CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Squideshi — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:54:39 -0000

I think that Attorney General Madigan's prospects would be good, should she decide to run. I'm not sure that she will run for Governor. She could absolutely beat Blagojevich in a primary election.

Consider the impact of the availability of a Green primary ballot, in addition to a nonpartisan, Democratic, and Republican in 2010. Those who vote a Green primary ballot will not be able to vote a Democratic or Republican ballot, so this may affect the makeup of the primary voting pool for the "corporate sponsored" parties.

Re: Question of the day

dis-connected — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:06:04 -0000

You guys are forgeting some very good candidates in the 2 chambers, can you say Rock Island/ Moline area?

Re: Question of the day

Blue Book — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:06:47 -0000

Forget about the "experience" factor. The Powers That Be do not want him running for Mayor or Governor. Obama's vote totals scared them.

The people that "really run Illinois" would much rather have him stay as Senator (or be VP or POTUS) than have him become Governor or Mayor.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:47:40 -0000

i really don't see obama running for governor - why not keep his senate seat and run again down the road - the added experience + the name recognition from this run, should put him in a good place. hillary needs to pick someone that is more moderate and will play well to those that will have issue with a liberal woman running. too bad evan bayh doesn't have the name recog to pick up the vp spot

Re: Question of the day

ZC — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:21:51 -0000

If Obama doesn't win this thing, he might need to start thinking about staying in the Senate vs. running for Governor.

While it makes a good deal of sense for Hillary to pick him as VP, campaign-wise, she's going to be thinking past that to the governing process. Based on what we know of her psychology, there's a very good case that she personally wouldn't pick him. The Clintons have this thing about loyalty, rewarding those who show it and punishing those who don't... And precisely because he's so eager for the top spot, Hillary would frown on having him as her sidekick for 4-8 years.

My thinking is now the only way she'd pick him is if he does so well in the primary, she pretty much HAS to pick him (see: Kerry, Edwards).

Of course, people read WAY too much into these late-summer polls. Obama can easily still win this thing.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:14:24 -0000

I think if Lisa Madigan ran and lost to the 16th floor wonder boy, illinois deserves what they get for electing him to a third term - she runs the cleanest ship of all the constitutionals and actually cares about each issue that comes out of her office.

Re: Question of the day

jose — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:56:02 -0000

Forget Lisa--It's Paul Vallas all the way, baby!

Re: Question of the day

Blue Book — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:44:50 -0000

Also, another thing, Chicago Cynic: The Ryan situation was an FBI investigation. They usually do not invite State Attorneys General to help them investigate state corruption. Last summer, Patrick Fitzgerald sent a letter to Lisa advising her to stay out of such procedures.

Jim Ryan is a good man and was an excellent Attorney General.

Both of Rod's campaigns were based on lies.

Re: Question of the day

Sprinflield Watcher — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:39:23 -0000

Blago is done, but Lisa is no shoe in we still have a GOP party in Illinois and Blaog is killing the Dem's.

Re: Question of the day

Esteban — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:34:37 -0000

In a multi-candidate primary for governor, how
about Senator Jim Meeks getting into it? I was
hoping he would run as an Indie last time.

Re: Question of the day

southern man — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:05:17 -0000

Lisa Madigan may choose to enter the primary race for governor if Blago is as bad off in a couple of years. Remember, he has a long time to recover and a million votes in Chicago. If Madigan does enter she would be the favorite to win. As far as the Republican's go, consider this possibility: State Senator Christine Radogno. I know she lost her 1st statewide election, but so did every other Republican. She is experienced, smart, and has party support. Much like Lisa Madigan. An all female governor's race would be very interesting. And don't dismiss Radogno's ability to campaign. The democrats will have the Blagojevich era and 1 party control to live down. If she plays her cards right she could be the alternative that angry voters will be looking for. Stay Tuned.

Re: Question of the day

Team Sleep — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:41:39 -0000

YDD, in terms of newsiness and politically knowledgeable people, guvs like Eliot Spitzer, Ahhhnold, Rick Perry, John Corzine, Matt Blunt, Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, Mitch Daniels, Charlie Crist, Ed Rendell and Ernie Fletcher come to mind. Also, Deval Patrick got a lot of pub when he became the first black governor of Massachusetts. All of those people have strong name ID, at least enough so in news and political circles that they could garner support or national pub if needed.

And I'm not saying Mr. Smiley Jay Hoffman will make a great or even a proficient SOS. But I think he could raise the necessary funds and there is no guarantee that the GOP will run anyone decent. Who's to say that Blago won't hit up some of his donors and buddies on Jay's behalf?

Just Saying, good point. Lisa outraised Joe Birkett by a TON in 2002 and did not win decisively. A tough primary opponent could spell doom for her.

Re: Question of the day

Tony — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:38:11 -0000

She's got my vote. She seems credible and mature.

Re: Question of the day

Lincoln Log — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:36:13 -0000

"Rochester, Lincoln, Carterville. Total voting populationâ€¦ not many."

Thanks Rich....appreciate being put in our place. We don't get enough of this from the Chicago pols already. You can never hear enough times that your vote is useless.

