Campaign 2010 roundup
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* More from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s pollster…
To: Interested Parties
From: Lake Research Partners
Subject: The 2010 Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois
Date: April 24, 2009
Findings from a recent survey of likely Democratic Primary voters in Illinois show a wide open race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Roland Burris, with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky holding a narrow lead over all candidates, including the incumbent Senator. In addition, when voters learn more information (positive and negative) about the candidates, Schakowsky expands her lead over the field. Schakowsky’s message resonates strongly with a Democratic electorate hungry for progressive leadership that will once again provide Illinois families a chance at the American Dream.
Congresswoman Schakowsky owns a slight lead in a race that is wide open at this early stage. In an initial three-way trial heat, Schakowsky takes nearly a quarter of the vote (24%), narrowly edging out State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (22%). Senator Roland Burris draws just 18% of the vote – a striking indicator of his vulnerability. The intensity of support also narrowly favors Schakowsky (16% strong support), followed by Giannoulias (15%) and Burris (10%). Still, with over one-third (36%) of the Democratic Primary electorate undecided, this seat is up for grabs.
After voters hear positive statements about the candidates, Schakowsky posts a double-digit lead. Schakowsky’s lead grows from 2 points in the initial ballot to 16 points after voters hear more about the candidates (see text of statements on following page). She leads Giannoulias on the three-way ballot, 38% to 22%, with 21% undecided. C.E.O. Cheryle Jackson attracts 17% of the vote.[2]
Notably, the percentage of voters who support Schakowsky strongly on the informed ballot (23% strong support) outnumbers the tot al percentage of voters who support Giannoulias (22% overall support).
Even after voters hear negative information about Schakowsky and the other candidates, Schakowsky retains a solid lead over the field.
That last paragraph is key for Schakowsky. Lots of people believe her husband’s imprisonment kills off her chances. As I told subscribers today, her poll doesn’t show that at all - at least, not in her mind. We’ll see what happens when the real race kicks in.
More…
Even more impressive , Schakowsky’s lead is not a function of superior name recognition, which actually belongs to Giannoulias. Voters have a slightly more informed opinion of Giannoulias, and both candidates are viewed positively. Despite Giannoulias’ advantage in name recognition, however, Schakowsky leads throughout.
Bottom Line: At this early stage in the race, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is the strongest candidate in a wide open race for the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat. Schakowsky’s lead on the initial ballot against incumbent Senator Roland Burris and several other serious candidates is impressive, and once voters learn more about each of the candidates they coalesce around her candidacy in significant numbers.
Even after hearing a strong attack on Schakowsky, the Congresswoman retains her lead.
Again, check that last sentence.
* If I wasn’t sick yesterday, I would’ve scooped Sneed on this one, but whatever. The Kennedy’s are her beat anyway…
Sneed has learned Chris Kennedy, son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, may be this/close to entering the U.S. Senate sweepstakes from Illinois.
• • To wit: “Right now, it’s an 85 percent chance Chris is going to do it,” a top Kennedy source tells Sneed.
• • Poll ‘em: Sneed is told Kennedy, who runs the Merchandise Mart, has commissioned Obama pollster John Anzalone — and has talked to media consultants Larry Grisolano and John Kupper, who now run the firm once headed by David Axelrod, President Obama’s senior adviser.
• • Translation: The poll, which is expected at the end of the week, “will give him a better lay of the land in this ever-changing race,” the source said.
* And Greg Hinz has more about the big losses in Alexi Giannoulias’ Bright Start program…
One: Mr. Giannoulias’ office was informed last April that Core Bond had heavily invested in mortgage-backed securities, far beyond what its benchmark specified. But he kept putting new Bright Start money into the fund for another seven months.
Two: Core Bond wasn’t the only Oppenheimer fund from which Mr. Giannoulias abruptly pulled Bright Start funds late last year because of investment losses. But he hasn’t disclosed that. Morningstar did.
Three: State Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora, the GOP co-chair of the Legislature’s audit commission, says he may soon call for a full review of how Illinois families lost something more than $85 million in what were supposed to be safe, protected investments.
It would be nice if we could get one clear, concise story about why this is important. As it is, nobody but the Republicans are picking up on it.
* Meanwhile, Gov. Quinn says he’ll probably run for a full term and reveals how much he’s raised so far…
Quinn said he has raised about $250,000 for his gubernatorial campaign.
Every journey begins with a first step, I suppose.
* Related…
* ‘Senior’ moment from Roland Burris
* Burris slips up introducing Durbin on Biden tour
- John Bambenek - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 7:43 am:
Golly, no Republicans must be running for anything….
