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* Looks like we may well get a special US Senate election…
A federal appeals court ruling today makes it more likely that Illinois voters on Nov. 2 will decide on an interim U.S. senator who will serve just a few weeks in office, while also voting on a U.S. senator for a full six-year term that begins in January. […]
The court ruled that state election laws and timetables regarding special primary elections had to give way to the federal Constitution and that a federal court judge could order the state to disregard existing election laws.
The ruling effectively means that voters could see two U.S. Senate contests on the general election ballot: one to elect a senator to serve from Nov. 3 to Jan. 3 and one to elect a senator to serve from Jan. 3 for six years.
From the ruling…
The district court has the power to order the state to take steps to bring its election procedures into compliance with rights guaranteed by the federal Constitution, even if the order requires the state to disregard provisions of state law that otherwise might ordinarily apply to cause delay or prevent action entirely. It is elementary that the Seventeenth Amendment’s requirement that a state governor issue a writ of election to guarantee that a vacancy in the state’s senate delegation is filled by an election is an aspect of the supreme law of the land.
How that means Illinois can get around the question of whether holding a primary is required or not isn’t addressed.
* In other campaign news, the governor has been fond of saying recently that he’s focused on governing now and will get to campaigning eventually.
As they say, good governing is good politics, but sometimes things go awry…
Gov. Pat Quinn announced more than $500 million in funding for mass transit projects during a rowdy morning press conference attended by protesters who say the state needs to invest more money in black communities.
The funding includes $422 million for the Regional Transportation Authority, which will give $253 million to the Chicago Transit Authority, $157 million to Metra and $32 million to PACE, which provides door-to-door service for the disabled. Another $85 million will go to transit districts downstate. […]
Fewer than a dozen protesters held a large “Dump Quinn in 2010″ banner and repeatedly tried to interrupt the news conference, demanding Quinn talk to them and answer why the state has not done more to bring jobs to minority communities.
I wonder who’s behind that? I’m hearing they looked like pros.
*** UPDATE *** Video of the protesters…
* Speaking of unemployment, this just came in from the Department of Employment Security…
Some relief in some places, but not nearly enough to soothe the anger out there.
* There might be more transit-related construction jobs if the state had more money…
Transit officials blamed politics for the delay but said they are just happy to get some of the $2.7 billion that Chicago-area transit was promised over five years in Illinois Jobs Now.
Asked when more might be forthcoming, Mr. Lavin said that depends on the General Assembly.
While lawmakers authorized the entire Illinois Jobs Now concept, they only approved bonds to cover a portion of the cost, bonds that now have been entirely issued, Mr. Lavin said. The Legislature will have to authorize more bonds before the CTA, Metra and Pace get more money, he said.
* Back to politics. Bill Brady’s campaign has a new new Internet video. Rate it…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:17 pm
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Ah holy mackerel, I nominate Senator Burris. I’d like his tombstone to say he was appointed to the Senate and also won election to the Senate!
Comment by Mongo Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:22 pm
Good call, Rich - they were Pro-
Testers for sure. Too well organized and signs too well made.
Comment by Euripedis Pantsoff Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:24 pm
Nice generic ad for Brady. Good flow, nice pics, decent music. Change the name, edit in any candidate from the last 50 years, same script, same basic shots, and it always works regardless of party. Would you expect his daughter to say anything except how terrific he is?
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:30 pm
I want my dad to be Governor, too. He’s vowed to cut wasteful spending, even though he won’t specify where he would do it. He would also balance the budget without new revenues, as soon as he finishes curing cancer and establishing world peace. My dad rocks.
Comment by unspun Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:31 pm
I hate ads of politician’s families. Are we supposed to be surprised that Brady is supported by his daughter? Is that supposed to influence anybody?
Comment by dave Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:32 pm
The Dems were planning to do an all out blitz during the lame duck session to ram as much of their legislation through as they could while they have enough votes as they’re expected to lose big. If the special election happens and a Republican wins then its one more vote to sustain a filibuster and the Dems would have to get one more GOP guy to flip which may be difficult because GOP party leaders may not give the flippers the committee assignments they want if they do.
Comment by Segatari Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:34 pm
OK ad. Not much there, but it seems to rebut Quinn’s daughters ad somewhat. Not once did he mention wanting an abortion because of rape or incest.
Comment by FirstAmmendment Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:36 pm
good ad, shes more articulate than his running mate.
Comment by shore Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:36 pm
shore you’ve set the bar way too low.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:37 pm
Quinn keeps announcing spending yet the state is in dire financial straights. Sure its a different funding stream but it is confusing the voters.
