*** UPDATE *** Another pol says gimme…
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez said today he would like to be named to fill the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* I really didn’t think this would happen, but I’m starting to think it might…
Chicago Democrat Emil Jones is retiring from being Illinois Senate president but he won’t rule out being Illinois’ new U.S. senator in Washington.
Jones told The Associated Press in a phone interview Thursday that he would consider it a great honor if Gov. Rod Blagojevich chose him to be Barack Obama’s successor.
The 73-year-old Chicago Democrat said he’s too young to retire and has several options to remain active.
* The Sun-Times offers up some Obama replacement ideas…
• • Valerie Jarrett: Obama confidante, former city official, real estate executive and housing expert.
• • Frank Clark, ComEd chief executive, active on more than a dozen civic boards and organizations.
• • Eric Whitaker, former state public health director and University of Chicago Medical Center executive.
• • Miguel del Valle, a thoughtful and committed former state senator and current city clerk.
• • Gery Chico, former chief of staff to Mayor Daley, Chicago Board of Education president and U.S. Senate candidate.
* And y’all were dissed a bit by the HuffPo…
On a well-regarded Illinois political blog recently, anonymous bloggers were asked to give their choices for the appointment should Obama win. They were also asked to give a rationale for the appointment. What followed was a fascinating exercise in how insiders think. The candidates suggested were a rather exclusive group, the rationales pointed, ruthless, Machiavellian, funny, surprising, depressing, and deeply, deeply cynical.
In one sense they were universal: no one suggested competence as a rationale. I don’t think that those hopeful faces in Grant Park were hoping that the deciding factor in the choice of what man or woman fills President Obama’s Senate seat for the next two years be who can best help our embattled Governor.
Whatever. When has competence ever had anything to do with Illinois politics?
Discuss below if you care.
* The Chicago media has always been extremely parochial, along with the rest of the state, so the drumbeat about “what Obama’s win does for us” continues at a feverish pace…
* The Mayor’s Influence On The White House
* Daley praises Emanuel choice, talk of federal money
* ‘People will come here’: Daley
* Illinois banks on Obama buzz to boost tourism
* Advocates say Obama will be a Great Lakes friend
* Leadership from IL will be strong in D.C.
* The national press is all atwitter that choosing mean ol’ Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff is some sort of major shift in tone…
Barack Obama is signaling a shift in tactics and temperament as he moves from candidate to president-elect, picking sharp-elbowed Washington insiders for top posts.
What the national media has never really been able to comprehend is that Obama has from the start been a sharp-elbowed politico as well as a high-minded “reformer.” He challenged all of his competitors off the primary ballot in his very first race for public office, for crying out loud. He’s not a guy who avoids trench warfare.
* The Tribune editorial board gets it somewhat right…
President-elect Barack Obama’s first personnel decision sends a strong signal that he plans to be a pragmatic, get-it-done leader. You can expect that Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s choice for chief of staff, won’t let the next White House get bogged down in ideological warfare.
Emanuel helped secure a Democratic majority in the House two years ago by recruiting a broad mix of candidates, including fiscal conservatives and some Democrats who oppose abortion rights and support gun rights. That angered some on the left, but it got the job done.
* This bit from today’s Tribune story was better, however…
Clearly, Obama is sending a no-nonsense message by naming Emanuel and considering Gibbs. While Obama intends to lead the nation as the hopeful, inspirational figure who soared to the pinnacle of American politics, he obviously has no intention of assuming a deferential position in the capital.
DC is a horrid place teaming with snakes and weasels. Show weakness and you’re dead meat. Emanuel may be a lot of things, but he ain’t weak.
* Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham probably said it best…
“This is a wise choice by President-elect Obama.
“Rahm knows Capitol Hill and has great political skills. He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together. He is well-suited for the position of White House Chief of Staff.
“I worked closely with him during the presidential debate negotiations which were completed in record time. When we hit a rough spot, he always looked for a path forward. I consider Rahm to be a friend and colleague. He’s tough but fair. Honest, direct, and candid. These qualities will serve President-elect Obama well.”
