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* The circus gets weirder…
A former adviser to ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich has withdrawn his application to be the state’s Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
Bob Arya withdrew his application Thursday. In a letter to Democratic party officials, he says he’s throwing his support behind State Rep. Arthur Turner.
Arya had no chance at all, and supporting Turner means zip to anyone other than Arya. This LG search is really getting outta hand.
* Sen. David Koehler changes his mind…
In a flip-flop from a month ago when he questioned the need of the Illinois lieutenant governor’s post, state Sen. Dave Koehler submitted his application for the job Thursday.
Koehler, D-Peoria, who is completing his first, four-year term, said he was encouraged by colleagues to apply, but that he does not plan to campaign or lobby for the spot. Another factor in his last-minute decision is his belief that someone from downstate should provide “geographic balance” to the statewide Democratic ticket weighted with Chicago-area candidates.
* From a press release…
Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nah-MOOR-thee) today submitted his application to the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee to be considered as the party’s Lieutenant Governor nominee.
“I am a Democrat because the Democratic Party has never settled for the status quo,” Krishnamoorthi wrote in his application. “The Democratic Party has always believed that government can be a force for good and that no one should be left behind.”
Krishnamoorthi emphasized his unique appeal as a Lieutenant Governor nominee with a strong electoral performance in the 2010 Democratic primary for Comptroller in the two key battlegrounds for the November general election: the Chicago suburbs and Downstate.
Krishnamoorthi, who garnered roughly 384,000 votes statewide but lost the Democratic nomination for Comptroller by less than 1% of the votes cast, won 22 out of the 30 Cook County suburban townships with a 52-41% margin of victory.
He swept all of the Chicago collar counties (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, Kendall, McHenry) by a total of 60-33%.
The Democratic Party hasn’t updated its website yet (12:40 pm), so Raja’s application isn’t available. But you might want to scroll through it anyway to see if there’s anything interesting.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 12:42 pm
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No!!! Say it ain’t so Bob!
Comment by George Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Krishnamoorthi has
(A) “outsider” appeal,
(B) several natural constituencies and geographic bases, and
(C) the same type of cajones Cohen showed in running for statewide office but (as far as we know) none of the ‘roid-induced baggage
Quinn & Raja would be an interesting counterweight to Dumb & Plummer. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Comment by Rob N Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 12:50 pm
Art Turner used to be a good guy that could work with both sides of the aisle.
I haven’t known him in years, though.
Comment by PPHS Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 12:57 pm
Rich says, “This LG search is really getting outta hand.”
Yes and no.
It’s clearly a much more open process than the GOP version which led to Alan Keyes being imported from the East Coast to replace Jack Ryan. (What, Andy Martin wasn’t available?)
And that open process is what’s leading to the “they’re coming out of the woodwork” notion.
It’s a big state with a lot of really great, worthwhile people who would do well in the position … and a lot of well-intentioned folks who are perhaps not the best fit.
All in all though, this is the alternative to the “secret backroom deal” feared by all those who complained that Cohen’s withdrawal “thwarted” the will of the people (whether they did so out of political gotcha games or true convictions).
Look at any open seat on a village board or school board. An election for that same seat might attract 2 or 3 candidates but a mid-term appointment to the seat might garner a dozen or more applicants.
The same effect is happening here but on a statewide scale. Instead of having to run a months-long, costly, exhausting campaign for the spot, all you have to do is fill out an online application. It costs less than a lotto ticket.
Comment by Rob N Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:00 pm
===this is the alternative to the “secret backroom deal”===
LOL
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:01 pm
More and more I like the idea of not filling the spot. Many voters would see it as a practical step in getting rid of a do-nothing job.
Granted, with the Constitutional order of succession, it’s a risk-free move by Dems.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:04 pm
“I am a Democrat because the Democratic Party has never settled for the status quo,” Krishnamoorthi wrote in his application. “The Democratic Party has always believed that government can be a force for good and that no one should be left behind.”
Krishnamoorthi seems to be taking the late Mayor Richard J. Daley’s maxim that “Together we must rise to ever higher and higher platitudes.” Because, he’s clearly not speaking to the reality of history.
Comment by QRBNST Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:12 pm
I would not be happy if the Democrats do not fill the Lt. Gov vacancy. Why go through this application process if that’s the plan? They also have to follow the IL Constitution. I understand the arguments for getting rid of the office, but let’s get rid of it only if the referendum passes in November.
Raja is the best choice for Lt. Gov. Time for some new faces in Illinois politics and he is well-qualified and a plus for the ticket. He ran a positive scandal free campaign for Comptroller.
Comment by Illinois voter Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:13 pm
I am waiting for Gary Coleman to apply
Comment by George Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:23 pm
Sen. Koehler would be a good pick. Downstate, organized…unfortunately, he might be tempted to run for Gov. in the future, so that rules him out. (That probably rules Raja out as well.)
I predict a lot of grey hair on the head of whomever they pick.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:24 pm
“I am a Democrat because the Democratic Party has never settled for the status quo.”
