By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Despite the fact he’s a Democrat, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hopes to see the Republican party find its footing once the election is over.
Durbin said he has respect for the GOP, but some of the divisive comments made during the election process so far have “unleashed a force in American politics” he’s never seen.
“I’m counting on good, mainstream, conservative Republicans to step up for the good of the country to say, we’ll sit down – and Democrats do the exacty same thing, and say the election has to be behind us. We’ll stand by the president, whoever that may be,” said Durbin. “And we try to find common ground to solve the problems that face this country.”
Durbin gave credit to Republicans who have begun backing off their support of Donald Trump.
“The recent revelation of what he said to this Billy Bush fellow 11 years ago was the end of it for most,” said Durbin. “And now Paul Ryan, who is nominally the highest ranking Republican in America, has said he will no longer defend the Republican presidential candidate.
“I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
Durbin spoke to students this week on Illinois Wesleyan University’s campus.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