* Meanwhile, the line to replace Emanuel in the US House is almost as long as the line for Tuesday night’s Grant Park rally…
Aldermen and County Board members, Democratic loyalists and self-styled reformers—even a newly elected member of Ald. Dick Mell’s (33rd) political dynasty—worked the phones and met with allies to seek support for a potentially crowded special election.
Among those expressing interest in the seat or considered to be potential contenders were: Cook County Board Commissioners Mike Quigley and Forrest Claypool; Alds. Thomas Allen (38th), Gene Schulter (47th), Patrick O’Connor (40th) and Manny Flores (1st); state Rep. John Fritchey and Deborah Mell, the governor’s sister-in-law and daughter of the 33rd Ward alderman.
* More…
* Anatomy of a smear on Rahm Emanuel
* Emanuel’s Constituents React to Congressman’s New Job
* Bids begin for Emanuel’s place in Congress
LIVE session coverage...
- 2 - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 9:58 am:
I like Deb Mell, but I don’t think she is ready to run on a congressional ticket yet. She’s definitely the beat person in that family and look forward to seeing her down in Springfield.
I would hate for her to start out in politics on a bad foot.
- 2cool - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:05 am:
Best person. Not beat person.
Meaning - the best character.
I think she is wonderful. But she shouldn’t run.
- The Doc - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:05 am:
===I would hate for her to start out in politics on a bad foot.===
The horse is out of the barn already. Her father disgracefully engineered the state rep race. The ink’s not even dry and she’s seeking a US Congressional seat? She may be nice and perhaps even qualified (but few know since she faced no competition or engaged in any due diligence), but this is bizarre.
Be a productive state rep for a couple of terms and then I’ll consider you for a slot in Washington.
- cermak_rd - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:06 am:
Oh sure, slander the weasels and snakes.
- pro - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:07 am:
I met Deb Mell once. Was very impressed.
But I don’t think she could compete against a Claypool, especially if another gay politician got in the race (Greg Harris, Tom Tunney, Michael McRaith).
- Skeeter - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:08 am:
I’ve been predicting Emil for a while. The idea will be that he will serve out the two years and then let the voters choose a replacement.
Hopefully he won’t do anything particularly stupid or corrupt during those two years.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:11 am:
He won’t get anything done, either, and it puts Illinois behind. Nobody can accomplish much of anything in the first year in the US Senate. If they know he isn’t running again, those fogies are likely to prevent him from making any progress. That means the next US Senator will have to start all over again.
- siriusly - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:12 am:
The Huff Po can go get bent!
You didn’t ask us who we wanted, you asked us who we thought G-Rod would appoint.
I was one of those faces in Grant Park and sure I’d love to see him find a suitable replacement to Barack - but honestly this Governor is only capable of using power to better his own interests. Instead of ripping on the knowledgeable cap fax commenters, HuffPO should do some real reporting and wake up and smell the Blago coffee. The only thing that matters to him is him!
- GoBearsss - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:14 am:
I nominate my friend “Bill” for Rahm’s seat.
I don’t think he could get the Governor to select him for the Senate (him being a White Sox fan and all).
But he could win in the 5th.
- Captain Flume - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:15 am:
“President-elect Barack Obama’s newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot “red flags,” according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.com.” http://abcnews.go.com
Blotter/story?id=6201900&page=1
Let’s see if this leads anywhere.
- Mr. Ethics - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:19 am:
If Emil Jones says he is too young to retire then why is he retiring?
- Just Observing - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:19 am:
Nice plug in Huff Post, Rich!
I thing Claypool is great, but we need him here in Cook County to shake things up — not one of 435 in DC.
Deb Mell is coming off as brazen, ungrateful, and arrogant.
If Claypool doesnt’ jump in, I think Fritchey would be the front runner.
Quigley is a sell out and no Claypool.
Manny Flores will do anything to grab higher office — including running in a District not his own.
