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This just in… Quinn to announce he prefers Sheila Simon for LtG
Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * Citing anonymous sources familiar with the decision, the Chicago Tribune is reporting Gov. Pat Quinn plans to announce he would prefer to run with Sheila Simon.
* Simon is daughter of the late former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, a southern Illinois Democrat. An associate law professor at Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, Simon is a former member of the Carbondale city council and challenged incumbent Republican Mayor Brad Cole in the spring of 2007. Rich says he had been hearing talks of Quinn’s decision, which he expects to formally announce Friday, throughout today.
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- Downstate Weed Chewing Hick - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:07 pm:
Yeah, it didn’t make a lot of sense for him to pick a running mate who disagrees with him on the central issue of his campaign.
- Screwball - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:13 pm:
It’s just Simon right now. The announcement isn’t until tomorrow so there’s still time for a new front runner, or I guess based on how Quinn makes decisions three more people will still get their turn.
- Angry Chicagoan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:23 pm:
A far better fit. She agrees with the governor on policy and she’s from downstate.
- Original Rambler - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:24 pm:
SHE LOST FOR MAYOR!!!
- Logical Thinker - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:31 pm:
The AA voting block is going to be angry for sure. I think their dissatisfaction and timid support for the democratic ticket state-wide is going to have some profound effects on the races in November.
- Levois - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:32 pm:
He’s all over the place. It was all about Susan Garret and now this surprise!
- DuPage Dan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:49 pm:
Garrett yesterday, Simon today. Maybe he’ll pick me tomorrow.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:49 pm:
Does Garrett get to keep the driver?
- Lakefront Liberal - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:50 pm:
This is great — I hope she is the nominee!
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:58 pm:
{The sources, who asked not to be identified so as to not preempt Quinn’s public announcement of a running mate on Friday}
If they did not want to pre-empt the announcement on Friday, then why were they confirming for the Tribune what the announcment would be on Thursday night?
- Steve-O - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 9:59 pm:
Holy cow…what a horrible choice.
- T.J. - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:01 pm:
Awesome. Plummer’s qualifications dwarf Simon’s.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
SPRINGFIELD — A diverse group of House lawmakers today threw their support behind Rep. Art Turner to be Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s running mate and warned the governor could suffer politically if he doesn’t go along.
The announcement came as Quinn said he expects to make his lieutenant governor preference known Friday, a day before the Democratic State Central Committee is scheduled to make its choice in Springfield.
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/03/lawmakers-warn-quinn-of-backlash-if-turner-not-picked-for-running-mate.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+chicagotribune%2Fcloutstreet+%28Chicago+Tribune%3A+Clout+Street%29
- Mid-South - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:07 pm:
You are kidding aren’t you T.J.?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:07 pm:
If he’s picking the nominee (and I don’t know that he is), it makes sense to have someone who’s totally on-board with the program. Otherwise, it’s a distraction. There appeared to be a pretty intense courtship of Garrett until the cold feet.
I know Simon lost for mayor, but Illinois voters obviously like their brand names and she has one of the best. Her mother was a pioneering state rep. from the Chicago suburbs, too.
On paper it could be a great choice, at least one that won’t hurt. Beats the heck out of Cohen, no pun intended.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:21 pm:
{Illinois voters obviously like their brand names}
Especially when they are appointed (coronated) rather than actually nominated through the standard electoral process.
This saves the idiotic voters from themselves and provides them a welcome sense of relief in over-coming their penchant for making stupid mistakes.
The voters are always thrilled to learn that their effort can simply be over-ridden by a “brand name”.
Given the revelation of the fiscal situation that many of the voters are just now seeing come into focus; I speculate that if you polled the voters and asked them for their preference, a plurality would support the elimination of the office, and zeroing out its operating budget and expenses, as the Acting Governor himself has done already.
- 4 percent - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:30 pm:
Brutal choice. Democrats should have picked quickly. Elongating this process is only alienating more people and constituencies.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:31 pm:
=== Yeah, it didn’t make a lot of sense for him to pick a running mate who disagrees with him on the central issue of his campaign. ===
=== She agrees with the governor on policy ===
Have you all forgotten how Quinn appointed Simon to his Ethics Panel and then rejected their recommendations?
