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Madigan warns of political doom

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* I linked to this story before, but let’s flesh it out today. House Speaker Michael Madigan spoke to a DNC executive committee meeting in Chicago over the weekend

…Madigan told the nation’s top Democratic leaders that the president’s proposed job-creation plan was important for the incumbent and the party heading into the 2012 elections.

“What’s important is that all of us, however possible in a public way, demonstrate our firm support for the president’s policy,” Madigan said. “It’s important for the nation. It’s important for the American people. It’s critical for the Democratic Party in the general election in 2012,” he said.

“Let’s think in terms of going to the polls today. We’d be in trouble. We’d be in serious trouble. So we have a window of opportunity between now and November 2012 to right the ship.”

The basic message here is that if Democrats don’t hang together then they will surely hang separately.

Heck, even if they do hang together there could still be big trouble if this economy doesn’t turn around soon.

* Whatever happens, Madigan was absolutely right about the peril of the moment. A few days after he spoke, the Democrats lost a New York special election in what had been a solidly Democratic congressional district. Nate Silver has some grim analysis for the party in a new post called “For Democrats, It’s 2010 All Over Again.” After admitting that this was just one election (along with three other specials since May) and pointing out several aggravating circumstances, Silver wrote…

Republicans have overperformed the [Partisan Voting Index] baseline by an average of 7 percentage points across the four races. That squares with what we saw in 2010, when Republicans won the popular vote for the House by an aggregate of 7 percentage points.

In other words, the four special elections, taken as a whole, suggest that Democrats may still be locked in a 2010-type political environment. Democrats might not lose many more seats in the House if that were the case, since most of their vulnerable targets have already been picked off, but it would limit their potential for any gains. And it could produce dire results for the Democrats in the U.S. Senate, where they have twice as many seats up for re-election.

It’s certainly possible to read too much into special elections to the House. Over the long run, they have had a statistically significant correlation to the outcome of the next general election. But the relationship is weak and frequently runs in the wrong direction, as it did in 2010.

* President Obama won’t do nearly as badly in Illinois as he will in other states. But he won a whole lot of areas last time that are now completely unobtainable. He and state Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) pulled about the same percentage of votes in Murphy’s Northwest suburban district. No way does that happen again. Also, Obama can forget about southern Illinois.

If things don’t radically change soon, Obama’s county map will look a lot more like Quinn 2010 than Obama 2008. And that means even with this new and much more partisan district map, legislative and congressional Democrats could still be in very big trouble here.

* Related…

* Press Release: Pollak lauds 2010 9th CD race as blazing trail for 2011 New York win

* Chuck Sweeny: George Gaulrapp plans heavy use of social media

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 7:15 am

Comments

  1. The question really is whether or not Dems should support Obama for a second term…the boys in IL may be wishing upon a star here…he is damaged goods and they know it…if they choose to remain “loyal” to Barack, they they are thrown into the same kettle in 2012…sink or swim fellas…

    Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 7:35 am

  2. Madigan has always been a realistic partisan and he clearly remembers 1980 when most Democrats where openly contemptuous of Ronald Reagan. He also remembers 1994 when the Democrats got surprised by Newt and his “Contract with America” campaign. Again the Democrats were openly contemptuous of their Republican opponents.

    The same disregard for the opposition is in play today and Madigan is warning the Democrats to see beyond their personal feelings to what is driving the anger and anxiety in the electorate.

    The Democrats problem in Illinois is complicated by a dysfunctional and goofy Democratic Governor for the Republican candidates to run against.

    Comment by Cassiopeia Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:06 am

  3. Cassiopeia, I think you hit the nail. Quinn has become a serious liability for th Dems and there is nothing they can do about it until it’s way too late. Coupled with the perceived increase in the disfunction of state government since the Dems took complete control is going to hurt them. Obama will win Illinois…but just barely.

