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Liberal banking heir Alexi Giannoulias will announce Sunday that he is running for state treasurer. Giannoulias will face slated candidate Paul Mangieri in the Democratic primary.
Word is some serious heavy-hitters are endorsing him. More later.
UPDATE: US Senator Barack Obama will reportedly be on hand Sunday to endorse Giannoulias.
Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Alderman Dick Mell, Rep. John Fritchey and others will be there as well.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:38 am
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If Obama, Jackson, Mell and Fritchey will be there, especially Obama, this kid has instant credibility.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:53 am
This is a vote for sanity. Paul Mangieri and his “team” are not only not ready for prime time, but would be a tremendous embarassment to Democrats and the state at large whether he won or not. Those of us who have been watching his act for a while have been very creeped out and Barak would be showing tremendous poise and respect for the party by stepping up in this controversial setting.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:54 am
Why is the other guy slated if he clearly lacks the support from the Dem party?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:55 am
I spoke with Giannoulias today and did hear that Barack will offer an endorsement on Sunday. I have been assisting in circulating his petitions for about a week. I think he will run well in the Metro-East. I plan to be at his announcement in Springfield on Monday. Jesse Jackson Jr., and Senator Obama’s support will surely help him in the African-American communities. There is an under current of discontent for the way the Illinois Democratic party has been doing business and it may very well show up in the upcoming March 21, 2006 primary.
Comment by Ray Coleman Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:01 pm
Don’t you think Speaker Madigan and others will push hard for Mangieri? It will be embarrasing for a IL Dem Party slated candidate to lose?
he is only 29– have not seen someone that young get slated for statewide office, what gives?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:07 pm
Either candidate will have a real tough race against Chris Radogno in the general.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:13 pm
Senator Radogno is the front-runner on either side. I am surprised that the Democratic ticket wants every one of their statewide candidates to live within 5 miles of one another. At least their slated candidate would bring some diversity on a geographical level.
I agree that Obama is showing leadership by stepping up if Mangieri is a bad candidate, but don’t you think he could have found someone else other than a 29 year old heir? Not very “progressive.”
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:20 pm
Downstate screwed by Obama. Not a good thing for our party. Not a good thing for our STATEWIDE Democratic Party.
And, come on, for a 29-year-old kid?
Where is downstate? Does downstate exist anymore?
This move will help accelerate the troublng trend of Illinois counties downstate moving from blue to red.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:25 pm
His age could be an assett. Not all 29-year-olds are green.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:29 pm
Radogno, for the record, is a Chicago subrubanite.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:30 pm
The problem, anonymous 12:25, is that Mangieri will become the butt of jokes about downstaters and hurt our cause even more. Why didn’t a credible state rep or senator from southern Illinois step up? Where is the next Paul Simon? (not the next Wilbur Mills). Mangieri is a punchline for every downstate rube joke in the book.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:36 pm
Would it kill the Democrats to have a candidate from outside Cook County?
Eventually, this is going to kill us.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:37 pm
Obama has a history of failing to support a more qualified candidate when someone with money is running an ego campaign. Real progressive there.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:38 pm
12:38, when has Obama supported an unqualified candidate just becuase that candidate was wealthy? I don’t think Obama has ever done such a thing.
12:29, not all 29 year olds are green? So please tell me, why is this guy so experienced? Where did he go to school? How long has he been out of school? What has he done professionally and politically?
This is a really interesting story and potentially a great primary for the Democrats. With respect to Fritchey or Jackson, why didn’t they run themselves instead of endorsing this young candidate? Why would they help a 29 yr old achieve statewide status, something they want to achieve themselves? If this 29 yr old wins the office, he is the star of the party and not Fritchey or Jackson. There is something I do not understand.
On the Dem side, I think Fritchey missed a golden chance. He would have won. What about Schoenberg from out in the suburbs? Claybourne? These are all top tier candidates.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:47 pm
I have a great deal of respect for Senator Obama. However, as a down state democrat I wish that Giannoulias at least had a little political history. I have met Mr. Mangieri and believe he is a sincere individual who is willing to dedicate a lot of hard work for the party overall. I for one am disappointed in all who work against any member of the slated ticket — if you had a gripe about the slating you should have stood up before the slating. I don’t remember anyone speaking out!!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:47 pm
big risk for obama. if the kid wins the primary, will pay off big time. if not, his stock will decline a little.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:49 pm
ANON 12:47
I agree completely. If people were that upset, one of the state reps or senators would have come forward if they wanted to. Why is everyone so upset about Mangieri with 2 weeks to go until filing, someone please post an argument.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:51 pm
He’s a banker. It’s the Treasurer’s office. Who cares if he’s 29. Mangieri is a nice enough guy, but other than his zip code, what recommends him as Treasurer?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:54 pm
This is good news for the dems, a contested primary, the voters will decide!
