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* I would make a stupid wisecrack about Whitney losing black votes over this, but that would be so very wrong…
The last name of Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney is misspelled as “Whitey” on electronic-voting machines in nearly two dozen wards — about half in predominantly African-American areas — and election officials said Wednesday the problem cannot be corrected by Election Day.
The misspelling turned up on touch-screen machines in 23 wards overall. Whitney’s name is spelled correctly on the machines’ initial screens showing all of the candidates’ names, but it is misspelled on review screens that later show a voter his or her choices, said Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections.
Whitney went there, however…
“I don’t want to be identified as ‘Whitey.’ If this is happening in primarily African-American wards, that’s an even bigger concern,” Whitney told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I don’t know if this is machine politics at play or why this happened.”
It seems odd that the machines can’t easily be reprogrammed to correct this. But it is only happening on review screens, not the original voting screen, so it isn’t as horrible as it could be.
* On to someone with a brighter political future. As I told subscribers today, there’s a big unaddressed question in this Sun-Times story…
Top tip . . .
Sneed hears rumbles Attorney General Lisa Madigan is eyeing a bid to run for mayor of Chicago.
Consider.
• Fact: The election for statewide offices is Nov. 2.
• Fact: The filing deadline for Chicago mayoral candidates is Nov. 22.
• The kicker: “The day after the Nov. 2 statewide elections, when Lisa is expected to be re-elected, she then … could do anything she wants,” said a top Dem source.
• Lisa’s response (via a press spokesman): “She is focusing on her race for attorney general.
• Sneed’s retort: “Is that a ‘yes’ or a ‘no?’”
• Lisa’s response (via a press spokesman): “She is in Rockford today campaigning. She is focusing on running for attorney general.”
• Lisa Lore: Madigan, a devoted mother of two daughters — who shocked everyone with her new look on the cover of Sherren Leigh’s popular Today’s Chicago Woman magazine, is a top statewide vote-getter and a favorite amongst women voters. Her father, powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan, is head of the state Democratic Party.
• The big question: Will Lisa shock all the boys battling for the mayoral mantle and enter the fray on Nov. 3?
If she wins the mayor’s race, she has to resign her attorney general post. The governor would appoint her replacement. I’m somewhat doubtful that she would want Republican Bill Brady to do that. Stranger this have happened, but I’m just not sure she want that. We’ll see.
*** UPDATE *** WBEZ’s Allison Cuddy interviewed AG Madigan on “Eight Forty Eight” this morning. As a commenter noted, while Madigan’s statement was not exactly Shermanesque, it sure looks like her answer is “No.” Listen…
Transcript…
Cuddy: You have not definitively ruled out whether or not you’ll run (for mayor)
LMadigan: I think I have. I just don’t think it’s been reported that way.
Cuddy: Are you going to run for mayor?
LMadigan: No, my goal is to serve as your attorney general.
* Roundup…
* Whitney wants be included in more debates
* Whitney challenges exclusion from gubernatorial forums
* Hidden Budget Brilliance? Longshot Candidates for Governor Offer Plans
* Red-light camera fight distinguishes AG candidates
* Brown: Nov. 2 candidates in tricky spot if they want to be mayor
* Residency and Rahm Emanuel
* Rahm zaps Daley budget — a bit
* Sneed: Is Lisa Madigan running?
* Sun-Times: Claypool for assessor: a vote for transparency
* Southtown Star: Claypool for Cook assessor
* Berrios v. Claypool debate
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:00 pm
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It’s not just that he’s listed as “Whitey”… he’s being listed as “Rich Whitey” which makes it that much more hillarious.
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:06 pm
*It’s not just that he’s listed as “Whitey”… he’s being listed as “Rich Whitey” which makes it that much more hillarious.*
Add in that he is the Green candidate, and it is the funniest thing I have heard in quite awhile.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:09 pm
Presumably she’ll wait to make her decision until after the results are counted on November 2-3?
Comment by Angry Chicagoan Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:10 pm
Can’t they just jigger the machines to fix the problem?
I did a Danny Thomas spit-take a mile long when I saw the headline this morning and laughed until my kids thought I was having a heart attack. Wishful thinking on their part.
Whitney must think black voters are exceptionally stupid. By his logic, all the candidates are “Whitey” in the governor’s race. That’s right, I said “race,” I played that card!
