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Aaron Chambers had an excellent column last week that I missed until ArchPundit blogged it today.
…The same goes in Illinois. Public corruption is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem. It’s an Illinois problem. A huge problem. […]
“We don’t seem to be as mindful as we need to be about appearances of impropriety,†Obama told me.
Then, positioning himself above the fray, he added: “I can’t judge where there have been improprieties and where there haven’t been because I haven’t been intimately involved in what’s been happening in state and local politics over the past couple years.â€
Anybody following Illinois politics, even tangentially, knows what’s up in Illinois: Pols and their pals are gorging themselves at the public trough, and those pals are in turn helping the pols.
Illinois put Obama into the national spotlight. He could show his appreciation by putting its people before the gang.
First, as Aaron gently notes, Obama’s response is total bulloney. He doesn’t read the Chicago papers? He doesn’t check the TV news when he’s home? Give me a break.
Chambers connects Obama’s statements on Illinois corruption to political expediency - putting partisanship (he compares the political process to gang loyalty, which is absolutely correct) above the people.
The national media probably won’t start on this topic for a while, if ever, so it’s up to the Illinois outlets to keep the pressure on Obama. He’s so intensely popular and so widely covered here that even one comment from him might rattle the establishment to its core. It’s high time that he spoke out.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Yours?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:18 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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I would love to see him speak out about corruption in this state. Both parties are almost irredeemably corrupt.
But, Obama has to tread lightly. He needs Daley. Without Daley, he doesn’t stand a chance.
And Daley wants Obama. Its his chance to live up to Daddy’s legacy. Daddy crowned Kennedy king, this is Daley’s chance to be king maker.
If Daley flips to Clinton’s side, Obama’s done for.
Comment by jerry Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:25 am
I would love to see him speak out about corruption in this state. Both parties are almost irredeemably corrupt.
But, Obama has to tread lightly. He needs Daley. Without Daley, he doesn’t stand a chance.
And Daley wants Obama. Its his chance to live up to Daddy’s legacy. Daddy crowned Kennedy king, this is Daley’s chance to be king maker.
If Daley flips to Clinton’s side, Obama’s done for.
Basically, I don’t think its politically feasible at this point in time.
Comment by jerry Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:26 am
Obama was involved with a Rezko property issue. He also backed a state treasurer candidate who has a less-than-stellar ethical record. He had better watch himself on a national scale; after 2006, it’s clear that the voting public doesn’t like the Jack Abramoff/Karl Rove/Scooter Libby type of scandals. Obama had better hope that Alexi and Blago steer clear of public indiscretions.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:33 am
“I haven’t been intimately involved in what’s been happening in state and local politics over the past couple years”
Gee, why not, Senator? Too busy running for President to worry about what’s going on in the state you were elected to represent?
And, just for good measure - to anyone who questions whether the corruption of local and state pols in Illinois is a “federal issue” worthy of Senate attention, I’d remind you that it is FEDERAL PROSECUTORS (named by SENATORS and PRESIDENTS) who are busy investigating the violations of these FEDERAL CRIMES.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:53 am
This is not unexpected, yet Obama’s response is so short-sighted. This lame excuse doesn’t bode well for anyone looking to him for long-term vision, does it?
Obama has chosen to run as a virgin. He doesn’t have to, and he should probably shift gears away from the “Saint Obama” halo towards a newer image that takes into account his Illinois connections when his pals start making court news.
Obama needs to divorce himself from Illinois politics, so he can stay above the fray. He needs a much better story than to claim he has been out of circulation for the past 25 months. The story he told doesn’t sound right. You can’t claim ignorance and claim to be a major player too.
Where is Obama from? How did he get where he is today? These are not complicated questions to ask of any presidential candidate. I find it hard to believe that Obama is satisfied with answers like he has given so far. Feigned ignorance isn’t an attractive attribute in any candidate, even with Obama.
