Hynes to jump in, Quinn can’t admit mistakes
Friday, Jul 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hynes is in, according to the Tribune…
Three-term state Comptroller Dan Hynes has told top Democrats that he intends to seek the party’s nomination for governor, setting up a February primary challenge to Gov. Pat Quinn, sources familiar with Hynes’ conversations said Thursday.
Hynes would become the first major Democratic opponent for Quinn, who has not formally announced an election bid but has said he plans to seek the office. Quinn was elevated to the governor’s office in January following the arrest, impeachment and ouster of his disgraced predecessor, Rod Blagojevich.
The comptroller starts the race with a major fundraising advantage. Hynes has $3.5 million banked after raising more than $905,000 in the first half of the year. Quinn raised more than $860,000 in that time period but had a little more than $700,000 left.
The sources, who asked not to be identified so as to not preempt Hynes’ official announcement, said the comptroller discussed his plans to run with leading Illinois Democrats. No timetable was given for Hynes’ formal entry into the race, but politicians can begin soliciting signatures for their candidacy petitions Aug. 4.
* Meanwhile, Gov. Quinn still can’t admit any mistakes or say what he’s learned from them…
As for Governor Quinn himself, he’s not interested in self assessment at this point. I asked him a week ago what mistakes he’d made in the past six months, and what he’d learned from them.
QUINN: I’d have to take a little bit of time to come up with a laundry list of mistakes.
Quinn asked for a week to think about it. So, Thursday, I asked him again.
QUINN: That’s your favorite question. Well, I thought and thought in the last week. Maybe I need another month or so to come up with that. I’m sure all of us are fallible. Don’t get me wrong, I make mistakes. But I don’t think I spend a lot of time looking at my navel, saying, ‘What mistakes have I made today?’
* And Quinn kinda sorta responds to a Sneed question about Chris Kennedy…
The big question: What does Gov. Quinn think of Chris Kennedy’s sudden interest in becoming the next governor of Illinois?
• • Quoth Quinn to Sneed, who first tipped Kennedy was preparing a U.S. Senate bid: “I worked for his father [the late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy], whom I consider a hero; I think highly of Chris personally and his family; I visited with Chris earlier this year about doing some work with us; whatever he decides to do is his decision, and he certainly has every right to make one.”
* Related…
* Pat Quinn Responds to Blagojevich Criticism: When he was doing that, I was visiting with American soldiers who put him to shame in terms of their public service. I mean, talk about a difference. In my opinion, he betrayed the public trust.
* Afghanistan almost ‘medieval,’ Quinn says after trip
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:13 am:
This means either Quinn or Hynes has to win by encouraging two minor Chicago players to split the African American votes in Chicago, and by portraying himself as the guy who can win the General because Quinn cannot.
If he doesn’t do this, he will split the voter base attractive to Democrats who want a serious fiscal governor with Quinn, allowing a strong AA Chicago candidate to win the AA base and the Primary. So Hynes or Quinn have to get a couple of candidates to split that vote in order to win.
Quinn and Hynes appeals to the same voter base. Choosing between them is like choosing between vanilla ice cream and vanilla yogurt - same stuff to most people.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:15 am:
===Quinn and Hynes appeals to the same voter base.===
That’s far too simplistic. Just because they’re both white doesn’t mean they play equally to the same bases.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:16 am:
This entire situation gets worse for Democrats if Kennedy runs too. With every white guy with serious fiscal credentials joining the Primary, it opens the race wider to an AA Chicago candidate capable of winning their base.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:17 am:
That’s far too simplistic. Just because they’re both white doesn’t mean they play equally to the same bases.
That would be simplistic, if that was the only criteria I used. Quinn and Hynes are alike politically regardless of their skin color. They appeal to the same voter group.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:20 am:
Kennedy appeals to them too, but as an outsider with name appeal and fiscal credentials. Same voter base.
That doesn’t mean I am opposed to an AA candidate. I am an Illinois voter. I am suggesting that the Democrats could end up with a Gubernatorial candidate with only Chicago appeal.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:22 am:
I would be definately advising Meeks that this is his year to win the nomination. BTW, I like Meeks.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:22 am:
Quinn is a far left populist dem. Hynes is a moderate blue doggish dem. These guys are no more alike then Rush Limbaugh and Mark Kirk. Hynes will have a stronger appeal to moderates and small business owners; Quinn draws in the blue collar and the environmentalists.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:24 am:
Final note from me…
Quinn just lost.