However, both will have a tough time after a bruising primary when they have to face a well funded CRad.
This is shaping up to be a battle between the old/machine (Madigan) v. the new (Obama). Am I sensing some competition or a split in the party?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 12:57 pm
You are upset if people go against the slated candidate? What are you, a bunch of party, robot hacks? I’m not saying Mangieri is bad, or the Giannoulias is good, but just because other elected officials chose not run, doesn’t mean they can’t endorse someone else. Everyone is forced to run? These arguments make no sense. Jackson, Fritchey and Obama have enough going on that they don’t have to feel threatened by him. I think its exciting that a 29-year-old is running… does he need to get permission from Madigan and the 19th ward to run? Does he need to bow down? I don’t think so.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:00 pm
Downstate?
Magic Eight Ball Says:
Demographic Trends Are Not In Your Favor.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:02 pm
Maybe elected offical Democrats area taking a pass on this race because they feel that a Democrat cannot win this race.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:06 pm
i think the slating arguement has more to do with unity for the party as a perception. It will be difficult for anyone who has circulated the slated petition to in any for support Giannoulias. I believe in the primary elections procedure and I support individuals who believe in themselves and their party and want to make the leap to run for elected office. My only point is the perception of the party overall. Let’s face it folks in this game perception is reality to those who don’t play it every day - in particular those who only play twice a year during an election year.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:07 pm
correct, downstate not in favor, however, downstate plus a good portion of cook (mangieri will get a good chunk because he is slated)= race leans mangieri
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:07 pm
Bravo anonymous 1:00 for stating the obvious. Just because Mike Madigan slates someone (and those of you who have watched the process know that no one else makes these decisions) doesn’t mean that person is best for the party, or the best candidate.
Speaking of affirmative action, Dan Hynes benefitted from the most egregious kind when he was slated in 1998 with nothing but fluff on his resume (running the Clinton campaign, give me a break).
I don’t know who this guy is that is running against Mangieri, but let’s have a primary and let the best financed and organized candidate win. I have a feeling that labor will get its back up about opposition to Mangieri, but their instincts have faded, too. Paul Mangieri is future trouble for Dems whether he wins or loses, a walking political time bomb. Just ask anyone from Galesburg….
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:14 pm
Rich it is totally weak that you shut down the comments section for the drink naming thing. Its friday man, I”m sure you aren’t gonna have a few drinks yourself tonight and share some of the more “colorful” entries with some of your compadres. Ease up a little pops…we’re just trying to blow off some steam on a Friday!
Comment by heet101 Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:29 pm
If Giannoulias wins, the real story will be the validation of Dan Shomon as the hottest political advisor/power broker since David Axelrod.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:33 pm
I know, I feel bad about it, but don’t blame me. There is a handful of morons out there who really don’t know how to act like humans.
Now, back to the original topic.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:34 pm
Just one question for all the “downstaters”. How come when people from chicago say springfield is “downstate” you scream, but you accept Galesburg as being downstate?
As for age, I believe that Alexi will be older than Dan Hynes was when he took office.
I would rather have someone young with banking experience, than someone old with NO experience.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:36 pm
Downstate represents 15% of Democrat vote in a primary, just FYI.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:40 pm
Very true about Shomon. Apparently he was the guy who really laid the foundation for Obama and he is apparently really high on this guy Giannoulias. Giannoulias has my vote.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:43 pm
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 1:56 pm
Can the Alexi campaign inform us when and where the announcement is?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:19 pm
Well, Mangieri will NOT get my vote even if he was slatted by the Democratic Party. As far as the General Election is concerned I might even vote for Radogno. She is a tuff campaigner and is pro-choice (while not important for the Office of Treasurer, this position could easily be used as a spring board to other elected positions where the abortion issue would be relevant – case in point JBT).
As far as the quibbling about people not complaining before about him being slatted by the party, there was indeed complaints (not covered much by the media) and even interesting stories from party members themselves on how things materialized during the slating process – maybe one of these people can shed light on that.
