Protected: Subscriber-only afternoon shorts (please use all upper-case) - UPDATED
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
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Notice to all Illinois bloggers and commenters
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’m going to be doing some instant analysis stuff, but part of the schtick will be reporting on what the blogs are saying around the state and what commenters are saying right here. This will obviously be a great opportunity to hype the Capitol Fax Blog and Illinoize, but it will also introduce people to lots of other blogs and bloggers throughout the state. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Please, live blog election night, especially between 9 and 11. And try to give me a heads up about what you plan to do in advance. There is a lot of talent out there, and we’ve been given an opportunity to showcase it on election night. I also think it’s fantastic that a mainstream media outlet is taking interest in what’s going on in the blog world. Kudos to them. I’m also scheduled to do the Illinois Radio Network that night, and the station has said they’ll provide me with a phone hookup for that gig. Should be busy, but lots of fun.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller We’re not going to do a single question of the day today. Instead, we’re going to look at various aspects of the Chicago Tribune’s latest poll. Let’s start with the Republican governor’s race. Scroll down for the other contests. With one week until the March 21 primary election, a survey of 600 likely Republican voters found Topinka with the support of 36 percent, compared with 21 percent for businessman Jim Oberweis, 15 percent for state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and 9 percent for businessman Ron Gidwitz. Another 18 percent said they were undecided, 1 percent said they supported perennial candidate Andy Martin and 1 percent said they backed another candidate. […] Please read the whole thing before commenting, then have at it.
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Stroger up
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Notice that this is the first time that the Tribune has published a poll on the county board president’s race. I figured that meant their last poll had Stroger with a huge lead. Maybe I’m just cynical. The poll of 475 Cook County registered voters likely to cast ballots in the Democratic primary showed Stroger leading Claypool 47 percent to 37 percent. The survey was conducted Wednesday through Sunday by Market Shares Corp. of Mt. Prospect and has an error margin of 5 percentage points. No kidding. UPDATE: Bill Clinton appears in Stroger radio ads. UPDATE: You all know by now that Stroger is in the hospital. Let’s keep the rumors to a minimum, shall we? I’m going to go back and delete a few comments here because they are just too over the top. We’ll all know more soon. (And for crying out loud, people, the man is in the hospital, so let’s keep the nastiness at bay.)
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Does it really matter any more?
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller EE is such a disappointment. On the Democratic side, Blagojevich has seen a slight increase in his favorability since last month’s poll, which may be an indication of the success of his TV ad campaign. Blagojevich also has refused to engage Eisendrath directly in public debate, denying the challenger the potential for wider publicity for his low-visibility candidacy.
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That Greek guy is ahead of that other guy
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Tribune poll results for treasurer. In the other contested statewide primary on the Democratic ballot, the race for treasurer, the poll indicated Chicago banker Alexi Giannoulias has benefited from ads featuring the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Benefiting from a 33 percentage point boost in name recognition, Giannoulias has the support of 31 percent of Democratic voters compared to 17 percent for Paul Mangieri, the Knox County state’s attorney and the slated candidate of the state Democratic Party.
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Lite guv
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Boxer whipping wonk. Here are the Trib’s numbers for the lieutenant governor’s primary. In the Republican contest for lieutenant governor, the poll showed DuPage County State’s Atty. Joe Birkett with support from 36 percent of likely voters and state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger of Elgin with 18 percent, while 41 percent were undecided. Kane County Recorder Sandy Wegman had 3 percent, attorney Lawrence Bruckner had 2 percent, and 1 percent backed another candidate. Discuss.
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Morning shorts
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · Cook County smoking ban moving fast. · Another Chicago investigation. · Springfield storm photos. Here and here. · Cheney raised $200K for Roskam. Here’s another story on the visit. · Good roundup of 8th CD GOP primary race. · Syverson talks about the budget. · Bill Brady opposes hospital charity requirements proposed by Lisa Madigan. The legislation appears dead for this year. Meanwhile, Urbana’s Provena Covenant Medical Center waits to see if its tax exempt status is restored. · Congressman Jerry Weller made 11 foreign trips lasting a combined 44 days “one to Canada and the rest to 14 nations in Central and South America, including Columbia three times. Taxpayers picked up a tab of about $24,562, including Weller’s pro rata share of delegation expenses.” · Lindy Scott profiled. · Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar won’t run for re-election as chairman of the DuPage Township Republican Party? He has reportedly endorsed DuPage Township Supervisor Bill Mayer as his successor. · Missed it. Cathleen Falsani interviewed Studs Terkel at Borders. · To say these two are longshots would be kind.