Comment by Franklin Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:39 pm
Wow talk about fluff. This is like all his other videos and literature, and his stump speeches for that matter…… NO SUBSTANCE!
Comment by The Shadow Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:39 pm
Why can’t the winner of the general election just take the seat early?
Comment by Ahoy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:40 pm
Did anyone else get seasick watching that ad?
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Like everything else from Brady, there’s no substance. Also, kudos for not giving her a script to read, but my dad really wants to be governor and he wants our family to stay in the state aren’t exactly compelling issues.
Is Katie Brady suggesting that dad will relocate the family if he loses? Best reason I’ve heard to vote against him I’ve heard yet. Other than the dog gassing thing, I mean.
Comment by haverford Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:43 pm
Could Brady’s campaign spare some of that ~$2 million on a tripod or is that video supposed to give me motion sickness?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:44 pm
I know he put his daughter in an ad, but I’m still not comfortable with whacking somebody’s kids. Try to keep that out of here, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:44 pm
Lens flares and flashes is so 1990’s
Comment by Euripedis Pantsoff Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:44 pm
Brady’s ad has more lens flares than the “Star Trek” remake.
Comment by IL Yeezy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:50 pm
From the Seventeenth Amendment: “Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.” (Emphasis added.)
Special session!!!!!
We have three candidates already by dint of the primaries. And the senatorial candidacies of independents/new parties are presently before the Illinois State Board of Elections.
An elegant solution: with candidate qualification still in progress, the GA need only deem the November 2nd victor for the full term beginning in January as the interim senator effective November 3rd.
(Yeah, yeah, I know: what would Roland say about THAT?)
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:51 pm
“I’m still not comfortable with whacking somebody’s kids”
Is that why Lisa Madigan never gets the treatment here?
Hi Yooooooo!!!!
Comment by Skeptical Cynic Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Thoughts on the silly new Brady ad
1. Those random light flashes seem like they’re trying to steal some of Star Trek’s thunder
2. The only big messages are “yeah, I think my dad’s cool” and “he wants to keep his family in the state”. When are we going to find out what this guy is REALLY offering?
Comment by jonbtuba Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Will someone please tell Senator Brady that Illinois includes non-white residents too? Why is it a problem for his ad team to include non-white people into his ads?
I complained about this with his lily-white political ads four years ago, and I still see that this advice falls on deaf ears.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:56 pm
What we do regarding the special election is have the winner between the Kirk/Giannoulais fiasco take the Senate seat immediately. This way we wouldn’t have to have two fiascos going at once when we step into the voting booth.
It would be easier to amend any legal issues so that we can avoid the costs and the problems of electing another nitwit to sit in Office between Election Day and Inaugural Day 2011.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:59 pm
On the lens flare issue-
It’s actually easy problem to fix. It’s called a light meter.
SEE PAGE 63 of the American Cinematographer Manual.
Comment by The Shadow Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:03 pm
- Will someone please tell Senator Brady that Illinois includes non-white residents too? -
Hey, to be fair, maybe Brady just couldn’t find any non-white people who would support him.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:06 pm
lame reach outreach to females and younger people two groups he is lackin support. What’s next his aunt Ester making jam in her country kitchen drinkin sweet tea?
Comment by wonder boy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:09 pm
Hey Rich-When will we know the results of the challenges against the independents/third party candidates trying to get on the ballot?
Comment by Steve Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:12 pm
I can’t tell, is this a Brady ad or the before section of a proactiv infomercial?
Comment by Cubs2010 Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:20 pm
@Zatoichi: Were you around when Allan Keyes ran against Barack Obama for US senate? Keyes’ daughter kept dissing him on her blog. She was a teenaged lesbian whose father was railing against the LGBT community. It really made you feel bad for her and hate Keyes.
Comment by chuckT Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:22 pm
The ad isn’t so great. When I saw it was up, I thought that Brady was going to somehow counter the Quinn ads bashing Brady with women. This Brady ad didn’t provide any counter-punch there at all. She could have “gone there” and talked about how her father cares about women, but instead they kept it too light and breezy. Sorry, have to give that one a C minus.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:28 pm
Hey Small Town Liberal-
That was a weak attempt at race baiting. We expect better attempts at it here.
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:28 pm
Every time the subject of Obama’s old senate seat comes up, I hear “Send in the Clowns” on the jukebox in my head.
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:36 pm
Hey John Bambenek -
You have no sense of humor. We all expect that here.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:36 pm
Hey, to be fair, maybe Brady just couldn’t find any non-white people who would support him.
To be even fairer, how about not writing crap like that? There are plenty of non-white Brady supporters, I’m sure. Your need to look clever has overwritten your need to show intelligence.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:36 pm
Ooops, different computer, that was me at 3:36 pm.
