[Posted by Barton Lorimor. Most of the videos taken by Dan Weber.]
* Two state legislators and the daughter of a US Senator from downstate Illinois were chosen by seven members of the Democratic State Central Committee in Springfield to go before the full committee next weekend…
State Rep. Mike Boland of East Moline, Sen. David Koehler of Peoria and Sheila Simon of Carbondale were chosen from the 16 people who gave brief presentations to members of the Democratic State Central Committee at the State House Inn downtown.
* In all, 17 applicants were chosen by the DSCC. NBC5 has the full list…
* Rep. Mike Boland
* Thomas Carroll
* Megan Drilling
* Dirk Enger
* James Farrell
* Sen. Susan Garrett
* Sen. David Koehler
* Dean Koldenhoven
* Raja Krishnamoorthi
* Lori Koziana
* Sen. Iris Martinez
* Spiridoula Mavrothalasitis
* Paul Park
* Jay Rehak
* Jasper St. Angel
* Sheila Simon
* Rep. Art Turner
* Rep. Jay Hoffman of Collinsville chaired the Springfield session while other party leaders conducted interviews in northern Illinois. Following the Springfield interviews, Hoffman said those not selected should not allow themselves to fade away…
* Moments after she made a roughly seven-minute presentation on why she should advance, Sheila Simon said there’s nothing she can do about her name…
* Rep. Mike Boland said he mustered the most votes outside of Cook County, which could be useful to Gov. Quinn later on…
* Sen. David Koehler said he has not been lobbying to become his party’s candidate…
* The videos below are fourteen of the sixteen Springfield presentations and central committee interviews…
* Sheila Simon said she actually learned more about how to run a successful campaign by losing to Republican Brad Cole in the 2007 Carbondale mayoral election.
* Sen. David Koehler, whose district is adjacent to GOP gubernatorial contender Bill Brady, has been one of the more recent Springfield regulars to have his name thrown into the pool.
* Rep. Mike Boland was in full campaign mode during his presentation to win over the panel, which included his wife, Mary Boland.
* Environmentalist Robert Nelson talked about how he had created his own design of a bat house and allowing some of his land go unattended for wildlife.
* Springfield radio personality Clarence Davis decided not to lose his mohawk for the interview, but no one on the panel asked him about it.
* Mayor Larry Tish of St. Elmo was working the room and his fellow applicants before and after the interviews. After the finalists were announced, the young Democrat said he still has higher political ambitions.
* Kevin Kious celebrated his birthday by presenting to the Springfield panel. At 51, Kious said compared to Jason Plummer, the GOP lieutenant governor candidate, he’s a grizzled veteran.
* Rayne DeVivo tried the Mom angle on the committee seeing as how Brady has led Quinn in the polls for suburban women support. It didn’t work this time.
* Springfield native Larry Lawrence was one of two presenters to admit he may have some strings attached if chosen to be Quinn’s running mate. In Lawrence’s case, the strings are his son’s run-ins with the law.
* Democrats pick 17 finalists for lieutenant governor
* Eclectic group auditions for Democratic lieutenant governor nomination
Nearly 250 would-be running mates applied online, of which 116 prospective political second bananas— displaying a combination of ego, idealism, activism and some quirkiness–showed up today for judging in Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Bolingbrook and Springfield to narrow down the field.
Audition day in the Democratic Party brought out a used-car salesman, veteran legislators, an expert on bat houses and a political legend’s daughter - all hoping to become the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor of Illinois.
This should have been a no brainer. Second place always becomes first place if the “winner” drops out for any reason. End of story. Turner should have been appointed to be the running mate. Period.
The Dems are putting on quite a show to demonstrate the transparency of the process.
Recall, though, that both PQ’s and MJM’s people approached Susan Garrett about the job, though she had apparently not applied. I’m sure they told her that if she threw her hat in the ring she’d receive the same consideration as the other 115 folks at the cattle call. Right.
Why would MJM go out of his way to enlist her? Let’s see.
“The 60-year-old from Lake Forest” — OK, that’s illuminating.
The only significant players in the choice are PQ and MJM, and they have different, though not necessarily opposing, objectives. PQ wants someone who will help him win in November, while MJM wants someone who is unlikely to be a future political rival for LMad. They will probably find someone who is satisfactory on both counts, maybe Susan Garrett.
I don’t understand the grousing about process. Which process was better? The GOP replacing Jack Ryan in 2004? Or the Dem replacing Scott Lee Cohen in 2010?
