Evans resignation fallout
The stampede is on.
Word about Evans' resignation touched off an immediate flurry of speculation and the appearance of campaign-like messages promoting people for the position.
Reactions here has mentioned R.I. Mayor Mark Schweibert, and from the "more of the same" camp, long-time Evans aide Phil Hare seems to have a few fans.
Also put forward is the musical chairs notion that Sen. Mike Jacobs, fresh from ecking out a primary win, should somehow be appointed once again, this time as U.S. Representitive candidate, which would enable placing Porter McNeil in the position Jacobs holds today.
Jacobs manages to float himself in a Springfield Journal-Register piece on the situation.
A potential replacement is state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline. The freshman senator said he had not talked to Evans and his staff but had been approached by others about running.
"Like everyone in my district, I'm saddened by the news," Jacobs said at the state Capitol. "His brain works fine, but his mouth just couldn't give the words ... We are losing a great friend to our district."
Rich Miller of Capitol Fax floats both McNeil and Ted Brunsvold.
Comments there are interesting and in addition to the above names, float several others, including:
- Rep. Mike Boland
- Paul Mangieri, who just got beaten out for state treasurer
- Sen. John Sullivan, though there's considerable debate about whether he even lives in the district.
- Tom Carper, former Macomb mayor
- Chuck Scholz, mayor of Quincy
- Amy Stockwell, Macon County Auditor
- John Gianulis, R.I. County Dem Chairman
- Jeff Terronez, R.I. County States Attorney
Comments run nearly entirely positively on McNeil, marginal or negative on Jacobs, and mixed on the others.
Phil Hare also comes in for some particularly brutal pounding.
Commenter "Bomber91" notes:
In the end, this boils down to what the mighty Jacobs empire decides. If Denny wants the spot, he’ll get it. If he wants Mike to go to Congress, Mike will get the nod. I don’t buy for a second there would be a Danny Lipinski style carpetbagger moving in. Someone needs to ask Denny want he’s thinking. I’m sure Lane already has.
Any sense in all of this?
Tell us
1. Who you think is going to get the appointment
2. Who you think should get it, and
3. Who you think would be the best candidate against Zinga.
Of course, your answers can all be the same, but if you're honest, they likely won't be.
And please, keep the campaign ads to a minimum.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 3/29/2006
53 comments
53 Comments:
The 17th is a large district. I believe there was a dialogue on this topic several months ago on this blog, and I thought State Senator Sullivan would be a person with "high stock" value. Nonetheless, with Lane serving on the House Armed Services Committee, I think it would be more suitable, but not entirely necessary, that a veteran be selected to fill his shoes. I am biased, but it is never a bad idea to run a military person, especially one who has strong credentials. I think Paul Mangieri would be a good fit for the job. He would do a good job, and he would be in line with "good Democrats." He can carry the souther sections of the district, ie. States Attorney, Veteran, "pretty good name recognition." In addition, I hear another name floating around is Jeff Terronez; I don't know him, but scuttlebut about him his good. Regardless, Democrats need to keep this seat. I am glad that I have the priviledge to meet and know Lane Evans. He did a great job. I hope the best for him. PS: In honor of Lane's service to the district, maybe there should be some kind of tribute for him, ie., naming a High School in the middle of the district after his name (Monmouth consolodation school maybe). Thanks.
Realistically, I don't see how anyone but a local legislator stands a chance. Schwiebert has been mentioned a lot, but I don't see how mayoral experience qualifies you to be a legislator, especially considering the fact that Rock Island has a City Manager type of government. For those that aren't familiar, the role of Mayor is more of a figurehead, while the City Manager makes most of the day to day decisions.
I don't see how Hare or Lack have a chance, we need someone with a "name" to run, can't afford to botch an election when there is a GOP with some support looming.
That leaves us with Mike Jacobs, Mike Boland, and Pat Vershore. I don't see how anyone else would have the name and money to ensure a victory. I don't think that Vershore is interested, so that will leave a battle between the Mike's.
If Jacobs is selected, the party would then be able to appoint someone to his seat. I think the right thing to do would be to appoint Paul Rumler, but I'd bet that the machine has someone else in mind (it's not about doing what's right; it's about putting your buddies in office).
