51 Comments - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 4:52 am: This candidacy starts off with many more supporters then most insurgencies and a large part of them include democratic officials that will say nothing but who will in the end do nothing to help the Governor get re-elected. Eisendrath will receive support from untold numbers of people who have been lied to, hurt by, attacked by, and are embarrassed by Blagoevich and his cronies. It will be interesting to see how big this opposition really is. - WAY DOWNSTATE - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:12 am: I think this guy is going to get a lot more support than some of those in the governor’s circle are willing to admit.I also think they will go on attack and spend a bunch of money while the repubs can sit back and let them chew each other up saving thier money for the end.Anything EISE’s people dig up that’s good the repubs will use again in the Genaral Election.Finally maybe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.We need all new people in SPRINGFIELD that will rebiuld our state agencies and resources. - Rele tahrd - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:15 am: Very few people showed up for the announcement, huh? Gee, I wonder if the presence of B’s video truth squad had anything to do with that? They can’t take the cameras into a voting booth, tho. I bet more people will show up for Eisendrath that day. - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:20 am: There are a few things more telling than the turnout itself. First he refused to say anything the amount of money he’ll spend. This suggests that he isn’t going to self-fund and that he hasn’t received any major commitments yet–or else he would be touting them as a sign of his candidacy’s viability. Second, there were no endorsements from any current or former public officials–not one. I would have expected at least a few IPO-IVI types. Natarus, the one guy at the announcement, pointedly declined issuing an endorsement. Third,and most importantly, he refused to say anything about his campaign organization. This suggests that he may not have even put it together yet–no campaign manager, no chairs, no media firm, no pollster, no nothing. If true, then this is clearly not going to be a professional campaign. He could still win, but only if Blagojevich or people very close to him (a few hacks in one of the departments isn’t going to do it) are indicted between now and the primary. - dumpdaley - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:39 am: It’s way early to draw any conclusions whether there were 100 or 1000 people at his announcement. Clearly, many Dems want an alternate to Blago and there’s still a lot of time for “Public Official A” to be revealed, which could toss Blago upside down. - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:40 am: I’m assuming he has some form of organization if he managed to get all the signatures. Also, Rich, good call on the Edwin. By the way, what is Rod short for? - Tessa - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:54 am: I think we need to give Ed/Edwin Eise, whatever you choose to say, at chance. Someone decided to take on a sitting Governor for a primary. Whether he had 100 or 1,000 people there isn’t the issue. I’m just hoping he’ll start traveling the state soon, talking to constituents and talking about where he stands on issues, and what he plans to do. That’s what’s going to matter to people. The next three months could be very interesting indeed. - 6 Degrees of Separation - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 7:21 am: I’VE GOT IT! The reason he is using “Edwin” is subliminal. ED - WIN! Good campaign slogan, and he can thank his momma and poppa for it. - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 7:41 am: EE’s campaign logo looks like some sort of hurricane warning sign. Also, does the man ever age? He looks exactly the same as he did in 1991. - Political Hack - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 7:53 am: We hacks want Edwin to really make this a race. But, unfortunately, Edwin has yet to hire a first class team. Can you tell me who is manager is? Communications? Field? You don’t announce for the top spot with out these important positions filed. While I do know he has made a few calls to some dem operatives, most have not met with him and even say they left thinking he is a bit arrogant. So while being a hack requires you to take great pride in a race like this, it makes me sad he appears to be a boob and Blago’s team will walk all over him. Since republicans don’t have hacks, (all reformers don’t you know) the true hackers are going to have to start creating our own mischief! - Pat Hickey - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 8:08 am: Five the man some room. Yesterday was colder than a well-digger’s butt; people were in prep mode for the Munsters of the Midway; The Colts seemed to be faltering for a while; The Advent service was even long at Sacred Heart at 115th and Church; and the candidate will ease into to fight. Should be good. - Political Hack - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 