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*** UPDATE *** Alexi Giannoulias responded this morning to the NBC 5 story about how he’s considering a bid for governor…
“Ain’t happening. My life is great right now, Quinn’s my friend, and frankly I think it’s too late for anyone serious to get in anyway.
“Ahern’s correct: I’ve gotten calls, but I imagine that the folks who called me are probably calling others as well. Flattered, but no interest. I do, however, miss Springfield and especially the folks in the treasurer’s office dearly.”
So, let’s put that goofy rumor to rest once and for all, shall we?
* NBC 5…
With Democrat Bill Daley out as a candidate for governor, who might be in?
NBC 5 has learned that some Democratic insiders not satisfied with Gov. Pat Quinn are reaching out to others, including former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Also on the wish list is Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle as well as perhaps a newcomer — a business man or woman.
While there are concerns it may be too late even though the official filing isn’t until December 1, Giannoulias is said to be at least entertaining the idea.
Yeah. Another banker. And a bank that failed, to boot. That’ll work.
I’ve reached out to Giannoulias via voicemail, text and e-mail, but haven’t heard back. I’ll let you know if he responds.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been asked by some folks to write stories encouraging others to run, including about Alexi and Dan Hynes. But I’ve told everybody that unless I hear from those guys directly, I’m not gonna write anything beyond what’s being reported already.
That was my rule with Kwame Raoul. We talked, he was clearly interested, I thought he could pull it off, so I wrote about it.
* Meanwhile, the folks who already decided not to run aren’t changing their minds…
Lisa Madigan, who is seeking re-election as attorney general, said Tuesday that she is not reconsidering her decision to bypass a run against Quinn.
“My decision was based on nothing else to do but my own considerations, not those of any other potential candidates in the race,” she said.
Democratic state Sen. Kwame Raoul of Chicago, who also had weighed a primary challenge to Quinn, said he was not reconsidering. Raoul indicated his decision was due to a variety of factors, not simply whether the primary would have been “a three-way or a two-way race.”
* Related…
* Is Bill Daley back in frame as possible Ambassador to Ireland?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:23 am
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Anybody who jumps in now will look like either:
1) They were afraid to jump in when Bill Daley was in the race; or
2) Are jumping in as part of Team Daley to replace him.
Even if the person were already considering doing so, it would look bad now.
Nobody with a future in Democratic politics wants to be known as “The Guy Who Was Scared to Take on Bill Daley.”
Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:28 am
Who’s reaching out to Alexi, besides Alexi?
The obvious candidate is out there, and you know he’s ready and willing:
Roland Burris, your time has come.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:29 am
It’s official, wey can’t find anyone with a pulse to take on one of the least popular and least effective governors in the country.
Comment by J Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:29 am
It would be really hard for somebody to come up with the cash to win now. Quinn has the nomination along with the horseshoe in his pocket.
Comment by Raising Kane Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:30 am
Rauner?
just kidding
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:31 am
Quinn has consolidated support among all the major Democratic organizations in the state. He is not going to lose a Democratic primary. Alexi and the rest should save themselves the trouble that Bill Daley put himself through. Patrick J. Quinn is going to be the nominee.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:34 am
Don’t see it happening. Though you could argue that you take the same path that Kwame would have taken. Get AFSCME and the Teachers to go all in and fund your primary.
However, you’re likely up against the trade unions and SEIU. Those guys negate each other and you still need to find your own money.
Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:35 am
I’m surprised that Hynes isn’t giving this a serious look.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:36 am
=== Anybody who jumps in now will look like either:
1) They were afraid to jump in when Bill Daley was in the race; or
2) Are jumping in as part of Team Daley to replace him.
===
Any stigma attached to that isn’t sufficient enough to outright dismiss the candidate.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:36 am
Alexi would get crushed; Hynes could be a credible challenger.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:37 am
I don’t think Hynes has the stomach for another defeat, which is what he would experience.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:38 am
Preckwinkle would be a good choice. But with the Dem organization pretty much locked up for PQ she probably wouldn’t get in.
“Also on the wish list is Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:40 am
Has anyone heard if Rich Whitney is going to try another Green Party run for Governor next year? If Quinn is the only Dem nominee I can see a lot of disenchanted Dems, especially downstate, heading over to the Greens instead. Maybe even some Green efforts to get union support.
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:42 am
Daley new it was a losing cause for Dems next year. Controlling both the Senate and House didn’t help Gov. lame duck improve the life of Illinois residents. 2014 will be a Republican vote for collar county residents who voted Dem in 2010. Nothing substantial was passed the last four years except the income tax increase and that is enough to flip these voters back to the Republicans who were against the tax increase in the first place. Quinn loses a few thousand collar county votes and he’s done. State Dems already have conceded the Governors Mansion to the eventual Republican nominee and will continue to do nothing legislatively in order to pave the way for Lisa (the savior of Illinois) in 2018.
Comment by nickypiii Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:43 am
“I don’t think Hynes has the stomach for another defeat, which is what he would experience.”
It’s too bad, bc if he somehow got to be the “R” candidate (ie, in a 2-way race with PQ in the general election), he’d win.