I have a lot of respect for Obama and Dan Shomon, but their guy DOES NOT have the state budgetary experience that Radogno does – she has sat on Appropriations Committees since I think 1997 and understands state finances. This Democrat is seriously thinking about voting for her.
Comment by Pale Face Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:24 pm
There’s nothing wrong with running against a slated candidate if you have a legitimate shot. which Giannoulias clearly does. I only have a problem with candidates that run as spoilers out of ego, because that hurts our chances in the general election.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:33 pm
As I have said on my blog, I met with both of them and like both of them. I said months ago that it would be best for the party to have a downstate candidate on the ticket.
But Knox County is not downstate, nor should a candidate get a free pass purely based on the fact that they are not from Cook. Furthermore, based upon the feedback that I received when I was looking at this race, I do not believe that many of the downstate officials are necessarily embracing Paul, for a variety of reasons.
There are a number of qualified candidates from downstate who could have chosen to run, but for whatever their reasons, none stepped up.
And since nobody with a proven record stepped up to run, we find ourselves with two unknown commodities. It will be up to them to make their respective cases to the voters. All in all, I think that such a situation makes for a healthier proposition for the party and the electorate rather than just accepting who is put before us.
Personally, I am supporting Alexi because I believe that his ideals and beliefs are much more in tune with mine than are Paul’s. Whether or not he will convince the voters that he is the superior candidate remains to be seen, but no candidate should be punished as a result of their zip code.
As I previously stated, yes I believe that I would have been successful had I run. I laid out in some detail why I chose not to do so, and I would hope that people could understand and appreciate the basis for my decision.
My present decision is not against anybody; not against the Speaker, not against the Party, not against Paul Mangieri. I am for certain things and in this case, certain individuals. I am for Alexi Giannoulias.
But endorsements only go so far. As I said, it is up to each candidate to make their case to the public. And I believe that when other people meet and hear Alexi, they will understand why myself and others are supporting him.
Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:33 pm
The only issue i have with this situation is that many people have been circulating the party petition - where was Alexi been the last several months - we all know JBT has been thinking about taking the plunge - why wasn’t he circulating his name? This situation has some people backed in a corner - it’s hard to circulate a petition and then support someone else!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:41 pm
It’s pretty sad day for our STATEWIDE Democratic Party when, not satisfied with controlling all of the Statewide offices Chicago Dems spew out lines like “Downstate is only 15% of the Democratic primary vote.”
So, go ahead, take the last statewide office, Chicago. Eat em up, put your big fat mouth at the trough.
Don’t worry about the fact that the total downstate accounts for 34-40% of the total general election vote.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:44 pm
Announcement details:
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005
1 p.m., Hilton Chicago Hotel
720 South Michigan Ave,
Boulevard A Room, 2nd Floor
Now, in response to all of those lamenting the loss of a downstater on the ticket, let’s run through a list of downstate Democrats who actually would have been good candidates:
Shiela Simon - Carbondale
—It’s obvious why.
Jay Hoffman - Collinsville
—Nearly $1 million in the bank
Gary Hannig - Macoupin County
—Knows budget inside and out
Kurt Granberg - Carlinville
—Well-liked and skilled politician
Fred Bathon - Granite City
—Treasurer for 8th largest county
Charlie Suarez - Belleville
—Treasurer for 7th largest county and a Latino
John Simmons - East Alton
—SIU Board of Trustees
David Phelps - Mt. Vernon
—former Congressman, loved by labor, education funding reform leader
If any of these folks had announced, and probably several others, we probably would not be hearing Alex Giannoulias’s name today.
But instead, downstate democrats we’re left with an embarrassing candidate — Mangieri can’t raise money on his own, has no recognizable qualifications for the job, and no name recognition or appeal outside of western Illinois. Most importantly, as has been stated repeated, Galesburg is not downstate. If you asked most downstaters to close their eyes, picture the state of Illinois, and put Galesburg on the map, they would draw a complete blank.
If Shiela Simon wants to get into the race, great. Otherwise, I say run, Alex, run
Comment by Homer Simpson Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:47 pm
Like Rep. Fritchey says, wouldn’t it make more sense to vote on a candidate based on their merits and not their address? This will be at least the fourth different office Mangieri has run for (States Atty, Lt. Gov., State Senate (is it true he lost his own precinct?) and now this). He doesn’t want to be Treasurer, he just wants to be something, anything. Not saying that this kid is a much better option, but it looks like their what we’ve got. Talking about waiting, for all of you Radogno people out there, it’s interesting that she didn’t get in until after Rep. Fritchey said he was out. Ballsy no, but smart yes. She now has the best shot of any Repub on the ticket.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 2:50 pm
Does Mangieri remind anyone of Duce Bigelow…just wondering?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 3:16 pm
So since Paul Simon’s daughter wouldn’t do it…
Joing Rod, Lisa and Dan Hynes…
The “open primary” candidate will be a guy who dad owns a bank, as managed by Jesse Jackson’s son?