    Comment by Springfield Skeptic Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:09 am

  4. Illinois Democratic congressional candidates are already running for the hills. Even in Waukegan.

    http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/obama-allies-time-to-wake-up-20110914?mrefid=mostViewed

    Frustration with Obama has seeped into other deep-blue parts of the country. Democratic congressional candidate Brad Schneider is challenging Rep. Robert Dold in a liberal-leaning, heavily Jewish district near Chicago where Obama won 61 percent of the vote in 2008. But in an interview Wednesday, Schneider acknowledged the still-sputtering economy nearly three years after the president took office has sapped enthusiasm, even among voters near Obama’s hometown.
    “I think a lot of people were hopeful we would be further along than we are,” said Schneider, though he said the president would still be a political asset next year.
    Schneider isn’t the only Democratic candidate avoiding a full-on embrace of Obama. Manan Trivedi, who’s vying for a rematch against Rep. Jim Gerlach in southeast Pennsylvania after failing to unseat him in 2010, declined Wednesday to endorse the president’s much-hyped jobs plan.

    Comment by shore Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:19 am

  5. National Dems are spinning as hard as they can that NY-9 doesn’t matter.

    But I seem to recall the 14th district special election here in Illinois about four years ago, when Bill Foster, a relatively unknown businessman and not a particularly good campaigner, won a strongly Republican district that was most recently held by the former Speaker of the House.

    There were special circumstances then too (Chris Lauzen throwing a hissy fit after losing the primary), but that election still foretold very strong Democratic performance in Illinois and across the country in 2008.

    Comment by so... Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:20 am

  6. SS

    But Madigan’s led assembly put Quinn in the position he’s in. This blame the Governor game has been going on for a while. The legislative branch cuts appropriations & then tells the Governor to decide what to cut. Then all the blame falls on PQ. Certainly PQ has bungled many issues, but how much of what is going on now is the direct result of the leadership of MJM ? How much of the failure to govern efficiently and responsibly falls on MJM and other Democratic leaders ? I don’t think the problem is just PQ. MJM has been a very major problem as well. The problem is that he does everything behind the scenes, out of view, and can fall back on the lame excuse that there weren’t enough votes. PQ isn’t always focused and lacks discipline in decision making, but MJM needs to look at his own failed leadership as part of the problem.

    “Cassiopeia, I think you hit the nail. Quinn has become a serious liability for th Dems and there is nothing they can do about it until it’s way too late.”

    Comment by Fed Up Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:23 am

  7. Rich, I agree, there’s now way the Obama-Murphy ticket can repeat its past success. The real question is: Will Obama-Murphy 2012 do better than McKenna-Murphy 2010?

    Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:25 am

  8. Where’s the Southern Illinois Obama should forget about start? I have a feeling that border’s creeping north at a fair clip.

    Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:30 am

  9. Democrats should put the recall of Quinn on the March ballot and have the replacement election take place in November.

    That way they can turn a disadvantage into an advantage for 2012.

    All it takes is courage.

    Comment by Oswego Dem Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:34 am

  10. Presently we see the not so slow motion disintergration of the Obama brand before our eyes. Democrats will begin to distance themselves from the President for a chance to win, but if the economy continues to falter, no amount of distancing or ship-jumping will matter.

    Comment by GMatts Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:37 am

  11. There is raw, pragmatic, individual seat politics, there is the “appearance” of hanging together for party loyalty’s sake, and then there is going off the cliff en masse with “one’s own kind” lemming style. It will be interesting to see what path powerful Illinois Dems and individual Dem candidates end up taking both with respect to Governor Quinn and President Obama.

    Comment by Responsa Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:43 am

  12. Lucky for the Democrats the GOP lacks a functioning party in Illinois.

    Comment by too obvious Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:43 am

  13. what should scare democrats though is the fact that unlike the last 20 years when republicans were a social issues first party, this time they are playing offense on jobs and the economy which are areas where they can win over women and moderate suburban voters. The other scare factor for democrats-their firewall of attacks on gop cuts to entitlement programs didn’t work in either of those districts. If you can’t beat a neophyte republican in brooklyn attacking him for cuts to medicare and ties to the tea party what’s left?