Comment by Chris Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:46 am
Can you imagine Alexi running? I remember when he ran for Treasurer. Large sign with himself and JJ Jr. standing behind him. Good luck
Comment by Libertyville's finest Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:52 am
–State Dems already have conceded the Governors Mansion to the eventual Republican nominee and will continue to do nothing legislatively in order to pave the way for Lisa (the savior of Illinois) in 2018.–
LOL, is that the first Lisa 2018 sighting?
For crying out loud, even Linus gave up on The Great Pumpkin.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:54 am
I too am surprised Hynes is not giving this a serious look, he could make a good case. I know he lost to Quinn already, but Quinn will loose quite a bit of support and votes just from being a bad Governor.
I wonder if Rahm is talking to anyone behind the scenes.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:55 am
===I wonder if Rahm is talking to anyone behind the scenes.===
Bruce. Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:57 am
I thought we liked Ireland.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:58 am
7th Circuit reverses Blago conviction and he is freed within 30 days and announces his comeback!
Comment by VJ Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 11:59 am
===Preckwinkle would be a good choice. But with the Dem organization pretty much locked up for PQ ===
She sponsored his slating motion, for crying out loud.
Y’all need to get over it. Now.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:00 pm
===I wonder if Rahm is talking to anyone behind the scenes.===
Bruce. Rauner.–
Beat me to it, Willie.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:00 pm
Don’t kid yourself. If Preckwinkle signaled an interest in running, a large part of the Dem establishment would become “unconsolidated” and “un-locked up” in a hurry.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:01 pm
nickypiii, you might want to check your medication.
C’mon, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:02 pm
Is a guy who runs screaming from the color green and guys named Pat really the best choice to be our Ambassador to Ireland?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:02 pm
===Don’t kid yourself. If Preckwinkle signaled an interest in running===
She has said over and over that she isn’t interested and sponsored the motion to slate Quinn at the county party session.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. This ain’t a college sophomore dormitory. Put down the doobies and get back to reality.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:04 pm
Anybody who thinks Quinn is out of this does so at their own peril. All one has to do is look back at the “What’s she thinking?” campaign against Judy Baar Topinka. If Quinn duck out of a primary, he’ll be sitting on a nice pile of cash to ‘define’ whoever the GOP candidate is. The GOP has no answer because Quinn is already a known entity. “Generic Republica” doesn’t appear on any ballot. A living person with a history and decisions does.
Comment by Paul Powell's Shoebox Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:05 pm
“I too am surprised Hynes is not giving this a serious look, he could make a good case.”
What support would he find other than from the motely crew of endorsers last time, i.e. Jack Franks, Marty Sandoval, and LaShawn Ford? Where would he get any money from? Politically, how does he improve his standing after 4 years of being out of the spotlight that the Governor spent building and strengthening important relationships (Larry Walsh, Frank Zuccarelli, etc)?
Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:09 pm
Thanks Alexi. Now I can sleep again. zzzzzzzzz.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:19 pm
Damn, I got my hopes up for nothin’
Comment by Jaws Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:39 pm
PQ is looking more and more like the only credible candidate for the Democrats. I wish we had a higher profile collar county candidate as an alternative which might entice a few downstate votes as well.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:53 pm
Glad to see Alexi is back on his feet after his family’s bank was seized by the Feds, he lost the election to Mark Kirk (ugh), and Bright Start imploding.
ps. Did Lisa Madigan ever recover any funds from the banks that defrauded Illinois families out of their college savings??? That was a big deal a few years ago. Were all the funds recovered??
Comment by Kilroy Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:58 pm
There oughta be at least 3 or 4 repubs, and a couple dems who could destroy Q. We all know the negatives, but there is no coherent, sensible, adult, with an electable message. This is Ill-annoy, and we can a somehow manage to put the lousiest … Ah nevermind. My rant ran out of juice.
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 12:59 pm
===Ah nevermind. My rant ran out of juice. ===
And now you know exactly how Bill Daley felt.
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 1:04 pm
=== All one has to do is look back at the “What’s she thinking?” campaign against Judy Baar Topinka. ===
Different Dem candidate, different GOP candidate, different election.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 1:15 pm
Alexi, oh for the love of….
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 2:06 pm
I wonder if Alexi’s pass is because he could be Quinn’s lite guv pick? Less than two weeks after Simon announced she wouldn’t be on the ticket back in February, the @Alexi4Illinois twitter handle magically started tweeting after laying dormant since Election Day 2010 (granted some of those tweets were in support of Robin Kelly, but they’ve kept up even after her special election)
Comment by S Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Was Jack Roesser one of the people calling Alexi? The only people who would want Alexi is someone who wanted to weaken Quinn
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 2:45 pm
Quinn will be unopposed on the Democratic side. Tio has to be sure his petitions are in order. Quinn has some spare cash to challenge.
Comment by MrGrassroots Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 3:51 pm
Then WHO?!
Roland? Boland? Maybe Plummer could jump to the other side of the tracks and do it?
Who else would run if asked…?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 3:58 pm
I agree that Preckwinkle is NOT going to run for Governor, and didn’t suggest otherwise. Simply, my point was that the Democratic establishment largely settled on Quinn, as many voters will, as the least bad of the candidates. If someone were to emerge, like Preckwinkle (not her because she’s not going to do it, but some other credible establishment Democrat), then much of the Dem establishment would become “un-consolidated” behind and “un-locked up” for Quinn.
Comment by Michael Westen Wednesday, Sep 18, 13 @ 8:23 pm