The State Central Committee must be getting whiplash.
They may go ahead and nominate Turner or Garrett just out of frustration.
I hope the selection process on Saturday includes a grilling on 10-20 state government issues.
- Concerned Citizen - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:32 pm:
I understand the Governor;s staff was concerned about the impact of the Katalinic trial testimony of the election day support Garrett received from Chicago Streets and Sanitation workers when she was elected to her suburban senate seat - not exactly consistent with the ethical reform image either of them like to put forward.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:32 pm:
As for her “agreeing with the Governor on policy,” I can’t wait to hear what Sheila Simon thinks of Governor Quinn’s pension reform plans.
- jimmy james - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:35 pm:
probably the best choice he can make…although picking between either gov choice is like picking between a punch in the face or a punch in the gut so i really could care less
- George - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:38 pm:
Sheila Simon helped Barack win his 2004 Senate primary (with that great ad). Maybe Quinn is hoping for the same magic.
I think enough people still remember Paul Simon. And you see him in her.
- DuPage Dan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:44 pm:
YDD,
I wonder what her father would have said about the pension programs. Senator Simon had the courage of his convictions when he supported NAFTA. Regardless of anybody’s opinion of him, he did what he thought was right despite the fact that he knew he could lose all of his union support. I know nothing about his daughter - would she show as much moxy as her dad?
I had forgotten she was on the ethics committee. PQ must be some magician - how do you unthrow a person from under a bus?
- come on glenn - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:45 pm:
Holy Cow! Quinn just completely wrote off the Southern half of the state. If the home folks won’t elect you against a republican mayor in a huge democrat town what would make Quinn think she can add to the ticket. Just another bamboozle by the democrats-hopefully the state central committee will use their heads as Quinn has obviously lost his!
- Professor Chaos - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:48 pm:
I’m curious to know what Quinn’s motivation is here after reportedly pushing so hard for Garrett.
QTS, in the case of Scott Lee Cohen, the voters absolutely were saved from themselves. What the Democratic Party of Illinois is doing is precisely what is permitted under state law when a nominee steps down. Why is following the law a problem here? What is the alternative (if even provided for under the law)? The state spending $16 million that it doesn’t have on a statewide special election?
And voters’ effort? If the truth about Cohen had been known before Feb. 2 he would have been toast at the polls, provided he stayed in that long.
- Cap Fax reader - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:50 pm:
Bad choice. The Asian American community is not going to be happy either.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow. First he wanted Duckworth, then Garrett, and now Simon. Don’t like the way he has gone about this process.
- Altgeld's Ghost - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:55 pm:
All the potential of a liberal Sara Palin. The proof will be revealed when Simon shows that she doesn’t have the chops on the campaign trail.
If, indeed, Concerned Citizen is correct that Quinn’s people were concerned about Garrett’s name in the Katalinic trial, then they are making a seriious strategic blunder. Susan is one of the most ethical politicians in Illinois, so the GOP attacks on Garrett on ethics would surely end with Susan coming out on top.
- Gregor - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:55 pm:
And so ends the Sadie Hawkins dance.
You know, it’s traditional to release the worst news on a Friday, usually late Friday afternoon. Coincidence?
I don’t know much about her, but I sure liked her dad a LOT.
- DuPage Dan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:57 pm:
Professor Chaos is right. We need a central committee to decide all our candidates. Come to think of it, we really should have the committee decide our representatives as well. These technocrats got it all figured out. Now that we have that all figured out I can go back to my ipod and tweet a bit.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 10:59 pm:
DuPage Dan -
I think Sheila Simon proved she has her father’s courage to stick with her convictions when she lost her mayoral race, mainly due to the unwise decision to impose a $50 campaign contribution cap on herself.
As a college professor and former mayor of a college town, who BTW, left her city pensions fully-funded because cities aren’t allowed to skip pension payments like the state does, I can only surmise her position on the pension bill, but I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.
The REAL problem here is that Quinn’s idea of a running mate is:
1. Someone I’ve known for a really long time.
2. Someone who agrees with me on all the issues.
Well, #1 really limits the gene pool; it’s like saying you’ll only consider marrying someone you went to kindergarten with.