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:14 pm
So would voters think that a Rich Whitey would be Alexi or Brady?
Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:15 pm
Would this be “0%” Lisa?
She’s not running.
Comment by George Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:17 pm
I’ll repeat my tweet from yesterday. I will bet any chicago reporter (or rich miller) drinks at the Goat if she runs for mayor.
it is not going to happen.
Comment by Tom B. Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:22 pm
L. Madigan stated on NPR this morning that she is not running for mayor
Comment by near west Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:27 pm
- It’s not just that he’s listed as “Whitey”… he’s being listed as “Rich Whitey” which makes it that much more hillarious. -
Ah, the rare occasion that I get to agree with JB. I laughed out loud when I heard this on the radio this morning on my way to work.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:27 pm
Lisa could run for Mayor. She’d just have to move her stuff out of her office at the State Capitol across the street to City Hall.
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:28 pm
IF Quinn were to lose, he could still theoretically apoint her before Brady is sworn in.
Comment by the dark horse Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:30 pm
Received a Robo Call for Lisa and David Miller yesterday, text below.
Hi this is kate parker calling, As an Illinois Taxpayer I have been deeply frustrated by corruption in the state government thats why I am supporting proposales by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and comptroller nominee David Miller to crack down on ethics violations. Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Comptroller Nominee David Miller both led efforts to investigate Rod Blagojevich’s illegal acts. They are fighting to make sure crooked politicians don’t receive taxpayer funded pensions. Please remember to vote early for Attorney General Lisa Madigan and comptroller nominee David Miller. This Message paid for by Citizens for Lisa Madigan and Citizens for David Miller.
Comment by trees Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:31 pm
===he could still theoretically apoint her before Brady is sworn in. ===
The mayoral election is well after the inauguration. Do you think she’d really give up her day job?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:32 pm
Rich Whitey-I’m still chuckling
I may be wrong, but this probably only matters-if at all- for early voting because the vast majority of election day ballots are paper. Has anyone checked the spelling on the paper ballots?
If they say Rich Whitey, Mr Whitney may atually turn green.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:33 pm
If she runs, you know Rahm already some sort of JibJab-esque commercial using the photo from this article in the can. Letting your hair down, is one thing, Lisa, but this is a bit much.
Comment by SangamoGOP Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:33 pm
Lisa Madigan’s wacky new hairdo (featured in Michael Sneed’s column and on a local magazine cover) looked like a publicity still for “The Bride of Frankenstein” or “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
I know that the picture was staged for good fun, but I am not sure that a serious mayoral candidate would want to be captured on film looking so silly.
Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:35 pm
Phineas -
It was reported that paper ballots are correct. Only the voting machines are wrong in 20+ wards and only on the review screens.
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Green party canidate Rich Whitey, you just cant make this stuff up.
ironicaly one of Whitney’s biggest failures in this race has been generating campaign dollars. So the poorest canidate in the race is Rich Whitey for the green party…..
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:37 pm
That photo certainly is odd. What was the intention? So, it is established that she is not running for mayor as everyone has pointed out. Mayor (or governor) would mean a lot of tough, unpopular decisions. Her current job allows her life of moral proclamations which she loves. Especially about sex offenders. Ugh.
Comment by frustrated with press Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:44 pm
WOW!!!
Word on the front page!
Talk about an upgrade!
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:45 pm
The old adage I go back to with any professional at the top of his or her game is Nick Saban saying, “I’m not going to be the next coach of Alabama”. Boy, he sure told the truth on that one. But unlike Coach Saban and most politicians, I believe Lisa enough that I think she’s holding her cards for the 2014 gubernatorial primary and, most likely, general elections.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Wordslinger:
The electronic voting machines cannot be easily reprogrammed before an election. This was one simple feature of the somewhat unjustly maligned punchcard ballot system that was actually much better. Ballot revisions were much easier then.
The real problem with the electronic voting units is that in the event of prolonged election challenges which include judicial review litigation, the election authorities cannot revise the ballot on the touch screens. This results in voters casting votes for candidates who have sometimes been removed from the ballot or those who voluntarily chose to withdraw and their votes end up being suppressed. All that the election boards can do is print up notices in order to try to remind voters if a candidate who has been disqualified or withdrawn is still on the electronic screen with the suggestion that the voters select an active candidate.
