Mike Jacobs... White Knight or Black Sheep?
Let's start with a bang. The appointment of Mike Jacobs to his father's seat in the Illinois senate inspires a lot of passion on all sides. His supporters arguments could be summed up as "Mike's great. He hung out with his Dad a lot, so he knows the ropes. He has a lot of dough to spend. He's got connections through his Dad. So Mike is great."
His opponents, whom the Jacobs camp dismisses as those suffering a case of sour grapes, think along these lines: "Mike sucks. He's hung out with his Dad a lot, so he's nothing but an old style wheeler-dealer. He has a lot of dough to spend, but it won't help. He's got connections through his Dad, which is not good at all, considering the shady characters involved. There were other's who were far more qualified and deserving of this appointment, so Mike sucks.
More fleshed out versions of these views are that the people who know Mike, or who are die-hard Jacobs supporters, like him personally and think he'll be fine if given the chance. They're hard pressed to make an argument in support based on Mike's public accomplishments. There really aren't any.
A fuller version of the anti-Mike partisan's lament is: "Mike Jacobs is an empty suit who got handed a plum, which isn't right. He doesn't deserve it, and it's nepotism at it's worst. He's got no real talent for the job and represents a continuation of the tired old crony system. Mike is just a young face on an outdated power structure. Others have worked and accomplished much more, yet they were bypassed for this appointment.
So........ is Mike Jacobs a train wreck waiting to happen, someone who will get swatted down in a primary, or a younger, more progressive Denny v.2.0 who will serve the district with distinction?
Drag out your crystal balls and tell us how it's going to be.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 2/16/2005
7 comments
7 Comments:
Hmm, good question about Mike Jacobs. While there has been grumbling throughout the business and labor and polical community regarding his getting this easy appointment, there may also be the sense that his family's clout and his experience will help him on the job.
The jury is out on this newly appointed State Senator.
He's a train wreck waiting to happen! He's no Denny and he's certainly vulnerable in a primary.
Why so many posts from this "anonymous" guy? That's no fun.
I'm with Green. It's really too early to start trying to tar Mike Jacobs when he hasn't given us anything to tar him with.
He's a fortunate guy to have been handed this opportunity. (although I wouldn't want to trade places with him.) Whatever one's feelings about the appropriateness of his appointment, he's there now, and he deserves a chance to see what he can do with it.
John Lewis touches on one of the more interesting aspects of this situation. The way Jacobs' getting out in front and casting himself as the peacemaker plays out will certainly be interesting to watch.
Though it's impossible to tell if it's sincere or not, cynical motives will surely be asigned to the move by many.
Hey, some of those critics out there don't realize how tough being in public office is. Whether it's Lane Evans or Mike Jacobs, whether its Mike Boland or Pat Verschoore, whether its Jim Bohnsack or Mark Schwiebert -- that's a lot of tough work and time away from family.
Let's take a deep breath and give Mike Jacobs a chance. He certainly has the education and experience and instincts to do a good job in the Illinois General Assembly.
If we take too many deep breaths, we might hyperventilate and pass out and bump our heads.
Political office isn't a tea party, after all.
I don't see anyone here tearing Mike Jacobs apart. Don't know why the reason for urging people to back off.
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