- You Go Boy - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:27 am:
The Gov gives the impression of one who wants to do good, but lacks the discipline/certainty to think things through, anticipate the onslaught of criticixms and objections, then stick to his guns. To ask him to identify his mistakes and what he’s learned is legit, but it does have a “gothcha” aspect that gives even a thoughtful pol reason for pause. Honesty may be the best policy, but it does get in the way of re-election.
- Anon - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:31 am:
This is definately shaping up to be a great opportunity for an african american dem gov nominee. Who will do it? If an african american doesn’t ge in, Chris Kennedy becomes the candidate with the greatest appeal to the african american community.
Kennedy needs to be in this race.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:32 am:
VM the cmapaign between quinn and Hynes should be interesting. Hynes, to me, comes across a little dry, Kind of Jim Ryan’ish. So he needs to work on presenation. Quinn is a much more fiery speaker on the stump, but he needs to better control his message.
- Niles Township - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:35 am:
Final note from me…
Quinn just lost.
—————
As Rich already said, far too simplistic. I’ve heard from sources close to Hynes that he is bored with the public life and wants to switch to the private sector. His calculus is that he gets a better private sector job with the name recognition that comes with even an unsuccessful run for governor than he would being just an ex-comptroller. I’m not sure I buy the logic, but that is what this individual shared with me.
- just sayin - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:35 am:
We can all speculate on here all we want, but at the end of the day only one factor really matters.
Who does Mike Madigan want? The rest of the Dem apparatus will fall in line.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:39 am:
Mike Madigan did not support Giannoulias, but Obama did.
Mike Madigan is a force to be reckoned with to be sure, helped in part by his secret databse. but Durbin has been setting up his own databse, and the Obama organization has been able to put a Dem in office without madigan. Hould be a fun race to watch, including seeing which side the speaker falls on, or upon.
- fed up - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:47 am:
Quinn still hiding behind the soliders I see. Could he bring some sick kids to the next event just to shake things up a bit.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:47 am:
I don’t think it’s soup yet. Smacks of trial balloon to me.
Tough call for Hynes. Easy win at comptroller, but that has to be excruciatingly boring after 12 years. Quinn will be a gut puncher in a primary. And Daley has been saying such nice things about him….
I suspect Hynes is spending some of that money on polling for both governor and Senate. My guess if he makes a move it’s for Senate. Alexi strikes me as an easier opponent — doesn’t really have the gravitas for Senate.
I’ve missed the groundswell of grass-roots support for Chris Kennedy. I’m betting 10th District Congress or nothing.
- FDR - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:55 am:
Agree with wordslinger that the Senate seems to make more sense for Hynes and Kennedy for that matter. Alexi is a much easier target than Quinn. The bottom line for Hynes might be $. He’s raised all that money in his state fund and would have to start over federally if he goes for the Senate.
One things for sure, sticking around as Comptroller makes no sense. He’s got nothing to lose other than a job he’s probably sick of.
- just sayin - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:56 am:
Ghost, good point that “Mike Madigan did not support Giannoulias, but Obama did.”
I guess my response would be that the dynamic is different for a top state race vs. federal. Madigan doesn’t care nearly as much about the federal side.
- fed up - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:59 am:
Meeks has stated before if he runs it will be as an independent. Im not crazy about his tax plan but he has been consistant in trying to improve education. Besides being an expert on funerals Quinn has done nothing for 6 years.
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:05 am:
Quinn should do an ad against Hynes while walking in a cemetery.
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:06 am:
…I meant a Quinn add against Hynes, strolling in a cemetery while talking about his accomplishments as the incumbant….subliminal message, and without being outwardly negatively campaigning.
- Mike an Ike - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:12 am:
Quinn’s visit to the soldiers gives him a better idea of what Illinois will look like with 4 more years of rule by the Democrats.
- Rob_N - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:14 am:
Ghost - That Madigan-held database is neither secret nor that good. It is private, however, just like GOP’s version.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:17 am:
–Quinn’s visit to the soldiers gives him a better idea of what Illinois will look like with 4 more years of rule by the Democrats.–
Dude, you should have saved that for the Dumbest Comment of the Day Contest.
