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Is Quinn being helped by Obama’s organization? Yes, but so is Hynes

Friday, Sep 25, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is a fascinating observation by Clout Street. Pay close attention to the last graf, which turns out not to be completely true…

As he seeks election, Gov. Pat Quinn has signed on to promote President Barack Obama’s health care reform plans.

The people behind the current incarnation of Obama’s grassroots 2008 campaign organization are promoting a Saturday event featuring Quinn on the North Side. […]

What makes the event, being held in conjunction with 46th Ward Democrats, even more interesting is that progressive activists “will also be distributing petitions for local Democrats, and outlining the key ways that you can help the Democratic Party locally,” according to Organizing for America’s Web site.

If Quinn is getting support from Obama’s grassroots organization, now a part of the Democratic National Committee, it would be a blow to the governor’s Feb. 2 Democratic primary challenger, Comptroller Dan Hynes.

Absolutely. It would be a very big blow, if it was true. Trouble is, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

From the Hynes campaign…

I wanted to let you know that Dan is doing a similar event with [Obama for America] in November and that they are not working for Quinn.

So, no big deal.

[The above was partially re-written to include the information from the Hynes campaign.]

* Speaking of Obama, it just seems bizarre to me that Rahm Emanuel, who has wanted to be House Speaker for years, apparently believed that Rod Blagojevich could appoint his replacement. The US Constitution has always mandated that vacancies be filled by elections.

Keep that in mind when reading this alleged goofy proposal by Rahm….

…the Chicago Sun-Times has learned that Emanuel wanted then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to appoint Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool to his 5th Congressional District seat.

Claypool would serve one or two terms and then be considered for a place in Obama’s Cabinet, according to sources familiar with Emanuel’s proposal. That would give Emanuel the option of returning to Congress, where he could vie to become House speaker. […]

Still, the proposal raises questions about whether Emanuel was contemplating offering a coveted presidential Cabinet post in exchange for a benefit for himself.

That’s just mind-boggling. And supremely idiotic, not to mention insanely self-centered.

* Other stuff…

* Ex-alderman Robert Shaw throws hat in for Cook County assessor: “When he makes comments about lawyers donating money, he might want to look at his old D-2s [campaign contribution disclosure statements] because when he was at the board and had his fund-raisers, the people contributing to him are the same people he’s beating up right now,” Berrios said.

* The Cook County Republican Party will unveil its slate of countywide candidates in Rosemont this afternoon. Former state senator Roger Keats is expected to be the county board president candidate. The Cook GOP Chairman these days is Lee Roupas, the Palos Township Republican committeeman.

* Cook GOP Hopeful Better Times Have Arrived

* Greg Hinz: Surely politicians nowhere else in America try to help some constituent’s kid get into Government U. Surely private schools like Notre Dame turn a deaf ear when some bishop or cardinal puts in the word for a young protege. Kids of big donors never get an admission break — and “legacy” is an historic term of fiction that surely disappeared when John Belushi went to that big animal house in the sky. I mean this is a REALLY AWFUL scandal, right? Why else would my morning newspaper have covered seemingly nothing else for months on end?

* Experts: U. of Ill. image suffers little damage

* Commission cites concerns with Chicago State accreditation: Chicago State University is at risk of losing its accreditation because of “remarkably poor” graduation and retention rates, as well as tumultuous leadership and finances, according to the region’s accrediting agency.

* Illinois scholarship cuts rally students

* MAP grant’s future uncertain: Rep. Rose hopes grant will be saved with new General Assembly bill: Rose hopes a permanent solution for the MAP funding will be discussed during the spring session, he said.

* Resignation helps U of I get back on track

* “Green lanes” plan withers but other projects sprout up: The Illinois tollway Green Lanes program touted by Gov. Rod Blagojevich just weeks before his arrest last year is dead, although the agency is moving forward on part of the construction program involving a new interchange plus possible bus/carpool lanes on I-294.

       

31 Comments
  1. - wordslinger - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:21 am:

    For a guy with such a big-time reputation, Emanuel’s kabuki dance on the congressional seat is very strange. And dumb. Why would anyone have dealt with Blago at that time, much less someone on their way to the White House?

