* Tom Roeser writes about the hottest rumors of the week…
It appears that Andy McKenna who has long dreamed of a successful elective political career will shortly announce that he will be a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. But McKenna has a lot of wood to chop since as state Republican chairman, he didn’t win many adherents given the low estate of the state GOP under his tenure.
Be that as it may, the view is current that he has chosen young, vigorous State Sen. Matt Murphy, Palatine, to run for lieutenant governor. Although the primary does not allow linkage there is no problem with the two of them running unofficially as a team. Up to now Murphy has been a declared candidate for governor but will drop that bid. Murphy is a hugely popular candidate with conservatives. True, the two of them are Irish Catholics from the suburbs but geography may not mean much anymore in Illinois. Look at the Democrats: Quinn, Hynes, Lisa Madigan, Alexi Giannoulias, White-all from the Chicago area.
Murphy’s campaign is playing very coy. “We’re not responding to rumors,” was the standard line yesterday. Murphy did not return two phone messages left for him.
Today’s e-mail from the Murphy campaign read simply: “Sneed is wrong.”…
Sneed hears rumbles former GOP state party chief Andy McKenna will announce his bid for governor this week.
If Murphy was planning to stay in the governor’s race, you’d think he would be more forceful about knocking down these rumors.
* Back to Roeser…
Also it appears that State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) will run with the same kind of unofficial linkage with a fresh, young face from downstate Edwardsville: Jason Plummer, 27, former Republican chairman of Madison county, the scion of Robert Plummer, a multi-millionaire CEO of R. P. Lumber, who owns a string of lumber retail stores throughout southern Illinois. Both Plummers are strong conservatives, Robert having been a mainstay financial backer of the Illinois Civil Justice League which has successfully supported tort reform. Jason Plummer will announce his formal campaign for lieutenant governor shortly.
Interesting combo. Moderate and conservative.
…Adding… I’m not so sure, though, that Dillard has actually signed on Plummer or even asked him yet.
* Meanwhile, Cheryle Jackson is doing just one announcement today - on Chicago’s South Side - and skipping the statewide fly-around/bus tour…
Chicago Urban League president Cheryle Jackson kicks off her campaign for President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.
The former aide to ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich is set to formally announce Wednesday at an event on Chicago’s South Side.
* The Politico profiles David Hoffman’s Senate bid…
For much of this year, Democrats in Washington have been looking for a white knight in the Illinois Senate race, a chaste candidate who represents a dramatic break from the status quo after the debacle surrounding the appointment of Barack Obama’s successor.
Now, they have one whose reform credentials seem to fit the profile — former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman — but he’s been greeted with a yawn.
Despite a record of taking on some of the most powerful politicians in Illinois, Hoffman has been virtually ignored by the Democratic establishment. Party officials are skeptical he can raise enough money in the compressed period of time before the February primary to compete or that there’s enough time for him to introduce himself to voters across the state.
It’s mostly a good piece, so go read the whole thing.
* Related…
* More candidates running for Ill. lieutenant gov.
LIVE session coverage...
- Pat collins - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:25 am:
And the moderate is on top. Well.
Lets see what sort of “out reach” is done by both. Dillard MIGHT be able to pull it off, I can’t see any way McKenna can.
We will also see how much serious heat Murphy takes for “selling out” and how he will address that issue.
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:35 am:
The most interesting part of Tom Roeser’s article is that he says Adam Andrzejewski is best positioned to gain from it all and has the strongest organization.
- JonShibleyFan - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:37 am:
“The most interesting part of Tom Roeser’s article is that he says Adam Andrzejewski is best positioned to gain from it all and has the strongest organization.”
If by “interesting” mean absurd and self-serving, then yes, it is the most interesting thing.
- votecounter - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:42 am:
Tom Roeser has come out for Dillard I don’t see how that’s self serving.
- Red Hawk - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:42 am:
While generally a fan of Murphy, I think he is in over his head with the gov race…but attaching himself to McKenna does him no favors.
- David Ormsby - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:44 am:
The AP Lite Gov story, which was all of 6 sentences, noted there is a “long list” Dems seeking the job and then cited - no one.
Identifying not one Dem for a nothing job - that’s pretty cheeky.
- fedup dem - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:45 am:
It would seem that Ms. Jackson is trying real hard to run a textbook example of how NOT to wage a statewide campaign in Illinois.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:48 am:
Andy McKenna proved what he can do already. Expecting him to be gubernatorial material is not based on reality, due to his last performance in office. People who succeed in their last position, should be considered for higher office.
