Feed‘Mayhem’ is actually good news for the Democrats
August 29, 2005 in Statehouse & Capitol Tags: Aaron Schock, Allan Mayer, Bill Spears, Billy Halstead, Dan Silverthorn, Dave Koehler, election, general assembly, Micheal Madigan
Today’s Word on the Street starts off with some reporting on which Democrats are lining up for the opportunity to face State Rep. Aaron Schock in the 92nd District.
There are four people said to be interested, and there’s been speculation that House Speaker Michael Madigan is getting personally involved in picking the candidate because he’s ticked off at local Democrats for losing the seat to a Republican.
Whatever the case, all of the mayhem can only be a plus for Schock, who is well aware of the bull’s-eye on his back. He took his own shot at the action.
“The voters of the 92nd District will decide who will represent them in Springfield, not the state Democratic Party,” he said. “I’ve heard of the attempts to anoint a candidate, and that seems to follow in the footsteps of the way that this machine likes to operate.”
Mayhem? The election isn’t until November 2006 and petitions can’t even be picked up until Sept. 20. It’s a little early to be declaring there’s mayhem over the Dems selection when 99 percent of the voters could even name any of the people running.
Let me get this straight: There are four decent candidates to replace Schock and this is supposed to be an indication of a problem in the Democratic Party? Oh, brother. The Democrats wish they had the same kind of “mayhem” in the 18th Congressional District.
It is hardly surprising Madigan is getting involved. After all, his job as speaker of the house depends on maintaining a majority.
And to which “machine” is Schock referring? Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s “machine” is just as happy with Republicans in office as it is Democrats. In fact, that “Machine” prefers Republicans in the Governor’s mansion. Madigan is not a part of this “Machine.” He and Daley are rivals within the party, which is something you don’t read about in downstate newspapers.
Plan on Schock talking about “the Machine” a lot in the race. It’s a convenient boogey man.
And the Boy Genius has no right complaining about anyone else being “anointed.” This kid has been getting a free ride from the press since he ran for the school board right out of high school, and the GOP has been holding his hand and whispering instructions into his ear ever since.
August 29th, 2005 at 10:41 am
Ward Boss Mike Madigan certainly is part of the Chicago machine. He’s been chairman of state party, and is actively involved in ward, city and county politics and patronage. He’s as machine as they get, despite the occasional disagreement with Hizzoner.
August 29th, 2005 at 1:30 pm
Bill,
You said, “There are four people said to be interested” in the first line of the story and never proceed to tell us who they are. Who are they?
August 29th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
Illini Pundit: It goes deeper than occasional disagreements. They are rivals in every sense of the word. Mayor Daily is interested only if keeping his grip on City Hall. Madigan has the same approach to his control of the state legislature. These two goals are often at odds, considering that Daley allies himself with Republicans.
Planit2: The names are in the JS article. They are Bill Spears (Peoria City Council), Dan Silverthorn (West Central Illinois Building Trades Council), Allan Mayer (Peoria County Board) and Dave Koehler (Peoria Area Labor Management committee).