in the way of party business that benefits everyone at the table.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 1:21 pm
Friendly reminder that when a politician flips your way, it’s statesmanship.

That said, this isn’t a one-off with Durbin. All you have to do is look around at the huge windfalls the state has seen since he rose to leadership to see how good his “word” is.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 2:31 pm
This shocks…no one.

Comment by Shytown Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 3:25 pm
Yes, your word is your bond. Classic Durbin. SMH.

Comment by Predecessorage Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 3:44 pm
State party CHAIR not chairman.

Comment by Gdubya Friday, Mar 5, 21 @ 4:04 pm