- fisher - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:18 am:
Asking a politician to admit mistakes is asking him to do a devastating political ad for his opponent. As much as we might connect with someone who said “hey, look, I screwed that up, but I learned from it”, all that is going in the opponent’s political ad is “I screwed up”.
It might be easy for me to go to my boss and say “I screwed up” but if I had 10 people wanting to take me down, I would be judicious in my approach.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:19 am:
I haven’t been overly impressed with any of the databases from the Democratic Party whether it be Madigan’s (which I have admittedly not actually SEEN personally) the DNC’s, or the Democratic County Chairmen’s. They all need work.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:30 am:
===strolling in a cemetery===
A TV ad of a candidate strolling in a cemetery would be the worst idea ever.
- phocion - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:46 am:
Rich, your next contest question of the day: Do the set up for the worst political ad ever.
- Responsa - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:54 am:
I am amazed at how little analysis seems to be going toward the fact that the Governorship is a state wide (not just a Chicago) race. Sure, the big money and media are mostly in Chicago but not all the votes are. The fact is that it’s a big, very diverse state, top to bottom. One also must take into account that this is a crazy political and emotional climate quite unlike anything most of us (or the party organizations) have ever seen or dealt with. People of ALL races, economic levels, and educational backgrounds in Illinois are scared. They are also exceptionally frustrated by government red ink and waste, truly sick of the scandals and indictments, disgusted by all the “insider stuff” and the continual embarrassments to our state, and irate that politicians are doing absolutely NOTHING to ameliorate any of it. (Case in point, no budget and the killing of ethics reform.) I’m not sure that being a career politician or a party man (or woman), or being backed by the machine–even with all their money– is going to be as helpful as usual to candidates in the 2010 governor’s race.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:54 am:
The DNC’s database and the County Chairmen’s database is the same system. Also, shouldn’t you see and use the Madigan database before you pronounce it unimpressive?
- Conservative Veteran - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:54 am:
Who will run for comptroller? It’s an open race, and I haven’t heard anyone announce a campaign for it.
- Ramsin - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:58 am:
Really Rich? Worse than curmudgeonly-y flying in a helicopter over a football stadium because the browns are a’ comin?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:59 am:
Yes.
- Ramsin - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:59 am:
Maybe he could fly over the cemetery in a helicopter, and warn us about the hordes of zombies.
- Louis Howe - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:01 am:
I agree that Hynes maybe plain vanilla, but Quinn is more like “Rocky Road” or “Chock-Full-of-Nuts.” They don’t appeal to the same democratic base. Quinn’s a decent fellow with a progressive vision, but not much management expertise and has surrounded himself with minor league management talent. Hynes is well managed but with very limited vision and not too creative.
- Ramsin - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:12 am:
The more I think about it, I’m kind of hoping somebody is stupid enough to make a commercial of themselves earnestly talking about cemetery reform while strolling through a graveyard.
- Rob_N - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:13 am:
Ramsin,
You owe me a Pepsi and a keyboard.
- Responsa - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:16 am:
Seeing Hynes in front of a camera is like watching paint dry. If he’s going to run for anything besides comptroller they really need to work on that.
- Anonymous45 - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:23 am:
Rasmin:LOL
Hynes will not beat Quinn…Quinn has enough people in and out of government that don’t hate his guts and will work for him, me included…
I’m not sure if the kind words of Da Mare about Quinn’s performance in the last six months hurt him of help him…
Hynes is a snore, and frankly I’d rather stick with the devil I know in these uncertain times…
- Capitol View - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:24 am:
has Dan Hynes been all over the state, as Quinn has been at funerals and parades?
the Hynes name is golden in Chicago, but litle heard downstate.
And imagine a debate between the two of them. Quinn will be bouncing around and lively, and Hynes will put them to sleep - although I hear that he has been getting some public speaking training.
Hynes may have the better staff right now, but Quinn’s amateurs will have two years of seasoning come election time. And Quinn has a funny mix of political faces like Jack Lavin and David Vaught, but idealists like Jerry Stermer.
Don’t assume that Quinn is out of it. And don’t assume that Hynes might not flip over at the last minute to run to head the Cook County Board.
- Bill - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:32 am:
==Who will run for comptroller? It’s an open race, and I haven’t heard anyone announce a campaign for it.==
I predict a tight primary race between Julie Hamos and Jack Franks. After all, look at who the winner will be running against.
