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“Gimme some pork, gimme his seat”

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Illinois
Obama

* Chicago’s legendary “Gimme what’s coming to me” politics is on full public display…

Asked what she expected an Obama presidency to mean to her West Side ward, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) replied, “One word: money. You’re supposed to take care of home first, aren’t you?”

There is no shame in Illinois politics.

Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) said there should be no shame in a local politician bringing home the proverbial bacon. When a reporter suggested that a sudden flood of federal dollars to Chicago would seem shady, Carothers disagreed, asserting that former Republican U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert of suburban Plano had favored home-state projects.

“I don’t see why it’s suspicious – [Obama] is from Chicago,” Carothers said. “I think that’s expected … He’s from Illinois — he’s certainly not going to forget about Illinois … A lot of projects people call pork projects are actually good projects … A lot of organizations in the city need help as well.”

Obama won’t forget Illinois, but he might want to forget some of our politicians.

…Adding… I forgot to post these two stories which essentially illustrate the same point…

* Daley: Olympic chances just got better

* FutureGen supporters hopeful with new president

* Meanwhile, the US Senate seat vacancy has politicos lining up to kiss Gov. Blagojevich’s ring…

* NEW: Zorn: Why WOULDN’T Blagojevich appoint himself to the Senate?

* Who’ll replace Obama in Senate? Blagojevich controls the pick

* Governor Rod Blagojevich Discusses Obama’s Replacement

* Some suggest Raoul could again succeed Obama

* Potential Obama appointments draw keen speculation

* Blagojevich says Obama replacement search under way

* Who succeeds Obama?

* Obama’s victory leaves Ill. Senate seat in limbo

* Obama leaves big shoes to fill

I support our commenter “Bill” as Obama’s replacement. And you?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:00 am

Comments

“Bills” are always a good choice.

I prefer Mitt’s realism high flootin Rhetoric…. I dread the coming four years of Father’s Day lectures from our New Prez.

Mitt’s ward voted for renovation of pits like the old Brach’s site, not morality lessons.

Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:05 am
I think it should be Senator Kwame Raoul he is an outstanding public serveant who looks out for the little guy

Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:05 am
I mean prefer realism vs high flootin….

Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:06 am
Is Mel Reynolds seeking employment?

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:07 am
Whenever I tell people how impressed I was the first time (and everytime) I met Obama I mention Raoul as the only other person in that category! He is the perfect choice.

Comment by Obamalac Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:09 am
Obama should strongly urge Blago to appoint Dan Hynes to fill Obama’s seat. Hynes would do a good job and the Trib agrees. He’s part of the next generation of leaders and IL needs that. Also, since it was partially due to Hynes’ total lack of personality and lackluster campaign in the 2004 US Senate primary that Obama is now president this would also be a nice thank you gesture.

Comment by Sophie G Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:10 am
Maybe the gov could sell the seat to Blair Hull for $25 million.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:11 am
Kwame has wanted/supported a pay raise and since he can’t get it in Springfield, perhaps the Senate appointment would give him the income from taxpayers he’s long wanted in his short tenure.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:14 am
I expect the Governor will appoint Jesse Jr. after reaching a non-agression treaty with Meeks.

Comment by culatr Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:15 am
Maybe this in not a propos exactly, but I loved this quote from the Newsweek article on the presidential campaigns:

“He [Axelrod] liked Obama in part because he could see that the candidate was unusually intelligent (especially, in his experience, for a politician coming out of the Illinois Statehouse) . . .”

Of course, we have never demanded unusual intellignce from those who represent us, and sometimes downright resent it. How about Ken Dunkin?

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:16 am
I think that Congressman Jackson would be a good pick, he could stand on his own for re-election in two years and I think that President Elect Obama would probably be okay with him too.

Emil would be an embarrassment and would probably drag some of that IL dirt to DC that President Elect Obama would like to leave behind. I don’t see any way that Emil would run for re-election in 2 years which throws the open seat to the voters. Or if he did run, I see him losing a primary primary which throws the seat back to the voters also.

Although I’m not sure Emil would be great for our state, he would clearly be a short term seat filler. Schakowsky would be okay but she’s not going to get it - it doesn’t help Blago to pick her.

Jay Hoffman is a dark horse, but still possible. Iris Martinez? Both terrible picks, but maybe useful to Blago - which is why he might pick them.

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:21 am
Bill!

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:22 am
someone who will not run for the seat is the right pick. and after At Issue this past Sunday where the 80 something Dawn Clark Netsch schooled the others on constitutional issues, pick her. not only sharp as a tack but ultra smart. Illinois would be proud to have such a smart and honorable pol represent us. and she’s not part of anyone’s combine.

Comment by Amy Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:22 am
Is there a way I can submit my resume to the Blue Ribbon team, I figure the rejection letter would be entertaining….

