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Another look at the horse race

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Illinois

* This is true…

Nearly a dozen Senate Democrats are either talking about or being talked about for the seat of Senate President Emil Jones, who announced Monday he is stepping down when his term expires in January.

* This is humorous, but almost true…

“There are 37 members and the last I counted, there’s probably about 36 of them who’d like to have the position,” said Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago). “That one person who says they don’t want it is probably lying.”

* This is a targeted leak…

Sneed: State Sen. John Cullerton, a popular top Dem who is also thisclose to House Speaker Mike Madigan, is emerging as the leading contender to replace outgoing Senate President Emil Jones.

* This is incomplete…

Five Senate Democrats have been courting support for the Senate president post: Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston, John Cullerton of Chicago, Terry Link of Vernon Hills, James Clayborne of Belleville, and Rickey Hendon of Chicago.

* This is also probably true…

Trotter also predicted there’d be no quick agreement on a president. A formal vote won’t occur until new lawmakers take office in January.

“I dont’ think it’s gong to be anytime soon,” Trotter said.

* True but funny…

State Sen. John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat also interested in the presidency, walked by reporters and quipped: “It’s kinda hard to campaign with you guys in front of us.”

* Too early to tell…

Many of his colleagues called Senator James Clayborne of downstate Belleville one of the frontrunners.

* Not sure yet how many votes he has, but you can be sure that it isn’t nearly enough…

But North Sider John Cullerton says he’s assembling a coalition of supporters that includes downstaters.

“I have support from all over, not just in Chicago. I think it can bring about a different atmosphere down here,” Cullerton said.

* Keep this in mind…

Others, such as Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, could be suspect because of his Madigan ties. And another leading contender, Sen. James Clayborne, D-East St. Louis, has a history of sponsoring odious anti-consumer legislation on behalf of tobacco companies and telecommunications giants.

* I doubt he’d even have a second for his nomination if the vote was held today…

Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Cicero Democrat exploring his chances at Jones’ post, agreed “the needs of the people” should trump support for Blagojevich. Jones’ unfailing support for the troubled governor has been “an impediment,” he said.

* Good idea…

“There’s some quality people over there that we would hope would become president that would work with us,” Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville. “That’s not the way it’s been. We welcome the change.”

Potential Jones replacements echoed that theme, saying they want to ease hard feelings and make the legislative process work more smoothly.

“I think it’s time that the Senate governs. We need to just focus on that, and try to put some of the personalities behind us. We’ll work together and move forward,” said Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park.

* This may or may not happen…

A president must be chosen before a new Senate is seated in January. Democrats downplayed potential discord with half-a-dozen or more candidates.

“Smarter minds will prevail, and those who don’t have an opportunity will come together for unity in the Senate Democratic party,” said Sen. James Clayborne (D-Belleville).

* Fritchey gets the last word…

“I don’t think Henry Kissinger, let alone a new Senate president, can bring the governor and speaker together,” said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago.

* Related…

* Tribune editorial: Replacing Emil Jones

* SJ-R editorial: Won’t be missing Senate prez - Jones’ retirement creates opportunity for better leadership in the Legislature - a Downstater, perhaps?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:32 am

Comments

I suspect many hopefuls will argue that Cullerton has been too close to Madigan in the past and that his election would make the Senate subservient to the house. True or not, it could be a good argument.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:36 am
Who was the Speaker before Emil? Bsically, I want to know whose turn it is. It seems Chicago is about keeping different groups happy. Will the speaker be
a. White
b. Black
c. Hispanic
d. Woman

I do know there was some noise made about racial hiring when Cline retired from the CPD. I know this is the state we are talking about, but Chicago has a huge % of say being that it is Chicago. Any secret meetings and alliances being formed?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:38 am
If its Cullerton the antics of the Gov can be effectively neutralized. I am not sure how much juice the Gov or hsi allies have with other Senate Dems or the Senate Repubs, but Cullerton looks to be the fight to watch.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:42 am
“Humerous” like one’s funny bone?

