He’s Going To Run Again
ArchPundit
Jack! is out and about and still returning the press’ calls. He’ll be running for something in 2006.
June 2004
And So it Begins
The 2006 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary begins with Dad Madigan outflanking The Blagorgeous on reform of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
End of the Quarter Begging
Okay, donate if you can–every dollar at this point is important! It looks like people haven’t been visiting the sponsors as much which is probably due to me being on vacation, but let’s do a round-up:
Melissa Bean is running in the Illinois 8th against conservative fossil and special interest magnet Phil Crane. What are here chance? See this post (ignoring Dan’s comments ;)) This is a targeted DCCC race and is rated a top race by National Journal, The New York Times and The Daily Kos. Melissa matched Crane in fundraising last quarter. If you can help with dollars go to the upper left hand and click on their ad. If you can’t, do it anyway and volunteer if you have some time and are near the area–Lake, Northwestern Cook and McHenry Counties.
Barack Obama is a rock star probably about to face a well-funded Republican challenger. While everyone, including me, rates this as likely pick-up for Dems, every dollar raised by Barack frees up money for races in other states like Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Colorado. Click on the upper right for him. A good fundraising quarter will scare away other strong candidates as well.
Tari Renner is running in the 11th against Jerry Weller, a Congressman primarily known for raising funds. Renner is running in a district that was about 50-48 for Bush last time and was specially configured to include Weller’s parents. I kid you not. Tari has run tough races in McLean County beating out the former head of the Illinois Christian Coalition branch, Lee Newcome for the McLean County Board and is putting on a strong insurgent challenge. His ad is down, but will be back soon.
Tom Cross is raising funds for the House Republicans. I’m always happy to have their ads as they run a first rate operation. I’m not going as far as to tell you to donate, but certainly pay a visit and see what they have to say. Cross is a good guy in Illinois who has opened up the Illinois Republican caucus to be far more democratic and open. He’s a moderate in an increasingly conservative party and has a long record of working with everyone in the Lege. Ads to the right.
The guys from Join Cross also have a novel idea to Draft Ditka to be Republican Party Chair. Hell, it can’t hurt and think of the press conferences. Or him dealing with any bellyaching by either the moderates or the conservatives.
And finally, don’t you people take vacations? C’mon check out the Paradise Charters link for me. I know most of us visiting the site are political wonks and junkies, but you need a break.
Rock Star Treatment
Via Austin Mayor
The New York Times is reporting that Obama is likely to give the keynote address at the Convention.
Hell, I’ll even watch that.
A Brief Missouri Interlude
May 30th Post-Dispatch:
Jeff Smith, for example, has attracted lots of attention since winning the support of Dean, who may stop here to campaign for him. Smith also captured the Democratic endorsement in Jefferson Township a few weeks ago over the objections of Londe and others who backed Carnahan. Smith’s red-meat rhetoric often ignites forum crowds. A standard line: “If John Ashcroft is for it, I’m probably against it.”
Russ Carnahan at the 17th Ward Meeting this week:
?If John Ashcroft is for it, then I?m against it?
Adopting a position or such that is similar to an opponent isn’t such a big deal. Stealing lines virtually verbatim is just stupid. If you have some extra cash, go donate to Jeff so we can have someone in Congress who isn’t an absolute idiot.
Dan Proft is Correct
The Kerry Divorce Records are sealed.
Separately, Kerry told an interviewer he has “no intention” of releasing his divorce records, calling it “ancient history.”
“I have no intention of doing that at all. There’s no reason whatsoever. It’s history, ancient history,” Kerry said in an interview with Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo during a campaign stop in Phoenix. “My ex-wife and I are terrific friends, very proud of our children. We have stayed close as an extended family in a sense through those years.”
Kerry said his ex-wife, Julia Thorne, sees no reason to release the records, nor do their two children.
“It’s none of anybody’s business. Period,” he said.
Well, actually the records are the people’s business because they should be public records of a public process in the courts. Period.
Disclose People!
It still seems unlikely that the documents will have anything too interesting given it was a relatively amicable divorce.
As I’ve said about both Hull and Ryan–if you don’t disclose, it’ll take you off message. Now, in this case we don’t have any indication of material that might judge the fitness of the candidate, but it should be a public record. Period.
If you dump the documents out there, they will go nowhere in most cases. Hiding them will create a media circus. Everyone’s an adult so just release them.
End of the Quarter
Donate!
Obama to the right.
Bean to the left
Renner here until I get the ad back up!
Give if you can. Every dollar to Obama increases available funds for Florida, South Carolina, Colorado, North Carolina, etc.
Bean is in a tough race and has so far stayed even with long-time incumbent, Phil Crane. She’s fiscally responsible and socially moderate, a perfect fit for that District versus a right-wing ideologue.
Tari Renner is running against a big money conservative in a district that is winnable (profile to come later in the week).
Site Updates
Expanded Blogrolls for Illinois Blogs, Favorites, acknowledgement that Markos and Jerome motivated me to start ArchPundit, and an expanded blogroll updates to include new Illinois blogs.
Good news….Jeff Cooper of Cooped Up is back!
Republican Poll for Jack!’s Replacement
44% Big Jim
22% Oberweis
17% Rauschenberger
4% Gidwitz
14% Other
Sample size 253 +/- 6.3%
How To Galvanize Your Opposition
Google News Alerts rock as they pointed out a bunch of lege members were wearing flowers in support of Rep. John Bradley after The Blagorgeous’ attack on him.