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New poll shows support for senior freebie plan

Monday, Jan 28, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Post-Dispatch has a new poll out, and many of you are not going to like some of the results.

For instance, when asked…

Illinois law has recently been changed to require that senior citizens be allowed to ride free on all local public transit systems. What’s your opinion?

71 percent said they agreed with the plan, and just 18 percent said they disagreed.

* Also, 42 percent said they had a favorable opinion of the governor (double the results in the last poll), while just 37 percent said the same about the Illinois Legislature. 54 percent said they viewed Dick Durbin in a favorable light.

* 41 percent approved of Blagojevich’s job performance, while 59 percent disapproved. That ain’t great.

* But, when asked…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has said universal health care coverage for Illinoisans is the most important issue facing the state. What’s your opinion?

52 percent agreed that it was the most important issue while just 33 percent disagreed.

Go read the whole poll and discuss these and other results.

…Adding… The poll may have a bit of good news for Blagojevich, but Obama doesn’t want him around…

The Obama Illinois campaign, in advance of the Feb. 5 balloting–where the Clinton team is making a run for Illinois delegates–is ramping up, with all the top Democratic office holders stumping for Barack Obama starting on Monday with one exception–Gov. Blagojevich. There’s just too much heat on Blagojevich.

Blagojevich’s name is surfacing in too many corruption investigations, including that of indicted Tony Rezko, a major Blagojevich fund-raiser who has also raised money for Obama. With Rezko surfacing as a campaign issue for Obama–and with Blagojevich’s own problems, no wonder he won’t be at the Monday press conference in Chicago.

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Sauerberg: I’m not crazy

Monday, Jan 7, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is a pretty funny lede…

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg says he’s got something unique to offer voters in today’s political climate: he’s “not crazy,” he’s “somebody normal.”

* Sauerberg bemoaned the fact that the media isn’t covering his candidacy and then added…

The newcomer and family physician from the Chicago suburbs slammed some current politicians for their “lack of competence.” About his own campaign, he said: “We offer competence, and we offer reasonable behavior and we’re just a solid campaign that is what politics should be about.”

* I’m not exactly sure who he was talking about. Perhaps his primary opponents. But as the Tribbies noted recently, there is some concern that Sauerberg may have some trouble next month, which could be why the state GOP endorsed him…

The vote to back Sauerberg by the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, made up of GOP leaders from each of the state’s congressional districts, was an unusual move. The organization has largely stayed away from involvement in primary contests.

But it underscores potential concerns that Sauerberg of Willowbrook, in his first political race, may face name recognition problems in seeking votes for the nomination and the chance to face two-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Sauerberg… said in a statement that his endorsement showed his campaign was “resonating with voters all across Illinois.”

Well, that last statement is kinda “crazy,” if you ask me. I doubt anyone knows who he is at this point.

* It’s likely he’ll get some coverage as the primary approaches (he’s right that it’s been sparse to date) and the presidential race settles down a bit (if it does), but he can’t rely totally on earned media. And, frankly, if he wants to go up against somebody as relatively popular and entrenched as Durbin, he needs to show he can raise money and run decent TV ads before anyone can even begin to think that he has a snowball’s chance.

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Durbin has his first GOP opponent *** Updated x1 ***

Monday, May 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

This was covered elsewhere in the blogosphere last week, but now it’s official. From a press release…

Steve Sauerberg M.D., a 54-year-old successful family practice physician based in La Grange, Illinois, has entered the Republican primary for the United States Senate seat, currently held by Democrat Dick Durbin.

“ A lifetime of serving others translates well to curing what is wrong with career politician Dick Durbin and his out-of-touch liberal values,” said Sauerberg. “We need to cut taxes to help families and create jobs, cut wasteful pork barrel spending, oppose efforts to reward illegal immigrants with citizenship and taxpayer benefits, and we must develop alternative energy sources including bio-fuels to ensure both energy independence and our national security, while also providing affordable top quality healthcare for all our citizens.”

A loving husband, father of two, and life-long family care physician, Dr. Sauerberg has built one of the largest family medical practices in the western suburbs of Chicago. Steve is also a former medical school teacher, little league coach and was recently chosen to serve on the MacMurray College Board of Trustees, his alma mater. Steve graduated from MacMurray College, located in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1975 and later graduated the Chicago-based Rush Medical College in 1977. He opened his own medical practice in 1985, which he still maintains today.

Earlier this year, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin was rated the most liberal senator in the country by the National Journal, a respected non-partisan Washington publication.

“It’s troubling how non-partisan sources document that Durbin is the most liberal member of the United States Senate, a real liberal’s liberal. Dick Durbin does not represent our Illinois values,” added Sauerberg. “We need to bring real-life common sense to the national debate so we can find solutions and get results for the taxpayers, families, and seniors of Illinois. I believe I can be that voice and best serve the residents of Illinois here at home and in Washington, D.C.”

*** UPDATE *** Krol has more at Animal Farm…

Sauerberg is getting a late start in what promises to be an expensive race. He said he plans to put some of his own money into the contest, but “not enough to make any difference.” […]

As is common with doctors, a quick check of court filings show Sauerberg has been sued a few times for malpractice, but no details were readily available Monday. […]

Sauerberg has hired Campbell & Campbell as his general consultant. Mark Campbell, who owns the firm with his wife Eva, is political director for former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giu-liani’s campaign.

Sauerberg’s lone staff member so far is Patrick Carl-son, who worked as local po-litical director for former Speaker Dennis Hastert for six years and then on Judy Baar Topinka’s governor campaign last year.

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