Turner lost this thing because he never campaigned downstate. Remember he only won one county. I think Quinn deserves to select his running mate. The constitution should be changed to reflect this for all future races.
I think Vanilla is onto something here. We can fill the budget gap with a gameshow to fill the LG spot. Sounds like a QOTD to me to name the game show, I’ll go with, “Are you smarter than a pawn browker.”
Carl Nyberg, I think you are right, substantively. But you gotta admit the drawn out process is sorta funny, no, its really funny. Of course its all a charade unless your name is Susan Garrett, Art Turner, Raja, or Sheila Simon.
- 3 beers to springfield - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:48 am:
There are places in Downstate where Boland would be a detriment and not an advantage. Those would be the places where people actually know him.
I think Vanilla is onto something here. We can fill the budget gap with a gameshow to fill the LG spot. Sounds like a QOTD to me to name the game show, I’ll go with, “Are you smarter than a pawn browker.”
I came up with something better! What if we redid that reality show where contestants had to tell the truth against their previous lie detector answers. Then combine it with that new French reality show so that when the contestants lie, they get a really powerful painful electric shock.
there is some great talent on this list. if the party is smart they will use this as a source for recruiting for runs for other offices be they county, state or municipal.
as for the choice at hand, I am so not excited at the prosepect of Susan Garrett and do not understand why there is movement
to her. is it money? cause it sure is not excitement. be smart
Dems, actually talk to women who are not involved in your inside baseball and see if she moves women to vote. so far
i’m not finding the evidence that she can do what you claim
to want, get women to vote for Quinn.
besides, as a woman who cares what the governor does….for evidence that executive orders matter, see yesterday’s health
care bill horse trading…I actually want to see the governor
HIMself get passionate about women’s issues. I don’t need or
want a woman to do it for him. I’d much rather have a woman
in second position who has another big issue to talk about, whose presence will clearly indicate women’s issues, and who
brings a dynamic nature to the ticket. if it is a woman
in second position. and in my opinion Susan is not that woman.
Please find a PERSON who is dynamic and amazing, with issues
to push. And get the governor himself to advocate for
women’s issues.
Garrett, if she is the LG pick and wins in November will be responsible for chairing the IL River Coordinating Council (amongst others) and the Green Government Coordinating Council. She has an outstanding record on environmental and green issues and will IMHO do a great job.
She has over ten years experience in legislative matters and can be a bulldog for Quinn’s initiatives in the GA.
I am hoping she pares down LG staff and is a voice for all IL women that we can be proud of.
There has ben no female Dem constitutional officer (’cept Lisa, and that doesn’t count for me due to who her Daddy is) forever. You go lady!
I can’t figure out why Turner’s name keeps coming up for Lt. Gov. He couldn’t beat Cohen and couldn’t even bring Cohen’s problems to the media’s attention. Where was his opp research? Some of Cohen’s problems were public record. This is the guy we want as Lt. Gov.? Really?
Immediately after Quinn’s budget address Susie was on Illinois Channel slamming his tax increase proposal and demanding more cuts before she would even consider voting for it. Maybe they just want to get her out of the Senate or maybe Quinn doesn’t watch much TV. I can see Madigan pushing her but it just seems like a weird choice for Quinn. Maybe he hopes she can help with the unions. As for spending her own money I just don’t see her coughing up that much. She’s a little too smart for that.
- yougottabekidding - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:56 pm:
Susuan Garrett is a non-starter. why does PG keep coming up with these people? I can only guess that Cullerton wants her out of his caucus. So Susan doesn’t support Quinn’s tax increase either?Why do we need the Central Committee if Quinn get to name his own LG?
I’m on the committee and am sick of him throwing out his choices. I will be supporting anyone BUT his choice.
Bill: labor doesn’t like Susan Garrett; she can’t help there. she doesn’t have a good voting record for labor…i bet if selected, she spends some of her own money, which repubs will use against her - make it look like Quinn sold the LG seat to somebody with personal money to donate to his campaign
I have to say it was pretty darn fun to present to the committee. While they clearly had their favorites, they were respectful of every applicant. Once I decided to apply I had to take each step seriously and give it my all but I was not surprised at the outcome.
In the general, the average voter doesn’t pay attention to the Lt. Gov choice, including their previous voting record. The voter will be interested in Quinn’s position on the issues. Garrett, Raja and Simon are all better choices than Jason Plummer!
- Way South of the Border - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 7:43 pm:
Math question: if Susan Garrett turns out the northern wedge of the collar counties, does that make up for other Chicago metro constituents who believe Art Turner earned it?
