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Dunkin reacts to Obama snub

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* Greg Hinz has Rep. Ken Dunkin’s reaction to President Obama’s endorsement of his Democratic primary opponent…

“All the members of the black community have patiently waited, for seven years with baited breath for President Obama to weigh in on the issues that impact our communities,” he said. […]

“So,” he continues, “you can imagine our surprise when we heard about his endorsement. The president’s presence in this race hopefully will shed some attention on the many other issues in the district — namely the high unemployment among our young black males, as well as the unprecedented number of shootings.”

The statement goes on to suggest that Dunkin is ‘the only one discussing the issues and coming up with solutions,” such as banning red light cameras. “We need the president and anyone else, who claims to be invested in our communities, to give their undivided attention to these issues.” […]

Anyhow, Dunkin announced a news conference today to further discuss Obama, but abruptly cancelled it within an hour of when the advisory went out. Spokesman Glenn Reedus said the candidate had a “schedule conflict,” but added that he’d try to get Dunkin to call me later.

* Um, hold on a second. Dunkin is running a radio ad featuring remarks by President Obama which sure make it appear as if Obama is backing Dunkin’s candidacy…

Dunkin was perfectly fine with Obama when he was promoting the fiction of the President’s backing. So for him to whine now is just plain goofy.

* Also, Rep. Dunkin voted for red light cameras when Rahm Emanuel wanted them. Now, however, he’s conveniently against the cams and Emanuel.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:24 pm

Comments

“you can imagine our surprise when we heard about his endorsement . . .”

He’s the only one who was surprised.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:26 pm
“Bated breath,” not “baited.” He gets five demerits for that alone.

Comment by Levi Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:29 pm
I believe it was Dunkin’s ad that pushed Obama to endorse. Using Obama like that, and people were buying that Obama was supporting Dunkin based on that. Just setting the record straight Ken. Just setting the record straight.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:31 pm
===He’s the only one who was surprised.===

Restaurant-Quality snarkiness.

To the Post,

If Dunkin can manipulate a situation, he will do so. The fact that the facts refute his manipulation leads Dunkin “confused and bewildered”, but no one else.

Dunkin’s funny because he’s clueless to things “unmanipulated”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Ken Dunkin: Spinning himself into oblivion.

Comment by Dee Lay Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:35 pm
===the high unemployment among our young black males, as well as the unprecedented number of shootings===

And Ken’s solution to these problems is…?

Dunkin has been in the Illinois House for 14 years and the only black male employment program he supports is saying whatever it takes to save his own job.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:35 pm
I still don’t understand why Dunkin’s affluent supporters gave his campaign $800,000 via Dan Proft. Look at the above, would you give political strategist Ken Dunkin a bunch of money? Neither would I.

Goldner has $9 million and he’s one of the best political operatives there is. You could also fund Proft and let him do it, in fact you did, the money that ultimately went to Dunkin’s committee went through Proft’s group. I don’t get it. Even the people who most strongly want Ken Dunkin to win have to admit that if you were going to fund one of these three people to do the thinking (1. Goldner, 2. Proft, 3. Dunkin) you’d be fine with either of the first two and would never choose the third.

Off the top of my head I think IllinoisGO has spent $300,000 on field and GOTV already, there is literally almost no part of the campaign that a superpac can’t do anymore. They should have just let Dunkin go back to New York for six weeks, told him to keep a low profile and let the superpacs go win it for him.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:37 pm
“…shed some attention on the many other issues in the district — namely the high unemployment among our young black males, as well as the unprecedented number of shootings.”

Dunkin’s solution to black male’s unemployment and shootings is banning red light cameras?

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:37 pm
When did Ken Dunkin get a spokesperson?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:42 pm
What was the scheduling conflict? Did the zipper get stuck on his sleeping bag?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:44 pm
Poor Dunkin, he’s just the target of Madigan and the President of the United States he controls. /s

Comment by AC Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:44 pm
OW
For $50 I will manipulate my assessment of the situation!/s

Comment by WhoKnew Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Yes. Remind us all again how important issues like red light cameras will correct disproportionately high unemployment and violent crime?

Comment by illini97 Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:47 pm
Can’t wait for the next Trib board editorial.

As to Dunkin, 1 more week.

Comment by bwana63 Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Captain - excellent analysis. Someone somewhere should have pulled Mr. Dunkin aside and said, “SHUT UP!” So the President didn’t endorse you. Get over it. 7 more days, man! That’s it!

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:49 pm
- WhoKnew -

How about $25 in travelers’ checks and $25 in gift cards?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Rainer and Dunkin.. Batman and Robin movie?? Nah.. More like Dumb andDumber3!!!!

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I wonder if he was dumb enough to keep a log of voters he’s paid?

Comment by illini97 Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:58 pm
More like Heathcliff and Gertrude.

Comment by Forgottonian Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:00 pm
I think the President dropped the mic after his endorsement of Stratton. Dunkin would have been better off to let it go instead of crying about it now.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:00 pm
=Dunkin has been in the Illinois House for 14 years and the only black male employment program he supports is saying whatever it takes to save his own job.=

Did a spit take there! Best snark of the day for me!

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:03 pm
I may lose faith in democracy if voters let Dunkin keep his job after this campaign.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:16 pm
agree with hisgirlfriday

Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:24 pm
===I may lose faith in democracy if voters let Dunkin keep his job===

Meh.

If you lose faith in anything, lose faith in the Stratton campaign.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:26 pm
== Dunkin is ‘the only one discussing the issues and coming up with solutions,” such as banning red light cameras. ==

Red lite cameras? Red lite cameras?

Dunkin sold his caucus down the toilet for raunner. Howz about THAT? Howz about ‘what are you doing to get a budget’? Howz about ‘what you are not doing for MAP grants’? Howz about ‘what are you doing to support YOUR caucus’? Pleeeeze.

If that’s the best ya’all can do, just stop.

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Any polls on Dunkin/Stratton after the President’s endorsement?

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:08 pm
I’m surprised Dunkin said anything at all about the Obama endorsement of Stratton. What benefit is there for him to do so?

Just pretend it didn’t happen, keep sowing confusion with your own radio spot and load up on Uncle Bruce’s fifties.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Ken Dunkin: I’m waiting for Obama to care about issues that impact our community, like jobs and gun violence. Which is why I am trying to ban red light cameras.

Huh?

Comment by AlabamaShake Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:40 pm
Yes, because flip-flopping on red light cameras is really the most important thing you can do for the south side.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 6:14 pm