The Capitol Fax Blog » Report: Hynes would consider LG offer

Monday, Feb 8, 2010

[Check this update for our report that Hynes isn’t interested in the job.]

* The Sun-Times reports that Dan Hynes would consider replacing Scott Lee Cohen on the ticket if asked, but he’s not pursuing it…

“He’ll do whatever he can to help the Democratic Party this fall,” the source said.

The question now is how Gov. Quinn feels about that. As we’ve already discussed, this would be a very dramatic choice that could put a whole lot of this year’s ugliness behind the governor.

More names from the CS-T…

Second-place finisher Art Turner, a West Side state representative, said Sunday he wants to be a contender. He was House Speaker Michael Madigan’s endorsed candidate. Other names kicked around included the four others in the primary: Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline) and electrician Thomas Castillo.

Link said he could offer more regional balance to the ticket and help attract collar county votes.

“I’m not lobbying, I’m not pushing for it, but am I still interested? Yeah,” Link said Sunday night.

Former Deputy Treasurer Raja Kirhsnamoorthi, who narrowly lost the primary election for state comptroller, reportedly would be interested in joining the ticket to add ethnic and regional (he was raised in Peoria) balance.

Also discussed was Veterans Affairs official Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Wilmette), who just lost a primary for Congress.

Others?

…Adding… I think I posted this earlier, but here’s the Tribune article again…

Democrats now face the prospect of filling Cohen’s vacancy on the ticket, a decision to be made by the 38-member Democratic State Central Committee. The committee, the governing board of state Democrats, is headed by powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, the state Democratic chairman.

“The speaker is prepared to work with the members of the (Democratic) State Central Committee, Gov. Quinn and Senate President (John) Cullerton to work on selecting a replacement,” said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. “We’ll start with members of the central committee and work on ideas.”

The Democratic panel is scheduled to meet March 17, though a meeting could be held sooner. The state central committee is not bound to select any of the candidates who lost to Cohen in last week’s primary. State Rep. Art Turner, of Chicago, a member of Madigan’s House leadership team who was backed by the powerful Southwest Side lawmaker, finished second to Cohen.

Even before Cohen stepped off the ticket, some Democratic leaders said privately that they would like to expand a search beyond the primary election contenders and look to fill the vacancy to provide some regional balance — namely a downstate resident. Currently, all of the nominees on the Democratic statewide ticket come from Chicago.

- posted by Rich Miller

79 Comments

- washedmyhands - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:54 am:
Sheila Simon

- Team America - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:54 am:
The only collar county votes Link would attract are voters from Lake County who would like to get him out of the State Senate into an office where he can do less damage.

- And I Approved This Message - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:57 am:
washed - you beat me to the punch. It makes a lot of sense if she’s interested.

- Robert - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:57 am:
David Hoffman? Or perhaps he’s out b/c no way Madigan would consider him? If that’s the case, Raja might have similar appeal.

- John Bambenek - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:59 am:
I’m not lobbying for it, but I would consider an offer…

/snark

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 9:59 am:
Ditto on Shiela Simon, the only problem being that she was on that sill Reform Commission and she’s either got to defend their recommendations or defend Quinn.

Sen. Bill Haine, former prosecutor.

former Congressman David Phelps?

NOT David Hoffman.

- washedmyhands - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:00 am:
…and I’m a Republican. What she would say would come out as thoughtful and stable. Name recognition. Downstate.

- just sayin' - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:01 am:
Hynes would be great, but only if Quinn is okay with it & not looking over his shoulder.

If not Hynes, I say make it a woman - I like the Sheila Simon idea.

If you go with Fritchey’s point of view that it should be someone who already ran for the spot, I think Link would be a good choice — need to get someone from outside chicago & he’s someone who could get things done in Springfield.

- Hank - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:02 am:
PQ owes the AA community big time. Names won’t matter
Better question is not who Quinn wants but who does Madigan want?

- Redbright - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:02 am:
Hynes crossed the line in the primary; putting him on the ticket would not be unifying.