If Boland is selected, I believe there will have to be a special election, which could be interesting, considering the fact that there aren't many decent candidates in that district. I think that Porter McNeil lives in that district, and Dennis Ahearn. McNeil doesn't have any name recognition (outside of the machine Dems), and Ahearn only earned around 25% against Boland in the primary a few years ago.
Whatever happens, it will be interesting. Let's hope that it's someone that is:
A) Deserving
B) Effective
C) Not a machine hack
I think it's time that the new Dems took over, but sadly, the young people are so disconnected with the party that they're often voting GOP. Something has got to give. If it keeps on raining, the levee's going to break...
Mike Jacobs Congress
Mike Boland-Pat Verschoor State Senate
Dennis Ahearn-Porter McNeil State Rep
or
Mike Darrow-Pat Obrien State Rep
Jacobs would be the best candidate. He can win election. He has the funds and the youth to carry him into the office.
I think that Jacobs for Congress and Paul Rumler for the vacated senate seat.
Jacobs will
Jacobs should
Jacobs would
Dope, remove Schwiebert from the Dem lists as this is a joke that he is even on it. RI has non-partisan elections and Mark S has played games for years and has been an invisible candidate - and not helped other Dems for years -- standing back and sitting on his hands.
A Republican like Schwiebert does not deserve this Democratic spot!!
All insiders know of Mark and the Republican footsies he's played for years. Mark has been getting Republicans to campaign with any Dems who would listen to their whispering.
Schwiebert can stay as Mayor which is as high as he will ever go in the Democrat ranks.
Now if Schwiebert wants to be the Congressman, he should file properly as a Republican and be true to himself!!
The timing of this announcement has not been lost on me and hope others have noted it as well. Why was it made AFTER the primary and not before? It would not surprise me that Lane has wanted to retire before now but was convinced to wait until this time. He looks like he feels like hell, who wouldn't? I would rather the voters decide who will run as a democrat for congress than have the party bosses decide AGAIN that they will put in who they choose to run in November. I think a special election needs to be held in a timely manner to allow the voters of the 17th district to choose their next congressman. Can this be done? Does the Illinois Constitution allow for this?
John Sullivan is registered to vote in IL18, but G-Rod never lived in his House District. Bean doesn't live in her distrist. Ducksworth doesn't live in the Sixth. Etc.
Frankly, I'm not too worried about the Dems holding this seat. Any reasonably competent candidate should win it. November is not going to be a happy election for the GOP in areas where the elephants don't control the mechanics of voting.
People are already turned off by the Jacob's nepotism. If Jr. gets the nod from Rock Island's version of Tameny you might actually see a Congresswoman Zinga. Otherwise, the district is Dem enough that any of the others will carry the general. Hare's best prepared for the job and probably most well known to the important people across the district (everyone seems to be forgetting about the parts that aren't RI Co).
Hare ain't the guy to fill the shoes of Lane. Schwiebert IS that guy. He gets elected over and over again. He must be doing something right!
Phil Hare is best prepared to step into this roll. As mentioned, he's been in the trenches with Lane from the beginning and he knows all parts of the district better than any other potential candidate. Phil knows how to win and shares the same values that we have seen from Lane. There could be no better choice.
Boland is an opportunist, plain and simple. He needs to take his ego and go back to the state house. Mike Jacobs is not seasoned enough and anyone who compares themself to Rosa Parks is not ready for prime time.
Phil should be the guy this time around. If anyone wants to challenge him in the primary in two years, so be it. But Phil should take the reigns now and I believe would make a Congressman that we can all be proud of.
Zinga and the Hare, hummm reminds me of the tortoise and the hare. Zinga could actually win this thing!
How 'bout Pat O'Brien. He IS Mr. Democrat, unifier, been elected, ran Senator Jacobs campaign well, from Rock Island county; by George I think we have it!
Jeff Terronez is a great person, humble, hard working, not blinded by ambition, he has a kind spirit, he is a veteran and he can be a strong advocate for the Latin American community on the looming issues involving immigration. Jeff will be hard to convince to leave public service on the County level, but we need him in national politics.
