Chicagoist: Interview: Illinois Senator Dick Durbin

guest

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:39:01 -0600

I'm glad to see Chicagoist finally taking time to talk to someone other than Lollapalooza bands. I hope this is the start of you attempting to be a true part of the Chicago and Illinois community.

lwinling

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:02:18 -0600

$197 billion supplemental. Where was the question? Where was his explanation?

guest

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:11:01 -0600

It's a nice interview, but I think Sen. Durbin is being a little misleading in his point about the filibuster. Sen. McConnell may have notified the Democrats of his intent to filibuster 45 times this year, but he has actually been forced to filibuster zero times. In the interest of bipartisanship, both parties made a gentleman's agreement years ago that simply announcing the intent to filibuster is sufficient to require a cloture vote. It's been a useful arrangement because it prevents a genuine filibuster from shutting down the Senate and preventing it from considering other business. But if the Republicans are going to continue to abuse the agreement to prevent the Congress from forcing President Bush to veto popular legislation, I think it's time to put an end to it. After the way the Republicans behaved when they had the majority, I really don't see forcing a true filibuster as that partisan of a tactic by comparison. Also, I wish you had asked Sen. Durbin about the FISA bill. I was more disappointed by that than by the Senate's inaction on Iraq.

guest

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:30:28 -0600

Dick Durbin is awesome. I am a huge fan of his. He's been wonderful in striking a balance between leading a charge in Washington for national progressive issues, while being very attentive and dedicated to his constituents back home. Every time I see him on national TV, it's clear that he's the right kind of person to have in public service, and every time I write him a letter about an issue I'm concerned with (BP dumping into the lake, immigration reform, the war in Iraq) I get a thoughtful response from his office that shows he's engaged on this issue. Usually it cites some piece of legislation with his name on it that he's pushing to solve the problem. I've spoken to him twice, and I've never felt rushed - I've always felt like I'm being heard and respectfully responded to. He's thoughtful, well-spoken, and incredibly intelligent while being down to earth and humble. Paul Simon left pretty formidable shoes to fill, but I think Durbin has filled them. Nice interview, Kevin. (There are still some its/it's problems in here though. ;) )