Senate President Emil Jones began a meeting of his Democratic members not long ago with a playful announcement that despite what everyone had read and heard, he had no intention of retiring from office.
He was joking, of course, but while the joke may have temporarily relieved a bit of tension in the room, there’s still plenty of infighting ahead.
Forget about getting the required majority of 30 votes in January to replace Jones as president. The big problem now is just finding 19 votes - a majority of the Democratic caucus. There are almost that many Democratic senators floating their names right now, whether they are really serious or not, so this will take some time.
To give you an example, Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), who flirted with John McCain’s Republican campaign not that long ago, told reporters recently that colleagues had urged him to consider running. It’s doubtful that Sandoval would receive more than one or two votes, but this gives you a good idea of how many people are holding back their votes from the alleged “frontrunners” right now because they have their own dreams of grandeur.
This is probably going to take a while. There is no shortage of egos in the General Assembly, and the Senate Democratic caucus has an overabundance. It will be some time before many are ready to set aside their own fantasies and start actively engaging in the process.
Those egos were at least partly on display during a recent, sometimes stormy meeting of the Senate Black Caucus.
In the end, all caucus members vowed to vote together when it comes time to select a new Senate president, but it took a bit of doing.
On its face, that decision might seem to benefit Sen. James Clayborne (D-East St. Louis), who is supported at the moment by most downstate Democrats and several Black Caucus members. But there is quite a bit of animosity in the Black Caucus towards Clayborne, so this thing isn’t over yet.
Some Black Caucus members refused to talk on or off the record about the meeting, but enough spoke on the condition they not be identified to get a general idea of how things went. And it was apparently pretty rough going for a while.
There are those in the caucus who are reaching out to others in the hopes that a deal can be made which precludes Clayborne, but the Metro East legislator’s fundraising record and the fact that he has totally locked up a significant number of Black Caucus votes, not to mention a likely push to keep the Senate presidency in the hands of an African-American, means that he is in a strong position.
Some members have mentioned the possibility of a deal with Sen. Don Harmon, a white legislator from Oak Park whose district is half Republican and half African-American. Harmon also apparently has at least some support from some suburban legislators. But there are also reports that at least a couple of Black Caucus members have recently reached out to Sen. John Cullerton, a white Chicagoan with decades of experience who has always been considered one of the frontrunners for the top job. Harmon’s original strategy had him laying back until later rounds of voting and emerging as a compromise candidate. Cullerton, one of the early frontrunners, is hoping to wrap things up much sooner than that, as are other candidates, including Sen. Terry Link, of Lake County.
But, if the Black Caucus can somehow stay united, and if Clayborne can tie down unanimous support of downstate members (not guaranteed by any means as of yet), he’ll have 18 votes, which is pretty darned close to a majority of the Democratic Caucus’ 37 seats, unless, of course, the Democrats gain or lose seats in the coming election.
Something else to keep in mind is that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will hold the gavel when the official Senate election is held next year. Jim Thompson used that power many years ago to temporarily steer the president’s election to a Republican, even though the Democrats held the majority. Whether our current governor is above those sorts of shenanigans is anyone’s guess at the moment, but it probably has to be taken into account if a potential deadlock continues into the fall and winter.
LIVE session coverage...
- Captain America - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 9:27 am:
My understanding, based upon a conversation with s knowledgeable Springfield observer, is that Senator Claybourne may be ethically challenged/ lacks a “moral center.” Although he’s charismatic and intelligent, money seems to be his bottom line.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that Claybourne was in the pocket of Com Ed/the utility companies much like Godfather Jones. Maybe the downstateers should reconsider their support for Claybourne if he faciliated obstruction just as Godfather Jones precluded timely resolution of the utility electricity relief bill.
Seantors from all caucuses: We do not need another ethically-challenged Senate President with a dubious moral compass. Please choose someone else.Illinois voters and Illinois Democrats are ready for reform! I think the Democratic caucus should be able to find someone better than Senator Claybourne, although I would prefer him over Senator Hendon.
Rich set the record straight if I’ve said anything that unfairly impugns Senator Claybourne. I admit I don’t have first hand knowledge, and I have no desire to engage in character assassination.
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 9:44 am:
Senator Harmon seems like nice guy but he doesn’t have that much sonority in the senate. What has he done that is that outstanding in comparison to his other senate members with seniority? Like Sen Cullerton, Sen Clayborne, Senator Link, etc. . What has he done that is outstanding as a legislator? How can he see himself as the comprise candidate in comparison to the other senators running? As a person of color, I don’t see Senator Harmon as a comprise because he represents African Americans in his district as oppose to senator Clayborne or any other senate member who has African Americans in their district. What actual does that mean and represent? Your right Rich, there’s apparently lots of egos in the senate.
Sen Harmon needs to be careful if he thinks he can be a comprise because he represents African Americans and republicans in his district? What we need is a person with experience, good judge, a great handle of business, the community and citizens throughout the state. That could be anyone of his other senate members. I’ve never seen him in Springfield get out in front a take any position on any issue! He seems to play it safe where he hasn’t had to take the heat like other legislators. On the other hand his colleagues have taken heat on many issues, where has he been, in the background.
Again, he seems nice but I don’t see him as the best choice. There other candidates can be the comprise. Please!!!
