Western Illinois Democrat Day attracted a larger crowd than usual Saturday and those attending were full of hope that the November election would be theirs.

“I think it’s time after 26 years that we had another Democrat as governor in our state,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said. He had to wait for the applause to die down before he could continue.

“I think this is a great ticket and I’m proud to run with all of them,” Durbin said, prompting more applause.

It was that kind of night for the Democrats. There were 174 people at the annual event that has often attracted half that many.
Conversations centered on polls that show Rod Blagojevich ahead in the race for governor, Durbin commandingly ahead in his re-election bid and solid candidates in other races.

The evening’s agendas bore the bold-faced theme “38 Days to a Clean Sweep.”

John Sullivan, candidate for the Illinois Senate, had just completed a campaign event of his own at the Griffin Centre. Although it is his first venture into politics and he is running against a 21-year incumbent, Sullivan feels good about his effort against Sen. Laura Kent Donahue, R-Quincy.

“I’m getting very positive feedback and it doesn’t make any difference if I’m talking to a Republican or a Democrat. I think that a lot of what people care about aren’t partisan issues,” Sullivan said.

One of the top issues in the 47th District involves the loss of jobs and the accompanying loss of population.

“There are 13 counties in this district. It’s the biggest one in the state because we have lost population. We’ve got to reverse that trend,” Sullivan said.

Durbin’s comments mirrored that sentiment.

“National security is critical, but don’t forget about economic security,” Durbin said.

Health insurance costs are soaring. The nation has lost 1.2 million jobs in the past few years and the stock market has stumbled, Durbin said. Congress must find ways to erase budget deficits that he said are largely due to President Bush’s tax cuts.

Durbin said national security is being used as a political bludgeon in Washington, D.C., when it should be a unifying force. Durbin was especially upset that President Bush on Tuesday accused Democrats in the Senate of not being committed to U.S. security. Durbin told the stories of Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Max Cleland, D-Georgia, a pair of decorated veterans who were wounded fighting in the United States military.

“How can he question their patriotism and commitment? ... It’s an important debate on whether we go to war with Iraq. It does not mean one side is more patriotic,” Durbin said.

Patricia Dart, wife of Rep. Tom Dart, urged the crowd to elect her husband as Illinois treasurer. Although Dart is far behind in the polls, she believes that being on a strong Democrat ticket will help.
She also said that incumbent Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka is not well known by voters and may suffer from a backlash against Republicans.
“I have been doing phone calling for my husband and even when I’m talking with Republicans and independents a lot of them tell me they’re going to vote all Democrat this year because they’re tired” of the licenses for bribes scandal that involves Gov. George Ryan’s tenure as secretary of state.

Judicial candidates Bill Trapp for the 4th Appellate Court and Sue Myerscough for the Supreme Court spoke briefly and then left for other campaign events. Myerscough was welcomed as the first Democrat judge elected in years in the 4th District. If she is successful in November she will be the first Democrat justice elected in Central Illinois in recent memory.

Democrats dining on rib eye steak at the Eagles Lodge say it could be that kind of history-making year.

Publication: The Quincy Herald Whig
Date: September 28, 2002
Author: Doug Wilson

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