Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

No Daley? And Alexi repeats himself

Posted in:

Illinois
Obama

* I was getting regular phone calls from Bill Daley for months, almost like clockwork. He’d always tout his gubernatorial prospects and downplay any worries about a possible Madigan vs. Daley war. But Daley’s calls stopped a few weeks before the election and I haven’t heard from him since. I reached out to him this morning, but haven’t heard back yet, so I thought I’d go ahead and post today’s Sneedling…

Sneed hears rumbles that former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, who’s on Barack Obama’s transition team, is less and less interested in running for governor.

• • To wit: And word is that Daley has no interest in moving to Washington, D.C. Hmmm. Stay tuned.

* Also, there was no real news in this story from today, but it’ll give you something else to chew on besides Daley…

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday that he’s considering a run for governor in 2010.

“I’ve been thinking about it,” he told the editorial board of The State Journal-Register in a telephone call from his Chicago office.

“You see what’s been going on in Springfield, and you see a lack of leadership,” said Giannoulias, 32, of Chicago. […]

“When you make those kinds of moves, you start thinking, ‘You know what? Why can’t we do the same thing in the governor’s office?’” Giannoulias said.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 12:46 pm

Comments

Admittedly, I have always been a little cynical of Alexi, but I will say he has done a good job and comes across as pretty humble.

But, I don’t think he is ready to be Governor. It is one think to tout banker credentials when running for Treasurer. But, Governor is more than an admin position — it is a policy position too — and don’t think he has earned the policy credentials for the job.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 12:58 pm
Alexi is a very nice young man, but is he really ready to be Governor of Illinois. Standing next to Barack is good thing, but is it enough?

Comment by Huntingwithaswitch Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 12:59 pm
agree with the above comments, he’s smart but he’s not ready and doesn’t have the policy creds to be Governor - but it sounds nice to say you are running if you want to ask people for money

Comment by carbon deforestation Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:17 pm
Umm, and Blago has the policy credentials for the job ??

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:21 pm
Well, Anonymous, do we want Blago to be our benchmark?

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:24 pm
Nope, but could Alexi do any worse if he was elected??

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:27 pm
The only way the Republicans have a chance is to have a large group of Dems fight it out for the Governors office. Lisa, Alex, Dan, and don’t forget Rod, there will be lots of cash played to see who the alpha-politician is on the Democratic side. If the Republicans can go without a fight, it will play into their hands.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:28 pm
It could always be much worse.

But, honestly, I haven’t heard anything that would lead me to believe Alexi would do anything differently.

Wasn’t he just out this week talking about how he was gunning for a fight with the legislature and the unions over the pension scheme?

Comment by pro Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:31 pm
===It could always be much worse.===

The one thing I’ve never asked Giannoulias about is how he intends to work with MJM after defeating his daughter in the primary. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:33 pm
Another Obama endorsement could really help Alexi.Lisa Madigan,Alexi,and William Daley would be all very strong candidates for Illinois’ top job.Republicans really can’t say they have many people with strong name recognition and a following.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:33 pm
For one thing, I don’t think MJM will be vindictive…

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:34 pm
===For one thing, I don’t think MJM will be vindictive… ===

LOL

Yeah. Revenge is never on that plate. Never.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:35 pm
Well, the bright side for MJM would be - If he can’t get the General Assembly to pass an income tax increase before the Governor leaves office in 2015, he can always try again while TAG is Governor, and before Lisa takes office.

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:37 pm
2015?

Keep hope alive.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:39 pm
Sorry, I shouldn’t have ruled out him running again for a fourth term.

I think that would be it, though. So 2019 at the latest.

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:41 pm
I hope Alexi runs if only for the chance for someone to knock Lisa off the presumptive nominee track. And who better to do that than one of the few politicians who have beat MJM? I mean, really - Dan Hynes? If it’s DH vs. LM, DH doesn’t have a chance.

I’m sick of the MJM kingmaker. It’ll be a dirty, dirty fight (remember MJM calling Alexi the banker to the mob!? 1 month before the general election??!!) but a fight worth fighting.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:43 pm
Wont’ the SOS office be up for grabs then also?

Maybe he will “graciously” step aside for LM.

And, I can just imagine the NBC that would break out if Alex G beat LM in a primary.

Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:45 pm
Governor of Illinois, at this moment, has to be one of the lousiest jobs in government.
With apologies to the Marx Bros. anyone smart enough to be governor is too smart to want to be governor. Let them fight it out. Who cares? I have very little respect for Democrats who would run against a Democratic incumbent.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:48 pm
===Wont’ the SOS office be up for grabs then also?===

Jesse White has said time and time again that he’s running for reelection in 2010.