And Vman - Take it easy man, I know its tough taking my tax payer dollars to sit around and make up songs all day. I certainly don’t want your blood pressure creeping up.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:40 pm
Ad was ok, just what one would expect from any candiate. But to comment on one part and that was when she mentioned staying in Illinois. I have heard others and have said it myself the last several months that I no longer want to live in this state. My job, my wife’s job and an elderly mother keep us here for now. But I am sick and tired of how our government leaders have driven us off the edge of the cliff. Worse than shameful, it’s despicable.
Comment by RobRoy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:49 pm
Once again, you are demonstrating an ability to debate an issue with which you have no knowledge or credibility. Your assumptions are toxic.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:49 pm
Looks like if you want a job in Illinois, you should either be on a state college campus or the capitol… on the taxpayers teat in other words.
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:55 pm
Question: Is there a single mass transit project in the state (or the country for that matter) that would sustain itself WITHOUT a never ending government subsidy?
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:56 pm
@ Shadow - believe it or not, the flares are put there on purpose. It was thought to be “edgy & artsy” back in the last century. Now it just looks like bad camerawork - which it is.
Comment by Eurepedes Pantsoff Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:57 pm
Anonymous @ 3:56pm - Your sarcasm detector is broken.
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:00 pm
===To be even fairer, how about not writing crap like that? There are plenty of non-white Brady supporters, I’m sure. Your need to look clever has overwritten your need to show intelligence.===
Jeez Vannie. A little testy today.
The ad doesn’t do any harm. It looks like it was relatively cheap to produce and it shows a photogenic daughter supporting her dad. Why not? I wouldn’t make a big ad buy on it, but, again, why not?
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:04 pm
===Question: Is there a single mass transit project in the state (or the country for that matter) that would sustain itself WITHOUT a never ending government subsidy?===
Probably not. But that doesn’t mean they are bad. You could probably say the same thing about roads. Are they inherently bad because they are subsidized?
We should do away with police and firemen as well. Stupid government hand outs!
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:06 pm
Re the Bill Brady video. I think it’s kinda lame to send his young daughter out. Obviously this is in response to the Dems’ “Daughters” ad that is so devastating to Brady and that’s running nonstop it seems in the Chicago area market at least.
I respect the fact that Brady’s daughter would want to come out and defend her dad. That’s admirable. I’ll never criticize her. But it goes without saying that she’s got a vested interest in Brady winning that regular women wouldn’t.
Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:06 pm
Bizarre effects, weird edits, kind of distracting. And yes I watched it with the sound off too like a good commentor … That detracted from the message for sure.
This is his attempt to get back in good graces with the lady voters, no?
Comment by P. Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Even though I like to think I’m immune to personal appeals, I do still remember that cute ad with Hynes and wife and little boys playing a game (I think) in the living room. So I guess if it works, it works.
Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:14 pm
Cincinnatus. Why pick on mass transit? User fees do not pay all the bills for road projects. All modes of transportation, including aviation and maritime, are heavily subsidized by government.
Comment by Going nuclear Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:25 pm
Question: Is there a single mass transit project in the state (or the country for that matter) that would sustain itself WITHOUT a never ending government subsidy?
Absolutely not, but then again their is not one road, one highway, one railroad, one airport, or one port that would sustain itself without government.
Comment by downstate hack Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:31 pm
First, mass transit doesn’t come close to covering its costs through user fees. Roads and bridge funding from the feds are covered exclusively through user fees - namely the gas tax (which has stayed at 18 cents for 18 years). On the state side, the state pays for roads and bridges from the road fund, which is funded through - you guessed it - user fees such as gas tax, vehicle registration, license fees. Some locals fund their roads through sales tax increases, but let’s keep the discussion honest. Roads are funded through user fees, transit is heavily subsidized.
And as to the race baiting observations, yes. It is going on here. I’m surprised Miller lets it stay up. SLT put it up as a provocation, not because he has a sense of humor. It has no place on this blog or in any political discourse.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:37 pm
This ad is exactly what Brady needs to do. It is critical if he wants to be elected that he avoid anything that could be called substantive. Talk about building up the budget from the bottom, talk about how simple accross the board cuts are, and talk about how great Abe Lincoln was.
Comment by Rod Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:39 pm
Phocion,
Who pays for the cost of pollution from exhaust? Is that covered in the price of gasoline? At least mass transit users are producing far less pollution than those who drive cars on a per capita basis. Can you put a dollar cost on clean air and tell me how we should pay for it?
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:41 pm
- SLT put it up as a provocation, not because he has a sense of humor. -
Man, you folks are touchy about race humor, must be a reason for that…
Now THAT would be race baiting
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:42 pm
Right on, phocion. Gas taxes and tolls cover the roads.
