CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

CoffeeGroup — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:39:33 -0000

"Government should be of laws rather than of men." One of my favorite quotes that keeps me on the right path. Unfortunately in Illinois, it's the path less traveled.

I'm mad again at Madigan - The one making the laws quickly moves to break the rules like they're careless suggestions.

Napoleon Bonaparte:

Ã¢â‚¬Å“If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.Ã¢â‚¬Â

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Loyal Whig — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:20:40 -0000

Sure, Mike Madigan did this for political reasons. Sure, it may help Obama. It is a good idea. Make Illinois a player in selecting the Dem and GOP candidate. New Hamphire, Iowa, South Carolina-why do they decide who the nominees will be?

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Benny — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:55:39 -0000

Well, I got my answer from the Pentagraph this evening:

SPRINGFIELD -- A top Illinois fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards says moving the state's 2008 primary election to boost U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's chances is a bad idea.

David Dorris, a trial lawyer from McLean County, said Thursday that a proposal floated Wednesday by House Speaker Michael Madigan "just doesn't sound right to me."

"There's something that just strikes me that it's not right to manipulate the date for one specific candidate," said Dorris, who has hosted a number of big-dollar fundraising events for the senator from North Carolina.

Madigan, who also is chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, suggested that Illinois should bump its 2008 primary date from March 18 to February 5. He said the move would help Obama build momentum if he decides to run for the White House.

http://www.pantagraph.com/a...

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Getting Jonesed — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:35:00 -0000

Sen. Watson seems to be leaning "yea" on the idea..is that downstate enough?

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Michael Madigan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:25:19 -0000

I simply want a Cabinet post from Obama, don't you know.

I'll be Secretary of..............and my daughter Governor of Illinois (yeah right)

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Benny — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:26:45 -0000

I'd be interested in what Downstaters think about this one, especially the bigger wheels in McLean county.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

fedup dem — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 18:08:46 -0000

Rich, do you seriously think we would have TWO Primaries? Are you going to foot the bill for the election judges for the second one?

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Getting Jonesed — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:23:18 -0000

Looks like the President got caught flat footed...again. Sen. Cullerton got him tongue tied too.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Squideshi — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 13:32:17 -0000

It is arrogant for Mike Madigan to make a reference to "both" parties, rather than "all" parties. There are three legally established, statewide, major political parties in Illinois--the Democratic Party of Illinois, the Illinois Green Party, and the Illinois Republican Party. I wouldn't be surprised if the bill is drafted in such a way that it attempts to benefit only the Democrats and Republicans, in violation of equal protection and free and equal elections. They did something like this back in 2004, when they changed state election law to allow the Illinois Republican Party to certify their presidental candidate after the legal deadline (They missed the deadline in Illinois because they wanted to hold their national nominating convention in New York in September.) Regardless, the Green Party now has an automatic ballot line in Illinois; so moving up the primary will certainly help put the Green candidate into the national spotlight sooner.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Veritas — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:32:18 -0000

Am I the only one surprised at just how clueless State Senator Link's statement is? Of course Obama is going to carry Illinois regardless of when the primary takes place, but having an early victory under his belt at the beginning of primary season will garner him a lot of momentum which will undoubtedly carry over into primaries in other states.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Land o' Lincoln — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:21:26 -0000

As a Republican in central Illinois, I think that moving the primary will be great for both parties. It will help Obama, and as a favorite son, I would want him to win if we have to endure a democrat as President. Plus, I worked on staff when he was a Senator and I do think the guy is very smart and handles himself extremely well. I don't like his policies, but I can't think of a democrat presidential candidate that would be more acceptable. As a Republican, I want McCain or Giuliani to be the nominee. Moving the primary to Feb 5 will help both of them and really help their fundraising in Illinois. This is a win-win for both parties and the voters of the state that finally get to be a part of the process. It always pains me to say so, but Mike Madigan is one clever democrat!

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

grand old partisan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:19:24 -0000

Okay, actually one more thing:

From the Daily Herald article:

"Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr. said he wanted to talk to Obama because heÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not sure whether MadiganÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s plan helps or hurts."

For what it's worth.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Backyard Conservative — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:17:37 -0000

I think GOP makes good points, it may hurt Obama, but that certainly doesn't bother me.

TWO primaries is a horrible idea, as is a one-time only move.

I also agree wholeheartedly with Vanilla Man. And you get bet Hillary, with her Illinois connections, will selectively stir the stink from behind the scenes.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

VanillaMan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:16:57 -0000

After New Hampshire bites Rich, it can bite me too. The idea that anyone would be upset with any candidate not wanting to play games with New Hampshire or Iowa will not derail anyone's presidential ambitions.

Also even when Obama carries Illinois it would be about as important as when Tsongas carried NH in 1992. None. In both cases, they are supposed to carry them. Thats not news, and it won't help.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

grand old partisan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:12:03 -0000

Some might say that a dark-Blue state that hasn't been in play for the general election since 1988 is really that representative of America, either.

