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Jackson wants to give big bucks to wife’s campaign

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Polls

* Congressman Jackson hopes to expand the family empire…

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is seeking the go-ahead from the Federal Election Commission to help write the final chapter in a high-profile family feud that has roiled Democratic politics in Chicago for years: the Jacksons vs. the Beaverses.

The Illinois Democrat wants the FEC to determine whether he can provide financial backing from his reelection committee to the campaign of his wife, Sandi, for 7th Ward committeeman of the Cook County Democratic Party. The post is currently held by William Beavers, whose daughter, Darcel, was crushed by Sandi Jackson last February in the race for 7th Ward alderman. […]

The seven-term lawmaker said he would be willing to give $100,000 or more to his wife’s party campaign if that’s what it would take to win.

* I’ve had the results of a poll in that committeeman’s race for a couple of weeks, but completely forgot about them. The survey of 382 respondents was conducted for Ms. Jackson in early October by Lester & Associates…

Suppose the democratic primary election for 7th Ward Committeeman held today and the candidates were William Beavers and Sandi Jackson — for whom would you vote?

Jackson 69
Lean Jackson 3
Beavers 16
Lean Beavers 1
(Don’t know / Not sure) 11

Total Jackson 72
Total Beavers 17

Generally speaking, would you say William Beavers deserves to re-elected as 7th Ward Committeeman or would you say it is time for someone new?

Reelect 17
Someone new 71
(Don’t Know / Not Sure) 12

Would you say you approve or disapprove of the job William Beavers is doing as 7th Ward Committeeman?

Approve 25
Disapprove 49
(Don’t Know / Not Sure) 26

The poll also found that Mayor Daley was viewed favorably by 73 percent of people in the ward, while Congressman Jackson was viewed favorably by 82 percent, Ald. Jackson was viewed favorably by 75 and Bill Beavers was viewed favorably by just 36 percent and 42 percent viewed him unfavorably. Download the poll here.

* Meanwhile, if you had any doubts that the DCCC was serious in its targeting of freshman Republican Peter Roskam, then check this out…

Congressman Peter Roskam is one of seven Republican Congressmen targeted in radio ads by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for his vote backing President Bush’s veto of an expansion of a children’s health insurance program.

The DCCC said it bought a week’s worth of radio ads on a syndicated traffic and weather report that runs on dozens of Chicago radio stations.

The ad says “Did you know Congressman Roskam gets health care at taxpayers’ expense, but Roskam and Bush are blocking health care for 10 million uninsured children? Tell Peter Roskam to put kids first,” according to the DCCC. […]

In a prepared statement, Roskam said he supports reauthorizing SCHIP, but is opposed to its expansion, which he claims will cover “countless adults and illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense.”

* As I’ve told you before, Jill Morgenthaler is the Democrats’ candidate to run against Roskam. Morgenthaler’s primary opponent isn’t exactly a serious contender. Otherwise, she might have to answer for this…

Morgenthaler said that she normally backs Democratic candidates, but according to state election records, she voted in Republican primaries in 2002 and 2005, and only began voting in the Democratic primary last year.

You can see her voting history here. I’ve had it for a few days, but got busy with other things. Her campaign said in response: “If you want someone who can and will work work for people of both political parties, Jill is your girl.”

* Morgenthaler is resigning tomorrow from her state post as homeland security director, which brings up this problem…

She will also have to distance herself from Blagojevich, who has taken a beating over questionable campaign contributions and allegations he dispensed no-bid contracts to benefactors. […]

“She’s going to try and run as an outsider, but there’s stuff that she’s going to be tagged with in the Blagojevich world that could trip her up, message-wise,” said one Illinois Democratic operative. “It’s certainly not fatal, but it’s a distraction.”

* And, of course, this…

Meanwhile, her involvement as a spokeswoman for the Army during Abu Ghraib drew controversy even before she announced her candidacy.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:07 am

Comments

Here we go again. Roskam has positions, but the DCCC ads once again take us into the realm where “Politics is War by other means.”

It is not. Politics is the art of compromise within and across party lines for the benefit of the people.

Comment by Truthful James Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:15 am
Does Morgenthaler’s campaign do her any favors by referring to her as “a girl”.

Comment by Mark Johnson Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:15 am
I will remind any would-be Republican slime-thrower that Col. Morganthaler’s predecessor as state homeland security director (also appointed by Gov. Blagojevich) was the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor in 2002. As sleazy and worthless as he is, Blagojevich has shown at least enough sense not to mess with a couple of state agencies, homeland security being one of them.

Comment by fedup dem Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:17 am
As a Democrat, I can say that I would never vote for Morgenthaler. Pulling republican primary ballots, particularly when one works for a governor of the other party, is absolutely unacceptable. I would defend any republican who made the same argument that I’m making.