- TRIPLE PLAY - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:20 am:
{The candidates suggested were a rather exclusive group, the rationales pointed, ruthless, Machiavellian, funny, surprising, depressing, and deeply, deeply cynical. In one sense they were universal: no one suggested competence as a rationale.}
Are they suggesting that Bill is incompetent?
My suggestion of Sandi Jackson may have been surprising and my rationale for her support ruthless and Machiavellian, but it was sincere and in no way deeply, deeply cynical. The simple absence of a supporting argument for competence as well; in no way discredits her qualifications or capabilities for serving in the position.
If the selection were from an unlimited field of competent candidates, she would not be my first pick, but let’s be honest and pragmatic, it’s not.
If the selection is limited to African Americans; she would be my first pick. If the selection is limited only to Democratic women; she would also be my first pick. So, why not choose her and get the best of both worlds?
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:20 am:
If loyalty in politics means anything, Jones is the natural first choice if he wants it. Both Blago and Obama are deeply indebted to him.
Why not? Obviously, Jones wouldn'’t run the show, but he’d certainly be a Pothole Senator for Illinois and might on occasion rattle the chandeliers of the World’s Most Exclusive Club. At least he wouldn’t be a cookie-cutter, blow-dried, mid-market anchorman like half the place is now.
- Levois - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:26 am:
From Obama to Jones. Jones won’t survive in Washington I’m sorry.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:38 am:
===Nice plug in Huff Post, Rich!===
A “plug” would be naming us and linking here. That was no plug.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:38 am:
>pointed, ruthless, Machiavellian, funny, surprising, depressing, and deeply, deeply cynical.
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:41 am:
Competence?
It’s not like it’s impossible to screw-up being U.S. Senator, but it’s a job that’s fairly easy on paper to fulfill the minimum requirements. What’s a U.S. Senator do? Supervise a small staff in multiple locations and show up for votes and committee hearings.
There have been people that have failed as U.S. Senators, Carol Moseley Braun, Peter Fitzgerald, Mark Dayton and Jean Carnahan come to mind.
But on paper Moseley Braun and Fitzgerald seemed qualified. They had been state legislators and Moseley Braun was pretty decent as a legislator. And she’d supervised more people at the Cook County Recorder of Deeds than she’d need to supervise as a U.S. Senator.
After Moseley Braun bombed a friend of mine said that the proper pre-requisite to be U.S. Senator is either to have first been a member of the U.S. House of Reps or to be governor.
The problem with this rule is that it would exclude a number of people who were pretty good U.S. Senators, like Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
So, discussing the competence of potential U.S. Senators is something of a fools errand.
The writer who dissed the discussion for not including “competence” is someone who probably has a facile understanding of what does and doesn’t make a competent U.S. Senator.
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:41 am:
–The candidates suggested were a rather exclusive group, the rationales pointed, ruthless, Machiavellian, funny, surprising, depressing, and deeply, deeply cynical. In one sense they were universal: no one suggested competence as a rationale.–
I think Machiavellian encompasses both ruthless and cynical. Funny and depressing at the same time? He must be getting paid by the word — or wait, he’s not getting paid at all, is he?
Michael, read your Strunk and White — “Omit needless words.”
Plus, was anyone mentioned who isn’t “competent” to be a senator? That’s not a dig at senators or those mentioned.
When did this guy run the lottery?
- 312 - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:41 am:
I’d put money on Emil. He stood by GRod so strongly thru all the dysfunction in Springfield that he’s going to get rewarded for it with Obama’s Senate seat. But if he gets it, I’m wondering about his chances for re-election — will his son run instead???
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:42 am:
The irony of the HuffPo piece was that the author, implying the “insiders” did not value competence as a desired trait, suggested a method of selecting the new US Senator based on random luck, no skill required.
- Just Observing - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:45 am:
I stand corrected.
Nice inference in the Huff Post, Rich!
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:46 am:
Not that Emil Jones is my choice for U.S. Senate, but then, I’m not the governor or on the governor’s committee….
