Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) believes Dean could beat Bush

[pruner]

After the press conference, Durbin said he still hasn't selected a candidate to support for the 2004 Democratic nomination for president.

Asked about Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman's claim earlier Friday that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is dividing the Democratic Party, Durbin said he isn't surprised by increasingly harsh criticism among the candidates with the Iowa caucuses looming early next year.

"I think you'll see powerful charges and countercharges," he said.

Durbin said he believes Dean could defeat President Bush if he develops a clear message on the country's economic future, which he predicted will be the top issue in the campaign.

"I believe (Dean) could be a viable candidate," Durbin said.

http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/122003/new_20031220032.shtml

[rumguy]

1. It's good to see a Dem from the Senate

say that Dean could win...

[slinkerwink]

2. I'm waiting for people to say that Durbin's a bad guy because he sez

Dean is electable.

[bearfartinthewoods]

5. errr....did you miss the "if"??

[sandnsea]

7. could be viable???

Sure doesn't match the title of the thread. Durbin didn't say he thought Dean could beat Bush at all. Could be viable if the issue is only the economy and if Dean can frame the debate. Wow. That's alot of ifs.

[helleborient]

9. Very interesting in 2 events the same day Dean was the only

Candidate Durbin talked about. Clearly Dean is the primary candidate on Durbin's mind. As is usual for Durbin, he spoke glowingly of Paul Simon as one of his primary mentors - I'm sure Simon's endorsement of Dean meant a tremendous amount to Durbin as it did to many many Illinoisans.

[DFLforever]

3. At least Durbin is politic enough not to try and undermine

a Democratic contender against Bush.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Senator Durbin

was being very diplomatic. Good for him!

[cryofan]

6. of course he could beat Bush, but do we want him to be the one to do it?

Dean is one of them, and not one of us. He is one of the rich, and not one of us.....

[HFishbine]

10. Who's us?

???

[helleborient]

8. Later the same day, I was at Durbin's other event...

He was at Illinois Wesleyan University to endorse our Dem. candidate for the 11th District U.S. House seat - Tari Renner who is running against Jerry Weller. Renner is a member of the Bloomington City Council and chair of the Illinois Wesleyan Political Science Dept. There were about 80 people in attendance, and Durbin was great as always.

Although it certainly wasn't a direct endorsement, Howard Dean was the only Democratic candidate for President mentioned by Durbin, and he was mentioned in praise for his fundraising capabilities. So...Dean got a plug from Durbin, and no other candidate did...Durbin did say "there are other candidates."

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Well, guess who's going to get an email from me today?

Dick Durbin along with some links to my favorite Dean quotes and I shall mail him my information on Wes Clark. I'm glad he hasn't chosen a candidate yet...that gives me hope.

[ozone_man]

12. I value Senator Durbin's judgement.

One of those who stood up to Bush during the Iraq war. Another indication of good judgement is that he sees the economy as the key issue (some don't, Republicans/Republican lites).