Maybe we really aren’t ready for reform.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 3:38 pm
Don’t exaggerate my point. I’m a downstater. I grew up in downstate. I went to school downstate. I live and work downstate, as does my family.
I would have loved to have seen a qualified downstate candidate. When someone tells me what qualifies Mangieri, and when Galesburg became downstate — a two hour drive north of Springfield, great.
Comment by Homer Simpson Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 3:51 pm
Really, how many people voting in the Dem primary will know anyhting about the differences between these two guys? The entire election will come down to whether more Greeks or Italians are gonna vote in the primary.
I don’t know anything about either candidate and I’m probably gonna end up voting for the Greek kid just because I’m Greek.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 3:54 pm
Interesting. Galesburg, Capital of Maytag and heart of downstate, is now not considered downstate.
Rep. Fritchey and others, if that’s your perspective then I’m sorry.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 3:57 pm
How is Knox County not downstate?? Have to disagree with Fritchey on that…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:04 pm
Any word on who the ward regular democratic organizations will be supporting?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:06 pm
Perhaps in political shorthand “downstate” once meant Southern, obviously. Perhaps now “downstate” means “Not-Chicago-Metro”, even if a place is a bit “upstate”.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:08 pm
My comment is based upon 3 different downstate electeds, including one county chair, who all said that ‘they’ do not consider Mangieri to be from downstate. Personally, as I have said before, I’d rather have the focus of any candidate be on the qualifications not the address. These issues only serve to divide us, not unify us, as Democrats.
Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:10 pm
In terms of Obama, this is the return of a political favor. I hope that some reporter will ask Barack how much money Giannoulis donated personally and how much he raised from friends. My understanding is that it is SUBSTANTIAL ($150,000 - $200,000).
I am not critizing it - it happens all the time in politics. However, it generally trumps experience and other factors (Lisa Madigan, Dan Hynes are test cases).
As for Fritchey, he didn’t have the “testicular verility” to run but he can recognize a winner when he sees on and nobody wants to be with a loser.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:19 pm
Funny, Shoman was tellin Dems early in the week that he was ont involved in this. Guess he was “confused” Wealthy candidates will do that.
Most folks know Obama made Obama and Dan was just waiting for a bus when the shooting star went by
Fritchey ought to stick to with the blog.
Which Giannoulis gave the $ to Ryan?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:30 pm
Is he related to the R.I. Dems chairman?
Comment by AmyEAllen Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:36 pm
Homer, Kurt Granberg is NOT well-liked down here and John Cavaletto is going to beat him in the House race. Jay Hoffman is a jerk who is too close to Blago and would not play well statewide. And Gary Hannig is my former state rep. Ay-yi-yi…I won’t even go into it.
The person who stated that candidates still have to show themselves to the voting public is forgetting that the primaries are geared towards the party faithful and are often times won by the annointed candidate. If AG is supported by Senator Obama, who do you think will win? I do say that if AG beats Paul Mangieri that Senator Radogno will win the general by 10%.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:43 pm
Don’t discount Downstate.
Democrats live downstate, too! In some counties (*cough* Sangamon *cough*) the party is just barely hanging on.
We may not have the percentage of Democratic vote share as Chicago does, but we are trying our best and we could use some help from the big bad Chicago…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:49 pm
Team–
You hit the nail on the head regarding the “downstate” support. I agree with you about Granberg. He will go the way of Grunloh (and the way Hartke would have gone had he stayed put).
Comment by HoosierDaddy Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:52 pm
Rodogno will be lucky to carry her own Senate district in a statewide race.
Comment by reddbyrd Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 4:54 pm
I wonder who Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will endorse? She’s currently firing more employees before the Holidays, so maybe she will wait til after the New Year to make her decision.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 5, 05 @ 10:52 pm
Giannoulias, Pappas…why it’s all Greek to me. And why shouldn’t Maria Pappas look at the prospect of a great treasury to manage than a mere County treasury. Mind you there’s nothing at all wrong with County Cook, but it’s an awful large State Illinois and wouldn’t she make a fine State Treasurer!
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