And #2 is probably Quinn’s biggest leadership weakness.
Good leaders, smart leaders, secure leaders surround themselves with smart people of differing opinions and differing talents and then work together toward the best solutions. That’s the Obama model.
Bad leaders surround themselves with people who agree with them all of the time, or atleast tell them what they want to hear. That’s the George Bush model.
What Quinn is going to find out, ironically, is that there will be some issue down the road, if not during the election than during governance, where he and Shiela Simon do disagree. Then she’s going to be ten times the pain in the ass Susan Garrett ever would’ve been.
Because while Garrett opposes Quinn’s tax increase without more reforms, she’s doing it because at heart she’s a pragmatist who realizes we’re not going to pass a tax hike without reforms, not because she disagrees with the principles that education, health care, human services, and other core functions of state government should be adequately funded.
In summary, the problem isn’t that Susan Garrett disagrees with the Governor’s tax plan. The problem is that the Governor refuses to listen to people who disagree with him.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:03 pm:
I speculate that if you polled the voters and asked them for their preference, a plurality would support the elimination of the office
Which office, gov or lite gov? lol
- Professor Chaos - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:04 pm:
DD, in the cases in which the nominees step down, yep. That’s how it works, brother. If you don’t approve, maybe you could propose a change to the current law.
- Mama Mia - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:06 pm:
My daddy’s in politics. I live down state. Maybe he can pick me!
- DuPage Dan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:08 pm:
YDD,
So is PQ deluding himself into thinking Mayor Simon is a pushover? Someone he can manipulate? I think you’re right - PQ won’t listen to anyone who disagrees with him. That could prove to be a politically fatal flaw.
I’ll ignore the other stuff you said. Too late to start an argument on that subject.
I appreciate the info re her tenure as mayor. Sounds like a chip off the old block. I miss that bow tie. Even now as a “conservative” I can appreciate his brutal honesty about himself, politics and his commitment to his constituents.
- Wumpus - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:09 pm:
I don’t think she is corrupt. That is good news. So he slams Hynes for using a dead man’s legacy in an add, but she using her dad’s name helped PBObama
- DuPage Dan - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:12 pm:
PC,
Too bad the voters don’t bother to find out about the candidates. Leaves us all in the mess we are in right now. Too bad Mother Tribune sat on the info they had on Cohen - so much for reporting the news. I am not commenting on the legality of the process - just the bad taste it leaves in my mouth. Perception of our gov’t can be more important that the rules and those who manipulate them, brother.
- Jeep Driver - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:14 pm:
It is block-headed for the Democratic party to have dragged this out. WHY didn’t they just swiftly and decisively pick someone? Now, they have weakened everyone, dividing every kind of caucus and alliance. Now, anyone picked–ANYONE–is damaged goods instead of a choice made that was based on their inherent strength and their self-evident integrity.
Plus, it is so arrogant and tone-deaf for Quinn to have make his rapidly dwindling choices public, and allow every whim he has to be a new story. What a fiasco.
- Quizzical - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:16 pm:
The political mechanics of this seem awkward at best, but I don’t think it will matter in November.
Turner and Garrett both have big constituencies that will still swing hard Democratic against the right wing Republican team. Pro choice women and black regulars know that there is nothing good for them from a Brady/Plummer team.
Simon brings downstate and independent appeal, so the battle lines remain the same.
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:21 pm:
Professor Chaos,
Didn’t you realize that Maxwell Smart; representing Control, overcame Chaos in every episode?
{What the Democratic Party of Illinois is doing is precisely what is permitted under state law when a nominee steps down. Why is following the law a problem here? What is the alternative (if even provided for under the law)? The state spending $16 million that it doesn’t have on a statewide special election?
And voters’ effort? If the truth about Cohen had been known before Feb. 2 he would have been toast at the polls, provided he stayed in that long.}
The constitutional right to free speech does not pre-empt the prohibition against yelling FIRE! in a crowded theater { See Oliver Wendell Holmes in Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919)}.
Just because someone is performing something that they are permitted to do, does not mean that what they are doing is what they should do under all circumstances. For example, the law also permits the office to remain vacant, after the Lt. Governor ascends to the throne, so they are permitted to leave the ballot position open as well.
