A couple quick updates from the 2010 field in Illinois ...
A new Roll Call article on Alexi Giannoulias' "consolidation" of support in the U.S. Senate primary ends with this tidbit regarding Merchandise Mart CEO Chris Kennedy, who was reportedly considering a run for the seat:
At least two well-placed sources who were working with Kennedy on his potential bid said they have been out of communication with him for several weeks and they do not expect him to run for office. What’s more, several Illinois Democrats said they had heard nothing from Kennedy or his associates in recent weeks. [...]
This isn’t the first time that Kennedy has openly considered a race for federal office then ended up not pulling the trigger on a campaign. He also considered running for Kirk’s House seat, as well as this Senate seat in 2004.
There have been suspicions all along has been that Kennedy, despite his earlier leaks to the local press, wouldn't end up launching a campaign. Looks like they may have been on the mark.
Meanwhile, gubernatorial candidate and state comptroller Dan Hynes announced an endorsement today:
Former U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III said he will support Hynes. Stevenson is from one of the best-known political families in Illinois history. He said he can't think of a better way to continue his family's legacy than to endorse Hynes. [...]
"I'm suggesting that we can do better with Dan Hynes, who commands throughout our government already and has that experience," Stevenson said.
In other news, Lynn Sweet reports that Vice President Joe Biden is planning to "fund-raise for the House members the Democratic House politiical operation deem the most vunerable." Apparently, this effort involves him attending an August 20 Chicago fundraiser for Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who is running for reelection in the 11th Congressional District.
Comments
Anybody, but Hynes. (not verified) on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 20:32
Ex-U.S.Senator Milk Toast III endorses Comptroller Milk Toast
So Hynes is bored and he thinks he is entitled to something bigger and better because of his daddy was somebody. Well, he may be bored but he has bored us to death for years with his milk-toast personality and lackluster response to the issues facing the state. He has served without distinction and is sitting on top of $5.0 billion in unpaid medicaid bills but refuses to acknowledge that the state needs an income tax increase if it wants to preserve important programs that democrats care about. He has done so little that he should consider paying the state back for his six figure salary.
The heat is forthcoming as Burr Oaks happened under Hynes watch. Currently he has the benefit of those whose Cook County real estate taxes were conveniently lowered and they will not say boo. But wait until the other democratic primary gubernatorial candidates' commercials roll-out, everyone will pinning Hynes' inability to send a competent investigator to Burr Oaks. One cannot have it both ways, Hynes campaigned on cemetery reform and then did not deliver when it was time to act. What was that mission statement which appear on Hynes' website until the day of Dart's press conference at Burr Oaks? It could not have been a message about cemetery reform. The prepaid funeral trust is empty of the millions paid into it and bodies are piled-up in Alsip. These facts cannot be sweep away with the beer cups left behind the after the Southside Irish Parade. Hynes is simply unqualified for Illinois executive office.
I am totally against Hynes. He is the son of Tom Hynes. I'm sick of the kid of somebody getting top posts. Enough of the stroger, madigan ,daley effect.
Anybody, but Hynes.
He is an empty suit -- albeit a nice suit that his daddy picked out for him. Get a life, Dan -- and a real job where you actually have to be accountable, not just a little whiner.
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