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* Tribune endorsement…
But for the next six years of a Senate term, we think the dysfunctional Prairie State could benefit from a change to a senator who is Illinois-centric, not Washington-centric, and who would be eager to shake up the status quo here.
Yes, there’s important work to be done in Washington for the good of the country. But Illinois’ disastrous problems, which have landed the state on numerous embarrassing lists (worst managed, worst credit rating, worst unfunded pension liabilities, worst outmigration, worst corruption) should be the business of our federal elected officials, too, and especially our senators: High property taxes, unfunded pensions, a near-junk credit rating, property values that still haven’t recovered from the Great Recession compared with other states — Illinois in an outlier in nearly every category.
But Durbin demurs when asked about the general state of affairs in Illinois. He won’t criticize Democratic Party leadership, policies or House Speaker Michael Madigan’s management. Durbin says he is troubled by the unfolding corruption investigation that has, so far, ensnared numerous members of his party. But there is no sense of anger or urgency at the toll it has taken on voters’ trust toward government.
In other words, vote for Mark Curran because Madigan.
* The Trib didn’t mention any of this, but if you’d like a different view, here’s an oppo file…
Curran in June 2020 said he was “more aligned with President Trump than with any president in history.
• Curran defended Trump when the president in July 2020 proposed delaying the election.
• Curran backed Trump on other issues, including construction of a border wall and trade.
• Curran signaled support for Trump’s efforts to racially profile immigrants entering the
U.S.: “I agree with President Trump, you know, when people come from certain regions of the world, we need to vet them. … And, you know, when he says we’ve got to take a closer look at people when they come from certain countries and certain regions, he’s spot-on.”Two days after John Lewis’ passing, Curran said he was “not much of a civil rights leader”
• At a July press conference defending a Columbus statue in Chicago, Curran went on a tangent about abortion being the number one killer of Black and Brown babies, and then argued John Lewis support of Planned Parenthood meant he was “not much of a civil rights leader.”
Curran has said he does not believe climate change is a threat to humankind and said “antifa” may be responsible for setting wildfires in the West.
• In a candidate forum in September, Curran said “there’s evidence that groups, maybe antifa, are amongst them that are lighting some of these fires” when discussing wildfires in western states and the rise of global warming.
• In his Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, Curran stated that he “[is] not convinced that climate change is currently a threat to humankind.”Curran has opposed progressive police reform policies.
• Curran has spoken at Back the Blue rallies in Illinois that are a response to Black Lives Matter and other protests seeking remedies for racial injustice.9
• Curran called Black Lives Matter “an evil entity”: “Black Lives Matter is an evil entity. I’ve never supported Black Lives Matter. They’re in bed with the abortion industry, and defund police, and they stand for so many evil things.”10
• Curran opposed defunding police, saying, “the gangs are going to run the cities.”11
• Curran called people protesting against racial injustice “thugs”: “We’re not going to surrender the city to thugs and these violent, evil human beings – and they are evil in many circumstances.”
• Curran praised “stop and frisk” as a key tool in combatting violence in cities.
• Curran said he supported a FOP contract provision in Chicago that allowed officers to
decline to be interviewed for 24 hours after an officer-involved shooting.
• Curran said in 2010 that he was not a proponent of early release programs for prisoners: “Bottom line is, you do the crime, you do the time.”
• Curran suggested ideological differences between the political left and the political right could lead to secession of portions of the country: “We’ve seen the left in the streets. We have not seen the right. And I’ve been down to Central Illinois and Southern Illinois and spent a lot of time. And their DNA is such that they ain’t going down without a fight. So maybe secession of portions of this country is in our future. Who knows? Nobody knows. But I’m going to tell you this much. They’re not going to go quietly in the night. They’re not ready to surrender. This is their America. You know, people died for it, and their ancestors died for it. And you know, these leftists that want to destroy America - and that’s why they want open borders, because they want people who have no respect or appreciation for the heritage of this country. No. Not in our America. Not in my America. I’ll die first.” […]Pushed for Reopening of Illinois amid Pandemic
Curran stated in a Facebook video that the coronavirus needed to “run its course and we have to let people get infected” to achieve herd immunity.
• Curran noted he was “severely asthmatic,” – but not worried about it even though he is in the “vulnerable class.”
• He also stated that Governor Pritzker, in his work to flatten the curve should “slow it down.”
• Curran said the virus will not go away until “we build up herd immunity, and enough people get the virus…ultimately, we have to let the virus run its course and we have to let people get infected.”Curran in May 2020 spoke at a Re-Open Illinois protest where crowd members carried anti-Semitic signs, garnering condemnation from his own party leaders.
• Leaders of the Republican Party condemned the protestors who brought anti-Semitic signs. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin who called the protestors’ actions “contemptible and repugnant.”
• Leader Durkin’s spokesperson went further, saying “the reason the Republican Party has difficulties in Illinois is because of people like Mr. Curran who find time to criticize everyone but the hate-mongers and Nazi protesters he panders to.”