But maybe the SJ-R can give us another exclusive interview to prove it. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:48 pm
Why do we think he will leave office in 2015. He won’t even be 60 yet, and by that time people will have given up trying to dislodge him.

Alexi presents an interesting problem for the Dems. Clearly, after having a front row seat at the Obama campaign, he’s not going to want to be Illinois Treasurer much longer. Greater things beckon. And if he is really interested in the governor’s seat, Blago has every interest in keeping him interested because of the effect on the primary of two powerful rivals to Blago himself.

Can Lisa afford to wait till after Alexi has had a couple of terms. Can he afford to wait for her?
So many variables.

Primary season is going to actually be fun in Illinois.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:53 pm
Oh, Bill. I support you for the Senate seat, but with a 13% approval rating and a gridlocked state govt I would hardly consider Governor Blagojevich an incumbent who isn’t worth challenging. But keep up the fight for him and I see an appointment in your future…

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:56 pm
Can Lisa win without at least a public promise by Speaker Madigan to step down upon her election? And is he ready for HIS career to end?

Comment by Upstate Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:56 pm
Bill, I used to say the same thing about the presidency…

Not so sure anymore.

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:57 pm
Cassie,
2016 is a presidential election year. Rod may decide to take a shot at it.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:17 pm
Nah, I prefer governors with more maturity than your typical government bond, so Giannoulais is still out.

Besides, I just learned to spell Blagojevich.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:20 pm
I just got done interviewing Alexi about 25 minutes ago. I didnt ask him about the possible gov run but I have been impressed with him each time we have talked.

Everytime he issues a press release it seems to be straight forward progress. The bright start college savings program, Lincoln hotel, state side stimulous by reworking investements and now the pension deal.

All good idea, and evidence that Alexi could do the job as gov.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:20 pm
I think Alexi is doing a fine job and has a bright future. But, didn’t he basically buy his position through donations to Obama?

Comment by Oh my Bama Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:25 pm
Speaking At Will, did you ask him about GHR? I heard he came out against clemency.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:27 pm
Once G-Rod drops out, all of his “BOYS” will line up behind Alexi. They will do ANYTHING to make sure the House of Madigan does not get the office on the 2nd Floor!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by ivoted4judy Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:28 pm
I did ask him about GHR and he Alexi is against clemency for Ryan.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:33 pm
I have to agree with S@W. Alexi has had an unusually strong start in office, and I think he’s the best candidate we have for the office of governor. Obama’s endorsement was never for sale; we shouldn’t run Alexi down because of Barack’s good judgment.

Comment by corvax Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:36 pm
Alexi makes a great case for why he’d be a better governor than Rod, but i don’t see a clear argument for why he’d be better than Lisa. Illinoisans don’t just want a fresh face. Rod was a “fresh face” once, and look how that turned out.

What they want is a face they can trust to implement change. Madigan has done that, and she has a slight edge in fighting business-as-usual and in experience.

I wouldn’t bet either way right now on Obama endorsing Alexi. Alexi is a protege of sorts, but Madigan was a colleague in the Senate. The same progressives that helped elect Obama and Alexi in the Democratic primary have also fully embraced Madigan. And while Obama has symbolic coattails that extend to Alexi because of his youth, there is also tremendous symbolism in Illinois electing its first female Governor.

In other words, not alot of upside for the POTUS to get involved in an inter-party war in his home state.

While Alexi has done a good job of improving his public standing since his election, lets remember that most voters do not live inside the CapitolFax echo chamber or follow the blow-by-blows of state policy or state politics.

Absent any current polling, go back and take a look at the 2006 election results, and tell me who you think is the stronger candidate: Madigan or Alexi? Madigan won every single county if memory serves, granted against an almost non-existed opponent. But Alexi faced a pretty weak candidate in Radogno in a good democratic year, and his vote totals follow the traditional Democratic lines, winning fewer than half of the counties in Illinois.

Alexi’s greatest strength is among young voters in Chicago, and if I were him I’d be considering how best to take advantage of those strengths. Keep my name out there for Governor, certainly, raise as much money as humanly possible, but when decision time comes, take a look at the polling, take stock of your campaign, and consider brokering a truce with Madigan in exchange for her support for Mayor in 2011. Its a better job anyway.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:44 pm
Anyone with plans for a political future is not backing clemancy for Ryan which means Blago know he’s out. I hope Lisa, Alexi & Dan can sort it out without their being a blood bath. Jesse White should be ready to relax by now. Send Alexi to the SOS and make Jesse Jr. the Treasurer after Blago stiffs him.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:48 pm
Has anyone ever been governor of Illinois before they even turned 40?

