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Giannoulias to kick off Senate campaign this Sunday

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Illinois

* From a press release…

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias will enter the 2010 race for U.S. Senate and officially launch his campaign during a seven-city statewide swing beginning Sunday in Chicago and Springfield. Since forming his exploratory committee in March, Giannoulias has received an outpouring of support from Illinois residents throughout the state who are hungry for leaders who will take on powerful special interests in Washington, get our economy back on track and restore opportunity for every American.

Time: 11:00 a.m.
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
Place: Hilton Chicago
720 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago

Time: 2:30 p.m.
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
Place: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel
701 E. Adams St.
Springfield

On Monday, Giannoulias will also make stops in Carbondale and the Metro East area. On Tuesday, Giannoulias will visit Rockford, the Quad Cities and Peoria. (Details about events in these locations will be announced later this week.)

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:02 pm

Comments

He’s got a tough act to follow

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:05 pm
it’s nice that alexi wants to do all that at the federal level. it would’ve been nicer had he done more for the people of illinois over the course of the last four years. he would have done better to run for re-election and actually finish what he started before seeking a bigger and better office.

he reminds me of a little. his eyes are bigger than his stomach. he wants to do more than he is actually capable of doing.

“youth is wasted on all the wrong people.”

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:07 pm
Finish what he started? He fulfilled all of his campaign promises within his first 2 years of being in office. I’m just sayin…

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Hopefully we’ll get to see the famous SUV.

Comment by View from the Cheap Seats Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:11 pm
oh, I iddn’t finish one of the sentences.

he’s like a little kid.

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Go Alexi!

Comment by Ulysses Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:23 pm
Avoid the drive-by comments, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:24 pm
@ bill preston,

yes, that’s exactly why the White House thought of him as THE ideal candidate. they were so totally confident of him, weren’t they.

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:26 pm
Finish what he started?

He lost $85 million in Illinois Family taxpayer dollars to Wall Street.

Should he finish losing the rest of our money?

No, that’s not fair.

On April 20, 2009, CBS News / AP reported that he was optimistic that Illinois families will get back the money they lost in the Bright Start program.

I would rather he finish the job and get the money back before he goes to Washington to get his hands on the billions of dollars he could waste there.

How much can the taxpayers stand?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:41 pm
Flashback..

https://capitolfax.com/2008/01/16/giannoulias-scores-again/

Comment by Anonymous Coward Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:41 pm
Anybody can read a poll. If Lisa had run the DSCC wouldn’t have had to spend any money and they wouldn’t have had to worry about anything because she’d have scared everyone out of the race. That’s not personal preference, that’s just good business sense. Get a grip, snarky.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:41 pm
===He lost $85 million in Illinois Family taxpayer dollars to Wall Street.===

Ok Oppenheimer managed that fund and the reason that it lost money was because of on overly risky bet THEY placed on mortgage-backed securities with OUR money outside of the legal parameters of the fund’s guidelines (Maine, New Mexico, Oregon and Texas also invested in the fund).

After this was discovered, Alexi pursued a legal remedy in which nearly 90% would be returned to the investors.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Obamarama: Is that reported anywhere?

Comment by Brennan Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:59 pm
Brennan, try the Google.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:00 pm
You know, the fact that Giannoulias used $26,000 derived from money from Illinos’ hard working taxpayers to buy a 4th car and at least ANOTHER Ford Escape for him to drive but “not exclusively” doesn’t bother me, after all, he was just trying to help bail out Detroit.

But, considering Mitsubishi is on the verge of going under in Bloomington, along with several thousand jobs, couldn’t he have bought a home-made vehicle instead?

Im just saying….

Comment by Ray Robbins Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:03 pm
$85 million out of a couple billion invested during one of the worst economic downturns we’ve seen in two generations. Not to mention the fact that his office has eluded that there was wrongdoing on the part of the fund manager and that they’re recouping funds that were lost. I’m not trying to diminish the pain and inconvenience that families that lost money went through, but sometimes these things happen. And at least Alexi recognized the problem and did something to fix it.

(I figure there were a lot of Kirk advocates on here yesterday, so I might as well stick up for the only viable Dem in the race)

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:04 pm
“leaders who will take on powerful special interests in Washington, get our economy back on track and restore opportunity for every American.”

Seriously folks, who really expects this of anyone going to Washington? I am sick of hearing this same sad song from the politicos. Giannoulias’ boiler plate democratic talk ain’t resonating with this independent. And I should add, the standard Republican fare ain’t resting too easy on the gut either.

Politicians are going to be facing a very disgruntled electorate and their predictably lame campaign rhetoric is likely to land with a thud.

