Defender Endorses Quinn, Other Dems
African-American Community Newspaper Also Takes Aim At Conservative Movement
CHICAGO (CBS) - The Chicago Defender newspaper has endorsed Pat Quinn for governor and Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senator, among several other Democratic candidates for the Nov. 2 election.
The African-American community newspaper is backing the incumbent Pat Quinn over his Republican challenger, state Sen. Bill Brady.
The newspaper said Quinn has developed a close relationship with the black community during his two years in office.
"He has made a point of stepping up and considering African Americans for positions and he alone has promulgated a plan – even if it means a higher income tax – to help get Illinois out of debt and bring jobs back to the state," the editorial said.
By contrast, the newspaper opines, Brady and Independent Scott Lee Cohen are "wholly unqualified for the office."
The newspaper says Brady has "persistently ignored the Black community – staying away from the debates at Black venues and offering no evidence that he even knows the Black community exists." The paper also dismisses Cohen over the domestic abuse scandal that forced him off the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor.
The newspaper did not mention Green Party candidate Rich Whitney, nor Libertarian Lex Green.
The Defender has also chosen state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for the U.S. Senate. The paper says Giannoulias has "a stellar record in office, and would vote in support of the initiatives that President Obama has started."
The Defender is also endorsing incumbents Bobby Rush, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Danny Davis for Congress, and Democrat Dan Seals for the 10th Congressional seat, which Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk is vacating.
In other statewide races, the paper says Lisa Madigan and Jesse White should keep their jobs as attorney general and secretary of state, respectively.
The paper is also backing Robin Kelly for treasurer and David Miller for comptroller.
For Cook County Board President, the paper backs Democrat Toni Preckwinkle, who is called a "thoughtful bridge builder who "seems prepared to lead Cook County in these troubled economic times."
Democrat Joe Berrios wins the paper's endorsement for Cook County Assessor.
The paper also takes aim at the political right without mentioning any party or group by name, in urging readers to get out and vote.
The paper claims that while "one side" is saying, "take back our country" and say they want limited government and fiscal responsibility, "in reality, these people want to turn back the clock and nullify the election of Barack Obama. For reasons – some rooted in race – they want to step backwards from that watershed moment where Americans were judged only by the content of their character."
"We made history in 2008, and this election is an opportunity to save that history," the Defender opines.
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