Given the closeness of the primary between Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, one wonders if the Republican nomination would have turned out differently if a few thousand votes cast for Schillerstrom (who withdrew) were tossed in the direction of an active candidate.
Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:46 pm
I have to hand it to the chicago democratic party. Each day, no matter how many of you go to jail, do stupid things in government, you just create stuff like this whitey thing that go beyond belief. While of course I oppose it as dirty politics, you have to admire a party that thinks this sort of stuff up. if only they were as good at governing.
Comment by shore Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Huffington Post sayz Lisa Madigan sayz she ain’t runnin’.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/14/lisa-madigan-to-run-for-m_n_762547.html
I’m listening to the WBEZ story Huffington referred to now online.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:05 pm
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=44969
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:05 pm
So if Brady is elected governor and she decides to run (two big ifs) does Republican money go to her to free up the AG slot as well as curry favor with her dad?
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:06 pm
Go to 13:30 to hear Madigan say she ain’t running.
Not quite Shermanesque, but close.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:10 pm
OneMan, Lisa will not have any issues with funding, and the GOP has declared war on madigan so I doubt they want to curry his favor…or that it would work.
Between backing blago and putting up large anti-madigan bill boards I dont see the GOP appearing in this at all.
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:11 pm
“Can’t they just jigger the machines to fix the problem?”
Exactly what I was thinking. Good one.
Comment by Pioneer P. Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Last year they printed the Democratic Party primary ballots on green colored paper so that when people asked for a “Green” ballot, they got the Democratic Party ballot. Now this. It’s no wonder that the Democrats and Republicans don’t want the Green Party, which is a legally established political party statewide, to be allowed to appoint election judges in Illinois!
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Was there a Democratic primary last year? Don’t know how I missed it.
Comment by soccermom Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:36 pm
The fact that the Speaker gave the okay for Mike Kasper to be Rahm’s election lawyer would seem to be a pretty good indicator that Lisa’s not running. But…
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:43 pm
=== he could still theoretically apoint her before Brady is sworn in ===
If she resigned before the inauguration, I believe Quinn would only get to appoint a replacement for the term that is expiring. Brady would get to fill the vacancy that occurs when she declines to be sworn in for the following term.
Comment by grand old partisan Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:44 pm
“I will bet any chicago reporter (or rich miller) drinks at the Goat if she runs for mayor.”
And that’s from a guy who throws around nickels like they were manhole covers.
Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 1:51 pm
oh please, she’s not running. it’s just a rumor to try and scare another potential candidate from running. apparently the Mack truck that Rahm is driving cannot be large enough for his comfort, he has to keep warning other drivers that another large truck will enter the roadway.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:05 pm
This Whitney/Whitey thing is a big problem, mostly because it will confuse people who planned to vote for Rich Miller as a write-in who will now mark this choice thinking he made the ballot after all.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:08 pm
The question was not posed as to whether she would succumb to the DRAFT LISA FOR CHICAGO groundswell movement that is planned and orchestrated to commence at fever pitch on November 3rd.
The road to hell is paved with the best intentions. The road to the 5th floor of Chicago City Hall is paved with the best laid plans of mice and (wo)men.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:22 pm
If the nationwide trend collapses the Democratic control of the house, Rahm’s going to take the hit, which will mean lots of ammo for his opponents to use.
If it really starts to look bad for Rahmbo, the almighty powers that be might have to go to plan B. No way MJM lets Dart sneak in. I imagine it would take Lisa about a half a day to get the signatures.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:26 pm
===The fact that the Speaker gave the okay for Mike Kasper to be Rahm’s election lawyer would seem to be a pretty good indicator that Lisa’s not running. But… ===
That’s an interesting development. Especially if Burt Odelson is the attorney leading the charge challenging Rahms residency. Odelson vs Kasper is always interesting. Kasper is very smart but I don’t think as sharp as Burt. That fight will be interesting to handicap.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:30 pm
She’s not running, but its an easy way to get your name and face in the press’s favorite story 2 weeks before your election if someone tells Sneed you are. Good move.
If I were Rich Whitney I would be mad. But since I’m not, I think its one of the funniest typos ever.
Comment by Siriusly Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 2:45 pm
OK, I gotta ask. Is that Lisa Madigan’s photo on the audio feed or a commercial for Loreal?