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:49 pm
You north side guys crack me up. Shouldn’t Alexi have to pay any dues at all? Shouldn’t he at least have to work one precinct before running for governor? Ok he beat Madigan’s guy with plenty of Mom’s money. Governor is a little different, isn’t it?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:51 pm
===- Bill - Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 1:48 pm:

I have very little respect for Democrats ===

I finally agree with Bill on something! Just kidding!

Giannoulias is on the rise. Lisa Madigan has the clout. Rod Blagojevich is the incumbent. Watching the Democrats beat each others’ brains in could be fun! Unfortunately, the ILGOP won’t have anyone of substance to run against the survivor.

Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 2:58 pm
ydd, the QotD had to do with alexi and/or bill daley, not lisa. while i’d bet that lisa would make a great governor, until her father leaves the stage (which probably means dies), we would be idiots to elect her governor. we need only say three words: conflict of interest.

more to the point, illinois has enough problems with it’s mob legacy, we shouldn’t start treating government as a family business. besides, who’s ring would we need to kiss to get things done? lisa has always been daddy’s girl, and i’m not sure that’s what we’d want in a governor…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:06 pm
bill, the sad thing is that you’d make a better governor than rod. not that this is saying much, but we could count on you to remain loyal to the good folks of illinois.

the only thing we can count on rod is a headline…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:07 pm
Bill, Pay dues? How very old school of you. Maybe you have a secret crush on MJM and the way he runs things. Let’s also remember that Lisa doesn’t play especially well downstate. I’ve heard people complain that they never see her - except when she needs something.

YDD- Good analysis. Except Alexi’s biggest opponent in the general election was the state democratic party, not Radogno. And I don’t see Alexi running for mayor… or SOS.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:09 pm
===bill, the sad thing is that you’d make a better governor than rod.===
Bored, I think that goes without saying but I don’t see why that is a sad thing.
BTW I know that you are a pretty old guy but if you sign up on Facebook you can be a member of the CapitolFax Bill for Senate Group.
You won’t believe the fun we have over there.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:15 pm
tremendous symbolism in Illinois electing its first female Governor

Maybe that would be overshadowed by the blatant nepotism? And it’s not like female govs are especially newsworthy these days.

Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:17 pm
Yeah, OK Fan, real funny! How are you making out with the latest round of cuts. We’re starving out here!

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:18 pm
The only way Giannoulias could beat Lisa Madigan is with all out support from Obama. That would be a lot to ask because Lisa Madigan worked her tail off for Obama as well. I would look for some type of statewide deal, probably brokered by Obama, to put up a pretty strong united ticket. Sorry Rod, you won’t get the 10 to 1 ratio you need to get renominated.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:19 pm
A pretty good analysis from Yellow dog.

However he is under estimating the negative effect of Lisa being Mike Madigans daughter.

I, and many others, will not vote for Lisa for gov simply because I dont want to see a royal family placed in power in springfield.

If Alexi is willing to make that a topic in a democratic primary, while at the same time promoting his record to the public, he can win the primary, and then win a general election.

I would also interject that the only republican ticket that could challenge democrats the next time around would be a Bill Brady / Doug Whitley (gov/ lt. gov) ticket.

Whitley can raise more money, and has the contacts in the business community as the chamber of commerce chairmen, and Brady has the inside track politically.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:20 pm
===However he is under estimating the negative effect of Lisa being Mike Madigans daughter.===

Until we see some poll numbers, I don’t think anyone can say anything of value here other than express their own opinions. Try to couch your rhetoric as such please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:28 pm
I think Alexi has a legitimate shot, but only if he has Scott Kennedy on his team. Kennedy wins elections. Ask rod. Ask Barack. Ask Alexi. You need Scott Kennedy to win in illinois.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:29 pm
Kennedy, please start posting under your own name.

lol

j/k

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:30 pm
Alexi is the future of Illinois and the future is now! We should support him because he the right person for the job! He has what Illinois needs most independence and integrity.
Brass tax-he has Barack Obama and $30 million of his own money, equals Governor G!

Comment by David Rivers Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:35 pm
This isn’t Kennedy. Seriously. But the fact remains that the giangrecos of the world hide behind the mad genius of Scott Kennedy. In fact, I say we draft Kennedy for governor!

