* We don’t know yet who asked for this meeting, but this is a huge blow to Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, whom Barack Obama backed in the last election…
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has met with President Barack Obama and his senior political aides to talk about running for the U.S. Senate seat he once held.
Ms. Madigan’s spokeswoman says the meeting occurred in Washington at the White House late last week, with the Senate race the subject.
Ms. Madigan reportedly has not made up her mind, but the meeting came after weeks in which White House operatives reached out to Ms. Madigan and urged her to run for the seat now held by Roland Burris, and after Ms. Madigan said she would agree to think about it.
In the meeting besides Mr. Obama were senior advisor Valerie Jarrett and presidential Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Ms. Madigan also talked with David Axelrod, who ran Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign.
More…
So, who called the White House meeting? “I didn’t ask that question,” Ziegler said.
Hmmm. It’s a safe bet that Madigan is rethinking a bid for the governor’s job. “Well, she hasn’t ruled out a Senate bid,” Ziegler said.
And this Giannoulias press release is kinda weird…
Statement from State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias regarding U.S. Senate race:
“Voters in Illinois are facing the most troubling economic times in decades and they want leaders who will solve problems and fight hard every day against the political insiders who have failed us. When Barack Obama ran for this seat in 2004, he was not the choice of the insiders. He became the choice of the people because of the strength of his ideas and his ideals.
“Illinois has been ill-served by state party leaders who think they know better than voters. Now more than ever, anyone who seeks this seat must convince voters they have the ideas that will get our economy on its feet and put our people back to work, not just prove that they have the political clout to demand a clear field and win appointment.”
Madigan wants a presidential endorsement and a clear field. As Giannoulias’ press release makes clear, that second part doesn’t look likely…
The Chicago Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet reports that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is demanding an endorsement from President Obama and a clear Democratic primary field as the two conditions for her to run for the Senate.
The White House looks willing to play ball, in light of breaking news that President Obama met with Madigan last week to discuss a potential Senate candidacy.
But the second condition looks very difficult to achieve, with state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias already in the race and raising big bucks for his exploratory committee with plans to make a formal announcement next month. And there’s no love lost between the Madigan and Giannoulias camps, making any kind of backroom deal between the two highly unlikely.
Several sources close to the Giannoulias camp said there is “no way” the state Treasurer would bow out of the race, and that he’s in it to win it. That would mean that if Madigan wanted to pursue a Senate race, she’d have to face a tough, expensive primary — without the benefit of the nearly $5 million in her state campaign account.
More…
At a commencement speech in Chicago Sunday, Sun-Times Political Reporter Abdon M. Pallasch asked Obama Axelrod Sunday about spin put out by some Giannoulias critics that the White House wanted Madigan as the nominee because if Obama’s friend Giannoulias was the nominee, Obama’s and Giannoulias’ old friend, convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko, would become a campaign issue that caused spillover bad P.R. for Obama.
“The president has a lot of respect and affection for Alexi, for Lisa, but ultimately the party and voters here are going to have to decide who will be the strongest possible candidate right now,” Axelrod said. “Our interest is in making sure the seat remains in Democratic hands. It’s not up to the president to decide who the candidate should be, But that’s the standard everyone should apply: Who would be the strongest candidate?”
Pallasch asked Axelrod: “Are you guys taking a ‘hands off’ approach or trying to recruit the best candidate?”
Axelrod responded: “We’re talking to whoever wants to talk to us.”
Thoughts?
LIVE session coverage...
- Leroy - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:19 am:
Wow, it looks like Quinn’s ‘Hat in the ring’ lecture from a few days ago must have scared Madigan off.
Good move, Quinn.
- Niles Township - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:22 am:
Actually, it might have been some polling done on the Madigan name right now. While Lisa is “above the fray”, her daddy isn’t, and for the people who don’t spend every waking minute living politics, one Madigan might as well equal the other.
- Scooby - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:25 am:
She forgot to ask for a gold-plated pony too.
- Steve - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:27 am:
This makes watching Obama’s TV ad endorsing Alexi, all the more interesting.
http://nalert.blogspot.com/2008/08/obamarezkoand-chicago-mob-linked.html
- Pat collins - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:28 am:
Well, a 3 way primary, Burris, Alexi, Madigan.