    These guys have been very shaky as a political organization since the election. They got the president-elect dragged into the Blago Senate mess with their phone calls, requiring that Obama submit to an FBI interview before inauguration.

    Then the Caroline Kennedy mess, and now they’ve got Gov. Patterson firing back at them.

    Historically, presidents stay out of primaries, or are very subtle in their involvement. There’s nothing worse than a president trying to bigfoot a primary and losing. What’s the upside?

    There’s some hubris in that crew that doesn’t serve the president well. Obama should stay out of all primaries.


  2. - JonShibleyFan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:32 am:

    If I read the allegation correctly, the “source” for this seems to be Rod’s book. For whatever that’s worth.


  3. - Brennan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:36 am:

    =These guys have been very shaky as a political organization since the election.=

    Rahm is better when fighting his way from the minority back to the majority. Once that is accomplished he loses a step.

    I think the bigger problem is Democratic donor fatigue. The Washington Post is reporting that big dollar donors are upset about the White House’s rhetoric towards the business community.


  4. - JonShibleyFan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:36 am:

    Guess we’ll have to heed Rod’s drumbeat and “listen to the tapes.”


  5. - Cassandra - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:50 am:

    I think insanely self-centered kind of sums up Rahm.

    One of Obama’s rookie mistakes (he’s had a few) may have been appointing Rahm as COS.

    On the other hand, the guy has taken a big risk.
    Chiefs of staff usually don’t last that long.


  6. - Rich Miller - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 7:51 am:

    ===the “source” for this seems to be Rod’s book===

    No. There was nothing in the book about Claypool being appointed to the seat.


  7. - Al Swearengen - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:13 am:

    You’re right. There is no mention of who this “source” is for the Emanuel story. Rich, if someone posted this accusation on your site with as little substantive proof, you would be all over them. But I guess the rules for blogs are too stringent for Natasha Korecki and the Sun-Times. Are we really supposed to believe that Emanuel would suddenly forget the law after being involved in the Bill Foster special election the year before? I don’t think so.

    Looks a lot more like the Weekly World News, er, Chicago Sun-Times, needed an explosive story for the front page today, facts be damned.


  8. - MrJM - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:31 am:

    Al Swearengen: “Are we really supposed to believe that Emanuel would suddenly forget the law after being involved in the Bill Foster special election the year before? I don’t think so.”

    Eggzaqtley!

    – MrJM


  9. - Rich Miller - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:38 am:

    ===story for the front page today===

    Oprah was fronted, I think.

    ===someone posted this accusation on your site ===

    She’s a very good reporter. If she posted that in comments I would definitely allow it.


  10. - Nice - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:42 am:

    Glad you brought up the Rahm situation. If nothing else it is interesting. We’ll see where this goes! Keep your seat belts on, ladies and gentlemen - the ride is not over.


  11. - The Doc - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:51 am:

    Another interesting tidbit to ponder in light of this story is Claypool’s decision to leave the county board altogether and forego a chance to run for board president, despite Stroger’s shaky tenure and absurdly low polling numbers.

    Certainly, there’s nothing in this piece that suggests the two are related, but considering Claypool’s consistent attacks on the administration, and the well-discussed notion that he would be a front-runner for the county’s top post, I don’t think it should be dismissed outright.


  12. - Al Swearengen - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 8:53 am:

    I don’t know what your front page looks like, but 3/4 of mine is taken up by this irresponsible journalism.


  13. - wordslinger - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:21 am:

    Reading the story more closely:

    – Claypool knows nothing.

    – Emanuel has no commment.

    Who’s the one and only unidentified “source?” I think it’s Blago. He’s mentioned this whole appointment thing before.

    I can imagine him ranting to the Sun-Times about “how is it a crime to trade the Senate seat for a capitol bill, blah, blah, blah, when Rahm Emanuel was willing to put Claypool in the cabinet if he first served as a placeholder.”

    On his way down, I think Rod is going to do everything he can to dirty up Emaneul, Axelrod, and Obama.


  14. - VanillaMan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:22 am:

    Wordslinger is right.
    It is tough to question this story since it is about a guy who has made a boatload of mistakes since he entered the White House. He should never have been selected - especially when we see where the President is in the polls, on issues, and in his relationship to the House. What good is Emanuel if he can’t even help Obama out in the US House? The leftists already had a champion with the Speaker - Obama didn’t need another one. Obama needed a moderate to balance Wacky Nancy.