- DzNts - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:04 am:
Let me get this straight: Blagojevich will be ‘presiding’ over the Senate? I can’t wait to see the GOP grill him on questions of parliamentary procedure. Hope they have a very well defined decision flow chart on the teleprompter for him. I would almost (almost) pay money to fly back to Illinois just to be in the Senate gallery to watch what can only be described as a ticking time bomb holding the gavel. It will definitely be priceless…
- Joe in the Know - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:08 am:
To Anon 9:44
Sen. Harmon is an excellent legislator who doesn’t have an ego the size of the Senate chamber. He is a thoughtful, organized, intelligent legislator who would absolutely make a fine consensus candidate for Senate President. Take a look at his sponsor list over the course of his career. There are too many good bills to mention here. You can access those bills at http://www.ilga.gov/senate/SenatorBills.asp?MemberID=1278
Do your homework before you disparage a good man like Don Harmon, the pride of Oak Park (and St. Ignatius!).
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:19 am:
Does anyone know what kind of a budget the Senate President’s office has?
- Levois - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:20 am:
I hope Blagojevich presiding over the state senate is in the constitution. lol!
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:20 am:
It’s amazing that they can ever elect one at all.
Besides a few extra bucks for a leadership position, what can you promise your supporters? Once you get the job, you control the flow of legislation — what bills will get called, or not, when you’ll meet, or not. With that power, you control virtually all of the real fundraising, too.
As things stand now, Senate President and Speaker are the only jobs worth having in the GA. All power and benefits are derived from the top leadership — what you can beg and cajole from them. If you’re not one of the Tops, you’re just a variety of mushroom.
- Levois - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:23 am:
Yup it’s in there I shoulda know better.
- "Keeping It Real" - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:31 am:
Sorry, I didn’t have a name before Rich i sent my meessage aon. So, I’ll call myself “Keeping It real”
Joe in the Know. I’m in Springfield aand I know the legislation he’s past. I didn’t say he didn’t do anything. I said in comparison to others they have just as impressive records or more. I know about the legislative link. Please!!!!!!! The same link you sent which indicates the record of the other memebrs too. When the media is on the Sen dems I don’t see him taking any of the heat nor being out front! The other senators have had to do that.
That’s what’s beautiful about Anerica, we all have a right to our opinion and I don’t assume because I disagree with you that I don’t know what what’s going on . That’s your opinion and I have mine.
That God we’re in America were everyone has the right to their own opinion. I say again, What makes him the comprise candiadte because he represents African Anericans and republicans? There are plenty of Senate memebers with excellent records who have same demographics in there district.
- The Doc - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:44 am:
Does the fact that Sen. Schoenberg is a freshman senator necessarily hurt his chances? I sorta like the idea of a newer member taking the post, and he seems very much on the up and up.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:50 am:
Sen. Schoenberg is not a freshman.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 10:56 am:
Considering how much Jones had done since Blagojevich was elected, the Senate could take it’s time replacing him without a noticable impact on their performance.
- PhilCollins - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 11:37 am:
Rich is right. Schoenberg has been a state senator since 2003.
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 11:51 am:
The longer the Senate takes to elect its president, the longer the Governor will be in charge of it. Considering the lawsuit brought about such an election back in the early 1980s, and the Governor’s “so sue me” approach to governing, we could see much more havoc than we can even imagine right now.
- NimROD - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 12:30 pm:
===The longer the Senate takes to elect its president, the longer the Governor will be in charge of it.===
Not that this is any change from right now. It’s amazing - every time Jones opens his mouth I can so clearly hear Blagojevich speaking.
In the end, we will probably end up with another self-obsessed clone of Jones (Rickey Hendon, perhaps?) and the status quo will continue unabated.
- Oberon - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 12:44 pm:
You know, in Texas, the State Senate President is the Lt. Gov., a Constitutional Officer elected State-wide directly by the voters, and not by the august members of the Senate itself. Hmmm…a Senate President accountable to the all of the people and not to the members of his party caucus or just the voters of his Senate district. What an interesting alternative! Sounds like still another reason to vote for a Con-Con!
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
I’ve known Harmon for many years and while I agree he’s not known for taking highly controversial positions, he is a very effective legislator and most important in this climate, a great consensus builder. It’s why I think he’d be good for the job. Whether he can line up the votes, however, is certainly a big open question. There are just too many moving parts here.
The way I’d handicap the race now is that Clayborne starts with the edge, with Cullerton in 2nd place. But if Donne Trotter is serious about his own bid, that could cause a pretty serious rift in the black caucus. Without unanimity in that caucus, I don’t see either Clayborne or Trotter getting the job. Also, keep your eyes on Deanna Demuzio and who she gravitates towards. She’s trying to bring together the downstate caucus or at least a healthy hunk of it. If she’s successful, she could be the difference maker with whomever winds up close, but not close enough. I’d put money on Deanna as majority leader or at least in leadership.
- Number Games - Tuesday, Sep 16, 08 @ 6:04 pm:
With the current 37 elected Democrat Senators, what are are the chances that any one Democrat Senator will be able to garner all 30 votes from within their own party?
Is there a way for Watson to organize his caucus votes in such a way as to drive the Democrats further apart, by forcing a certain number of them to come together for this one vote?