• In March, Curran said Illinois’ response to the pandemic had gone too far.
• Curran continued to push for reopening during summer despite the clear severity of the
pandemic.
• Curran criticized decision to cancel some high school sports in Illinois due to pandemic, saying on social media, “Death will eventually come for everyone.”Curran said the Catholic Church had fallen short during the pandemic
● In April, Curran said the church should have found ways to have in-person mass and confessional.
● In March, the Pope said people could confess directly to God in lieu of confession: “Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart.”
● Cardinal Cupich: As for those, including Republican Senate candidate Mark Curran, who believe the church should have found safe ways to have in-person masses, the cardinal said, “Religion is not magic where we just say prayers and think things are going to change. God gave us a brain and the gift of intelligence and we have to use it in this moment.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 9:54 am
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At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Curran finished third in this race.
Comment by So_Ill Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:07 am
The Trib is getting exceptionally lazy. It feels like their endorsements are a preprinted form where they insert a name.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:08 am
Err, not a fan of Madigan these days but -worst- state corruption, right now? It’s not the worst state corruption in the Midwest, even.*looks meaningfully at Ohio*
Comment by ZC Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:09 am
You know you have a winner when “Death will eventually come for everyone.” isn’t the lead.
Comment by Concerned Dem Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:09 am
So much of this… how is this not comically dishonest by the Trib Edit Board?
This oppo dump is seemingly like a “single” file of a file cabinet of Curran and what Curran is, and maybe was… or always been.
Curran talked of his “flipping” to the GOP (of 2008 vintage) was Curran telling us who he was, apparently.
Curran flipping is a defining, a deeper defining of Mark Curran.
The election of 1964, and the subsequent “changing of parties” by southern state Democrats to becoming Republicans was, in the rawness of people telling others who they are seems to be a good comparison for Mark Curran’s decision to leave the Democratic Party for seemingly non-extreme views welcomed by Democrats, but now this decision looks more and more of a Curran finding a home for his bigoted views, and the vessel (Donald Trump) by which to seem smart to policy, but in reality Curran feels more at home with his decision now than in late 2008.
It’s pathetically passe’ that the Trib Edit Board ignores Curran screaming who he is, and while not supporting Trump, the Edit Board is supporting Trump’s biggest cheerleader for thing the Edit Board has chosen isn’t what they would endorse in that Trump vessel.
It’s not 1965, 1966… and while Curran seemingly is that Democrat turned Republican of that age now (let alone the pandemic and cult-like thinking to Trump) this is an example of people blindly ignoring someone showing who they are as Curran is, or tuning out the anger and hate… because “Because Madigan“ is red meat to offset that Biden endorsement… and help with a silly losing narrative to boot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:12 am
ILGOP gets whupped again this fall followed by Durkin and Schneider trotting out the old “we’re focused on making the party more inclusive, fighting corruption, and ending the reign of Madigan” tripe.
See you in 2022.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:14 am
Looking for someone who will “shake up the status quo here.” Which, in reality, means we want someone who doesn’t know and doesn’t care about getting anything done other than complaining about how bad things are and blaming someone else for it. We just went through four years of that in Illinois, and we’re not better off for it, so I’ll set your endorsement aside, thank you.
Comment by Johnny Tractor Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:16 am
Looks like someone is nervous.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:17 am
The Trib Ed Brd just proved their Madigan obsession is beyond pathological. Do they really think the speaker would be closer to riding off into the sunset if only Mark Curran was a US Senator? C’mon.
Comment by TNR Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:17 am
Never a fan of Durbin - what has he done in all those years of being a high raking machine politician?
Even under 44 he was always in the background.
Comment by cannon649 Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:18 am
I try to believe in a Big Tent. But there are limits.
Willie Wilson is better.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:23 am
“worst managed, worst credit rating, worst unfunded pension liabilities, worst outmigration, worst corruption)”
Would a freshman senator or a minority/majority whip provide more financial support to the state from Washington?
Comment by 1st Ward Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:23 am
Ist Ward - What is the fix to the problems? I agree - a junior senator is not it. But the Fair Tax isn’t either. The State needs revenue, so pass if it must - but the initial revenue increase is a drop in the bucket. It will put a dent in the State’s ever growing accounts payable backlog, so that is a step. But the budget numbers and debt are unworkable. Who has the vision to fix it?
Comment by willowglen Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:30 am
“Two days after John Lewis’ passing, Curran said he was ‘not much of a civil rights leader’”
Loathsome.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:31 am
=== I agree - a junior senator is not it. But the Fair Tax isn’t either.===
So you also agree the editorial and endorsement is disingenuous to its core.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:35 am
Curran has an “R” after his name, won’t vote for him.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:35 am
As Mr. Curran runs to the confessional frequently to seek absolution,what’s going on with his decision-making ability. About those sins, Mr. Curran, are they misdemeanors or felonies?
