Why I Support Dan Hynes for Governor of Illinois
Great-grandfather Adlai Stevenson I, then a student, later vice president of the United States, told of grandfather Jesse Fell proposing to Senator Stephen A. Douglas joint discussions of slavery in the territories with a young lawyer-legislator named Abraham Lincoln, and the "cordial" conversation with Lincoln that followed. After this series of debates -- each lasting three hours -- brought to Lincoln national attention, he wrote and gave Fell his "autobiographical sketch" which Fell used to promote his candidacy for president. Fell was next tasked with organizing for Lincoln the Illinois Republican delegation to the 1860 National Convention. That was my family's first and last Republican convention -- and the beginning of its tradition of service to Illinois.
Adlai I acquired from Lincoln a practice of recording anecdote, jokes and stories -- like Jesse Fell's role in Lincoln's rise -- in a loose-leaf binder that expanded over the succeeding generations into a black binder that became known as The Black Book. Like my father before me, I have used this treasure trove of wit and wisdom to enliven and inform speeches, and to find strength. It's amazing to see what has changed -- and what hasn't -- in politics over 150 years.
And so it is keeping with family tradition of service to Illinois -- and with a copy of The Black Book in hand -- that I am giving my support to Dan Hynes for Governor. My hope is Dan can restore the politics, little remembered, that made the Land of Lincoln a great state rather than an object of national mockery. We are met with challenges unseen in decades, but we will emerge stronger with steady and principled leadership. Dan is the right man for the moment, and I am proud to support him for Governor.
Dan shares the progressive values that have guided my family for generations, and he has a clear vision and the requisite skills and experience to get our state back on track. Dan's experience as Illinois Comptroller uniquely qualifies him to meet this challenge. As important, Dan understands that it's a false choice between cutting vital services that provide for those who are most in need, and burdening working families who are already struggling to get by. Dan is equipped from Day One to put our house back in order, and lay the foundation upon which we can be the society we wish to be.
Of course, Dan's record of responsible fiscal management speaks for itself, and I know it will serve him well as Governor. I am lucky, however, to have come to know Dan well over the years, and it is his personal judgment and decency I admire most. Dan is honest, thoughtful and smart, and these are qualities that have been in depressingly short supply at the Governor's Mansion in recent years.
My support for Dan does not mark opposition to anyone else. I support him because Illinois can -- and must -- do better.
This campaign will not be easy, but I am sure that Dan will stay true to progressive principles. I hope he finds wisdom, and no small amount of wit, in The Black Book, and remembers my dad, Adlai Stevenson II, who stood for his principles even when doing so proved unpopular. And those principles -- progressive to the core -- have stood the test of time.
Certainly my father's vision of America was validated when another progressive Illinoisan was sworn in as our nation's 44th President last January. But the work is not done, and before we can talk with confidence of hope and change in Illinois, we need to elect Dan Hynes Governor.
David Ormsby: Will Dan Hynes Drop Out of Illinois Governor's Race?
A few weeks ago, questions began to bubble on whether Hynes would or should drop out of the race against Quinn. The governor was on a roll. He was piling up union endorsements. No more.
Shawn Healy: Gubernatorial Gambit
Although the intra-party battles have stayed under-the-radar to date, they will undoubtedly heat up as the mercury outside dives. Case in point was the Republican candidate forum.
If Hynes ultimately were to become governor and enact his plan, the entire Illinois governing class would be exempt from an Illinois income tax increase. Oops.
Will the White House attempt to show Gov. Pat Quinn the door à la David Paterson?
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Other states envy Illinois when a resident of Il is elected to be POTUS or anyother national office. It isn't a routine thing when somebody born in another state acheives greatness, nurture & experience when living in another state. Lincoln & Obama did it thanks to Il.
VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS--whether you like them or not. It's the only way to destroy the reelection industry..
Thank you but no thanks. I like Pat Quinn. That's who I am voting for.
Mr. Stevenson, would you consider running for your old Senate seat again? We all want to serve our country, however there a few who are up to the task, and you have shown that you are more than able to assist President Obama.
My husband and I worked diligently for Adlai Stevenson because he was known to be honest as well as "progressive". But he did not represent the corrupt politics of the Chicago gang and he did not serve platitudes in his campaigns. We even gave our first born son the middle name of Adlai. I hope you consider what you do by placing a Stevenson name in alliance with Mr. Hynes. I no longer live in Illinois so it is difficult to know where the politicians stand but I do hope Hynes had no business with Mr. Blagoevich and the rest of the trough-feeders in Illinois.
