Crain's endorses Brady for Governor, Kirk for Senate

BRADY A WORTHY CHECK ON DEM'S PROFLIGATE WAYS

In the race for governor, we endorse state Sen. Bill Brady as the candidate most likely to steer Illinois away from fiscal collapse.

The state needs dramatic action to close a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, pay $6 billion in overdue bills and deal with a $70-billion pension-funding shortfall.

Mr. Brady's opponent, Gov. Pat Quinn, is unwilling to take such action. He won't push any further than Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and state employee unions want to go.

Mr. Quinn deserves credit for reducing the pension benefits of newly hired state workers. But that's only a start, and Mr. Quinn considers the job done. He won't press for concessions that would affect the pensions of current employees, whose rapidly accruing benefits will bury the state if left unchecked.

Mr. Quinn's answer on the budget deficit is to raise taxes. But he waffles when asked how much of the revenue raised would go toward deficit reduction and how much would go to new spending.

The governor is a smart, decent man who believes the first priority of government is to help people in need. He doesn't seem to realize a bankrupt government can't help anybody.

Mr. Brady approaches Illinois' problems from the other end of the spectrum. He owes nothing to the Democratic interest groups Mr. Quinn dares not defy.

His proposals for closing the deficit start with spending cuts, not tax hikes. That's where the discussion should begin, even if we eventually conclude cuts alone won't balance the budget without crippling state government. Like children, elected officials won't eat their peas if they get their ice cream first.

Electing a Republican governor would bring balance to Springfield, weakening the iron grip of Democrats led by Mr. Madigan. With less power, Mr. Madigan will have reason to compromise.

We have no illusions about Mr. Brady. He has logged few big accomplishments in 17 years as a legislator. His social views put him at odds with many Illinoisans.

We take him at his word when he says fiscal matters would be his top priority as governor. We're also trusting that he's tough and shrewd enough to impose fiscal discipline on Springfield before it's too late.

KIRK STANDS OUT FOR EXPERIENCE, INDEPENDENCE
We endorse Mark Kirk in the race for Illinois' open seat in the U.S. Senate, based on his experience as a legislator and his views on economic policy.

A member of Congress since 2001 and a congressional aide for many years before that, Mr. Kirk knows how to get things done on Capitol Hill. His Democratic opponent, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, has no such experience. A firm grasp of lawmaking processes and an ability to forge working relationships are the keys to effectiveness in the consensus-driven Senate.

As a business publication, we also give great weight to candidates' positions on issues affecting the local business community. Mr. Kirk is the clear choice here.

He supports international trade deals that help Illinois companies tap overseas markets. Mr. Giannoulias would hold up trade deals, such as a pending agreement with South Korea, over issues important to core Democratic constituencies.

Mr. Kirk would extend the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers, while Mr. Giannoulias would let them expire for top earners.

Mr. Kirk also has been a strong supporter of expanding O'Hare International Airport, since the days when much of the Illinois Republican establishment opposed it. No single project is more important to Chicago's economic future.

The North Shore congressman's support for O'Hare expansion underscores another reason we support him: a record of bucking party authority when it's in the best interests of his constituents. Mr. Giannoulias, on the other hand, rarely deviates from the talking points of the Democratic National Committee.

We're counting on Mr. Kirk to be as independent-minded as he claims to be and has been at times in the past.

Illinois needs a senator whose first and only priority will be to serve his constituents and the best interests of the country. We expect Mr. Kirk to work across party lines and with the Obama administration to find workable solutions to the problems facing our country. If he joins the ranks of “just say no” Republicans whose overriding goal is to wreck the Obama presidency, the country and Mr. Kirk's legacy will suffer.

Mr. Kirk speaks admiringly of the late Paul Simon, and he could become a Republican version of Illinois' most respected senator in modern times. But if he caves to party bosses or cleaves to rigid ideology, he'll join the ranks of Carol Moseley Braun and Peter Fitzgerald.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20101022/NEWS02/101029954/crains-endorses-brady-for-governor-kirk-for-senate