But to Obamaram, show me an empty road and I’ll show you a road that shouldn’t be funded. One can see huge EMPTY buses driving around just about anywhere you look. If mass transit riders were forced to pay anywhere near the percentage of the amount of the cost of operation as a road user does in gas tax and tolls, I’d be more sympathetic.
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:47 pm
===Right on, phocion. Gas taxes and tolls cover the roads.===
And tavern gambling, soon.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:48 pm
special election = larouchie bait
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:52 pm
Uh, that would deter people from using mass transit. Mass transit is good, remember? Reduces pollution, reduces traffic, allows commuters to be productive during their transport, allows people who cannot afford vehicles or cannot drive to get from place to place… all good things.
And my road is empty right now. Has been since I read your post and typed mine. Please don’t stop funding it. My tiny front wheel drive car couldn’t make it up the hill through the grass.
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:53 pm
- And my road is empty right now. -
Hah, I drove home from Chicago on I-55 between about 9 pm - 12:30 am recently, and it was pretty empty. Think anyone would miss it?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:57 pm
My street is empty as well. It is empty about 99 percent of the time. Maybe more.
And, STL, I’m pretty sure Brady has had at least one black person in an ad before.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:00 pm
- And, STL, I’m pretty sure Brady has had at least one black person in an ad before. -
I’m pretty sure too. That’s why I don’t get how these guys are getting so bent out of shape.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:09 pm
Cincinnatus and Phocion - First of all, the RTA system recovers - by law - 50% of all operational costs from fares - which is the highest in the nation. Second, the cost of most roads in Illinois is subsidized through the gas tax generated in other areas. Meaning - there are hundreds of downstate roads that are only built because they have subsidies from northeastern Illinois gas buyers. The RTA sales tax is collected only in its region and it stays in its region. Finally, the idea that roads are not subsidized by other public funds is ridiculous. Federal tax dollars and other costs (land purchases and easements) are also funded by non-gas tax dollars. Finally, if tolls kept pace with actual costs and fare increase they would several times higher than 40 cents (Ipass users) - which is the same rate they have been for 30+ years. At least fares grow with costs. Transit gets its fair share, but don’t claim roads are self-supporting. It’s like the farmer who complains about “welfare” and then defends crop subsidies.
Comment by Transit Supporter Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:13 pm
{And tavern gambling, soon.}
By the time the local jurisdictions get finished prohibiting this by local ordinance, the little tavern gambling that will remain may be insufficient to fund the administration of regulating it. Kind of like the Illinois Racing Board.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:19 pm
Question: Is there a single mass transit project in the state (or the country for that matter) that would sustain itself WITHOUT a never ending government subsidy?
No. Because mass transit is good for the area it serves. It keeps some cars off the roads, which means less road maintenance. Trains and buses don’t pollute as much as cars do. Being able to live without a car means I have thousands of dollars every year I can spend on non-automotive stuff.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:45 pm
wow, so the only young woman Brady could get to
answer the “daughters” ad from the Dems is
his own daughter?
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 6:02 pm
Big shout out to Scott Lee Cohen for sending the rowdies to the Quinn event, saved us some moolah
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 6:04 pm
Agree with Rich about the tavern gambling…big mistake to take that money. And I support subsidizing transit because it is a part of the solution. And it’s nonsense to say that transit is covered by 50% user fees. Latest facts on CTA at least showed that the ratio is 13:1. Sorry, there’s no way transit will come close to covering its own costs. And who is “touchy” about the issue of race, STL? Best not dish it out if you can’t take it.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 7:16 pm
- And who is “touchy” about the issue of race, STL? Best not dish it out if you can’t take it. -
What are you talking about? I think you guys crying “race bait” is pretty hilarious. What are you planning on dishing out?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 7:24 pm
That’s it I’m in for the long haul, OK 60 days or so. I will be the most uniting and healing candidate you have ever seen. At least for 60 days or so!
Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 7:31 pm
While the process is still up in the air on a “special election”, the very real consequences of this decision could be what part of Obama’s agenda gets passed and what doesn’t get passed during the “lame duck” Congressional session.
If the GOP takes one of the houses or at least puts a major dent in one or both majorities, there are reports all over the place that Obama, Pelosi and Reid will try to run a host of legislation in Dec/early Jan. If the special election winner from IL is a Republican, that could throw all kinds of things off kilter for the lame duck session.
Comment by SangamoGOP Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 7:39 pm
I thought Brady was just going to run an animated gif of the Futurama Hypnotoad for his online ads. Has about as much substance.
Comment by Gregor Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 8:21 pm