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36-21-15-9
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller The Tribune runs its last poll of the season. Among the Democrats, Blagojevich has the support of 67 percent of voters who were polled compared with 18 percent for challenger Edwin Eisendrath, a former Chicago alderman. Another 14 percent are undecided, and 2 percent say they would vote for someone else. Since February’s poll, Blagojevich’s standing gained 5 percentage points while Eisendrath’s remained the same. […] Check out those Gidwitz numbers. I’ll have more on that in tomorrow’s Capitol Fax. UPDATE: Comments are now closed on this post. See above for poll stories.
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Jones fundraiser will be held tonight
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller I’ve had more than a few requests to find out if Senate President Emil Jones’ big Springfield fundraiser tonight will still be held - considering the tornado damage to the town. The answer is yes. That part of town was spared, from what I understand. UPDATE: Should’ve pointed this out before, but session will continue as scheduled.
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Disaster area declared
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller From a press release: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today declared seven Illinois counties state disaster areas following a round of storms that moved quickly through the area this weekend, causing severe damage and approximately two dozen minor injuries. While staff with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is still assessing the damage, no fatalities have been reported as of mid-day Monday, March 13, 2006. UPDATE:Wow: Statement as of 12:32 PM EST on March 13, 2006 (Via Drudge and a hat tip to a friend)) UPDATE: Promoted from comments: When the new Emergency Ops Center was opened earlier this year, reporters asked the Governor, since he spent all his time in Chicago, how much time would he ever spend at the EOC in Springfield. Now we know: he didn’t get down there until Noon, and he didn’t fly direct to the helipad they built for him, but to the airport first.
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Question of the afternoon
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Sorry this was delayed today. Still trying to catch up after last night. What do you think should be the over/under on Edwin Eisendrath’s primary results? Pick the over/under level and say which side you’re betting on.
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Afternoon shorts
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · David Phelps on Rod Blagojevich: “When he is re-elected, there will be a mass exodus of Republicans from the state payroll.” · You can find the 100-plus page jury instructions for the George Ryan trial here. Be warned, this is a large pdf file. The last 8 pages or so is the jury voting checkoff list. · Southside Irish Parade spectators cheer as Dan Lipinski’s parade float burns. Very funny little tidbit. · Chuck Goudie writes about Rick Garcia and the hate commission. Meanwhile, Askia Muhammad defends Farrakhan and Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad: “Farrakhan does not hate Jewish people. He does not teach hatred of Jews.” · Yard sign wars continue in Proviso Township. · ArchPundit has more on that Weller office quote about the African-American vote. · Good column about Cicero politics by Ray Hanania. · Belleville News-Democrat whacks Blagojevich again. · Klau hires Parrillo. Great move. · I missed the parade this year, and after reading this story I’m really bummed about my mistake.
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Gun shop, convicted felon got loans from state treasurer candidate’s bank
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Greg Hinz has a new column up about Giannoulias. It’s not pretty stuff. On his campaign Web site, Illinois treasurer hopeful Alexi Giannoulias describes himself as “a banker — a community banker, to be more precise.” It’s an indication that Mr. Giannoulias’ job as vice-president and chief loan officer at Chicago’s Broadway Bank is his main credential in running to become one of the state’s two elected fiscal officers.
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Shelden walks
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden makes good on his threat to walk out of Jim Oberweis’ Lincoln Day speech. Well, I did walk out, and a small number of people followed. I’m glad I did. One Oberweis supporter suggested that I won votes for Oberweis, and perhaps I did. I think that what I said in the last few days hopefully swayed some people and made people realize that Jim Oberweis is not the face we want to put on the Republican Party in Illinois. And Oberweis made an incredibly tasteless remark over the weekend. Taking questions from locals in Downstate Godfrey, Oberweis was asked about federal government requirements placed on farmers to brand their animals. Oberweis reminded them about his tough stance against illegal immigration. UPDATE: The News-Gazette blog has a list of those who walked out on Oberweis: County Clerk Mark Shelden, Circuit Clerk Linda Frank, County Board member Deb Feinen and Savoy Village Board member Joahn Dykstra
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New morning
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Power’s back on, cable modem is working and a quick check doesn’t turn up much storm damage. Hope all my subscribers and blog readers made it through OK. How did you come out of it? UPDATE: From a press release: Last night Springfield and other communities throughout Central Illinois and the Metro East suffered damage from severe storms and tornadoes. The State Emergency Operation Center in Springfield was activated last night. Staff has been on duty overnight and will continue coordinating with local officials today. UPDATE 2: The State Journal Register website is being slammed by all the visits. Here’s the latest update: Last Updated 3/13/2006 10:01:39 AM From what I could gather from listening to the radio last night, the tornado cut a path roughly from Target on the Southwest Side to Channel 20 on the Northeast Side. Huge amounts of damage. ![]() From the SJ-R website. Go there for more pics, but be warned that the site is pretty slow right now from all the hits. UPDATE: The 11th Hour liveblogged the storm last night and has more updates today. If you blogged the storm or the aftermath, please link to your posts in comments. UPDATE: From a press release: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will meet with Mayor Tim Davlin
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