Regardless of endorsements, Burris likely gets a lot of Black votes. Alexi might get the lakefront, Magidan gets the “regular” blue collar vote.
And a boat load of money is spent. So cool.
- shore - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:31 am:
I don’t see Kirk coming back to run springfield so if Lisa goes for Senate, I think the democrats have probably neutralized him and Michael Bond can rethink his campaign.
Gotta be a tough blow for alexi that his patron is recruiting against him and if lisa doesn’t go for senate definitley shows he was the 2nd choice.
Finally one suggestion for Rich. One of the washington post political hands, cilizza has a scale for rating candidates and perhaps you could start givining us general number ratings. I.e. is the candidate a 0 for keyes, 10 for Mark Kirk or 3 for an oberweis.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:32 am:
Shouldn’t we be asking Patrick Kennedy for his opinion?
A 3 way primary among Burris, Lisa & Alexi would be juicy…..would that entice Mark Kirk to run?
- Cassandra - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:32 am:
It sounds like the WH is already getting a little nervous about the 2010 elections. They can’t afford to lose Senate seats. Obama’s ratings on some specific issues (not overall) are slipping a bit and it’s not clear that the economy will be in much better shape a year from November. Recessions often have false dawns and recent improvements may be brief.
So maybe the WH decided it would be best to forget powerful personal ties (Alexi) and powerful personal and political ties (the Kennedy family) and go with the candidate they assess as being strongest. Also, Alexi is young and Lisa could be a potential S. Court nominee in the future. He could still have his chance under an Obama presidency. So could Kennedy.
I hope Lisa’s acceptance wouldn’t stick us with the hapless Pat. We need a moderate Republican governor to straighten things out. The Democrats are hopeless on the state level. They have utterly failed.
- anon - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:34 am:
I can think of 180 million reasons why Lisa should stick to her plan to run for gov. Alexi is in this thing, and he has the resources to muck her reputation pretty badly.
- South Side Mike - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:37 am:
Pat Collins,
And you’re just thinking of Chicago. Downstate, Burris wins maybe some East St. Louis, but who else? I think Lisa holds the edge, depending on how well the “Madigan” name helps or hurts her. Alexi’s ethnic and Chicago roots didn’t hurt him in the previous election, though, so I think you have a real horse race for the Downstate votes. He could also benefit from some anti-Daddy Madigan votes.
Lisa v. Alexi would be a fascinating battle. Keyes, I mean Burris, would just be the circus sideshow to the real action in the center ring.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:38 am:
I bet Alexi wishes now he had layed down some hard fouls rather play the matador when Obama was driving toward the hoop.
He needs to read the signs. If Obama endorses Lisa, he’s out.
However, I think the Obama people are foolish for getting the president personally and publicly involved in a primary. It can lead to bad blood, and if the president backs a loser, it makes him look weak.
There are a lot more subtle ways to get your point across. Plus, does Obama have to do everything for these guys?
- Louis Howe - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:41 am:
It’s probably better for both Madigans that Lisa run for the Senate. The state budget situation is only going to get worse with much finger pointing left to do. She did a poll last week and perhaps learned that D.C was a safer landing pad than Spring Patch.
- Speaking at Will - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:42 am:
Dems do not need an ugly primary battle for U.S. Senate in Illinois. If Burris gets involved and refuses to step aside, this race will be even bigger national news than it would be without him in the race.
If Alexi and the POTUS are really as close as everyone says they are, then dont be suprised if Alexi does not find a cushy “appointment” in the administration somewhere.
This clears the field for Madigan, and gets Alexi to Washington, he’s young enough to wait a few years to make another move.
- Anonymous45 - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:48 am:
I have been harping for weeks on why Lisa should not run for Gov while Dad is hanging around…she is saavy enough to realize where her best option lies and lining up the POTUS backing for a Senate run is brilliant…she will have my support for this race should she decide to go for it…Alexi is a wanna be in my opinion, and his credentials when stacked up to Lisa’s pale in comparison…he will be beat by Lisa…I wish I were a fly on the wall in Gov Quinn’s office…I disagree wholeheartedly with the recent negative assessment of Quinn’s performance thus far…this is an awful time to have taken over the reins of State government, Quinn has admittedly stumbled badly in the political sense, but it looks like Lisa may have realized the Governor’s office will be fraught with loathsome decisions and potential political backlash which she wishes to avoid…go to DC Lisa and then come back to steer the ship of IL State…
- Hon. Cranial Lamb - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:51 am:
Alexi has money to spend but his support is very soft, I don’t think he’ll do well in a match up against Lisa and he probably knows it. Saber rattling, probably feels betrayed. Welcome to the jungle kid.
