CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Lane Evans open thread

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Disappointed — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:25:51 -0000

Dear Rich,

I was extremely disappointed this morning when you did not discuss Lane's announcement in today's Capitol Fax. First of all, it's time to pay tribute to a true public servant and Congressman for the last 24 years. Second of all, this is one of the biggest political shake-ups of the year. How could you pass this up?!?! It better be there tomorrow.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Team Sleep — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:26:24 -0000

Another person to consider - and no laughing! - is Brad Demuzio. Vince and Deanna's kid is the head of the Secretary of State police and is close friends with a lot of people in Central Illinois. He has some elected experience and having the name Demuzio helps tremendously.

Jerry Lack is also a good candidate. Since he's Lane's projects and grants man, he knows all the mayors, county board chairs and businessmen in the district. He's a super guy and very polite. However, as with any candidate, can you just throw him into the fire?

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Roger Z — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:06:20 -0000

Chuck Scholz is a proven leader in Western Illinois. We need to capitalize on his experience. His accomplishments in the Quincy area lays the ground work to achieve the same results throughout the district. Chuck is the clear choice.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

True Observer — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:10:38 -0000

Assuming there are 600-800 precint committeemen in the district who get to vote on the replacement, this is going to be better than a circus. Can you imagine the candidates appearing to give their presentations, etc. in 21 different counties, assuming they do not call a convention.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

ANON — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:07:50 -0000

Just because Jacobs was recently elected (but just barely against an unknown with no money) doesn't qualify him for the job from the 17th District.
Jacobs is no Rosa Parks and he is no Lane Evans!

Re: Lane Evans open thread

rats — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:15:45 -0000

Evans endorsed Jacobs last victory. Jacobs is the highest ranking elected Democrat in Rock Island County other than Lane himself. Get over yourselves.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anon — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:15:15 -0000

Chuck Scholz has too much baggage to even be considered. It should be either Phil Hare or Jerry Lack from Lane's staff. Coming from a part of the district outside of the quad cities, I would be satisfied with either. Both have been in the trenches with Lane since the beginning and would be able to carry on the great work that he has done. Jerry and Phil should be the only individuals considered for the spot.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

ANON — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:37:31 -0000

I couldn't have said it better about Mike Jacobs than No Way did at 9:56. It would truly be a disgrace to Lane Evans and to the people of the 17th District if Jacobs is chosen as the Democratic candidate. There has be to someone out there better than a guy who was appointed and then elected because of who his father is.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Jon R. — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:25:57 -0000

Lane Evans will be missed! The only person that could adequately fill the shoes of Lane is Chuck Scholz. He's got the experience, policy credentials, charisma, and has proven that he can win in Republican terretories.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

CarthageMatt — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:18:21 -0000

I think Scholz is the most electable candidate. He will appeal to both democrats and independants and liberal repubs. Sullivan would also be a good pick. There is more to the district than Rock Island boys.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 17:32:10 -0000

Wasn't Lane a mid 20's kid with no political experience when he started?

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Rich Miller — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 17:25:02 -0000

OK I was wrong. I just consulted an attorney. Precinct committeemen make the appointment.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:45:50 -0000

team sleep is right. Rahm Emanuel is VERY involved in this one. He's working on a dark horse candidate with extensive law enforcement experience to lure crossover votes.

Three words: The Moon Man

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Drew Hibbard — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:26:46 -0000

I'm raising my hand again for Chuck Scholz.

Remember that there is more to the 17th district than just Rock Island county, just like there is more to Illinois than just Chicago.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

McDem — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:25:35 -0000

Correction to my earlier post. The Board of Elections is apparently going with the Precinct Committeeman having the vote due to the district being more than 2 counties "not coterminous with the county lines". This will get very interesting.

Congressional Committee
(e) The congressional committee of each party in each congressional district shall be composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing the congressional district, except that in congressional districts wholly within the territorial limits of one county, or partly within 2 or more counties, but not coterminous with the county lines of all of such counties,

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anon — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:57:52 -0000

The county chairmen will decide who to place on the ballot with each having a weighted vote based on the number of Democratic ballots cast in their counties in the last primary.

This will not end up being a free for all. Lane will indicate who he thinks would be best to run in his place and I'm betting the majority of the Chairmen will agree with him. Boland is appearing as an opportunist already - but should we be surprised? I wish these people had enough respect for Lane to let the dust settle. Let's not lose sight of the fact that we're losing one of the greatest Congressman in the county. Regardless of whether you agree with Lane on policy, it is a fact that he stood as a pillar of integrity and character for over two decades when most of Washington was feeding at the trough.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Central Dem — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:52:03 -0000

This district was drawn to be Democratic. Democrats don't need a conservative to win and a conservative will making winning more difficult if they aren't strong with labor. The best way to mess this up is putting in someone unexperienced who isn't ready for prime time, such as Mike Jacobs.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anon — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:35:05 -0000

By waiting until after the Primary, Evans made sure that the Candidate didn't spend any money during the Primary. Also, the candidate doesn't get beat up by his/her competition within the Party. Smart Political Move.

Also, this allows Dem Primary losers (like Paul Mangieri) to be considered as well as insiders on his staff who have no political following.

I hope Paul Mangieri gets the nod. He hasn't done particularly well locally in the statewide races, but then again he hasn't really worked in his backyard much. Centrally located, lots of name recognition and proven ability to raise money. Just my opinion.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:59:19 -0000

If IL is anticipated to lose another seat in the next census, it's likely to come from downstate.

Will Evan's early move out keep the district and Rock Island from getting carved up into Republican districts?

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Team Sleep — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:56:35 -0000

Rahm Emanuel will have a big hand in this. I'm quite sure that the county chairmen in the 17th CD will listen intently to what he says. The county chairmen may decide but don't think for a second they are going to be a bunch of mavericks and do as they please. His job as HDCC (or whatever that acronym is) is on the line and if he loses two Congressional seats in Illinois he is toast. Losing Lane Evans' seat and not winning Henry Hyde's seat (or McSweeney beating Bean) would tip the balance of the Illinois Congressional delegation back to the GOP. Plenty of young Dems would be willing to step in to Rahm's shoes.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:15:47 -0000

PLEASE! Anyone other than Boland.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

respectful — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:02:59 -0000

How about Mike Boland? He's got the experience and name ID.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

No Way — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 12:01:15 -0000

County Chairmen do not decide...and time will show you that.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Voice of Reason — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 11:50:50 -0000

The State Board is wrong. Unless they would like to change state law somehow.

(10 ILCS 5/7-61 paragraph 13)
In the proceedings to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy or to fill a vacancy in the nomination, each precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, shall through its representative on such central or managing committee, be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in such precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, by the primary electors of its party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting at which such vacancy is to be filled.

Re: Lane Evans open thread

Rich Miller — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 11:49:39 -0000

McDem is right. Move along.