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:38 am
When you read the Trib endorsement along side the oppo dump it’s clear on their motivation. They are endorsing Curran based on who they want him to be not who he is.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:43 am
Looks like Tribbies are headed toward ending endorsements in future election. Does not matter because they have less and less influence. Siding with Curran and the EasternBlocHeads are really the exit interviews for this process. TTFN
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:49 am
Wasn’t it Curran that made the Twitter post with his son in football gear ranting about playing football and then made the comment “Death will eventually come for everyone”? That was a head spinner. The things you do for votes.
Comment by Club J Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 10:58 am
===Wasn’t it Curran ===
It’s in the post.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:01 am
Outside of Capitol Fax, I don’t really hear anything about Mark Curran.
He’s a fine example as to a candidate that would lose support if his campaign existed.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:08 am
How the heck do you write a Senate endorsement right now without even mentioning the Supreme Court? There’s this little confirmation hearing happening this week in the Judiciary Committee. The Biden press pool is obsessed about whether he’ll “pack the Court” - which kind of requires a Senate majority.
Not that it’s surprising that the Tribune would back a 6-3 conservative majority, it’s just disingenuous for them to pretend that’s not a huge reason they’re backing Curran.
Comment by Watcher of the Skies Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:09 am
“ Looks like Tribbies are headed toward ending endorsements in future election”
At the rate they are pulling money out of the place and devaluing their product, I am not entirely sure that they re going to make it to the next election.
Comment by Benniefly2 Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:14 am
Doesn’t the Tribune know what Durbin does politically? That Durbin supports County party operations as a statewide support system which is what the State Party does not do. this is moving past Madigan. Durbin portrayed as a Madigan person is laughable. he did a masterful job today questioning nominee Barrett. Fantastic senator.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:27 am
OK…What, exactly will U.S. Senator Mark Curran do about Madigan, high property taxes, unfunded pensions, a near-junk credit rating, property values, etc. Will he be introducing bills in the GA? How will that work?
The Tribune editorial board seems not to understand state vs federal legislative powers.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:28 am
=They are endorsing Curran based on who they want him to be not who he is=
Pundent, though I regularly agree with what you post, I have to disagree with this. The Trib endorsement is exactly for who he is, just like the endorsement for Beetle Bailey is for exactly who he is. They’re all covidiots, including the Tribbies apparently. We’ve already known that editorial board holds loathsome opinions on the other issues
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:35 am
===Looks like someone is nervous===
And who might that be? lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 11:51 am
==And who might that be? lol===
It’s not hard to triangulate. Modern Republicans can win in Illinois statewide, as we know. Curran is far from moderate. Does Curran + Wilson = enough votes to tap down Durbin’s showing so that the result is the same? Wilson can’t defeat Durbin on his own and neither can Curran. But between the two, Curran has the better shot with a non-Chicago GOP base to squeak out a win over Durbin. Not saying it will happen. But it could. Hence, “someone” is nervous. And I doubt the oppo dump came from Team Willie.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 12:34 pm
For being the second most powerful Senate Democrat since 2007, Dick’s record of bringing home the bacon to Illinois residents is terrible.
He is great at being an intensely partisan on the Sunday shows.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 12:57 pm
“God gave us a brain and the gift of intelligence and we have to use it in this moment.”
Just about the best quote from a religious leader ever.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 1:09 pm
McQueary thinks she is making an argument in favor of Curran and against Madigan.
McQueary and Curran are the argument for why Democrats should keep Madigan around.
Madigan must enjoy living rent-free in McQueary’s head, ans Steve Brown must love kicking back sipping cocktails as McQueary defines the choice facing Democrats as a choice between Madigan or Trump.
After the August, 2015 column on Hurricane Katrina, Democratic insiders have opted to take whatever advice McQueary offers and do the opposite. heck, Pritzker didnt even bother sitting down with her, and I believe he still hasn’t.
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 1:13 pm
===Curran opposed defunding police, saying, “the gangs are going to run the cities.===
So Curran disagrees with President Trump here? Because Trump is defunding the police now and has tried to in the past.
=== Curran backed Trump on other issues, including construction of a border wall and trade.===
Curran likes the fact that average Americans are paying $2031 extra in taxes a year because of the tariffs Trump imposed(without Congress).
Curran likes the fact that Illinois military bases had Congressional money diverted from them to pay for the wall?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 1:55 pm
Regardless of the ads, etc, I’ll be voting against Durbin. It’s strictly personal … and has been for many, many years.
But the oppo dump does have a valid point that Durbin spends too much time representing the national party and not enough time representing Illinois’ best interests
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 2:23 pm
With the Chicago Tribune’s endorsement, Mark Curran will definitely win his race for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
Comment by Scott Cross for President Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 2:31 pm
=Modern Republicans can win in Illinois statewide, as we know.=
Exactly. And if there are any doubters just look at all of the statewide offices currently held by Modern Republicans.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 13, 20 @ 4:01 pm
McQuery has such a bias against Dems. She is such an angry person.
Comment by Saluki Babe Wednesday, Oct 14, 20 @ 2:49 am