To all who just assume that Burris wins the black votes, I hope you’ll re-examine that prediction. If Roland runs no matter if there is another black candidate or not, he won’t do better than 30% of the black vote. Black voters are not going to stick with the man, he’s done.
- Waxum - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:54 am:
This will be an interesting race. I could see Lisa going very well in the Collars.
Can Alexi win without Obama’s blessing? If he refuses to endorse Alexi (assuming Lisa runs for Governor) the press wont let that go and it will look like Barack does not support him. Thatll cause people to get nervous.
However, Alexi would carry downstate. The Madigans are not well liked. Any support Lisa got would have to be strong armed and therefore not solid.
I wouldnt count on much from the county chairmen though. They have proved to be relatively worthless except for a few.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:55 am:
Does anyone in their right mind want to be governor? It is a disaster here, and no one year fix is going to remedy that. Any ladder climbing politician with national asperations isn’t going to watch their dreams break up while sitting in the hot seat in Springfield.
The Senate is a great place to reside while raising a family. Madigan’s personal needs for her family points towards the US Senate. Her father is too involved in the process for her to navigate Illinois waters. Voters will be more accepting for a Madigan for Senate, than a Madigan for Governor at this time.
Giannoulias? He might as well be a Jonas Brother. He is a pop star with the shelf life of a baklava. If he had any ideas he could be a rerun of Pat Quinn circa 1978. He could have a future, after all look who’s governor - but he and his supporters know that before he cools, they have to run for a bigger office. This strategy worked for Obama.
During these tough times, voters are becoming more conservative, so a Madigan will be in, and a Giannoulais will be out.
Burris is a zombie.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 9:58 am:
If anyone in the Primary Kennedy, Alexi were to lay some serious hits on Lisa in the primary then win or lose they are toast long term.
Madigan would see to that, at the end of the day the father instinct trumps everything else.
- Bill - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:06 am:
If there is one thing Alexi is its loyal. If the President asks him to bow out he is gone. If Burris is the only other candidate Lisa has her clear field.
POTUS has some vary plum places that he can put Alexi and Kennedy if they go along. It is Lisa’s if she’ll go for it.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:12 am:
–If there is one thing Alexi is its loyal. If the President asks him to bow out he is gone. –
Bill, I think he just did.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:14 am:
{We don’t know yet who asked for this meeting, but this is a huge blow to Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, whom Barack Obama backed in the last election…
Thoughts?}
Since “we don’t know yet who asked for this meeting”; it seems rather presumptious to suggest that “this is a huge blow to Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias”
(1) Maybe the meeting was at Madigan’s request in order for her to lay out her demands.
(2) Maybe the meeting was at the request of the DSCC, in an effort to feel her out as to what she would need to be enticed into running.
(3) Maybe she was in D.C. already for another reason and the meeting was at first informal,friendly and a personal courtesy call that touched on a myriad of issues, of which this is just one.
(4) Given Axelrod’s comments, maybe Alexi had a similar meeting which is yet to be reported on.
(5) Maybe Chris Kennedy has also had such a meeting, but is holding his cards close; except for his gin soaked cousin.
If either 4, or 5 above took place, would those be considered ‘HUGE BLOWS” to bothe Madigan and/or Kennedy?
I think this calls for a cautionary “take a deep breath” comment, before reading too much into the impact on Alexi, or anyone else, because it is meaningless, unless she actually decides to run.
Campaign finance laws and limitations on the velvet hammer that can be wielded by SpeakerDaddy in a Washington based contest serve to level the playing field here, and even if they were both in this race, she would seem to start out with a money disadvantage already to both Alexi and Kennedy, so the “clear the field” demand makes her look selfish and weak.
- There you go again - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:17 am:
Alexi needs to climb back from the branch and reclaim his right to run for state treasurer … he needs to tell his chief of staff that it’s inappropriate to run for that office while serving his office as its chief of staff. In a couple more terms, he’ll be ready for the big time.