==I think Quinn deserves to select his running mate. The constitution should be changed to reflect this for all future races.==
The obvious analogy is the VP. Decades ago, the VP was selected in the back room. Now the nominee does the selecting. PQ clearly has the most at stake here, so there is certainly a logic to letting him make his own choice. Eventually that will probably happen in Illinois, but for now the back-room deals continue.
Anyone but Boland please! He sells scholarships and lies to elderly constituents. If he does anything for you, you are indebted to him. Someone needs to investigate him, not raise him to a “higher” position in office. His “campaign manager” happens to be the woman who bought the scholarship from Boland. What’s with that?
LIVE session coverage...
- Vote Quimby! - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 9:54 am:
Great job getting all of the interviews! Time and a half for Sunday work?
- sal-says - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 9:56 am:
“* Ill. Democrats hold AUDITIONS for lt. governor”
Ahhhh…..Ya just can’t beat political fun in IL.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 9:58 am:
This is sickening. It is like a reality show no one wants to watch.
Does the winner marry Quinn?
- JoJo - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:00 am:
This should have been a no brainer. Second place always becomes first place if the “winner” drops out for any reason. End of story. Turner should have been appointed to be the running mate. Period.
- Balance - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:03 am:
The ticket needs somebody from downstate for balance.
- Redbright - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:16 am:
JOJO - if 2nd place always gets the replacement seat why didn’t Forrest Claypool replace John Stroger on the ticket in 2006?
- Joe from Joliet - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:24 am:
… The ticket needs somebody from downstate for balance …
They have Brady. That may be enough.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:33 am:
I created a ranked voting poll at Ellen of the Tenth for the seventeen finalists.
- Rambler - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:34 am:
The Dems are putting on quite a show to demonstrate the transparency of the process.
Recall, though, that both PQ’s and MJM’s people approached Susan Garrett about the job, though she had apparently not applied. I’m sure they told her that if she threw her hat in the ring she’d receive the same consideration as the other 115 folks at the cattle call. Right.
Why would MJM go out of his way to enlist her? Let’s see.
“The 60-year-old from Lake Forest” — OK, that’s illuminating.
The only significant players in the choice are PQ and MJM, and they have different, though not necessarily opposing, objectives. PQ wants someone who will help him win in November, while MJM wants someone who is unlikely to be a future political rival for LMad. They will probably find someone who is satisfactory on both counts, maybe Susan Garrett.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:34 am:
I don’t understand the grousing about process. Which process was better? The GOP replacing Jack Ryan in 2004? Or the Dem replacing Scott Lee Cohen in 2010?
- UISer - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 10:39 am:
Turner lost this thing because he never campaigned downstate. Remember he only won one county. I think Quinn deserves to select his running mate. The constitution should be changed to reflect this for all future races.
- the Patriot - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:11 am:
I think Vanilla is onto something here. We can fill the budget gap with a gameshow to fill the LG spot. Sounds like a QOTD to me to name the game show, I’ll go with, “Are you smarter than a pawn browker.”
- Robert - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:20 am:
Carl Nyberg, I think you are right, substantively. But you gotta admit the drawn out process is sorta funny, no, its really funny. Of course its all a charade unless your name is Susan Garrett, Art Turner, Raja, or Sheila Simon.
- 3 beers to springfield - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:48 am:
There are places in Downstate where Boland would be a detriment and not an advantage. Those would be the places where people actually know him.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:11 pm:
I think Vanilla is onto something here. We can fill the budget gap with a gameshow to fill the LG spot. Sounds like a QOTD to me to name the game show, I’ll go with, “Are you smarter than a pawn browker.”
I came up with something better! What if we redid that reality show where contestants had to tell the truth against their previous lie detector answers. Then combine it with that new French reality show so that when the contestants lie, they get a really powerful painful electric shock.
- AGforLife - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:32 pm:
I think Lisa should run for it. What a great sacrifice it would be for the greater good.
- Amalia - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:49 pm:
there is some great talent on this list. if the party is smart they will use this as a source for recruiting for runs for other offices be they county, state or municipal.
as for the choice at hand, I am so not excited at the prosepect of Susan Garrett and do not understand why there is movement
to her. is it money? cause it sure is not excitement. be smart
Dems, actually talk to women who are not involved in your inside baseball and see if she moves women to vote. so far
i’m not finding the evidence that she can do what you claim
to want, get women to vote for Quinn.
besides, as a woman who cares what the governor does….for evidence that executive orders matter, see yesterday’s health
care bill horse trading…I actually want to see the governor
HIMself get passionate about women’s issues. I don’t need or
want a woman to do it for him. I’d much rather have a woman
in second position who has another big issue to talk about, whose presence will clearly indicate women’s issues, and who
brings a dynamic nature to the ticket. if it is a woman
in second position. and in my opinion Susan is not that woman.
