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Afternoon campaign roundup

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Illinois

* Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky was in Peoria over the weekend and made an appearance on Fox Chicago Sunday, as did Patrick Collins. Since I’m having trouble viewing the video, I’ll note that Progress Illinois claims Collins said he wasn’t interested in political office next year.

* That same PI post reminded me to reach out to Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Cook County President and congress. He’s now hinting about a run for governor. Actually, he’s working behind the scenes with some folks and I’ll have more for subscribers tomorrow…

“I have talked to some people about running next year [for Governor] and it is something that we are actively considering.”

Murphy, by the way, rightly points out in a press release that several of the governor’s reform commission agenda items came from bills he sponsored.

* The governor tries to calm nerves…

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn hopped on a train to drive home the message that riding public transit isn’t risky to people’s health.

Quinn boarded a train with his son in Oak Park on Monday morning for the 20 minute ride to his downtown Chicago office.

I sure hope he doesn’t catch the flu.

* Comptroller Dan Hynes is on Twitter…

Off to the YMCA for Charlie’s swim class.

Scintillating.

* This AP story on Alexi Giannoulias shows how journalistic shorthand is one reason why I believe the PR problem about the SUV is worse for the treasurer than some may reckon.

* The Heartland Institute’s Tom Swiss has a rundown of possible GOP statewide contenders. Here’s his take on Joe Birkett…

Birkett is decent at public speaking, but needs new material. Everyone has heard his “I was a golden gloves boxer who is willing to fight for you” story at least 20 times. In the unlikely event Birkett’s name ID takes off, he will stay in the race, but as other campaigns ramp up, he will need to make some serious changes from his 2006 strategy if he wants to be competitive. Birkett clears the field as the run-away favorite for Attorney General.

And some of what he says about Dan Proft…

Debates could be a two-edged sword for the ideological Proft, he will have no problem with any questions but will need to appear likeable. He is prone to occassional outbursts of righteous anger. Proft will also have to distance himself from Cicero politics.

* If any of those above-mentioned people do run statewide next year, I gotta wonder whether TV reporters will show up or just send the video pool…

Four Chicago television stations are expected later today to announce they soon will be sharing newsgathering resources at general news events, sources said… Stations could be sharing raw video through the arrangement by the end of the month. […]

Rather than send independent crews to shoot the same news conferences, sports events and other non-exclusive news, the local news service will dispatch a single crew to provide pooled raw video. What each competing outlet’s reporters, editors and producers do with the raw video is up to individual rival operations.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 4, 09 @ 2:33 pm

Comments

Every time I hear from a pol…”I was a Golden Gloves” boxer, it begs the question: Did you ever win??? If you’re 2-33 as a boxer, I don’t want you “fighting for the people”.

Comment by You Go Boy Monday, May 4, 09 @ 2:48 pm
Full disclosure, Jan has tried in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to beat Mark Kirk, when he was undefined, when he was facing anti-bush sentiment and when he was facing pro-obama sentiment, and lost all 3 times. Her husband I believe was also involved with Seals’s campaign perhaps demonstrating that not everyone shares her values.

Comment by Shore Monday, May 4, 09 @ 2:56 pm
Dan Proft spoke to one of my classes this past year. He is very extreme in my mind. Of course, I am on the other side of the isle from him. He did have some harsh things to say about the Illinois Republican Party. I wonder if he is willing to say those things to them. They probably need to hear it.

Comment by UIS Student Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:08 pm
The stations could have used a pool video for the Quinn stunt this morning. I got to the Green Line and thought there had been a train wreck due to the TV trucks there for live standups for the Morning Happy Talk Shows.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:10 pm
I wonder what it means to look like a governor.

Comment by Levois Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:14 pm
Levois: “….look like a governor”. Not sure either, but a good start is look at Blago, and then consider anything but…

Comment by You Go Boy Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:19 pm
The more names that enter this field…the more it looks like Schillerstrom can come out on top. Of course there is still a long way to go!

Birkett should just go for AG.

Comment by scoot Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:19 pm
Do The Quinn-comotion! - Goffin/King, enhanced by VanillaMan

The Governor is doin a PR stunt now.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
He’s in front of a train station, so give him a chance now.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!

Don’t listen to Joe Biden, if you please,
He is now getting spanked over Obama’s knees.
So, come on, come on, and do the Quinn-comotion with me!

Youve got to swipe your card - YEAH!
Oooo …
Come on,
Swipe it!
Oooo …
Hop on.
Set the PACE,
Oh, well, that mask is to cover your face!
Woah … woah.

Now that you are on board, you must be protected.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
Don’t touch anything, it might be infected.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!

Do like Quinn, and wear clothes that you can burn,
A little bit of Swine flu will help doctors learn.
So, come on, come on, and do the Quinn-motion with me.

Woah … woah.
There’s a vote on the Floor for a Quinn-motion.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
It’ll rip off taxpayers if it gets a notion.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!

When you live in a state that is this “blue”,
You quickly learn there’s worst things, than the Flu.
So, come on, come on, and do the Quinn-comotion with me.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
So, come on, come on, and do the Quinn-comotion with me.
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
So, come on, come on, and do the Quinn-comotion with me.

Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!
Come on voters, do the Quinn-comotion!

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, May 4, 09 @ 3:59 pm
Vman, are you familiar with the term, “Jump the Shark”? Just sayin’.

Comment by Gene Parmesan Monday, May 4, 09 @ 4:18 pm
I know of no one who will lift a finger for Matt Murphy after he voted against SB600. If he doesn’t think Republicans should have a vote in their own party, why would he expect help or a vote for something else.

Murphy seems long on ego, short on brains.

Comment by My kingdom for a Republican with a spine Monday, May 4, 09 @ 6:35 pm
UIS Student said:
“Of course, I am on the other side of the isle from him.”

What isle is that? The isle of wight? Gilligan’s Isle?

(Sorry, i just had to.)

Comment by Hildy Monday, May 4, 09 @ 6:41 pm
Shore says, “Full disclosure, Jan has tried in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to beat Mark Kirk….”

Along with just ’bout every other Dem in the area. Sheesh. (And why’d you skip the Perritt and Goodman campaigns Shore?)

That’s like saying, ‘Full disclosure, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west… even when it’s winter, or summer, or spring.’

Shore also offered this gem, “Her husband I believe was also involved with Seals’s campaign perhaps demonstrating that not everyone shares her values.”

Bob Creamer was not exactly a head honcho with Seals’ campaign. “Involved” is a mighty nebulous word. See example of sun rising and setting above.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, May 4, 09 @ 6:50 pm
I’m pretty sure Tom Swiss was let go from the Heartland Institute a long time ago.

Comment by just sayin Monday, May 4, 09 @ 7:37 pm