I am equally worried about the gap between the campaign promise and the way he is following through, or attempting to follow through. BUT let's all appreciate that taking over the Bush-Cheney wreckage is no easy task and this is not the best time 'to be king'. Obama'[s stepping into WH has been a rude-awakening. When he learnt of the top secrets (worthy of death penalty if divulged), the Wall Street hegemony, the special interests, intelligence services, military & corporate establishment, the lobbyists, the antagonistic media, an antagonistic House & Senate, the republicans AND those who want him to fail.. etc are surely torpedoing the Obama agenda. I feel sorry for POTUS
The republicans are even are acting against their own interests just to see the Obama Admin implode. Opposition to healthcare debate has gotten personal. Amazingly Bush and Cheney were treated as liberators here at home as they were failing the nation. Where were the militias when we needed them most, for instance confronting the Iraq lies and protesting Hurricane Katrina 'heckuva job',
We can theorize and fantacize behind our computers on how Obama can be another FDR, but he is facing one of the most daunting tasks in history. Will he survive... not known! I personally wish him great success. His success is America's success!
Dan Hynes may be a great candidate, but I wouldn't give any weight to Adlai Stevenson's view on him. He is the Bill Kristol of Ill Dems--always wrong. Remember he lost the governorship twice, once through sheer incompetence (he let a LaRouchee become his Democratic Lt Governor running mate because his name was Fairchild).
I agree with Doc. Obviously Adlai III is aware of his lack of gravitas, since he summons the ghosts of his distinguished forebears for a little assistance, although I am not sure they would agree with him.
I'm sure Dan is well suited for the job, but he is from Chicago.
Would the Republicans use this against him and trot on to victory?
Some of us southern Illinois democrats are tired of the "Chicago" politics.
I like Quinn.
Well he actually is a rather nice guy.
But there is nothing wrong with the governor we have right now. Finally, at last. Nothing.
Let' all stop the political crap and stand behind someone who, for once, cares more about the people of Illinois then he does about himself or his hair.
Why the thinly veiled criticism of Pat Quinn? Because, Senator Stevenson knows, an overt attack would be unwarranted.
Pat Quinn is an honest, thoughtful and smart leader.
It's a shame that Illinois Democrats will be divided in this gubernatorial primary.
How was this an attack on Quinn? Stevenson said that he is not opposing anyone by making the endorsement. Besides, Quinn has been less than impressive as Governor. As people have pointed out time and time again, it was a lot easier for Quinn to throw stones when he was on the outside, but when he finally stepped up to the plate he finds himself in over his head. Let's face it, the way he mishandled the budget and played with the emotions of many of Illinoisans who rely on social services cost him considerable credibility and made him look totally incompetent.
So, I can understand where Stevenson is coming from. And, you can be sure he is not alone in his thinking.
All hope is not lost for the democrats provided they get behind Hynes and support his candidacy, as he has dealt with the state's financial crisis for the past seven years (6 with Rod as leader and now 1 year with quinn in office). Hynes has remained calm, steady and collected, as his office gets all of the complaints from those waiting to be paid by the state. Illinois will be very fortunate to have a governor (hynes)who shows up for work and doesn't exploit his office or the people of illinois with unnecessary and excessive press conferences.
But can he say "no" to the damned lobbyists.
You talk about change and your desire to elect Dan Hynes as the next governor.
If Dan Hynes is making an effort to put pressure on Obama to be the progressive that he promised to be, he might be worth election.
Although I will never vote for a Republican even if his name was Abraham Lincoln IV, I'm going to remember something at this next election.
I'm going to have to remember the last Chicago politiican who tricked me into voting for him because he promised change. It wasn't just his promises. He got my active involvement and support because there were so many high-level Democrats that endorsed him.
With those endorsements, I sincerely believed that the high-level Democrats would hold him accountable and hold him to what he said that he would do during the election.
That isn't happening.
Now, even with this endorsement, it's going to be hard for me to forget the last Chicago politician who tricked me into voting for him.
Well said.
Pat quinn most go!
Why do you say that? I haven't heard anything bad about him yet.
It'll be an eye-popper if an Illinois governor can restore integrity to the state.
Sen. Stevenson,
I share your deep Illinois roots and devotion. I'm sure my Republican ancestors would share the same abhorance of the current GOP manifestation as yours.
I was particularly impressed with Dan Hynes' comportment at his loss of the nomination for U.S. Senator to Barack Obama. I take your endorsement of him in utmost consideration.
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