Comment by vole Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Ray - the SUV was purchased from a Bright Start administrative fund that is subsidized by fees paid by Bright Start fund participants. All 529 programs have these administrative funds and they are used to purchase promotional materials, pay staff salaries, and, yes, purchase vehicles used to promote the program. It’s probably worth mentioning that Bright Start’s fees are among the lowest in the country which is one of the reasons the program went from one of the worst-rated to one of the best-rated in the country.

All of this information is on the State Treasurer’s site, guys, not to mention google. Maybe you should read up on what you’re talking about before you go willy-nilly slamming people in comments.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:14 pm
===Obamarama: Is that reported anywhere?===

Nah, it really wasn’t covered in any major media outlets. I guess you caught me.

Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124484141361510987.html

Sun Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/savage/1376279,CST-FIN-savage14.savagearticle

I’m ok posting these links, right Rich?

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:22 pm
Man, you would really think his campaign would have better sense than to announce than at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. I know that he’ll probably take responsibility for changing the mortgage deal for the better, but still do you really want your campaign launch to coincide with the buzzwords “sweet heart deal” and “Bill Cellini?”

That place has been the bane of your existence if you have been state treasurer over the past 25 years. Instead, take a walk across the street to the Hilton and announce there, then take credit for cleaning up the Cellini/Renaissance/ Abe Lincoln deal in a TV commerical somewhere down the road.

Comment by Jimmy87 Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:34 pm
Those hotel ballrooms can look awfully big on TV. I hope he has the bodies to fill them . . .

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:34 pm
Thanks Obamarama. I’ll take a rain check on the snark.

Comment by Brennan Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:34 pm
Rich,

I hope Alexi’s Senate run will give you a better opportunity to gush about how much you like him - even though he has little to no experience, got elected because of family money and rides the coat tails of the President.

Comment by Northside Blogger Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:35 pm
Deep South - it’ll be easier for him to take on special interests since he’s not accepting campaign contributions from federally registered lobbyists or corporate PACs.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:39 pm
If I recall correctly, and I do, Giannoulias criticized Judy Baar for her handling of the fund.

He made it a plank of his campaign platform, in fact.

Given that, he had a higher level of responsibility for oversight of the money that Illinois families paid into the fund.

Considering this, people shouldn’t help him wash his hands of this issue.

Alexi needs to answer for his misfeasance before he tries to get a promotion to one of the highest offices in the land.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:42 pm
It’s always fun to watch ego meet reality. Especially political egos. This will be fun to watch if the media does its due diligence, bloggers investigate, and opposition research recognizes such a target rich environment.

Comment by walter sobchak Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:47 pm
NB, to what are you referring?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:50 pm
Bill S. Preston, Esq. -

My response to your legalese is this:

Instead of using the money derived from the fund to pay for cars, promotions and staff, why didn’t
Alexi reinvest the money into the fund.

In the real world, a well run business would have reinvested the money instead of carrying an unnecessary expense.

Ray.

Comment by Ray Robbins Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:50 pm
RR, that comment made no sense.

In the “real world,” corporations do promotions and actually hire staff.

Try to stay sane here, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:52 pm
Alexi escaped with editorial boards doing most of the work against him last time around. Won’t be the same this time around.

Comment by View from the Cheap Seats Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 3:58 pm
If Alexi is the nominee, where can I sign up for the Dems for Kirk committee?

Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:09 pm
Rich, yes you are right.

BUT, doesn’t the Office of the Treasurer get a budget to hire staff and pay for its promotional activity?

And in my world, a business pays for additional staff and advertising out of profits, not losses.

Ray.

Comment by Ray Robbins Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:11 pm
Ray, I believe you are confusing two different and separate pools of money. There are fees associated with participation in the program (fees that are low relative to other similar programs). Those fees feed into an administrative fund which in turn are used for overhead costs.

Some one correct me if this is not the case.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:24 pm
Eek! These comments completely reek! If you hate the guy - fine, hate him. Just don’t try to spin something that ain’t there. More often than not, it comes off as not knowing the facts.

What are the odds that this race turns into one of issues and not just personal feelings about the two?

Comment by Utterly independent Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:36 pm
please Obama lovers, try to sift hype from reality on his
basketball buddy Treasurer G. wouldn’t your internet world
energy be better spent pushing for important things like
the health care plan? or finding a more qualified Dem to
run for U.S. Senate in Illinois?

Comment by Amy Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:46 pm
Indy:

Let’s hope it’s not a cmapiang about the issues - Otherwise, Alxi doesn’t stand a chance!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:49 pm
i guess robin kelly isn’t running for treasurer. haven’t heard from in a couple months, when she expressed an interest.

