Durbin: Meeting with constituents “not productive”
posted at 2:57 pm on August 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Add Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to the list of Milk Carton Politicians, with a special mention for hubris and arrogance. Unlike some of his colleagues, who put their mouths into hiding along with the rest of their bodies rather than face angry constituents, Durbin tells the public that meeting with voters is just “not productive.” But do you know what is productive? Meeting with lobbyists:
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin defended his decision Thursday to not participate in town hall meetings regarding health care reform, saying the outbursts that have marred others are “not constructive.”
Durbin, back in his hometown of Springfield for the unveiling of the newest penny honoring Abraham Lincoln, said the yelling, pushing and shoving that has erupted in other parts of the nation are part of a strategy by those opposed to reforms.
“I don’t think that really serves the purpose of informing the public and answering their questions honestly,” Durbin said. “It doesn’t help.”
Rather than participate in a town hall-style public session to discuss President Barack Obama’s push for an overhaul of health care, Durbin has held six meetings with health care officials.
He said those meetings, including one in Decatur on Wednesday, have led to meaningful and cordial debate.
Meeting with the people who voted you into office? Not productive. Meeting with people who can buy your way back into office when the voters erupt in anger? Highly productive.
Durbin may or may not be afraid of his constituents, but he’s certainly contemptuous of them. At this point, they should feel the same way about Durbin. So much for answering to the voters!
Addendum: While we’re talking about Profiles in Courage, let’s also give Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) a Special Mention among the milk-carton contingent on Capitol Hill. He’s going to face his constituents tonight — from the inside of a union hall:
Downtown Orlando will play host to its first health care “town hall” when Democrat Alan Grayson hosts one Monday night.
The release from Grayson’s office came in about 15 minutes ago, stating that the event will be held at the IBEW hall on Virginia Drive at 7:45 p.m.
He’s also doing a tele-town hall for all those who don’t want to push past union reps to get a chance to speak to their Congressman. How big of Grayson!
Blowback
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Voters: “You work for us, Durbin.”
Durbin: “No, you work for me. That’s why I can take the money you earn without even having to ask you permission.”
Daggett on August 17, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Vote them all out!
TXMomof3 on August 17, 2009 at 3:00 PM
From the guy who said our troops were Nazi’s, or was he the one who said our guys were torturing, or both?
Stick it Senator.
portlandon on August 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM
You’ve got the government you deserve America. Feel free to wake up and do something about it anytime.
tyrfing on August 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Sad thing is, in reality, he’s right.
:_(
RedNewEnglander on August 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM
COWARD – even that coward Arlen Specter is having townhalls..
BlueWaters on August 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Waiting for a Keith “Special Comment” on this one…..
….waiting…..
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Way off topic but Rush just said he is taping come voicing for “Family Guy” tomorrow.
I never watched much of the show but isnt “Family Guy” a liberal show that constantly pokes fun of and degrades conservatives?!
Why is Rush willing to do a voice for that show?
bucsox79 on August 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I hope people are happy with what their BDS has wrought. Arrogant a-holes like this in charge. It will be interesting to see in 2 or 3 years whether people’s opinion of Bush at least improves a little. Granted I had my share of complaints about him as well.
gsherin on August 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was describing what an IL Senator had done to people that he represents, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags or some mad regime — Pol Pot or others — that had no concern for voters.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Sadly, Little Dick Durbin, from Osama Obama’s state, will almost surely win reelection as many times as he wishes.
The mass of voters don’t really seem to give a damn if their “representatives” hide from them like frightened babies.
MrScribbler on August 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
There needs to be a way of distinguishing between these people: whole, 2%, 1%, skim, buttermilk, etc.
misslizzi on August 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
another one on his way out…
rollthedice on August 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
How is this surprising from some POS who compared our troops to nazis? I would tell my home state of Illinois that they can do better, but there is no Illinois. There is only Chicago. The rest of the state just exists to support that cesspool.
SKYFOX on August 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Sour.
mchristian on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
His parents sure named him appropriately.
Patrick S on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
No one would give my butt a good kissing. No productive at all. Complete waste of my arses time.
HoustonRight on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Hey, he said he was sorry if we were offended that he thinks the troops are no better than the Nazis.
highhopes on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Specter has nothing to lose at this point, so might as well TRY to look like a senator at least.
Spiritk9 on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I saw Grayson on CSPAN giving some disturbingly conservative answers on healthcare. Disturbing because he was at the netroots convention. So now he is hiding from constituents? Seems weird his answers at the convention leaned well to the conservative side of the spectrum.
Theworldisnotenough on August 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Makes no difference what good old Dick does. The idiots in this state will vote him back in regardless.
And let’s not forget about my own dude, Jesse Jackson Jr. who’s holding his townhall in a church in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the country.
I’d love to attend, but I don’t have a bullet proof vest.
Knucklehead on August 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I have a campaign slogan for him.