Obama’s Illinois connections are one of his weaknesses. While he continues to run as someone different, new, above partisan politics, this weakness will wreck this narrative. Obama needs to shift gears away from his “holier-than-thou” stands to avoid being pulled down by the continued revelations of his corrupted Illinois political mentors, connections and friends in the coming year before the primary season starts.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:54 am
Sorry for the back to back post….
but if the Senator really doesn’t know what’s going on in state and local politics, what the heck was he doing endorsing candidates for state and local offices (Treasurer, County Board Prez, Mayor)???
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:54 am
while i would agree with you about trying to stamp out corruption, and that obama’s voice on the subject could be a much-needed rebuke, he’s been an exceedingly cautious politician since i’ve lived here. i can’t see it happening…
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:58 am
I agree with the last post. I think people are going to grow tired of Obama’s “I don’t know what’s going on there, I haven’t looked into it” response. EVERYONE knows what’s going on.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:01 am
I like Obama and want to vote for him. That said, his comments are really bad. It’s bad to not be involved in his home town and state. And it’s bad to disavow his tacit role in supporting corrupt politicians. I was so hurt by his and Durbin’s letter supporting Todd Stroger. Then there are Mayor Daley and the Treasurer. I know Obama is a politician like all the rest of them, albeit with extra abilities and qualities, but come on! He’s disingenuous to try distancing himself while securing the political benefit of these maneuvers.
Comment by Ambulance chaser Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:04 am
I really think Obama would be better off not making ethics one of his platforms. He seems to want to have his cake and eat it to. His embracing of several Illinois politicians with questionable ethics but proven ability to generate boat loads of cash ie. Stroger, Daley, Blago leads me to this conclusion. He’d be better off keeping his mouth shut and smiling all the way to the bank.
Comment by Garp Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:07 am
I just want to say to those who hope Obama will use his popularity to address Illinois corruption to open their eyes and get real.
Obama is from Chicago. That just isn’t going to happen unless he is cornered and has to speak out. It isn’t necessarily his fault. It is the environment he was raised in. Believe it or not, he is a real person and a really successful politican. You can’t grow a Chicago candidate like him without having manure spread about.
Take a look at what happened to Blagojevich. He banked his entire campaign on reform. There are real reasons this state has seen two governors get stuck dealing with Federal prosecutors.
It is unrealistic to believe that Obama has gotten this far this fast without selling off his halo in the process. You better find another reason to vote for him if that is a big reason you support his candidacy.
He is not the petunia in the onion patch. Stop expecting a sweet smell and open your eyes. It is better for him if you start accepting him for who he really is. He won’t have to pretend, and you will have grown up in the process.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:07 am
Life on the campaign trail is now becoming a reality. He will get held accountable when he tries to have his cake (getting the support of the IL pols that he needs like Daley) and eat it too (trying to look like something new and different, meaning untainted by IL political muck).
Comment by oechmd Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:11 am
Rich,
Don’t forget, according to Matthew 21:12, Jesus waited until just days prior to the crucifixion before He drove the money changers from the Temple.
Messiahs work on their own schedules.
– SCAM
Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:29 am
LOL
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:31 am
He doesn’t read The Capitol Fax Blog on a daily basis? Give me a break.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:36 am
Obama could talk about corruption until his blue in the face, the mainstream media would report on it, and it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference. Look at the last gubernatorial election.
Funny, just days ago, a blogger was lamenting that Obama didn’t talk about reproductive rights in his announcement, and she got ripped to shreds. I think we have to accept — for now — that corruption is our “pet issue” on this site.
If the voters care, they’ve got a funny way of showing it.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:37 am
What, or who, is going to bite him in the butt is Tony Rezko. I’ve said it before and will say it again. I’d love to support Obama but he definitely has one tie to the rampant Illinois political corruption that’s going to come back to haunt him.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:42 am
springfield reporters have nothing better to write about so they keep rehashing this issue over and over — I should say, it’s a lot easier to write about ethics and corruption than others that also on the state’s frontburner. neither the dem nominee nor the next prez is going to get voted in on ethics. as someone pointed out earlier, illinois voters obviously don’t care enough and neither will voters in the prez election.