If Turner is not the choice (and I don’t see how he’s not but I understand fairness is not a consideration in these situations) then how about Manny Flores, late of the 1st Ward but now at the ICC. The discussion will be about the need for geographic diversity but I think cultural diversity merits consideration too.

- A Naughty Moose - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:04 am:
Ha, Sheila Simon was the first thought in my mind. Who’s gonna start the Facebook group?

- Deep South - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:05 am:
If its Sheila, I’m going Green.

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:06 am:
If you’re looking for ethnic diversity, I would pick Clerk DelValle over Flores.

- leadbutt - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:07 am:
Dan Hynes may not offer geographic balance but he has always been successful at getting votes downstate. Don’t forget…he earned approx. 50% of the total vote. His upside is much larger than his downside. He would be able to get more votes than a lower-profile candidate from downstate. Hynes is the answer.

- Fan of Cap Fax - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:08 am:
Former Deputy Treasurer Raja Kirhsnamoorthi, would be an excellent choice. Independant, super smart and represents a large, diverse group.

Tell me again, what has Shelia Simon done for Illinois?

- Quiet Sage - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:10 am:
The whole Scott Lee Cohen story doesn’t completely add up. Why did Dem leaders not broadcast information that they had about him in the two weeks before the election, when their polls showed he had the lead? Why was the damaging information suddenly released immediately after the results came in? What on earth could have persuaded Cohen to resign, when he has absolutely no stake in the success of the Democratic establishment? We haven’t heard the last of the story, and if the Dems think they are out of the woods on this they are sorely mistaken.

- Redbright - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:11 am:
The problem with Sheila Simon is that we would be hearing about how she couldn’t get elected mayor of Carbondale. (At least Plummer was elected president of his school’s student body!)

- Downstater - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:11 am:
As a downstate republican I can only dream that it will be Ricky Hendon!!!

Sheila Simon lost a race for Carbondale Mayor, despite the work of national democrats (including the Clintons). I’m not sure she’s as well regarded as some might believe.

Simon feeds into the idea of “politics by inheritance”. That’s not the message for an anit-incumbent year.

I would suggest a Downstate Democrat with some business experience.

- WOW - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:11 am:
Hynes
Duckworth
del Valle

In that order.

- Cindy Lou - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:12 am:
I don’t see how they can go with anyone other than either Hynes or one of the LT Gov runners from the ballot without making Dem. voters feel like they’ve been spit at.

- (Formerly) Angry Republican - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:13 am:
I think Roland Burris would be an excellent choice for lite guv.

- lake county democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:15 am:
Tammy Duckworth — woman, vet, non-Chicagoan, and the antithesis of SLC. But Hynes wouldn’t be bad either.

- Boone Logan Square - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:16 am:
Hynes makes a whole lot of sense. He’s been known statewide since the 2004 Senate campaign (OK, he’s been the state’s comptroller for a lot longer than that, but as we’ve seen this week, a lot of voters don’t pay tremendously close attention to downballot races), adding him to the ticket would put some substance behind Quinn’s “we’re a family that comes together” comment AND provide a contrast with the “who dat?” identity of Plummer, and the ticket can use his fiscal message to combine with Quinn and Alexi talking jobs-jobs-jobs for an attractive platform.

How much money does Hynes have left in his campaign account? Did he spend it all on the primary? If there’s anything left in the till, that might also factor into the party’s decision.

- Read the D2s - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:18 am:
I don’t think Democrats want a second scandal-ridden nominee for Lt. Governor. There are some questions the state party should ask Turner about his D2 spending reports in previous campaigns before they make an appointment. Such as…

What did you do with the $4,700 for “petty cash” that you gave yourself from your campaign fund? (12/31/2008)
Why was it only included in your amended report and not the first one filed? Did you forget giving yourself nearly $5,000?

What sort of work was being done by the family members you regularly paid stipends from your campaign account? (1/1/2008 to 6/30/2008 D-2)

What exactly was done with the $11,000 you spent on unspecified “election day expenses?” (2/4/2008)

For what facility were you paying a Springfield utility bill in 2008 since you didn’t have a campaign office there?

