January 20, 2006

O'Brien assumes position with Jacobs campaign

Pat O'Brien, former candidate for Moline mayor, is now in a top position on the state senatorial campaign of Sen. Mike Jacobs.

At first blush, this seems a surprising development, as there has been some rather nasty fall-out between the two camps in the aftermath of the mayoral election which saw Republican Don Welvaert prevail.

But thinking about it a bit further reveals that this may be a good match for both men. Various sources make note that there are plusses to this arrangment.

O'Brien is justly known for his hard work ethic and doing the tough and unglamorous work which is an important part of any campaign, while Jacobs has a reputation for rarely getting his hands dirty with such things. This should be a good balance.

Jacobs is seen by some as having shaky labor support, and O'Brien has solid labor credentials and connections and can only be an asset in that respect.

With the addition of O'Brien, Jacobs may benefit from O'Brien's strength in Moline, challenging opponent Paul Rumler on his own home turf.

And finally and most hopefully, it's long been clear that Jacobs behavior has been crying out for some sort of intervention. Countless observers have openly wondered why there was no one around to give young Mike the hook and yank him away from activities which only damanged himself and increased doubts in many minds. There was speculation as to whether Jacobs would blow himself up before he even got to the starting line of his first election as candidate.

O'Brien is level-headed, and while passionate and committed, doesn't possess a penchant for loopy pronouncements or frantic explosions of ill-conceived invective.

It's also good to see Pat back in the game and in a position to demonstrate to others what he has to offer.

It remains to be seen whether Jacobs will begin to be open to advise, but O'Brien's influence, if it's accepted, can only be positive in my view.

How do you view this development?

13 Comments:

At 1/20/2006 7:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sen. Mike Jacobs is three for three in Union endorsements. and has voted with labor 98% of the time. If that's shakey ground then where is his opponent standing on quicksand. Great partnership for Jacobs and O'Brien it will benefit both men.

 
At 1/20/2006 12:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What position is he in? Hopefully Mike won't take Pat down with the ship.

 
At 1/20/2006 1:16 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see that Porter McNeil is also on Jacobs' pay-roll? What, if anything, does he bring to Jacobs' reelection campaign?

 
At 1/20/2006 4:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

PartyDemo....

I'm afraid you're wrong about McNeil. That information is past-tense. He's since moved on to other projects and work for other cnadidates and isn't officially connected to the Jacobs campaign.

 
At 1/20/2006 5:27 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Someone was very perceptive and smart to get O'Brien on board the Jacobs campaign. It seems like a wise move.

 
At 1/20/2006 7:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

O'Brien is a real winner and knows how to run a campaign. The Republicans in Moline are still running scared and checking their backs daily over the near loss of their beloved seat and only shred of any power in the political arena in RI County....

Everyone knows that Pat O'Brien is a fighter and will do an excellent job for Mike Jacobs.

 
At 1/20/2006 11:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The young guns are starting to get behind Jacobs,
O'Brien,McNeil,Darrow'Lack,Jones and Williams. Smart money starting to move to the winners side.

 
At 1/21/2006 12:23 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

..always about the money.. haha!

 
At 1/21/2006 11:48 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I didn't know McNeil, Darrow, Lack, Jones and Williams are backing Jacobs. Did I miss the press conference? What's in it for them? To be pushed aside and forgotten like Ahern?

 
At 1/21/2006 2:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahern is supporting Jacobs as well.

 
At 1/21/2006 3:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Geeze Billy, why so uptight?

But i agree. Naming people who support Jacobs is really dragging them through the mud.

Just surprised you think so too.

 
At 1/21/2006 3:33 PM, Blogger The Inside Dope said...

The amount of support for Jacobs from all these figures could be tepid at best.

Consider their options. Everyone on that list has or still does harbor ambitions to run for office in the future.

Even if they thought Jacobs was a disaster, who would they say they support?

When Jacobs puts the arm on these guys and asks if he has their support, ask yourself, what are they going to say?

"No, sorry Mike, I'm not going to support you."

Or how about, "No, sorry Mike, I'm supporting Rumler."

What are the chances of either of those responses?? You're right. Absolutely zero.

First of all, they wouldn't dare piss off such a petty and vindictive person as Jacobs.

And what would be in it for them telling him they support Rumler? Why would they commit career suicide? It would be insane.

They might secretly be hoping Rumler wins, but they're sure the hell not going to tell Jacobs that.

The fact remains that anyone who hopes to run in the future has to express support for Jacobs when asked, as win or lose (and it's likely win) Jacobs will have the office and ties to local bosses and the campaign dough. Anyone who plans to seek office in the future still has to kiss his, er, ring.

Bearing this in mind, it's ridiculous to expect any of these people to not at least say they support Jacobs.

Jacobs is like the poor little rich kid who never knows if people like him for real or just like him because of the factors above. He can never know who his true allies are, which may be part of the reason he and/or his supporters appear to be raving paranoids and prone to wild conspiracy theories.

I'd also note that to my knowledge, none of these figures have made any public announcements of this support, though that wouldn't change the circumstances.

Bottom line? Whether their support is sincere or not, none of these people have any choice but to give the impression they support Jacobs.

To suggest otherwise is laughable.

This is all part and parcel of the incestuous can of worms that characterizes most politics, and the the local situation is a prime example.

When you get down to it, it's nothing but a big circle jerk.

 
At 1/21/2006 6:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...it's nothing but a big circle jerk.."
-Dope

I assume you are talking about your blog, as the Rock Island Democrat Party is among the best in all of Illinois.

Your constant attacks against Congressman Lane Evans, Senator Mike Jacobs, and Rep. Pat Verschoore are worng-headed. You don't fool me, as you are a good for nothing Republican!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home