Comment by demgrrl Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:49 am
Public corruption is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem.
Not many Republicans left in Illinois to have problems.
Crushing defeat and starting all over has it’s advantages.
SCAM, first Lincoln, now Christ? This Messiah talks going to backfire.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:53 am
This may mean a lot to us reading and writing these posts, but I doubt if this will translate into anything of concern by the nationwide press (at least now while Iraq is the hot issue). Listening to network and local press coverage last Saturday there was some very brief mentioning of his working to reform campaign funding while he was a state senator. He got the reformer tag without any mention of just how little effect that limited legislation had on reforming Illinois politics.
If he can reap most of his campaign funding from outside of Illinois Obama can probably escape any connections with corruption in Illinois. And from reading liberal, national blogs during the revelations of his real estate deal, the great majority of liberal bloggers and commenters would not accept any of it as possibly being any fault of Obama. They laid all the blame on the reporters and the Chicago Tribune — a right wing smear job.
While Obama can probably count on the blind eye of partisan supporters and a very ineffectual and shallow national press during the primary season there is absolutely no guarantee that all these Illinois connections will not be dredged up during the main election.
Obama is very smart. He will not speak up about corruption in Illinois. Better to ride on Honest Abe’s image and dwell on hope and not despair. Unfortunately for us, we will hear more rehearsed and rehashed responses as we get further into the image building, sound bite process of campaigning. We may know about as much of Obama as we ever will right now. The last two presidential elections revealed that America is vastly capable of dumbing down the process of electing its president — a country left behind.
Comment by vole Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:00 pm
You’re correct. I think Obama has been hoarding his political capital. Perhaps good government and 0 tolerance for corruption should be one of the mainstays of his emerging movement.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:09 pm
…but I doubt if this will translate into anything of concern by the nationwide press (at least now while Iraq is the hot issue).
Clinton knows (and Rahm knows the details); and so do the students at UIC:
As U.S. Rep Jan Schakowsky introduced local and statewide office holders in attendance, the UIC Pavillion echoed with boos as the name of newly elected Cook County Board President Todd Stroeger was announced. It took Schakowsky several seconds to get the crowd back on the positive track
Stroger is going to dog him.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:13 pm
As for Obama being intensly popular, I look at this and he sure seems way down there with Edwards and Gore (Gore not even declared yet).
Reagan was a celebrity turned Pol. Obama is a Pol turned celebrity. I think he’s going to sink fast (just like celebrities on E! Hollywood Story).
I was forecasting Gore-Obama in 2008. After looking at the video of Obama.
Now I think Clinton’s going to keep the lead. Rahm one smart Pol (no celebrity he) and 2006 showed he can keep the dirt hidden until he wants to spring it on you.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:40 pm
Some people have been calling for Obama to speak out against the corruption in Illinois, Chicago, and Cook since his run for Senate in 2004. Was he not paying attention to Illinois then, when he was still a State Senator? Hired truck scandal that happened largely in his State Senate district, not a word. 19-year old porch inspectors related to union heads, not a word. Minority contract fraud, not a word. Endorsing Todd Stroger?
It’s been high time he spoke out for a good three years now. To quote our Governor, Obama “hasn’t lifted a finger.” Don’t hold your breath people, Obama will continue to ignore corruption, the politically connected getting rich off of our paychecks and doing the right thing for his own selfish political expediency.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:45 pm
Obama had a chance to speak out on corruption last election cycle and instead,he embraced those most intensley under the U.S. Attorney’s microscope.
If he can’t stand above this fray, which is quite a simple issue compared to those he could face as president, then he will be a huge disapointment.
Obama has created his own mess by positioning himself as outside the realm of all things political- lobbyists and special interests in particular, according to his announcement speech.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but he didn’t offer his apology on the Rezko deal until the media uncovered the story. And who will buy that he wasn’t aware of FBI raids on county buildings and indictments and plea deals? George Ryan’s trial and conviction brought these issues into the open.