What a shame that Tammy wouldnt run again. She was our best hope to beat Congressman Roskam.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:18 am
Importing the female veteran candidate is getting a little old in IL-6

Comment by ANON Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:23 am
Switching around, working for Rod, a Republican District that went for Roskam in a terrible year for Republicans…she’s got her work cut out for her.

Her ties to Blago are certainly not going to help her…did she support the GRT…what about the corruption factor? Lots to overcome…

Comment by SalukiDog Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:24 am
I would take Sandi over Beavers anyday. For that matter I would pick Sandi over Jr if she ever decided to take on her hubby.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:25 am
Sandi Jackson v. Beavers will be a very interesting race. I admit that I can’t stand Beavers. However, the race is about who is best at building at Dem organization and turning out Dem voters. Beavers, as bad as he is for Cook County, is pretty good at turning out voters.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:25 am
I wonder how long the Jacksons and the Beavers have been feuding. I know the Jacksons have business with the Shaws. The Beavers and Jacksons seemed to have to started just before Sandi ran and DEFEATED a Beavers for Alderman.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:30 am
Nevermind the Politico article answered my question. Oops!

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:38 am
===Beavers, as bad as he is for Cook County, is pretty good at turning out voters.===

For whom?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 9:48 am
Rich,

I haven’t taken a close look at ward by ward numbers recently, but my recollection is that Beavers did well in producing votes for the Dems — in terms of total number of voters, percentage turnout for the ward, and percentage for the Dem candidates.

If somebody has numbers to counter that, I would like to see them.

That is a huge part of the job of the committeeman.

I don’t have much use for Beavers, but he does turn out the vote. I don’t want him on the County Board and I don’t want his daughter in the City Counsel, but Committeeman? That’s a much closer call.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 10:05 am
He didn’t do too well for his daughter this year.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 10:05 am
“He didn’t do too well for his daughter this year.”

Sure. But that was Dem v. Dem.
The issues for Dem. committeman are:
1. Total general election votes for Dems,
2. Percentage of ward voting; and
3. Percentage of ward voting Dem.

Beavers does well on all three.

I am certainly not endorsing Beaver. I am just saying that, as much as I respect both Cong. Jackson and Ald. Jackson, they both need to show that they can produce votes for candidates not named Jackson.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 10:11 am
William Beavers is a poltical dinosaur whose fate will be similar to the Shaws when they ran against candiodates supported by Jacksons.

Those approval/disapproval numbers speak volumes about the likely outcome of the Committeeman’s race.

Alderman Sandi Jackson will be the next Committeeman. I doubt that Beavers will be re-elected to the Cook County Board next time. he’s going to go down in flames with Todd Stroger. he definitely won’t be missed on the County Board.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 10:28 am
Jackson: I’m not comfortable when families decide to rule over a community. I don’t care how benevolent they seem, it just isn’t right to encourage this and too often these family fiefdoms end up hurting more than helping. Dynasties often don’t stimulate community growth. Enough with the Bushes, Clintons, Daleys, Jacksons, and these other family dynasties!

Beavers enjoys being a political player, and probably is envious of the inherited goodwill enjoyed by the Jackson family. Jr was raised in privilege and wealth far removed from the District he represents, so it is natural that Jackson will instill frustration and envy from home-grown political players.

Morganthaler: Morganthaler has too many hills to climb. Whenever an individual decides to run for office, we all benefit, so we ought to be grateful for someone with her background. But Roskam has a real edge over her. Voters are not particularly interested in removing a new Congressman after one term. Roskam survived the 2006 election, and 2008 will be easier. Morganthaler is a very good candidate, so I wish her the best. The Democratic Party can use many more like her in order to restore any credibility being lost under Pelosi and Reid.

Finally the DCCC ad: It is a wash politically to attack Roskam as some kind of Simon Legree. The accusation that someone dislikes children is impossible to believe, so the ads are tone-deaf and silly. Bush is not running in 2008, and in many ways, is already history. The angry pimple that Democrats hope will raise their numbers to repeat 2006 was popped when they took control over the US Congress. Pelosi and Reid are still on the ticket in 2008, so they will become the focal point of policy failures. Voters look to the future, and a poll-driven pandering Democratic Congress and their failures will become the concern. The situation in Iraq has changed. This will help Morganthaler, but hurt Democrats. The top two Democratic presidential candidates are no longer proposing withdrawl fantasies, which reflect the new realities in Baghdad.

I think citizens are also tired of partisans hiding behind children, widows, grieving mothers, photos of aborted fetuses and the disabled. This guilt-approach kills meaningful debate. Just how great can political leadership be when it decides to hide behind kids instead of speaking to us as adults? So the DCCC ad has little impact at this point, and it ends up being a waste of money.