You spent $6,563.00 an Southwest Airline tickets for Obama’s inauguration plus more on hotels, limousine service and other expenses. How many people did you take with you? Was it a campaign trip? (11/7/2008)

Beyond that are many expenditures that look like personal expenses. These are the sort of things that get overlooked when you’re a state Representative from Chicago. Art Turner will get more scrutiny if he’s put on the state ticket. Will the party skip the vetting process again?

- nick - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:19 am:
It doesn’t appear that Illinois voters have much to say in the selection of their “elected” representation,but instead the party bosses make the decisions.Sad situation.

- cassandra - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:19 am:
I can’t believe the Dems would choose Raja. He seems to have a actual plan for using the office to increase govt. transparency. Can’t have that.

- Capfax reader - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:20 am:
Raja would be an excellent choice. He was raised in Peoria and has family there, raised $1.2 mil approx, and will bring diversity, new voters and money to the Dem Party. Also, very smart and no scandals in his background. The lt. gov candidates all ran bad campaigns, couldn’t raise much money, and couldn’t beat an outsider like Cohen.

- Interesting - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:20 am:
State Senator John Sullivan would be great. With a downstate Brady-Plummer ticket and Quinn’s showing downstate in the primary and 3 African Americans already on the statewide Democratic ticket, I think a strong downstate State Senator like Sullivan, who is not running this year and comes from a large Republican-leaning district, would be a great balance to the ticket. Hynes is intriguing to an extent, though, but I’m unsure how he and Quinn would mesh with each other.

- Granite Carver - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:21 am:
==I think Roland Burris would be an excellent choice for lite guv.==

(Formerly) Angry Republican,

Is there enough space on the tombstone for yet another title? There are an awful lot of letters in “Lieutenant Governor.”

- Responsa - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:21 am:
The voters of Illinois will appreciate it if the appointment is a person whom, if the Dem ticket is elected in November, will be an asset to the administration and could help Quinn govern the state during difficult times. It will be very shortsighted if the decision is ultimately made on the basis of a strategic placement to appease a certain ethnic group or geographic area. Because of SLC the Lt Gov. position for both parties will receive unusual scrutiny this election.

- Marcus Agrippa - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:22 am:
Make Hynes LG and let him be the budget guy. Have him focus on how we get out of our financial hole. Focus on his competence as Comptroller and how he will bring that to Illinois.

- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:24 am:
I don’t think you can pick any of the Lt. Gov candidates other than Turner. Otherwise there will be a backlash about overturning the will of the voters. Link is otherwise a fine choice, but he finished last among the six candidates.

I like the Sheila Simon idea, but if going downstate then Sen. Sullivan is probably a better choice. How about Glenn Poshard?

Here’s my dark horse suggestion: Jonathan Goldman, who lost a tough race for state rep. Cohen is a white, Jewish, sleazy Bucktown resident; Goldman is a white, jewish, squeaky clean goo-goo Bucktown resident. Pretty much the Anti-Cohen.

- Jaded - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:26 am:
Not sure who it should be but they should start using Grainger Terry Inc. They are the real winners in all of this. I can just see their new advertising “We got Scott Lee Cohen nominated with all his baggage. Just think what we can do for you!”)

- Hisgirlfriday - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:27 am:
I like Sheila Simon and I like the idea of another Democratic woman beside Lisa being on the ticket and I like the idea of a Downstater being on the ticket and I adore the late great U.S. Sen. Paul Simon…

but Sheila being plucked from Carbondale to fill an empty spot on the statewide ticket when all these other people actually ran in the primary and are interested in the spot?

Bad idea jeans.

I just don’t see her being that great of a campaigner even if I think she would do a good job in the office if she got elected. Plus, even if it was kind of a fluke thing, she is technically a former Blago appointee.

I kind of doubt she even would want to leave her law professor gig to deal with Springpatch crap anyway.

- Mongo - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:28 am:
Hamos works with both parties, has expertise in affordable housing, transit, budget, disability issues, and more.

Someone asked what has Sheila Simon done for Illinois? Apply that test to Raja. Apply that test to Dan Hynes. Hamos has helped the entire state on numerous occasions.