In defense of Jones being old, he’s also got a special relationship with Obama. I don’t think other U.S. Senators would ignore Jones quite the way they would ignore the typical 70+ year old caretaker Senator.
It would kinda be sweet revenge for Emil Jones against JJJ for Triple J beating Jones for the Congressional seat.
- Pat Collins - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:51 am:
He challenged all of his competitors off the primary ballot in his very first race for public office
Standard operating procedure if they’ve been sloppy. Not exactly trench warfare.
Huff post
I would be quite honored to have them dump on me, especially by name :).
Rahm tough
Yes, and D’s will be the target of that as much as anyone else. I didn’t have much hope for a Jimmy Carter repeat.
Sen. Jones
One can only HOPE.
Failed Senators
In what way did Peter F fail? I’d say that in terms of making sure that the Lincoln center wasn’t pork ridden, the US Atty he was quite successful.
That he PO’d his base enough to not offset all the problems with LaHood and co isn’t exactly success, but not failure either.
- Rob_N - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:53 am:
Re the Emanuel tax smear…
Fran Eaton has eaten her crow, with a side of pepper.
Now back to your regularly scheduled vile thuggery.
- Captain Flume - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:54 am:
Barack Obama, Rahm Emmanuel, Emil Jones: the Chicago political cabal goes to Washington. Hey, America, you wanted change, you got it. And it won’t be nickels and dimes.
- Bill - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:55 am:
Thank you GoBearsss,
You are probably right about Rod not appointing me but I am counting on Rich’s influence to help me with him. If he won’t play ball, I may just have to beat his sister-in-law in the primary.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:57 am:
What a better way to thank Emil but to name him to the US Senate. This way he gets the perks, another pension and can basically coast for the next 2 years. Then either run or have someone else in the wings to begin a campaign. That way they will not be Rod’s pick.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 10:58 am:
My initial reaction to Rahm’s appointment was “Good God, I wouldn’t want to work for him!”
But I thought the Republican reaction was waaaay over-the-top, and in accusing Rahm of being a partisan, DEEPLY partisan.
After months of accusing Obama of being a “Socialist”, you’d think the Republicans would have praised Rahm as one of the architects of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In fact, the guy who gets the most credit for its passage. But nope, the GOP learned nothing on Election Day and its “Attack, attack, attack.”
As we like to say in Southern Illinois, “You can’t dig your way out of a hole.”
Keep digging my friends. Keep on digging.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:00 am:
If Obama supports Jones for Senator, it really will be a bad sign for things to come. I don’t think he will. Blago may try to do it anyway but I don’t think Jones would take it without Obama’s blessing.
Blago’s got only one chance to help himself here and that is to call the Prez and ask who gets the job. Emmanual is probably making this clear to Gov Blagoviate as we speak.
- Bill - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:01 am:
==Quigley is a sell out and no Claypool.==
Claypool would sell out in a minute if he could. His problem is no one is buying. He is a zero who will lose to Todd if he tries to run again. Don’t underestimate the strength and influence of organized labor in Illinois. They don’t forget, Forrest!
Re:Emil’s age. Isn’t he younger than John McCain?
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:04 am:
How did Peter Fitzgerald fail?
He alienated virtually everyone and had no significant legislative accomplishments.
He could neither muster support in DC or Illinois to run again.
There are reformers and anti-establishment politicians who get re-elected, like Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
To me, Fitzgerald’s U.S. Senate term was a bust. But maybe Republicans have lower standards.
- Phil Collins - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:05 am:
Gov. Blago. should appoint Rep. Schakowsky to the U.S. Senate. Her political experience will help her, as a senator and as a candidate, in the 2010 election. Including her experience as a state rep. and a congresswoman, she’s held elective office longer than Rep. Jackson. After she leaves the U.S. House, the winner of the special election, to replace her, should be St. Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg, of Evanston. Since he was re-elected, this week, he has high name recognition, in his district, which includes Skokie and Rogers Park.