    As to Obama’s continual meddling in state politics - can you imagine what the Press would have said if Bush did these stunts?

    It’s not like Obama knows what he’s talking about. He helped get Blagojevich elected twice. So when he is standing there with Paterson, I ask myself, “Where the hell were you when Rod Blagojevich was surrounded by Federal investigators, scandal, and no one knew when he was going to do a perp walk? Were you talking to the guy that you and your buddies endorsed and elected in 2002 and telling him what you are now telling Paterson?” Who does Obama think he is?

    It is just not a good thing for the president to intrude into state government. We have a federal system that is being corrupted when this happens. Obama is overstepping his duties and his political machinations are irresponsible, regardless of how sincere or thoughtful he believes them to be. When you become the president - your job changes along with the responsibilities. It becomes your duty to protect the US Constitution by allowing state politics to remain within each state, at least while you are the Most Powerful Person On Earth!

    Step off you dummies!


  15. - Brennan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:49 am:

    =“Where the hell were you when Rod Blagojevich was surrounded by Federal investigators, scandal, and no one knew when he was going to do a perp walk? Were you talking to the guy that you and your buddies endorsed and elected in 2002 and telling him what you are now telling Paterson?”=

    This one is easy. Rod was electable even with all the taint. The national picture today shows the Democratic Party in serious trouble in states they easily won over the last 3 years. The DNC can’t afford to lose New York. It can’t afford to lose Illinois either.

    I’d keep an eye on how fast that stimulus money starts getting spent.


  16. - phil - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:50 am:

    The way this could be mind-boggling is because of cognitive dissonance. This is not mind-boggling, it is entirely within the character of Chicago politics.


  17. - Malcolm - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:53 am:

    Rich you are a hypocrite! You will not even consider that Emmanuel and Claypool were involved in a shady and unethical scheme to defraud the voters of the right to choose their congressman. You, Carol Marin, Dane Placko and all the Claypool Flunkies will let him off the hook! But if this was President Stroger you would be calling for his head. I am glad this came out to show, like U of I clout scandal, the vast double standard and hypocrisy in Cook Couinty.


  18. - Brennan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:56 am:

    =What good is Emanuel if he can’t even help Obama out in the US House?=

    One more note. With Obama and Rahm in the White House, their prowess as fund raisers is restricted by the duties of the office. They actually have to work on the governing now. They cannot just jet set around the country to make all the House Democrats their loyal legionnaires by raising money for them. These House Dems now have to defend their seats in Red districts for the most part by themselves. They can’t turn to the DNC without opening new fronts of attack for their opponents.

    Here is attorney Sean Trende with some commentary on the subject at Real Clear Politics. http://is.gd/3Ffmb


  19. - Al Swearengen - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 9:57 am:

    Malcolm,
    It sure seems like he is considering it. And if you think that President Stroger’s well-documented and repeated missteps are equal to this unsourced story, well….I don’t think we’re going to agree too much.


  20. - wordslinger - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 10:08 am:

    A lot of power is derived from perception. When you lose, you lose the perception of power. That’s why most presidents are cautious, are at least circumspect, in getting involved in intra-party disputes.

    Consider the Obama Crew:

    – They inexplicably get involved with Blago on choosing Obama’s successor — even when everyone knows Blago was going down soon and hard. They give him a list of acceptable candidates. Who do they get? Burris.

    –They lean on Patterson to appoint Caroline because of her and Teddy’s help in the primaries. Patterson blows them off.

    –They lean on Lisa M. to run for Senate. She looks them in the eye and says “no thanks.”

    – They let it be known that they don’t want Patterson to run. He tells them to stick it and confronts a very uncomfortable Obama at the airport.

    That’s four instances, off the top of my head, where his political crew has made Obama look weak. That’s bad.


  21. - CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 10:41 am:

    * The Cook County Republican Party will unveil its slate of countywide candidates in Rosemont this afternoon. Former state senator Roger Keats is expected to be the county board president candidate. The Cook GOP Chairman these days is Lee Roupas, the Palos Township Republican committeeman.


