We've had some fascinating discussion here in the past couple days on Congressman Mark Kirk's bright future. Now, let's talk about the future of another 10th District personality... you guessed it... Dan Seals.
Yes, kids, just when you figured Dan Seals would be out of the news for good after his second loss to Kirk (by a greater margin than in 2006), and it was safe to love seal pups again, his name is being bandied about by Roll Call as a possible appointee by Governor Rod Blagojevich for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Barack Obama.
Say what?
Generally we like to believe Roll Call knows what it's talking about, but could Blago really be seriously considering this? The Roll Call article offers only this as a rationale for Blago to consider two-time congressional loser Seals: "a consensus among Democratic operatives in the state that Blagojevich should replace the Senate’s lone black Member with another African-American...."
Roll Call's analysis, not mine, before all the left-wing nutjobs scream "racist" at me.
The truth is that Seals is no more qualified to be in the Senate than Congress (arguably much less so, in fact). Even in this past election, Seals major qualification for running for Congress was that he previously ran for Congress. Two failed elections is not a resume builder. Of course, that's not what would sway Blago in his appointment decision... as Roll Call implies, this is all about what's best for Blago, not the people of Illinois.
The looneytoons at DailyKos think it's a great idea of course (although in comments some of the smarter ones seem to be catching on about Seals, maybe). Mostly, though, they miss the irony that Seals' main patron and mentor, Jan Schakowsky, made her obsessive desire to be appointed to the Senate in Obama's stead known to Blago, and the rest of the state, months ago... oh, the irony, if Seals was now appointed instead of her.
Leaving aside potentially appeasing a portion of Blago's base with an African-American appointment, maybe he should appoint Schakowsky and let Seals run in a special election for her Congressional seat in the district where he actually lives, which is the 9th District. Stranger things have happened. Hey, maybe if Seals gets put in the Senate, Ellen will let Seals back in the house, figuratively speaking (she hasn't even mentioned his name on her blog since before the election).
Only in Illinois can anyone even imagine that we would be having this as a serious conversation at this point. It shows you how ludicrous the political structure in this state is, and how anything to do with good government and competent representation isn't even a third-rate concern among the Democratic leaders in this state.
Discuss.
Roll Call's analysis, not mine, before all the left-wing nutjobs scream "racist" at me.
The truth is that Seals is no more qualified to be in the Senate than Congress (arguably much less so, in fact). Even in this past election, Seals major qualification for running for Congress was that he previously ran for Congress. Two failed elections is not a resume builder. Of course, that's not what would sway Blago in his appointment decision... as Roll Call implies, this is all about what's best for Blago, not the people of Illinois.
The looneytoons at DailyKos think it's a great idea of course (although in comments some of the smarter ones seem to be catching on about Seals, maybe). Mostly, though, they miss the irony that Seals' main patron and mentor, Jan Schakowsky, made her obsessive desire to be appointed to the Senate in Obama's stead known to Blago, and the rest of the state, months ago... oh, the irony, if Seals was now appointed instead of her.
Leaving aside potentially appeasing a portion of Blago's base with an African-American appointment, maybe he should appoint Schakowsky and let Seals run in a special election for her Congressional seat in the district where he actually lives, which is the 9th District. Stranger things have happened. Hey, maybe if Seals gets put in the Senate, Ellen will let Seals back in the house, figuratively speaking (she hasn't even mentioned his name on her blog since before the election).
Only in Illinois can anyone even imagine that we would be having this as a serious conversation at this point. It shows you how ludicrous the political structure in this state is, and how anything to do with good government and competent representation isn't even a third-rate concern among the Democratic leaders in this state.
Discuss.
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13 comments:
I can see it now: Jan and her felon husband, Bob Creamer, contemplating how best to take out old Dan should this ever go beyond the Roll Call speculation story! Jan has made no secret of her desire to advance to the Senate. And it was Jan who sent out that damn email saying that the destruction of Mark Kirk was her top priority. And you honestly think that she'd countenance something like this for the Pup? Then again, look ahead. Mark has beaten the Pup twice. We know that the Pup is a robot-like twit with no ideas of his own, nothing that warrants a second look from anyone. The guy hasn't done a damn thing in three years but run and run and run. He has nothing in his resume, nothing in the way of community activism or service. He's just a zero. Hard to imagine that Blagojevich would go that route but one never knows. I think it would be mighty tempting, should Seals get such a nod, for Mark to take a serious look at a third run against the Pup. And wouldn't that be one for the 'books'.
I agree, Anon. Wouldn't it be hysterical to attend the meeting between Jan and Blago and Seals to argue about who gets the appointment? I can hear her now:
Jan to Blago: "Well sure I supported Dan against Mark Kirk, but really, Seals is a complete goofball, there's no WAY he should be picked over me, Rod!!! I don't care if he thinks he looks like Obama! This is MY seat! MINE! He's an idiot! He can't even mail out literature or run a gas giveaway without screwing it up! It's MINE MINE MINE!"
