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* From our favorite, always calm, never over the top editorial board…
“… Drury sees it as essentially a two-way race: those with demonstrated loyalties to the Madigan Machine versus him — the only candidate with a proven record of standing up to Illinois’ most powerful politicians … ‘I like those odds,’ said Drury.”
— News release announcing Democratic state Rep. Scott Drury’s run for governor of Illinois, June 6, 2017.
Life just got more complicated for every Democrat running to be governor of Illinois, or to serve in its legislature. A third Democrat seeking the governorship has publicly criticized Michael Madigan, the head of the state party and House speaker throughout Illinois’ precipitous decline into debt and dysfunction. For Scott Drury, a former federal prosecutor from north suburban Highwood, rebelling against Madigan’s grip looks to be the key plank of his platform.
Madigan, arguably the state’s least popular politician, was destined to be a drag on Democrats. Just as Gov. Bruce Rauner, Madigan’s competition for that “least popular” crown, appears destined to be a drag on Republicans.
Each is routinely blamed for the fall from prosperity of a state that’s losing employers and other taxpaying citizens to rival states. Yes, it’s more plausible to blame a pol now in his 47th year in Springfield for this long-running debacle — especially when his top priority is clinging to his power — than it is to blame a governor in his third year. But for many Illinoisans, especially families dolefully watching sons and daughters take their futures elsewhere, blame is top of mind.
But that inconvenience doesn’t fall evenly on Rauner and Madigan. Rauner doesn’t yet have a Republican opponent. Madigan’s party has six major candidates for governor. And with one of them bragging about his proven independence from the state party boss, all of them will face ceaseless questions from now until the March 20 Illinois primary about their fealty, or opposition, to Madigan. After that comes a general election campaign in which Republicans will wrap Madigan around the Democratic nominee like a tattered green sash at a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:45 am
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Typical Trib Tripe
Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:49 am
“I like those odds,” Drury said, while seated at an Illinois Video Gaming Terminal.
Comment by hot chocolate Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:50 am
IL is now in year VIII of the Tribbies effort to bash Madigan and push whatever stooge is handy. The good news is that despite the commitment of unprecedented resources Katrina et al have not made much of a case. Over the same time Tribbie influence is slipped badly. “Scott The Present” will not change the saga
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:52 am
And in related news, Drury announced his communications director, John Kass. Campaign Press Secretary, Trib edit board.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:55 am
Some here wondered whether Drury would mysteriously benefit from some dark money political outfit that is backing Rauner. It looks like it just happened.
This is the play.The Tribune needed a Democratic defector to fulfill its fantasy of open revolt in the Democratic party. Drury is perfectly happy to be the patsy, the hook for an editorial that was written years ago.
The Rauner campaign really ought to list this contribution from the Tribune on its D-2s.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:58 am
Wait.
Drury’s a former federal prosecutor?
Why hasn’t anyone said this before?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 10:58 am
Drury is the sounding board, the avenue, the meddling Rauner will indeed do IN the Democratic Primary for Governor.
Rauner may get millions to Drury… to attack Pritzker, go after Kennedy, marginalize Biss… do enough wounding that Dems rallying around the eventual leader… that could be broken.
Drury is Ken Dunkin.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:01 am
“Come at the king, you best not miss.” - Omar
Comment by SwingVoter Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:02 am
A few years ago I thought newspapers dying off was a bad thing but for the Trib it will be a blessing instead of a loss.
Comment by former southerner Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:02 am
FIrst pro-Drury salvo from the Tronc/IPI/Rauner messaging machine. It won’t be the last.
Drury is this year’s model of IllinoisGO.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:03 am
What a great update on the personality conflict/popularity contest. Just like high school.
I’m sure when the cool kids at tronc become grownups they will deal with issues like a projected $23B backlog, the gutting of higher ed and the destruction of the social service infrastructure.
Grownup problems are no fun!
That stuff has happened in just the last two years.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:11 am
The Trib is just a one sided Republican Rag. Illinois Republicans are in lockstep with Rauner and he will take the lot of them down with the ship.
Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:14 am
Is everyone simply speculating that Drury will get $ from Rauner and his “affiliates” or is there actual evidence that it’s happening? I’m not doubting the premise but just wondering what evidence there is thus far.
Comment by slow down Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:35 am
highly recommend reading the Trib. comments section on this editorial for a good LOL.
Roman is right, Drury is this years IllinoisGO candidate.
Comment by Mr. 17.5 Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:35 am
- slow down -
I’d suggest maybe you looking into Drury’s D-2s.
Maybe there might be some reason to speculate, maybe not.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:42 am
What a waste of a career.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:44 am
I don’t care if there are good journalists working at the Tribune. I will never spend one cent supporting that publication as long as it allows its editorial voice to be so unhinged and frequently filled with false information. Too bad for the many reporters with integrity (though not all as it appears the property tax story has some serious problems, too, and was in the service of pushing a political agenda). Dogs. Fleas.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:57 am
Nobody who has met Scott Drury or seen him in action thinks he should hold the job he has, let alone be elected Governor.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 11:59 am
Even if Drury gets no funds from Rauner and his pals, Drury will get free publicity from the Trib and its editorial emulators.
Comment by anon2 Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 12:07 pm
Wise words from the editorial board that endorsed Gary Johnson for president.
Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 12:14 pm
Like Pavlovs dog the Tribune reacts like you do when a Dr hits you on the knee with a rubber hammer.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 12:40 pm
Moe Berg, I used to feel sorry for the reporters but between the editorials, skewed articles, and Kass, the Trib is an enemy of the workingman.
Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 1:50 pm
same donors as Rauner and now the same love from Trib as rauner. Never saw that comming.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 8, 17 @ 3:45 pm