I don’t want a conservative 27 year old scion as Lt. Governor either. I don’t care who is daddy is. That’s nuts.
We are in a mess. We need people who know and have experienced government to address it. I don’t care how pretty they talk, how pretty they look, how excited their fans are, how much money they have, or who they are related to. I want serious people to do serious work. This is no time for freshmen.
- Downstater - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:48 am:
Like Dillard. Will have to give another look, if he links up with Plummer.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:49 am:
If I am the Plummer kid (and at 27, he is a kid), I would watch my wallet. Dillard raised all of $9.73 cents (snark, but less than $60k raised last report is extremely low), so Dillard will love to work with a piggy-bank, I mean, a young, downstate, conservative at his side.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:50 am:
Dillard has a good idea. The GOP could use some new blood.
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:51 am:
Here’s a thought. With the disdain for both parties at record highs, maybe we should give credible non-establishment candidates some consideration and not pan them simply because they lack the blessing of the North Shore millionaires club.
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:51 am:
==We need people who know and have experienced government to address it.==
Vannie, I agree. Who would you suggest?
- just sayin - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:52 am:
McKenna and Murphy should definitely run together. It’s a match made - well not in heaven -but somewhere.
Run Andy and Matt run. Run, run, run.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:54 am:
… and just a thought, wasn’t Danny Noonan in Caddyshack told he should go work at a lumberyard?
- Lakefront Liberal - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:04 am:
John Bambenek - of the candidates mentioned in Rich’s article who are you thinking of as a
“credible non-establishment candidate” who lacks “the blessing of the North Shore millionaires club”? Some seem to meet one of those qualifications but none (on the Dem side at least) seem to meet both.
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:08 am:
For gov on Dem side you have an incumbent. I suppose if I had to pick a prominent dem campaign itd be the Hoff.
It was meant as a general statement not necessarily governor-specific.
- JonShibleyFan - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:12 am:
@votecounter: Point granted. But it is still crazy to think anything puts Andrzejewski in any position other than wealthy fringe candidate.
@John B.: I’d agree that new blood is a fine idea, though not always a credible one. And, assuming you speak of Andrzejewski, yes, he is new blood. But a millionaire from DuPage isn’t exactly a radical departure in an Illinois GOP primary.
- Easy - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:24 am:
The question is, will McKenna be a Gidwitz self-funder or a Fitzgerald self-funder.
I thought I saw Dillard’s staff asking for contributions at the tollway off-ramp in Lisle. They need to get plummer on asap
- shore - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:24 am:
I don’t think McKenna would win his own preccinct. I won’t touch lit with his name on it and I’ve been more energized by watching paint dry than a speech from him.
I don’t know where Dillard has been the last 1.5 years but Illinois didn’t exactly embrace Sarah Palin and one of the reasons was they didn’t think putting a neophyte at number 2 was the best idea. The state has huge issues right now and if something were to happen to Dillard-after the last year I’m convinced ANYTHING is possible, not sure a guy off the street’s a great idea.
Hoffman is falling into the trap that lots of folks up here fall into-they think that because they are wealthy, from the north shore, and not machine politicians, the state will love them. It’s a long way from a yale club of chicago event to winning hearts and minds of average voters.
- Bakersfield - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:35 am:
Illinois voters were just fine with putting a neophyte “kid” in the treasurer’s office, and unlike LT Gov that is a position that actually matters.
- Ken - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:39 am:
The Plummers’ have been donating money to Democrats for years. Now they want people to believe they are loyal Republicans!?
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:48 am:
Yikes
TugBoatAndy back in the game — it cannot get that good. I thought it would stop with TugBoatAnnie Topinka getting in. Now her shipmate
There really needs to be a Ryan too.
When or when will CaribouBarbie hit IL to campaign for this group. Given this development should Burris reconsider? I think he will be shoe in to win!
- Johnnyc - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:48 am:
“While generally a fan of Murphy, I think he is in over his head with the gov race…but attaching himself to McKenna does him no favors. ”
It gives him a bankroll. What did he raise in the 1st half of the year? Like $20 K or something?
Don’t forget this is Murphy’s off year. Take a shot as LG with some financial backing and you in a spot that you can actually win. Lose in the general and blame the top of the ticket. Not much downside if you ask me (just make sure you win the next won, b/c losing two in a row just makes you Joe Birkett).
- Johnnyc - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:49 am:
“one” not won
- David Ormsby - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:50 am:
If Dillard selects Plummer, he will accrue no credit to his judgment with that one. Period.