    Comment by shore Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:46 am

  14. Can someone explain to me why “county maps” are important? Is there some sort of electoral college that I don’t know about? Rich, you always feel the need to bring up that Democrats will win few counties, but in an election those boundaries are meaningless.

    Comment by gnome Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:52 am

  15. ===but in an election those boundaries are meaningless. ===

    They aren’t to legislators. And that’s what I’m referring to here.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:58 am

  16. –Madigan has always been a realistic partisan and he clearly remembers 1980 when most Democrats where openly contemptuous of Ronald Reagan.–

    The reality is, most Dems voted for Reagan. 44 states in 80, 49 in 84. He was no Tea Partier. Red-meat rhetoric for the yabbos aside, he governed as the unapologetic New Dealer he was.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:58 am

  17. Rich, a very wise man told me many years ago to always remember that every election is “Compared to who?”. If we manage to nominate a member of the flat earth society or equivalent, Obama suddenly looks very attractive to independents and moderate Rs.

    Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:05 am

  18. The obscene amount of money that is raised and spent on getting elected these days is going to look extra special obscene leading up to Nov. 2012. The current economic climate, the household poverty levels, and the unemployment stats are going to make voters think about how many full food pantries and mortgage payments all those millions could provide– instead of polluting the airwaves and mailboxes and landfills. Both parties need to seriously examine and consider this IMO.

    Comment by Responsa Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:10 am

  19. As one of the few Democrats in this country who did not vote for President Obama, I certainly hope 2012 brings a new president.

    But, we cannot overestimate the imporatance of Tuesday’s special election in NY. There were several unique factors there that cannot be reproduced nationally, including:

    1. The Dem to last hold the seat was Anthony Weiner..enough said;
    2. The Jewish population of this district exceeds 1/3 of the registered voters, and unlike many “Jewish” districts around the country is overwhelmingly Orthodox (read more likely to be emerging GOP supporters);
    3. Ed Koch, former mayor of NY and still very visible media personality there, endorsed Turner. He did so based on Obama’s less friendly policies towards Israel. But, as a senior, he also gave cover to Turner in the mind of many who have been hearing the GOP talk of slashing social security and medicare etc.; and
    4. New York’s new gay marriage law does not play well with Orthodox Jews. That probably pushed a few votes over as well.

    So one can see what the ingredients were for success and why they are unlikely to be repeated exactly elsewhere. However, the President’s campaign needs to reassure the large Jewish communities in swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio about their important issues.

    Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:13 am

  20. –If we manage to nominate a member of the flat earth society or equivalent, Obama suddenly looks very attractive to independents and moderate Rs.–

    I hope you’re right, Steve, but we live in strange times. I know I’ll be pulling a GOP ballot and voting for Romney.

    Put it this way; Perry dramatically and publicly beseeched the Lord for rain; he got fire. We don’t need that kind of trouble.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:13 am

  21. The weak economy hurts Obama. But the GOP reputation of opposing tax hikes for Warren Buffet may not win over hurting Americans.

    Reducing loopholes and raising taxes on the ultra-rich polls very well, except among GOP primary voters.

    Comment by reformer Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:18 am

  22. I could say, “don’t blame me I voted for Hillary.” I’m not doing that with people I talk to.

    Obama must win again because the alternatives are so scary. did you watch that Tea Party Debate? nuts is the word that comes to mind. HPV vaccine and “mental retardation”? never mind the offense of that term, Bachmann takes the word of some person over science.

    and Perry turns it into a life issue. hey, he’s pro choice except for, well, you know.

    I’m on the Obama ship and will spare no chance to tell the Republicans what a bunch of corporatists and supporters of the super wealthy they are. and that is what every Democrat should be doing. crumbling bridges, Republicans. and it’s not just a metaphor.

    Comment by amalia Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:22 am

  23. Why no southern Illinois? I agree 100 percent if the Republicans nominate a non-Tea Party candidate based on how well the moderate Republicans (mainly Mark Kirk) did there in 2010. But if someone like Rick Perry were to win, wouldn’t that discourage voters the same way Bill Brady did?

    Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:23 am

  24. DR, I think southern Illinois would love Rick Perry.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:25 am

  25. And Schnorf, I don’t care who the GOPs nominate, Obama is not gonna do well in southern Illinois.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:27 am

  26. ==will spare no chance to tell the Republicans what a bunch of corporatists and supporters of the super wealthy they are==

    Your job would be easier and Dems would help themselves immensely if they could figure out that there’s a vast difference between Warren Buffet wealth and the $250,000 a two earner family may earn in a large metro area. Even political messages do have smell tests. Just sayin’.

    Comment by Responsa Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:34 am

  27. Madigan needs to spend less time worrying about the President and more time worrying about doing his own job.

    The only reason I vote for Dems for local offices is that there is GOP in Chicago. I supported Quinn only because the alternative was Brady.

    In Illinois, the Dems have done nothing to earn more time in power. Madigan needs to fix things here first and the focus on national matters.

    Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:44 am

  28. Obama ran against Bush policies, not his opponents, during his successful Senate and Presidential campaigns.

    Surprisingly, he could still run against those policies — if he would only stop implementing them!

    Comment by Frank Costanza Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:44 am

  29. “the last dem to hold the seat was anthony weiner, nuff said”

    the last dem to win the governors mansion in illinois was blago-republicans still couldn’t win.

    I worked in the suburbs of a battleground state for bush in 2000 and 2004 that he ultimately lost. In both situations had he had the political terrain republicans have right now where the issue is going to be the weak economic recovery rather than social issues he would have won that state because the issue is one that republicans do well with women and social moderates on.

    Comment by shore Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:45 am

  30. I would rather fight on the economy right now than social issues. Depending on who the nominee is I fully expect (and tactically they should) the democrats to focus on the social issue differences.

    Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:53 am

  31. Skeeter, pay attention. If the prez goes down, a lot of Dems are going down with him. And there will be nothing that Madigan or any other Dem can do about it. That’s the message.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:54 am

  32. –the last dem to win the governors mansion in illinois was blago-republicans still couldn’t win.–

    Quinn?

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:54 am

  33. I’ll agree that the NY-9 contest contains strong warning signals for Dems, but realize also that the Dem candidate, David Weprin, was a VERY weak candidate. Look up his interview with Lawrence O’Donnell the night before-I’ve never seen such a bad performance by a candidate. Media training anyone??

    As dailykos elections has pointed out, the replacement was designed to be weak. The Queens County NY chair, Joe Crowley, who also is a Congressman, did NOT want a strong replacement who would then make claims for a favorable district after the NY redistricting that could impact Crowley himself.

    Remember, NY must shed 2 districts and the legislature there is split.

    Again, I’m not saying that a poor candidate or other strategic considerations on the part of NY Dems is solely to blame for this defeat. Its bad. But these NY specific factors must be considered also when doing analysis.

    Comment by game over4me Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:54 am

  34. How many downstate democratic house incumbents south of I-80 will need to loose in order for Cross to takeover?

    Comment by Lady GaGa Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:58 am

  35. Rich,

    I get it. Madigan wants to blame somebody.

    However, even if the President’s numbers go up, I still don’t see it helping Madigan (beyond a small bit). If Chicago had a GOP, I would be thrilled to be able to split a ticket. President Dem, and GOP on all the rest.

    A lot of us feel that at the state level, the Dems have done a miserable job over the past eight years or so. Madigan has to start doing his job or hope that the GOP in IL continues the job they’ve done. If we had a GOP that was good at the whole “elections” thing, Madigan would be toast.

    Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:02 am

  36. ===I get it. Madigan wants to blame somebody.===

    Are you seriously that daft?

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:04 am

  37. “Are you seriously that daft?”
    Maybe. I’ve been called worse. Often by my own kids.