- dave - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:29 am:
**Quinn needs a Scott Lee Cohen without the embarrassments. **

Thomas Castillo?

- Brennan - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:31 am:
Nominate nobody. Leave it blank. Save the taxpayers money. Void the entire office.

- Joe L. - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:31 am:
Quinn will never go for Hynes. Haven’t you we learned anything about how Hynes gets under his skin? He is repelled by the guy. He couldn’t do it. (He would rather lose the election!)

I think they have to pick someone who already ran, otherwise it looks like the Dems have zero regard for the voters. (Why have elections if the party is going to unseat someone and pick their own.) Luckily, it was a very qualified candidate who came in second. Art Turner has the advantage of having come in 2nd place, being AA, being honest and humble, and being respected by both sides of the aisle. (Don’t know anything about the campaign expenditures issue mentioned about–that sounds a bit like a witch hunt…)

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:32 am:
=== Quinn needs a Scott Lee Cohen without the embarrassments. ===

Mike Jacobs?

- Been There - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:33 am:
===Better question is not who Quinn wants but who does Madigan want? ====
After looking at the makeup of the State Central Committee I don’t think Madigan can just slam dunk whoever he wants. He will have more sway than anyone else in the state but the different dynamics of the committee can trump some of the members support. Just because they voted for him as chairman I don’t know if that would trump racial, geography or gender when names are floated. Also, I am not sure what, if any, changes were made to the membership since this election. If new members were elected are they sworn in now or down the road? Lots and lots of behind the scenes lobbying going on right now.

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:34 am:
=== I think they have to pick someone who already ran, otherwise it looks like the Dems have zero regard for the voters. ===

Every time Republicans try that line, they’re going to hear:

“This from the Party that imported Alan Keyes.”

Its a moot point.

Alan Keyes and Sarah Palin are the benchmark, and that’s a very, very low hurdle.

- Longtime Downstate Liberal - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:35 am:
The obvious replacement: downstate, fully vetted, unlikely to have further electoral ambitions is: Adlai Stevenson! I wonder if he’s feeling the sap rising?

- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:36 am:
=== Quinn will never go for Hynes…He would rather lose the election! ===

Quinn had very nice things to say about Hynes after he conceded. He’ll take Hynes if it means winning.

- babs - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:36 am:
I like the Sheila plan. She is well respected and trusted! We need women, downstaters and people with impeccable credentials. She is all that. She would help the entire ticket. MJM should like that part.

- Joe L. - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:37 am:
=Hamos works with both parties, has expertise in affordable housing, transit, budget, disability issues, and more.=

If they are not picking someone who already ran, a woman would be great. Hamos is clearly the most experienced and accomplished of anyone. She actually solves problems. A downstater would be good for the ticket, but unfortunately, they rarely solve any problems.

- The Truth shall Set you free - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:38 am:
Read the D2’s, Well……. You really don’t know how election days works in Chicago do you?

- corvax - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:40 am:
Claiborne?

- babs - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:42 am:
can’t remember who, but someone mentioned Lisa as the only woman on the ticket - I’d like to remind you of Robin Kelly.

- frustrated GOP - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:43 am:
I have an idea, how about a hispanic or a women that lives outside of Chicago?
Oh, that’s right the Democratic party only looks for statewide inside the city limits. Sorry, my bad. Never mind. Of course the GOP has figured out that there are a few voters outside of DuPage. opps.

- Montrose - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:47 am:
I think Shelia Simon sounds great on paper to us folks who spend time commenting on the Capitol Fax Blog, but I don’t see what she adds after the initial stories about her. True, adding a woman from downstate to the ticket would help, but I don’t see Quinn need as much help with the female vote against Brady.

What he needs is someone that will help counter the “nice guy, but can’t lead” argument. Hynes would help. Maybe go outside of politics and bring in a progressive, successful business leader from downstate. I have no idea who that would be, though.

- Just wondering - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:49 am:
Sorry but I just don’t get the Sheila Simon band wagon.

- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:49 am:
If the Democrats nominate Art Turner, they should expect to hear about the deal made to give his son the old man’s state rep seat over and over. It’s not that far from what John Stroger did for Todd and what Bill Lipinski did for Dan.

Also, unless Jesse White is volunteering to come off the ticket, Dems nominating a Black for ltgov should expect to hear about the Dem ticket being too Black and too Cook County.

- Responsa - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:49 am:
Hamos couldn’t even get herself elected in the 10th distict primary so she’d be an asset to the statewide ticket??

- Read the D2s - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:50 am:
Joe L, a witch hunt? It’s all there in black and white for anyone to see. It gets worse too. Republicans will use it in the general election. “Another corrupt Chicago Democrat like Blagojevich” will be the reaction in most of the state. Maybe they’ll run and add of Turner riding in a fancy limo paid for with campaign funds. Democrats don’t need another scandal dragging down the ticket.

- Countryboy - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:51 am:
Raja - very bright, ethnic, knows how to raise money and campaign, south of I 80, vetted, and about the only financial guy Obama listened to that wasn’t a Goldman alum…

- Jeff - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:52 am:
Does anyone know where we can see the weighted vote for the Democratic state central committee?

- Read the D2s - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:53 am:
The Truth, I know, but do most voters around the state know how election day works in Chicago? Do they want to hear about it in a Republican campaign add? I wonder how Turner will explain things like “walking around money” to reporters and downstate voters?

- Niles Township - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 10:58 am:
I like the concept of Sheila Simon, but the reality. A downstate woman would be perfect. Is Sheila Simon the best one out there? We need a strong campaigner? A loss for mayor does not portend well in my opinion. We need someone experienced & as ready as they can be to be Lite Guv. Does she qualify by that metric?

- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:01 am:
Quiet Sage, if you were in SLC’s position and the Corleone family sent an emissary to persuade you to quit the race, would you say, “La Cosa Nostra persuaded me to quit.”

Just b/c Cohen claimed MJM was the person who persuaded him doesn’t mean it was MJM *alone* who persuaded Cohen to quit.

- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:03 am:
Democrats appointing someone now to replace SLC for Lt. Governor candidate? Why does the name Todd Stroger keep popping into my head? :-)

But then, my GOP appointed Alan Keyes! :-)

Push the primary date to May, June or even August, and problems like this will have more time to surface in the future when the electorate is a bit more engaged, and not fighting snow storms and post holiday bills.

- siriusly - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:04 am:
I was a Hamos backer, but I don’t think that Lt. Gov under Quinn is the best fit for her. I’m sure she wouldn’t turn it down, but to me - that doesn’t seem quite right. Not enough for her to do as LG.

- Joe from Joliet - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:08 am:
Wasn’t Turner the #2 vote getter? How do they not give it to him?

- GA Watcher - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:14 am:
It will be interesting to see how much of a roll Governor Quinn plays in the selection of his running mate. If I were him, I would insert myself aggressivley. After all, the right running mate could potentially strengthen the ticket. More importantly, selecting the right person could improve voter perceptions of his decision making abilities.

- Anonymous - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:15 am:
Hynes is the answer for democrates to win in November.

- Hank - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:15 am:
212,902 reasons Cohen shouldn’t have quit

Chuck Goudie, Daily Herald 2/8/10

Interesting article, especially the last paragraghs:
We will never know what really happened in his Super Bowl Sunday meeting with Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, a Chicago Democrat.

But if there was a deal cut to repay Cohen the $2 million he spent to get elected in exchange for him stepping aside, I would remind the Madigans, Sen. Durbin and Gov Quinn of one thing.

The Illinois Constitution does disqualify people from public office for bribery.

- washedmyhands - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:20 am:
(1) Lt. Governor needs to be able to fill the position of Governor. That’s it…Lord knows, no experience required. You can throw a party for your entire term (I think Dave O’Neal may have started that tradition - chuckle)…as long as you don’t party in a SPA, you are heading in the right direction. (2) All you are looking for is someone who will add to the ticket and not detract by being an amusement or embarassment. (3) hopefully provide a little positive name recognition. Sheila (my Dad brought you the word “ombudsmen”) Simon pictured, with Paul Simon. Maybe she has a pic of Dad, Quinn and herself…. (4) and other than a single Lt. Governor debate…she will have to talk/defend rarely. Just hold her nose and give rah, rah Quinn speeches.