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 7:59 am:
Nice to have you back among us, Rich. Did you get a bad hot dog at the Sox game?
- JonShibleyFan - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:04 am:
“Burris draws just 18% of the vote – a striking indicator of his vulnerability.”
Aren’t his appointment by Rod and his rank ineptitude striking indicators of his vulnerability?
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:13 am:
Well, Kennedy does have money and name recognition but it does seem a tad unfair that he gets to jump into a Senate race without serving in a lower level public office.
Would a Kennedy, by virtue of heritage, be able to pull a significant number of African American votes. In the 21st century, that would be unfortunate, in my opinion. If more African Americans are needed in the Senate, they should find and run their own candidates. That probably wouldn’t be Burris, it appears. But to support a prince from a political family that is essentially in retreat would be beyond retro.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:30 am:
===Golly, no Republicans must be running for anything…. ===
Is this some sort of complaint about no GOP campaign stories today? Did they make any news? I didn’t see any. Neither did Mike. Did you? If so, please pass them along instead of making useless, snide comments. Thanks.
- Hank - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:44 am:
Also from Hinz is that Alexi’s office is now refusing to take calls about Bright Star
- Niles Township - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:58 am:
While $250K is not that big a deal to most, for Quinn that is a pot full of gold. Has he ever run with that much in this pocket at this early stage?
- Objective Dem - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:10 am:
I have never heard of anything Chris Kennedy has accomplished on his own. He may be a businessman, but it is the family business. He may be a great guy with great politics, but I get tired of people who want to serve in top positions based on what they inherited not what they have accomplished.
I believe Giannoulias has done a good job, but the balance still leans towards inherited rather than accomplished in my mind.
I have worked some with Schakowsky in the past. I found her reasonable, bright and hard working. At this point my vote will go to her.
- fedup dem - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:12 am:
Regarding the Senate race, Schakowsky will be destroyed once voters learn all the juicy details about her nusband’s all-too-short stay at Club Fed, including the fact that he had been in a business relationship in the past with the son-in-law of the federal judge in the case (James Moran, who recently passed away and thus is unable to explain why he didn’t recuse himself from the case). Add to that the fact that Judge Moran allowed Schakowsky and check-kiting husband Bob Creamer to take a Caribbean vacation after Creamer pled guilty (and before starting is four-month stay in federal prison). Then note that Schakowsky has served as a Board Member in Creamer’s organizations for years, and then cite some of their political schemes (in trying to become political bosses along the north lakefront and in Evanston), and then watch her get a political whupping on Primary Election Day!
- John Bambenek - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:13 am:
I’m sure there isn’t stories in major press, they’ve done a stellar job so far. But for stories not covered:
Kirk being ambushed at his town hall in Palatine by ISRA, growing rebellion at even the concept of his candidacy
Whitley dropping out
Brady locking out other candidates from Lincoln Day Dinners and county events
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:32 am:
Objective, in addition to being a pretty good businessman (the family made a bundle on the Merchandise Mart sale and kept the management contract), Chris Kennedy has been a very active member of the Chicago community for some time. Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Chicago Food Depository, among others.
Very well-spoken, likeable man, down-to-earth as a son of RFK could be, I guess. And unlike his more famous cousin in New York who wanted the job handed to her, he can speak in coherent sentences to communicate complete thoughts.
85% ready to go? I wonder — like Bill Daley, we’ve seen this movie before. But if he was ever going to take a shot, now’s the time to do it.
- Anonymous45 - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:33 am:
I think Alexi is the most overated constitutional officer in IL…when I think of him, I think basketball, bad loans, and connections…sort of a Mediterranean RBB…I honestly can’t think of one accomplishment he has had since taking over the Treasurer’s office…I know he claims BO as a mentor, but you’ve got to have more to yourself than that dude…
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:43 am:
In a perfect world, Mr. Miller would have Mike translate Sneed for us instead of quoting her column directly. It is very frustrating for me as the reader to have to get information in this manner.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 9:55 am:
Oh good. We won’t have another Daley family member running. We might see another Kennedy family member running. And another Hastert running. And another Madigan running. Now that Blagojevich is gone, Mell put his daughter in office. Then there is Lipinski. And Jesse Jackson Jr.
Just how screwed up are these political parties? Can they find new people? Are they set up so that, just like a private club, you have to have a family connection to join them? I thought we got rid of royal families in 1776?
Nepotism has always been around, but it is a bad thing for a democracy to have it.
You wonder why voters are cynical when it appears that political leadership is a closed stage open only to family members? Even when we get an Obama, the assumption in voter’s minds is who did he know, and what did he have to do to get elected? Nepotism feeds into a voter sense of powerlessness and conspiracies. It isn’t healthy. Both political parties should avoid it, but then, they should also avoid nominating dishonest and corrupted people to office, and they fail there too.
