It's time for Obama to define his role in Senate drama (Illinois)

[chiburb]

Excellent piece on what Obama has to do to win the Dem Illinois Senate primary. Laura Washington (the writer) is a political veteran and extremely savvy.

Snip:

We're on the cusp of the fall political season. Take your seats and strap in for Illinois' hottest political show--the 2004 Democratic primary contest for the U.S. Senate. It's time for some Obama drama.

Hands down, state Sen. Barack Obama is by far the most qualified candidate. The six-year state senator is the only contender with legislative experience. He's a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, a grass-roots community and civil rights activist, a professor specializing in constitutional law at the University of Chicago. His platform stresses inclusion and equity.

In American politics, however, the most qualified doesn't necessarily get the job. Just ask George W. Bush.

But this most qualified candidate also happens to be African American, in a race where six white contestants could split up the white vote. Not to mention a Latino and three women. There's even a coal miner. Do the math and think Harold Washington and Carol Moseley Braun. If Obama can turn out his black base and build a coalition of white progressives and other people of color, he's got the nomination.

That's where the curtain comes up on the Obama Drama:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/washington/cst-edt-laura08.html

[KharmaTrain]

1. Where's The Media?

Other than Ms. Washington and Mary Mitchell in the Sun-Times there's little written about Obama...his background or his qualifications.

I think a lot of this is just plain lazy (and shrinking) media that would rather do stories about puppy dogs and follow up on press releases.

There's so little being said about or by the Illinois Democratic Senate candidates and this for a seat that should be their's for the taking. I sure hope the state Democratic party isn't getting big on it's current success. It wasn't that long ago that Democrats, especially from Chicago, except for Roland Burris, were unelectable statewide.

Those who I talk to know little about Obama and/or confuse him with Jesse Jackson III (you can tell I'm out in the Northern burbs). Also, despite moving up the primaries, by the time the Presidential show gets to Illinois the national nomination will be well-but-decided that is sure to keep turn-out for the primaries low. I'm not sure how this works for or against either Hynes (who I'm not too hot about...another Al "the Pal" Dixon), Obama or Nancy Skinner.

[chiburb]

3. I think Steve Neal has done a decent job...

Of coverage too. I rarely agree with him, but he did do a recent recap of Hynes and Obama's supporters and financiers.
I just found the link if you're interested:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/neal/cst-edt-neal01.html

As for the Tribune, I'm sure they'll do their usual fine coverage of Dem politics any day now! :-)

Finally, I think its still a little early for extensive coverage. I do share your concern though about Obama's statewide name recognition. If you weren't a viewer of WTTW's Chicago Tonight over the last few years you'd never have heard of him.

Has anyone seen or heard from Skinner since she announced?

[KharmaTrain]

6. Supposedly Nancy's In

Sorry I don't have the link, but Nancy's declared and has a site up (and asking for $$$). I think the fasted way is via TBTM...Take Back The Media.

Yes, Chicago Tonight and Weisman's show are the only television shows that have made any mention of the upcoming elections...either Democrat or Repugnican. I gag every time I see one of those Oberweis Dairy campaign ads and hope there's a good and nasty primary fight in the GOOP (I'm sure the "you supported Ryan" purges aren't quite done yet <g>.

I think Obama's problem is he's not a darling with the occupant on the 5th floor at Clark & Randolph (Hizzoner II) who could turn things up loudly in this town with one press conference. I don't get a read, but does anyone know which horse Richie's riding? I'd guess Hynes.

[chiburb]

8. And I think Chico's from da hood...

Chicago politics is so incestuous I don't have a clue who Daley would back. My guess wouldn't be Obama (supported by the Jacksons), and you're probably right that it is Hynes. Certainly ain't Pappas...
And let us not forget gazillionaire Blair Hull, supported by Bobby Rush because Rush hasn't forgiven Obama running against him.
Politics here sucks...

[Rich Hunt]

9. JJ Jr.

First of all, you should tell those North Siders that it's Jesse Jackson Jr., not "Jesse Jackson III".

Good lord, he's not even forty!

http://www.jessejacksonjr.org

[KharmaTrain]

16. Sorry...

I thought Jesse the Elder was a Junior and his son, the very good and capable Congressman was III. Sorry!

[madrchsod]

2. i never heard of obama

of course living in ronnieland doesn`t help either..the first i heard of him was on this forum. if the democrats want to win they`d better get out here in the corn and bean fields and start getting themselves known. they have to win the whole state not just cook county and with the whitehouse will be throwing everything it can towards thier selection,the democrats could lose the senate election.

[Democat]

4. What an unfortunate name to have for this time in history

"Obama" sounds a lot like someone else who isn't very popular in most parts of the world. :)

[chiburb]

5. Or as Rchsod said above...

Where's Obama?