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:35 pm
===In fact, I say we draft Kennedy for governor! ===

One fake candidate at a time, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:38 pm
bill, i’m already a member of your facebook fan club. not sure if i qualify as “pretty old” but that’s relative…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:41 pm
You’re right rich. Maybe Kennedy shouldn’t be drafted for governor, but we should have him serving drinks at the leaders meetings! He makes them strong and a strong shot is what it will take to lighten the mood at those meetings.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:43 pm
Madigan Vs Giannoulias, Alexi already won round 1. Does Illinois really need another Madigan running Illinois? For 27 years MJM has been running this state, why elect another one? This a democracy not a Tang dynasty. Fresh blood with fresh ideas!

Comment by David Rivers Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:50 pm
Rich

Perhaps poll numbers are needed to make the statement that I did.

However with all due respect, I think common sense tells us that people in general would not be too happy about having a father and daughter as governor and speaker.

Just sayin.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:53 pm
Hoo boy. The people who really, honestly believe that Alexi “beat” MJM are giving me a good laugh today.

Comment by Gadfly Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:54 pm
bored now -

The QOTD is about Alexi’s run for governor. You can’t ignore the fact that Lisa Madigan, not Rod, is the one that Alexi needs to figure out how to beat. To paraphrase Charles Barkley, my mother could score 45 points on Rod. Hell, Eisendrath got 33% of the vote BEFORE Rod’s public meltdown, and he never left his house.

Preston -

Alexi’s biggest opponent in the PRIMARY was the Party, but Team Madigan wasn’t working against him in the General. To be sure, they didn’t help him, but they weren’t bushwhacking him either.

Alexi got 76% of the vote in Madigan’s 13th Ward. Compare that to the 57% of the vote Alexi got in his home ward in the 42nd. Granted, that was pre-Reilly.

Speaking at Will -

I might be under-estimating, but as Rich points out, I can only look at the data that’s available. Madigan beat her 2006 Republican opponent by more than 1.7 million votes. Secretary of State Jesse White, widely acknowledged as one the most popular elected officials in Illinois (eclipsing even Obama, depending on who you ask), won his race by only 1.1 million votes. Its a truism in politics that it is very difficult to disqualify a candidate in the eyes of someone who’s already voted for them. And, absent any polling to the contrary, I think Alexi faces a steep uphill climb.

That said, if the key metrics - polling, fundraising and infrastructure - tell Alexi he can win the primary and the General election, I’m not going to tell him he shouldn’t run. But he should consider where key democratic constituencies like organized labor and the pro-choice movement stand and what’s at stake for them very carefully, and that if he loses the primary, he’s not likely to win another election in this lifetime.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:55 pm
AG: Please, please take me to DC with you.

Obama: Nope.

Comment by Take It Easy Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:58 pm
Gadfly, I’m don’t think it means anything for the future but Alexi soundly embarrassed MJM by destroying his candidate Parkay Margarine in the primary. You can’t rewrite history-he did it.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 3:59 pm
===However with all due respect, I think common sense tells us that people in general would not be too happy about having a father and daughter as governor and speaker.===

I heard the same thing a kabillion times in 2002. With all due respect, until we see some hard numbers, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:00 pm
And Rivers, Lisa Madigan is no Paul Mangieri. My left shoe could’ve beaten a pro-life, pro-gun, downstate attorney with $4 million. Heck, my Left Shoe is thinking about forming and exploratory committee just in case the opportunity ever arises again.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:01 pm
Rich, I think “anon” might be on to something.

Word from the inside is that Scott Kennedy was seen coming out of a meeting with the Governor this past week. He reportedly had on his Sunday best, with a bow-tie.

Sounds like he is in serious contention for the Senate seat, if he gives up his gubernatorial ambitions.

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:02 pm
===Alexi soundly embarrassed MJM by destroying his candidate===

Alexi did indeed do that. But Alexi’s TV ad featured none other than BHO and the Dem primary voter base is in Cook County, where Alexi lives and his opponent did not.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:02 pm
GoBearsss, I think Kennedy was just doing his best Dring/Trotter impersonation.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:06 pm
Phineas-

If you really believe that Alexi beat the full force of the MJM operation, well…how naive.

Mangieri didn’t go up on broadcast — think that will change if it’s Lisa?

Alexi outspent Mangieri by about 3 to 1 — think that will change if it’s Lisa?

Did MJM support Paul over Alexi? Sure. But if that’s your only metric and you think that means he beat MJM’s organization, well, let’s hope Alexi is smarter than you.

