Congressman Mark Kirk's announcement yesterday that he would run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris got major media attention, and as expected, vaulted him into the front-runner position for the Republican nomination for what will be a hotly-contested race, probably with a impressive dose of White House involvement. Here is the coverage from the Daily Herald (big headline above the fold in the print edition), Chicago Tribune, Pioneer Press and the News-Sun. Illinois Review has a strong statement of support from the IL GOP. The Dems are freaking out, although this move by Kirk was long-expected. Via HuffPo. Even Rich Miller at Capitol Fax Blog was impressed by Kirk's roll out.
As we reported yesterday, one of the top Dem contenders, Alexi Giannoulias, sent out a press release that tried to tie Kirk back to former President George Bush. We're not the only ones to think that this strategy is doomed to failure- an alert reader pointed out this very interesting article in Real Clear Politics about this very issue. It's definitely worth a read.
Meanwhile, back in the 10th District, State Senator Susan Garrett has decided not to run for Kirk's seat, citing her challenges at the state legislative level. I had my doubts about Garrett actually pulling the trigger, as it seemed like a lot of work for her and would take time away from attending parties in Lake Forest and Highland Park. Of course, the notion of work to be done in Springfield never stopped fellow State Senator Michael Bond from seeking the seat, even months before Kirk announced for Senate. But now, the interesting twist is that State Senator Terry Link also has stated he's considering running.
I think the real chances of Link actually making a bid for Congress are about 0%. This is really about any one or more of the following:
1) Getting some media attention.
2) Trying to re-establish his relevancy after a series of recent political defeats.
3) Sending a message to his protege Michael Bond that the young whippersnapper perhaps hasn't been kissing up enough to Dad, and needs to be reminded who brought him.
Many people have remarked that Link is not getting any younger and doesn't always look in the pink of health when he's out in public. I doubt he'd really be ready for the vigors of a real Congressional campaign. So, I doubt this will all cause a big stir with most folks who know anything, as they will most likely brush it off as posturing, as we have done here.
Behind the scenes, on the GOP side, more people are coming out with interest in running for Kirk's seat and quietly are lining up support and testing fundraising waters. As you might expect, TA is stating to get calls from prospective candidates, but I (along with Mark Kirk) don't have any clear favorite yet, and I expect will withhold any endorsements until the field shapes up and we have a chance to do an endorsement session, maybe. Thoughts on that?
Finally, we're still mulling a new name for the blog to reflect our intent to cover the Kirk for Senate race, but it may be something as simple as "Team America's 10th District and Senate Blog." Not brilliant, but to the point. Other ideas?
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5 comments:
TA - how about Team America's 10th for Illinois? It keeps the local perspective, broadens the scope and plays on the political nature of the blog.
OMG - Terry "I don't need no stinkin petitions" Link. Who will he find to circulate his petitions, run the campaign, oh how can he win! Let's see - 1) seek circulators that are addicts, mentally challenged or mentally ill is good too, because then they'll be "unfit for trial", hmmm...OK 2) call Sneaky Pete - funnel money to him thru a "salary" since the State Board of Elections is controlled by the Dirty Dems and let us do it last time 3) get some stimulus money into the YWCA so they can register illegals and "duplicates" to add a cush 10% of newly registered voters and hold debates about the racism that exists in the 10th congressional district - heard Callie Melton got laid off from the YWCA - now they can hire her back to continue with the illegal political activities that no one challenges 4) Get more stimulus money and pump it into the Crooked Ministers Alliance in Waukegan and North Chicago for the "Get Out the Vote" drive.5) Promise Garrett and Ryg full-time state posts paying 6 figures in exchange for the efforts to "cheerlead" in their areas. This will be fun to watch.....
Jim Kirsch, a ho hum highland park city councilman with the charisma of a ham sandwhich has a lot of personal money and according to the tenth dems newsletter has hosted fundraisers for evan bayh. He has young kids though and it's a big leap from st.johns avenue to a full blown congressional race.
The sun-times also pointed out that julie hamos wants to run. This woman is lauren beth gash all over, jewish, state rep, nasty, she's called for tax hikes about 3 dozen times in the last year, daley protege, blago endorser ,jan schakowsky clone, totally worthless in all respects. The great news for republicans here is that Mark's message is going to set the tone for the entire state next year and it is going to be all bashing springfield all the time, so either she or bond will be VERY vulnerable.
End of the day, the only republican nominee that can win will be a moderate GOP congressional aide that fits the kirk/porter mold. There are a few folks out there that fit that description and that will be terrific candidates if they run.
FOKLAES
Although State Rep. Coulson said, about two weeks ago, that she'll run for re-election, today's Roll Call article states that she told the NRCC that she might run for Kirk's seat. She said that she'll decide sometime within the next month. She would be a great candidate. She agrees with him about many issues, and she's been a legislator since 1997.
Phil Collins
Link is a joke. He wouldn't speak an unkind word about Blago until the very end.
Seals has to be the favorite in both the primary and general based on name recognition and the fact that it's a blue district. I don't think too many people know about Bond other than people in his district or people who followed the race where he got Geo's endorsement.
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