Posted on 05/16/2002 5:50:48 AM PDT by Coop
BY STEVE NEAL SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
John McCain, who may well be the most respected member of the U.S. Senate, is also a genuine independent.
That's why his intervention in the Illinois race for the U.S. Senate could have an impact on the outcome. According to the 2002 Almanac of American Politics, McCain ''is the closest thing American politics has to a national hero, a presidential candidate in 2000 who was admired by voters of both parties.''
McCain, an Arizona Republican and decorated Navy fighter pilot, won Michigan's presidential primary with Democratic and independent crossover votes. In the April 29 edition of the New Republic, a liberal magazine that supported Al Gore in 2000, senior editor Jonathan Chait touted McCain as the Democratic Party's best hope in 2004. McCain, though, is more valuable as a political third force.
In a telephone interview, McCain talked about the Illinois race for the U.S. Senate. He is backing state Rep. Jim Durkin (R-West-chester) over Democratic incumbent Richard J. Durbin. With a favorable rating of more than 4 to 1 among independents, McCain could help Durkin move into serious contention this fall.
"Jim has established a reputation as a serious legislator and has a fine record of public service. He's also got the spirit of a reformer," said McCain.
Durkin, 41, is a centrist Republican and, like McCain, is widely admired by Democratic colleagues. Two years ago, he chaired McCain's Illinois presidential campaign. The state's GOP establishment was solidly for George W. Bush, who was then governor of Texas.
"Jim went out on a limb for me and alienated the establishment," McCain said. "I'm very appreciative of everything that Jim did. We became personal friends, and I'll do anything that I can to be of assistance to him."
McCain acknowledged that Durkin is the underdog. "I think he's got an uphill battle. He's going to have to raise a lot of money and improve his name identification. ... Can he beat Durbin? Yes. Are the odds against it? Yes."
According to McCain, Durkin's performance in televised debates with Durbin could be critical to his chances.
Durbin is leading Durkin in early polls and has more than $4 million in his re-election war chest.
What Durkin needs, according to McCain, is an early commitment from the GOP's Senate campaign committee and from the Republican National Committee. "We've been talking to them, and it will depend on what money is raised overall," McCain said.
According to GOP sources, Durkin is getting another look from national strategists for several reasons. He won an impressive victory over two millionaire rivals in the March primary and has shown early promise in the polls. Durbin has been attracting less than 50 percent of the overall vote in post-primary polling by news organizations and political committees. When an incumbent falls below 50 percent, they are considered potentially vulnerable. For a challenger, McCain said, "that's always a good sign."
McCain is polite in his comments about Durbin. "I have nothing against Dick Durbin at all," McCain said. "He has been a colleague since we came to the House together in 1983. Now we're Senate colleagues. This is not a matter of having anything against Dick Durbin. I just believe Jim and I are closer ideologically and philosophically. Jim and I both support lower taxes and less government."
According to the nonpartisan National Journal, Durbin is more ideological than McCain. Durbin is ranked as a 90 percent liberal on economic issues, 79 percent liberal on social policy, and 86 percent liberal on foreign policy. His conservative rating averaged 6.5 percent. McCain is rated right down the middle on economic policy and is rated as a conservative on about two-thirds of social and foreign-policy issues and a liberal on the other third.
Another difference between McCain and Durbin is that the Illinois senator is narrowly partisan. Durkin, like McCain, takes a longer view and works with politicians in both parties. When Durkin organized the McCain campaign, many Democrats were helpful. For Durkin to seriously challenge Durbin, he may need their help again.
Durbin knows that McCain could be a factor this fall. A woman recently came up to Durbin in a North Side restaurant and congratulated him on winning McCain's endorsement. To his credit, Durbin admitted that McCain is backing the other guy.
Durbin's ACU rating is ZERO!
I worked for Cox, one of Durkin's "millionaire opponents" in the primary. But as troubling as his coziness with McLame is, I will support him in the general election
Name confusion is always good. The stupid democRAT voter can't read beyond the 'D' anyway so Durkin might get votes just by default; hopefully his name will be placed first in line. The label 'centrist Republican' doesn't sit too well but anything to get rid of that socialist Durbin is good progress.
I imagine he'll do that without issue... assuming he overcomes the odds and wins the seat.
If John McCain helps steal this seat for the GOP (and thereby drives a figurative stake through Tommy D's cold heart), I solemnly promise not to curse and spit venom everytime I discuss McCain. [sweet smile]
Where is the Barf Alert - I almost lost my breakfast!
No, McCain got a large number of votes from union goons and Bush haters whole sole purpose in voting that day was to vote for McCain to make Bush look bad. Had McCain gotten the GOP nomination, 99 out of 100 of them would have voted for Gore in November.
A late April poll of registered voters by the Chicago Tribune showed incumbent Durbin leading Durking 49-33%, with a MOE of 4%. Durkin had 73% name recognition, and the accompanying analysis of the poll said the results suggested Durkin with a "K" could tighten the race if he could raise funds and his profile. McCain could definitely help him do that.
I feel the same way too. Naaaah, McVain/McComplain/McKeating has a whole lot more to do to win that sort of respect from me...
If he helps steal a previously solid Dem Senate seat? What do you think?
Have you heard or seen anything that might indicate the GOP is paying more attention to this race?
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