Comment by Gadfly Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:08 pm
True, he WAS wearing sandals…

Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:09 pm
“My left shoe could’ve beaten a pro-life, pro-gun, downstate attorney”

then why did Madigan pick the guy to be his guy. If you defeat Rommel’s plan you have defeated Rommel.

Giannoulias saw the weakness and exploited it. It was smart politics and it worked. He’ll have to be smarter next time if he wants the Governor’s office.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:11 pm
Are you sure it was Kennedy and not Jay Hoffman? The two do get confused for eachother quite often.

Comment by Kevin Fanning Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:16 pm
I would sooner support Daley than Giannoulias. I found Daley to be a capable U.S. Commerce Secretary and gained respect for him as part of Gore’s presidential team. I think he has the acumen necessary to lead this great state, notwithstanding the albatross around his neck - Mayor Daley himself. Giannoulias needs to take some time to gain some experience and leadership expertise before he takes over the rights.

Ahh..youthful exuberance (and I’m 35!

Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:16 pm
== I heard the same thing a kabillion times in 2002. With all due respect, until we see some hard numbers, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. ==

Ohhhh K. Seemed like a fairly logical conclusion to me, however I don’t have the depth of knowledge that others on this blog do, so I concede that maybe the father daughter dynamic will have no bearing. We will see.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:18 pm
Fact: MJM (state party chair) did not support AG in the primary or the GENERAL. Regardless of how he did it, Giannoulias beat Madiganengri in the primary and the current senate minority leader in the general with 64 percent of the vote. Call them how you see them and Lampley has Alexi winning round 1.

Comment by David Rivers Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:24 pm
YDD’s Left Shoe for Governor — yesss!

But would his right shoe be willing to take the LTG spot?

Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:26 pm
I carry no water for either Alexi the tall or Lisa the short. Personally, I would prefer someone who got where they are on their own merit. I wish Paul Vallas would shine up his noggin and get in the race, but perhaps he is looking at the Cook County Board Presidency?

That being said if Obama endorses Alexi then the game is over for Lisa. Portray her as daughter of long time POL and more of the same.

Wild card is Triple J Jackson. If he got into a 3-4 person race, race being the operative word in a few senses, he could win the primary. The man’s ego knows no bounds. His weakness is his name. Helped him get elected to a congresssional district, but wouldn’t help with a larger constituency. I happily voted for the Obamanator twice in 2004 and twice in 2008, but JJJ ain’t Obama.

This is going to be fun to watch. Unfortunately, it’s the outcome that matters. Oh if we only had real adult leadership in Illinois. Give me an Olgilvie or a Stevenson. Give me a Simon or even a socially conservative Poshard. Give me leadership or an Amtrak ticket somewhere else.

Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:30 pm
Kennedy would make a great senator, but it would be a waste of his intelligence to sit him in the chamber of millionaires. He needs to be out with the people where he could challenge anybody to shots at the drop of a hat. I refer to my earlier post. If you want to win statewife in illinois, you need Kennedy. Ask Hoffman. Ask Giangreco. Ask keyes.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:33 pm
Most here are assuming a two or three way primary. There very well could be others. Houlihan, Quinn, Dart, Hynes, Vallas, Poshard, Hoffman (if Blago is not running), Jackson Jr, Jacobs, Blair Hull, Chico, Burris (again). Maybe even another rich youngster with BHO connections. a Pritzker? a Bluhm? a Crown? A lesser known woman in a field crowded with males could walk right in. Mendoza?
Maybe even Bill (if not already running for re-election as Senator).

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:36 pm
Houlihan and Vallas have taken themselves out. Hoffman wants to run for SoS not guv. Alexi is the “rich youngster with BHO connections.” Quinn raises about $60K a cycle. Chico got clobbered for US Senate and hasn’t expressed any desire to jump back into the fray that I know of. Dart has made no noises. Poshard is on his last job. Blair Hull? Are you nuts? lol Etc.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:39 pm
Gadfly and YDD - If you think throwing mud at Alexi, directly and straight from MJM’s mouth, right before the general and the state party refusing to list Alexi on their website as the dem candidate/nominee throughout the general, was the extent of the attempts to undermine Alexi, then you guys are the naive ones. And that was just retribution for beating my fav Knox County pol. When it’s family, it’ll be even worse.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:46 pm
===When it’s family, it’ll be even worse. ===

Ya think?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:48 pm
Sometimes I like to state the obvious. So sue me.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:50 pm
Remember that voters often elect the “anti” equivalent of an incumbant, (one of VanillaMan’s political theories).

