63 Comments - mr. whipple - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:09 am: You get a six figure income, health insurance and a pension. And you don’t do anything or have any responsibilities. Oooh, pick me, pick me… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:13 am: Pat Quinn, he was one heck of a lt.gov. Now should we pair him with Daley or Madigan? How about Judy Barr or Rep. Osmond on either the Rutherford or Dillard tickets? - So. ILL - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:13 am: Brady - Plummer: Makes about as much sense as the last time. Makes about as much sense as Brady running again. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:15 am: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, any nominations of My Party’s Candidates to be their running mates.” I know, everyone is breathing easier. To the Post, If he is in an Off-Cycle, “a Matt Murphy” would get my attention THIS cycle, given all the candidates now looking ot run in My Party’s primary, and really except for Dillard, is a good counter to Rutherford, Rauner, and Brady. I also like “a Bill Black” to come back to be the “attack dog” and to counter the measured speak of the Guv’s candidates, that is going to start in earnest. That is a good start for me to make a list. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:17 am: John Millner, Carole Pankau, Jason Plummer on the R side. Linda Chapa La Via, Dan Seals, and Kwame Raoul on the D side - dave - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:17 am: Bruce Rauner/Jack Franks Pat Quinn/Scott Drury Bill Brady/Jeanne Ives In more serious suggestions… this would be interesting: Lisa Madigan/Art Turner Jr - Diogenes in DuPage - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:17 am: Squeezy could be Mr. Quinn’s running mate. Mr. Daley has a couple of brothers to choose from. Perhaps Mr. Rauner could convince the “front loader” driver in the Carhart jacket in his TV commercial to be his. As for Ms. Madigan, she don’t need no stinking running mate! - Keyrock - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:18 am: Scott Drury. He’s a former federal prosecutor. - CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:20 am: Oscar THE DOG! - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:21 am: Forget John Millner for lt. gov., move him right to the top of the ticket. Our state should be so lucky to get him to run for governor. Millner/Barickman! - Spliff - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:25 am: Lisa Madigan - James Clayborne Bill Daley - David Hoffman Pat Quinn - LaShawn Ford Dillard - Brad Cole Brady - Jim Sacia Rauner - Dan Proft Rutherford - Osmond - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:26 am: Honestly, Jason Plummer? I can’t afford another “episode”, and I am at the Max for my Plummer pills. However, how about a Ives/Plummer/Black primary debate? Or a Black/Drury debate in the General? Christmas by Labor Day…? - HenryVK - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:31 am: For Dems, David Miller should be at the top of somebody’s list. - Been There - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:32 am: I assume whoever runs as Lt Gov can’t also run for reelection to their current seat if that office is up at the same time. Even if you are teaming up with Lisa Madigan that is a risk. I think we will see some senators who are on their four year term in the mix. And possibly some county officials who are not up. I can see Quinn picking Toi Hutchinson or maybe Clayborne (depending if they are not up) Daley should go with a Downstater (if he’s met any) Madigan can have the pick anyone she wants. - Abe the Babe - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:33 am: Quinn/Yarbrough Madigan/Sullivan Daley/Mendoza Dillard/Rose Rutherford/Pankau Rauner/Durkin and here are my alternate universe picks… Quinn/Franks Madigan/P. Blagojevich Daley/Former Mayor Daley Dillard/M. Obama Rutherford/Rutherford’s Mom Rauner/Rauner (he’ll do both jobs..) - DuPageExpat - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:39 am: Honestly, why doesn’t Rauner (or Dillard) get on the phone with recently-relocated downstater Erika Harold and sign her up? She’s got a better shot at winning as one of their LGs than she does challenging Davis. Barring that, would it be possible for someone to put Plummer’s daddy’s checkbook on the ticket…without Plummer? - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:39 am: Willy, how about “write-ins?” Since most of the snark picks are gone, I would note Murph or Jason Barickman as worth a look on the R side depending on the years on their term. Haven’t thought much about the D side. Like the Turner/Clayborne suggestions for LMM. - cover - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:43 am: = Oscar THE DOG! = Sorry, he won’t meet the age requirement. Oscar the Grouch would, though… - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:44 am: I think the job appeals to two sets of candidates: young up