He will work well with Lane's staff and there will be a smooth transition.
no question, Jeff is as close to a Lane work-alike as we will see.
highxlr8r,
My point is, shouldn't the voters decide who they want to be their congressman instead of having someone appointed by some wheeling and dealing? What I said was Lane probably wanted to retire some time ago but I'm sure he was convinced by the power brokers to wait. I may be a bit cynical, I guess after the Jacobs appointment fiasco many are, but it might be naive to think that in politics, things don't happen for a reason.
Jeff Teronez lost the first Sara Kolb trial and it had to be moved and retried at the peoples expense. I don't want someone this enept running the areas business.
Jacobs is the best candidate for the job. He is young and agressive. Off a tough primary battle we know he knows how to win. He will fight for this area with renewed vigor. I will be backing Mike Jacobs.
I feel that Mary Boland the Wife of Rep Boland should resign herself from the decision of how the Democratic Congressman will be choosen. She is biased tword her husband and should sit out. Conflict of interest.
We need someone who can raise funds. This is the most important part of who is picked to go on the ballot in November. The republicans will be standing by with a vat of cash to throw at Zinga because they WANT that seat now that it's open for grabs.
An analysis of Zinga's strengths is a starting point. She is brilliant at pointing out faults in other people. Her next original idea (unlikely thought that concept may be) will be the first. The easiest person for her to beat will be someone tied to Lane. That lets out my dear friend and admirable democrat, Phil. The next easiest person will be anybody with a legislative voting record. Those folks will find a whole computer run of stuff that anybody voted for which will be construed to support Genocide in Tioga or someplace. The next easiest would be somebody who lives outside the district. The next easiest would be someone who has made major public service decisions before.
So let's focus on someone who has no hickeys and has the same amount of legislative experience she has. That's probably Brunsvold or Scholz. They are both great guys and either one would pound her. I mean it would be double coyote ugly! The problem is we lose the veteran presence which was such a big part of Lane's presentation. But I guess that's built in.
Adams is an urban count and lane never got out the the 30's there. Either Scholz or B'vold would win it. Funny, B'vold's wife and mother used to be on GOP Senate Staff.
Fortunately for us, the Repubs didn't nominate Mowen and the Wicked Witch of the North, Version 2.0 has got nothing if she doesn't have a record on the other side to run against.
Scholz would do the best job.
B'vold would be the most mortal lock to win
Jacobs will probably get it and may wheeze through the witchcraft by a percent or two.
As Will Rogers said, "I don't belong to any organized political party. I'm a democrat!"
I thought Ted Brunsvold lived in Chicago. He's a social wheeler and dealer.
Brunsvold and Schwiebert are both Republicans....com on guys. Quincy is too small to produce a person and carry it.....in total. We need a Democrat. There is already a Republican on the fall ticket - Zinga.
Give the Dems a reason to go out and vote!!!!!! Find a true Dem in the pack.
My thoughts are as follows:
1. The appointment should go to someone who will NOT run in 2008. This person should be someone who is known throughout the entire district(not just north of Galesburg) and is someone the party can rally around and support(ie raise $$$).
2. Let all the aspiring candidates for 2008 get their organizations together and fight it out for the primary in 3/08. That way no one can complain they did not get a fair shot.
3.The party cannot ignore the area south of Mercer County in selecting a replacement. Even though RI County is the largest democratic stronghold in the district the candidate has to be able to draw votes from the southern part of the district to win an election. Alienating the southern half of the district by ignoring their candidates will lead them to sit on their hands(and wallets) come November. Even though Lane won 61% of the vote 2 years ago, that does not mean a walkover this fall. Taking voters for granted is not good politics(see Mike Grchen and even going farther back, Tom Railsback).
4. Nominating a candidate now who will run in 2008 is also bad politics. Paul Rumler got 46% of the vote even though he was an unknown 4 months ago. Voters are not in a mood to be told who to vote for because party leaders "picked" the person and said this is who you get. Also, if this scenario comes to pass, imagine the scenario where the other candidates supporters sit out the election hoping the "pick" gets beat so their guy(or gal) can run in 2008.
Give the voters a reason TO vote- not a reason to stay home and hope a hand picked candidate losses so their guy can run in 2 years.
Oh please, anon@21:49, you say Jeff Terronez is a "great person, humble, hard working, not blinded by ambition, has a kind spirit, etc. yet at the Labor Day confab at Illiniwik Park, said "humble" Jeff was calling for the impeachment of a sitting war-time president. This from a recently elected Rock Island State's Attorney. Do County State's Attorneys usually bloviate about impeaching sitting presidents? Please drop the "not blinded by ambition" bit---you'll be more credible.