Lisa may go for Senate, opening the door for Quinn for Governor against Mark Kirk. Kennedy then can run for Kirk’s congressional seat.
That’s one scenario that looks more likely.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:22 am:
===I think this calls for a cautionary “take a deep breath” comment, before reading too much into the impact on Alexi, or anyone else, because it is meaningless, unless she actually decides to run.===
I think not. The pattern over the last few months has been leaks from DC that the big boys and girls want Lisa to run, despite Alexi’s presence in the race. Obama could stop that talk if he wanted to. He hasn’t.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:23 am:
Is it me, or does this sort of stink like the Caroline Kennedy situation? Lisa doesn’t want to run in an election, she wants a coronation. Maybe she should have just asked Blago for the appt back in November. From someone who is supposedly the brightest star in Illinois politics, her demand not to have any competition is more than disappointing.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:30 am:
Josh Kalven over at Progress Illinois sums up my point much better than I just did:
I understand that Madigan is looking for the easiest path to higher office here. But if she wants to run for U.S. Senate, she should run for it. The behind-the-scenes maneuvering and selfish demands — if accurate — do not reflect well on her.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:42 am:
Does running for office involve behind-the-scenes maneuvering? If Lisa Madigan is cutting a deal, why wouldn’t she negotiate the best deal possible?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:43 am:
All campaigns involve behind the scenes maneuvering and negotiations. I generally like PI, but that was a bit breathless.
- MOON - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:47 am:
In my humble opinion it was the President who summoned Lisa to DC. I have little doubt the people in DC realize she is the strongest candidate and they want to keep the senate seat in the Dem. column. If that is the case then whats wrong with Lisa exploring what type of support the DC Crowd will give her if she runs?
- Northsider - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:47 am:
Random thoughts:
1) If it’s true that Lisa is trying to clear the field for a U.S. Senate run, I hope Alexi runs regardless and encourage him to do so. In that situation, I will almost certainly vote for him on the sheer principle that I prefer to choose my candidate rather than have him or her pre-emptively chosen for me. Such arrogance is disgusting whether in Pennsylvania (Go Joe Sestak) or the Prairie State, and the Madigan name drips with too much arrogance already.
1a) One caveat: If Alexi bows or drops out and it’s Lisa vs. Roland? Welcome, Senator Madigan.
2) Are those here who proclaim knowledge of how African Americans will vote actually African American?
3) Other than Michael Sneed, just who is Chris Kennedy’s constituency?
- Deep South - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:50 am:
I’ve said it before, Lisa can’t run for guv unless Daddy steps down as speaker. It would be such a HUGE campaign issue…she might not make it out of the primary, if MJM is still on the job. Meantime, Burris will not be a factor in a Senate primary and statewide support for Alexi is soft at best -why he may even bow to the wishes of the President if it comes down to that. He’s a young guy and will probably get a turn at something else down the road.
- Amy - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:56 am:
methinks Camp Giannoulias doth protest too much that there is no way little Alexi would bow out. this is politics, after all, deal, deal, deal. and it smacks of petulance at the loss of his basketball buddy’s support. If Lisa is in, Lisa will win. This is true for the Senate race where she is at a distance from daddy. This is not so true for the Governor’s race where it will get all mucked up. Plus, think of the cachet of the New Yorker cartoonist with new links to the Washington crowd. It is a good fit. Go for it Lisa.
- Conservative Veteran - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 10:59 am:
Last Sat., I attended a meeting of the Republican Organization of Wheeling Township, and Rep. Kirk was the guest speaker. Someone asked whether he’ll run for the U.S. Senate. Kirk said that he hasn’t decided. He said, “The White House chose someone they think is the perfect candidate for the U.S. Senate or governor. That person can’t run for both offices. A few days after that person makes an announcement, I’ll announce the race in which I’ll run.” I think that Kirk was referring to Attorney General Madigan. He knows that she’ll run for the U.S. Senate or governor, and he’ll probably run for the race for which she doesn’t run.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:02 am:
The real news here is that Lisa has apparently defined the conditions of a Senate run — in a meeting with the President. In other words, she’s made a commitment to the President that she will run…if….
That’s a huge shift away from where she was when the news started bubbling up a month ago about new interest in the Senate from the DC media.
I think we can safely infer the following:
1) Lisa has decided she would rather run for Senate, not Governor.