- Will County Woman - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:39 am:
@fed up
lol! deja vu. As lt. governor he already said and did all of that military stuff. where are the jobs, fumigation of state government and leadership that he promised in the days before becoming governor or in the short days after he became governor? the military stuff is all nice, but is that all there is? is that all he has?
@- You Go Boy - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 9:27 am
yeah, but given how he has acted as of late (far from good) i don’t think that most taxpaying voters will find his, “well gee i can’t think of anything i did wrong” too endearing.
@ vanillaman
hynes hould have no problem differentiating himself. also, hynes just may have two MAJOR things that quinn won’t, particularly in terms of key and high profile political endorsements.
@ the people who think quinn has a winning personality, generally and over hynes
really? sure he is likeable, but so too is dan hynes. so far as public speaking goes hynes is the more articulate and polished of the two. obama was often criticized for seeming to stiff and professorial during the campaign, and he was/is. yet, he still won. i trust that hynes will work to get his message to connect, and will do it very effectively, and still manage to be himself. i’m not bored by him at all, and i think his style is a positive for a 41- yr- old seeking the executive office. he’s in a better position to capitalize on obama’s style of a serious, in-touch, sleek younger candidate to quinn’s rummpled old belt ‘n’ suspenders grandpa-ish style.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:47 am:
I don’t get the knock on Hynes being stiff. I really don’t see it, but for those who do, compared to whom?
Edgar, Ryan, Durbin, Obama, Pete Fitzgerald, Thompson — was there a Wayne Newton in the bunch?
I’ve heard Blago was good in retail politics, but on TV, he always struck me as a smarmy huckster.
- Will County Woman - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
@ Responsa - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 10:54 am
i agree and understand about the divide in the state. as someone else has already mentioned, as hynes may appeal to the more “blue dog” wing of the party, he may have more of an advantage. i suspect that most democrats in this state tend to be more moderate/conservative than liberal. i am definitely a moderate democrat, and can vote for hynes. i’m already voting for mark kirk, so i envsion splitting my ticket, and will likely resort to a few write-ins as well as i usually have to do.
quinn vs. hynes
to me hynes is simply the better qualified candidate of the two. quinn is a nice guy, but clearly not (good) governor material.
- Bill - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:58 am:
Hynes projects an image as a professional who is thoughtful, competent, introspective, and serious. As Governor he will surround himself with the best and the brightest Illinois has to offer.
Quinn projects himself as a bomb throwing anachronism. A somewhat lovable goofball whose time has past. His record as interim governor will be his downfall. The military shtick has gotten old. Voters will want a problem solver, a policy expert, and someone with the gravitas and know how to deal with the GA.
We need someone to fix this mess and Quinn has proven he is not that person.
- Anonymous45 - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:59 am:
Wordslinger: Recall the 2006 Senate Race between Hynes and Obama…zzzzzz
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:16 pm:
Word I think Hynes is more dry then stiff. Hynes v Quinn reminds me of (jim) Ryan v Blago. Blago projected a lot more personaltiy. Now how you interpret those personalities is a seperate issue
Obama never came across as dry to me.
- Will County Woman - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:24 pm:
Anonymous45 - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 11:59 am
but this is not 2004, it is 2009. It is worth noting that of all of the Illinois politicans to speak at the Democratic National Convention last year, Dan Hynes’ speech was graded better than Lisa Madigans. My point here is that Hynes has changed and has grown, and I suspect that you might be pleasantly surprised to see and hear him as he campaigns for governor. it’s funny to me how quinn supporters aren’t holding the last 30 years of reform and taxpayer-friendly rhetoric against him now that he’s no longer that way, all of suddden.
but, dan hynes doesn’t crack a grin every 10 seconds and OMG he’s not fit to be governor. wow…um…okay.
look, the state needs to confront serious issues moving foward. let’s keep that in mind, shall we?
- Can't Say My Nickname - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:28 pm:
I am a strong Republican who would definately cast my vote for Hynes.
- Anonymous45 - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:47 pm:
Will Co. Woman: hate to knock you off your high horse, but if Hynes can’t manage the Comptroller’s office (as delineated in recent headlines) how come you feel that he will succeed in the Governor’s chair? Because he will bring great folks into state government? More folks from Beverly?