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 3:02 pm
If anyone but Brady wins, I could easily see her reconsider, since whoever appointed would be a Democrat. It is still under a 10% chance it would happen. However, if Brady wins, no chance.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 3:03 pm
I submit that the Whitney typo is only inaccurate in the technical sense.
Comment by Dirt Digger Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 3:55 pm
Siriusly, somehow I doubt Lisa Madigan is too worried about the November election. That will be an easy victory, she doesn’t really need to be getting her face and name out there.
Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:04 pm
The advantage of Lisa being Mayor for Team Madigan is that it means MJM would feel less pressure to retire. She could conceivably be Mayor for 8 years and then run for governor whilst he stays running the House until 2018.
The disadvantage is that any time the State gave any money to Chicago the GOP would claim MJM was playing favorites. Therefore, making it more likely MJM would lose the house.
Therefore, I predict Lisa will stay as AG.
Of course I also thought Daley would run again.
Can you say Mayor Dart? I knew you could.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:17 pm
Anyone who is holding their horses for 2014 or 2018 will make it to neither.
Things change too fast in politics.
Comment by George Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:25 pm
==She could conceivably be Mayor for 8 years and then run for governor whilst he stays running the House until 2018.==
How many years out does this diabolical Madigan Master Plan go? Isn’t Lisa supposed to be president and on the Supreme Court, too?
They better be drinking unicorn blood, because their dance cards are full for about 100 years.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:29 pm
Wordie,
I don’t know how long the Madigan master plan goes for. I do know MJM doesn’t seem to want to retire anytime soon which does have an effect on Lisa’s plans.
Anyway Luis Guitterez is not running according to the Tribune Breaking News. Not a surprise.
I expect many more such announcements from the plethora of pathetic wannabee “Mare’s” in the next few weeks. Next Danny Davis and Brigid Gainer.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:39 pm
Da Mare’s race will soon be down to three serious candidates.
Dart.
Rahmbo.
Meeks.
Eventual winner?
Not Meeks.
Probably Dart.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:42 pm
Irishpirate, you may be right about a Mayor Dart. There is already a strong push back from the annointed one. People seem to be resenting being told who they should be for.
All I can say is that Dems better do better than projected, otherwise, I’m not sure what Emmanual will run on.
Helping elect a Republican House won’t exactly go over so well in Democratic Chi-town
Comment by Tom Dart's Curly Locks Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:48 pm
I just don’t see any natural constituency out there for Rahmbo. The only people who seem to like him are those who think we need a “strong hand” as Mayor. The man is just not likable. Of course Nixon wasn’t exactly warm and cuddly so “likable” may be overrated.
I also fully expect Ricky Hendon and Carol Mosley Braun to run. Someone has to provide the amusement and their egos are boundless. The question is will they pull more votes than Del Valle or Chico in a race to the bottom of the vote totals.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 4:59 pm
What I found interesting was the elections commission said that if the name had been anything but Whitey, they probably wouldn’t have to correct it. Say what? There are several variations of my name, none of which would be acceptable on a legal document. If your name is Gerald, would Harold be close enough?
Comment by PPHS Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 5:30 pm
I just told a guy at a bar the news about the Rich Whitey from the Green Party, and he damn near fell off his bar stool. God I love Illinois politics!
Comment by Betsy Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 6:00 pm
The crazy thing, this is probably the most media attention / publicity / name recognition Rich Whitney has gotten all campaign cycle.
He ought to write a check and a thank-you to the Chicago Board of Elections.
Comment by ZC Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 8:31 pm
Irish Pirate, you know there’s a certain Senator with a large tombstone who won’t be able to pass on this.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 10:20 pm
I wish Dorothy Brown would run for Mayor. She has done a great job as Clerk of the Court.
Comment by Faith Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 10:47 pm
Burris, Brown, and Braun. The three B’s. With a double “H” for Hollywood Hendon.
No wonder Meeks is the leading candidate in the black community.
I was hoping Kwame Raoul would run. Interesting background, Hyde Park, good speaker, could appeal to voters across the city. What happened to that guy who had the seat before him?
I’m not enamored of Tom Dart or his love for the camera, but compared to what I expect to be a rapidly declining field of political munchkins he looks like Paul Bunyan.
Now we just need to find the wizard behind the curtain.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Oct 14, 10 @ 11:42 pm