Comments on: Who Will (Might) Fill Obama’s Senate Seat?

By: brie

brie — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:14:36 +0000

That has still got to be the funniest thing Nic’s ever said. I think of that line more often than I should, and always chuckle.

By: dannygutters

dannygutters — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:48:14 +0000

Belly up to the Baar in ‘10!

By: brie

brie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:32:13 +0000

I think Peter Fitzgerald had kind of had it with politics - but you’re right to point out that he might give it a go at a state level.

By: AJ526

AJ526 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:33:46 +0000

Former Senator Peter Fitzgerald could run for Governor for Republicans. I agreee JJ Jr. is the most likely to get appointed, while Madigan might be a smart choice since she is probably the most likely primary challenger for Blago in 2010.

By: brie

brie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:44:05 +0000

I still can’t believe he garnered 27% of the vote. Downstate Republicans must have been so darn conflicted…

Given the Keyes, Baar Topinka, and Oberweis various follies, they pretty much have folded. Poor Judy - you know she’s going to have to run for Governor again. There. is. no. one. else. I doubt she wanted to run in ‘06.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:40:30 +0000

By the way, I still can’t believe that the IL GOP ran Keyes in 2004. What the hell was that? They should have folded after that, because it was fundamentally silly.

By: brie

brie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:17:32 +0000

Plus getting Jackson out of the City would make Daley supremely happy if he decides to run for mayor again.

My guess would be Madigan, only because I don’t think Blago’s thinking that far ahead at this point. I think he’s about political expediency - offering to elevate Lisa might make Mike play nice for the next couple years.

As for Oberweis, I think he also has a host of illegal immigrants he could get to clean congressional offices!

By: dannygutters

dannygutters — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:18:27 +0000

Jim could bring delicious dairy products to the chambers every morning!

By: Neil

Neil — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:32:09 +0000

Does “jinx” mean anything to you?

But now that you’ve brought it up, I can’t help but comment on it. If the Senate seat was going to be up for election in 2012, then Roddy would definitely appoint Madigan or another rival. But there’s the chance that a rival would turn around and run for governor in 2010. It’s a small chance – who gives up a Senate seat? – but this is Illinois, people do crazy things.

I can see Blago giving himself the nod if there were more than two years left in the term, but voters won’t forget utter venality that quickly.

I vote for JJ Jr getting the nod. There’s a certain equity to keeping an African-American in the seat. It will probably secure a key primary demographic for him in 2010, and yes, it keeps the Chicago Machine happy.