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Kirk may not run for Senate if LMadigan does

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* Good catch by Progress Illinois of a remark by WTTW’s Elizabeth Brackett about how she had talked with some of Republican Congressman Mark Kirk’s people and was told Kirk won’t run for the Senate if Attorney General Lisa Madigan does…

I don’t think Madigan will run for the Senate, but since this idea apparently freezes Kirk in place, it’s not a dumb move by the Dems.

* Chris Kennedyy’s people are calling around…

…an Illinois Democrat also speaking on the condition of anonymity, told CNN that Kennedy’s political allies are telling state Democrats that he will indeed seek the Democratic nomination for the seat once held by President Obama.

Roland Burris’ spokesperson isn’t impressed…

Senator Burris’s political adviser Delmarie Cobb is not impressed by Chris Kennedy’s possible entry into the race.

“He hasn’t been that involved in terms of any public policy or out front on any issues, so he would have to begin from scratch,” Cobb said.

Beginning “from scrtch” is still better than starting from that cavernous hole that Burris put himself in.

Daley is impressed…

Caroline Kennedy’s campaign for New York’s U.S. Senate seat was a non-starter, but the Kennedy name is still magic in Illinois, Mayor Daley said Wednesday, in a political assessment that Chris Kennedy should find encouraging.

“Sure it does. Yes, it does. You’d better believe it. Same thing as Barack Obama’s name. Those two names. You’d better believe it,” Daley said.

Having met him on more than one occasion, I can tell you that Chis is definitely not the mumbling Caroline.

* Related…

* Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.’s congressional campaign organization has paid his wife at least $247,500 since 2001, including at least $95,000 after Sandra Jackson joined the Chicago City Council two years ago, according to federal election records.

* Pew Research Political Values Study: “The lead,” as Pew Research president Andrew Kohut explained in a briefing yesterday, “is that centrism has emerged as a dominant factor in public opinion.” The percentage of adults who describe their party identification as independent — 36% so far in 2009 — equals its highest level in 70 years.” Meanwhile, Republican numbers “have dropped precipitously” since 2004, while the Democratic numbers though markedly improved during the Bush years have ‘fallen off a little bit” since November 2008. Meanwhile, basic measures on other political attitudes remain stable.

* Local diversity champ weighing statewide bid [fixed link]: In the General Assembly where she served four years, Kelly avoided the political theater embedded in the lawmaking process. She rarely spoke on the House floor during debate, unlike some members who regularly throb and thrash at the microphone to the delight of their colleagues.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:00 pm

Comments

I don’t think Mark Kirk has the guts to roll the dice on a statewide.

Despite all the self-generated hype, he knows he’s got tons of problems once he steps outside of his limousine liberal district.

Comment by just sayin Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:10 pm
Maybe that explains Lisa’s curious mentioning of the Senate possibility earlier.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:16 pm
The 10th a limousine liberal district?

Limousine, yes.

Comment by hm Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:17 pm
Is it news that Patti B will now be on the reality show?

Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:18 pm
It’s news, just not important news.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:19 pm
Also, the link on Kelly is broken.

Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:19 pm
…And it’s posted on a different thread.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:19 pm
Da Mare claims the Kennedy name is magic and Burris is the magic man. I wonder if the winner will go to the Magic Kingdom?

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:32 pm
I know this is a repeat of a comment I made earlier, but I can confirm Rich’s impression of Chris Kennedy — he struck me as both intelligent and a fast thinker (either that or he was incredibly well prepared).

Mark Kirk is Mr. Cautious — he’s flown under the radar ever since John Porter, his former boss, passed him the torch. Still, if I were the national GOP, I’d push him and promise him the backing to match Lisa Madigan — he offers a very real chance at winning Obama’s senate seat, a great talking point for them going forward.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:36 pm
Did I miss something? Does anyone find any magic in the Kennedy name? Maybe in Mass., but here?

Comment by Chi Gal Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:38 pm
Yes, you probably missed something. It’s a national name - and that name and that family were used by Obama to boost his campaign. It worked.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:39 pm
Senate Dems are not thrilled with Chris Kennedy. Sen Dems are still moving to find a solid candidate that matches up against Kirk. Everyone (both Dems and GOP) know Kirk is smart to wait.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 12:46 pm
Rich, that Jesse Jackson, Jr. story could be a blockbuster — and probably deserves its own thread.