As to Schakowsky. The reason people believed that her career was finished was because her husband ended up in jail. The reason they believe this is not because of her political viability, per se, but the plain fact that this kind of personal family event should come first in a person’s life, not their political career. If there is no shame in serving time in jail, then she should have stepped down from her elected office when he was sentenced and perform the public duty demanded of her at that time. It doesn’t matter her gender, what matters is the fact that a spouse should matter first.
Consequentially, her actions speak louder than any words she could use to explain away her continued interest in her own political campaigns. Would you want a US Senator, or anyone in elected office, that has these kinds of priorities? What kind of a senator would behave as she has?
These are the reasons why most people believed she would have not continued with her political career. It is because they would have put their families first, and it is disturbing that Schakowsky doesn’t.
- soccermom - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:01 am:
VanillaMan, does the name Bush ring a bell?
- gg - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:05 am:
Chris Kennedy is taking the torch from Bill Daley.
You heard it here.
I think they are all in because …
1) Daley support without the Bags.
2) No viable Black/Female candidate.
3) National/Family/Father recognition.
4) He has instant credibility because he has not been rolling around in the mud with everyone else. Jan, Lisa, JJ …. please…
You heard it from gg.
- babs - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:05 am:
VM-
What public duty was demanded of her? I say the public duty was to fulfill her term and represent her constituency. Sorry, I see no reason for her to wear a scarlet letter and hide because her husband went to prison.
- Objective Dem - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:08 am:
Vanilla Man,
Shakowsky needed to earn an income. Giving up her job would make no sense. Plus her husband was in prison. My impression is you don’t visit people in prison every day, just on weekends, which I think she did.
Additionally, she was not involved with her husband’s crime so why should she be punished.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:09 am:
I understand antipathy to the gaming of the system to grease the way for a family member to get on the ballot unchallenged for a safe elected office, a la Lipinski, Stroger and Emil Jones Jr.
But I don’t have a problem with the family members of famous politicians running on their own. It’s a free country and the voters decide.
Remember, Richard J’s advice to young Adlai III? “Don’t change your name.”
By the way, the longest-serving political family in the United States? The Frelinghuysens of New Jersey (now GOP). There’s been one holding elected office in or from the Garden State since the first Continental Congress.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:16 am:
VMan, for someone who complains a lot about what you call a “Nanny State” intruding on people’s lives and liberties, you have some very specific opinions on “the right way” people should conduct their private business.
- Amy - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:24 am:
Vanilla Man, the problem with Jan is that she is shameless. She blamed the prosecution on Bush. She had dealings with the hinky not for profit her husband bungled. She does not get that the ethical cloud is radioactive. And, who knows how they push polled her negatives? It just says they did. what negatives? This issue? others? One Celinda Lake memo does not wipe away
the big problem. it just claims that it does. She should not run.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:28 am:
The democratic tickets seems to be forming-
Team Nepotism.
With Madigan, Kennedy & Hynes heading the ticket, they only need a prominant African American like one of Jesse Jackson’s other sons to jump in for Lt. and they should be set.
Of course, they will all adopt Quinn’s Reform Commission recommendations which says nothing about borrowing money from uncles and daddy’s.
- colby - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:32 am:
VM, that’s the kind of empty bromides that sounds pretty devastating, but really has no connection to the facts. If quitting her job would’ve helped Shackowsy’s husband, then I might understand. But it wouldn’t have, it wouldn’t have mattered at all. She stuck by him, she publicly supported him (which is going to be the real problem- a public state that “he is innocent” when he was demonnstrably not calls her judgment into question), but he went to jail anyway. Unless you can show that he wouldn’t have went to jail or would’ve gotten released sooner if she gave up her job, then this is just nonsense.
- colby - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:35 am:
“She should not run.”
Eh, sure she should. If her “ethical cloud” is as “radioactive” as you say, if these numbers really are the result of a “push poll”, then she won’t get very far. She can only hurt herself, and that’s not our problem.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:38 am:
I forgot to mention Team Nepotism will urge voters to skirt the recomendations and reforms from the Commission report titled “Inspiring Better Government” which they feel still needs work.
- walter sobchak - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 10:51 am:
It would be interesting to find out what public relations agency is being paid what amount to flog the potential of Jan Schackowsky as anything more than the rep for life from an ideologically rotten district. Her only claim to fame, other than a husband convicted of a felony, is to be reliably over the top on the hot button issues of a narrow constituency: radically pro-abortion, incoherently anti-Bush, mindlessly anti-defense, convinced on global warming…you know the drill. She is neither personally appealing, a good speaker, nor is she electable beyond Evanston. Would that her actual abilities were as great as her overweening, slightly distasteful, ambitions.