If we're going to be really fair and objective about it, why not front-load the calendar with bellweathers: Ohio, Florida, Missouri, etc.

If Obama doesn't take any hit from this, more power to him. But I can tell you this: Obama's seasoned, national level political advisors would never have suggested that he, or anyone else in Illinois, pursue this, especially in this way. And there's a darned good reason for that.

That's the last I'll say about this (here, at least).

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Rich Miller — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:04:35 -0000

Let 'em ask. Obama can handle himself. The truth is they aren't representative of America and they have too much influence in our politics.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

grand old partisan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:58:38 -0000

Rich,

Due respect, but I think you're wrong. I think Iowa and New Hampshire will get upset about Obama's home state party chair saying that "these states are not representative of mainstream America. They're clearly not as representative of America as Illinois would be." Petty as it may seem to us here in Illinois, that is the sort of things that can ruffle feathers there. You don't think political reporters in Iowa and New Hampshire are going to ask Obama if he agrees with that statement?

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Rich Miller — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:46:13 -0000

GOP, they only get upset when states try to leapfrog ahead of them. They'll still have their influence, which is ridiculous, if you ask me. I have long thought that this system needs to be changed. New Hampshire can bite me.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

grand old partisan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:42:56 -0000

Capt. Obvious -

"The benefit to Sen. Obama is that a large, diverse state takes sides early"

Yeah....a state that he is already expected to win with about 110% of the vote. Any showing worse than that in a spotlighted Illinois primary will seen as a sign of weakness. And even if he meets expectations, it will be dismissed by pundits as not being relevant because it's his home state.

"If you do the research, youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll party activists in both major parties have complained about this for years."

Not in Iowa and New Hampshire, they haven't. And that's my point.

If you think that saying Iowa and New Hampshire voters are not representative of mainstream America is not "dissing" them, then you obviously don't know much about early Presidential primaries. Voters in those states are VERY protective of their early primary status. In Roll Call yesterday, there was a story that talked about how many Iowa voters still haven't forgiven McCain for skipping their caucus in 2000, and thus won't support him this year.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

VanillaMan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:40:55 -0000

Which Chicago pols are going to appear with Barak when he announces? Who would you want to drag out of Barak's past onto the national stage? Just how closely do we want to see Barak's Chicago connections? Gee, these guys are so "squeakly clean", it will be tough to decide, won't it?

Will there be any of his old Chicago Aldermen friends? How about his great Chicago Congressmen friends? Everyone knows what a great organization the Chicago Democratic Machine is to raise a future president!

Just how far will Obama need to run from his roots? Illinoians have become pretty immuned to the Chicago Democratic scandals slithering out of the Loop daily. But what about voters outside Chicago? Will they take a look and really believe that Obama is a miraculous petunia growing in a dumpster full of rotting onions?

I'm not advising other candidates, but if I was there would be no way I would allow Obama to scrap off the filth falling off his friends in the Chicago Democratic Party. Every week I would be parading another nutcase from Obama's rolodex. Rezko will start making HUGE news. Blagojevich will continue being strip searched. Chicago aldermen with Obama connections will continue being indicted. A perfect narrative already written for any Barak opponent.

Do you really believe voters want to reach into the Chicago dumpster in 2008? Not after his opponents are through, they won't.

Madigan better get that primary date moved forward before more of Barak's old pals make news.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Capt. Obvious — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:27:05 -0000

Apparently Sen. Link and Grand Old ...are guzzling the same silly sauce
The benefit to Illinois is the state gets back in the game of having an impact on the presidential nomination scene
The benefit to Sen. Obama is that a large, diverse state takes sides early. It seems obvious, but then you guys get a little zany.
If you do the research, you'll party activists in both major parties have complained about this for years. The DNC did a national commission recently. They concluded that adding South Carolina and Utah could solve the problem...they were wrong.
No one is dissing Iowa or New Hampshire , no one can seriously argue the voters there arer representaative of the nation.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Rich Miller — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:21:15 -0000

"Ali Bin Haddin," I don't mean to single you out, but I've noticed that blog commenters here and all over the Internet can't seem to spell "lose." "Loose" is the opposite of "tight." Maybe it's an irony thing that I just don't get, but the phenomenon is amazingly widespread.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Ali Bin Haddin — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:17:11 -0000

Such a deal! I should have invested in the company that makes those campaign yard signs. By the way, what happens if Hillary, sort of a daughter of Illinois, is in the race? And what if Obama looses to Hillary?

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

VanillaMan — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:51:56 -0000

Has Blagojevich endorsed an Obama candidacy yet? With Madigan, Daley and Hynes already on board, what is keeping Rod-ent off the parade float?

Oh yeah - ENVY.

Changing the primary date is a good idea - with or without Obama.

Re: More on Madigan’s desire to move the primary for Obama

Rich Miller — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:50:07 -0000

Some states force parties to pay for their prez primaries. That's under discussion right now here.