In this particular circumstance, they would be far better off acknowledging the ceremonial nature of the position; its outdated usefulness, and the fiscal benefits of not having to fund the office, than continuing to look like political schemers with a fraudulent “transparent” process like the one they have undertaken here. By making a legacy pick, they could do more damage than good in the current political environment.
As to the truth about Cohen, he openly acknowledged his failings as a candidate when he entered the race, and his past was published in large measure in the newspaper long before the election.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:34 pm:
- come on glenn ==Quinn just completely wrote off the Southern half of the state. If the home folks won’t elect you against a republican mayor in a huge democrat town what would make Quinn think she can add to the ticket.==
Please, since when does Carbondale equal southern half of the state?
To me, this looks like Quinn is trying to figure out who the Central Committee will pick and saying that’s his choice so he looks like he’s in control of the process.
BTW, Art Turner’s people are planning to bring a few busloads of people to Springfield on Saturday. Is anyone else making similar plans?
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:35 pm:
{In Illinois, where Democrats are still hunting for a nominee for lieutenant governor to balance their ticket after pawnbroker Scott Lee Cohen withdrew his candidacy amid allegations of domestic abuse, the search for a second in charge has taken on comical proportions. More than 200 candidates have applied for the slot, and the Democratic State Central Committee is slated to make its selection this weekend.}
[PSEUDOLUS]
Something familiar,
Something peculiar,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
Something appealing,
Something appalling,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
Nothing with kings, nothing with crowns;
Bring on the lovers, liars and clowns!
Old situations,
New complications,
Nothing portentous or polite;
Tragedy tomorrow,
Comedy tonight!
Something convulsive,
Something repulsive,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
Something aesthetic,
Something frenetic,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
Nothing with gods, nothing with fate;
Weighty affairs will just have to wait!
Nothing that’s formal,
Nothing that’s normal,
No recitations to recite;
Open up the curtain:
Comedy Tonight!
Something erratic,
Something dramatic,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
Frenzy and frolic,
Strictly symbolic,
Something for everyone:
A comedy tonight!
[ENTIRE COMPANY]
Something familiar,
Something peculiar,
Something for everybody:
Comedy tonight!
Something that’s gaudy,
Something that’s bawdy–
[PSEUDOLUS]
Something for everybawdy!
[ENTIRE COMPANY]
Comedy tonight!
[MILES GLORIOSUS]
Nothing that’s grim.
[DOMINA]
Nothing that’s Greek.
[PSEUDOLUS]
[Indicating DOMINA:]
She plays Medea later this week.
[WOMEN]
Stunning surprises!
[MEN]
Cunning disguises!
[ALL]
Hundreds of actors out of sight!
[ERRONIUS]
Pantaloons and tunics!
[SENEX]
Courtesans and eunuchs!
[HERO]
Funerals and chases!
[LYCUS]
Baritones and basses!
[PHILIA]
Panderers!
[HERO]
Philanderers!
[HYSTERIUM]
Cupidity!
[MILES]
Timidity!
[LYCUS]
Mistakes!
[ERRONIUS]
Fakes!
[DOMINA]
Rhymes!
[PHILIA]
Crimes!
[PSEUDOLUS]
Tumblers!
Grumblers!
Bumblers!
Fumblers!
[ALL]
No royal curse, no Trojan horse,
And a happy ending, of course!
Goodness and badness,
Panic is madness–
This time it all turns out all right!
Tragedy tomorrow,
Comedy tonight!
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34967.html#ixzz0jG2lKiZQ
- FDR Democrat - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:44 pm:
It is hard to see how this choice helps downstate
outside of Urbana and the college precincts in
Carbondale. With respect to the burbs, Shelia
Simon is probably too liberal for lower middle
class and working class women voters and not
“polished” enough for your upscale independent
and soft R women. Saturday should be interesting.