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:50 am:
==Illinois didn’t exactly embrace Sarah Palin and one of the reasons was they didn’t think putting a neophyte at number 2 was the best idea.==
Lol. I really don’t think that was one of the main reasons.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:14 pm:
==Illinois didn’t exactly embrace Sarah Palin and one of the reasons was they didn’t think putting a neophyte at number 2 was the best idea.==
Lol. I really don’t think that was one of the main reasons.
Considering who they elected president also indicates that being a neophyte wasn’t an issue.
- downstate conservative - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:15 pm:
There’s no truth to the Dillard-Plummer rumor, so I don’t know where Roeser is getting that one. Sound more like Dillard’s people putting that rumor out there to ease fundraising concerns.
And I would say that the budgets that Plummer manages dwarf anything that the other candidates have ever laid eyes on, so I wouldn’t underestimate that experience. I think we’ve had enough of the same old, same old in Springfield.
Matt Murphy could now be on his 3rd campaign this cycle (Cook Cty board president, Gov, and Lt. Gov). He & McKenna would make a fine pair: a complete loser who ran the party into the ground paired up with a slimy personal injury lawyer.
I’d like to see Proft/Plummer. True conservatives and plenty of fundraising capability.
- A Moderate's Moderate - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:18 pm:
Rich, off topic i know but look at the pic of Blagos attending Kelly funeral on the trib website and tell me thats NOT the fabio look-alike walking behind the eldest daughter!!!!!!!!! you know the one he showed up with at that office party in chicago. If its not him he’s a DEAD RINGER@!!!!!!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:28 pm:
“And I would say that the budgets that Plummer manages ‘dwarf’ anything that the other candidates have ever laid eyes on, so I wouldn’t underestimate that experience.”
So Plummer has small budgets, like how to spend allowances, or “communion” or “graduation” moeny?
Let’s face some truth, at 27, managing his dad’s business what exactly does that entail? If he touts a 10 year business record, for example, are we to believe at 17 his dad had him running the show? The more I am hearing about this Plummer kid, the more it sounds like another “entitled” kid…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:39 pm:
===paired up with a slimy personal injury lawyer.===
Unless you have hard evidence, and I doubt you do, take it easy on the insults. Last warning for you.
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
==I’d like to see Proft/Plummer.==
YES! So would I!
- votecounter - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:02 pm:
@JonfanUntil last week I would have agreed with you 100% but New Lenox 10,000 people and 2 million in the Mall shows something is not the same. People want change and big change
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:05 pm:
===2 million in the Mall ===
Speaking of rumors…
- votecounter - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:17 pm:
look at the pictures
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:18 pm:
You mean the fake ones?
Enough already. Move along. Nobody in their right mind could claim there were 2 million people at that thing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:20 pm:
– People want change and big change–
There was an election about a year ago.
I’m familiar with the Microwave Mentality, but unless some Hogwarts graduates enter public service soon, whatever “change” is desired isn’t going to happen immediately.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 2:33 pm:
We need a ticket of Bill for Gov and VM as his Lt gov…… with Schorff as comptroller
- steve schnorf - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 3:04 pm:
Stop it. I’m busy trying to come up with a possible D ticket that would make Bill’s blood run cold. Unfortunately, many of their truly wild men and women have aged out of the spotlight, but perhaps we could dig some candidates up at one of our very prestigious law schools.
- realconservative - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 3:43 pm:
Proft/Plummer all the way!
- Bill - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 3:46 pm:
==one of our very prestigious law schools.==
You must mean DePaul.
- DJ - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 3:55 pm:
I’d like to point out that Matt Murphy co-sponsored a bill that raised my taxes 45% last year and, like McKenna, won’t return my phone calls, emails, or faxes. Here’s my open letter to him:
http://www.chicagogop.com/MyBlog/Question-for-Sen.-Matt-Murphy-on-HB-0664.html
And I don’t think he’s the anti-tax guy that he says he is; after all isn’t this worse than taxing the top 10% if you go after only those who bought their homes in 2005, 2006, and 2007?
- Ghost - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 4:30 pm:
Bill are you not from U of I? :>
- votecounter - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 9:08 pm:
Not 2 million? doctored photos?
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/capitol-view-lo-res.jpg
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 10:05 pm:
votecounter, if it was 2 million, it would’ve shut down dc. obama’s inauguration wasn’t even 2 million and they had to call out the national guard.
don’t be silly
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 11:31 pm:
==============
It’s mostly a good piece,…
==============
Uh uh. It’s loaded with stuff that can be turned around on him, and the bus (sign) is overpowering. shore’s right, too, about winning the “hearts and minds”. Someone’s just not trying real hard.