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*** UPDATE 1 *** Important update! Must read! From the governor’s office…
We were invited to the Obama party two days ago…
*** UPDATE 2 *** From regular blog commenter Vote Quimby…
Yeah, I got the same email saying if you want to join the Grant Park party to send in $25
[End of update. But I don’t know which is funnier: Inviting him or not inviting him. Discuss.]
* CBS 2 reports [wrongly, it appears] that Gov. Blagojevich has not been invited to Barack Obama’s big Grant Park election night party. Todd Stroger, however, did make it onto the VIP list.
Todd but not Rod??? Now, that’s a snub, baby.
* Since he can’t go to the big event, the governor might want to check out this long list of alternative election night parties, including…
An open bar awaits you at the Bipartisan Blowout Election Night Party at the McCormick Tribune Auditorium, along with the chance to win 2 air tickets to Washington D.C. so you can visit our nation’s capitol either to revel in your candidate’s glorious win or, camp on the Mall and PROTEST, of course.
See? The guv can go to DC gratis and protest the fact that he wasn’t invited to the convention, the party and the inaugural ball. Perhaps he can even carry a sign that reads: “Pardon Me!!!”
* Meanwhile, Governor Bad Karma himself talks about bad karma…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday cited the potential for bad “karma” and avoided discussing potential Senate successors to Barack Obama should the Democratic nominee win the White House, but acknowledged he has a process in mind for making the most important appointment of his career.
“I just don’t want to jinx him and I don’t like the karma of me thinking that far ahead,” Blagojevich said of Obama’s prospects in Tuesday’s election.
His future is, indeed, a scary thing.
* Notice how the AP isn’t a hundred percent sure what the governor will do…
In Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich will almost certainly pick a Democrat to succeed Barack Obama, because both are Democrats.
He may also pick the man in the moon.
Oh, look, a kitty.
* The Jacksonville Journal-Courier runs a somewhat flawed analysis (African-American support has been declining along with everyone else’s) which concludes that the governor could win his party’s 2010 nomination…
And who do the Republicans have to oppose him? The usual assortment of megalomaniac millionaires and suburban pols from the land of George Ryan. Most everything disagreeable about Gov. Blagojevich was well known when he ran for re-election in 2006, yet he won handily.
There is one clear path out of this nightmare: If Barack Obama becomes president, Gov. Blagojevich should appoint himself senator.
Heaven, help us.
* The AP is reporting that Barack Obama may be wanting to hire the hardballer’s hardballer if he’s elected president…
Barack Obama’s campaign has approached Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel about possibly serving as White House chief of staff, officials said Thursday
Lynn Sweet has some follow-up…
On the tarmac after landing, Washington Times reporter Christina Bellantoni asked Obama about a possible Emanuel appointment.
“I’m trying to win an election…” Obama said.
Is that a no?
“Plouffe is my chief of staff,” Obama said, a reference to his campaign chief of staff, David Plouffe.
I asked Obama chief strategist David Axelrod–who has also been Emanuel’s media consultant–about the report.
“Don’t believe everything you read. I don’t,” Axelrod said.
If Rahm does take the job, maybe Gov. Blagojevich can get his old House seat back. Hey, who knows?
* Speaking of the Chicago Way, Ald. Tom Allen exacts some revenge…
A Chicago alderman wants police Supt. Jody Weis to be disciplined for making a statement in a TV interview earlier this month that seemed to support Barack Obama’s candidacy.
Earlier this year, the department reprimanded a detective who campaigned for Ald. Tom Allen (38th) in his failed race for Cook County state’s attorney. The department found the detective had violated a rule barring officers from engaging in partisan activity while wearing the uniform or identifying themselves as officers.
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” said Allen. “If they’re going to play games with me politically and hurt good people I’ve known for 25 years, touche. He should face whatever the penalty is.” […]
On Oct. 15, Weis was interviewed as part of a WLS-Channel 7 story on security at Obama’s South Side home. “He’s our senator and he’s hopefully going to be our next president, so it’s an honor to serve and protect his home,” said Weis, who was wearing his dark blue police uniform.
