CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Fan of the Game — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:39:43 -0000

===Iâ€™ve yet to meet a veteran who can tolerate Duckworth. Maybe itâ€™s different there.===

When voters don't know the candidates, it's more a matter of finding something they like and/or respect. Of those listed, the only one with name recognition is Jackson, but I don't think he appeals to a lot of southern voters. Most don't know Duckworth, but if they learn she is a disabled veteran, they might be more likely to vote for her because of that.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Anon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:42:55 -0000

This almost assumes the Gov knows what he is going to do.... He never makes his minds up until the last moment. While the rest of the Senate freshmen are going through the paces of setting up office etc the citizens Illinois will suffer once again by the inability of this Gov to do the little things.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:48:06 -0000

I guess I'm going to have to get creative and come up with a new name to post under. Too many new Anons posting lately.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

One to the Dome — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:09:25 -0000

lets review politically...Duckworth ran and lost. Then She gets a appointment by the Gov. She then Spoke at the DNC (and mentioned the Gov to a smattering of applause). Now some think she can win a state wide race (and likly a primary)?

Just the facts.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Rod's Hair Brush — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:02:16 -0000

Three words: Senator Tim Nieukirk

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

T.J. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:13:08 -0000

Of those listed, Duckworth likely has the best chance to appeal to downstateâ€“disabled war veterans carry clout down here.

I've yet to meet a veteran who can tolerate Duckworth. Maybe it's different there.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

RFK fan — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:17:09 -0000

Why did that poll not include names like Lisa Madigan, Alexi Giannoulias, Dan Hynes?

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Alison — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:10:07 -0000

Bill -- I don't think residents coined the term. I think the print media started it -- possibly for the reasons you stated. Does not matter who uses it or how often. The illusion will never become reality.

Fan-- Since Hwy 50 pre-dates I-64, I believe you are right. I-64 is the first thought since it is more prominent. It is definitely not I-70 (sorry Quimby).

J-Cubed has to concern himself with Madison and St. Clair Counties since the majority of the Democratic votes are there. I grilled a friend about his Daddy issues. His doing well distancing himself. Should not be a problem.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Phil Collins — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:13:38 -0000

The new congress will be sworn in on Jan. 3, and it's not to count the electoral votes. The date will be the same in 2011.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Excessively rabid — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:10:34 -0000

In the new spirit of bi-partisanship, Blago should appoint a Republican. How about Dan Rutherford, to make up for closing the prison? Or Oberweis, just to get him out of the state for a couple of years?

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Oberon — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:07:37 -0000

Anon, the new Senate is not keyed to the Presidency; the new Senate will be seated the first week of January in order to "count" the Electoral Votes. So getting seniority requires an appointment before New Years Day.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Amuzing Myself — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:44:02 -0000

I'm appropriately amused by this discussion, since I think it really matters very little. No matter what, there will be a race for the job in 2010, whether someone gets a head-start or not. In an off-year, it could actually be a real race in both primaries as well as in the general. Giannulias is the only candidate I've heard so far that might fend off challengers with his huge wallet.

Along those lines, while I might tend to agree with the Atlantic headline about 1994, I find that the article gleefully ignores some important factors:

First, while Bill Clinton didn't have legislative experience in Washington, he DID have a ton of executive experience from many terms as both AG and Governor in Arkansas. If I remember correctly, he also made a well-known congressman, Leon Panetta, his Chief of Staff (although that could have been later than the very beginning...can't remember). Further, less than a handful of years in Washington, most of which were spent running for President, hardly qualifies one as "an experienced navigator of Congress."

Also different is that when Clinton took over, the economy was already on the rebound. He was able to ride a wave of prosperity that ended up lasting fifteen years or so, with a few difficult months following 9/11. Obama has an economy REALLY in the tank, and showing little signs of a rebound anytime soon. If it comes back in his first term, he gets credit, but if it doesn't, he's stuck with that, too.

Finally, Obama was able to run up his wins largely on the unpopularity of Bush in the swing states. If you look at all of the swing states, which had Bush's approval at 35% or lower, McCain won only Missouri. That's pretty telling. The Dems won't be able to run against that boogie man in 2010. It'll all be on them ... sink or swim, so to speak, and popular or not, they won't have The Messiah literally at the top of the ticket drawing voters to the polls this time.

Of course, this is all largely a phenomenon we've never experienced before. It'll be fun to watch - that's for sure.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:39:05 -0000

no caretaker appointment. Those that support a caretaker appproach so a new election in two years would be open forget one important fact. In January, seven or eight new senators will be swornin. If Blago can name a new sentaor before the Jnauary 20th, then the new Illinois senator jumops in fronyt of those eight in senority. Pretty important.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

archpundit — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:22:03 -0000

Hey, what about Mike Jacobs?

