CapitolFax.com: Madigan introduces February primary bill
publius
· 2 years ago
CHICAGO---Mayor Daley today announced the formation of a blue-ribbon civic committee whose purpose is the gain the location of the Obama Presidential Library for Chicago. Fundraising to secure the site will start immediately' "It will be easier to secure funds now than it will if he happens to lose" said a source who asked for anonimity. Meanwhile Fox News reported that an aide to Hillary Clinton said"This is exactly what we would expect from a maoyr who was known to wear madras when as a boy he attended a religious school named after a middle eastern holy man." The Sun-Times online reports that Governor Blagojevich's administration has hired a consultant to explore the possibility of selling the Obama Presidential Library after it is built. Asked to comment Mayor Daley said "What do you want me to do? Take off my pants?
VanillaMan
· 2 years ago
I know Obama builds bridges between fighting politicians - can he patch things up between Madigan, Jones and Blagojevich? Here is Madigan presenting a gift to Obama, yet Jones isn't applauding? Just how much do these guys hate one another?
Jones needs to support Madigan now and then. They are supposed to be on the same team - or are on the same team to voters. It is sad that Obama's candidacy can't even bridge these fighting politicians.
Yes, the primaries are too distant from the general election. Yes, the 2008 election is too long. But Illinois can't change that. Instead it must work within the Democratic Party's schedule. As a major Democratic state offering TWO presidential candidates, we should be heard in 2008. I just wish we didn't have all this corruption news sprouting up at the same time as the primary season. I shudder to think what we will be reading in the papers around February 2008.
As to whether we should change a primary date to help a candidate - well, yes we should! Obama and Clinton are our senators, and we should be proud. Move the dates, play with the date, do whatever is needed to get one of our citizens in the White House. Chicago has reasons to be aggressive on this.
Crimefighter
· 2 years ago
I think it's just time for one big national primary and then the shifting of dates will no longer be necessary.
i d
· 2 years ago
I'm with Crimefighter. One national open primary for all offices from village to federal.
(618) Democrat
· 2 years ago
This is a good bill. I hope it gets passed and signed.
RMW Stanford
· 2 years ago
The “problem†isn’t Illinois’ date being too late. The problem is other states being too early
That is the problem, so many small states have moved there primary dates back in order to increase their influence beyond what they should have their population. While I want Illinois to have a say that actual matters in the primaries, I think that people are over looking the effect that might have local races. By effectively lessing the length of the primary season, this law might benefit incumbents and well know candidates at the expense of less well known candidates who will now have less time to make for the difference in name recognition.
values matter
· 2 years ago
Glad to see Madigan and Obama working so closely together. Obama's going to need all the help he can get to make sure he wins the Illinois primary decisively. Hillary Clinton has some solid support in Illinois.
Fan of the Game
· 2 years ago
The Southern Illinoisan is right. Push back the primaries closer to the election.
Truthful James
· 2 years ago
$250K from the date you declare for ach and every day you are in the race. No wonder Tim Nieukirk could not win. I did buy a ball cap.
muon
· 2 years ago
In 2006, only two states had a primary before May 1. Last year sixteen states had a primary within 10 weeks of the general election, and 10 weeks is separation Illinois uses for city primaries and general elections. Other early presidential primary states use two primaries in presidential years, so could Illinois.
I don't care whether two of the whitest states in the country keep their "first" status or not, but for the love of all that is holy move it all back to June at the earliest.
Besides, that'll give both parties more time to discuss the nuances of their respective positions as the candidates for nomination debate the subtleties of their respective proposals.
--
Muon, I disagree with splitting the presidential nomination primary from the others. Waste of time, money and space (as polling places need to be found for yet another voting event).
--
And appoint state and local judges, enough of this electing people whose entire raison d'etre is supposed to be impartiality.
Anon
· 2 years ago
AS with everything Madigan, there has to be another angle, doesn't there? Think about it -- a much, much shorter primary season for routine even-numbered year elections, what does that mean? It means less time for challengers to increase their name ID and get their message out to voters. This is good for Madigan in general -- statehouse campaigns generally don't begin to build steam until around filing time. With roughly 8 weeks between filing and the Primary (and the holidays thrown in) rather than the current 14 weeks or so, it gives more power to incumbency and name recognition, making it easier for Madigan's members in primary challenges.
In addition, while the campaign season for statewides will be extended because of the nature of the campaigns and the offices involved, it still will generally shorten the Primary season and give an advantage to a certain current statewide officeholder with good name recognition who might look to move up to governor in 2010.
swede
· 2 years ago
I'm happy to see Madigan helping Senator Obama. Has Obama commented on Madigan's bill?
All Comments
Jones needs to support Madigan now and then. They are supposed to be on the same team - or are on the same team to voters. It is sad that Obama's candidacy can't even bridge these fighting politicians.
Yes, the primaries are too distant from the general election. Yes, the 2008 election is too long. But Illinois can't change that. Instead it must work within the Democratic Party's schedule. As a major Democratic state offering TWO presidential candidates, we should be heard in 2008. I just wish we didn't have all this corruption news sprouting up at the same time as the primary season. I shudder to think what we will be reading in the papers around February 2008.
As to whether we should change a primary date to help a candidate - well, yes we should! Obama and Clinton are our senators, and we should be proud. Move the dates, play with the date, do whatever is needed to get one of our citizens in the White House. Chicago has reasons to be aggressive on this.
That is the problem, so many small states have moved there primary dates back in order to increase their influence beyond what they should have their population. While I want Illinois to have a say that actual matters in the primaries, I think that people are over looking the effect that might have local races. By effectively lessing the length of the primary season, this law might benefit incumbents and well know candidates at the expense of less well known candidates who will now have less time to make for the difference in name recognition.
I don't care whether two of the whitest states in the country keep their "first" status or not, but for the love of all that is holy move it all back to June at the earliest.
Besides, that'll give both parties more time to discuss the nuances of their respective positions as the candidates for nomination debate the subtleties of their respective proposals.
--
Muon, I disagree with splitting the presidential nomination primary from the others. Waste of time, money and space (as polling places need to be found for yet another voting event).
--
And appoint state and local judges, enough of this electing people whose entire raison d'etre is supposed to be impartiality.
In addition, while the campaign season for statewides will be extended because of the nature of the campaigns and the offices involved, it still will generally shorten the Primary season and give an advantage to a certain current statewide officeholder with good name recognition who might look to move up to governor in 2010.