Just wondering
ArchPundit
Kevin McDermott out there?
Chris Mooney?
Drop me a note if so. I’m just curious.
2003
Blagojevich Serious about Ethics?
Who knew? But Rich Miller at the Capitol Fax is reporting that he is making those taking appointed positions empty out their political funds.
This might seem like common sense to those outside Illinois, but this is entirely new ground for a state that shrugs off most corruption.
My apologies
To Steven Den Beste who I snarkily made fun of the other day, but he demonstrates a good sense of humor about himself here. And he sent me the Reader’s Digest Version!
Only in Madison
I remember an evening about 10 years ago when there were competing rallies concerning an issue affecting lesbians. I was in awe of the fact that there were enough politically active lesbians to pull off dueling protests. Madison is very unlike the rest of the Midwest and this story is only an example.
The disturbing language of Affirmative Action
Normally, I’m most disturbed by the conflation of quotas and affirmative action, but lately I’ve been just as disturbed by college administrators who use the term diversity to justify affirmative action. Diversity is important and should be sought out, but more important to the underlying need for affirmative action is the need to promote opportunity. Nancy Cantor, current U of Illinois Champaign Chancellor argues for some race based factors in admissions, but fails to mention the importance of opportunity for underrepresented minorities.
Hello, My name is Betty and I have a gambling problem
This woman couldn’t be more screwed up.
Sneed Round-up, Indictments, Obama and Barr Topinka for Guv?
Michael Sneed reports:
Sneed hears rumbles indictments of some McCormick Place honchos may be imminent. Hmmmm. Does it involve McPier Board contracts?
Gulp!
This will be ugly.
U.S. Senate hopeful Barack Obama, who was ecstatic when former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun pulled out of her bid to recapture her old seat, may still have to hit the bottle of Excedrin.
*The reason: Former lieutenant governor hopeful Joyce Washington is considering entering the Senate fray.
*The extra reason: Moseley-Braun’s exit meant Obama could wake up with at least a guaranteed 32 percent of the Dem primary vote. (Obama, a state senator, was just voted among the top 100 Dem leaders to watch by the national Democratic Leadership Council.
DLC doesn’t have this posted yet. Joyce Washington? One has to wonder if she is a real candidate.
Judy. Judy. Judy. Governor Judy?
Sneed hears the White House views state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, the only Republican to win statewide election, as a formidable candidate for Illinois governor in 2006.
*To wit: Isn’t that one reason Topinka is heading to Washington, D.C., this week, where she will be queried about spearheading the Bush re-election campaign in Illinois? You bet.
Oh, how the conservatives will howl…
2, Count ‘em 2 Posts
Over at the Political State Report.
Firing of Ryan Appointees and the Favors List.
Speaking of the Favors list, Mark Brown does an excellent job of providing context and making one laugh.
Hull isn’t afraid of going down in a pile of money
It is definitely going to be money versus organization in the Democratic Primary, the Sun-Times reports Hull is willing to spend $40 million of his own money.
If he doesn’t get Mell/Blagojevich backing this looks like the second grounding of Al Hofeld minus the later personal problems.
Senator Hizzoner?
Washington Whispers is reporting that Hizzoner is considering a run at Fitzgerald. I don’t buy it. Running Chicago is his thing and there are no natural torch bearers to hand it to right now. My guess is US News got it confused with Daley actively seeking a strong challenger to Fitzgerald.