8:09 am: Tessa–from the 6:54 post–I love how naive you are. NOt taking a shot at you but can you please explain what good it would do to “go around the state and talk to people about their ideas”? Speaking from the hack side of life, this would be the worst use of time for the unorganized Edwin. Best use of time you ask? Call time (fundraising) hire staff, polling, messaging and even working with a stylist. These are the secrets of a successfull campaign. Remorners don’t understand. That is why they rarely win. If he wants to lose, take your advice. If he wants to win, listen to us hackers. - Tessa - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 8:34 am: Political Hack - I don’t take offense. But Ed/Edwin, whatever one chooses to say, is going to need to do both, get his name and his plan out there while also getting a fighting team together that will be able to raise money and get his race going. He can’t do these things himself, and he can’t rely on a team to do it for him. Getting his name out there won’t be enough. If people in the QC area, the people around the St. Louis area and southern Illinois don’t know who he is, he certainly won’t stand a chance. It’s going to take more than the just the team to do this. I’m not naive. I’ve been doing political stuff for years. I love campaigning for people. Maybe once I know more about him, I’ll help EE. I certainly am not on the Gov’s bandwagon, as everyone knows. - Blue RINO - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:23 am: The Holiday parties I’m hitting this year are incredibly telling. Left of left friends are gathering around baked brie trying to figure out if it makes more sense to back Eisendrath or JBT next fall. Policy and idealogy be damned, the only consensus seems to be a desire to send our Governor packing. As the self confessed left-leaning Republican in the crowd, I kept trying to see if Blago’s policy record made much of a difference. I mean, he couldn’t be more pro-choice, he’s undertaken major work on education and his attached his name to an unprecented expansion of health care for uninsured kids. Everyone seems to agree it’s a progressive policy record, but not running the state seems to have taken it’s toll. In the end, it sounded like there would be plenty of defectors in March running to Eisendrath, but not enough to overwhelm party loyalists. Let me close with this: it’s unscientific and it’s early, but Blago has plenty to worry about when the lefties I hang with start to contemplate a vote for the GOP. Now…how does Eisendrath use that to do the unthinkable and unseat an incumbant in a primary? - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:29 am: Tessa, Under normal circumstances I would agree with you. But since he’s starting his campaign ridiculously late, he’s going to have to cut a lot of corners and only do those things which are top two priorities should be to establish campaign organization and start fundraising. But since he has the reputation of being disorganized (and is proving his rep. true by not having started these things already) I think it’s more likely that this is going to turn out to be a “tour the state” campaign done on a shoestring. That worked for Dan Walker in the 70s, but he did it for 2 years, not 2 months, and he wasn’t facing an incumbent with a $14 million (probably 20 by now) war chest. I guess Eisendrath is hoping that Patrick Fitzgerald will ultimately turn out to be his campaign manager. If Fitzgerald plays his part, it could work, but if not, forget it. - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:34 am: Speaking of names, will Giannoulias be on the ballot as “Alexi” or “Alexander”? If he had any political brain in his head, he would go with Alexi. That’s because a lot of voters won’t know that much about the Treasurer’s race so they won’t know much about the candidates. Since Alexi sounds like it could be a woman’s name (not offense intended, as I am Greek myself, so I know what’s up, but most people don’t), and thus if he goes with Alexi, he could get a lot of women votes in the primary be voters who erroneously think that he is a woman. If I see Alexander on the ballot, I think I might vote against him just for not demonstrating political knowledge. (note: I think the potential female vote effect would outweight any considerations from going with Alexander because Alexi Giannoulias would sound to ethnic). - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:35 am: Blue Rino, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the Brie as a symbol for the Eisendrath insurgency. Maybe his supporters should start wearing Brie chesseheads. - Buddy - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:36 am: Many, many people have reasons to be flying under the radar now in supporting and working for EE. Very few people feel good about voting for Milorod the first time around, and they won’t do it again. For those debating between supporting JBT or EE, Judy’s warm fuzzy with Joe “Bad Mood” Birkett hurts her big-time. As people see that Edwin is viable, that he will raise and spend money, that he has a professional team