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:18:06 -0000

Team Sleep said:

"YDD, Obama will keep his national ID even if he were elected governor of Illinois. Many governors are nationally recognized..."

"Jay Hoffman can raise a ton of cash. He has a million dollar account and hasnâ€™t had a tough opponent for state rep since he beat Ron Stephens."

I bet less than one percent of the country can name four current Governors besides their own.

In fact, except for Schwarzenegger, who else is "nationally recognized"?

Yes, Hoffman is a great fundraiser, perhaps one of the best natural fundraisers in the Illinois House. But a close look at Hoffman's D-2's will show you that he's relied heavily on his job as chair of the House Transportation Chair to raise much of that money - from state contractors and building trades unions.

Hoffman has also benefited strongly from his proximity to Blagojevich when it comes to fundraising. Prior to Blagojevich being elected Governor in 2002, Hoffman had a balance of $149K in his account.

With the smart money betting on Lisa Madigan to take out Blagojevich in 2010, who's going to be betting on Hoffman?

Leroy says:

"And who will he handpick to be the next speaker after he [Madigan] is gone? Oh I assume he will not have any say in it whatsoever, right?

That was one of your very best pieces of propaganda, YDD."

Madigan will certainly have a lot of indirect influence over whom the next Speaker will be, but nobody will be "handpicking" anybody, although lots of folks will probably have veto authority.

Mayor Daley will likely discourage Chicago Reps from backing anyone from outside of Cook County. Personal PAC will discourage pro-choice lawmakers from selecting an anti-choice Speaker. The AFL-CIO and individual unions will have a short list of people they can't stand. The Black Caucus and Latino Caucus will put the keebosh on any racebaiters.

Seniority and fundraising ability obviously have a role. As do personality, political skills and an understanding of the legislature and the process.

Who will the frontrunners be? Everyone thought it would be Tom Dart, but they didn't stick around. I'd lay off making any bets right now. With Madigan poised to pick up six more seats in 2008, it could be a very different caucus.

Re: Question of the day

El Salsa — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:06:41 -0000

Obama either wins and Rod cuts a deal to put LM in there or Obama loses and runs for Gov.

Lisa cant compete with Rods cash or Obamas popularity in a bitter primary

Lisa Madigan, whats she thinking?

Re: Question of the day

Not So Fast — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:30:01 -0000

I've also heard EM-ill

Re: Question of the day

Blue Book — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:22:36 -0000

Chicago Cynic: "...can advance up the chain(?)"
What do you mean by this? No Illinois Attorney General has ever become Governor, although many have tried.

They dont't call NAAG the National Association of Aspiring Governors for nothing.

Re: Question of the day

quincy — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:11:44 -0000

come on folks hynes is just nothere air head ho likes to talk alot has he done anything but cater to chihgo and kiss his daddys butt. go for it lisa or Obama. only republicans will vote for hynes, because to much like them all mouth.

Re: Question of the day

Thinking independently! — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:00:54 -0000

Carl, I think your speculations are correct. I think several candidates will feel they have the right stuff. And why not? It will make for a very interesting race. Yes, voters of color will have to be serious considered in the 2010 race.

Re: Question of the day

Carl Nyberg — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:43:29 -0000

From my perspective Obama has more useful foreign policy experience--living overseas among regular folk--than the other candidates.

Who has more impressive foreign policy credentials? Rudy Giuliani? HRC? John Edwards?

Not only did Obama have the sense not to buy into the greatest foreign policy blunder of U.S. history, but his predictions for how it would go wrong were very on target.

Re: Question of the day

Carl Nyberg — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:40:08 -0000

If Madigan runs against Blagojevich, doesn't this leave room for a millionaire to get into the race as an alternative candidate?

And once the millionaire gets in the race, won't some Black candidate think s/he has a shot by winning 85% of the Black vote, plus a little bit from somewhere else?

And in four candidate field dominated by Chicago-area candidates, won't it be attractive for a downstater to jump into the race?

Just speculating....

Re: Question of the day

Thinking independently! — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:35:00 -0000

The last presidential mid-term election and the most recent aldermanic races in Chicago should prove to people that nothing is a sure thing any more. Not even Lisa Madigan! There maybe several candidates in the race for Governor on the democratic and republican side by 2010. 2010 is a life time in politics. In addition, voters are quiet, thinking more independently and giving us a surprise at the polls in elections. I think we should pay more attention to what the voters concerns are. This could be the best way of determining which candidate has the right stuff in any race. The candidate that can bring the parties together is the Governor for the future. It's time for us to show our kids that adults aren't divided by red or blue parties or democratic or republican. That sounds like gang bangers to me!!

Re: Question of the day

B-no name nickname needed — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:18:29 -0000

Rod will never be indicted for anything and will enjoy at least another term in office. The Madigan name is for now anyway as venimous as Jackson across the State. that's the reaction i get maybe it's different in Newberry

Re: Question of the day

DK — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:14:49 -0000

Aren't we forgetting about Rosa Parks (State Senator Mike Jacobs)? I swore he said he was going to run for the governor's office if Blago was still in contention for it in 2010.