- Will County Woman - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:31 am:
Siriusly,

The beauty of that office is that the officeholder can craft into whatever he or she likes and make the most of it. After all isn’t that what Quinn did? and did well, I might add. Prior to him was there ever a better Lt. Governor?

Still, going foward that office does need to be eliminated to save money and the Comptroller and Teasurer Offices need to be merged as well.

- Rich Miller - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:47 am:
===Former Deputy Treasurer Raja Kirhsnamoorthi, would be an excellent choice. ===

The Dems already have two candidates connected to the Bright Start meltdown on the ticket. Now you want to give them a third?

Put a bit more thought into this, people.

- Mongo - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 11:55 am:
Ahh, Responsa, critic you are but no suggestion. Have you one? The Hamos/Seals race was about as close as Quinn/Hynes. Yes she lost but the contest there was whether Seals (who ran and lost twice to Kirk) “deserved” a third shot. About as many said yes as did no.

Here, with Hamos as lg candidate, she’d balance Quinn considerably.

That said, I still think it will be Art Turner.

- Hisgirlfriday - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 12:07 pm:
I voted for Art Turner, but I would be stoked if Julie Hamos was chosen as lt. gov.

Yeah, she’s not from Downstate, but I could see her doing a a really good job as lt. gov. It seems like her legislative portfolio could mesh well with the sorts of issues we expect the lt. gov. to deal with while the governor sees to the budget. Maybe she could be the “transportation lt. gov” and use her spot to work on solutions for the CTA/RTA mess and be the high-speed rail point person for the state.

And just having a suburban woman on the ticket would balance out the ticket more than another Chicago man.

- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 12:23 pm:
How about …
House Clerk Mark Mahoney
He’s won election — Springfield city council.
He’s extremely well-versed in state government and as clerk understands the importance of daily organization — something the Quinndergarten desperately needs.

- Chathamite - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 12:53 pm:
I’m for either Raja or Tammy Duckworth… both would be great but I think Raja would be the real winner. He showed us his potential already in the Comptoller race and that was such a narrow loss for him.

- Anon - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 1:02 pm:
What about Manny Flores…He would add more diversity to the ticket, he has a lot on energy, and really knows policy. Nobody seemed to mind his nomination to the ICC…In my eyes he is a great choice.

- frustrated GOP - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 1:17 pm:
how about Linda Chappa LaVia? Women, Latina, not from Chicago.
Knows the state house.

- Rich Miller - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 1:17 pm:
Did she win or lose that central committee race?

- frustrated GOP - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
Don’t know, I think she won. Not sure.

- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 1:28 pm:
Michelle, good suggestion but unlikely.

AA’s getting a chuckle out of the posters who write that the SLC replacement must add diversity, be a downstater, be a fiscal whiz, and such.

That wish list sounds to me as much like the AntiQuinn as the AntiSLC….

- He Gone... - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 5:05 pm:
The Democratic Party of Illinois has historically promoted diversity in its slate making efforts and we currently await the finalized selection for Lt. Governor scheduled for later this month. To that end, I am calling for the Democratic Party to slate a viable Hispanic candidate to fill this position and to carry forth a balanced and diverse ticket for the general election.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Illinois, approximately 2 million or 15 percent of Illinois’ population are Hispanic, making them the single largest minority group in the nation.
The Republican Party appears to have understood the importance of a Hispanic candidate in this year’s election which is reflective our community and its interests. The Democratic Party of Illinois must understand and recognize the exceptional differences among our state’s population and ensure it is reflective in its leadership.
Sen. Iris Martinez is my choice and I am sure that Sen Claybourne can deliver the downstate for her.

- Blue Dog Dude - Monday, Feb 8, 10 @ 6:51 pm:
Careen Gordon is the name I have been hearing for Lite Gov. It makes sense and it can happen.

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