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:22 am
I thought Hastert was not good at bringing the pork home?

Emil Jones. That way, it wil be a nice heated race in the next go-round.

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:24 am
Barrack in the White House: Mission Accomplished.

Now since Illinois voters sacrificed a good chunk of their political freedom to make that happen (remember when they voted to permanently move up the primaries to early February - the dead of winter, and making peak campaign season during the holidays, handicapping challengers? No? I didn’t think so), I figure Barrack owes us a whole bunch of free stuff.

Now start sending it our way, Mr. President. We will be waiting.

Comment by Leroy Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:27 am
Emil. Then he won’t need food stamps any more.

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:32 am
Rich, if Bill is appointed, the Governor will loose his only support in Illinois (And the Blog)!!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:33 am
Rod might pick Durbin. He is clearly qualified and popular and would be able to hold onto the seat. Plus, Rod would get to make another appointment to fill Durbin’s seat.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:36 am
Edgar. Make it the Republicans’ problem in 2010.

Comment by Amuzing Myself Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:39 am
Some of these guys think Obama submitted himself to two years of grueling campaigning, raised $600 million and profoundly changed his family’s life forever so he could become Chief Alderman of the United States. Clueless.

There are a number of good Senate candidates. If Blago wants to curry favor with Obama, I’d suggest Valerie Jarrett or Penny Pritzker.

Interesting sidenote: Under the Rules of the Senate, a gubernatorial appointment requires the signatures of the state’s governor and secretary of state. Does that give Jesse White effective veto power of an appointment?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:46 am
In the spirit of fairness and bipartisanship we have all been promised by an Obama presidency, I think the only logical choice is to appoint the guy that came in second, albeit a distant second, in the original senate race. To that end, I support our new Senator, Alan Keyes. God help us all.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:48 am
I know there’s no chance of this actually happening, but what if Rod actually makes a good appointment? Lake Michigan would freeze over in July, but still, what kind of pick would it have to be for people to acknowledge that he did something good for a change?

For example, monkeys would fly, but what if he enticed Paul Vallas to take it?

Even with the stench of Blagojevich, would some of the names being bandied about be good choices? At this point, can he do anything right, or are all of his actions considered to be anti-Midas?

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:51 am
Danny Davis surprises everyone and gets it.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:53 am
…Carothers disagreed, asserting that former Republican U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert of suburban Plano had favored home-state projects.

Somebody send Carothers a civics book so he can learn the difference between a Congressman and President. Sigh.

Comment by doubtful Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:54 am
Thank you, gentlemen;
When I am appointed I would expect, as a US Senator, to have even less to do than now. Hence, my blogging time, particularly in support of Gov. Blagojevich, would almost certainly increase. I promise to be a bipartisan porker and would be certain to find a little bacon for the esteemed aldermen from the West Side as well as for my Republican friends in Aurora and the blogmeister in Springfield.
I will still participate in all Illinois polls several times to maintain our current favorable rating of 13%
Bill doesn’t forget his friends.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:54 am
Oberweis, as a reward for everything he’s done to promote the Democratic Party in Illinois.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:55 am
For those who wish to see new political opportunities to retake these newly elected positions in 2010, it is this kind of ugly partisan porkbarrelling and trough fighting that can be highlighted and used as a screed.

Voters will not want to see this kind of behavior rewarded.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:55 am
Kwame would be an outstanding choice. He would make a great United States Senator.

Could he hold the seat after being appointed by Blago? I’m not sure.

Is he up for a primary fight against Hynes or Madigan? Another good question.

Should he accept if it is offered? If I was him, I’m not sure I would.

A Kwame appointment would be great for Illinois, but probably not as good for Kwame.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:55 am
This is an easy one. FITZGERALD (The US Attorney, not the senator)!! Two birds with one stone.

Comment by Moderate REpub Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:56 am
Whoever replaces Obama will have to ensure everyone that they would accomplish as much as he had in office…

So, naturally I recommend keeping the seat vacant!

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:56 am
As much as Ike Carothers greed is refreshingly honest and in the open, I can’t help but envision him in stripes one day.

This is Obama’s pick-Blago will call the Prez and say who do you want and that will be the end of it. All this Blagoviating to get his face on the news is pure puffery. The Gov doesn’t have the guts to make this call.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 10:59 am
I think it should be an male/female African American-that is, anyone BUT Emil…besides, why would Jones want to go to Washington? His best buddy Rod felt like too much of a little fish in a way big pond there…cuz he was…it would be much the same for Emil…
he would be smart to accept a more cushy appointment from his protgee…like an Ambassadorship…

My favorite line in Charlie Wilson’s War was when the feamle protagonist asks, “Why is Congress doing nothing”? To which Mr. Wilson replies, “Tradition, mostly”. Perfect! Exactly!

