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A peek ahead at 2010, and a closer look at Roland Burris

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* This WaPo story comes out of Washington, DC, so it was most likely planted by somebody who is trying to recruit Lisa Madigan to run for US Senate…

The removal of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his subsequent replacement by now-Gov. Pat Quinn is still sorting itself out, but a real possibility exists that Quinn will face a serious primary challenge in 2010.

State Attorney General Lisa Madigan is clearly interested in being governor but, of late, there have been some reports that she may see a Senate race as the better (and easier) next step for her. Quinn has a chance to cast himself as the anti-Blagojevich to a public more than ready to move on. If he does, it’s possible he dodges a serious primary. If he stumbles, the sharks will be circling.

So far, Lisa Madigan seems pretty intent on running for governor. But like I said at the top, there is a DC recruitment drive.

Later in the piece, we get the state’s US Senate race…

[Appointed US Sen. Roland Burris] continues to play coy about whether he will run for a full term in 2010 but even if he does he seems likely to face a primary challenge from at least one major Democratic candidate with state Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias most regularly mentioned. If Burris decides against a run, this could be a knock-down drag out fight with Madigan, if she wants to be in the Senate, the immediate favorite in an open seat scenario.

Again, don’t believe that Madigan stuff just yet and consider the source. She didn’t enjoy the legislative process all that much in the Illinois Senate, so the US Senate has never been a major goal.

Giannoulias was in DC again last week to meet with potential campaign staff, fundraisers, etc. He also met with US Sen. Dick Durbin, who said yesterday that Giannoulias would be a “formidable” candidate if he runs. Giannoulias is clearly gearing up for a Senate bid.

* AG Madigan even tweaked Gov. Quinn a bit the other day…

Rod Blagojevich’s removal from the governor’s office signals a new direction for how open records issues are handled in state government.

But will it be more cooperation or antagonism? Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants new Gov. Pat Quinn to set a tone of openness right away.

Madigan sent Quinn a letter on his first day in office, urging him to issue an executive order making open records access a priority. He should appoint special staffers to oversee records’ requests and review scores of denials by the Blagojevich administration to see if violations occurred, Madigan said.

* And pretty much anybody who is anybody in statewide Democratic politics was in DuPage County last night for a President’s Day dinner…

But Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan tried to sound a hopeful note Sunday night, saying that while the ouster of the two-term Democratic governor involved “some of the most stressful, difficult times” in her career, she and other Democrats need to look forward.

“Look at the history of the good elected officials from the state of Illinois,” she said, citing Abraham Lincoln, Paul Simon and President Barack Obama. “There is no need to be ashamed.”

Yes, there is a need to be ashamed, but I can see part of her point.

* Meanwhile, ProPublica and the Tribune take a closer look at the guy who loaned and contributed $1.57 million to Roland Burris’s 2002 gubernatorial bid. Burris still owes Joseph Stroud $1.2 million from that race…

Shortly after the 2002 campaign ended, Burris phoned prosecutors and local police about criminal charges Stroud wanted filed against a former employee who had sued him, claiming wrongful termination, records show.

The businessman made it clear he had called on Burris, then a private citizen, because of Burris’ political résumé. “There is an appropriate person to go to who was formerly a state attorney general here in Illinois, I believe, to properly secure prosecution of a crime,” he testified in the ex-employee’s lawsuit.

Burris testified that Stroud’s contributions bought him no special access and he denied an allegation in the suit that Stroud had offered Burris $20,000 if the former employee were charged with eavesdropping because of tape recordings she made.

The owner of a local television station, WJYS-Ch. 62, Stroud denied making the offer. Burris, he testified, “received compensation enough. This was after I believe that I contributed a million-plus to his campaign.”

No charges were ever filed and Stroud also testified that he contributed so much money to Burris because it was in the best interests of the African-American community.

* And speaking of debt, this seems excessive…

Before he was even sworn in, newly minted Senator Roland Burris had already filed paperwork allowing him to start fund-raising for the 2010 election. But he says that’s doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to run for the office when his term expires.

BURRIS: No that means I am in debt. I have legal bills, to the tune of $400,000

Burris said he had to pay for his staff out of his pocket while battling to be seated in the Senate, after his controversial appointment by then-Governor Rod Blagojevich.

BURRIS: I have to try to recoup those funds, because I am not a wealthy person.

Burris’ own law firm represented him during the appointment ordeal and they still hit him for 400 large?

* Burris really ought to answer questions about this…

Faced with pressure from state regulators and a multimillion-dollar deficit in a funeral trust fund, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association two years ago turned to Roland Burris for help.

