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Sen. Dick Durbin, who heads the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., and presided over confirmation hearings for the first African-American woman nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, is getting involved in Illinois judicial politics.

D.C. delivery: The Senate Democratic whip is endorsing Lake County Judge Elizabeth Rochford for Illinois Supreme Court in the 2nd District. […]

On camera:Durbin has cut an ad that promotes Rochford’s experience but also takes shots at Curran. “He’s anti-choice, believes the 2020 election was stolen and his mind is bubbling over with screwball conspiracies,” Durban says in the ad. […]

Why he’s getting in the mud: That Durbin would get involved in a state race is an indication of how important Democrats view the contest.

* “Ad” must be loosely defined because you’re not gonna see this on TV or streaming. For one, it’s well over a minute long. And the lighting is just… I mean… Half the background is a door. His delivery leaves a lot to be desired, to be kind. I kid, but my first impression was that this looked like a hostage video taken by an older smart phone…

* The script…

Hello, I’m Senator Dick Durbin. One of the most important races on the ballot this November is to fill the vacancy on the Illinois Supreme Court. I’m supporting Judge Elizabeth Rochford to fill that vacancy. She has a record which reflects real confidence in the ability of women to make the most important decisions in their lives.

She’s endorsed by Planned Parenthood, labor organizations and many legislators in the area. In contrast, she’s running against Mark Curran. I know him well. He ran against me for the United States Senate. I know his positions. He’s anti-choice. He believes the 2020 election was stolen. His mind is bubbling over with screwball conspiracies. That’s why the Illinois State Bar Association, a bipartisan group, says Mark Curran is not recommended. He has no experience as a judge. When it comes to Judge Rochford, they gave her a highly recommended position. And that is a result of a bipartisan vote by the State Bar Association.

When it comes down to it, Elizabeth Rochford is reasonable and respected and will be the right person for the Supreme Court.

“His mind is bubbling over with screwball conspiracies,” is a truly great line. Maybe re-take that and put it in an actual ad. Also, I think the ISBA prefers to think of itself as non-partisan.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 9:55 am

Comments

Another weird thing about Politico’s framing is that Durbin is pretty constantly helping downballot Dems. So why does this stand out?

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:05 am
Video is worth the watch just for the “screwball conspiracies” line

Comment by coop Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:11 am
It looks more like he was in the middle of recording video #67 of the day and wanted to be done with it lol.

Comment by Shytown Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:13 am
Could be pretty easily argued that the game Team JB played in the R primary is why Curran is even on ballot in first place. So I do think it’s cool that the Senator is trying to help clean up the mess.

Comment by Future Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:21 am
Had to watch it twice just to assure myself it wasn’t Biden.

Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:31 am
===Could be pretty easily argued that the game Team JB played in the R primary is why Curran is even on ballot ===

LOL

Might wanna go back to bed and start all over.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:40 am
Wow. That’s one horrible video. And just another reminder why it is never a good idea to take a camera phone into the bathroom.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:44 am
Yikes. “Hostage video” is right. And the music is classic customer service “on hold” stuff.

It’s a lot of words, obviously read off a teleprompter or cue cards. Commander Data showed more emotion than Durbin.

So where IS this thing slated to play?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:50 am
On Mark Curran’s FB…
There’s a picture of Mark Curran wearing a uniform as a former sheriff of Lake County. Yes, Halloween is approaching but there is no need to play dress-up.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:52 am
===So where IS this thing slated to play? ==

Right where it is. YouTube. With no money behind it.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:52 am
===For one, it’s well over a minute long. And the lighting is just… I mean… Half the background is a door. His delivery leaves a lot to be desired, to be kind.===

Solidly succinct.

I don’t understand what the overall goal is here, is it “here we did something”?

If one is going to make a case here as Durbin is doing, do it where solid zingers can land where voters have an opportunity to be educated.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 10:56 am
== Could be pretty easily argued that the game Team JB played in the R primary is why Curran is even on ballot in first place. ==

True. And it begs the question. If a billionaire claims to be a champion for choice, but then he spends millions of dollars legitimizing the other side by helping an anti-choice zealot get nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of a major party, then…

Comment by you know its true Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:01 am
** That Durbin would get involved in a state race is an indication of how important Democrats view the contest.**

LOL, Shia. Durbin gets involved in all kinds of state races, all the time.

Comment by JoeMaddon Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:08 am
=== ===Could be pretty easily argued that the game Team JB played in the R primary is why Curran is even on ballot in first place. ==

True.===

Only if you have tin foil on your windows and think aliens live in your attic true.

===If a billionaire claims to be a champion for choice, but then he spends millions of dollars legitimizing the other side by===

56%+ voted for Bailey in a six way race.

If your silly ridiculousness is remotely “true” Pritzker would “zombie vote” all Republicans to vote for him with his powers no matter who won.

Jeez, Louise, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:12 am
Wait. is the argument being suggested that Congressional Representatives and Senators in other states do not get involved in state elections?

What state might that be? /s

Comment by H-W Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:14 am
===begs the question===

This alone, lol

It begs the question why 56%+ of the GOP support a racist thinking helper, conspiracy theorist, and insurrection apologist, at a clip of 56%+

The GOP ain’t no victim, especially with… Curran… as well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:14 am
If this is representative of the energy he’s capable of, Dick Durbin is fortunate that he’s not up for re-election until 2026.

This may be his last term in office, as I would bet he will face a progressive challenger in the primary for that race if he for some reason decides to run for a 6th term at 81 years old.

Comment by Techie Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:32 am
= but then he spends millions of dollars legitimizing the other side by helping an anti-choice zealot get nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of a major party, then…=

Maybe you can point the rest of the class to those “vote for bailey” ads that Pritzker sponsored.

The only ones I ever saw were ads that said bailey was too extreme.

As a person that understands words…

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 11:46 am
That video is hilarious. His dead=eyed hostage demeanor makes it near impossible to concentrate on his message while viewing it.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 12:13 pm
Bathroom selfies are so 2016… I did also enjoy the “bubbling over” comment.

Comment by Vote Quimby Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 12:28 pm
Looks like a “candidate management” video.

The thing is, when the candidate or a donor who is “good friends with Durbin” insists on a Durbin endorsement video, you can’t do a half-assed job no matter how much you might want to because it might end up on the Wall of Shaming at Capfax.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 12:51 pm
“His mind is bubbling over with screwball conspiracies.”

Do you think that Democrats realize that line actually attracts and galvanizes many on the non-left and right who want change from the politics/policies of the left?

Comment by 40,000 ft Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 2:47 pm
===line actually attracts and galvanizes many===

Of the crackpots already predisposed to not vote a Dem over anyone?

===non-left and right===

Who exactly is the “non-left” that is different from the Right?

Try only speaking for yourself.

If you are offended, that’s good to know too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 3:43 pm
==And the music is classic customer service “on hold” stuff.==

Either that or something that was recorded the same year Durbin defeated Findley (1982). “It worked then, no reason why it wouldn’t work this year.”

Comment by AcademicUnionStateEmployee Thursday, Oct 13, 22 @ 7:25 pm