* Eleanor Holmes-Norton talks about race and the presidential campaign in a way Illinoisans can certainly understand…
America tends to have a number of ethnic groups, so that when a Greek ran - Dukakis - Greeks were visibly for him. When Kennedy ran, the Irish were extraordinarily for him. We are a country of ethnic groups. That doesn’t mean the Irish expected John F Kennedy to cater to the Irish or that Dukakis would do something for the Greeks.
That last part is just the opposite here. Ethnics in power always expect to be catered to.
* A young Republican intern for Congresscritter Judy Biggert tells of a chance encounter this past summer…
“I once saw Sens. McCain and Obama sharing a car on the Senate subway underneath the Capitol building, and they had their arms around each other and were laughing about something. I found it peculiar that something so simple would have such a profound affect on me, but it did. It made me realize that it’s OK to disagree politically on an issue and to fight for what you personally believe in, but that the measure of a person’s character isn’t how strongly he or she fights for something, but how he or she is able to work together to find common ground and do what’s right,”
* On an unrelated note, I just got a press release from Republican US Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg that calls the State Journal-Register an “ultra-liberal newspaper.”‘
Can “commie pinko rag” be far behind?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 12:58 pm
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Emanuel’s a hammer and would be highly effective — for a while. He’d probably burn himself out, burn his bridges and be one of the first sacrificial lambs, as most COS are.
He should stick in the House. He’s on his way to being Speaker, which is a whole lot better than a two-year gig as a hatchet man.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 1:17 pm
The SJ-R an “ultra-liberal” newspaper? Oh, look, a kitty!
Comment by Deep South Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 1:19 pm
Wow, how do you not invite a Governor to a rally of this magnitude in his own state? There is more bad blood here than I thought. This is really, really bad for Blago.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 1:20 pm
Wouldn’t it be hilarious if Blago single-handedly prevents the Dems from having 60 in the Senate by appointing a Republican? That’ll teach Barack to snub him. Todd but not Rod indeed!
(Does anyone else think of Flanders in the Simpsons when those two names come up?)
Comment by South Side Mike Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 1:22 pm
I’m surprised at Sauerberg’s newspaper comment. A republican politician, I know, said that Sauerberg is so liberal, he should have run as a Democrat.
Comment by ConservativeVeteran Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 1:26 pm
““ultra-liberal newspaper.” ‘Can “commie pinko rag” be far behind?”
Ah, what is the difference?
Comment by True Observer Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 2:00 pm
You think Senator Obama wants to run any risk of being photographed with him at this point….
or
Perhaps he has some sort of heads-up on what the feds are going to do (unlikely but who knows)
Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 2:06 pm
No need for speculation.
The governor is radioactive.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 2:08 pm
Tom Allen is right.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 2:48 pm
The fact that Obama invited Todd Stroger says a lot about the work that needs to be done starting on 11/5. I’m really, really looking forward to an Obama administration, but even assuming Obama wants to do the right thing, he needs political backup to do it. Stroger still carries clout, and that needs to be changed.
Comment by Thomas Westgard Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 2:53 pm
“I just don’t want to jinx him and I don’t like the karma of me thinking that far ahead,” Blagoof has not thought ahead on anything to date, why would he start now?
Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:00 pm
It is disapointing that Stroger is being invited he represents alot of what is wrong with politics and the state of Ill. I can just see his re election ad’s in 2 years him and Obama on stage together.
Comment by fed up Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:10 pm
what’s the process to pick a successor to a member of Congress? maybe some other electeds want to move on up.
Comment by Amy Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:13 pm
Amy, the process to fill a House vacancy is for the governor to call for a Special Election in that district. That is how Bill Foster got the seat in the 14th District after former Speaker Denny Hastert quit.