2) She is actively trying to get the best deal for herself to run.
Lastly, since negotiations are never static, we have to assume that there is some flexibility in her position.
I’d watch for the White House to get the deal done.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:02 am:
==3) Other than Michael Sneed, just who is Chris Kennedy’s constituency?==
Imagine all of the items she could get if Kennedy is our senator ‘natch
Get it, forget it…
The backshot, she gets a lot more stuff.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:10 am:
Rich, I will make a deal….. I will run for any office you want me to as long as you give me $500k in my campaign fund, and I will have NO opposition in either the Primary AND General election. I think that is a GREAT deal!
Whatayousay?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:11 am:
No.
See? Negotiations.
- anon - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:18 am:
does anyone remember when both Ed Burke and Ed Kelly were in the special mayoral election til the end regardless of what Rich Daley decided to do?
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:19 am:
Mr. Preston brings up the best point. Politics is a dirty business, yet Ms. Madigan wishes to be placed in the Senate seat cleanly. What a disappointment. She was probably so scared by her 2002 race against Joe Birkett that she now believes she should be handed whatever she wants because another tight race might be tough. Boo-freaking-hoo. And if someone disagrees with me, I would gladly point out that she obviously feels as though she is entitled to a job promotion in 2010. If she runs for governor, her dad’s apparatus will do whatever it can to get her into 207 Statehouse. If she runs for Senate, she wants a cleared field so she can scare off any prospective primary and general election rivals. How does a cakewalk race benefit anyone other than the candidate and his or her staff?
- Pat collins - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:20 am:
You know, Burris actually WAS elected state wide 4 times.
Now, he has half a year or so to make some noise as a Senator, and get some free publicity.
Admitedly, he’s not shown any sign of doing so. But he COULD raise enough, and if he WANTED it bad enough to stump across the state, he could make a 3- way primary interesting.
A lot of people might remember why he got elected 4 times, and look past Gov B if Burris gives them a reason to.
Not saying he will, but if he wants it bad enough, and starts to fight NOW, he has a real hope of getting a lot of votes, downstate, and elsewhere.
But he needs to choose a popular issue or two, and be seen as it’s champion. A low cost campaign might succeed. But he needs to start, and start now.
- Bill - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:23 am:
Roland is 74. He is starting to lose it. A statewide campaign would be nearly impossible for him. He’s broke and has legal problems. Stick a fork in him.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:48 am:
He Makes Ryan….
You neglected to include demolishing Wrigley in the middle of the night.
Hence Rich’s response.
- COPN - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:55 am:
The tea leaf reading is getting too strained…the higher ups in the administration are political bulls and are allowed to have preferences. The President is not an iron-handed dictator, Axelrod said the President is willing to meet with anyone running, and the full Axelrod quote (from the Sweet article) included, “It’s not up to the president to decide who the candidate should be, But that’s the standard everyone should apply: Who would be the strongest candidate?”
That doesn’t sound like there will be anything close to an endorsement for anyone in the primary, but rather sounds like a warning that no one (including Alexi and L.Madigan) should pitch implied endorsements from the President.
It was commented here months ago regarding Alexi that he needed to sink or swim on his own. If the Senate is the stage L.Madigan and Kennedy want, that applies to them as well…they’re all reaching above their means. It’ll be a race and I am looking forward to it.
- vole - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 11:59 am:
Have to say that any Illinois politician has a real disadvantage in running for senator or governor. They are all in negative territory in my jaundiced view.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:10 pm:
…Lisa runs for Senate. GOP Senate primary is muddled.
Kirk stays put. (Kirk running for reelection to 10th leads me to think Bond gets a clear field since he’s the only one to have declared.) He strikes me as a legislator, not an exec.
Giannoulias gets a WH appointment — either West Wing or Treasury.
Hynes runs for AG. Not sure on the GOP field.
Treasurer and Comptroller are muddled fields on both sides.
Quinn runs for election to Gov with a clear Dem field. GOP primary is a virtual repeat of 2002 sans a Topinka-level candidate.
…And in about 6-8 weeks I’ll be shown to be completely wrong on 90% of what I just pulled out of my elbow. ;)
- Thisandthat - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:16 pm:
If you peel back the veneer you’ll see that Lisa “Whatever her real name is” (The Speaker’s Daughter) took campaign cash from Rezko as well. OOOOPPPPSSSS.