around him … and continue to dislike the manner in which Blago has used the state for his own purposes, Edwin’s support will grow. The only question is whether he can catch him in time. - Chambers - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:51 am: Rich, Thanks for the plug. But the real question is, and I’m sure your guests will have fun with this one, isn’t it worse to be on your bad side? Chambers - Paul Powell - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 9:56 am: Ed-win has been to the deep south and has met with some field people. Patience, patience, patience. Lets get the holidays out of the way first. Nobody wants to do anything political right now. I was at a local fund raiser Saturday for a local state rep and senator and that turnout was dismal. Wrong time of the year, too cold, everyone too busy, etc. Ed-win will come around after the first of the year. His team is in place, just not announced yet. Besides he has a huge amount of people who are really upset (like me) who do not know any of his positions but are so pissed at RGod they will go anywhere to cast a vote against him. A huge amount of state employees that I know on a personal level will not vote for RGod under any circumstances. They were looking for an alternative and now they have one. - Lola - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 10:15 am: My prediction is that he won’t spend much money because he doesn’t have much money to spend. I don’t believe that he has personal wealth. It’s a longshot to think that his family (stepfather?) will pour millions into a longshot. If Rod implodes…then it’s a different story. Lot’s of people and $$$$ will jump on board. - VanillaMan - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 10:17 am: The potential is there - big time. The chance to send this governor packing is a huge motivator for most Illinoians. EE will need to show that he is for real. Then he will need to keep the droves of supporters from swamping his boat. If he handles it without looking amateur, he will take out Blagojevich. Late filings and late announcements are the way to go in these days of media overkill. The old adage that you have to run early and saturate the media no longer works for anyone other than overpaid campaign staffer and so-called media experts. Voters are not stupid and getting hammered by TV ads creates more negatives than positives, which is why TV ads have gone negative over the past 20 years - it is the only thing that works with TV saturation. Late candidate have real advantages with voters. You do not want voters to know everything about you before you get the chance to tell your story. Gidwitz and Blagojevich ads are no longer listened to. Both candidates are wasting their money buying ad time. Filing late and being the only alternative, puts the onus on the governor. Voters, and media like up-and-comers. They like being a part of an insurgency. They want to make a difference, especially for 2006, as it was in 2002. Voting for the underdog has always been a tradition. Voters identify with David, not Goliath. Blago’s cash makes him the Goliath, ripe for a knock down. Voters love doing that to big boys. EE has a real shot. - Cassandra - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 11:10 am: I am in the Anybody But Blago voting group so my dilemma at the primary will be to help JBT in her struggle against the far right Repubs or to take a Dem ballot and vote for Eisendrath. If Judy is not doing well, I would vote for her over EE. But a vote for EE is a vote against corruption, patronage and cronyism a la the Chicago Machine, so if Judy seems to be a shoo-in, I would vote for EE, poor as his chances may be. If nothing else, a strong vote for him might push Blago, Madigan and Emil Jones to move an inch or two away from their current corrupt practices. - Observing Democrat - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 11:53 am: Vanilla Man: spoken like a true person who doesn’t know much about running a campaign. BTW… people… so… cause I’m bored I called the EE campaign number listed on the website… nobody answered and the voicemail has nothing to do with EE or his campaign. - Mandark - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 11:56 am: Rod’s actual given first name is Milorad. Learned this from Chuck Goudy. I wonder why the self-acclaimed “son of immigrants” is ashamed to use the name his hard-working father and mother gave him? Is it perhaps “too ethnic”? - Bluefish - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 12:04 pm: Any poll number on EE vs RB? How close the race is come primary day will determine whether dissatisfied Dems either vote for EE or jump over to JBT. - Beowulf - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 12:22 pm: Edwin Eisendrath is going to be the political “Sleeper of the Year.” You are going to find that he is going to attract droves of Democrat voters to his side against Blagojevich. Just because he didn’t have a huge numerical turnout for his announcement that he was running does not mean a thing. He represents the most formidable type of opponent in an election. He represents “a