This is Roskam’s race to lose. Morganthaler will have to make her own breaks and hope Roskam doesn’t mention her old bosses and her political party.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 10:59 am
I watched the 6th CD race last year from Springfield. The amount of money involved was obscene. If the DCCC is serious about trying to take Roskam out, and if you include Debbie Halvorson’s candidacy, it’s not inconceivable that the DCCC and the DNC could pump $4 million into both districts next year. There will be Congressional staffers pouring in, and field ops from both sides will swarm like locusts.

Kirk also has to watch his back. Seals could take him out, too. It could be a banner year for the DCCC here in Illinois.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 11:59 am
Team Sleep - the real banner year for the DCCC will be the next redistricting. Illinois will lose another seat and we will go from 19 to 18. The current make up is 10 D, 9 R. With Rahm Emmauel at the helm of the redistricting and no Denny Hastert to make a deal with, I would fully expect the Dems to set the new map of 14 D and 4 R. The last map was an incumbent protection one but we had Henry Hyde and Hastert to take care of. With this political climate and the Dems new found ability to run and win in the Collar counties (i.e, Melissa Bean). look for a GOP wipe out here.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 12:24 pm
With poll numbers like that, assuming the poll was done properly, she won’t need $100,000.

And as for turning out Dem votes in the 7th Ward in general elections, a vacant committeeman could do as well as Beavers has done.

Game over for the Hog with the Big Nuts.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 1:10 pm
Ill be more impressed when Jessie Jr steps up and takes on the stroger machine. Beavers is past his prime and is out of touch. This is all Jr. trying to put the pieces in place for 2011. He has done very well in backing his own slate in smaller elections on the southside and south suburbs, where he has been feuding with the shaws for years. But Jr has never taken the leap and tried to move up from his congresman post will he finally make his move.

Comment by FED UP Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 1:13 pm
Fed Up Dem 9:17…

The Carl Hawkinson angle will influence, ummm, maybe 0 or 1 votes in this race. Carl who?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 1:36 pm
Paddy, I agree. I hope the gerrymandering mess is sorted out and possibly even challenged at the federal level. It’s not sour grapes, but rather fair representation. The same goes for GOP and Dem seats alike, so I’m not sniping about any of the seats currently held by Dems. Some of the GOP districts are just silly.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 2:03 pm
Ha Ha Ha,Beavers is going to be creamed. Also on another note I am surprised to see that the ward is very pleased with Daley seeing that in the past mayoral election, he only received 54% of the vote in that ward. In case tou aren’t familiar with Chicago Municipal Elections, 54% of the vote is pretty low for “da mare”.

Comment by JakeCP Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 4:20 pm
The Jackson organization has produced votes for many Reps. and Senators as well as a pretty impressive constitutional officer. In addition, they have supported many judges who coasted into office with Jackson support. Their influence goes far beyond the 7th ward.It is no contest for Sandi in the committeeman race.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 6:07 pm
I think Morganthaler is in a bit of a bind on Iraq.

As a female public affairs colonel I can easily believe she was given the mushroom treatment. She didn’t know what was happening and she just said what she was told to say.

But, if she was kept in a cocoon in Iraq, what makes her more qualified to run for Congress than any of the people who actually live in the district?

Tammy Duckworth was obviously somebody on the front lines. While being on the front lines doesn’t make you more knowledgeable about the big picture, it does tend to mean your opinions have to get somewhat consistent with what’s really happening.

Public affairs people are conceivably more clueless about Iraq than people back in the United States who actually read. If you need an example of this, look at the colonel with is the spokesman for Gen. David “Political Hack” Petreaus.

I’m curious about why Morganthaler migrated from the GOP to the Dems. If she can provide a credible explanation that will probably be good enough for activists.

If her explanation sounds like, “Well, I wanted a job with the state and it seemed like being a Republican wasn’t cool anymore,” then I predict Morganthaler won’t get much volunteer support.

It’s a different situation in 2008 than 2006. Activists will have more choices for which to volunteer and the presidential campaign will probably try to get as many as possible to schlep to Wisconsin and Iowa, since the political generals are always trying to win the last election.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 6:14 pm
Sketter… with numbers like that, the “Hog” is going to get his —s roasted. Do you really think Beavers will do any better then his daughter against Jackson? And do you really think he will spend $100,000 or more to keep the job? Nope

Comment by anon Wednesday, Oct 31, 07 @ 8:53 pm
Sandi won’t need anywhwere near $100k. During the Feb Ald. elections you can easily make the argument that Sandi “beat” Bill Beavers in that election. These poll numbers certainly support that her pop was her greatest liability. With no base (as if he ever really ever had one), he will serve out his last 2 years on the County Board and mercifully be out of local politics forever. Goodbye Hog Nuts, and Good riddance!

Comment by Reality Check Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 12:19 am
This is not difficult. Beavers is out. Jackson is in. Beavers loses his Commissioner’s spot next. Game over.

Comment by anon Sunday, Nov 4, 07 @ 12:00 am