Who's Ted Bruvold?
Ted Brusnvold is the "fly" in the ointement. Look for him to extract a heavy toll on Hare!
I don't think it is fair to trash Lane for appointing his best friend and avoiding a Democrat primary.
I've just read through all the comments in this string and don't see anyone "trashing" Lane for anything, let alone for backing (not appointing, by the way) Phil Hare.
Evans didn't avoid a primary. He just won it a week or so ago. (OK, OK, I know what you were trying to say.)
Even so, what you suppose is happening, isn't. At least not in the comments above.
Paladin, get over it. A lowly State's Attorney can be just as disgusted as anyone else with Bush's lies, distortions, and law breaking. The wing nuts called for Clinton's balls on a platter for lying about a blow job. It's not unreasonable that good left-leaning folk would want the same for the Chimp.
I hazard that you don't know Jeff, and are forming an opinion based on one speech that didn't agree with your views, along with your general disdain for what you constantly refer to as the "Politburo".
By taking a crack at "humble" and "blinded by ambition", I assume you think he is arrogant and power hungry. I can assure you that he is well grounded, although very confident, and yes, probably aspires to more - like many people do. The only difference is he's taking the action while most sit on their asses and whine (kind of like you).
I didn't mean Evans avoided a primary. He just kept made it to where his friend has no primary. Sleazy very sleazy.
What hypocrites! Those of you who were crucifying Senator Jacobs, are now saying what Lane and Philly are doing is different? Man you have been sniffing crack – Lane and Phil’s!
I think that we need to find a populist like Lane to get the position. He was always listening to his public and doing what they wanted.
Anyone that doesn't see that this is a setup is very nieve.
Ya, Denny Jacobs falling over in front of a Springfield resturant and suffering a heart attack was an act. Lane's illness is an act of selflishness! What a bunch of crap.
Lane is as political as any person I have ever met. Lane and Phil Hare planned this exit so that Phil would not have to face an open primary like Mike Jacobs did.
A populist likely cannot win this seat. To win and HOLD this seat we need a centrist like Mike Jacobs.
Why is everyone popping wood over Mike Jacobs? The guy just barely won his state senate primary against an unknown, what makes you think he is going to win the congressional seat?
Oh and just to keep the crap going, I heard that Phil Hare was the one behind JFK's assasination.
Mike Jacobs had as solid a 57% win as one can get. He ran against the newspaper, the unknown candidate, Boland, The Dope, and the hog plant.
Mike Jacobs ran against himself and managed to make it a close one. You can whine about those who simply reported his gaffes and goofy ideas, but you're blaming the messengers, not the message.
Keep up the delusion that Jacobs can do no wrong and see where it gets you.
So far it looks like it is getting Mike Jacobs to the Illinois Senate and perhaps beyond.
Keep up the delusion that Jacobs can do no right and see where it gets you.
Phil Hare has no college education. I can't believe he is even running for such a high office.
Promoting Jacobs for Evans' seat seems to be a perfect example of the Peter Principle, which holds that people will advance to their highest level of competence and then be promoted to and remain at a level at which they are incompetent.
Some would argue that Jacobs is aleady there.
And to Anon above, having a college degree is not a prerequisite for holding office, witness Harry Truman for one.
Phil Hare is no Harry Truman and to suggest this shows your stupidity. It also shows that you are a hipocrit.
Anonymous.
Are you being stupid on purpose?
I didn't compare Hare to Truman I just noted that the lack of a college degree doesn't necessarily have anything to do with someone's ability to run for office and used Truman for an example.
How does that make me a "hypocrit"?
Hare for evans makes you a hipocrit.
Anyone that would compare Phil Hare to Harry S. Truman is a hypocrite!
Anon above.
Seriously, if you're that stupid, please don't comment.
And to Headusher, who left some more rather bizzare comments, including this one. (Name removed to protect the innocent)
"XXXXXXXX there is no need for you to be so nasty to Mike. It is uncalled for and I find it to be unacceptable behavior."
I'm sorry you feel that way. Who are you, the Central Scrutinizer?
I take it you feel that I should only be allowed to express thoughts or opinions that are "acceptible" to you?