- JonShibleyFan - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:24 pm:
OneMan, LOL ‘em.
You forgot the requisite “Begorrah!” which must come with every reference to anyone of Irish descent.
- ZC - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:30 pm:
Run for Governor, Lisa. Illinois needs you.
One thing to keep in mind about the DC types is, they really don’t give much of a damn about Illinois. They want their super-majority, and while they must be very worried about Mark Kirk, A Kirk-Kennedy or Kirk-Giannoulias race is certainly winnable for the Dems. Might be close, but it can be done.
But for anyone who cares about local and state politics (exclude, again, DC types), Lisa is the best option we have right now for Governor. Stay home, Lisa!
- Gregor - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
You can see why Senator is more attractive to Lisa: Illinois is broken, any governor, no matter how well-liked, is going to ride a band saw for their first term, dealing with the gridlock and debt and making hard choices. A U.S. Senator gets to be a sugar daddy bringing home federal money and looking out for state interests, but he or she is “above the fray” of state politics once they get to D.C. so there is hardly a down side on that end I can find.
Meanwhile, we sit here and suffer these squabbling fools and maniacs. Why would anybody sane or ambitious want to take on being governor now?
- Anonymous45 - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:50 pm:
Hynes will bump up against Hamos for AG…I like Hynes, but recent news about the funeral trust funds could be damaging…Hamos has carried a ton of water for King Madigan and she will no doubt get his support…Robin Kelly is on her way to the Treasurer’s office…
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
===Hamos has carried a ton of water for King Madigan and she will no doubt get his support===
lol
I kinda doubt that.
- Anon - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:55 pm:
I want it, I want it, I want it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHBLYrxuvDk
- Anonymous45 - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 12:58 pm:
why do you doubt it?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:05 pm:
Because she’s been a major thorn in his side as of late.
- ZC - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:05 pm:
One thing I don’t get, though: if Lisa does decide to run for Senate, why wouldn’t Alexi just shift back and run for Gub instead? He was seriously thinking in that direction before, and all his federal cash still applies to that race. I like Alexi and still think he’d be a strong candidate anywhere, but does he really want to go up against the 600-pound goriLisa? Oust Quinn.
The other person who should be monitoring all of this very closely is Dan Hynes. If Alexi and Lisa do square off for Senate, he should think seriously about stepping up and challenging Quinn for Gub. Why not? He’s got a reasonable record of fiscal propriety to run on. He may not be the most charismatic candidate, but in an anti-incumbent year, that might play well.
- Anonymous45 - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:23 pm:
the key words in your response are “of late”…maybe she’s realizing she needs to pull away from him…
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:25 pm:
Anonymous45, you wrote about MJM backing her. That was what I responded to.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:39 pm:
ZC asks, “if Lisa does decide to run for Senate, why wouldn’t Alexi just shift back and run for Gub instead? He was seriously thinking in that direction before, and all his federal cash still applies to that race.”
…What cash?
You can’t just dump Federal campaign cash into a state campaign fund (and vice versa).
Which is why Lisa’s state campaign fund does her no good if she runs for Senate, and vice versa with Mark Kirk’s Federal campaign fund if he runs for governor.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:40 pm:
===You can’t just dump Federal campaign cash into a state campaign fund===
Wrong.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:58 pm:
This maneuvering is fascinating to watch.
My interpretation: LMad, I do not really want to run for Senate, BUT if I can get a dream setup for the campaign I will step in to work for keeping a dem in the position. In short, Madigan is offer terms to persuade her to change her plans, and they are pretty wise terms to help counter shortfalls in fund raising etc. Does anyone really questions that the Obama fund raising machine could raise some serious cash if they agree to get on board with LMad? The ultimae questions is will her terms be accepted.
On a side note, I would much rather have her as our Governor then our Senator, but I understand the issues at play on the Federal level with trying to keep Dem senate seats.
- Conservative Republican - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 2:18 pm:
This is hilarious.
These machinations are showing these Dem stars to be lightweights all around.
Is Lisa was God’s gift to Illinois, she would be a juggernaut moving forward, not a secretive would-be candidate trying to slink around the fact of Illinois’ state government melt down and trying to get the Senate primary cleared. Methinks Lisa is equivalent to Judy Baar Topinka: can rise with little problem to an intermediate state-wide office but faced with a range of problems, not the least being inability to come across as a forceful advocate in tune with the voters’ concerns, when looking at a truly big office like governor or senator.
