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The Sun-Times editorial page sends a warning to potential third-party gubernatorial candidate Sen. James Meeks.
But in reaching out to the conservative wing of the GOP in considering a run as an independent, Meeks is playing a high-stakes game that could have serious consequences — not only politically but also for the interests of African Americans that the pastor of the Salem Baptist Church is trying to promote. […]Would Meeks, in his spoiler’s role, want to threaten further such gains by drawing votes from Blagojevich and helping get him defeated in November?
Meeks espouses conservative social values by being opposed to abortion and gay marriage, and is appealing to conservative Republicans to support his candidacy, meaning he could also possibly draw some votes away from GOP nominee Judy Baar Topinka, a moderate on these issues.
Coming to the support of Meeks, some South Side aldermen have accused Blagojevich of selling the black community short. Meeks can only hope, when all is said and done, the charge doesn’t stick to him instead — that the positive value of his insertion into the gubernatorial race isn’t overwhelmed by the negatives. And Blagojevich would be ill-advised to ignore the challenge a Meeks candidacy poses and the very real issues he raises.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 3:42 am
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Typical. A group tries to assert itself, which might mean upsetting the nice little game everyone is enjoying and proftting from, and they are ‘warned’.
This smacks of both racism and cronyism on behalf of the Sun Times.
Comment by Leroy Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 5:40 am
Tell the folks in Englewood what a great job a Democratic Party run city is doing for them.
About time somebody upset the game.
Comment by Bill Baar Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 5:49 am
If Meeks were smart, he would take up the cause for not only inner city poor schools, but rural poor schools. This NLKJr. type move would build him a bigger base and show that he is not oblivious to other races.
As for the Sun Times, this is very condosending. We see how wonderful the democrats have helped make black communities, now someone threatens to do something about it. He basically wants something in return for the 90% voting clip and for the Dems to stop taking Blacks for granted. Get back on the plantation boy!
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 5:56 am
Pay attention it’s all about blackmail for dollars not forming a third party.TRANSLATED He ain’t running.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 5:59 am
I applaud the effort by Reverend James Meeks to actively seek to make his views and concerns known to others in the state. It is his right. He dares to question the status quo. Instead of whining about an issue, he is actively seeking to address the problem.
I am not sure that he has the horses necessary to achieve his goals. I also doubt that he will attract any other conservative GOP candidate to share his vision. What he will accomplish is in getting Blagojevich to suddenly listen very carefully and respectfully to Reverend Jim Meek’s “wish list”. The threat of losing any votes to a Meek’s candidacy in a November election that Blagojevich knows is going to be too close to call will be very intimidating to Governor Blagojevich.
Comment by Beowulf Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 6:02 am
Let’s not forget this Meek’s Jewel:
R. Kelly indicted on 21 counts of child pornography
Famed singer R. Kelly was recently indicted on child pornography charges stemming from a videotape that officials say shows the Grammy Award-winning star having sex with an underage girl.
A grand jury charged Kelly, whose first name is Robert, with 21 counts of child pornography, said Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine.
-snip-
After surrendering to Chicago authorities, Kelly, his lawyer and his spiritual advisor, the Rev. James Meeks, went to Meeks’ Salem Baptist Church where Kelly sang for a graduating kindergarten class. Genson said Kelly’s appearance did not violate the terms of the singer’s Florida bond, which said he must stay away from children other than his own. Genson added that the Florida bond issue was now irrelevant in Illinois. Meanwhile, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has referred the matter to Criminal Court Presiding Judge Paul Biebel.
-snip-
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_1_102/ai_87855295
R. Kelly’s Kindergarten Concert
by Marcus Errico
Jun 10, 2002, 4:00 PM PT
R. Kelly’s first post-arrest concert might get him in a heap of trouble.
Just hours after the singer was arrested by Chicago police, rung up on child-pornography charges and released on bail, he reportedly performed with a group of kindergarten students–seemingly a violation of a judge’s order barring Kelly from coming into contact with any unrelated minor.
Kelly, 35, was booked Friday in his hometown on 21 counts of child pornography stemming from a much bootlegged underground videotape purportedly showing him having sex with a 14-year-old. The Grammy winner faces up to 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. Kelly has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence.