[KharmaTrain]

7. It Can't Be Worse Than

Jerry Lewis...Congressman from California. But then, given the chance, I'd vote for None Of The Above in most elections.

I agree, when I first heard of Obama in '98, Osama and the image of either a black muslim or Pan-Africanist (cavorting around in one of those badly fitting Jim Brown hats) came to mind. Since then, I've followed what he's done in the state senate and where he stands on issues (VERY PROGRESSIVE) and hope the name doesn't diminish the candidate.

But then the possibility of a black candidate winning in my lily-white, pleasant valley sunday Repugnican burb is like a snowy day in hell. The key is for him to have a strong base and organization in the city and south burbs. I think the Repugs in NW Cook and DuPage County are very disheartened these days and Pate Phillips won't be able to find, buy, steal enough votes to keep the Democrats from consolidating on their gains next year.

Cheers

[MisterP]

24. or Sonny Bono...

[GinaMaria]

12. say it with a more midwestern accent

and it sounds like a nick name for Alabama, O bama. Say it positively any chance you get. You know the dark side will be pronouncing it like Osama every chance they get.

[davsand]

10. I'm encouraged to see Obama getting a bit more attention.

Being downstate in a county that is VERY progressive Dem turf, Obama has some suppport. He's been thru here a handfull of times and each time a few more folks get won over. I've got a good feel for him in this county--but as I said before--Champaign County is a very liberal Dem group. How he'll fare in the surrounding counties where the Dems are less progressive is tough for me to call.

I do think that Illinois labor will play a huge role in deciding this race. The last time I talked to anybody who would be positioned to know, the state AFL-CIO was not planning to endorse in this primary race. I can't say I'd blame them if they didn't. Obama has a lifetime COPE rating in the 90s, and Hynes has worked hard with labor on a lot of stuff.

Things do change, however, and I have no idea how much pressure is being brought to bear. I'd think Emil Jones could bring a fair amount of pressure to the labor decision, if he's weighing in--as could Madigan or Blag's folks, for that matter... If they can't openly endorse Obama, I'm hoping they'll leave it alone simply because I was sitting with several labor folks when Obama spoke here one night (along with Hynes and Hull) and I was seeing a lot of heads nodding in agreement with him on issues. His vision is such a strong one that it resonates well.

I'm serving on the host committee for a brunch for Obama in a couple weeks and I will say that I've been tickled with the response so far. I've heard a lot of folks saying some good stuff about him. What is significant in this is they are talking about his issues. This is not a personality thing or a loyalty thing so much as an agreement with his vision. This early out, that's a pretty remarkable thing if you stop to consider it. His campaign really hasn't hit yet--and his issues are what has stuck...

There was a recent poll that showed Obama doing very well in both Cook and the collar counties. Hynes shows well downstate thus far, but I'm not terribly worried about that just now given the fact that Hynes is a statewide office holder. His name recognition is much higher right now. When Obama's campaign kicks into overdrive I look for his numbers to grow as his message gets out.

Thanks for posting this article!

Laura

[chiburb]

14. Interesting about Emil Jones...

I'm with you in hoping they don't endorse anybody, recognizing that several of these candidates would be good. I'm also hoping that the pressure Jones is applying is exactly that: no endorsement.
Glad to see you on the thread Laura!
:-)

On edit: Your downstate perspective is ALWAYS welcome and insightful!

[KharmaTrain]

15. Great To Hear...

It's rare to hear reports from Downstate here in the Above I-80 belt. Especially from a fellow Progressive.

I would hope the unions in Decatur, Bloomington and Peoria really get out the rank and file next year...there's so much at stake and this is the most anti-union regime ever. Also, I hope there's a move to get the kids at UIUC off their duffs and to register and vote.

Honestly, I think any polls right now are of little significance since so few people...even those of us who claim to be politically astute...are totally familiar with the candidates, yet ready to make a preference.

Hynes, if he gets any numbers is based purely on the name, since I can't really think of anything he's done that would get any attention...I'm more interested in if Blair Hull is buying any TV time (supposedly he's on the air somewhere downstate)and what's the scuttle-butt with the local GOOPs...and if they have picked a horse or hearse in this race.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Above I-80. Where?

I live just a touch south of it and a couple more Du'ers live just about on it.

Just wondering from whence you hail?
The Professor

[KharmaTrain]

20. The Brave...The Few...

Greetings Professor...

I'm in the Northwest suburbs...the "Greater Woodfield" area...one of the baby-boomers who moved started in the city and have kept moving further out.

I've been out this way for over 20 years and surely was one of the only Democrats for many years (three Repugnican booths to one/obligatory Democrat one)...I'd get looks like "what planet are you from, son" when I'd ask for a Democrat ballot. LOL

That's not quite the case now. There's a growing number of us out here...right in Henry Hyde and Dennis Hastert's backyard. There are fewer and fewer obnoxious Repugnicans out this way these days. Last 4th of July the Democrat party float, for once, not only was as large as the Repugnican one...people actually applauded. I'll take any progress I can get. LOL.