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:53 pm
RR - The Treasurer’s office does get a budget to hire stuff and promote other programs, etc. But I believe 529 programs like Bright Start are set-up to be “self-sufficient” so that additional funds from the general budget do not need to be appropriated to sustain it. Someone correct me on that if I’m wrong.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 5:08 pm
WCW, are you just throwing comments out there to see what sticks?? So lazy - do your research. Robin Kelly has a state committee open and a website. Robinfortreasurer.com.

Comment by TTL, III Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 5:21 pm
Dems for Kirk? Please. Don’t immediately give your full support to Kirk before giving Giannoulias a bit more of a chance. I would like to know what you think is so bad about him. Just wait a bit, I have confidence in Giannoulias.

Is the general public welcome to Giannoulias’ Sunday conferences in both hotels? I’m assuming the answer to this is yes, but I would like reassurance.

Comment by KK Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 5:42 pm
Alexi a leader?? Maybe of a 3-on-3 Gus Macker team…he’s not comparable to Mark Kirk when it comes to leadership.

Mr Coattails (I played b-ball w/ the Obama!!) hasn’t really done anything on his own as Treasurer…the Topinka folks made a smooth transition for him & even got him started early on.

To say that Alexi is the leader that Illinois needs in Washington is a joke! He’ll just nodd his head when told to by the White House.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 5:51 pm
Alexi will do a great job in the Senate helping to advance the President’s agenda and preserving a filibuster-proof majority. Along with Dick Durbin, Al Franken and other Senate Dems, he will bring reform to the political process, fight for prosperity for all Americans, reduce the influence of the lobbyists, and solve the problems of our country that is suffering from 8 years of Bush economics and the Bush wars. Alexi is well suited to help our President get America back on track.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 6:21 pm
Bill that is full of sarcasm correct??

Blame Bush was already old..it’s like blaming George Ryan. Whatever Bush did while in office…Obama has only worsened. But, let’s not get off track..Alexi would be a puppet, who cleans Obama’s b-ball shoes. The Senate is for leaders..not followers.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 6:43 pm
Scoot,

I like your analysis. Please tell me more about how being close to Obama will hurt Alexi.

In fact, I think you should totally start a web site and circulate fliers that expose their buddy-buddy relationship. And how Alexi will fall in line behind whatever Obama says.

Comment by hmmm Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 6:56 pm
I never said being close to Obama would hurt his candidacy. My point is that Alexi has been riding the Obama coattails since day one, and to me that doesn’t qualify one to be a US Senator.

W/out the Obama connection..what has Alexi accomplished?

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 7:35 pm
===================
Let’s hope it’s not a cmapiang about the issues - Otherwise, Alxi doesn’t stand a chance!
===================

Good point, Anon! Certinaly would NOT recommend dodging debates–2004 Primary on our side is a perfect case study–soooo, get the flashcards out and keep your fingers crossed as your holding your breath.

Comment by Ahem...The Real Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 7:43 pm
Hoping his $$ scares away the rivals. This seat needs to go R. Despite all the national Greek money that will show up, and despite Kass’s probable support, the guy’s still just a kid, and I think he’s toast Statewide this time.

Comment by Bobs yer Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 9:28 pm
Of course we need this seat…for a variety of reasons. (So, looking back now, just how important WAS this seat in 04?) It’s the same but different this time, and I don’t think that $$ is going to be the determining factor–besides the obvious, of course.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 10:35 pm
===Will County Woman-@4:53 pm:
i guess robin kelly isn’t running for treasurer. haven’t heard from in a couple months, when she expressed an interest.===
WCM, Robin has been busy running around the state raising her awareness. Saw her in a few 4th of July parades and at events. On top of that she has been actively fundraising. During the grassroots part of the campaign you only notice the candidate when they are in your area. The rest of the state hears from the campaign when they advertise and the media does the stories. Not at that point of the campaign yet.
I also assume she is spending a lot of time dialing for dollars. Not that impressive of a D-2 but without knowing for sure what her boss was doing, it was slowing her down. This I know from first hand experience with trying to twist my boss’s arm to donate before the deadline.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 11:03 pm
“Alexi a leader?? Maybe of a 3-on-3 Gus Macker team”

That line’s great. Thanks for the laugh.

Comment by chuddery Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 11:40 pm
Looks like Illinois may have it’s own Senator Kennedy for Alexi and Cheryle Jackson are going to split most of the same supporters that will only benefit Kennedy.

Comment by Mark Allen Wednesday, Jul 22, 09 @ 1:36 am