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Deep South — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:14:58 -0000

Well then it would seem that "Downstate" means anything that's not Chicago. I suppose then that "lack appeal downstate" is code for no one outside Chicago knows who the hell you are. Bad for J-cubed, who is saddled with name recognition connected to his dad, but its good for Jesse White since he's Secretary of State. I really love the guys who say they're doing a statewide fly-around or some sort of state tour to guage support but don't bother to come south of Mt. Vernon...or even Effingham. Believe me, it happens. But then again, are they really after Southern Illinois support, or just Downstate support?

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Vote Quimby! — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:06:10 -0000

==none other than EDWIN EISENDRATH==
As a Blago appointee to the US Senate? Gov. Ego would appoint someone who had the testicular virility to challenge him in the primary? Are you really a Chicago Insider? Not to dis EE ---I went to East St. Louis to meet him three days before the primary and he and his family are good people -- but I would bet against that one...

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Vote Quimby! — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:02:53 -0000

==southern Illinois is defined as any county through which US Hwy 50 runs and all those south==
I grew up in Crawford County, and we thought we were in southern Illinois (some of us sure talked like it!). I vote for using I-70 as the dividing line for southern IL. I would consider Chicagoland anything east of I-39 and north of I-80, and probably add Kankakee County into the mix.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Three Doors Over — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:57:18 -0000

Funny... I read this thing about Tripple J right after I got done deleting his e-mail to me and anyone else in his Rolodex, as follows:

=================================
You received this message because you have subscribed to Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s e-mail distribution list. If you would like to unsubscribe, please visit: http://www.jessejacksonjr.o...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friend,

I want to share with you two articles published today about a recent poll indicating that I am favored among a crowded field to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Conducted by the leading polling firm Zogby International, the poll shows that 21 percent of likely Illinois voters want Illinois Governor Blagojevich to appoint me to Obama's seat. In addition, the telephone poll indicates that I would draw strong support among every demographic group, including Republicans and Independents and would defeat potential Republican challengers in a hypothetical
match-up in 2010.

I hope that you will take a moment to read the attached articles and share your thoughts with me.

- Jesse

http://www.southtownstar.co...

http://www.upi.com/Top_News...
=============================

Enough, Blago, just make a pick and get this over with!!!

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Fan of the Game — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:39:16 -0000

QAlison--According to that southern Illinois bible, Land Between the Rivers: The Southern Illinois Land (Horrell, et al., SIU Press, 1982), southern Illinois is defined as any county through which US Hwy 50 runs and all those south. I grew up two blocks north of Hwy 50 and have always considered myself from Little Egypt. If I-64 is the boundary, Grayville isn't in southern Illinois, and if you've been there, you know it is.

Having said that, I don't think Jesse Jackson, Jr., has appeal in Cobden or Salem, Olive Branch or Mt. Carmel.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Bill S. Preston, Esq. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:27:46 -0000

Alison- I disagree. It's a term used just as much by people who live "downstate" in order to separate themselves from what they see as a corrupt, over-populated, resource-sucking, black hole of a city. Truth be told, Chicagoans rarely think about what's going on outside of the city. Therefore, there's no need to coin a term for that about which they do not think.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

The Doc — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:26:28 -0000

===Obama on the other hand should just play nice to everyone===

I think he likely will play nice, but certainly doesn't need to endear himself to the pick. Methinks it should be the other way around, if anything.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Redbright — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:20:35 -0000

Let me remind everyone that there is only a 30% chance of an appointee to the US Senate being elected to the position. (And thatâ€™s without the stink of Blago on the appointee.) Check the Senate website if you donâ€™t believe me.

If the Gov is devious enough to want to play games with this â€“and I certainly think he isâ€”he will pick someone in a job that he also gets to fill. But I also think he cares what the world outside of IL thinks of him â€“ Howard Dean, the other governors, etc.

I have always thought Jesse White was the leading contender and someone that would be considered a respectable caretaker by the national party. He has been elected to statewide office three times. His Tumblers program is a great success. And it took me all of 5 minutes to get a new drivers license this year.

The valuable appointment would be to Secretary of State. Thatâ€™s a job that someone can probably keep in 2010.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

ILHoya — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:19:13 -0000

http://www.facebook.com/gro...

That's for a big laugh, if anyone needs one.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

nice kid — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:10:36 -0000

Put JJJ in a one on one race instead of a 6 or 8-way race--he would get creamed.

Re: The Obama replacement circus gets even crazier

Six Degrees of Separation — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:07:53 -0000

Downstate is only an illusion

But the term has been used so long that the illision has become reality. Even our POTUS-elect uses the term.

http://obama.senate.gov/pre...