LOL! That is rich!
Hey Krishnamoorthi! Sounds like you need to be on the ticket - just so you can meet the Status Quo running on it with you!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:26 pm
Rich is right. The whole process is a joke, and it’s being played on all of us by Party Chairman Madigan, who knew all this absurdity–complete with whacky applicants and supplicating politicians– would be spawned by the web site applications and “open” process. It’s his revenge for having the Scott Lee Cohen debacle hung around his neck.
Comment by Dem observer Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:31 pm
The thing about Koehler is he wouldn’t need security. https://capitolfax.com/2009/11/20/action-hero-moment-for-state-senator/
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Still believing that if Raja wanted to be Lt. Gov, he should’ve run for that position in the first place.
Comment by Super Anon Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Probably already noted but:
Applicant Dean Koldenhoven is the father-in-law of former Guber candidate Paul Vallas.
If this is the alternative to back room deals - I’ll buy the cigars and start filling the rooms with smoke for them. This list is rather unimpressive.
Transparency would be legit if all the DSSC members posted the “real” list of who they want.
Comment by siriusly Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:34 pm
Rich, do you know if any radio station streaming the Dillard concession? WBEZ and CBS radio are not.
Comment by NotInChicago Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:35 pm
This process might seem out of control compared to an election, but not compared to a typical hiring process. My company recently posted an opening for a technical postion and got over 200 applicants, all of whom had to be considered.
I agree that there is some disingenuousness going on here but I still like this much better than the process that gave us Todd Stroger and Dan Lipinski, for example. If this process had been used then it is possible the committeemen would have still made the same choice, but I think it would have been much more difficult in the face of increased public scrutiny and the possibility of a wealth of other, better candidates.
Comment by Lakefront Liberal Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 1:59 pm
===but I still like this much better than the process that gave us Todd Stroger and Dan Lipinski===
The only difference between those processes and this one is the website.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:01 pm
This, and the great Illinois suggestion box is the only bright side of this whole election mess. It is so beyond silly that I can’t even find an appropriate comparison word from Alfred E Neuman’s thesaurus.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:01 pm
===This process might seem out of control compared to an election, but not compared to a typical hiring process. My company recently posted an opening for a technical postion and got over 200 applicants, all of whom had to be considered.===
Actually, you can’t compare the two because reporters weren’t writing stories almost every day about your goofier applicants.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:14 pm
The biggest issue is state finances. There is a long, long time to November.
Both candidates need to be pushed, in all that downtime for specific, pencil-to-paper, real number plans for dealing with the problem. Then, voters will decide.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:19 pm
I’m somewhat surprised that no one has applied for the LG position with the promise of resigning immediately after being sworn in. That person would get my vote.
Comment by casual observer Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:26 pm
Casual, why don’t you do that yourself?
It’s clearly an open process.
Comment by Rob N Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:32 pm
== It’s clearly a much more open process than the GOP version which led to Alan Keyes being imported from the East Coast to replace Jack Ryan. (What, Andy Martin wasn’t available?)==
The State GOP did do interviews with virtually everyone who applied (Even the Air Ford One Guy) with the central committee. So in some ways they were more open than the Democrats are (I suspect most of these folks are not going to get an interview).
Again it’s Lt. Governor, does anyone vote for someone because of who the Gov very-lite is…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:46 pm
If I was retired I would just for the entertainment value.
Comment by casual observer Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 2:50 pm
If there wasn’t a transparent process, people on this blog would complain it is a backroom deal.
The SCC used to slate all the candidates in the past. They were hand picked by Mayor Daley the first.
These “credentials” of Raja are unimpressive. It was a two person race. People didn’t know either one of them, so it was a close race. I don’t think putting a staff person on the ticket with no prior responsibilities, makes any sense.
Comment by Tom Joad Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 3:02 pm
==This LG search is really getting outta hand.
==
Just making sure we comply with the Rutan rules for filling state positions that don’t have any say on policy.
Comment by Pat Robertson Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 3:30 pm
I think I can do this lt.gov job in my off hours. My voting and criminal records are clean, (knock wood) I haven’t been foreclosed upon, I’m older than the Lt. Intern, and I usually complete my sentences. What more does the ticket need?
Comment by Boone Logan Square Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 3:50 pm
Whats the backlash if Turner, Koehler or Raja (or anyone else on the list) does not get selected…they are not democratics? Will there be unity? Nevertheless, that may be the ultimate “suduko” question
Comment by One to the Dome Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 3:58 pm
There needs to be a compelling reason in order to pass over Turner, who is very qualified and ran for the job in the first place. I haven’t heard one yet.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 5, 10 @ 4:30 pm
Memo to Raja Krishnamoorthi - you can forget that dream!
Rich is right with his “===this is the alternative to the “secret backroom deal”=== LOL”. All of the people who are likeliest to emerge with the nomination (in alphabetical order, Forrest Claypool, Julie Hamos, Sheila Simon, Art Turner) have names that AREN’T on the list.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Saturday, Mar 6, 10 @ 10:42 am