- Oh my Bama - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:12 am:
One of the responsibilities of a US Senator is constituent services. Mosely Braun’s office was terrible and my personal experience, Obama wasn’t the greatest either. The more high profile the Senator, the more requests that office is apt to get and often they aren’t federal issues which many folks don’t quite understand. Establishing an orderly and timely response to constituent inquires is important but often over looked.
- Bill Baar - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:23 am:
To me, Fitzgerald’s U.S. Senate term was a bust. But maybe Republicans have lower standards.
He brought in the other Fitz Carl who’s the one person with the greatest impact on our politics in my lifetime.
- James the Intolerant - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:42 am:
I can see Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff, it is always the toughest job and he is just the kind of [NOTE FROM RICH MILLER: Don’t swear in your posts, not even by leaving out letters. Thanks.] you need in the job. I just hope this isn’t going to be an extension for Chicago connections, like a distant CTA or Park District. Daley needs Obama, Obama doesn’t need Daleys (Bill included). Daley needed to endorse Obama much more than Obama needed the early endorsement.
- Wumpus - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 11:54 am:
Huffpo dissed us, so? A site that basically lets celebrities (actors, etc) spout thier beleifs could not hold a tinfoil hat to the knowledge by the posters on this site. What’s next, the Free Repub complaining or the daily kos. As for competence, that is known here that competence is not relevant to Il politics.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 12:22 pm:
Rob, no crow was eaten by IR. That was the weirdest non-retraction retraction I’ve ever seen.
- Rob_N - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 12:27 pm:
Hence the side of pepper, Ted… I mean Rich.
(You don’t allow profanity, or I would’ve written a more accurate comment about it.)
- Ann Freaton - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 1:10 pm:
If anyone was offended by my non-apology, I sincerely apologize.
- Erickson - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 1:44 pm:
Ugh…the thought of Emil as our new U.S. Senator?!?
In the words of Jenny (Forrest Gump): “Dear God, please make me a bird so I can fly far…far, far away from here”…
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
Outsiders shouldn’t pop in and expect to grasp the context of an on-going discussion. Regular readers can separate the ironic from the realistic from the hopeful.
HuffPo (and anyone else popping in to get a read on Illinois politics) should find a regular reader to provide context, but then that would be responsible reportage. Oh, well.
- curly - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 3:05 pm:
Chicago will miss Rahm Emanuel–not immediately, but in 4 to 8 years when he changes careers and we have nothing but showhorses in DC. He replaced Rostenkowski and Bill Lipinski as Chicago’s point person to bring home the bacon. He was building up seniority and managed the Congress better than anyone since Lyndon Johnson.
- Rob_N - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
Wumpy,
What’s with the vitriol?
I call myself a mutt too - Czech, Irish, German, European-you-name-it… It’s a pretty common quip so how is it offensive?
- Guy Fawkes - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 3:37 pm:
I feel bad for Rahm Emanuel. His kids aren’t old enough to fill his vacancy.
- Judgement - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 3:39 pm:
I call myself a mut too, Polish, Irish, German and Norse-I kinda like the term.
- Gray Wolves Den - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 4:21 pm:
The ultimate pay to play - Blago should put Obama’s Senate vacancy on ebay
- walter sobchak - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 6:05 pm:
Hey, I Walter Sobchak want a chance to be a Senator. I don’t know anybody, haven’t raised money for anybody, am not competent, will vote as Rahm Emmanuel tells me, and promise not to run again. Where can I buy a ticket?
- Wumpus - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 7:47 pm:
No vitriol, just in this PC world I have seen some take flack for some comments and others slide by. I like the fact that he embraces his heritage. We area ll Henz 57’s if you dig deep enough
- WJM-TV - Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 8:00 pm:
=blow-dried, mid-market anchormen=
The majority of all US politicians in a nutshell.
But sorry, Carol Moseley-Braun is probably, on paper or not, the least qualified individual in the history of the US ever to have served in the Senate.
And that is saying a lot.
- Illinois.Pundit - Saturday, Nov 8, 08 @ 6:45 am:
You seemed to leave out the most logical choice and likely front runner for Rahm’s seat–Rep. Sara Feigenholtz.