Comment by fedup dem Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:26 pm
Things that whereby engage in a process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles and radiation are upset that you said Rod was one of them… (that’s the definition of Radioactive decay BTW).
Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:31 pm
So, Tom Allen’s genius way to punish Weiss is to get him in trouble for praising Obama? And that hurts him with who again?
Not sure if you Northwest siders have heard, but this guy Obama is kind of popular. And BTW, openly admiting to the newspaper that you did it because someone did it to you is petty.
Comment by Confused Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:34 pm
Bet the told Rod the secret party is going to be Springfield.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:45 pm
==We were invited to the Obama party two days ago…==
Yeah, I got the same email saying if you want to join the Grant Park party to send in $25….;-)
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 3:47 pm
I was more interested in the drama that the man wasn’t invited. lol
Comment by Levois Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 4:00 pm
What’s funny about all this is that this is even news!
Our Governor, the political hot potato(e).
Look, a skunk!
Comment by BandCamp Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 4:01 pm
Woo Hoo! I’m “regular”!
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 4:18 pm
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 4:19 pm
You just have to do the Republicanspeak translation. Ultra-liberal = doesn’t automatically parrot all Republican talking points.
Comment by Squideshi Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Is Steve Sauerberg the long lost son of Major Frank Burns? I can’t remember a doctor being so flagrantly intolerant since Frank flew the coop on M*A*S*H 30 years ago.
Comment by getting too old for this Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 5:25 pm
I’m stunned Sauerberg knows that there is an State Journal Register. I don’t think he’s been seen downstate since the State Fair where he inspired dozens, err … several, err … OK, a couple with his eloquent public speaking ability not seen since the days of George Ryan’s “I’d like to thank my wife Lura … (turn cue card) … Lynn Ryan”
Comment by Frank Booth Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 8:44 pm
I’ve had a little too much beer spiked with dry ice tonight, and decided to dedicate this one to Rich for having a great site.
Early Novemmmmm-ber,
and precinct workers lurking in the dark
Before the poll’s closed,
you see a sign that almost stops your heart
You try to post,
but moderation stops before you make it
Your screen may freeze
as partisans jump in from every side
to turn the tide
’cause its Rich MILLER, Mil-ler’s blog.
the favorite place to go where pundits try to part the fog
You know its Miller’s, Miller’s blog
You’re either with ol’ Bill or with Vanilla, killah, tonight!
(rap performed by Vincent Price or Mike Lawrence)
Break time falls across the land
The blogging hour is close at hand
Workers crawl in search of votes
in exchange for greenish notes
And whosoever shall be found
With sketchy friends who work downtown
Must stand and face a skeptic press
And tell why this is not their mess
The foulest stench is in the air
From overspending budgets bare
And Fitzy’s ghouls from the grand jury room
Are closing in to seal Rod’s doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your polls show you’re no winner
while we all blog about the scene
on the blog run by Rich MILLER…..
:-)
EVERYBODY, ZOMBIE DANCE!
Comment by Keef Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 9:25 pm
Who appoints Rahm’s replacement? Madigan? Rod? Perhaps Rod can appoint himself Senator and Patti Congressperson? I hope this won’t be necessary
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 9:31 pm
There would be a special election. Gentlemen, start your engines.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 10:42 pm
I haven’t seen the Rahm theory in any other pubs besides the conservative-partisan Wash Times and equally conservative-partisan Marathon Pundit (John Ruberry’s blog).
….I’m not saying that dog won’t hunt, but he’s stronger for an Obama presidency right where he is.
Comment by Rob_N Friday, Oct 31, 08 @ 11:51 pm
I would guess that Obama would pick someone who was a big supporter of him to be his Chief of Staff. Rahm is great but he sure did ride the fence on this one. On the other hand, he may be helpful in bridging the gap between Clinton supporters and the hopeful future Prez.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Saturday, Nov 1, 08 @ 12:54 pm
John Fritchey for Congress!!!
Comment by Chanahan Man Sunday, Nov 2, 08 @ 8:10 am