The Nation: "Dick Durbin, Bush Fighter"

[BlueInRed]

Article on Dick Durbin saying he's going to be a scrappy fighter.
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20050214&s=nichols

<snip>
The rise of Durbin holds out the prospect of the something extra that Democrats have been missing: an edgy willingness to battle the powers that be, not just in the Senate but in the court of public opinion. "It's not an accident that Durbin is the whip. I don't think he's been elevated to be a mute," adds Axelrod, who has known the Illinois Senator since the late 1970s. "Harry Reid is a more reticent player. Because Reid is who he is, it was incumbent on the party to have an advocate in leadership, and that's Dick."
<snip>

[pinto]

1. Durbin did a real nice job in today's Gonzales app't. Senate debate.

Impassioned, coherent, on message, and unafraid to lay out big themes - no one in the government reinterprets or ignores the rule of law. Change it, yes, through the Constitutionally defined process, but ignore it, no. It was really nice to watch.

(ed for spell)

[autorank]

2. Good cop, bad cop.

I love Durbin. In fact in 1988, I gave to Dukakis (a fair amount) just before he tanked in the polls. The party called and asked if I'd divert my contribution to, who else, Dick Durbin. I did and I've followed him ever since. Oh, did I make the right choice. I think that when things get going, Reid and Durbin will do a good good cop-bad cop routine.

Also, I've noticed that Reid is sticking with the hard core Democrats. He debated with Boxer on Ohio. He is there on Gonzales. He and Durbin amicably split on Rice. it's a good start.

Watch them both open up a can of whup-ass on Social Security. Oh yeah!

[bajamary]

3. Gee, I hope he will kick some...

Durbin is from my home state of Illinois and I sure hope he'll kick some....

Those progressive Senators all seem to talk a good game but rarely do they actually stand up for their principals. Oops, I guess those ARE "their principals".

And on that subject, how about my newest Senator from Illinois, Obama. Any idea why he voted for Condeleeza Rice? How could have done that? Gee, I think Obama was only a Senator for 3 weeks before he caved in and voted for Connie. Thank God Durbin voted against her.

Obama, Obama why did you do that?



www.4-my-country.com

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

4. Great article about our senior Senator from Illinois.

I agree completely with Dawn Clark Netsch, Dick Durbin is a direct political descendant of Paul Douglas and Paul Simon, two of the best Democrats to ever represent Illinois in the US Senate.

[BlueInRed]

5. I've been pretty impressed with him

He's been stronger and less fearful than a lot of the other Democrats. I was glad to see this nice profile on him.

[Larkspur]

6. I like Durbin, and I was born in Illinois, but I think that Dean's

influence is already at work reshaping the Dem Party, even though he's not the DNC Chair. It certainly has helped prod the recitant Dems on the Hill to start fighting Bush and the Neo-cons.