Democrats in close House races running from unpopular Pat Quinn

Illinois' flag on right

Illinois' inept governor, Chicago Democrat Pat Quinn, has more problems other than his own unpopularity. He's a drag on down-ticket Democratic candidates.

From Roll Call:

There was no clearer example of Quinn's problems than last week's Illinois State Fair, where elected officials, political operatives and party insiders from both sides of the aisle descended upon the Springfield fairgrounds for each party's respective day of rallies.

On Aug. 14, Republicans flocked to the fairgrounds to support Bruce Rauner, the party's wealthy gubernatorial nominee who rolled up to the rally on his Harley Davidson and then delivered a red-meat speech going after Quinn in front of a fired up crowd of supporters.

It was a stark contrast from Democrats' gathering the day before, where instead of riling up his base at the fair, Quinn instead hosted a low-key picnic to pose for photos with a more mellow group of supporters, many of whom were bussed in from the Chicago area.

Perhaps because in 2012 he was booed off the stage at the traditional "Democrat Day" festivities at the Illinois State Fair — "Governor’s Day," as it’s now known — Quinn opted to deliver his own speech at a brunch for about 1,400 party insiders at Springfield's Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Three incumbent Demcocratic members of Congress, Cheri Bustos, Brad Schneider and Bill Enyart, weren't at Quinn's somber gatherering. It'll be a rough year for Democrats in Illinois. Good.