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:01 am
people aren’t creative enough.
Bill Clinton
(heck, Hillary wasn’t from NY either, and downstate would love him)
Chris Kennedy
(why should Massachusetts get a lock)
Debbie Halvorson
(ILSenate to USSenate is just neater, plus think how much fun her replacement Congressman Novak would be!)

Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:03 am
Niles,

I sure hope you are mistaken. As it stands now, Danny Davis doesn’t understand that his district reaches all the way to the lake [and from the precincts I’ve seen, the voters share the perception].

A Senator who would be responsible for the ENTIRE state, and not just part of the west side of Chicago? That seems completely impossible.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:03 am
How about Gianoulias, that way he would not run for Governor and you know Obama would support him.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:07 am
I hear that Govenor Blagojevich is moving way to the left and considering Howard Learner for the ICC

Comment by Bill Smith Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:08 am
Pot calling kettle - um, what? Why would the Governor pick a Senator (the senior Senator) from Illinois to replace the junior Senator from Illinois?

Comment by What? Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:10 am
Rich, any comment on this?

http://illinoisreview.typepad.c
om/illinoisreview/2008/11/why-doesnt-rahm.html

Comment by Proud to be a Whig Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:10 am
Yeah, here’s my comment: It’s completely wrong. I checked.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:12 am
Brent Hassert. He is a Blagojevich supporter, right? With him on healthcare, against recall and impeachment. It’s perfect.

Comment by Whoops Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:13 am
Emma Mitts?

(laughing)

Comment by The Doc Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:25 am
Sam Panyatovich…former Dem to GOP now back to Dem. He’s got what it takes….(not sure what that means, but it was his slogan when he ran for Congress years back)

Comment by 10th warder Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:29 am
An appropriate follow-up question would be: Who of the possibilities that the Governor may name to fill the Senate seat would accept/not accept the appointment and why?

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:32 am
If we knew why our Governor does what he does, this blog would not be so popular.

:)

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:32 am
I support the choice of Dick Mell. Rod needs to bring his family together given the trying times that appear to be ahead for all of them. Egad.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:37 am
On the Rahm thing — have to love the IR leaves the story up, even when it has been shown to be mistaken. Class acts.

And they wonder why their party is in shambles.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:44 am
==== Does that give Jesse White effective veto power of an appointment?====

Great question. I would suggest Blagojevich would argue that Senate Rules are only advisory. He’s not going to give a second’s thought to any opinion of Jesse White. The real interesting question here is whether Jesse White would be a plausible candidate to replace Obama, then Blagojevich could name a new SoS. The SoS Index Department runs the Illinois Register, which is the document that publishes administrative rules. The submission to SoS of administrative rules is what triggers JCAR action. It’s devious - and probably too cerebral for even Blagojevich, but it does create an interesting twist.

Comment by DzNts Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:49 am
I would support Bill being appointed to Obama’s seat immediately after POA is indicted.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:55 am
Does that give Jesse White effective veto power of an appointment

Likely not. The 17th Amendment says the legislature may give the gov power to appoint someone. Not “one part”.

Of course, since SoS White is not even CLOSE to being anything like GB Rod, this wont even be a question.

On the other hand, if SoS White DID want to give Rod a taste of his own medicine….

:)

Comment by Pat collins Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:02 pm
I just noticed that Roland Burris has made himself available. That’ll really shake things up.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:05 pm
oh, wait, Deb Mell. she told Carol Marin that she’s in on the
race for the 5th CD, but why should she stop there? go all
the way for the Senate appointment. how arrogant!

Comment by Amy Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:06 pm
Obama won’t forget Illinois, but he might want to forget some of our politicians.

ain’t that the truth

Comment by scoot Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:11 pm
Skeeter

IR is not the Illinois Republican Party…

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:33 pm
Good stuff Amy - Deb Mell in the 5th would be truly nauseating. She’s a microcosm of sleazy Chicago politics. I wouldn’t offer her a position at the Home Depot her pops help build on Addison.

Comment by The Doc Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:39 pm
Just give Dick Durbin two votes for the next two years and forget about it.

Comment by Excessively rabid Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:43 pm
Looks like there’ll need to be a replacement for Rahm as well. Various people are “confirmimg” that he accepted as Obama’s COS.

Comment by Blue in DuPage Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:44 pm
Keeping true to his Cubs roots, Blago will shock the political world and appoint Ron Santo to the Senate position.

Comment by HoBoSkillet Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:46 pm
How about Nancy Kazak for Rahm’s spot? She helped Rod maintain his power grab over the legislature by helping to defeat the con-con…

Comment by DzNts Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:47 pm
Bill!

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 12:53 pm
I think Rod should fill that seat. He will no longer be Gov so maybe being a senator will teach him how to do thing legally.