Cheers

[Rich Hunt]

22. north of I-80

I'm just north of I-80, BTW, in JJJr.'s district.

[laylah]

25. I am about 25 minutes south

of I80, just off IL150. I am so glad to read that I am not as alone in this lily-white valley of mine as I thought I was! :thumbsup:

[davsand]

18. Hey--Downstate isn't ALL beans and Corn!

There are some progressives down here! I will grant you, we are not a common species, but we're here! :hi:

Those kids at UIUC are facing an uphill battle on voter registration and voting. The local County Clerk is an absolute ratfuck of a Repug and he's done all he can to keep the kids from being involved in elections. He'll limit the number of registration forms they can take out of his office, he'll put fewer voting booths in the student precincts and the GOP challenges kids on a regular basis. We've actualy had to put together flying teams of advocates to be available to go into campus on election days.

In the last election the lines were so long at the polling places in some campus precincts the college Dems bought pizza and sodas for everyone in line to keep them from leaving to go eat...

We've printed "know your rights" sheets for kids to take to the polling places. We've put lawyers in there as election judges. We've used flying teams of advocates. We've filed law suits. We've lobbied the legislature and called in the AG--this County Clerk is an absolute SOB.

He is currently in front of the Court down here for refusal to file phone numbers with the State Board of Elections. They brught suit on him to force compliance with the laws--we'll see how that turns out, but I doubt it will do much to reign in his arrogance.

I saw a few TV spots for Hull a while back, he has bought media time down here. He started down in the St. Louis area market from what I hear. That isn't too shocking given the strength of the St. Clair County Dem party. They aren't as dominated by the Chicago/Daley influence.

Decatur labor fest is Sept 20 and if Obama wants to work labor crowds that would be a great place for him to go. I know that Hynes was making the rounds of the Labor Day events, I'd assume he'll be in Decatur too. We had a labor picnic here yesterday that was rescheduled from Labor Day's rainout. None of the Senate candidates showed up for it.

FWIW, as a downstate progressive, I will offer the complaint that we get ingored by a lot of candidates simply because they view Chicago as the place to pull the large numbers of Dem votes. Blag won downstate, but I really think it was labor that did it for him. He sure as hell didn't put much time in down here.

Laura

[KharmaTrain]

23. I've been around

In an earlier lifeform I spent a year at SIU in Carbondale and then a couple in DeKalb. SIU was in the midst of Paul Simon territory and the home of some great Progressive Democrats. DeKalb, like Champaign-Urbana is a little island of Progressives and Liberals surrounded by bible-thumpin', pitchfork-wielding Repugnicans <g>.

In "my day" (1980), there were problems with registering to vote locally in that election and a push was made to get as many kids on campus (NIU) to vote absentee. The local Democrat and several other groups had booths, took out radio and newspaper ads and held keggers <what else...LOL> to get out the vote. We were all scared that the evil Raygun would mess this country up real bad (which he did), but that looks so good compared to what Whistleass has done.

I don't think the downstate Democrats are overlooks up here. In many cases it's been you folk who've broke the tie between the Dems in the city and the Repugs in the collar counties. For years there was a disconnect with the Dems between St. Louis & Chicago and that was the reason the Repugs won the Governorship so many times. Thank goodness that damage is over.

I think the real shocker in the future could be the rise in the middle class blacks and hispanics in the burbs...it's been steady and growing and will be the GOOP's worst nightmare in this state for many years to come.

[GinaMaria]

11. Hi Chiburb

Great article. I don't know much about Obama or the other candidates. Do you have any other info? I haven't been following this primary. I'll vote for anyone who can replace fitzpuppet. That guy has been nothing but bad for Illinios.

Peace,
Gina

[chiburb]

13. Hi Gina...

You can start here with Obama, and Hull has a site as well. The others probably do too, but I don't really care.
Glad you want to start learning about these folks now!

http://www.obamaforillinois.com/

[wndycty]

19. Please give Obama serious consideration. . .

. . .also I know there is the name issue, well its only an issue to those who want it to be an issue. Its funny people talk about the name issue, but they ignore the fact that his already has the title of SENATOR!

[KharmaTrain]

21. An Educated Consumer...

I certainly am not making light of his name and would like to learn more about him and All the Democratic candidates.

I haven't begun to pick a favorite in any race and am enjoying learning as much as I can about those who are running. Would it be possible to put links here to site in Illinois...or somewhere else and thus everyone can investigate the candidates. That's the great thing about D.U. and the Internet...sad that we can't count upon our publicly licensed broadcast stations to do that.