Lose the messianic rant and look at the state of affairs in IL, the last thing we need is more family dynasties in constitutional positions and bureaucratic confusion…
Pat is still a refomer, the rest of state government loves the status quo and that’s why his agenda is stalled…as far as his support for an increase in state income taxes, please realize State coffers are still 10 billion in the red…
Now go take a deep breath before you respond…
- Bill - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
==Pat is still a refomer==
LOL!!!Take a look at his D-2s.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
Anonymous45, what, specifically, has been the problem with Tom Hynes during Dan Hynes’ 10.5 years as comptroller? Anything? At all?
- Narcoleptic - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:54 pm:
–Bill–
As Governor he will surround himself with the best and the brightest Illinois has to offer.
That means the Blago brain trust again? Let’s hope not or it’s over before it starts for Hynes. There will be plenty of eyes (GOP, Dem and media)on who they (Quinn/Hynes) bring with them this time–that’s for sure.
But, I will admit, Rod was 2for2 with that talented, yet subtle fundraising team.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:55 pm:
===That means the Blago brain trust again? ===
Where did you get that?
- Narcoleptic - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 12:56 pm:
I inferred it from Bill’s implied endorsement. My mistake.
- Bill - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 1:00 pm:
Most of what remains of the “Blago brain trust” is working for Quinn.
- Beans - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 1:33 pm:
Actually, a military funeral would be a pretty compelling tableau for Quinn. Of course, he probably has the dignity (on that topic) to avoid it.
- Narcoleptic - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 1:39 pm:
Agree to disagree, Bill. Most of the brain trust who helped raise the cash, develop and push the policies, direct the hiring and implement the decisions took Rod’s ill-timed advice (for himself) and “parachuted” themselves elsewhere.
Quinn did get his fair share, though, which the Speaker wanted to help him purge–to no avail. But, have no fear, the main players are ready to parachute back in when the opportunity presents itself–which will make for some interesting dynamics if there is, in fact, a primary.
Awesome Dem battle on the way.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 1:47 pm:
blago had a lot of really good people working for him. The problem with Blago was not his people, it was more Blagos refusal to do what his good people were telling him to do.
- Anonymous45 - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 1:57 pm:
Rich,
I am not inferring that Tom Hynes did anything but promote the candidacy of his son…period…let’s be real, this is politics and it’s who you know, not what you know…Hynes responsibility for oversight of the cemetery funds could have been better in my estimation…complaints in the Burr Oak cemetery fiasco went univestigated by his office several years ago…
If there has been anything which the voters and participants in this blog have agreed on and berated over the last few years is the dynastic nature of politics in IL…(from Emil Jones III to Dan Lipinski)this is not the year for Cook County Dems to assume they will stroll into office wearing their “I’m Entitled” t-shirts…
The electorate IMHO is in a throw the bums out mood of late, and will be more inclined to give incumbents/climbers a run for their money…
Bill, Gimme a break, Quinn’s D-2 pale in comparison to Hyne’s…
Part of Quinn’s charm for me is he is beholden to no one but the electorate…his Dad/connections were not a factor…
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 2:08 pm:
Hynes and Quinn are both anti-Blagojeviches.
Quinn already has the Office and has the ability to re-elect himself since he is continually in the spotlight. Voters will judge him based on how he handles being governor. His past is past, and whatever image he had changed when he was inaugurated. It makes a difference that he wasn’t elected. It helps that he is an older guy who seems like an average patriotic Joe. Quinn is in a good position now that the Budget crisis is off the headlines. Quinn is a good anti-Blagojevich candidate.
But so is Hynes. Both men are plain vanilla. Both men are not exciting. Both men are seen as “not Blagojevich”. Hynes would be an excellent candidate for the General.
However, I see them splitting the same voter base, allowing a candidate to edge both of them out in the Primary. If Kennedy gets in, the situation for Hynes becomes bleaker. Democrats will be either willing to change governors, or unwilling. Those who will be unwilling already have their guy in Office. It is easier to stay put, then to change. Hynes has to sell the idea that Quinn can’t win in November, and if Kennedy gets in, Hynes gets squeezed, leaving a sectional candidate to win the Primary with less than a third plurality.
If African American Chicagoans want to nominate the next Democratic Gubernatorial candidate - they can pick one, back them up, and do it. Whether it is Jarrett, Meeks, or even possibly Rush.