Comment by Boscobud Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:00 pm
Carol Moseley Braun is the only Illinois Democrat who could walk into the Senate with six years of seniority and personal experience with how the Senate works.

Comment by Will Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:03 pm
I think he should go for the triple play and appoint Jackson; Alderman Sandi Jackson.

1. African American

2. Woman

3. Way smarter than either her husband or her father-in-law, and by appointing her she takes the obvious nepotism out of play which would occur if he appointed her husband instead. If the Gov appointed JJJ instead is there any doubt that his wife would get plugged into his congressional anyway?

If he were smart (insert your own punch line here___________) then at the same time he would strike a deal with Mayor Daley to appoint Darcel Beavers to Sandi Jackson’s Aldermanic seat. Then both fractions of the south side African American Community are covered and beholden to the Gov., and the Mayor is happy because both Jackson’s are in Washington and out of his hair. The Mayor also gets to have a fully compliant Beavers family eternally indebted to him both in the City Council, as well as the hog with the big nuts at the County Board as well.

This would have the added bonus of perhaps being the only possible selection that eliminate the opportunity for JJS and JJJ to publicly AND privately whine and complain about being passed over for something that they no doubt feel they’re somehow entitled to.

Comment by TRIPLE PLAY Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:05 pm
Will, if those are good reasons to appoint Carol Mosely Braun, then I’ll trump with Alan Dixon. Both are about as logical and likely.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:06 pm
Will, the problem with your argument is that CMB was not a very good Senator.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:10 pm
Unfortunately for Ald. Mitts, she may have to standback in line a bit. While her 37th Ward did give Obama 97.48% of the vote (according to the stats on the Chicago Board of Elections website), that was only good for 11th place among the city’s 50 wards!

Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:40 pm
Arizon and Illinois can get by with one Senator. We did it for two years.

Comment by Hickory Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:43 pm
Sandi Jackson isn’t an African-American. She wasn’t born in Africa.

Comment by Phil Collins Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:46 pm
One Man,

But it sure seems to reflect the current state of the ILGOP.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 1:51 pm
CMB was not a very good Senator.

Al the Pal was, though.

Burris is the safe bet for GB Rod, though. No heat for not appointing a black, you get a solid, exp. politician with statewide experience, and he’s not likely to stay in the seat any longer than Durban.

Comment by Pat collins Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 3:09 pm
Gary Forby for U.S. Senate!!

Comment by DzNts Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 3:10 pm
I think Rod should appoint Senator Raoul it give him the opportunity to make history with the first Haitian Senator from the city found by a Haitian! Also he has an outstanding intellect and cares about people in all of Illinois.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 3:33 pm
Ozzie Guillen. He would revolutionize the filibuster, and that alone makes him the best choice.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 4:56 pm
If Bill turns it down, Jesse Jr. IMHO makes the most sense. I’ve posted my two cents worth on why previously.

word, love the Burris idea. That would give Novak a week worth of stories detailing how ol’ Roland “someday the license plates in Illinois will read Land of Burris” has been scrapin’ by the past few years.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 5:31 pm
DzNts, Blago could combine that move with voting for John Fritchey to fill Rahm’s congressional seat, thereby creating an additional JCAR vacancy (after Hassert’s defeat), and adding to the fun.

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 7:16 pm
By “that move” I mean kicking Jesse White upstairs to the U.S. Senate and appointing a new SoS.

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 7:16 pm
Great point, Bookworm. The political ante then would be ratcheted up by both the Speaker and Leader Cross who would (and Cross will) have to appoint another caucus member. Do they appoint someone like Lou Lang (to replace Fritchey) and someone like Mike Bost or Rich Brauer? It’s time for either Poe or Brauer to step up. Bost would be a good partisan pick, as would Ron Stephens.

Interesting thought…

Comment by DzNts Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 9:19 pm
======================
Asked what she expected an Obama presidency to mean to her West Side ward, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) replied, “One word: money. You’re supposed to take care of home first, aren’t you?”
======================

Beginnings of the logic that supports my post yesterday where I said that the Liberals and Ds are probably doomed within two years because they’d come up with their own flavor of “moderates v. conservatives” because of $$.

Step 2: frustration that those with most of it will still find ways to hang onto rather than distribute it “fairly and equally”.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 6, 08 @ 11:55 pm
Step 3: realization that any form of wealth distribution always hits those with the least amount the most and that there’s plenty of history as evidence.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 12:02 am
Carol Moseley Braun? The woman whom I still refer to as “Senator Embarassment”? I was sorry to hear about her getting mugged a few weeks ago, but the woman was a disaster in the six years she was in Washington. why would anyone want to send our state down that dismal path again?

If we’re going for African-American women, how about Valerie Jarrett? Or even the principal of my son’s middle school?

Comment by Lynn S Friday, Nov 7, 08 @ 12:33 am