The gist: that Jackson has been disguising what sound like relatively significant payments from his campaign fund to his wife. Couple that revelation with the fact that Jackson has been amending his disclosures — mix in his recent talk with the FBI — and it all adds up to what looks like big big trouble.

Did his fundraiser go off last month? Or has it been “post-poned”?

From the story:

Jesse Jackson’s FEC reports list payments as being made to J. Donatella & Associates, which [Rick] Bryant [a spokesman for Jackson] described as “Sandi’s sole proprietorship” for her consulting work. The couple’s oldest child is 9-year-old Jessica Donatella Jackson.
From 2003 through mid-2005, the recipient is shown on Jackson’s reports as “Lee Stevens” or “Lee Steven” at the J. Donatella firm. Sandi Jackson’s middle name is Lee. Her maiden name is Stevens.
Jesse Jackson listed his wife’s firm on personal finance disclosures for 2001, 2002 and 2003, but didn’t mention her consulting work on filings for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Earlier this year, Jackson amended those reports, saying the Donatella firm was omitted by mistake.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Kennedy is the ultimate example of the family, friends and Irish plan. Hypocrites, you blast Stroger for it and he doesn’t come close to the Irish hack plan. Kennedy’s a silverspoon, carpetbagging, media creation. Burris’ years of public service runs circles around Kennedys’.It’s typical you have nothing positive to say about Burris, Stroger, Jackson, Rush, you get my point. Shame on you!

Comment by Malcolm Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:20 pm
wow, that revelation on JJJ looms large.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:22 pm
=== Hypocrites, you blast Stroger for it and he doesn’t come close to the Irish hack plan.===

The problem with Stroger isn’t his ancestry, it’s his utter incompetence and complete failure as a leader.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:30 pm
the 10th is not a limousine liberal district. It is Republican district that has fallen into Republican disrepair because of the failure of the state and national party to come up with any sort of agenda or leadership.

I had high hopes for the panel last night because I think Warren and Green are usually up on their stuff (washington has no original thoughts on gop politics), but instead it became a somewhat uninformative regurgitation of what is discussed here everyday.

Despite my longstanding support for Kirk I agree with the panel that in the end Obama will not suffer the major national humiliation of losing his own senate seat in his first midterm election to a party that has won the seat once in 30 years.

Comment by Shore Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:47 pm
Rich that argument is weak, can easily be refuted and makes my point again. I challenge you to report some of the outstanding and hard work being done in the county. You won’t because its not a part of the scripted, fake news (I mean Fox news) talking points. Obama was ripped by the media (Wright, Ayers, unpatriotic, wife not proud, inexperience) and it didn’t work. A big surprise is awaiting you north side nuts.

Comment by Malcolm Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 1:54 pm
=== . Burris’ years of public service runs circles around Kennedys’.====

Would it be ok if Burris said the Govenor was not competent to make the senate appointment, but then decided based on his years of public service to take the appointment anyway since it benefited him personaly?

Comment by Ghost Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 2:16 pm
Malcolm - speaking of Strogers and Kennedys, Kennedy’s first true brush with independent public service? John Stroger’s transition team chairman in the 90s… Thank you for that, Mr. Kennedy.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 2:34 pm
Kennedy’s shady real estate deals and run-ins with labor unions seek to be trouble for him in the Democratic Primary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6QmgoHsnXw

Comment by Progressives Against Chris Kennedy Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 2:50 pm
This jumped out at me from the article:

The Jacksons have a “unique synergy which enhances the value and quality of life for the constituents they serve,” Sandi Jackson’s spokeswoman, Crystal Adkisson, said by e-mail.

“Unique synergy?” “ehances the quality of life for the constituents?” LOL

Comment by paddyrollingstone Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Paddy, that’s just the karate juice talking.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 5:08 pm
I agree with Chi Gal, Kennedy is not a magic name here in Illinois. people who think that, are too involved in politics to really see what average people are thinking. Outside the “inside spr cocoon” the kennedy dynasty is no longer camelot etc.

Comment by disgusted Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 6:27 pm
lol, Paddy. Sounds a little like Doublethink from the Ministry of Truth.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 21, 09 @ 10:24 pm