I shit you not. Read on:
http://dyn.politico.com/...
The in-your-face Illinois congressman who was ousted in November after a single term told POLITICO he’s being encouraged to run for Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.
“People want me to look at that race among others. Fair to say, it’s something I’m being encouraged to take a look at, and will take a hard look at, once I get settled in the next couple of months,” Walsh said.
Asked who was urging him on, Walsh responded: “The best kind of people in the world — real people, activists, conservatives and everyday Republicans all over the state.” - Politico, 12/13/12
Walsh is also looking at running for Governor of Illinois:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/...
Am I going to run again? Here’s what I know. We’re losing our America. I have been called in whatever role to play a role trying to get this back. Whether that means I run again, who knows? Be kind of fun to run against Dick Durbin, wouldn’t it? I’ll tell you what else: this state needs a Republican Party. The reason Michael Madigan can dominate this state is because there’s no Republican Party. This Republican Party needs a Scott Walker to run for governor, and I have not seen or heard that candidate yet. I will not still by and let some establishment, fuddy-duddy Republican be our candidate again. This state needs to be totally saved, so I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I’m gonna stay involved in this fight. - 12/13/12, NBC Chicago
Now before you say, "the GOP would never nominate this clown for Governor or Senator", think again:
First of all, there will be a big field of Republicans running for the chance to take on Gov Pat Quinn, who has the lowest approval ratings in the nation. Bill Brady only needed 20 percent of the vote to win the 2010 primary. Are 20 percent of Republicans monster raving loony Tea Partiers who think Walsh is a modern Paul Revere? Yes.
Second of all, Illinois Republicans have a fatal attraction to true blue conservatives who can’t win a general election. They live in their own private Illinois, unaware -- or unwilling to believe -- that the state outside their bunkers is one of the most liberal in the nation. Here are a few examples.
-- Al Salvi, U.S. Senate, 1996: State Rep. Salvi defeated the establishment fuddy-duddy, Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra, then lost the general election to Rep. Dick Durbin after he accused gun control advocate Jim Brady of being a machine gun dealer.
-- Peter Fitzgerald, U.S. Senate, 1998: State Sen. Fitzgerald defeated establishment fuddy-duddy Loleta Didrickson, the state comptroller, then beat Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. But once in office, Fitzgerald was such an uncompromising conservative that he alienated his party and declined to run for re-election. To the enduring woe of Republicans everywhere, he was succeeded by state Sen. Barack Obama.
-- Bill Brady, governor, 2010: Brady edged an establishment fuddy-duddy, state Sen. Kirk Dillard, by 192 votes. Then he lost in an upset to Gov. Pat Quinn, despite leading by 10 points in the final Chicago Tribune poll. - NBC Chicago, 12/13/12
Plus lets not forget that Illinois Republicans nominated this guy to run against then Senator Barack Obama in 2004:
Now what about incumbent Senator Dick Durbin (D. IL)? Will he stay or will he go in 2014? It's looking like Durbin might be aiming for a fourth term:
“Conventional wisdom was if we lost the White House or Senate, he might look to the door. Now it seems like he leans toward running, but isn’t 100 percent yet,” said Chicago-based Democratic strategist Pete Giangreco.
Mike Daly, Durbin’s 2008 campaign manager, said his boss will make a decision sometime after the new year.
“Every indication that any of us has gotten is he’s going to run, but that’s different than saying he is,” said Daly. - Politico, 12/13/12
On November 30th, PPP showed Durbin crushing Walsh 54-29:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/...
Whether Durbin runs again or not, I always believed this seat would stay blue. I think Durbin will run again and will easily win but with Walsh being the nominee, it would certainly make this race more entertaining. Walsh as you remember had his ass handed to him by Iraq War Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D) who lost both her legs in battle. Of course Walsh wasn't that impressed by her heroism:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...
"That's what's so noble about our heroes," Walsh said. "Now I'm running against a woman who, I mean, my God, that's all she talks about. Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it's the last thing in the world they talk about." - Chicago Tribune, 6/4/12
Now here's the video of Walsh being an asshole:
The Daily Beast wrote a great piece about the congressional race between Walsh and Duckworth. It highlights Walsh's crazy yelp, his pathological lying, his outside interest group fundraising and his aggressive, dirty campaigning:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/...
“I am their congressional Enemy No. 1!” he shouted at the activists. “There is no more prized scalp” he shrieked—and he invested the word “scalp” with blood-curdling intensity—“than mine!”
This is the Joe Walsh familiar to America’s cable television viewers—the Tea Party pugilist who derided Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot who in November 2004 lost both legs when Iraqi insurgents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at her UH-60 Black Hawk, as “a woman who, My God, that’s all she talks about;” who implied that “radical” Muslims in Elk Grove, Addison, and other suburbs in the 8th District are “trying to kill Americans every week;” who suggested that President Obama should be “pat[ted] on the head” and told “son, son, son, Mr. President, you were never ready to be president, now go home and work for somebody;” and who claimed, two weeks ago, that abortions are never medically necessary because “advances in science and technology” make it impossible for women to die in childbirth. - The Daily Beast, 11/5/12
It's still way too early but I really hope Walsh is stupid enough to listen to his teabagger supporters into running for Governor or Senator. He's just too entertaining and what's great is guys like Walsh pisses off people so much that he motivates them to come out and overwhelming vote him out of Congress. If Walsh runs, he'll get the Super PAC funding for sure but unlimited campaign cash can't keep this clown in line. Governor Pat Quinn (D) maybe very unpopular now but he could easily kick Walsh's ass. Plus Durbin is an excellent campaigner and popular with his constituents. Durbin campaign for Duckworth and raised money for her so they'll have each others backs when in 2014 comes.
On December 8th, Joe Walsh held his last Town Hall Meeting with his constituents. Judging by his tone, Walsh indicated that we will not be seeing or hearing from the last of him:
“Our country is going through a revolution,” said Walsh, his voice rising to a shout. “Our freedom is at risk of being lost. If that happens, we’ll have government take over everything and take what you have.”
“We began three years ago,” he said. “Be patient and be engaged. Nothing changes over night. We’ll either lose the flag or get it back.” - Chicago Tribune, 12/8/12
History is on Joe Walsh's side with the way Illinois Republicans nominate their candidates for a major office. Who knows what state our economy will be by 2014 but guys like Walsh help motivate our base to come out to the polls and makes moderate voters realize that the voice of sanity and common sense is on the left.
Joe Walsh For U.S. Senate/Governor 2014!