President Obama’s endorsement of Juliana Stratton over Ken Dunkin proves there is NO compromise
Over and over again politicians talk about compromise, working with those of the opposite party and President Obama has attacked his GOP opponents regularly for not compromising on issues as he sees fit (e.g. gun control, immigration, health care). Now a local race in Illinois reveals how little the President actually wants compromise.
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Obama made the rare move of inserting himself into a local legislative contest, recording a TV commercial for a challenger who is competing against an incumbent Democrat known for siding at times with Republicans.
During the ad, Obama says he’s learned from his days in the state legislature that “follow-through is everything” and therefore is putting his endorsement behind Juliana Stratton over Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago.
While Obama says he’s backing Stratton because she will “stand up for our children, our seniors and our working families” it is clear he doesn’t want Democrats who wander off an support “the other side.”
Dunkin has sided with Republicans during key votes and Stratton is backed by unions and has picked up the support of almost all the other prominent Democrats in the state. Moreover, there has been bad blood between Obama and Dunkin for years.
Fox News recounts that during a February visit to Springfield, Ill., Obama riled up the lawmaker when he said reaching across the aisle for the sake of compromise “doesn’t make me a sellout to my own party.”
Dunkin jumped out of his seat and interrupted the president by shouting “Yes!”
Obama snapped back, “We’ll talk later Dunkin. Sit down.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told WLS-AM News that Obama’s endorsement is about getting lawmakers to work together and end the Illinois budget deadlock.
“It’s not a political endorsement. It’s an endorsement to move forward and finally get the city and the state, most importantly, moving forward,” he said.
Translation: The President, Democrats and Emanuel don’t want Democrats who will stand on any principle and object to their agenda. Siding with Republicans is clearly NOT something the DNC is will to tolerate, no matter how much compromise they call for.
photo/ donkeyhotey
