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Â· “Republican candidates for governor could always count on support from former Gov. James R. Thompson, a GOP member who held the state’s highest office longer than anyone. But it’s apparently a different story in 2006.”

Â· Washington: Todd Stroger is keeping mum for a reason — he doesn’t have much to say.

Â· Now the docs are complaining about WalMart.

Â· No offense to a usually great blog, but how do you criticize two polling outfits right after you announce that a new poll is out for which you do not divulge the head-to-heads? Weirdest poll story in a long while. According to the post, Gov. Blagojevich’s latest poll has him ahead of Topinka by “double digits.” We know there were 604 likely voters questioned, we know the margin of error, we know 22 percent are undecided, but we aren’t told the actual results or even the point spread. Like I said. Weird.

Â· Actually, most of the bloggers complained that the guv was referencing a “little African-American girl” over and over in his retelling of the goofy story, not that he retold the goofy story. But it’s nice to be noticed.

Â· Judy Cellini denies politics played a role in director’s ouster. And the SJ-R has posted the lawsuit online. [pdf file]

Â· Editorial: Ethics law sounds good, but it leaves public in dark

Â· Laborers, politicians break ground on new union headquarters in Marion

Â· Web site highlights movie sets in Illinois

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 5:02 am

Comments

Big Jim Thompson staying at a distance in the political fray for governor is really not as large a loss for Topinka as it would have been ten years ago. Big Jim is no longer held at the same high level of esteem by the voters as he was 10-15 years ago. His personal and business relationships with key Democrats such as Blagojevich make him suspect to most of the GOP voters. Also, his decision to defend at any cost the stained and tainted reputation of his close friend, George Ryan futher made Illinois GOP voters wary of who the real Jim Thompson really was. John Kass summed it up best with his name “the combine”.

Jim Edgar still carries the GOP voter’s respect. The only thing that Big Jim would bring to the table for Topinka is money for her campaign contributions. Big Jim’s endorsement of Judy would be more of a negative to her than a positive. Judy would miss Big Jim’s endorsement about as much as she would miss George Ryan refusing to publicly endorse her. “Thanks but no thanks, fellas!”

Comment by Beowulf Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 6:33 am
I find it puzzling that the governor continues to whip out this bon mot of his in situations that make no sense. It is a poor response to the daily revelations about improprieties in hiring, and it makes it seem like he’s laughing off the seriousness of the allegations.

With all the millions the campaign has, you’d think he’s spend a few on a better joke writer, to create some fresh and topical material. Well, he was going to; they interviewed several nationally-known comedians and humor writers, but eventually they went with the inexperienced son-in-law of a large campaign contributor.

Comment by look, It's mayor Daley Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 7:55 am
Rich, can we assume that Peter Hart pitched this story, and its 44-34? That’s a double-digit lead with 22% undecided.

I wonder what the numbers look like with Rich Whitney on the ballot?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 8:35 am
I’ve been saying for some time that Thompson supports Blagojevich, it’s been clear from a number of comments he has made in recent years.

But in addition to being an elderly, overweight
Illinois pol with perhaps a few ethical issues (Hollinger), his very close association with George Ryan probably wouldn’t make him the most desirable high-profile supporter for JBT. So I agree with others that she is likely better off without heavy support from him.

Let’s just hope that if she wins, he doesn’t resurface as a power that be. His day is over.
Let him go.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 8:49 am
Who is Judy Cellini?

Comment by Shelbyville Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 10:01 am
Please, Big Jim doesn’t carry any weight.

Oh yeah, this is great for Judy, too. There is no way she can lose now. I’ll bet she’s tickled pink that Thompson isn’t backing her.

I wonder how much support Big Bill Cellini is going to throw her way. If he doesn’t lend a hand, I’m sure that’ll be good for her campaign, too.

You people are too funny.

Comment by B Hicks Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 10:06 am
Wheeling and Palatine Township Dem Committemen had an interesting LTE in Sunday’s Trib — let the people interested in filling the rest of Stroger’s term and replacing him on the ballot tell their potential constituents what their plans and ideas are. And then let the Dem committeemen vote on that.

Let Davis, Steele and Stroger the Younger tell us what they’d do….

Comment by NW burbs Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 12:43 pm
Does Todd Stroger have any successes in his life? He looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

Do people understand that this is a $3 billion budget that is being given as an inheritance?

What would it take for Per-a-ic-o to win?

Comment by Cathy Santo's Left Butt Cheek Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 1:35 pm
Â· Editorial: Ethics law sounds good, but it leaves public in dark

“Business as Usual!”

Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 2:46 pm
Judy Cellini may well be a sister of Bib Bill Cellini — he of Springfield Ramada Renaissance fame. If so, she was a member of the Republican cabinet staff for Jim Edgar.

Jim (aka the Eunuch of Charleston) has come out of his den saying all Judy B needs is to get democrat women votes — she does not need the Republican Conservatives. Which is one reason she is at 34%. Sounds like little Jim is leading GOP Illinois down to defeat.

Comment by Truthful James Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 3:48 pm
Cong. Mark Kirk, AG Lisa Madigan, State Treasurer & GOP Gov. candidate Judy Baar Topinka, and state senators Jeff Schoenberg and Ira Silverstein all spoke today at a Jewish Federation rally at Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago in solidarity with Israel as it receives blow after blow by terrorist organzations operating in south Lebanon and Gaza. 5,000 people attended the rally at which Jewsih Federation officals and the Israeli Counsel General to the Midwest also spoke. Notably absent, Rod.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 4:28 pm
In Response to Niles Township, Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica was there, also in attendance was State Senator Dan Cronin and State Senator Iris Martinez, as well as Mrs. Blagovich all in support of Israel in there time of need ! I know for a fact that Peraica,Martinez and Cronin are huge supporters of Israel and there right to exist in the Middle East. As a Jew, I am grateful that these Polititcians were present and standing with Israel in there time of need. I urge all jewish voters to remeber who was standing with us,Peraica, the Governor,Topinka,Kirk, Sen. Iris Martinez,Sen. Cronin, and others.Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Comment by Sephardic Monday, Jul 17, 06 @ 10:41 pm