Please find a PERSON who is dynamic and amazing, with issues
to push. And get the governor himself to advocate for
women’s issues.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:50 pm:
===so far i’m not finding the evidence===
So, you’ve done polling and focus-grouping or just talked to a few people? The latter ain’t “evidence.”
- Amalia - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:54 pm:
have you done polling or focus-grouping? and i’ve talked to more than a few people, but especially people in her district.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:57 pm:
Unlike you, I’m not claiming any actual evidence. Like you, I do have my hunches. Unlike you, I’m also looking at some history. lol
- Amalia - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 1:13 pm:
point taken, Jedi master.
- Loop Lady - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 2:12 pm:
Garrett, if she is the LG pick and wins in November will be responsible for chairing the IL River Coordinating Council (amongst others) and the Green Government Coordinating Council. She has an outstanding record on environmental and green issues and will IMHO do a great job.
She has over ten years experience in legislative matters and can be a bulldog for Quinn’s initiatives in the GA.
I am hoping she pares down LG staff and is a voice for all IL women that we can be proud of.
There has ben no female Dem constitutional officer (’cept Lisa, and that doesn’t count for me due to who her Daddy is) forever. You go lady!
- From Left Field - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 3:18 pm:
I am on the state central committee and I can tell you that Art Turner has never bothered to call me for my vote. He wants to be annointed, I guess.
- Illinois voter - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:01 pm:
I can’t figure out why Turner’s name keeps coming up for Lt. Gov. He couldn’t beat Cohen and couldn’t even bring Cohen’s problems to the media’s attention. Where was his opp research? Some of Cohen’s problems were public record. This is the guy we want as Lt. Gov.? Really?
- Bill - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:43 pm:
Immediately after Quinn’s budget address Susie was on Illinois Channel slamming his tax increase proposal and demanding more cuts before she would even consider voting for it. Maybe they just want to get her out of the Senate or maybe Quinn doesn’t watch much TV. I can see Madigan pushing her but it just seems like a weird choice for Quinn. Maybe he hopes she can help with the unions. As for spending her own money I just don’t see her coughing up that much. She’s a little too smart for that.
- yougottabekidding - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:56 pm:
Susuan Garrett is a non-starter. why does PG keep coming up with these people? I can only guess that Cullerton wants her out of his caucus. So Susan doesn’t support Quinn’s tax increase either?Why do we need the Central Committee if Quinn get to name his own LG?
I’m on the committee and am sick of him throwing out his choices. I will be supporting anyone BUT his choice.
- Robert - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 5:44 pm:
Bill: labor doesn’t like Susan Garrett; she can’t help there. she doesn’t have a good voting record for labor…i bet if selected, she spends some of her own money, which repubs will use against her - make it look like Quinn sold the LG seat to somebody with personal money to donate to his campaign
- Rayne of terror - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 6:13 pm:
I have to say it was pretty darn fun to present to the committee. While they clearly had their favorites, they were respectful of every applicant. Once I decided to apply I had to take each step seriously and give it my all but I was not surprised at the outcome.
- Illinois voter - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 6:14 pm:
In the general, the average voter doesn’t pay attention to the Lt. Gov choice, including their previous voting record. The voter will be interested in Quinn’s position on the issues. Garrett, Raja and Simon are all better choices than Jason Plummer!
- Way South of the Border - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 7:43 pm:
Math question: if Susan Garrett turns out the northern wedge of the collar counties, does that make up for other Chicago metro constituents who believe Art Turner earned it?
- Rambler - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 8:21 pm:
==I think Quinn deserves to select his running mate. The constitution should be changed to reflect this for all future races.==
The obvious analogy is the VP. Decades ago, the VP was selected in the back room. Now the nominee does the selecting. PQ clearly has the most at stake here, so there is certainly a logic to letting him make his own choice. Eventually that will probably happen in Illinois, but for now the back-room deals continue.
- Doug - Tuesday, Mar 23, 10 @ 10:13 am:
Anyone but Boland please! He sells scholarships and lies to elderly constituents. If he does anything for you, you are indebted to him. Someone needs to investigate him, not raise him to a “higher” position in office. His “campaign manager” happens to be the woman who bought the scholarship from Boland. What’s with that?