    The Speaker seems to think that people view all Dems as the same and that they will not split tickets. What is good for one is good for the other. If the President does well, people will vote D straight down the ticket. Is that the argument? Is there something subtle that I’m missing?

    To say the least, I’m not sold on that approach. I don’t view what happens in D.C. as impacting who I vote for in local races. It is like some of these southern states that consistently voted for Dems locally but supported the GOP when it came to the White House.

    Given the performance on the state level, I find it easy to see somebody voting for the President and then voting for the Republicans down the ticket. That would make perfect sense to me. One has earned another term and the other has not.

    Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:12 am

  38. I wish the Dens only problem was the President and the economy. The victim/villain play book is changing. The D’s constituency could always be parlayed into the “victim” and the republicans as the “villain”. Now it is moving to public unions and the D’s as the “villains” and the taxpayers as the “victims”. In 2012 this will have a larger impact on the party and the election

    Comment by Flaming Liberal Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:21 am

  39. @ Responsa: I’m listening to Warren, who says people like him should be taxed more. him as in super wealthy. besides, if you do the math on who makes what money, even your $250,000 is lots. its above my family pay grade!

    Comment by amalia Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:21 am

  40. ===DR, I think southern Illinois would love Rick Perry.===

    Sadly, I’m afraid you’re right.

    Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:23 am

  41. The difference between the traditional conservatives who would rather have the GOP lose elections than support a Mark Kirk type of Republican, and Tea Partiers, is that the Tea Partiers want to win elections and have a voice in government. The difference between the two is that the Tea Partiers go all out to support their candidates.

    Democratic talking points to the contrary, that special election in NY was pretty telling.

    My Township in Illinois has a significant Jewish Population and trends strongly Democratic. When Democratic Highland Parkers start turning down bond issues for schools by comfortable margins and scream about park district pension fattening stunts, and holding the line on local government spending, you know times have changed. Even Aldermanic perks like health insurance are under attack. Obama’s positions on Israel are of a great concern in this region.

    I believe the average voter resents the protected government jobs of union workers, with built in raises, no firings and pensions, while their own standard of living has stagnated and they have tightened their belts, while governments have not or pretend to. Those public sector unions support Democrats and revile Republicans and the voters know this.

    Time the MSM commentators get out of their glass bubbles and start traveling and talking to voters.

    Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 10:42 am

  42. Big opportunity here for Nybo in his primary against Dillard.

    In this environment, and in an R district in an R primary, Nybo could probably win just on the Obama ad issue alone.

    Just remind Republicans that Dillard help give us Obama in the first place. Even Republicans who may not be thrilled with Nybo will be speeding to the polls to vote against Dillard, twice if they could.

    Comment by too obvious Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 11:04 am

  43. Have them drop the D. Run as independants. In the age of super PACs and under Illinois election laws the D or R matter at one key moment -organization.
    I did hear one democrat ,a national one,mention that democratic and independant candidates could do well.
    There is noting to stop labor or party committees or SuperPACs from spending in support of indepants in ares where D is toxic. It is foolish to hang togther and all end up hanging.
    A Republican lost in a Republican district in New York over medicare. Obama is toxic but so is the Tea Party.
    I would not bet anything on next years election. I know what I would do is run from the tea party and run from the D party in a whole bunch of districts.
    I think Ds would have an esier time pulling this off because they dont have all these loyalty oath requirements that the GOP/Tea have .

    Comment by western illinois Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 12:13 pm

  44. The gospel reading for today is Mitch McConnell’s pre-inaugural statement that his/Republican’s goal was to make Obama a one-term president. Repubs have been “swiftboating” Obama from the beginning to make his Presidency illegitimate. The few grassroots aspects of the T-Baggers were quickly astroturfed by the same right-wing cabal that funded the anti-Clinton forces. The refusal of the Repubs to pass judges, negotiate in good faith, or settle any issue w/o political gain follows that gospel. What makes Madigan different is that usually Democrats play to govern and Republicans play to win. In Illinois most Democrats and Republicans have played to govern…however ineptly–Madigan plays to win. That, I believe, was his message to the DNC.

    Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 12:16 pm

  45. @Responsa: “Your job would be easier and Dems would help themselves immensely if they could figure out that there’s a vast difference between Warren Buffet wealth and the $250,000 a two earner family may earn in a large metro area.”

    The median income for a family of four living in the Chicago metro area is $74,800 a year.

    Comment by Edge of the 14th Ward Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 12:55 pm

  46. Yes, Rich, I remember that Keyes carried his only counties south of I-70.

    Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 1:03 pm

  47. I hope that Rep. Nybo will defeat Sen. Dillard because Dillard voted for the state dream act and because Dillard has been a state senator since 1993. 20 years is long enough.

    Comment by Conservative Veteran Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 2:35 pm

  48. Two points can be made here. First, the Dems are going to find a tough road to hoe in November 2012. They have 23 Senate seats up for election or reelection. In the Midwest alone, Debbie Stabenow, Amy Klobuchar, Claire McKaskill and Sherrod Brown are in real trouble, and Herb Kohl is retiring. All five of those seats are prime pick-ups for the GOP. So when pundits and cynics wonder if we can take over the Senate and keep the House, I would say it is a definite yes. Second, Madigan can do something about the problems, at least in Illinois. I know we’ve talked before about MJM’s will or lack thereof to be more proactive with other facets of Illinois politics, but he is the state party chairman and therefore a de facto DNC member. Being a harbinger of doom is okay but he is in a position to do something.

    Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 2:47 pm

  49. Never hoe roads. It will always be tough.

    Hoe the fields and rows in the fields.

    Comment by Mr. Green Jeans Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 4:10 pm

  50. So it sounds like they are going all in on a jobs plans that no one knows where the money is coming from? Doesn’t this plan contain things that have already been rejected by his own party? It looks like folllowing the president’s policies got them in trouble in the first place? Maybe some of these democrats should distance themselves from the president and cut their losses.

    Comment by Holdingontomywallet Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 6:41 pm

  51. - Conservative Veteran - Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 2:35 pm:

    “I hope that Rep. Nybo will defeat Sen. Dillard because Dillard voted for the state dream act …”

    You do of course know that Nybo skipped out on the DREAM act vote so he did not have to take any politically damaging position, right? He also took a pass on the Gaming bill that day. He did manage to make all 21 other votes. May 30, 2011. Look it up. This is a real profile in courage from an 8-month legislator even his own caucus cannot stand to be around.

    Why would Nybo skip these votes other than to feed his blind ambition in a cynical way. This Obama protege, and “Friend of Barack,” (since removed from his Facebook page but cached by many) and who walked precincts for Obama, Nybo is bad for Republicans in DuPage County, and in this state, as he takes on a sitting Senator who virtually every newspaper has endorsed in every race he ran. He wants to be the next Barack Obama, without any of the natural tools the President possesses. He should run as a Democrat, that’s what he really is.

    Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 6:55 pm

  52. –This Obama protege, and “Friend of Barack,”–

    Are you talking about Dillard or Roskam?

    I always thought Dillard got a raw deal for cutting the spot for Obama. I knew the yabbos would burn him at the stake, but I thought it was fearless and a refreshing display Illinois pride and patriotism.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 8:12 pm

  53. My god Cinci, is your memory that short? Good luck making the case that Dillard isn’t a “Friend of Barack”. I have some vague memory of some video evidence to the contrary. I thought you were a tea party animal, what gives?

    Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Sep 15, 11 @ 9:35 pm

  54. Word and STL,

    Go ahead, look things up for yourself. Nybo’s Facebook page had, until recently the Friends of Barack link, and he walked precincts for Obama. More important, though, is his failure to vote for two of the most important bills this session. How do YOU square that circle?

    Nybo is a politician of convenience, and his Democrat leanings and cowardly stands on important votes do not fit his district.

    Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 8:06 am

  55. Did Nybo cut a TV spot for Obama, too?

    Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 8:10 am

  56. No, but he walked precincts for the guy.

    Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 9:46 am

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