  22. - The Doc - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 10:41 am:

    Now that Chicago State is in danger of losing its accreditation, does Rickey Hendon cite this as more evidence that a $40 million west side campus is critical?


  23. - CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 10:46 am:

    * The Cook County Republican Party will unveil its slate of countywide candidates in Rosemont this afternoon. Former state senator Roger Keats is expected to be the county board president candidate. The Cook GOP Chairman these days is Lee Roupas, the Palos Township Republican committeeman……
    Sorry I hit “say it” before I said it
    Capt. Fax can this be true? Landfill Roger Keats runs for GOP County Board Prexy? This on top of Commando “Crusts” Kirk, TugBoat Andy McKenna, TugBoat Annie Barr Topinka…There must be a Ryan out there somewhere to round out this edition of the CircularFiringSquad.
    Pat “Gags” Brady must be so proud.
    And they are doing this all in ROSEMONT the TOWNn that turned legal video poker DOWN.
    My sides a splitting.
    Go get em! When does CaribouBarbie hit town for this top drawer collection? Will Gags freeze out the media too?


  24. - Malcolm - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 11:27 am:

    Rich you are a hypocrite! You will not even consider that Emmanuel and Claypool were involved in a shady and unethical scheme to defraud. the voters of the right to choose their congressman. You, Carol Marin, Dane Placko and all the Claypool Flunkies will let him off the hook! But if this was President Stroger you would be calling for his head. I am glad this came out to show, like U of I clout scandal, the vast double standards and hypocrisy in Cook County.


  25. - Anonymous - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 11:30 am:

    The dems were able to rise to power in many states and The national offices based on opposition to the war and having Bush to kick around. Thier actual ideas are not overly popular and with the deficits and debt exploding they may be the minority party again very soon. Why is it that niethier party can be led by a moderate


  26. - Just sayin - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 11:47 am:

    You all should keep in mind that the story was written by the ST federal court reporter and not by Pallasch, the political reporter. That would seem to indicate that the source for the story is the feds and/or tapes. Also keep in mind that the story, if true, could help explain Claypool’s decision not to run for Board President.

    And this is not the first time that it has been reported that Rahm told people he wanted to come back.


  27. - Leave a Light on George - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 12:30 pm:

    From yesterday’s Tribune in a story about a dog fighting operation busted in Cook County.

    “Martez Anderson, 38, was cited Tuesday for being a felon in possession of an unneutered or unspayed dog, the sheriff’s office said”

    Holy crap Batman! This could only be a crime in Illinois.


  28. - dupage dan - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 1:04 pm:

    I think the Chicago syndicate thought they could transfer their way of doing things to DC and work their magic on the national scene and are finding out that it doesn’t work that way. Indeed, folks around the country are also finding out what the “Chicago Way” means and it looks like the folks don’t like it. I talked to folks in other states during the presidential campaign and many had shivers running up and down their spines when thinking about hope and change. They couldn’t imagine how such a personable man could have such a background that included problematic people/tendencies. Now they do.


  29. - George W Bush - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 3:06 pm:

    I thought I cornered the market on hubris.


  30. - Okay Then... - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 3:19 pm:

    LMAO. So the White House is hedging its bets? Quinn is an incumbent and Hynes an Obama ally. But Obama should not have dissed Paterson earlier this week in favor of Cuomo.

    Because Dillard helped Obama out in his presidential bid, if Dillard is the republican nominee, will Obama help him out too?

    Obama does owe Dillard for sticking his neck out to make the commercial on Obama’s behalf, which helped Obama to appear bi-partisan.


  31. - wordslinger - Friday, Sep 25, 09 @ 3:29 pm:

    == I talked to folks in other states during the presidential campaign and many had shivers running up and down their spines when thinking about hope and change.==

    Swine flu, maybe?

    DD, what are you trying to say? You mention the Chicago “syndicate” in there as well. Who’s that, Momo and the McGuire Sisters?

    If you’re worried about the Chicago Boys robbing the country blind, they were too late: the place got cleaned out in September 2008 when Lehman Bros. went belly up.

    Don’t worry about stimulus money; For all the last year, The Fed just opened the window and greased the presses to cover the losses of the Jamokes who got us in this mess.


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