*** UPDATE 2 *** This is somewhat odd, but it probably can’t hurt…
The producer behind the “Barbershop” movies, “Soul Food” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” showcasing Humboldt Park, has found another family with a compelling story to tell — this time in documentary form.
His subject: Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by his mentor, President Barack Obama.
“He’s got an interesting story to tell. He’s young, and this is going to be an amazing political race,” says Mr. Teitel, who launched shooting at a small fundraising gathering for Mr. Giannoulias. The filmmaker arrived with camera and sound crew in tow.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Post-Dispatch blog…
This is from a written statement by Lance Trover, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. He notes that, four days ago, Moody’s downgraded the state’s rating on general obligation bonds from A1 to Aa3, and today, Fitch Ratings placed Illinois’ AA minus rating on a negative credit watch.
“While the Illinois bond rating tumbles, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been spending his time raising money for a U.S. Senate race,’’ Trover wrote. “. . . On the same day the State of Illinois appeared on a credit watch list, Alexi Giannoulias was busy trumpeting his fundraising numbers for a political campaign. … Blagojevich Democrats have created a fiscal crisis and instead of serving as financial watchdog for the people of Illinois, Giannoulias is focused on his next political move.’’
Um, how exactly is Giannoulias supposed to have prevented that downgrade?
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Wow. Just wow. Giannoulias had hoped to raise about half of this when he started out. Considering the current economic climate, this is freaking huge…
He’s still just at the “exploratory committee” stage, but Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has already raised $1.1 million in the 28 days since he announced he was “exploring” a run for U.S. Senate.
He is eyeing the seat formerly held by his friend and basketball court partner, President Obama.
“It’s actually unbelievable on two counts: The sum of $1.1 million, in and of itself, is unbelievable, but the fact that it’s in the worst political fund-raising environment that, I think, any of us have ever seen, makes it all the more extraordinary and impressive,” said political activist and fund-raiser Michael Bauer.
The Washington Post reported a week ago that political donations are down 26 percent across the board from two years ago, presumably because of the economic downturn. Giannoulias supporters said this big a haul — with no Giannoulias personal or family loans, PAC or corporate money — in the 28 days before the March 31 quarterly reporting deadline appears to be a record.
Giannoulias told me last night that there is no personal money in that mix. That $1.1 mil may also be close to a one-month US Senate record, by the way.
And Bill Daley has been awful quiet lately, hasn’t he? He wasn’t using a threat of a US Senate run to leverage that ambassadorship to China, was he? Whatever the case, floating his name constantly in Sneed’s column didn’t seem to hurt Giannoulias’ fundraising one little bit.
* Meanwhile, appointed US Sen. Roland Burris said yesterday he still hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll run for real and added…
He has not raised any money for a run.
Surprise, surprise.
* And in another race, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign fired off a blast e-mail to supporters yesterday asking them to vote in an online poll…
Right now the Chicago Tribune is hosting an online poll that asks if Lisa should run for governor. Cast you [sic] ballot and let your opinion be known by clicking on the link
Clicking on the link shows her efforts haven’t worked wonders…
Yes (1107 responses) 41.6%
No (1552 responses) 58.4%
2659 total responses (Results not scientific)
Maybe it was the typo.
* Related…
* Sweet: Madigan debuts in D.C. as state decision looms : Madigan, in a brown pants suit, flanked by men all wearing grey, was trying on the big stage to see how it fit. It fit fine.
* Illinois attorney general, feds crack down on mortgage scams
* Feds, states clamp down on refinancing schemes
* State’s attorney vows to change search warrant filing system