I didn’t think he was serious, but Sen. James Meeks has a lawyer looking into a possible third party bid for governor. Phil Kadner writes after a chat with Meeks that he “got the impression that Meeks is very serious”.
One of the leading election law attorneys in the state is exploring the possibility of creating a third-party campaign for governor on behalf of state Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago).
Burton Odelson said Meeks contacted him Friday night, three days before Meeks held a news conference to demand that Gov. Rod Blagojevich either retract his no-tax hike pledge or put together a comprehensive plan for funding public education in Illinois. […]
Would Meeks be willing to withdraw from the Senate race to run for governor?
“I am in the process of exploring every possibility at this time,” Meeks said. “But I am willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure that the Democratic Party makes a real commitment to funding public education.” […]
Meeks said some people have called him to suggest that a third-party campaign for governor would split the Democratic vote in November, paving the way for a Republican victory.
“You can look at it and say two Democrats would split the vote,” Meeks said, “or you could look at it and say two white candidates would split the vote allowing the black candidate to win.
Read the whole thing.
- Billyclinton - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 12:03 pm:
This development must be met with howls of laughter at the state GOP headquarters. Senator Meeks may be well meaning on the issue of reforming our archaic school funding formula. Most of want to see change. But a third party candidacy will do nothing but assure the election of Oberweiss or Topinka and the Illinois State Rifle Association will move into the Governor’s mansion.
- THEGUV'SNEWFRIEND - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 12:34 pm:
ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.
- Reilly's Brother - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 12:53 pm:
How great would Meeks be as Governor? Where can I send my check?
- Pat Hickey - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 12:55 pm:
Burt Odelson is an outstanding elections lawyer;do not underestimate a challenge. Brave days ahead, Guv, eat a big breakfast and pack a bigger lunch.
- ron - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 12:58 pm:
as i said yesterday, meeks must crave attention and/or he is just jockeying for a better bargaining position with blago. does anyone think this guy would give up his senate seat. sounds like he is making noise for a future run at the local political level.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:05 pm:
I don’t know that I like the idea of a Reverend for Gov. Would he still act as a Rev at his Church? How would he avoid entangling the two?
- Driver - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:18 pm:
I believe the Rev is serious about wanting more funding for chicago schools, however it is just a classic shakedown ploy. At the end of the day he will support the guv, some under the table deal will be aggreed to. Hugs and kisses all around.
- Goodbye Napoleon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:20 pm:
This issue is why GRod was so afraid of running against Edgar. Meeks has tapped into something that is real and palpable for many communities. Rod’s going to have to back down on his pledge or I could see the Rev. making a run.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:26 pm:
Ok, pretend you’re a mercenary election law attorney, the kind who’d both give money to Jesse Jackson Jr’s campaigns and defend George W. Bush in the Florida recount.
Now, a state senator with access to cash calls you up and says: Hey, wondering if you’d help me sort out the legal mumbo jumbo on what it’d take to run a third-party ticket for governor.
Gee, what would you say?
Why yes senator, I think you could benefit from some legal advice. That’s a very, very complicated topic. It’s going to require a lot of research. Let me just start my little timer over here, did I mention my hourly rate …
The three way race between a Dem promising to not raise taxes, a Republican who won’t make such a promise, and an “independent” who wants to REALLY RAISE taxes.
Voters will head into the booth with one hand on their wallets and the other on the touch screen.
Meeks will finish so far back he’ll make Keyes’ loss look close.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:29 pm:
The guy is clearly out of his freaking mind!
- Establishment Republican - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:36 pm:
Meeks can’t possibly be serious, can he?
Is it realistic that somebody can get on the ballot as an Independent and not have to rely on a Libertarian Party nomination or something like that?
We could wind up with a four way general election between Blagojevich, Topinka, Meeks, and Pat O’Malley.
I really am skeptical that anything can come of this, but wow, this would be devastating news for Blagojevich.
- THEGUV'SFRIEND - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:37 pm:
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:05 pm:
I don’t know that I like the idea of a Reverend for Gov. Would he still act as a Rev at his Church? How would he avoid entangling the two?
I THINK CERMAK_RD NAILED IT. THERE IS NO MORE TO BE SAID.
GOOD POINT CERMAK……
IT WOULD EITHER BE ONE OR THE OTHER
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:46 pm:
It’s all about race for Meeks and his largely black constituency.
That comment about splitting the white vote
cinches it.
Now, what will be the price in our taxpayer money (money that is supposedly to be spent for the benefit of ALL citizens) be for Blago to appease Meeks. A pretty high price, I’d bet, even if not in education funding.
Talking to some lawyer is just part of squeezing a little harder.
- Mr. Anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 1:49 pm:
Anyone keeping a scorecard on how many Meeks mutterings there have been?
The number is getting up there
I think Meeks already has a 3rd party Should be a good distraction for the GOPs.
- DOWNSTATE - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 2:00 pm:
Sounds like a Chicago thing to me.Since this Gov. got in I say no to anything with a Cook County address.I might weaken a little for one of those fine Chicago assult weapons that the Chicago arm of the Iraq insurgents have.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 2:09 pm:
I think Rev Meeks could make it a real race, The Gov likes to use racial/ethnic/gay politics when its to his advantage so I dont think that Rev. Meeks statements are out of line, they are pragmatic. Race plays a role in everything in this state. If the Gov is a real man he would tell Rev Meeks to take a hike, I have a feeling this issue will be resloved shortly behind closed doors, this is a little bi#ch slap letting the Gov know to not take blacks for granted.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 2:18 pm:
The phony here is Blago who hasn’t even met his own commitment of raising per pupil spending by $1000 and is effectively killing off funding reform with this pledge that had to be dragged out of him. The real kicker is that there is no chance in hell of having a workable budget for four more years without some new revenue sources. He’s mortgaged everything else and is out of cute fixes and sweeps.
