* Tribune…
Illinois Democrats cast 98 votes for Hillary Clinton and 74 votes for Sanders, with Democratic Party chairman Michael Madigan leading the delegation’s floor announcement.
Illinois is one of only a few states to be seated on the convention floor rather than in the stands. The prime real estate is a nod to Clinton’s Illinois roots, having been born in Chicago and raised in the suburbs.
The votes for Clinton were cast by Betsy Ebeling, an old friend of Clinton’s dating to their school days in Park Ridge. “I know you’re watching, this one’s for you, Hill,” Ebeling said.
House Speaker Madigan handed the mic to Ebeling and the two appeared to be friendly toward each other as Sen. Dick Durbin looked on and smiled.
* But it wasn’t always so. Clinton’s State Department e-mails included several from Ebeling, including this one…
The reliably upbeat friend was dejected in writing to the then-secretary of state on the eve of the 2010 midterm elections, which proved disastrous for Democrats.
Ebeling described an Oct. 26, 2010, get-out-the-vote rally in Chicago headlined by former President Bill Clinton, who is referred to as “WJC” in the emails, for William Jefferson Clinton. Ebeling observed the Democratic campaign in Illinois “is ghostlike.”
The event, she writes, was attended by Sen. Dick Durbin, House Speaker Michael Madigan and state Senate President John Cullerton, among other elected officials.
* From that e-mail…
Tuesday will be such a telling day. On paper there is a co-ordinated Democratic campaign in Illinois–however, it is ghostlike—sort of shimmering in the distance. When WJC was here the other day, they all turned out: Dubrin and “the other guy”, Speaker Madigan, President Cullerton, many electeds and all gathered to have their photos taken with him. What an assembly of power going nowhere—just finger pointing and hiding. Of course, they all smiled for WJC and said they were working hard for the party Is WJC the only one trying? Must be exhausting for him,„and you. Safe
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 1:26 pm:
That 2010 coordinated campaign is not remembered fondly by many, if anyone. There are a number of reasons why and a lot of blame to go around but the truth is if I was making a blame list there are many, many, many others I’d list ahead of Madigan and Cullerton.
Then again, Quinn won a race that year when Nate Silver had the odds for Brady at 90% at one point. So while they couldn’t get the Senate seat done, still credit where credit is due.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 1:33 pm:
===Is WJC the only one trying? Must be exhausting for him,„and you.===
Is “the other guy” a reference to Quinn, Emanuel, Giannoulias, or someone else? I seem to remember Pat Quinn getting elected in a landslide GOP year. Ghostlike? Maybe, but all things considered, Illinois Democrats fared better than a lot of other states Dem candidates.
Other than flattering team Clinton, I don’t see what Ebeling was trying to say here and I wouldn’t read too much into it either.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
betsy ebeling is so not threatening to anyone. but she is wonderful and quite observant.
- MOON - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
Besides being a long time friend of Hillary what else has Ebeling ever done that warrants us to consider her opinion on any political subject?
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 3:07 pm:
betsy ebeling has worked in government and politics. it’s an email. she’s not holding a press conference.
- MOON - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 3:25 pm:
AMALIA
Can you provide more details regarding Ebeling?
What has she done regarding her work in government and politics ( other than anything she has done for the Clintons )
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 27, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
Moon, if you don’t know, you have not been working in politics in Illinois.