And finally, Obama’s endorsement of Todd Stroger, in light of the way he received his nomination, reveals the greatest flaw in Barack’s judgement concerning political ethics. The fact that the public has not seen or heard from John Stroger since prior to his unfortunate stroke and decline in health is an absolute shame. The public was told that he would recover and take office and that it was okay to vote for him. The Mayor and other supporters all but criminalized anyone that inquired otherwise. Honest questions should have been answered, and voters were lied to. Obama endorsed that mess, that fraud and that disadvantage to voters. Most expect more of him.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 12:51 pm
Baar, I was referring to his popularity here, not nationally.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 1:05 pm
Judge by his actions. His track record, the latest including his endorsement of Daley for reelection, shows that he will make no statements whatsoever with any specificity about corruption in Illinois politics, short of a criminal conviction, at least with reference to any Democrat.
Miller, you should know that.
Comment by Conservative Republican Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 1:17 pm
It was a disingenuous thing to say. When corruption is so prevalent, blatant, even militant in Illinois. To say you don’t know about it means you are a liar or a fool. Especially if you are from Chicago.
I think the only smart play is to say he’s very aware and of course concerned, but that because of all the possibilites for spin and distortion from politics, he has to wait for the legal process to uncover what is verifiably true and false and to deal with it in court. To support that, he’d go on to say, if elected, he would increase the size and resources of the staff in the justice department to work these cases harder and faster than ever before. Because the people have cried out for it, for justice.
Now where is my campaign advisor check?:-)
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 1:38 pm
According to most SurveyUSA approval polls, Barack the Boat is always in the top 5 of in-state Senator approval ratings. That’s impressive, especially since he hasn’t done much (until now).
Barack can always tout his Senate ethics package that he and my boy John McCain pushed through last Spring. Nationally, names like Todd Stroger, Alexi Giannoulias, Rod Blagojevich, etc. have no real bearing. Even statewide, all three easily won their respective races in 2006. No matter how much controversy shrouded each candidate, they pulled through. And Barack had the golden touch in state legislative races, too. His pre-election rally for Mike Frerichs was a massive event.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 1:45 pm
I don’t think corruption is the number one issue. When someone commits a crime like the Hired Truck payoffs and George Ryan, they are prosecuted and go to jail. A lot of the discussion about “corruption” is really an issue of questionable ethics not criminal activity. Reporters and editors determine for us what they think is corruption and it doesn’t always line up with my values. For instance, I am much more concerned about the homeless, school inequality, prison reform, affordable housing, the war in Iraq, the health care crisis, job creation etc, etc. than I am about the veterans preference being skirted in a legal fashion.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 3:12 pm
I was sent this today by the Giuliani “Committee”:
From today’s USA Today:
“New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani have widened leads over their rivals in recent weeks as they began to openly campaign for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, according to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.
The survey taken Friday through Sunday — nearly a year before the first presidential primaries are held — shows Clinton with a 19-percentage-point edge over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama among Democrats and Giuliani with a 16-point margin over Arizona Sen. John McCain among Republicans.”
While the poll might have some very minor impact on the Fundraising Frenzy, no one should give a hoot about it, since this is only February 2007, and there is lots of fun yet to come.
More importanly, I don’t know much about the track record or method of USA Today polls by Gallup. Is it junk, or at all credible, from a polling standpoint?
Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 3:24 pm
I am much more concerned about the homeless, school inequality, prison reform, affordable housing, the war in Iraq, the health care crisis, job creation etc, etc. than I am about the veterans preference being skirted in a legal fashion.
The problem is the patronage types we get running things then, because rules are skirted, also don’t care a whole lot about …the homeless, school inequality, prison reform, affordable housing, the war in Iraq, the health care crisis, job creation etc, etc.
They just tell you they care; often, loudly, with great fanfare.
And they’ll call you a cynic if you question their message of hope
I remember Dan Walker so well, stopping by Rosary College in River Forest to speak on his long trek up from downstate, blue denim shirt, red bandana…. eventually you wake up and cynicism not such a nasty word.