Jan's aside to Seals: "Dan, if you don't stay out of my way, I'll cut your b*lls off! I made you and I'll break you!"
Good times comin' !!!
Noteworthy that comrade jan protege daniel biss, a tool if ever there was one, went down in defeat to beth coulsen in the southern part of the district. Apparently there aren't as many hippies, union goons, Israel haters, tax raisers, thugs and enviro-nazis in winnetka as there are in comrade jan's neck of the woods.
For the Senate comrade jan scares me almost as much as thugs like jesse jackson, tammy duckworth, valerie jarrett and emil jones. I think one of those people is the most likely though and think pup's name is being circulated as a favor to the donors that backed him and that politicians making this choice may need in the future.
Reasons Dan Seals should replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate:
1. Dan was recruited to public life by a convicted felon, Robert Creamer.
2. Dan violated FEC law in 2006 and wound up being investigated by the Democratic Attorney General of Illinois, Lisa Madigan.
3. Dan got fired from GE Capital when asked not to return to the firm after losing in 2006. Dan looked for a job in Japan, failed. Dan joined an internet start up, the Point.com, failed. Dan claimed to be a professor at Northwestern - only taught 10 night school classes mainly to supporters, embarrassed NU when one public policy course was taught by another convicted felon, Dan Rostenkowski (who handed money to Dan in front of the class).
4. Dan paid himself $25,000 in contributor money. No one ever does this but hey, its not totally illegal.
5. Dan endorsed Citizen Action Illinois, now under criminal investigation in Lake County Illinois for voter fraud.
6. Dan hasn't reported a steady income in three years.
7. Dan lost his race for Congress in 2008 by more than last time. He is about the only Democrat to lose in a Democrat district, twice, this time wasting over $2 million in DCCC money.
8. Dan lost every newspaper endorsement in every race he has run.
So, it is clear that a two-time loser never elected to anything who hasn't had a job in three years under multiple ethics investigations should replace Sen. Barack Obama as our Senator.
Wow, Anon 4:42, that was pretty thorough, although the funny thing is you still missed some stuff, like Seals' relationship with Charlie Rangel, gas-gate, etc. But good job nevertheless.
Ironically, if Seals gets appointed to the Senate, he then becomes the state GOP's problem, not the 10th District's, and not Mark Kirk's, unless Kirk wants to run for Senate.
Mark can't win statewide which is why he won't run and why we as Republicans need to call on him to purge the stateparty of Andy McKenna and the hastert mafia the way comrade catwoman's buddy stalin once purged Russia of people he deemed unsuitable.
For those of you scoring at home and not on the eric elk koolaid, these folks of the Hastert/McKenna mafia are listless, out of touch, hardly intellectual, and have a tremendous record of destroying our party. They accomodate the mayor but attack our bretheren on the right why disagree with us on abortion.
Assuming Obama doesn't f--- up major league like his bretheren here do, we'll get some state party body from downstate, a tom cross or whatever to run for governor and a rich dude for senate and lose both seats handily, because again we have no ideas and no willingness to take on the city.
I'm going to give my opinion on a seals appointment, but I first want to say this to anon 4:42: chill. I'm not going to take it point by point (concerned colonial can do that), but there's plenty of honest disagreement to be had without the full-fledged (but not fully researched) ad hominem rant. Having stuck up for civility, here's my take on the potential for a Senator Seals:
Don't scoff. Rod is under a lot of pressure to name an African-american. He also wants somebody who can win statewide, and as much as it might pain this blog to admit, Seals did much better in the tenth than Jesse Jr or Danny Davis could have, and this district is a good indicator of possible swing zones in the state. From Rod's point of view, the appointment could net him a high-profile endorsement in the 2010 primary to give him some wind against Lisa Madigan. And does anybody really think a legislative resume is on the governor's mind? After two competitive runs for Congress, Seals undoubtedly has DC connections, and he at least nominally has a Senate line on his resume. He also hasn't made any enemies (aside from this blog, of course), making him one of the few Dems in the state not to make the guv's Nixon list by bashing him in public. While Jan Schakowsky would be dissapointed, she also knows Durbin won't be around forever an she has a cushy seat. As this blog has repeatedly pointed out, her husband might be an issue in a competitive state-wide election, while Seals' wife is a lovely person with no criminal record. While a dark horse, this appointment is by know means out of the question.
Tiki- you make some good points, and I can't fault you for concentrating on the political aspects of the appointment because, frankly, this blog has always been more about politics than policy.
However, you don't address anywhere Seals' utter lack of competence or actual substantive resume for the job--although perhaps you're waiting for CC to show up and do the heavy lifting on that spin--and, believe it or not, as citizen of the State of Illinois, I am actually very concerned about the qualifications of whomever gets appointed.
Whether Blago benefits or not politically, or who could best hold the seat through the next election, or whatever, pales in comparision to the real concern here, which is that Seals was and always will be an empty suit, unless he goes away for 15-20 years to put in some public service and get some real experience somewhere.