vote against Blagojevich” rather than “a vote for Eisendrath”. People will turn out to vote in a primary if they are livid or enraged at an incumbent just to get him out of office. They (Illinois Democrats)could have run a circus clown as their candidate last election (some say they did!) and the clown would have defeated any Republican candidate because the Illinois voter’s hatred of George Ryan was so great. Judy Barr Topinka still carries the stigma and the stain of her old friend George. Eisendrath will surprise all of the political wags with his sudden new found popularity when it comes time to run against Blagojevich. - Reddbyrd - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 1:01 pm: Edwin is short for Edwin…that’s what he prefers his friends to call him Announcement looked very no exciting and the reporting did not suggest there was much to inspire anyone. Admitting to meeting Dick Mel was a bonehead play. too. Talking about ethics is something EVERY gubernatorial candidate pitches Looks like another homerun for GRod - publius - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 1:15 pm: someone says that unseating an incumbent governor in the primary is unthinkable? well let’s think about the last democratic governor—he did a roiien job and his fellow dems went into the primary booths and picked mike howlett as the party’s nominee - Joe Dirt - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 1:52 pm: And Howlett went on to get 30% of the vote against Jim Thompson - Papa Legba - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 2:41 pm: There are very few posters here that give EE a chance. Why? From where I sit, I see… 1. That EE is not stupid and intending on committing politic suicide just for yuks. I don’t see him jumping in now just to jump in. He has something up his sleeve or in his back pocket. 2. Hw will have the backing of the Chicago get the vote out Machine. As Buddy commented, there are reasons people aren’t jumping up for him just yet. Just wait and see. 3. He does provide an opportunity for employees of the state to vote against Blago without having to vote Republican in the primary. Heads would have rolled if employees voted Republican. Voting records are checked you know. 4. Blago isn’t very popular anymore. EE gives Democrats who can’t stomach voting Republican a Democrat to vote for. Even if he gets linked to Chicago politics, all he has to do is get past the primary to rid us of Milorad. It just might not be that hard, even without a PFitz boost. - Observing Democrat - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 3:30 pm: Mentioning Mell is a great move… as the media jumps all over any mention and provides instant media attention — deserved or not. - Jeff - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 3:38 pm: WHO IS::: GOVERNOR PHILIP J. SITKOWSKI 207 E. LAKE ST., UNIT D ADDISON, IL 60101 DEMOCRATIC PARTY - Bubs - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 5:39 pm: It is interesting that the bloggers that are calling EE the new phenom know little about him other than he isn’t Blago, and he hs some family money (let’s be clear on that - he has a MOUNTAIN of family money). I don’t know EE now, but when he was younger and aldermanic, he struck many as a very arrogant man, surrounded by very arrogant people, much like Rod today. From the looks of the press conference, I’d have to say that not much has changed, sadly. - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 5:48 pm: Naturally, things are just beginning. But one worrisome sign for Eisendrath is the fact that his opening statements and press release are all negative. Nothing positive about what he would do other than not do the bad stuff Blagojevich is doing. Eisendrath is particularly vulnerable to charges of negative campaigning, because he was criticized for running a vitriolic campaign against Sidney Yates, calling him too old for the job among many other things. Normally that would be ancient history, but if he goes too negative in this campaign, the Blago people will undoubtedly draw up some old quotes (some of which I recall are pretty bad and won’t be at all appreciated by elderly voters)to show a pattern of behavior. - Capitol Wag - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 5:52 pm: Edwin’s so-called campaign announcement in Springfield was a drag. He refused to speak in detail about: - His political connections/support. - His positions on any number of policy issues, even abortion. - How exactly he would ‘reform’ business in Springfield. - His recent phone conversation with Mell. - His family wealth. - How much he would spend and/or raise for his campaign. - Whether he had talked to Madigan about his candidacy. In at least a couple instances, he simply ignored questions he appeared to find distasteful. He said he wanted to debate Blago, but that he hadn’t contacted the Blago campaign. He said he would run a conventional campaign, complete with staff, only none of them tagged along. All in all, he appeared distant and especially pompous. - Bubs - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:07 pm: Hey Rich, I just checked the EE website via your link. “Snooty” doesn’t do it justice enough! Besides the “Edwin” stuff, what about “planting a standard on a barren hill . . . .?” Biblical references . . . .? Repeatedly clubbing us over the head with his self-image as an intellectual heir to RFK . . . ? Holy “Man on Horseback Complex,” Batman!! Between the egos of “Edwin” and “Rod,” this primary is going to be a Relief Act for Cobblers, but all the holes will be on the TOP side of the shoe. Can’t wait!! - Anon - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 6:47 pm: Like I said–”brie cheeseheads” - Bill's Buddies - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 7:21 pm: March 22 headlines: Blago …….. 