Should I run it past you first for approval, kind of like China or Russia?
That's unfortunate. Who gave you that idea? It's not a good one and I suggest you get rid of that attitude as soon as you can.
It's very unhealthy.
You're the only gang who feel the need to try to control this blog. Don't you find that a little... odd?
My advice? Relax. You've got more important things to do than to try to bully and threaten your way into gaining control of a blog.
After all, even if you could (and you can't), no one would pay any attention because they'd know the source, and they'd know exactly what you'd done to get control. How credible would it be?
Start your own Jacobs website, and you'll be fine.
Just quit your silly attempts to control this one. Fair enough?
A 4 year old could have figured out long ago that constant threats and harassment really aren't a good way to improve someone's opinion of their source.
Stunningly, that's escaped you. You've done nothing but harass and threaten for months and months and then have the nerve to act offended and shocked that I'd express negative views towards the person on whose behalf it's been done and continues to be done.
I'm a reasonable person, but I do NOT respond to threats or intimidation, period. And apparently, that's all you're capable of and all you know how to do.
The sad irony here is that the very thing you've done for many months now and are continuing to do, trying to intimidate me into having a respectful opinion of Jacobs, is EXACTLY the very thing that has made it next to impossible for me to have any respect at all.
It's too bad you couldn't figure that out long ago.
Those of us who know the Jacobs family wish we knew who headrusher was so we could kick their behind. We don't believe him to be a "friend".
Phil Hare is definitely the best candidate. He is familiar with people throughout the district and can address issues intelligently. He would be a formidable opponent for Zinga and would have her for lunch in a debate.
Are you kidding me Hare doesn't even have a collage education. Get real. Hare will never get the chance.
"collage" education? You mean going to school to learn how to affix decorative bits of paper or cloth to a surface to make a design? Oh. That's not what you meant?
The above is in the running for silliest comment of the year.
First, the idea that someone without a college education can't be qualified to run for office is just stupid in itself. (and I'm not backing Hare necessarily, it's true of anyone in general.)
And the delicious part is that they misspelled "college" while ripping Hare for not having a degree. Priceless.
Thanks for finding and pointing out my mispelling. I have been going to Black Hawk collage for 2 years now. I am a single parent and have less than a full year in. I will finish my degree because I do know the importance of having one. You obviously don't have a degree and think it is no big deal or you are very rich and it was all given to you. I for one have seen promotions come and go and the reason I didn't get those better jobs was a lack of a collage degree. I used to complain until I started collage and found that the hard work and dedication are a testiment to those people that have one. You are a bitter person. You let most comments go through that are much worse. I have an oppinion and misspell a word and you write a personal assault. You should go and get your degree if it bothers you this much. If hare was trying to get the same promotion in the real world he would be shut down in a flash.
Anon,
I'm sorry you've taken my criticism all wrong.
First of all, you could spell the word college correctly after you've been told of it. I'm not so sure I believe your story anyway.
Secondly, there's this thing called experience. Sometimes that counts for something, and sometimes it's even more valuable than a college degree.
Again, I'm not trying to promote Hare for this position, so let's just leave him out of it and make it about anyone without a degree.
If someone works at a high level political job for decades, does he have more knowledge of the job, or would a guy who's just gotten out of college with a political science degree?
Obviously, the guy with real world experience would be far more knowledgable about how things work and how to get things done. He's done it for decades, after all. The other guy has only read about how it works and has very little real world experience aside from perhaps putting up yard signs or answering phones or licking envelopes.
I fail to see how you think I'm making an argument AGAINST getting a degree, as nothing could be further from the truth.
Obviously, a degree is almost a must if a person expects to earn a decent living these days.
The point that evidently floated over your head is that saying that someone is unworthy of something because he or she doesn't have a college degree is pretty silly, especially in politics.
Now if a guy was wanting to become a surgeon without a degree.... that's another story. While both are very important and affect matters of life and death, in this country, we tend to let just about anyone be a politician (look at Bush) while the standards for physicians are extremely high.
Harry Truman didn't have a college degree and he did ok.
Many other politicians didn't have a degree and were outstanding.
You say you're a single mother and all that, but your attitude about a college degree sounds pretty elitist.
And I have more degrees than a thermometer.
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