Hynes, Quinn deliver new material in Carbondale...kinda

Perhaps all it takes to squeeze new information out of Comptroller Dan Hynes and Gov. Pat Quinn is to remove them from their familiar setting.

Most of Thursday's hour-long Democratic gubernatorial debate in Carbondale was a continuation of the feud between Hynes and Quinn. But it also had moments where the two opponents delivered lines they have not made prominent on the campaign trail.

We now have a better understanding why Hynes received an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Illinois, a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists. He said he supports same-sex marriage, while Quinn stood behind civil unions.

And Quinn said he is open to legalizing medical marijuana. Hynes said he is learning more about the issue.

Kudos to moderator Jak Tichenor of WSIU for closing the race's only debate south of Interstate 80 by subjecting the two Chicago Democrats a "lightening round of questions," which provided those statements.

But during the first 45 minutes of the debate, Hynes and Quinn remembered this election is going to be decided on whose attack ads prove more effective.

The debate was the first time Hynes and Quinn were in the same room together since the challenger released his attack ad featuring the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington.

Quinn, going on what he has labeled as defensive maneuvers, fired back by accusing Hynes of dropping the ball on Burr Oak Cemetery.

Given all the attack ads and shots taken throughout this primary, isn't it odd that neither candidate wants to admit they are running a negative campaign?

"I think it's important to defend myself when he attacks my record," Quinn said after the debate. "I don't like this kind of name calling that I receive from the comptroller. I think he's better than that."

"Our campaign has been based on facts and on the issues that matter," Hynes said. "My job right now is managing the crisis that Gov. Quinn has been unable to solve."



Both Hynes and Quinn brushed off the idea that the negative campaigning weakens the Democrat's chances of retaining the governor's office in the general election.

Debating from a studio in the Communications Building at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the candidates also took the opportunity to highlight the institution's importance and to draw connections between themselves and the late former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon - a name still on the tips of tongues in that part of the state. Quinn in particular mentioned his friendship with Simon's daughter, Sheila Simon, who has previously said she receives phone calls from the governor on her daughter's cell phone.

Though he stood outside of the studio before the debate began, neither Hynes nor Quinn directly connected themselves with SIU President Glenn Poshard, a former Democratic congressman and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate. This comes as a bit of a surprise given Poshard's name recognition throughout the state and contributions to pushing a capital bill through the Legislature.

Despite being redundant at times, the debate in Carbondale was more informative than any other meeting between these two contenders. That is not saying much for a race revolving around mudslinging and vague plans for ethics reform and fiscal responsibility.

It's a shame that even after Rod Blagojevich proved how little content campaign promises and attacks need to win the governor's office, those who follow him on both tickets continue deploying the same tactics.