Burning Down the House

Democrats are waiting until March to pick a Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor.  I mean, why could that possibly be a bad idea?  It’ s not like every Democratic politician in the state will be vying to get on the ticket with the attached constituencies feeling terribly aggrieved if their particular choice is not chosen.   Awesome–what could go wrong?

It’s like the idea of putting Dawn Clark Netsch on the ticket.  I’m a big fan, but can you imagine the power ticket of Pat Quinn and Netsch gathering up the intellectual reformer vote? It would be epic.  And think about putting Netsch on a ticket where we have a new Democratic President facing rabid hate from the right wing base, bizarre conspiracy theories, health care and jobs on the agenda, and a resurgent GOP.  What could go wrong there?

Nothing like March Madness to let everyone get revved up and ready to fight over their constituencies and feel aggrieved when it doesn’t turn out just like they want it. If there is ever a time to get together and make a decision it’s now.  We don’t need long drawn out interviews, we need a Gubernatorial candidate to pick a few choices, go to Madigan and Cullerton, and then take the consensus out of that to the Committee who barring a really bad choice blesses the choice and we move on while the Republicans are hopefully going through a full recount.

Take for instance:

Pierce personally favors state Rep. Karen May, D-58th, because she has a strong record on the environment and ethics. Additionally, she would provide the Democrat’s November ticket with a representative from Chicago’s collar counties, he said.

Pierce rejected the notion that House Speaker Michael Madigan, the state Democratic chairman, would be able to push through his choice.

“We’re all independent, elected officials” on the state central committee, Pierce said. “It’s not like the legislature where the speaker can hold bills in committee. We have a vote and it depends on the person.”

First, Pierce just made the process harder and why would you directly criticize the Speaker when you want to push someone? Seriously?

But second, May?  So a Chicagoland ticket who appeals to goo-goos on reform and has a good environmental record  Just like the top of the ticket with Pat Quinn.  Because goo-goos and environmentalists form a winning coalition on their own.

Who could have predicted….?

I might as well start early.