Oral history interview with Richard "Dick" J. Durbin, 2021
Abstract
Dick Durbin reflects on his career in congressional and Illinois state politics, and discusses his relationship with Barack Obama. Durbin describes his contribution to Obama's early political career, including his introduction of Obama's 2004 keynote address to the Democratic National Convention, early support for Obama's presidential candidacy, and involvement in the Obama 2008 campaign's efforts in the Iowa primary. Also discussed are Durbin's collaborations with Obama in the U.S. Senate, the racial dynamics of Illinois state elections, and the significance of Paul Simon's endorsement of Obama in December 2003 during the U.S. Senate campaign
Presidents--United States; Presidential campaigns--United States; Legislators; Illinois Politics and government; Durbin, Richard J. (Richard Joseph), 1944-; Obama, Barack; Simon, Paul, 1928-2003; United States
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
30 pages
Note (Biographical)
Dick Durbin is an American lawyer and politician. At the time of the interview, Durbin was the senior United States senator from Illinois. He has served in the United States Senate since 1996, and over the course of his Senate tenure has served as the senate democratic whip, senate majority whip, and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Durbin represented Illinois' 20th district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1997
Note
Interviewed by Adam Green on March 3 and June 9, 2021. This interview is part of the University of Chicago: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Richard "Dick" J. Durbin, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023