Progressives have a tougher time than most figuring this out.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Bubs, if that’s a national survey then it’s absolutely worthless. There is no national primary.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 3:28 pm
My question is, why is Obama endorsing racist alderman Ginger Rugai (19th ward)? Here is a woman who tore down basketball hoops throughout the ward to keep young black males. She built cul-de-sacs off of 95th street to keep black motorists from “accidentally” going into North Beverly. She has neglected basic city services in the east side of the ward - predominantly black - and she has NEVER hired a black person for her staff or for the 19th Ward Organization (the ward is 30% black).
Comment by frustrated reformer Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 4:04 pm
In the months to come, after the hoopla from his announcement has faded, Obama could be in real trouble when the discussion comes back to his endorsements here at home (such as Toddler Stroger) or his failure to speak out on local corruption. There is no doubt in my mind that Hillary Clinton and other Democratic Presidential hopefuls will press him on these matters, for they are the weak links in his armor. They are also legitimate issues that must be answered if he is to have a shot of winning the Democratic nomination.
Comment by fedup dem Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 4:08 pm
I don’t see Obama’s endorsements or connection to Rezko hurting his primary run. The only folks paying any attention are right here ans even then it’s a small group. Just look at the last election as an example of how $$ and effective messaging overcame the taint of corruption. Illinois is not going to change folks. Real reformers rarely get elected and when they do, it’s lousy for them too (e.g.: former US Sen. Fitzgeral fighting the entrenched corrupt Republicans).
No, Obama will win or lose on other stuff. He has his faults but as it was said earlier, he looks like teflon. Can he simply out campaign Clinton who has her own “corruption” baggage?
Comment by Smack-o-cratic Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 4:24 pm
Quite true, there is no national primary. But even the “generic ballot” polls for Congress have some limited value, if accurate, as a gauge of the national view, though each race is separate.
So I guess my question is whether the poll has any credibility as a snapshot of current voter preference on a national level.
The question is more intellectual in nature, and for the future, as the political graveyard has a special, roped-off section for “People Who Led National Presidential Polls Before the Primaries Began.”
Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 4:26 pm
The problem for Obama with guys like Rezco and other corrupted Illinoians he has hitched his wagon to is that Hillary will have all the money in the world and will be able to demonize Rezco to the rest of the country and them make him out to be Obama’s mentor.
Smackocratic is right, money and effective messaging trumps reformers. The problem for Obama is that Hillary has it in spades.
Comment by Garp Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 4:48 pm
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen-Aaron Chambers gets down to the point, point blank.
Senator Obama’s response was exactly that baloney.
He’s part of the government “cold of silence”.
He know about corruption in Illinois in particular corruption in Child Support and the Governor’s Office of Executive Inspector General’s refusal to release copies of reports to complainants and whistleblowers.
In fact, I sent him the information and his office responded.
Now what?
Comment by One_Mcmad Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 5:00 pm
Anyone: Please list 5 past Presidents that successfully campaigned for office on the issue of corruption within their own party.
Everything said here may be good moral advice, or good policy advice (although its hard to believe that a tongue-lashing from Obama would actually lead to, say, tougher campaign finance laws), but it is not sound political advice.
Bottom line: You don’t secure the party’s nomination by attacking other party members, unless they are your opponent. Ask John McCain how many votes he picked up by attacking the Christian Right. As Mike Madigan is fond of saying “Politics is a game of addition, not subtraction.”
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 5:34 pm
YDD, that’s not my concern. If he’s gonna talk about issues like this, then he needs to be asked - and answer - questions about them. Period.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 5:43 pm
I can’t recall anyone blaming the elder Adlai Stevenson, or Paul Douglas, or Paul Simon for the past endemic corruption in Illinois politics at all levels of government.The Chicago electorate is givinmg Mayor Daley a free pass on municipal corruption. Daley and the other local Democratic party powerbrokers are respsonsible for Todd Stroger,not Obama. Let Fitzgerald take care of government corruption. It’s a shame that some want to hold the our “best and brightest” politicians accountable for the bipartisan corruption of the rest.
Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 5:45 pm
I disagree with Bill Baar’s response to anon 3:12 (that was me but I forgot to sign my name). First off, I have found most of the “patronage” workers to care as much if not more than the civil servants. It is definitely a mixed bag and generalities are difficult.
The second issue is that you say that the progressives are more likely to look the other way as long as there is fanfare for their issues. The right is equally as guilty. Just mention national security or a number of other issues and the right is blind.
Back to the issue of Obama. I think what people want to hear is he is going to work at solving problems not paying lip service. That means he won’t be asking for an economic disclosure form from everyone he has to make a deal with. But it also means he won’t limit his actions and decisions due to donations or other issues that do not relate to solving the issue. In other words a complex answer to a complex issue.
Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 6:29 pm
I came across this blog called Skeptical Brotha, he has a good story called Barack’s Betrayal, this site might be too radical for capfax but here goes
http://skepticalbrotha.wordpress.com/2007/02/13/baracks-betrayal/
Comment by Obama Axelrod Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 7:28 pm
Eventually Obama will have to address the issues of corruption within the Illinois Democratic Party heirachy and the merits (or lack thereof) of the candidates he has chosen to endorse locally. The other candiates seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination, particularly Hillary Clinton, are not going to let him get a free pass (nor should they).
Comment by Randall Sherman Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 9:46 pm
Agreed that the Rezko land issue will not affect Obama one bit. But the way he handled the issue and questions surrounding it made me think he is rather naive. I have noticed other occasions where his judgement seemed off/naive, I wish I could give a specific instance right now, but I’m to lazy to look.
Corruption issues will sink him if he has other “dealings” with Rezko & friends that come to light. I hope he is clean and not thinking that dealings with Rezko will affect him on a national level.
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 10:13 pm
Wow, the fans are starting to finally notice that the halo is made out of tin foil?
Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Feb 14, 07 @ 11:33 pm
Inattentativeness to state corruption is not a national wedge issue. However, the inevitable cycle of tearing down a celebrity after he/she is built up by the media looms in the future, and if it’s true that “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” then our senator has one heck of a free-fall in front of him, if he can’t avoid the trap. In that context, IL politics will only be a factor if it is picked up by a downward-rolling snowball.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Feb 15, 07 @ 12:47 am
I can’t recall anyone blaming the elder Adlai Stevenson, or Paul Douglas, or Paul Simon for the past endemic corruption in Illinois politics….
Maybe we would have had a President Stevenson or Simon if they had.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Feb 15, 07 @ 6:42 am
I can’t believe we are ranking people in Feb 07 when the first primary is…when. It is a lot of fun, no doubt, but the training wheels will come off the bicycles before the first 2008 snowstorm.
We might better be talking about the preversion of the electoral process by the early primary system. $2 Million a day to be raised before the real show gets on the road.
Here is a tiresome prediction. Obama will not be on the 2008 ticket. He will, if he learns how to ride the two wheeler, be Daley’s preference for for Guv in 2010. That will present an interesting juxtaposition with Lisa Madigan, who to date has done good work and, if she wants, can have the Senate nomination.
Comment by Truthful James Thursday, Feb 15, 07 @ 8:03 am
Daley, Bill, Rich and John Briatta Daley will haunt Obama when the Clintons go negative, the National media ends the honyemoon and does exposes and the Republicans start up.
Illinois corruption will haunt Obama.
Also, Obama and his pick for US Attorney and a perception it will protect Daley.
Locally, many liberals and good government types love Obama but hate Stroger, Stroger was booed at the announcement. Obama endorsing Stroger and having him anywhere near him hurts Obama.
Finally, the Daley BURGE connection and the silence of Obama on Police torture in Area 2 and 3 increases the perception that Obama is not Black enough or does not care about corruption.
The Burge torture is not going away anytime soon.
Comment by McWeeney Thursday, Feb 15, 07 @ 12:47 pm