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* Roll Call rates the Illinois Senate race…
Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, running against Republican Sen. Mark S. Kirk (previous ranking: No. 5)
Ranking Duckworth is difficult. She’s running a race that has yet to offer a stern test, given that Illinois’s deep shade of blue has made her a strong favorite from the get-go.
She’s a war hero, but also a former state official who faced an ugly civil lawsuit. She’s raised money at a steady, not stupendous, clip.
Democrats just need an average candidate win the race. By most indications, the congresswoman is up to the task.
Yeah. That’s about right, I think.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:05 am
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Her ranking dropped to No. 8 from a previous rank of No. 5 “Strongest Challenger” of the 11 targeted seats.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:20 am
Maybe the argument boils down to how awful the Kirk campaign has put themselves to allow the description of what kind of candidate can beat Kirk.
It’s about 2-3 notches above “nobody”
“Can’t be somebody with nobody.”… go up 2-3 notches, you have Duckworth.
The Duckworth Crew shouldn’t see this anymore than being a few notches above “nobody”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:23 am
Honestly, I was expecting a better and more professional campaign from both candidates.
Yet, it appears, that this is still a race that Tammy could lose if she does not get in front on issues and policies.
The downstate Trump voters could give Kirk a boost that he does not necessarily deserve given his history - but for some voters party affiliation is everything.
Comment by illini Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:34 am
If there is an election day upset, I suspect most people would assume this would be the race. Duckworth has to be the favorite, but nobody would be shocked to see Kirk hold.
People don’t hate Kirk all that much, and not many people like Duckworth all that much.
Oddly, Kirk has done enough obnoxious stuff that we should dislike him (or just get creeped out at the thought of him, as we should regarding his comments about the S. Carolina Senator) and Duckwork’s war record should make us like her more, but overall it just doesn’t translate.
Duckworth just doesn’t seem to connect with voters. It is unclear why but it just doesn’t seem to work.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:36 am
Duckworth is at best a very average and arguably a mediocre candidate. There is no indication that the lawsuit referenced has or will sway undecided voters. Kirk has ran a lethargic campaign, continues to try to be all things to all persons. His verbal gaffes are at times difficult to figure out; I expect better from a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer holding the rank of Commander. Kirk’s recent statement supporting Rauner’s turnaround agenda was likely an attempt to obtain Rauner funds, but at the cost of labor votes. The Roll Call article is on point and I assess Duckworth will easily defeat Kirk.
Comment by kitty Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:41 am
Not quite like suffering from delusions of adequacy, but close to it.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:50 am
Kirk’s vulnerabilities didn’t start suddenly and being a US Senator is a nice job. I’m somewhat surprised the Democrats didn’t nominate a stronger and more-qualified candidate.
(If he sees this, Pat Quinn might launch a “write me in” campaign)
Comment by Bluegrass Boy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:56 am
Duckworth new campaign slogan: Dare to be adequate!
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 12:16 pm
Congresswoman Duckworth is a good north shore candidate. The verdict is still out on whether or not she is a good downstate candidate. She still makes downstate Democrat leaders cringe.
Comment by Motambe Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:29 pm
“She still makes downstate Democrat leaders cringe.”
In my limited experience, authorities on Democratic leaders call them Democratic leaders not Democrat leaders.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:51 pm
I too am interested in better understanding the level of Tammy’s current downstate appeal/support. I was raised in an area where it was pretty much understood that voters thought it best to have one each–a Dem and a Repub– as Senators representing Illinois in Washington to help keep both the policies and the power balanced. (This did not always work out statewide, but a list of 20th and 21st century Senators from IL pretty closely follows that model.)
In general, then, the practical citizens in large swaths of Central and downstate Il respected and wanted to maintain the 2 party system intact and operational with hopes of keeping both parties somewhat in check. Times have changed, politics and politicians have morphed to be more partisan than collaborative and more “scorched earth” than “loyal opposition” in attitude. So I don’t know how much that idea of promoting political balance has survived once you get south of I-80. I have an inkling, though, that the more sure it looks that Hilary will win the Presidency, the more likely it is that Kirk will be retained by Illinoisans as U.S. Senator. We shall see.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Duckworth is a marginally qualified candidate who owes much to her political patrons. Illinoisans deserve better, but seldom get top tier candidates to vote for.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm
I like to support the candidate not the party and have never cast a solely Democratic or Republican vote. But this year, although I appreciate Mark Kirk as a moderate Republican, I have to vote for his opponent because I cannot stomach the continued legislative leadership of Senate Mitch McConnell. A Democratic majority is essential for the nation to move ahead, as long as Mitchell is the head of the Senate Republicans. The denial of a US Supreme Court candidate to be appropriately heard and voted up or down is but one example of his non-constructive agenda. I’m tired of it.
Comment by Capitol View Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:36 pm
Nope.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 9:59 pm