Burris, appointed last month to the U.S. Senate from Illinois, met at least once in 2007 with state officials who had determined the IFDA’s pre-need funeral trust fund, set up to provide funerals for nearly 50,000 people in Illinois, had a $39 million shortfall as of the end of 2005.

Reached mid-afternoon Friday, Darrel Thompson, Burris’ chief of staff, said the senator was too busy with official duties to answer questions.

Just how effective Burris was as an IFDA lobbyist isn’t clear.

* Related…

* Burris too busy learning about new job to discuss new job

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:24 am

Comments

It’s a shame the governor’s position and the senate seat are open in the same year.

But I am sure who gets what will be settled in a smokey back room long before the primaries hit. There will be plenty of goodies to go around in 2010!

(i.e. we won’t see any of the “major players” facing each other in a primary. No one needs that.)

Comment by Leroy Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:28 am
This IFDA issue could be enough to derail any Burris plans for 2010. I worked in funeral and emetery accounting for more than long enough to know most operators do NOT invest their ‘pre-need’ sales into proper trust accounts, and I would never suggest to anyone they do it. But for the association itself to get into trouble over it is quite staggering. What would be more upsetting for a deceased’s family than to be told: we took your money, but there is nothing available for your casket and burial plot? I have seen it happen–and hope to never see it again!

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:34 am
“Burris’ own law firm represented him during the appointment ordeal and they still hit him for 400 large?”

That may be a legal matter. As a Federal candidate (or appointee or whatever) unless he and he alone was representing himself he may be obligated to pay for the work that was done.

I would imagine it falls in the realm of contributions, in-kind work, etc.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:41 am
Sorry for the all-italics. Must’ve missed a close tag after the quote. You can fix if you like/need to.

–

PS, Leroy: I think you’re wrong on getting things settled before February. And I also think Rich is correct that L. Madigan won’t be running for Senate.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:43 am
ANy chance circulating madigans name as a possible Senate canidate is aimed at getting Burris and/or some of his possible contributors to move away from backing a senate run? A shot over the bow so-to-speak

Comment by Ghost Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:45 am
You are right about Ms. Madigan. The senate race doesn’t seem to make nearly as much sense as Governor for her.

With the prospect of a bitter primary between Burris, Schak, and Alexi, (three candidates with a lot of weaknesses) The GOP better get someone good to run or they will miss the best opportunity to win a “blue” senate seat they are likely to get.

In the end I’m sure the right wingers will do everything they can to prevent a Republican with broad appeal from getting throught he primary.

Comment by Adam Smith Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:46 am
As to the senate race -
Madigan - no, because she is smart.
Giannoulais - yes, because he is ambitious.

The Taj Rolando is such a gauche embarrassment, every politician with a camera and an intention to attack Burris will be using it regardless of how the IFDA questions play out. But with his refusal to answer questions of ethics and lobbying regarding his involvement with the IFDA - this story and pictures of the Taj Rolando are going to run ad nauseum in every campaign spot from Day 1. Voters think about these things, and very few of them can identify with Burris’ Taj. It is going to stick, and ironically be a reason for Burris’ political end.

Other accomplishments to add to the Taj Rolando

“Second African American Offered Senate Appointment by White Governor to fill seat of First African American President - 2008″

“First African American to eat Hawaiian Shrimp basket at Red Lobster in Shelbyville - 1991″

“First African American to throw a snowball in freak April snowstorm in Marion Illinois - 1943″

“First African American to drive a avacado green AMC Pacer through downtown Olney - 1975″

“Coined the catch phrase: “Rolando-tastic” - 1980″

“First African American to learn entire lyrics to song “Eye of the Tiger” - 1982

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:48 am
VanMan-

No thanks to you, I now have an ear & eye-worm of Burris driving thru Olney in an avocado green Pacer, singing “Eye of the Tiger” to the radio at full volume.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
“Look at the history of the good elected officials from the state of Illinois,” she said, citing Abraham Lincoln, Paul Simon and President Barack Obama. “There is no need to be ashamed.”

Such a short list, Ms. Madigan! I could rattle off a list of crooked officials from Illinois that was 3 times as long as yours in a single breath.

Comment by Johnny USA Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
Depending on how things go this session, LM might just stay in the AG’s office for another term. It’s a good gig, high profile, she’s you, has small kids. No harm in waiting a term unless it looks like Quinn will want to sit there for a long time. There’s always a risk of a dark horse, but I think Lisa can take just about anyone.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 9:59 am
“Consider the source” indeed! We all know how spot on the DC media were about Former Governor Whatshisname…

Comment by Secret Square Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:05 am
Wow! If Burris’ firm did represent him and didn’t charge a fee, then that’s $400K for staff for two weeks?!? Do they have any openings? (Clearly they need some help in answering the phones and returning calls…)

Comment by BehindTheScenes Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:07 am
Hey VM!