The anti-version of Blagojevich could be Madigan, since she is a she and known for her ability to work well with others. Another anti-version of Blagojevich could be Hynes, since he comes across as the serious accountant against Blagojevich’s blind optimism.

I believe voters would elect a candidate that doesn’t have the “What me, worry?” attitude, the bloviating charm, the goofy name, the Chicago insider connections, the amateurishness, the vindicativeness, or the grandstanding qualities of the current incumbant, Blagojevich.

Blagojevich was the anti-Ryan. He was a young Democrat with Chicago ties and Downstate support with a young family. Blagojevich was optimistic to Ryan’s grumpy grandpa act. Blagojevich’s name itself stood in stark contrast to the generic last name of George Ryan. After 30 years of GOPers, the anti-incumbant was the Democrat.

Obama was the anti-Bush. Bush was the anti-Clinton, and so it goes. This is one of the reasons why VPs often don’t win presidential elections - they are not seen as the anti-incumbant enough to carry Election Day.

The next governor will appear mature, sober, hard-working, established, and riskless. The next governor will emphasize Illinois ties over Chicago ones, and not be seen as a Daley puppet. The anti-Blagojevich will not package state issues in the same manner. You will probably not hear Blagojevichian words like “fight”, or “working class” from the next governor. Voters are tired of this vocabulary and this Act.

I don’t see Giannoulais as the anti-Blagojevich. While he has many attractive qualities, he can be upstaged by someone with more anti-Blagojevich qualities.

There are real reasons to believe that the anti-Blagojevich will be the Republican candidate, because by nature voters will consider the other party. If the GOP is able to select a candidate with the anti-Blagojevich qualities, and the Democrats select a candidate without anti-Blagojevich qualities, the GOP could have a shot.

But if you take a look at the list of elected officials, you can see a pattern of how voters tend to elect the “anti-incumbant” between the choices presented to them on Election Day.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 4:50 pm
Bored, Thanks for your support. Sorry about the “old” comment. I take it back.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 5:19 pm
Dan Hynes is the ultimate anti-Blagojevich candidate - someone who really knows how to govern and achieve bipartisan consensus.If I could be kingmaker,I’d pick Dan as the best qualifed to right our ship of state.

Lisa’s excellent too. Alexi is the least qualified of the top three Democratic contenders simply because he hasn’t been in Springfield very long. But, I’d agree that Alexi has the most charisma - at least he’s the most teleginic. I believe both Dan or Lisa would beat Alexi in a one-on-one, head-to head race.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 5:40 pm
Been there at 4:36: Rep. Susana Mendoza? I do believe she had some issues with MJM regarding the support of a GOP candidate in Cicero….hmmm.

Comment by Been There and Back Again Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 6:58 pm
Reading the posts on here this must be bumped head thread. Just reread some of the posts. They are goofier than our Guv.

Comment by Big Mama T Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 7:15 pm
Vanilla Man, you speak of Milorad being the “anti-Ryan.”

He characterized his ‘02 race against being anti-George Ryan, although he was not on the ballot.

Similarly, The One characterized the POTUS race as being against GWB, when he, as well, was not on the ballot.

When you cannot make a convincing case against your opponent–hit the incumbent who is either voluntarily or constitutionally ineligible to run for re-election or fight back against spurious and specious allegations.

Comment by Neopolitan Dynamite Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 8:02 pm
MJM expressed some reservations about Alexi. As I recall, he had some reservations about Rod too the first time around. Something about some unspecified “indiscretions.” Generally he knows more than he’s telling, and often his judgement is scary good.

As for Mangieri, wasn’t he slated because he was the only one willing to run against JBT before she went for guv? He was also a downstater, which would have been good for the ticket as a whole. But it was death for a primary against a Cook County candidate.

Comment by Ann O'Namus Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 8:06 pm
Yes, Ann; I do believe MJM knows more things about Hot Rod than he has said publicly.

These will be revealed if and when Blago and Lisa face off. He personally will not reveal the “indiscretions,” but they will get out.

Comment by Neopolitan Dynamite Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 8:20 pm
Big Mama T: Which posts are you referring to?

This is actually one of the overall most-informed threads on this paticular subject in a while.

Comment by Neopolitan Dynamite Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 8:53 pm
Anonymous 1:27, things can always get worse. The cynicism behind the question alone usually reflects weakness caused by defeat and hence, impaired thinking that leads to more “worse”.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 11:21 pm