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:01 am:
f Jan Schackowsky as anything more than the rep for life from an ideologically rotten district.
While true, you need to admit she is at least clever enough to realize it’s an issue, and deal with it. Many, Many things can be handled, if YOU deal with it, rather than let your opponents.
Of course, any competent opponent can slice and dice her on this, as well as her voting record, not to mention general corruption blues.
Let her run
- phocion - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:11 am:
Rich, there’s a problem with the link to the Brady article/comments in your subscriber’s only section on top.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:11 am:
VanillaMan, does the name Bush ring a bell? -Yeah, they were hot a while back, I have some of their albums.
Shakowsky needed to earn an income. - Yeah, its always hard to find a job after Congress. We have thousands of unemployed former congresspeople living under bridges.
…you have some very specific opinions on “the right way” people should conduct their private business. - How low is the bar here? Her husband is a convicted felon. How about having someone else without a convicted felon for a spouse representing this district? Even the Democrats could come up with another person.
Remember, Richard J’s advice to young Adlai III? “Don’t change your name.” - Yeah, since Daley didn’t have a problem with it, nepotism can be fun!
Vanilla Man, the problem with Jan is that she is shameless. - I’m beginning to believe that being shameless is one of the qualifiers to serve in public office.
Sorry, I see no reason for her to wear a scarlet letter and hide because her husband went to prison. - We don’t even allow felons to vote, so why is it OK for a felon’s spouse to be in Congress? How low do you want to set this bar?
- Legaleagle - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:14 am:
Schakowsky’s problem would be in the Fall. She is too bitterly partisan and far-left, even for Illinois voters. And she did co-sign those fraudulent tax returns; usually the spouse gets charged too, but the Bush administration gave her a pass. And she still steers political consulting business to her felon husband. So there is a lot of baggage that will come out.
- Anonymous45 - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:25 am:
I agree wholeheartedly with Amy on the Jan for Senate issue…she is shameless, (sorry, he was maried to Creamer, and had to know that if not illegal, than it certainly was unethical) her best cheerleader is Pelosi (who hs proven to be almost as worthless as Harry Reid) and is totally a North Shore liberal who just can’t help being ever so in love with herself…I beleive Sara Feigenholtz has modeled herself after Jan, and we all saw how well that played in a larger district race a few months ago…be happy where you are Jan and be grateful…
- Morton - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:30 am:
Rich wants to know why the Alexi story is not being picked up? The media will not attack a favored lefty candidate. The exposure: He allowed a state sanctioned college plan to include a high risk, inappropriate investment option and then watched it tank before doing anything about it. Will make a dandy commercial.
- Richie Rich - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:46 am:
Maybe Kirk can follow his friend Arlen Specter and run as a Dem too! Then we wouldn’t even need the pretense of a general election!
- BannedForLife - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:48 am:
” … nobody but the Republicans are picking up on it.”
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Illinois-Bright-Start-College-Savings-Lost-85-Million-in-2008-Alexi-Giannoulias-Mortgage-Investments.html
http://m.stltoday.com/STL/db_10904/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=pqHQ4kzv
http://progressillinois.com/2009/4/24/closer-look-bright-start
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:53 am:
Brightstart
The real problem here is that he KNEW in April 08 that they had exceeded their benchmark. That alone should have raised a flag, and been enough to withdraw funds. Benchmarks in funds like these are important. That is how risk is controlled.
I don’t see how you run for an office when you blew one of the BIG responsibilities - you might say the MAIN function of the office you have now!
- Tom Joad - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 12:13 pm:
Alexi ran for Treasurer because no other office was open. He was bored with the job from the start, and spent last year campaigning for Obama. He didn’t withdraw money from Oppenheimer Funds because he wasn’t in Illinois that often. Due to his boredom with the office, it is no wonder he is trying to run for even higher office, but he has no credentials for the Senate.
He has no new ideas as Treasurer. The Renaisance hotel sale wasn’t his idea, the consolidation of pension investing functions wasn’t his idea and now he has adopted Topinka’s idea of publicizing himself with Cash Dash in their advertising.
Why was it that Speaker Madigan would not support him even ater Alexi won the primary? Madigan was right about Blago when others didn’t suspect anything. It appears he is right again.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
How a negative plays during polling and how it plays when it is in a TV ad for a week are really different.
It will be proxies but they will hit her hard on it. Also her husband’s sins are easy to explain.