Thanks for starting a gloomy Monday with a great laugh!

Comment by Adam Smith Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:07 am
The multi-faceted Roland Burris:

Citizen Burris “made calls” to cops and prosecutors for a contributor who wants a former employee that is suing him charged with a crime. I said contributor — I guess I meant lender (the best kind; one who never has to be repaid $1.2 million).

Attorney General Burris refused to even read a memo from his asst. attorney general that outlined how Rolando Cruz was being railroaded to an appointment with a lethal injection. He wouldn’t even talk to her. She had the honor to resign in protest. Cruz was acquitted in his third trial, then pardoned for his 10 years on Death Row.

Senator Burris refuses to talk to his homestate press.

Different facets, all revealing.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:19 am
Speaker Madigan must have thought by impeaching Blago, Quinn would go ahead and name Lisa to the Senate.

He never imagined Blago would appoint anyone.

Lisa is boxed in.

Quinn and Burris are not going to be seriously challenged. The voters want stability.

The only real options for Lisa are:

1. Cook County Chairman.
2. Chicago Mayor
2. Secretary of State.
3. Illinois Supreme or Appellate Court.
4. Federal Appellate or District Judge.

Too bad she proved to not be a good lawyer by losing the disablity case against Blago and the Pension Case against Ryan.

If she goes on the Court, she can wait for opportunities and may become another Abner Mikva.

In retrospect, she should have run for Rahm’s seat.

Comment by True Observer Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:20 am
BURRIS: The New Gov. Goofy ??? It’s a dirty job; but it’s IL, and somebody’s got to do it. So now it’s Sen. Goofy. I LOVE IL!

Comment by sal-says Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:27 am
===Speaker Madigan must have thought by impeaching Blago, Quinn would go ahead and name Lisa to the Senate.===

LOL

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:44 am
Looks like no easy primary path for Lisa. Even if she ran for Senate, she’d have a bruising primary and emerge to take on a well-funded and appealing Rep like Mark Kirk. The options get more complicated.

Comment by Bri Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 10:50 am
Ancient Roman-style mausoleum, funeral home campaign contributions, private representation of funeral home industry, financial failure of ‘pre-need’ trust. What is the connection?

Comment by Lou Grant Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 11:25 am
True Observer -

I think we are going to witness a smear campaign on Quinn over the next year the likes of which we haven’t seen since the smear job on Blago.

Of course this will be so we the voters see that Lisa is *clearly* the correct choice for governor next year. Our savior.

Who is going to speak out against her running for governor? She is pure as the wind driven snow. You can’t waste political capital like that in Illinois. Not in this climate.

Comment by Leroy Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 11:51 am
Let Quinn finish up RRB’s term then do a full term. Tough job with lots of financial and service ways to stumble. If things go well (not likely) he looks good and the Dems can build a strong record. If he does not, the Repubs still have no one who really jumps out as a real contender. LM stays as AG, builds some serious outcomes that help people, and is ready to step in as Gov when needed. Alexi takes on Roland and probably wins based solely on age.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:05 pm
Wordslinger: As usual, you nailed it in your excoriation of Roland Burris. An empty suit, an empty head, but always willing to try to trade on whatever political reputation he thinks he has/had.

Comment by chiatty Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:25 pm
There is no way Democrats work everything out before the primary. There are way to many things that could go either way. Also, with Kirk as a single front runner for the Senate seat more and more democrats will look to the Governor’s office for their new gig.

Comment by Abe Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:31 pm
Lisa Madigan is coming off lately as a spoiled brat insider whose plans have gone awry…tough luck kiddo…let Quinn do the job he has ahead of him and if you can do better in ‘10 have at it…otherwise be a team player and put a lid on it…

Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 12:48 pm
It’s very difficult to speculate on the make-up of the 2010 Senate and Guv fields until we see how Pat Quinn performs the next few months.

Throughout his career, he’s been great at throwing grenades and holding press conferences. But with the exception of his time as Treasurer, Quinn has never run anything. Can he operate the machinery of government effectively? Can he work with the legislature in a mature, non-Blago fashion? Can he pass a budget and meaniful ethics reform? We just don’t know.

If the summer comes and “no” is the answer on the above questions, then a major primary challenge (meaning Madigan,) to Quinn will likely materialize.

