Durbin hopes Democrats can focus on bipartisanship following election

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Many Democratic leaders have continued to attack former president Donald Trump and other top Republicans after their victories on November 5. Although, Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters in Springfield this week that politicians should trust Americans and aim for bipartisanship.

The state's senior senator was a strong advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential election, but Durbin has a clear message for any Democrat who lost trust in the American people.

"If you don't have optimism about the future of this country and you don't trust the basic wisdom of the American people, even when they disagree with you, you have no business in politics," Durbin said.

The Democrat knows there will be significant changes in the nation's capitol as Republicans take control of the White House, House and Senate in January. Durbin said incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune is a good man.

"I campaigned actively against him when he ran against Tom Daschle," Durbin recalled. "I went door to door, my wife and I did, in South Dakota. We joke about it all the time. We've become good friends. I went up on the floor of the Senate after he won the election as Republican leader. I congratulated him and told him I wanted to work with him. I think I can."

The 80-year-old lawmaker said there is a lot of soul searching happening within the Democratic party following the general election. He noted that Harris received 10 million fewer votes than President Joe Biden received four years ago.

"Once again, we've proven James Carville correct," Durbin said. "It's the economy, stupid. People were upset about the state of the economy. They believed they had better times under President Trump and they didn't care for Joe Biden's brand of economic policy."

The Democrat will continue to serve on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. Durbin said he hopes to work with Republican senators to approve the best candidates for judicial vacancies.

WAND News asked Durbin if he has talked with family, friends or colleagues about potential retirement. Durbin said he will make a decision about his political future next year.