Learning Lessons Right and Wrong from the Illinois 2010 Primary

Illinois Review ^ | Feb 4, 2010 A.D. | John F. Di Leo

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As the road salt settles in the wake of Illinois primary election, both local and national commentators are in agreement on several general themes:

- Toni Preckwinkle’s victory for Cook County Board President proves that Illinois Democrats are committed to reform. - The low turnout shows that Illinois voters aren’t really all that angry. - Mark Kirk’s victory for the U.S. Senate proves that Illinois Republicans really are moderate after all.

All are of course incorrect.

Cook County Commitment:

In fact, Toni Preckwinkle’s victory only proves that Illinois Democrats are committed to winning.

Does anyone honestly believe that they would have dumped Little Toddy the TaxMan if polls indicated that he was the strongest candidate? It’s Republicans for whom principle often trumps electability, not power-hungry Democrats.

The Democrats nominated Toni Preckwinkle because over half of their primary electorate believed that her “left-wing reformer” credentials would serve them better in the fall than Todd’s “left-wing status quo” credentials. And that’s true, as far as it goes…

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