and comers and old hands looking for a pension boost before retirement. Erika Harold strikes me as a brilliant choice but she appears to be following some really bad career advice at the moment. James Clayborne could add some regional balance to the right candidate. Beyond that, it’s personal chemistry and complementary skills/bios that will matter most in this. Back in 94, Richard Phelan “ran with” Penny Severns, in a great match-up that was politically balanced and they had great personal chemistry. Roland Burris aligned with Sheila Smith. Neither Burris nor Phelan won their primary, but Phelan stayed on the air with ads for Severns until the end, and she won in a squeaker. Of course, Severns wasn’t the ideal choice for Netsch in that race, but that is how the old system worked and I don’t think there was anyone who could have helped Netsch win that year. The new system is going to be very interesting to watch. Some of the candidates who want to run for Governor aren’t going to find good LG candidates. And some of those candidates for Governor might actually be really good LG candidates themselves, they just don’t know it yet. - OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:45 am: Think Chapa-LaVia would be a real good pick for Quinn on the D side, but I think she has more sense than that. She would also be a good fit for Daley.. Also Meeks for Rauner would be a interesting idea and have a real impact on the D primary as well as the R primary. On the R side, well to repeat what everyone else has said Murphy should be on everyone’s list. Also an interesting gambit for someone, have a Lt. Governor who says they will resign after getting sworn in. “To save the taxpayers of the state of Illinois”.. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:45 am: For sure Murphy’s Senate seat is up in 2014, so joining a ticket would be a big decision for him. I think he does more good as a Senator than as a Lt. Gov. (and even less good if he is on a losing ticket). He sits until it is his time to run for the top spot. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:46 am: How about some of those that lost their seats last time around, Like Randy Ramey or Shane Cultra? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:47 am: @ Oswego - “If he is in an Off-Cycle, a Matt Murphy” Murphy drew a 2-4-4 cycle so he is up for re-election to State Senate in 2014. And there’s that while issue of his knee and rehab. - Bill White - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:47 am: @47th Ward === The new system is going to be very interesting to watch. Some of the candidates who want to run for Governor aren’t going to find good LG candidates. And some of those candidates for Governor might actually be really good LG candidates themselves, they just don’t know it yet. === Exactly. And the music stops much sooner than the candidates may realize. - Just the Facts - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:48 am: Rauner/Bambenek Dillard/Whitley - Cassiopeia - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:56 am: I see Quinn sitting in his office waiting for someone to put the candidacy petitions on his desk so that he can sign them while his staff runs around trying to get somebody to agree to run with him. All the while he looks continuously into his bathroom mirror practicing his fierce growl about who he fights constantly for the people. - Keyrock - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:56 am: Madigan/Cullerton - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:57 am: For the Love of Pete, please someone pick Jack Franks. His comments as Lt. Gov. would be ignored even more than the ones he makes on the floor right now. - In the know - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 10:58 am: Dillard with Diane Oberhelman (CAT CEO’s wife and a bigtime real estate developer in her own right) - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:03 am: - OneMan - You called the Rauner/Meeks ticket first, and if it comes to pass, Cannoli on Me! Getting all that from a Tweet, and doing that math… would be impressive stuff my 308 Friend. ===Randy Ramey=== “Do we know who he is?” If he got a “driver” for the rest of the campaign … even then, I doubt it would work, video is tough to ignore. - AA -, Keep track of the names on here, so we can start calling the ones Rauner may want to hitch his wagon to, so we can get in on the “LG” side if need be. Really, you haven’t heard from Rauner’s Crew? Tell them about my Carhartt, maybe that might help. And … @RobtPlummerChecks - Look, unless Jason gets to play “government” you will not see hide nor hair of me anywhere. (Call Jason, please) #NotAfraidToBeWrittenOn - estubborn - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:05 am: Rauner/Oberweis Rutherford/Murphy Dillard/McConnaughay Wouldn’t be surprised if any of the three have Ron Sandack on their short-list. Madigan/Clayborne Daley/Hutchinson Quinn/Noland - Whatever - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:11 am: Rich Miller — he’s a shoo-in for the Tribune endorsement! - anon - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:12 am: Cullerton/Madigan Rutherford/Bellock - walkinfool - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:42 am: Quinn-Lashawn Ford What a combo! I can’t get it out of my mind. Murphy matches best with Rauner. He’s strong where Rauner’s weak, and vice versa. Though he’s not from downstate. - And I Approved This Message - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 11:52 am: Where’s the Scott Lee Cohen love here? - Josh - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:06 pm: I really dislike the fact that they wrote the law so that the LG running mate has to be picked before the primary. I’m fine with the change to chosen running mates, but I would have had the running mate selected by the nominee after the primary. I think doing it before the primary is going to result in a much lower caliber of LG candidate. - aufjunk - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:10 pm: If everybody else in the world refuses to run with Quinn, there’s always Roland Burris. He’ll take it even if he has to make an addition to his monument. - Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:14 pm: 47th said, “Beyond that, it’s personal chemistry and complementary skills/bios that will matter most in this.” I’d add to the mix if the Lt. Gov is planned to be a full partner, or ceremonial in nature. - Bill White - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:19 pm: Actually, I think the reverse will be true: === I think doing it before the primary is going to result in a much lower caliber of LG candidate. === I predict the choice of Lt. Gov. will be very closely scrutinized during the March primary season and the consequences of choosing poorly will matter far more in the primary than in a general election. Running mates will rarely persuade someone to switch from D to R or R to D (Sarah Palin excepted) however choice of running mate could make a BIG difference in a 3 way primary between Rauner, Dillard & Rutherford, for example. than if the nominee simply chose a running mate sometime between March 2014 and July / August 2014. - Will - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:24 pm: Is Dave Koehler up this time? I wouldn’t hurt the Dems to have a downstater with a good liberal voting record. - Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:25 pm: The only logical choices could be: If they seek levity in times of trouble: Arthur Andersen Oswego Willy Wordslinger If they seek a partner who understands the beatin’ heart of the party: Cincinnatus Small Town Liberal Yellow Dog Democrat If they seek a rapier wit and barbed tongue that strikes from the shadows: CircularFiringSquad Michelle Flaherty If they seek motherly support and advice: Soccermom If they seek fatherly support and advice: Steve Schnorf If they seek the guidance of a long lost friend: VanillaMan / OneMan (can’t recall which “Man” used to post frequently a few years ago and now makes a rare but graceful appearance) If they seek furry cuteness to distract the voting public: Oscar the puppy Any of the above would make excellent choices. No disrespect to the many sage posters and contributors omitted during this quick lunch-time post. Sad reality? We’ll probably just get Squeezy the Pension Python. - titan - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:26 pm: Rich - your reader is close, but off just a little. etitions can be circulated in the timeframe of 90 days prior to the LAST day to file (your reader was thinking it as being from the FIRST day). On that basis, circulation ought to start September 3. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:33 pm: ===I’d add to the mix if the Lt. Gov is planned to be a full partner, or ceremonial in nature.=== Full partner? That’s never happened before. Not sure why it would happen now. The Gov candidate will say they picked someone to be a full partner, but come inauguration day, they will suddenly develop amnesia. Again, if history is any guide. You get an office, a phone, a parking spot and a couple of staffers. Don’t make no waves and you’ll be fine. Go to some funerals, chair some meetings that no one else wants to, show up on time and smile. That’s all there is to it. Full partner. That’s funny Cinci. - Chucky Jay - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:43 pm: Daley/Hoffman would be intriguing… But what about Madigan/Forby? Dillard/Rose? Looking to try and get a little geographical balance. - Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 12:48 pm: - Formerly Known As… Unfortunately, I’m taken… - OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 1:29 pm: estubborn I think McConnaughay is an interesting idea. Campaigns fairly well, the only problem )or entertainment) would be that in the primary in Kane County the current party power base on the GOP side would work against whatever ticket she was on since she was part of the ABC (Anyone But Chris) wing of the