73 “Snooty” EE .. 14 Sitkowski …. 13 Bring it on! - "B Team" - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 7:37 pm: I am a rabid independent and have never voted democratic. Now that there is an other candidate on the democratic side, I will be voting in the democratic primary for Mr. Ed. It will be a vote for A.B.B. - Anybody But Blogo. I hope he stays in long enough to push testicular virility off the ballot. - muletown - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 8:16 pm: I don’t think you can equate Mr. Eisendrath to Mr. Howlett. Mike Howlett had held state office and was backed by Richard J. Daley. Mr. Eisendrath does not have those two intangibles on his side. However, a showing by the current Governor of less than 60% makes his reelection in November tenuous at best. However, I can tell you one thing. Mr. Blagojevich is on the verge of yanking off not only the Veterans of Illinois but all over the world. No Illinois politician has ever tried this clever strategy. If he continues this folly Mr. Eisendrath will get every veteran vote from Iraq to Gettysburg. (Note:Civil War Soldiers are still voting in Chicago) - run4cvrlib - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 10:02 pm: It’s going to be interesting - Just someone else - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 10:06 pm: Couple of unrelated thoughts: 1) Looks like someone at “cheesy corporate logos r us” spent 10-15 good minutes on Edwin’s logo (which is apparently more time than he spent preparing for his campaign announcement). 2) Love the hilariously self-aggrandizing posts by “hack.” Are you for real? - Jeff - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 10:17 pm: I received this email and it says I can forward it to anyone who may be interested: “As you may have heard former Alderman Edwin Eisendrath will be challenging Governor Rob Blagojevich in the the Democratic Primary for the office of Governor. In light of this the office of the Governor is looking for volunteers to assist with the Democratic Primary Campaign starting tomorrow (December 20th)! The position will involve working 4 hours shifts on various days between December 20-27 verifying signatures in downtown Chicago. This is a great opportunity to make a name for yourself with pivotal individuals in Illinois Government. The work is absolutely essential and could easily lead to internships and jobs opportunities. For more information contact Jordan Smith at 618-534-7726. Call ASAP! Feel free to forward to anyone who may be interested.” ===== Who is Jordan Smith? I don’t know this for sure, but it’s a great assumption: ===== Despite budget deficit, loyalists get new state jobs Thursday, April 17, 2003 By John O’Connor The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich is tackling the state’s huge budget deficit by proposing spending cuts and eliminating jobs, but he still found money to hire campaign workers for new positions. Blagojevich has carved out $145,000 for three liaisons who work for the state’s Corrections and Transportation departments handling residents’ questions and complaints. Anita Decker, 24, makes $55,000 representing Corrections in northwestern Illinois. Jordan Smith, 21, is paid $45,000 as a Carbondale-based liaison for Transportation, as is Kyle Anderson, 24, who works in Collinsville.None has particular expertise in corrections or transportation, but all volunteered for candidate Blagojevich last fall, spokesman Tom Schafer said. “They’re young people who have shown a lot of enthusiasm and worked on the governor’s campaign,” Schafer said. - Paul Powell - Monday, Dec 19, 05 @ 11:44 pm: A downstate county chairman told a friend of mine today that despite not being able to get any jobs from RGod for the past three years he was told late last week that suddenly three jobs in his county were going to now be filled. I would venture to say that lots of jobs will be created/filled in the next 60 days. If you need something from RGod, now is the time to get it. - Jon Musgrave - Tuesday, Dec 20, 05 @ 3:49 pm: I don’t know about other Democratic officials, but at a book signing last week I ran into former state senator and Sesser mayor Ned Mitchell. Though a conservative Democrat, he’s backing Eisendrath. Though too liberal for Mitchell’s taste, he’s still not Rod and that appears to be enough. - Sadie - Friday, Dec 8, 06 @ 4:22 am: Hi this is a very informative site! 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