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:43 am
It’s spelled “humorous” not “humerous.”

Comment by phocion Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:44 am
He should call Jimmy Carter, not Kissenger. It was Carter that got Egypt and Israel to make peace, not Mr. Realpolitik.

Comment by Pat collins Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:48 am
I see one contender has been overlooked, that’s Right, FORBY, FORBY, FORBY!

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:49 am
phocion, thanks. Rough morning.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:49 am
Small correction: “A president must be chosen before a new Senate is seated in January.”

Not true. Governor (yikes!) presides over the Senate until a president is elected. Of course, that might be an incentive for the Senate to pick somebody quickly.

Related point — Most Governors want to stay as far away from these fights as possible. But, Blago isn’t most governors. I wonder what sort of hamhanded tactics he and his staff will try to use to influence the choice — and how badly it will backfire on them.

Comment by Old Elephant Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:50 am
There was a speaker before MJM? I’m pretty sure as a baby he had a gavel, not a rattle.

Seriously, dusting the cobwebs from my mind and without the benefit of google, I believe the speaker before MJM (not counting the GOP Camelot of Lee Daniel’s brief tenure) was Bill Redmond, Democrat of Bensenville.

About all I can remember now of that jolly old fellow is that I believe as a baby he was the model for the Gerber’s logo.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:51 am
Cullerton has also been a vocal proponent of an income tax increase, which will undoubtedly be used as leverage against him, particularly by the Republican senators.

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:51 am
Republican Senators will have absolutely no say in who the next Senate President is. There is no way a Senate Democratic Majority of 37 members allows Republicans any say in this matter. They may be used as pawns by a couple of contenders, but at the end of the day, this will come down to a binding vote within the Senate democratic caucus only.

All that aside, I believe Cullerton would get more Republican votes than any other Democrat in the running.

Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:58 am
Fritchey gets the last word…

“I don’t think Henry Kissinger, let alone a new Senate president, can bring the governor and speaker together,” said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago.

True, but a new President that would stick it to Blago and work with Madigan would make things a lot easier around here. They could make the Gov irrelevant. Think of how long so many of us have been waiting for Emil to come to his senses and drop the Gov and work with the Speaker? That way we could all go home. It never happened, but now there is new hope.

This is my wish, decorum back to the senate, and a working relationship between the the two chambers. Don’t like it Governor? Send it back to us and we will override. In the words of Emil, “Better get on the train, its leaving the station with or without you”

Comment by Moderate Repub Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:11 am
I wonder if there anything to be read into the votes on the amendaotry vetoes in the Senate yesterday. They allowed the insurance bill AV to stand, but nixed the AV on the property tax exclusions. And they overrode the total veto of another bill, even Twomil (?!) voted Aye on that override.

Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:18 am
Interesting that all 30 (only a slight exaggeration) of the potential candidates for Senate President are claiming now that they want to return to legislating and working with the other side of the aisle, the House and the Governor.

Did they all suddenly have an epiphany? Or are they all full of beans right about now?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:19 am
The major break down between the Senate and the House occured during last years budget process. SHort version, madigan reached a deal on a budget with the other leaders (sans Blago) with the agreement that any vetos would be called up so they could be over ridden. Madigan kept his side of the deal and Jones did not. Jones refused to even call up for a vote a nember of the vetos so they could be overridden. Thus Jones broke his word, and we entered into the era where no deals could be negotiated because there was no way to trust the other parties at the table. Add to this caustic mix that the Gov had been making promises for years to house and senate mebers for things like re-opneing Lincoln dev. etc but never made good on his word, and you have our present mess.