- Forecast - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 2:24 pm:
Meeks will keep this boomlet alive through the primary. If Stroger wins, serious horsetrading will ensue and Meeks will not pursue the very difficult task of collecting thousands and thousands of signatures to run as a third party or independent candidate. (And Rod has the millions to spend on keeping Meeks off the ballot.)
- donchicago48 - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 2:55 pm:
For those of you who fail to understand the problem, there is only one solution… raise taxes. What you fail to grasp is that raising taxes IS the problem. When people and businesses flee Illinois to tax-friendlier climes like rats leaving a sin,king ship, how can anyone seriously consider exacerbating the problem?
- Budget Watcher - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:03 pm:
I still contend it’s a bluff in order to secure a more active role in establishing the state’s policy agenda. The bonds between Governor and the Black Caucus will be that much stronger after the inevitable reconciliation.
- Pat collins - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:05 pm:
Does this mean someone killed the Harold Washington Party? Or did it go away from missing an election cycle.
I bet he needs not decide until AFTER the primary. So, until then he can put pressure on gun Ban with no cost to himself at all.
Pretty clever guy…..
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:07 pm:
I’m no election lawyer, but I can tell you two things. If Meeks wants to run as a Third Party candidate, he doesn’t need to withdraw from the Democratic Primary, but he must put together a complete statewide slate.
From the 2006 Candidate Guide:
A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a Primary Election, and who is defeated for nomination, is prohibited from being listed on the ballot at the General Election as an independent candidate or as a candidate of another political party, and may not file a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate at that General Election. (10 ILCS 5/7-61, 10-3, 17-16.1 and 18-9.1)
A new political party is created when a political group files nomination papers for a complete slate of candidates within the state, a specific district, or a political subdivision. If the new party receives more than 5% of the total votes cast at the General Election, it becomes an established political party in the state, district or political subdivision. (10 ILCS 5/7-2 and 10-2)
- ISU REP - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:09 pm:
I hope he does run JBT can start measuring fabric for the mansion drapes!!
- scoot - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:13 pm:
Meeks won’t run, the Senator is trying to push Blago into more funding for education. His numbers would be worse than Alan Keyes 27%. But, what do I know.
- johnkennedy - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 3:55 pm:
Maybe he checking voter turnout against name recognition within Chicago for a run against Hizzoner Daley. The Excitement Factor!!
- INADAZE - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 4:00 pm:
Give me a break. All of these big ego and I’m in charge attitudes make me SICK!!!!
- thomas paine - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 5:11 pm:
Meeks doesn’t live in Chicago so he can’t run for mayor unless he moves.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 5:13 pm:
The most solid constituency the Governor has, and what does he do? He betrays them. Don’t you think he promised Meeks that he wouldn’t take the pledge again? Why else would Meeks be so angry at his friend?
If not for his father-in-law, Blago would still be chasing ambulances on the north side. But he dumped him anyway. Now he’s betting that the black community has no place else to go. What disrespect!
The man is utterly devoid of character. How would you like to be down in the trenches with him? Is there anyone you would trust less? You’d be safer by yourself.
- Publius - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 5:13 pm:
Methinks that those wanting an African American challenge to Mayor Daley in April 2007 might see a third party challenge in November 2006 as an efficient and effective was to get a citywide organization up and running early.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 5:15 pm:
This will give puffery an out. He will go into the primary with the no new taxes. If he wins (God forbid) He flip flop on us and say that he has reevaluated his position.
- Same as the old boss - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 5:58 pm:
Meeks can feel he (thru the Black caucus) has more influence for the upcoming election. Southern Illinois ( everything south of Champaign ) is dead to Rod, and vice-versa.
The race is for Chicago, Cook, and the collar counties/suburbs. Rod has been hitting the Latinos hard all year, but he needs a solid black vote to win. That’s why he’s spent more time in the Reverend Senator’s church than he has the Governor’s mansion or Springfield Office. It ain’t becasuse Blago is God-Fearing, that’s for certain.
- Levois - Wednesday, Mar 1, 06 @ 7:34 pm:
I would like to think Rev. Meeks cares more about the issues than his own political advancement. However for him to pursue this issue of Rod Blagojevich pledge not to raise taxes for schooling funding doesn’t insure his advancement beyond the far south side of Chicago.
- Important - Thursday, Mar 2, 06 @ 4:49 pm:
If you’ve ever experienced racism, lack of concern and total disregard, then you’d understand the importance of someone like Rev. Meeks making waves. Whether he runs in the election or not, both parties should realize that they owe blacks some respect.
- NeedsToBeSaid - Tuesday, Mar 21, 06 @ 4:11 pm:
Non of the nay sayers can really say anything of value on this topic uless they have heard Pastor Senator Meeks preach/talk about it himself. I think what really gets most of whom seem to find this funny is that it would mean that African Americans would benifit more than they ever have from his becoming govener. But you really don’t think that Pastor Senator Meeks hasn’t thought of all of this and prayed over it extensively do you? That is why if he does run he will win.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 5, 06 @ 11:04 am:
I know he will make a very good Gov, we need someone that can pull the black people together this generation needs to know that we can and will have a place in this world,