I'd take Jesse Jackson, Jr. in a second over Seals.
I think the likeliest scenario is that blago picks someone obama likes who can help him get re-elected and that Dan is ticketed for some bull shit job in the administration where he can hang out for a few years then go downtown to k street to make a few hundred grand a year. People with johns hopkins masters degrees in foreign affairs don't usually waste their time as state senators in hickville downstate.
They did that with some of hastert's mafia and usually do it with losing congressional and senate candidates if they want to move to d.c. I could also see Dan getting Doug O'Briens-mark's first chief of staff old gig as regional health director.
Also there's a congressman paul ryan who is getting a ton of play nationally and who I would love to hear or see at a future fundraiser. Seems to be one of the young bucks in the renewal of our party and he does reside just up the metra line near kenosha.
TA-
You're not wrong about my focus on the political. That seemed the focus of your post, so that's where I went with it. As far as Seals vs. Jackson Jr., I'm not so sure. Jesse's a product of the Chicago machine and the Congressional Black Caucus. The CBC hasn't produced a new idea pretty much ever, and Seals seems to at least make noises about fiscal responsibilty, something you wouldn't get out of Jackson. Seals' resume isn't spectacular at first glance, but he doesn't come off as ill-prepared, and he's certainly been preping to be a legislator for 3 years now. While Jesse does have more experience in Congress,he hasn't demonstrated anything approaching ideological moderation, something I value. I'm not saying for sure that Seals would be better, but a Senator Seals wouldn't be the end of the world, and as an Illinois citizen myself, I could live with it. I know his experience has been widely panned on this site, so it's possible my head is right in the lion's mouth, but Seals has 17 years of experience spanning teaching English to high schoolers in Japan, working on economic policy in two different branches of the federal government, and a high placement in a very reputable private sector company. He has more degrees than any three people I know, all of them relavant to the country right now. And he's been pondering and speaking out on hose same topics and more for 3 years now. Is he correct? That's open to debate, and I wouldn't object to passionate advocacy against his policies. I wouldn't call him the most qualified man on earth, but at his relatively young age, I think he meets the minimum resume requirements for public service. TA, you said that this blog was more about politics than policy. You were right. As many disagreements I have with Concerned Colonial, he always brings the policy. If you think Seals isn't the right guy for the job, do the same.
Anon, you need to be careful. Dan was not a staffer, he hand the same rank as your 18 year old envelope stuffing Kirk Longworth House office building intern.
As well commerce where he worked is a bull shit agency where they stuff sons of donors that graduate from state u and spend their 2 years before b-school getting hammered at happy hour hitting on georgetown chicks. They spend their days tallying 2001 pork belly exports to micronesia.
Having worked with people of Dan's rank, they are totally oblivious to how d.c. really works and are glorified tourists, at best in terms of the action they get and what they do.
Dan also worked for lieberman which is almost as good for democrats as working for an actual republican.
Seals has experience? The only real experience he has is running for office. Get reality based. The guy stretched the truth about his Lieberman connection. As soon as Lieberman became 'tainted' that connection was severed. As to his business credentials. I wouldn't go there. GE Capital said thanks, but no thanks to his returning after the 06 election. His record with them was totally a zero. He dabbled at a few things around here and lasted a couple of months, not years. He thought he could be an Obama wannabe and he isn't. Seals and Obama have one thing in common and you can see it with your eyes: both are African American. Period. End of the discussion. He has zippo when it comes to qualifications for Congress much less for the US Senate. And if he's counting on
Gash and her few followers, don't bet on that either. And isn't it odd that the catwoman hasn't mentioned his name since he disgraced her and her cat the other night. Valerie Jarret might get the nod, but she will be on call at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. come 1/20. Barack wants an African American to be given that seat. I'm sure that Blagojevich will try to find someone to meet that not too subtle request. My bet is that it will NOT be Dan Seals but rather someone whose name hasn't even surfaced as yet. Desiree Rogers, John Rogers, people we aren't even thinking about as yet.
Anon, I think you and I drink the same potion of super Republicanism. Pup is headed back to the aquariaum or zoo depending upon where you think he belongs and it's now time to train our 2nd ammendments on getting our party back into power.
Time to start planning which blagobot thugs we will take out in 2010. By aiming at these folks we take out future msk competitors and open up another front on the schakowsky stasi.
1. Susan Garrett, the only people more tan than her constantly are paris hilton and john boehner or as the chicago media calls him, boner. She represents the epitome of soccer momism cum tax raising hacks that comrade jan has planted up here and I would love to see her go back to playing that woman with the dog on something about mary.
2. Terry Link. DUH!
3. Jeff Shoenberg. Education is a key part of life on the north shore, and this blowhard had nothing to say when new trier was attacked. Getting rid of him and the rest of these scum also gets rid of future mark competitors.
4. Karen May. Total tool. If we can turn highland park deerfield red, the democrats are going to be totally screwed here for a long time.
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