Following his processing at a police station, according to the Chicago Tribune, Kelly was accompanied by his lawyer, Ed Genson, and spiritual adviser, the Reverend James Meeks, to Meeks’ parish, the Salem Baptist Church, where a group had gathered to sing a Kelly composition with the beleaguered songsmith.
Included in the group of about 1,000 people were two dozen kindergarteners. Kelly led the group in the performance.
-snip-
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,10078,00.html?newsrellink
Comment by wndycty Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 6:50 am
At what point does Rev. Meeks church lose its tax exempt status?
Comment by CBM Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 7:06 am
The coalition that Meeks is trying to put together (though perhaps not succeeding in the attempt) is precisely the direction that the state needs to go in. The combination of downstate and suburban “moral values” voters with the African-American base should have happened years ago, and–once it happens–will reshape Illinois politics in its image.
Can’t happen soon enough for some of us.
Comment by downstate republican Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 8:49 am
Of course, given the current state (and ideological rigidity) of the Democratic party the only logical home for such a coalition is under the GOP tent.
Meeks should build the coalition as best he can, but if he really is serious about his principles he should endorse Topinka in late October…
Comment by downstate republican Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 8:56 am
Thge Sun-Times editorial board sounds pretty worried for Blago. Why is that?
Comment by Bubs Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 9:37 am
Meeks’ threat is the result of the shameless pandering Blago has indulged in over the last 4 years. And Rod’s pandering to the black community has been the most shameless.
$1 million in tax dollars to replace a black church - no problem! Stand by a hate mongering acolyte that you appointed to a hate crimes panel - can do! Supporting a black dinosaur spendthrift over a white professional reformer as County Board President - why of course!
Feeding the tiger only makes him more hungry. If Blago knew how to say “no” to this constiuency - even on occasion - Meeks might have thought twice about this blackmail ploy. But Meeks and the black caucus know this Gov will cave any day, any time.
Meeks is right to play this card. The Sun-Times editorial is a joke. Perhaps the editorial board should spend a little more time analyzing how the Governor’s cartoonish politicking got him into this predicament in the first place.
Run Meeks Run.
Comment by phocion Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 10:14 am
I hear alot of Republicans cheering for Meeks to run. How many support more money for Chicago schools? How many support a 2% increase in the income tax? How many support a continued moratorium on the death penalty? How many support a ban on assault weapons? How many will actually vote for Meeks in November?
My bet is zero, zilch, nada, goose eggs and zip.
Not that I blame you guys for trying. I cheered loud and hard for Alan Keyes to run. But Meeks should be wary of the old rope-a-dope.
Want to convince me and Meeks that this isn’t just talk? Put your money where your mouth is and mail him a check to finance his bid. Let him see all of those contributions pouring in from DuPage County, Sangamon County, Effingham County for $25, $50, $100. Show him he’ll have the grassroots support needed for a successful bid. Otherwise, you guys are the ones insulting Meeks’ intelligence.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 10:32 am
YDD, maybe Meeks should just take it from the collection plate.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 11:19 am
Phocion 10:14 is right on the money. “Feeding the tiger only makes him more hungry.” I agree 100 percent. This shameless pandering is just disgusting. Am I alone on this?
Comment by swede Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 11:57 am
[…] Sen. James Meeks potential third-party candidacy for Governor is garnering criticism for being about nothing except spoiling things for Blagojevich. […]
Pingback by IlliniPundit.com » Blog Archive » Roundup (4/3/06) Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 12:16 pm
Considering the outcry/boycott threat from the African-American community over the Steinberg column on Stroger a few weeks ago, I wonder if this will create a similar reation. Sounds to me like they’re patting Meeks on the head and telling him not to make waves. This is more offensive than Steinberg.
Comment by Bluefish Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 1:25 pm
Phocion, you sound like nothing more than a bitter Claypool supporter. Should Meeks run? Personally, I say no - unless he wants to hand the governorship to JBT, because he has set himself up to play the spoiler, but that’s about it. If he felt this strongly about his issues, he should have ran in the primary as a Dem.
Comment by AverageJoe Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 1:38 pm
“At what point does Rev. Meeks church lose its tax exempt status? ”
When politicians stop fearing religous leaders.
Comment by Big Mike Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 3:25 pm
Meeks will crumble by early summer. The legislative Black Caucus will settle for crumbs.
Comment by Joe Citizen Monday, Apr 3, 06 @ 7:18 pm