party. But statewide, I think she would work. Not sure with Dillard just from a ‘all western suburbs ticket’ thing. - soccermom - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 1:31 pm: Hey 47th — if you decide to take a run for the Mansion, I’ll happily serve as your LTG. - Publius - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 1:51 pm: Can a candidate for lg be paired with more than one candidate for governor in the same primary? - shore - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:14 pm: according to Teddy Greenstein of mother tribune there’s a young guy who cares a lot about literacy, making college affordable, can hit a 3, knows obama, is tanned, rested ready, Alexi is available and ready to come back off the bench. Dan Seals-hahahahahahahahahahah. Jason Plummer. hahahahahahahahahah. For Lisa Madigan I probably double down on the woman thing a la clinton gore with youth, someone not from the city, make the campaign women women women which a GOP’er can’t touch. Melissa Bean would be good for quinn, but she had financial issues and has kids about to hit college age so probably not there. For republicans you absolutely need a woman as you’ve said a number of times. After the plummer fiasco has to be someone who isn’t fresh out of a greek life formal who can speak with experience and conviction about public policy issues so no Erika Harrold. - Pete - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:16 pm: I think Dennis Reboletti would be a good pick. - titan - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:48 pm: @ 47th Ward - in the past, the Governor ended up with a Lt. Gov he hadn’t picked, but rather based upon a separate primary. With this new system, teh Governor may well be able to select someone who could be a true partner with him/her. A junior partner, I’m sure, but this new system offers a possibilty of change. - Bill White - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:58 pm: For Republicans, state senators NOT facing re-election in 2014 would seem a good place to start looking. As for this comment from Cincinnatus ===I’d add to the mix if the Lt. Gov is planned to be a full partner, or ceremonial in nature.=== I find what 47th Ward said earlier to be persuasive: === Some of the candidates who want to run for Governor aren’t going to find good LG candidates. And some of those candidates for Governor might actually be really good LG candidates themselves, they just don’t know it yet. === Finding a good LG candidate will be more important than ever before and therefore good LG candidates will have leverage, when recruited. - Lord Stanley's Cup - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 2:59 pm: Madigan/Bradley - anon - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 3:04 pm: Madigan/Appellate Court Justice Mary K. O’Brien - wishbone - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 3:06 pm: “The primary is March 18, 2104.” I wish. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 3:20 pm: –Back in 94, Richard Phelan “ran with” Penny Severns,– If I remember, he insisted on being called “Dick Phelan” in that race. He didn’t see the problem with that, and no one in his crew bothered to tell him. He finished last. - justbabs - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 4:01 pm: Outside of the Rauner consideration, the contribution cap is another reason to name a running mate, soon. They can take contributions from people who have already maxed out. - estubborn - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 4:26 pm: @Oneman - Would you rather see Linda Chapa LaVia as Mayor of Aurora or a Lt. Gov? In response to your Karen McConnaughay statement.. -I think she has good conservative credentials. I also don’t think Lauzen’s reach extends much further than his old Senate District. She is smart and has years of administrative experience. I think she helps Dillard pick up votes in Kane and bordering Cook near her district. Lastly, a smart and credible conservative woman would only help in the General. IL GOP needs new leaders. Senator McConnaughay would make a fine pick. - Lt. Guv - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 4:31 pm: Scott Lee Cohen/Mark Fairchild More seriously, I like the David Miller idea. Most personally, ME! I balance everyone’s ticket. - Chucky Jay - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 6:19 pm: David Miller would have to be paired with someone who isn’t Pat Quinn. If Quinn is going to get the Z-Team endorsement in Thornton Township (and it appears he’s making moves toward this by giving Frank a cushy new title) , David Miller won’t fly. Too much bad blood between Z and Miller. - I vote for - Wednesday, Jun 12, 13 @ 7:07 pm: Quinn/Miller Madigan/Yarbrough Daley/Hoffman Rutherford/Altoff Dillard/Murphy Rauner/Oberwise - How about... - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 9:01 pm: Quinn/Simon Madigan/Daley - causes of lower back pain - Friday, Jun 21, 13 @ 7:50 am: Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.