“DURBIN: They don’t call him “Dick” for nothing.”
capitalist piglet on August 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
The cesspool is closed today. They are out of other people’s money.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
As long as you can buy the Chicago vote, you’ve got the state.
highhopes on August 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Curious, what neighborhood?
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
This is why we are screwed here in Illinois; the sense of entitlement and/or corruption from all of our politicians is frightening and reminiscent of that in a third world country.
Asajj Ventress on August 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Come on, Illinois: do the right thing. Get rid of all representatives and “public servants” who won’t represent or serve the public. Vote Turbin out!
Christian Conservative on August 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
amen! Amen!! AMEN!!!!
capejasmine on August 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
i saw that on drudge last week. i dont know why he’s doing it, there must be some sort of legitimate conservative part.
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM
These arrogant pr*cks are gonners. BuhBye.
marklmail on August 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Pretty soon Dick will say there is no need for voters to vote it is just not productive! Way to go Dick!
Sanmon on August 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM
I hate to defend Durbin, but he is borderline retarded and there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be able to understand anything the people said.
Captain Hate on August 17, 2009 at 3:10 PM
He’s already been in Family Guy, he was briefly in the Star Wars parody episode.
mudskipper on August 17, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Illinois: How you likin’ that cake?
ted c on August 17, 2009 at 3:10 PM
It will never happen, unfortunately. Our only hope is a criminal act which sends him directly to Oxford.
sherry on August 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Get your twin light sabers and get all dark forces on their arses! Chop! Chop! ;-)
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Most politicians feel this way. Durbin’s just dumb enough to say it out loud.
The Calibur on August 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Roseland…………113th or 119th and Halsted (I can’t remember the exact street). Too bad he can’t hold it down here in Homewood, but I guess that would mean real people, with real questions.
Wanna be my bodyguard?
Knucklehead on August 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
The campaign ads write themselves.
Is there a Republican out there with the courage to use them?
MarkTheGreat on August 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
They will just keep voting for the a-hole.
Esmerelda on August 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
RE: Democrat Alan Grayson meeting at the union hall.
Is it an open to the public meeting? Would make another interesting photo op for the news media if opponents were massed out side protesting.
Skandia Recluse on August 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Durbin: We are big men doing important things!
Mommypundit on August 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Mmmmmmmmmmm…Durbin Lemon Cake!!!
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Illinois deserves Durbin.
He’s pretty much a Duke or a Duchess.
Unaccountable, inbred, stupid, thieving and worthless.
Why even bother holding elections in Illinois?
Just have whomever can bribe the most people the most amount of money, take office.
You’ll get the same crappy result – Turbin Durbin – either way.
NoDonkey on August 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Ride dirty and go without one
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM
My name is Dick but you can call me penis.
fourdeucer on August 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM
And that is why his first name is Dick.
Dark Star on August 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I’ve never seen a political party willingly provide the opposition with so much material for campaign commercials against them.
flipflop on August 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Little Dicky is so tricky
izoneguy on August 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Wow! Three blocks from one of my business locations. This is the one that one ouf our area managers was held up at gun point by a teenager. Thankfully, no physical harm came to my co-worker.
After dark and not below freezing outside, no go zone.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
You know……….
……. I keep saying that Ed’s posts would make excellent campaign commercials.
I wonder if anyone else out there (Michael Steele) thinks the same…….?
Seven Percent Solution on August 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
No, more like Devil’s Food Cake
izoneguy on August 17, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Biggest circle jerk EVAH!
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Worst. Political. Class. Ever.
rbj on August 17, 2009 at 3:17 PM
O/T: Is hotair incredibly slow today or is it just me?
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
That’s how Grayson’s town hall will go
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I used to live in Chicago, and Dick Durbin was a dork back then, and he still is today. Best thing about him is he’s FAR away now and I’m NOT in Illinois anymore. Durbin is nothing but a typical Illinois politician, above everything. Well, until the Fed investigators come calling.
bradley11 on August 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
But Republican leaders will never snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. They only know how to cower to the dems.
Esmerelda on August 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I have had some issues.
TXMomof3 on August 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
He did have a meeting, in the back of a cafe last Monday and it was unpublicized. If that is not enough he stacked his meeting with business owners who clamored for the public plan.
rob verdi on August 17, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Then it appears Durbin’s constituents will have to go meet with him, at the time and place of their choosing, and in such numbers as they think will be most productive. And since Brooks Brothers suits will draw the wrong sort of attention from the SEIU, riot gear seems likely to come closer to setting the right business-like tone.
Kralizec on August 17, 2009 at 3:20 PM
It will never happen, unfortunately. Our only hope is a criminal act which sends him directly to Oxford.
sherry on August 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
A federal pen? Hey, if Joliet was good enough for my dad, it’s good enough for Turbin. Convict him in state court.
SKYFOX on August 17, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Culture of corruption.
the_nile on August 17, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Thad Cochran (sp) an R said that he would only do telephone calls on healthcare because the meetings were so disruptive from both sides… that was in an interview on FOX cable news show at noon on Saturday.. They are all chickens – party doesn’t seem to matter
unaffiliated on August 17, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Durbin is one of my senators.
