IL-Sen. 2016 Thread: Duckworth nearly triples Kirk Q2 fundraising

[Franzl]

Doesn't take much for someone to appear moderate to you then. But no worries, I was once dumb enough to vote for him as well.

[Mr. Illini]

I don't get all the Bustos love, tbh.

1) Strong political network b/c of her father

2) Despite this, not seen as political insider

3) Not from Chicago

4) Moderate but not too moderate

5) Appeals to blue collar downstaters

4 is a positive point? I'm a tad confused why we need a moderate for deep blue Illinois, but a Vermont socialist is fine for nationwide.

Kirk is a formidable candidate. This race is still lean D at best for us.

And, as I said, she's not too moderate.

[Lief 🗽]

Kirk is as responsible for the "gridlock" in Congress as every other Republican Senator.

[Mr. Illini]

Kirk is as responsible for the "gridlock" in Congress as every other Republican Senator.

Yet still popular among IL Dems

[Senate Minority Leader Lord Voldemort]

Kirk is as responsible for the "gridlock" in Congress as every other Republican Senator.

Yet still popular among IL Dems

Unfortunately no one pays enough attention to politics to figure out that Kirk votes consistently with the likes of the most conservative Senators, then bucks the Republicans with one strategic, high profile vote that everyone hears about.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Judicial nomination on the party of senate leadership McConnell has been astounding and clearly hurt Kirk, who back at home, overwhelmingly support for the Loretta Lynch nomination.

Had the Dems used the Lame Duck session to confirm her, and not went ahead with the executive action on immigrants, which senate Republican leadership has used to block her, it would have been okay.  But, it didn't happen.

Now, Kirk is suffering, along with other blue state leadership, for stalling tactics, as well as trying to defund homeland security bill.

[RogueBeaver]

Duckworth is raising money, will announce within a few weeks.

[Mr. Illini]

Starting to think that she could clear the field since she seems to have a far head start on the process

[Ebsy]

Duckworth winning would be very, very bad for Kirk.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Duckworth running would be very, very good for Kirk.

FTFY

[Maxwell]

Duckworth winning would be very, very bad for Kirk.

well if she already won, then yes, that would be bad for Kirk. But polls this early on have her up a full one point.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Excellent news, Duckworth is in.

[Ebsy]

I think people are underestimating how much the media adores Duckworth. Normally the St. Louis media market(which covers much of Southern Illinois in sort of an afterthought), only pays tangential attention to Illinois politics, but they were all over Duckworth in 2012, despite the fact that her seat is nowhere near the viewing area for our local affiliates. The Post-Dispatch and the local broadcasters are going to work themselves into a frenzy over Duckworth.

[publicunofficial]

I think people are underestimating how much the media adores Duckworth. Normally the St. Louis media market(which covers much of Southern Illinois in sort of an afterthought), only pays tangential attention to Illinois politics, but they were all over Duckworth in 2012, despite the fact that her seat is nowhere near the viewing area for our local affiliates. The Post-Dispatch and the local broadcasters are going to work themselves into a frenzy over Duckworth.

Duckworth has always been one of the most compelling candidates in every cycle where she's been a challenger. 2006 against Roskam, 2012 against Walsh both got her national press (Especially since she was running against Walsh, who couldn't go 5 words into a sentence without making a disparaging comment).

I expect her to get less press attention this time however, at least nationally. Instead of running against a severely unpopular Republican Party, or a deadbeat dad with anger issues, she'll be running against a moderate Republican who everyone generally likes.

[Mr. Illini]

Pros of Duckworth:

-Great story
-Liked by the suburbs (normally Kirk territory)
-Pretty savvy politician
-Already fundraising well
-Beat very unpopular Joe Walsh

Cons of Duckworth:

-Doesn't have downstate advantage that Bustos has
-Not a fantastic orator
-Doesn't have statewide network that Bustos has

I still think Bustos would be the best option, but Duckworth is far and away better than Bill Foster. I like Robin Kelly a lot, but she is weak outside of the city.

Duckworth is likely to receive my primary vote unless Bustos runs.

[RogueBeaver]

Duckworth announces Monday.

[IceSpear]

Duckworth announces Monday.

Great news!

[Ebsy]

Someone credible needs to poll this race.

[Mr. Illini]

Duckworth announces Monday.

She's really coming out of the gate fast. I maintain that she will clear the field.

[Gass3268]

Duckworth announces Monday.

Looks like Kirk is in for a good spanking.

[retromike22]

Duckworth announces Monday.

Great news!

Democratic Dream Team, assemble!

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Duckworth announces Monday.

Great news!

Democratic Dream Team, assemble!

I thought the dream candidate was Madigan?

[Mr. Illini]

I don't publish ratings but mentally now seeing the Dems get off the ground and people already mobilizing and energized here, I am moving this from Toss Up to Lean D right now.

[Mister Mets]

This will be an interesting fight, with the result largely dependent on the national mood.

Duckworth seems like a strong candidate for Democrats, especially since she has a compelling story.

It's a small sample set, but when Democrats get a high-profile challenger in a left-leaning state, they do tend to beat moderate Republican incumbents.

Sheldon Whitehouse beat Lincoln Chaffee in Rhode Island.

Al Franken beat Norm Coleman in Minnesota.

Elizabeth Warren beat Scott Brown in Massachusetts.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The Dems have a fair fight this year as opposed to 2014, since Quinn was so unpopular.

That was the GOP's fall guy, that they dont have anymore. IL seems to be in an anti GOP mood, since then as apparent of Rauner empty promises on budget, and Shock's suprise retirement.