Things could get real interesting if Quinn’s performance isn’t great but just good enough that Lisa decides not to challenge. Would Hynes roll the dice? If Quinn can’t break his old habit and reverts to a Blago-like government-by-press-release management style, Hynes’ low-key, technocrat image could be appealing.

Comment by R.A. Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:11 pm
So much for trying to avoid voting for pols kids and incumbents.

Comment by Chanson Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:35 pm
“AG Madigan even tweaked Gov. Quinn a bit the other day…”

a very little bit

should the AG have held off on sending the new gov a 2-page back list of executive order recommendations so as not to appear to be tweaking?

Comment by BannedForLife Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:37 pm
um, shouldn’t we have a problem with any top state execs who have yet to send Quinn recommendations?

Comment by BannedForLife Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:38 pm
BannedForLife, you make a good point. Actually, she didn’t so much as tweak Quinn as Quinn appeared to be tweaked, or irked, or whatever.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:44 pm
I agree, all indications are that Lisa Madigan would rather be Governor than a U.S. Senator. On the other hand, before Burris was appointed it does seem that Lisa DID voluntarily put her name on the list of those who would be willing to accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate.

So I see her most likely to keep her options open, at least for the moment. If Quinn appears to be stumbling, she can present herself as the better alternative. If she goes for the Senate race, she could well intimidate Giannoulais and Schakowsky out of running, cruise against the Blagojevich-tainted Burris and win in November while the Democrats secure a safe Senate seat.

If Lisa runs for either Governor or Senator, Dan Hynes runs for Attorney General. But if she decides to stay put, she keeps a job she likes, gets to live in Chicago while she raises her kids, and bides her time until 2014 or 2018.

Unless Lisa runs for Governor, her father, who does does seem to like his job, has no reason not to remain Speaker, and I think that could well be a factor that gets weighed into the decision.

Would Dan Hynes or Alexi be willing to take on Quinn and risk ending up with nothing? I doubt it. No Democrat is as likely to run against Quinn as they would have been to challenge Blagojevich.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:48 pm
===before Burris was appointed it does seem that Lisa DID voluntarily put her name on the list===

Not true.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:50 pm
Rich, just wondering - when or where did Durbin say Giannoulias would be formidable? I thought you were quoting it from somewhere else but then noticed that Politico picked it up with you as the source.

Also, funny that you said that pretty much anybody who is anybody statewide was at the DuPage dinner last night. That includes non-statewides who might be looking to run statewide: Hamos and Miller. Sen. Harmon was there too.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:55 pm
===when or where did Durbin say Giannoulias would be formidable?===

Yesterday at his press conference. I was there.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 1:58 pm
===before Burris was appointed it does seem that Lisa DID voluntarily put her name on the list===

===Not true.===

As I recall she definately WAS a late addition. Somebody added her name to the list. Not likely Rod, but maybe it was one of the wishful thinkers in Washington, like Rahm Emanuel or Harry Reid.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:03 pm
RRB added her to the list early on. He though he could use the appointment to cut a deal with MJM. That wasn’t gonna happen. I think she was on Reid’s “approved” list, but that doesn’t mean she asked to be on it.

You said that it appeared she volunteered to be on the list. The answer is she didn’t.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:07 pm
I thought Rahm gave Blagojevich a list of people that Barack approved of like Cheryle Jackson, Tammy Duckworth, etc. and she was included. Actually if memory serves she wasn’t on the originial list and then Rahm called back and added her to it.

But I don’t remember ever seeing a metion of her asking to be included. I do however remember an article where she said she never asked to be included because had she been appointed the Governor would have been able to name her replacement as AG and she feared that whoever he would appoint would not bring the same level of integrity to the office.

Comment by Scooby Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 2:15 pm
Wasn’t there a news report to the effect that Reid suggested Madigan as an acceptable appointment? I seem to recall that Rod said that’s what Reid said. If (a big if) the GOP can get its act together and clear the path for Kirk you’d have to give him a edge over Burris or a primary damaged Madigan or Giannoulias.

Comment by Will County Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 3:51 pm
I look forward to lots of fun at petition time this Fall.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 4:02 pm
Lets dont forget the millions of dollar mr burris and mr hyans has cost the funeral home of this great state. They were both a sleep at the wheel, and putting some of this money in their own pockets and we all thought gov rod was bad these two guys wont even talk about all that money they lost for all these funeral homes

Comment by quincy Monday, Feb 9, 09 @ 8:50 pm
===You said that it appeared she volunteered to be on the list. The answer is she didn’t.===

I believe you’re right. My bad. I stand corrected.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 12:33 am