Sigh.
He just won reelection easily last November. Barring an act of God, he has the position for life. To the rest of the country, I sincerely apologize.
To understand how bad Illinois is, remember our Senator Carole Mosely Brown from the 90s? She was a humiliating embarrasment during a long and painful 6 year term. Yet, as bad as she was, she only lost her reelection bid by about 5% (to Peter Fitzgerald, a solid candidate). So when someone that bad is that hard to fire, there is just no way Durbin is ever going down to defeat.
At least we have a fighting chance to get rid of Roland Burress.
jwolf on August 17, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Where are all the new Trolls in defense of this great man of the people?
kingsjester on August 17, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Durbin you ass . . . if you don’t care what your constituents think or want, what good are you. The arrogance of these self serving politicians is incredible. Run him out voters.
rplat on August 17, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Productive = “Fistfulls of cash”
29Victor on August 17, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Of course Durbin thinks meeting with his constituents isn’t productive. They just give him opinions. Like all Illinois politicians, he prefers meeting with people who give him money.
Mr. D on August 17, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Kingsjester at 3:24, you brought a smile to my face. Could be the only time that’s ever happened in a Durbin related story. Well done!
jwolf on August 17, 2009 at 3:27 PM
GMTA
Mr. D on August 17, 2009 at 3:27 PM
smug bastid
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
I thought we crossed the Atlantic and set up this country to free ourselves from royalty.
petefrt on August 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Is it true his middle name is Les?
Patrick S on August 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
lol
that took a minute for me.
one would think
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:29 PM
How idiotic are the people of Illinois to elect this turd term after term. My lord he is contemptable.
daesleeper on August 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Dick the Weenie.
Jaibones on August 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I even got that one.
TXMomof3 on August 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I’m fortunate enough to live in a part of the state where we at least have a decent Representative (Aaron Schock). Most of Illinois is sane, unfortunately unless there’s a blizzard in Chicago on Election Day it’s never going to matter what we do. I wish Chicago were its own state- it would solve a lot of problems for the rest of us.
VanPalin on August 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I think his parents named him about 3 inches north of what he is.
fourdeucer on August 17, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Poking fun at the senator’s first name is neither productive nor accurate. In the “street sense,” Dick is useful (especially on a hike), sensitive, a source of pleasure, something one might be proud of. Durbin is NOT useful, he is insensitive, certainly provides no pleasure, and the only one proud of him is his mommie. If you listen carefully you can hear her barking in the background. Please, good citizens of Illinois, kick this embarrassment to the curb.
Crusader Rabbit on August 17, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Aren’t Unions exempt from government takeover of healthcare!
This needs to be addressed!
Someone who is not going to get rammed in the rump by these a$$hatclowns, insane ideas has no business at the table unless its’ just to a$$ ki$$ the rump rammers!
IMHO
dhunter on August 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM
That reminds me of David Spade’s flight attendant character. Buh bye….nuh nuh nuh nuh..buh bye.
NathanG on August 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The fact that ALL Democrats are not only scum but cowards too is a surprise?
Jeff from WI on August 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM
jwolf on August 17, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Thank you. Ever since they have come aboard, these new Trolls have displayed their vast intellectual supiority with the most ludicrous arguments and assumptions I have ever seen around here. I thought they might want to continue defending the indefensible.
kingsjester on August 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM
nothing gets past a mommy
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Idiotic enough that a certain subset of the citizens of IL will attend games of certain baseball team that resides in Rahm’s former congressional district regardless of the quality of the product on the field.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Because he’s a good sport?
I do hate Family Guy, though.
Daggett on August 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Thanks to people like Durbin, and others, a great big thank you for showing the American people who you really are…
right2bright on August 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
According to Dan Quayle it is. Hee hee. Just kidding. I like Dan Quayle actually.
NathanG on August 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
You know, another year without sunspots and that just may happen next November.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Not productive? Interesting that that is exactly what the voting public is beginning to understand about voting in socialists like yourself Senator.
Don L on August 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Rep. Alan Grayson meeting in an (IBEW) International Brootherhood of Electrical Workers hall?
Shocking I say, Shocking!
Jeff from WI on August 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
It’s probably something for the second Star Wars parody episode, as they’ll probably have another bit where he’s talking about Lando being in charge of Cloud City due to affirmative action.
teke184 on August 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I hear that Durbin is in the process of changing his last name to HEAD!
inspectorudy on August 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Fixed
NoFanofLibs on August 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I think this is the second time he’s done a voiceover. The first time was on the Star Wars special episode. I quit watching Family Guy because of the political jokes. They’re never funny and they’re extremely offensive. Writers need to keep their liberal or conservative bias to themselves. I don’t give a shi* what Seth McFarlane thinks. Oddly enough, the funniest things on this show are never about sex or politics. Certainly never about politics (unless you’re a flaming Bush-hater).
NathanG on August 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
reflexes like a cat.
Mommypundit on August 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
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