In a split primary a plurality is all one needs to win.
- Narcoleptic - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
Ghost. Rod Blagojevich did NOT operate in a vacuum as I’m sure his upcoming book and the endless parade of “Where are the Blagojevich People Now” articles will show–right about the time the election comes around.
- Will County Woman - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 2:48 pm:
@vanillaman,
I agree that hynes comes from a political tradition that avoids risks at all cost. But, his time is now or never! I would hate to think that he has come this far only to demure to someone like pat quinn, who IS beatable. Quinn has some major problems moving forward.
I appreciate the conventional wisdom thinking/argument, but again Obama blew that out of the water. He was in a primary up against the fomidable Clinton and beautiful Edwards. Look at where he is now compared to both of them.
Kennedy will suffer the same fate here that his cousin did in New York. The voters won’t have any part of that because he has not proven himself in Illinois politics. His entry into the race would smack greatly of pay to play, because it essentially would be just that. a rich guy with a famous last name buying his way into illinois politics to get the highest office in the state. Quinn and Hynes would be right to blast him on that, and Kennedy would be hurt by it.
I think that your thinking is way too old fashioned when it comes to blacks. Please keep in mind that many blacks outside of illinois were not necessarily in Obama’s camp until he won a caucus and a primary or two. most outside of illinois were still eyeing clinton. I don’t know that blacks are so in love with pat quinn, and that if they didn’t have an alternative to him that they might jump.
You are missing the under 55 vote that someone like pat quinn can very well lose to dan hynes. If dan hynes does what I think he will, he will mobilize a strong youth vote. At which point, older people may look around and think maybe it’s time for us to step aside. and, you know what? it is. Quinn invokes images of McCain. with younger people fresher vision and ideas, wouldn’t you agree? Quinn can pose with troops all day long and hold quickie warm and fuzzy press conferences btween now and the end of year, but so what? I think the public has grown weary of this constant tactic from him. I agree that the media will allow themselves to be use by the quinn spin, but justaxposed to campaign commercials rightly critical of quinn’s leadership, I think the public won’t be swayed by the media spin, and in fact may be confused as to why he is such a failed leader seeing as to how nice and likeable he is. And, the public will likely conclude the following, “nice guy, but ineffective/weak leader.” had he exhibited stronger and better leadership while up bat as governor then of course with the positive and constant media spin he would sail right to election victory.
meeks’s appeal is limited, wouldn’t you say? I think that even among blacks he is not as popular as he was before Obama’s ascendence as a different/more sophisticated type of black politican.
beyond all of the style, there is also the substnace. i think hynes’ understanding of state government fiscal/budget matters puts him a fine position over any other challenger you cite. The dem primary will be about the budget among other things.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 3:38 pm:
Narco yes and no. I am pushing back at this idea that anyone hired by blao is somewhoe inehrently corrupt or incompetent. Blago tended to dump people from his inner cirlce if they did not support his ideas; but overall he actually found and hired a number of good people. Many are gone, pushed out by blago himself, but several remain.
- Narcoleptic - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 4:30 pm:
Okay, Ghost. I’ll give that some good people were hired. I would be interested to see your “dumped because of their principles” list, though. My point as it relates to this whole post is this (when Bill, the longtime Rod supporter, mentioned HIS support for Hynes): The people who sat at Rod’s doorstep, in his kitchen, who saw the big picture and knew what this guy was like from before he got there should NOT be the people either Quinn or Hynes should build their campaigns around. Period. Call me crazy.
When you start to see their names show up as top fundraisers or insiders I can guarantee you you will see their names show up in negative articles or in campaign pieces (look at Cheryle Jackson defending herself now–and she was just a PR person). The ad is “What’s wrong with this picture”, right?
Quinn, I would say, is already going to pay some price if Hynes makes Lavin or Filan or the rest of the fumigation list an issue.
That’s all I’m suggesting. Like Nancy said to Sid: “Just say No.” Or to Ron.
- Ghost - Friday, Jul 24, 09 @ 4:47 pm:
=== Quinn, I would say, is already going to pay some price if Hynes makes Lavin or Filan or the rest of the fumigation list an issue. ===
The fumigation bill is comprised of pretty much every State employee who is not in the Union. Most of them were around long before blago. Filan was definetly a bad move for Quinn politically.