Alexi’s issue is going to be harder to explain, but might hit better.
Kennedy coming in the middle of this will work for him (no public record) or…
The democrats nominate Burris with a three way split among voters with Rolland getting by…
VM, her husband’s issues are not enough to disqualify her from sitting in congress.
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 1:07 pm:
Also her husband’s sins are easy to explain.
Yes, he thought what he was doing was so important he stole to keep it going. Even after the FBI came by to talk to him.
And she said it was a political prosecution.
“I am above the law and better than you”
That does so well in campaigns.
- Samuel Rosenman - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 1:44 pm:
Ask Howie Carroll or J.B. Pritzker about running against Jan Schakowsky in a democratic primary. Not so easy. Schakowsky is more of a working class progressive like Paul Simon and certainly not an effete Lake Front Snob like Barbara Flynn Currie. She relates well to average consumers and has a good story to tell. Her husband became overzealous, but floating checks is a common business practice. Just check your bank statements from the time your check clears until the bank starts paying interest. In a multi-candidate field, Schakowsky is all elbows.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
BannedForLife, the NBC link was just a blog post. ProgressIllinois, while a decent source, is still quite small. The Post-Dispatch business section story is the only “real” MSM story you linked to. The political reporters are completely ignoring this story.
- Anonymous45 - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 2:19 pm:
Rosy: Jan is not in my opinion, a working class progressive like Paul Simon…if I were a member of Paul Simon’s family, I would be very insulted…unfortunately, the mold was broken when his ethic and moral terptitude was cast…please name two progressive stances/pieces of legislation Schakowsky stood/authored…I’m waiting…
- Amy - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 2:28 pm:
Sam R: Jan’s consumer stories are almost as old as i am. she has done little more than run for office and work the Pelosi ladder. she hasn’t even been that supportive of other women running for office unless they are her tiny posse. her brand
of liberalism is not working class progressive, it’s radical left.
- TTL, III - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 2:57 pm:
I’d like to see Schakowsky try to get people excited about her outside of the city. She is the epitome of a far-left liberal, which is all well and good for her district, but won’t play well outside of it.
Chris Kennedy… Hmmmm. I’m giving it an 85% chance that he pulls a Bill Daley.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
I agree that Jan S is very liberal/progressive. But she spent much of her career,before becoming an elected official, working on important bread annd butter issues that the average voter will be able to identify with.
If Jan can raise sufficient money, I think she’s hard to beat - moderate women voters in the metropolitan area will vote for her and she’ll do vary well in the African-American community too. Jan S is smart, knowledgeable, and an energetic, tireless campaigner. I think it will be very difficult for opponents to demonize her as an ultra-liberal or even capitalize on her husband’s legal woes. I thnk Jan S plausibly could win a crowded Senate primary the same way Obama did.
- A Cynic - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
Nobody has ever asked Jan the hard question. It’s not that her husband went to jail for fraud, or that she funnels business to him even to this day. It’s much more basic - what did she know and when did she know it? In this case, what did she know and when did she know it. She was working side by side with him in the same organization, while sitting on the board of the organization while she was married to the man as he committed his fraud. She has gotten a complete pass on this because of her district. That won’t happen statewide.
In a post-Rod era when corruption is center stage, if she thinks this isn’t a problem, she’s more delusional than Rod is.
- Samuel Rosenman - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
Please Anoymous45….Paul Simon ran for President in 1988 with “I am from the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party”…. The same left of center wing that Schakowsky represents. Schakowsky has been an advocate for senior and consumer issues even before she won a seat in the Illinois legislature. As for current labor legislation, she’s the House chief sponsor of the Patriot Employer Act which Obama campaigned on last year and Sen. Durbin sponsors in the senate.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 4:19 pm:
Check-kiting isn’t exactly the “crime of the century!”
- A Cynic - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 5:08 pm:
CA,
Is that going to be her slogan?
- T.J. - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 8:05 pm:
Hooray, a candidate even less attractive than Burris. How appropriate.
- Lynn S - Tuesday, Apr 28, 09 @ 11:30 pm:
“Well, Kennedy does have money and name recognition but it does seem a tad unfair that he gets to jump into a Senate race without serving in a lower level public office.” Welcome to that potent brand of politics and nepotism that is Illinois, Cassandra. With enough money and name recognition, you can do anything.
“Just how screwed up are these political parties? Can they find new people? Are they set up so that, just like a private club, you have to have a family connection to join them? I thought we got rid of royal families in 1776?” Good point, VanMan.
“VanillaMan, does the name Bush ring a bell? -Yeah, they were hot a while back, I have some of their albums.” And sometimes they still play them on the radio.