Alexi is an even bigger joke, trying to foist propaganda about being the people’s choice when his first election to office with a lightweight resume was all due to his connections (pappy and Obama). These stories make it clear that Obama feels he repaid his considerable debt to Alexi’s pappy by putting Alexi in the Treasurer’s office and that he’s moved far beyond the need to mollify that crowd. Hence his brush off of Alexi, whose unsated ambition threatens to keep some Obama backstories alive that the President prefers to keep buried. Better to keep Alexi at bay, a decision Alexi will be helpless to escape as he has nothing at his disposal to induce Dems to follow his lead and not Obamas.
Finally, Burris. I agree with most of the negative assessments here should he commit to running, but the comment that he could change the game by embracing some important issue illustrates Burris’s weakness — he simply is not all that smart and being an issue-advocate has never been his strong suit (see, e.g., his failed campaign for governor). He could not find an “important issue” to embrace to save his life. But even being a lame African-American candidate whose campaign would be on life-support might not be such a bad position if the lame-ness of Lisa and Alexi in the suggested three-way plays out.
- Thisandthat - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 2:45 pm:
That anyone thinks Alexi is a “CONTROLLED FACTOR” amazes me. For those that suffer short term ememory loss I remind you that Alexi took on Madigan before and defeated him. So what makes people think alexi is going to roll over for Madigan, or for that matter Obama?
- Cartoonist General - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 2:47 pm:
Wow, not only do I get my first mention on Capitol Fax Blog, but I’m told I have “cachet.” Thank you, Amy (10:56)!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 2:48 pm:
I think you’ve been mentioned before. lol
- parlimentary boy - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 3:31 pm:
What’s interesting is that my understanding is that Kennedy has retained Axelrod’s former firm for his possible campaign. Given the importance of the Kennedy’s to Obama’s prez campaign, Alexi may be Obama’s third choice for the senate seat.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 3:31 pm:
Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 1:40 pm:
===You can’t just dump Federal campaign cash into a state campaign fund===
Wrong.
Doesn’t a Federal committee (ie, Giannoulias’ Senate fund) have to qualify for state/local committee status and file the paperwork accordingly?
I know it can be done, but I thought there were at least a few protocols between Federal and state campaign funds.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 3:33 pm:
sure, but it can be done.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 3:38 pm:
= Cartoonist General = That is going down as one of my top ten favorite nicknames.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 3:58 pm:
OK Rich.
I did have a more strict recollection of the regs til your comment led me to look into it.
The SBE site wasn’t clear though — Federal campaign funds can be converted to State funds (provided the proper paperwork is filed and the Federal committee also meets State cmte qualifications)…
But can state campaign funds be converted to Federal funds?
I had thought not, and that was why Senators and Representatives have some slight advantage over Governors in potentially running for President…
Maybe I misread that too.
- Pat collins - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
But can state campaign funds be converted to Federal funds?
only if you raised them the way you’d need to as if they were for a Fed campaign, AND did the paperwork.
So, in theory, yes, in 99.99% of practice, no.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 4:18 pm:
You can also refund the state money and then they can make a federal contribution up to the cap.
- Adam - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 4:26 pm:
Rob,
State campaign funds can not be used in a Federal race in any meaningful way. A non-federal committee can give up to a $1000 in a calendar year. It gets even more muddled is that a candidate can’t give money from their state account to their Federal account. In the IL-05 race, I recall Quigley trying to hit Fritchey and Feigenholtz for initially giving their federal accounts a 1k contribution from their state accounts (they both reimbursed the contribution.)
Also, the idea of Dan Hynes as an anti-incumbent is hilarious. I like the guy a lot, but come on.
- Rob_N - Thursday, Jun 18, 09 @ 4:49 pm:
“You can also refund the state money and then they can make a federal contribution up to the cap.”
If they like you enough to jump through those hoops.
OK, so advantage to Federal candidates looking at state races and disadvantage to state candidates considering DC.
- One to the Dome - Friday, Jun 19, 09 @ 12:05 am:
help me out, but how in the world can Alexie claim “insider” regarding LMadigan meeting with the President when he mentions “Barack Obama” in every speech?