WGN reporter may run (against Obama) if GOP foots bill | Chicago Sun-Times

[Ediacara]

WGN reporter may run if GOP foots bill

July 31, 2004
BY DAVE MCKINNEY AND ANDREW HERRMANN Staff Reporters

SPRINGFIELD -- Broadcaster Orion Samuelson flirted with the possibility Friday of entering the U.S. Senate race against Democrat Barack Obama, but the decision will hinge on getting the GOP to pay for the effort.

Desperate for a credible candidate to replace Jack Ryan, some senior Republicans favor Samuelson, 70, because of his name recognition generated through a four-decade career at WGN-AM, reporting on agribusiness to a statewide audience.

While enamored of the thought of entering the political arena, the long-time Republican said he has no personal fortune to invest in a Senate race, meaning the party will have to pony up dollars or the question is moot.

More at the Chicago Sun-Times

[lottie244]

1. If the Repugs bring out an opponent there will be more Dems at the polls.

Do they really want this?

[LTR]

3. They have to run somebody to save face

Leaving the GOP slot empty would be far more embarrassing.

This is done all the time in congressional seats. Think any Republican has a chance in Dennis Kucinich's mostly black Cleveland district? Or any Dems in Jim Ramstad's affluent suburban Minneapolis district?

They'll take it on the jaw and get their 35% of the vote. But the GOP will pony up as little as possible. It's a lost seat.

[Citizen Daryl]

2. Scraping Another Candidate From The GOP "Media Elite" n/t

[Robbien]

4. Until this week, Obama was little known outside of Chicago

This guy, Orion Samuelson, is little known even inside of Chicago.

Oh well, he is a warm body.

[Itchinjim]

15. Orion Samuelson is very well known in downstate Ill.

and by downstate I mean the rest of Ill., outside of Chicagoland. He is also very well respected. He could actualy collect a suprising number of votes from farmers and smalltown folks who are uncomfortable voting for a Chicago African-American democrat.

[AbbeyRoad]

18. I've lived in downstate Illinois

almost my entire life and I've never heard of him; however, I haven't lived out in the country or had the need to listen for ag news. I don't doubt that he could garner votes from farmers and some small town folks. I grew up in a small town, and I know there are probably people who wouldn't vote for Obama because he's African-American. As far as I'm concerned, most of those people are lost anyway.

I often wonder why everything below Chicago is considered downstate. I know Illinois is a long state, but towns I'd consider mid-state down here are often included in Southern Illinois. Springfield is upstate to me. There is a common sentiment that people from Chicago really don't know and even don't care what's going on in other parts of the state. That's what Obama will really have to work against, even more than any opponent the Republicans can bring out.

[mountainvue]

22. He's 70 years old.

That's just the begining of the weaknesses that will paly against him.

[freetobegay]

5. Well that makes sense

Someone from the media running on a GOP ticket. Makes perfect sense to me.

[Yavin4]

6. The Repubs. Can Run Homer Simpson

He's from Springfield. Just don't let Homer handle garbage issues nor the bear tax.

[Citizen Daryl]

7. AND he's on Rupert Murdoch's payroll! n/t

[daleo]

26. They consider Homer "too intellectual"

Now Sideshow Bob...

[reggaehead]

8. How do you spell desperation

Go GOP feed the anti OBAMA fund. This is like Michael Moore supplying them with siongle shots for theit temples. Where is Dr. Kervorkian when you need him?

[mom cat]

9. Great! They found someone who knows about corn and bull.

[stepnw1f]

10. Another Talking Head

with no credentials.

[mark0rama]

11. The GOP can help to counter Obama's convention exposure

by having this guy do a farm report in prime time during their convention.

[napi21]

12. Can he do that? I thought if he's a candidate he'd have to quit radio.

I don't think he would be premitted to remain on the air if he was a candidate, and the closing time to file is before the RNC convention isn't it?

[mark0rama]

16. You're probably right; I was just having a little fun.

Just comparing Obama's electrifying speech with the mental image of this guy standing on the stage during the convention, reciting his farm report.

[King of New Orleans]

13. Les Nessman is the next one on the list

What with his 5 prestigious Hawkeye News awards.

[GaryL]

14. God's Only Party?

They're not going to put 5 cents into a race against Obama unless they're stupid beyond the pale. It's going to ahve to be some rich asshole who doesn't care if he get publicly humiliated. I have family in Illinois who used to be Repugs a decade ago and now HATE them. They told me that's pretty much statewide too.

[stevebreeze]

17. They offered Roshenburger a cool quarter million

just a small fraction (1/3) of what was spent by Durkin in 2002. This was a race the GOP had no hope of winning and put no money in. The lack of dollars why Roshenburger for one turned down the sacrificial lamb role.
:Kick:

[boobooday]

19. How did they ever find a conservative

From the ranks of the "liberal media?"

Of course he reported on agricultural issues . . . he could probably fling some BS . . .

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[candy331]

20. 70 years old, I wouldn't think he would want to enter the Devils

den at this age. Of course there should be no age discrimination and I didn't mean any but I sure as hell wouldn't bring(might stay if already there) those headaches on myself during my retirement years, I would find fun things to keep me occupied.

[mountainvue]

21. Ha! After Obama's appearance at the

convention, good luck!

[Lorien]

23. More proof the media is RW. n/t

[RetroLounge]

24. Orion Samuelson has been broadcasting farm reports

for like forever. But I fail to see how that would make him any more experienced to be a Senator than that cheney-head Ditka.

Sacrificial Lamb is more like it, and I doubt he wants to end what is in reality a very respected career by being a LOSING candidate for US Senate.

RL

[Fed Up]

25. Gov. Blagojevich won by 200,000. Barack will probably get more. n/t

Because he seems to appeal to everybody. At the least lets get somebody, even a shoe salesman from Kankakee. Anybody.