The Gov is adied and protected by Jones he keeps certain legislation or vetos from seeing the light of day to avoid letting the Senate memebrs vote. The Senate has not as a whole been compliicit, they have just been subject to Jones ontrol. the Senate and a majority of Senators hav not supported Jones or Blaggo, they have just been without power or influence to effect Jones. DOn’t get me wrong, hendon and Trotter were staunch supproters of Jones and his decisions, any words from them about wanting to make peace are trype. But many of the remaining senate memebrs are consistant to what they always belevied, its just now they have the potential to replace the majority leader and get a chance to actually vote.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:32 am
Let me continue it… FORBY! FORBY! FORBY!

Comment by SouthernIllinoisan Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:33 am
The current Senate President is sitting on a decent chunk of change just 2.5 months before some competitive seats are contested, and some members of his caucus that are up this year like freshmen Kotowski and Holmes are probably counting on some of that support. He probably can’t hand pick his successor, but he can still sway quite a few votes. It will be interesting to see if/when he makes his preference known, and it would also be interesting to see who is actively soliciting his support and to what degree.

Comment by Scooby Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:41 am
I’m not convinced that Cullerton and Madigan are really “thisclose.” Sure, they’d work better together, but Frank Watson probably would too. Does anyone remember the circumstances when Cullerton quit as Madigan’s (excellent) floor leader and went to the Senate?

Comment by David Starrett Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 12:54 pm
Is John Cullerton related to that old Chicago scoundrel, Packey Cullerton?

Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 12:59 pm
Actually I think it’s “Park” or “Parky” Cullerton.

Comment by David Starrett Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 1:02 pm
===Does anyone remember the circumstances when Cullerton quit as Madigan’s (excellent) floor leader and went to the Senate?===

The Senate Dems viewed Cullerton’s move at the time as the vanguard of a Madigan plot to take over their chamber.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 1:07 pm
With all those Senators potentially running, I am reminded of Senator Ted Kennedy’s great quote when he lost his race for Majority Leader:

I’d like to thank the 27 Senators who pledged to vote for me — and I’d especially like to thank the 26 who did.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 1:44 pm
Oh my God! Thank you Patriot and Southern Illinoisan for that post. Soda literally shot out of my nose! That is without a doubt the funniest thing ever said on this blog.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:03 pm
I think the era of the all-powerful Senate President has ended with the demise of Godfather Jones. I expect more power-sharing among the Senate Democratic leadership and more input from rank and file Senators. I would expect Senate rules to change to make this power-sharing a practical reality. It;s just speculation on my part, but that would be my educated guess, sicne so much jostling and bargaining will be necessary to assemble a winning coalition.

I would expect similar changes in the House whenever Madigan retires.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:14 pm
I would suspect whomever becomes president will be his or her own person, despite historical loyalties. The Senate is the Senate after all.

Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:32 pm
CA I doubt you will see more power sharing. The problem is ineherent in the current control the majority position holds over certain operations of government. You may see some pay backs in the form of support for pet projects etc. But power sharing I am gonna go the other direction and say its buisness as usual.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:32 pm
Oh Captain….

I sure hope you’re right.

Comment by David Starrett Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:37 pm
Ghost,
I concede it may be wishful thinking on my part. Unlike Godfather Jones, Speaker Machaivelli may be able to dictate his successor.

Although I am not implying that our leaders are evil, communists, or fascists, if they had been born in Russia, it is clear to me that they’d be successful operating as power brokers in a Politboro. They are mini-tyrants rather than democrats with a samll “d.”

Almost everything is Illinois politics and government appears to be too top-down. It doesn’t seem right somehow, although ours is not to reason why, just to do or die, politically speaking.

What I’d like to see evolve is some happy medium between dictatorship and representative democracy in terms of the way our autocratic power brokers/leaders “move and shake.” things.

Everyone knows Governor A, Godfather Jones, and Speaker Machiavelli have collectively really screwed things up pretty badly the last two years, but no one was able to do anything about it. Public opinion, even elite opinion, about the dysfunction was irrelevant.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 5:28 pm