- laughing - Thursday, Mar 25, 10 @ 11:59 pm:
he seems to be out of trial balloons - Ms. Simon is popular among dems, certainly, but too liberal for independents, not a strong campaigner, not battle tested, doesn’t have support in suburban swing districts. i imagine committee members are losing patience with whatever his “choice of the day” is
- dznuts - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:14 am:
Carbondale is not a microcosm of the state. I say that having attended graduate school there and worked for the City. I admired her dad, although I fundamentally disagreed with most of his policy positions. In the end, Paul Simon and Pat Quinn are very similar: nice guys, but generally out of touch with the issues of mainstream voters. This is kind of funny that the Lt. Governor race had so many democrat primary candidates, yet apparently Quinn will choose someone who didn’t even want the office. Art Turner is a class act and, aside from Cohen, would have been selected by democrat voters. The State Central Committee should not ignore that. As a GOP voter, the choice of Simon is very intriguing but as a student of government, the choice by Quinn is like putting ketchup on chicken sandwich. It just doesn’t make sense.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:20 am:
=== Paul Simon…generally out of touch with the issues of mainstream voters. ===
Yes, why in God’s name did he waste all of those years pushing for college funding, a balanced federal budget, and Middle East peace?
@DuPage Dan -
I don’t think Quinn believes Simon is a pushover, just a carbon-copy of himself.
Where I come from, we have a word for someone who agrees with you on all the issues: Followers.
Unfortunately, what the Quinn campaign, the Quinn administration, and the state of Illinois need is Leadership, not Followship, but Pat Quinn looks like he’s still trying to surround himself with disciples.
I say that, and I LIKE the guy, I’ll campaign for him, and I sure hope he wins, because Brady isn’t a nightmare, he’s one of those night terrors that wakes you up screaming and sweaty.
- What Else Is Going to Happen? - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:25 am:
Just when you think this state couldn’t get any weirder…Sheila Simon is a fine person, but a weak campaigner and speaker. She couldn’t even answer the question posed by the Central Committee, “Why are you a better candidate than the others?” Of all the qualified people Quinn could have picked….nothing against Sheila, but she just ain’t her mom or her dad. Quinn has vascillated all over the spectrum….WHAT WAS HE THINKING? Sheila couldn’t even win the mayor’s race in a Democratic area. Another sad day in the State of Confusion. Unless she actually tries to implement some of the reforms she supposedly endorsed…slim chance in this state.
- Will County Woman - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:31 am:
“As a GOP voter, the choice of Simon is very intriguing but as a student of government, the choice by Quinn is like putting ketchup on chicken sandwich.”
excuse me but… there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting ketchup (w/ some miracle whip)on a chiken sandwich! to each his/her own, dude.
- LincolnLounger - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 2:50 am:
Yellow Dog Democrat: I’m not crazy about Brady, but Rod Blagojevich, Pat Quinn, and Democrat control of every Constitutional office, the General Assembly, and the Supreme Court continues to be the real “night terrors” for Illinois.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 6:07 am:
Just another second generation Pol for the Demos.
I for one will not vote for any second generation Pol.
- Nero - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 7:30 am:
She might have a “name” but it seems that it didn’t carry very far in her own back yard. She’s not a strong choice and if I’m Brady I would be very happy if the state central committee selects her instead of Garrett.
- wow - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 7:54 am:
quinn should hold off on this…she’s not ready for prime time. i’ve seen her in action.
trading on her name, in mayoral race, she described some of her own votes as “Wacky”, holier-than-thou simon critized the mayor’s spending but then it came out that she had voted as councilwoman to pass. then blago tried to appoint her to gaming board against state law since she was a city councilwoman; she and blago pushed for an exception but were denied…some extreme left wing views, she and husband both professors out of mainstream, will seem elitist throughout state
- bored now - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 7:57 am:
LincolnLounger: i’m sorry, but my impression (having only lived here for a decade) is that republicans haven’t acquitted themselves any better than democrats in that regard.
the problem isn’t democrats, but illinois, where corruption is tolerated to an unimaginable degree. i’d be more impressed if i thought that republicans were less inclined to be corrupt, but that simply isn’t the case. it can’t be any surprise that elected officials (like george ryan or ike carruthers) are corrupt here, and even less a surprise that no one (here) seems to care. changing the party in charge is meaningless without an underlying change in our political culture AND the electorate’s expectations. WE are responsible for the belief that what government does doesn’t really effect us and corruption succeeds because of our feigned ignorance that it occurs…
- Amalia - Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 8:17 am:
KC, grow up.