Jim Edgar will run (Hotline)

Politicalwire ^ | 4/23/03 | Taegan Goddard

[LdSentinal]

Update: The Hotline says "All the signs are there for a 'yes' on IL SEN from ex-Gov. Jim Edgar: The dinner with NRSC folks at Da' Ditka's (mmmm, Ditka's), Rove will keynote a 5/2 event for IL GOP donors; and Edgar, himself, contending that not just any GOPer could win. So at this point, wouldn't it be an embarrassment to Bush if he turned it down? Just as importantly, Edgar's candidacy does more than potentially keep a GOP seat in play, it puts a critical 'Blue' state for WH Dems into the 'Gray' swing area."

[JohnnyZ]

Well, if he wins, that would be good.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Did I read some story about his administration having some stink around it or am I mistaking him for someone else?

[JohnnyZ]

Yes, some of the scandals and whatnot probably started in his administration -- I don't remember specifics, Illinois corruption is not of much interest to me. There has been some speculation that that could come back and bite Edgar in a senate race but I think Illinois voters grade people on a scale, and Edgar is ten times better than George "Fry Me" Ryan.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I don't follow the politics of that state other than the occasional FR story. I seem to remember something about Edgar's administration and something going on at the DMV. Or I'm just mistaken.

Who's he running against?

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I guess us IL voters are supposed to satisfied with a RINO instead of a real conservative...what else is new. In his defense, Pat O'Malley is probably a much better conservative candidate, but the party doesn't seem to want to support him, thinking that Edgar is a more "electable" candidate or (O'Malley) is not doing enough to "put himself out there". I thought the adults were in charge, popularity contests are so....high school. I suppose this is a good development since we are talking about Illinois, but the RINO's arent much different from the Daley pandering Democrats out here.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Illinois ping.

[MainstreamConservative]

The current democrat frontrunner is State Comptroller Dan Hynes.

[JohnnyZ]

Hynes? Maybe. Maria Pappas is showing surprising strength in the polls. Barack Obama is a strong Mulatto candidate. Blair Hull has promised to spend lots of money letting people know why he should finish higher than fourth in the primary, and maybe it'll pay off with a big 3rd place finish! Gerry Chico is irrelevant but doesn't know it yet. Am I missing anybody?

[ggekko]

Edgar ran a very tight ship fiscally and there was never a hint of corruption in his administration. He was not much help on social issues as Governor but on balance he would be a much better Senator than another Dick Durbin clone spawned from the Daley political machine.

[jmaroneps37]

Sounds like a 'hold' to me.

[MainstreamConservative]

I think that the primary will largely be fought out between Hull (who will try to pull a Corzine) and Hynes (who has establishment support). Joyce Washington, who ran for Lt. Governor in the primary, is also running on the democratic side. So is Maria Pappas, but I doubt she will be credible. Never underestimate a guy who can spend 25 million in one of the most expensive media markets in the country. Not that many people thought Jon Corzine would beat Jim Florio in 2000.

[egarvue]

Um, there was a hint of corruption in the Edgar admin, but it was one of his underlings, I don't recall at this moment. But I agree, he did run a very tight ship. The Illinois Republican party could use a shot in the arm with an Edgar win. Some may say he's a RINO (IIRC, only on the abortion issue). But he would be a solid ally of Bush, and another dagger to the heart of Dachle's evil regime. I hope he goes for it.

[TheRightGuy]

I guess us IL voters are supposed to satisfied with a RINO instead of a real conservative...what else is new. In his defense, Pat O'Malley is probably a much better conservative candidate, but the party doesn't seem to want to support him,

Excellent analysis, BureauMax. I worked hard for the O'Malley campaign -- walked two precinct for him, joined him at numerous train station meet the candidate" blitzes, etc. -- but you are correct, the party will not suppport him any more than they supported Fitzgerald. Should O'Malley win the primary, I doubt he could carry the state.

On the other hand, I think Edgars overall popularity, especially downstate, along with full support of the party may just allow him the chance to win. Although he is pro-choice and soft on 2nd Amen rights, I could hold back the barf and vote for him for just one reason -- he is hated by, and not intimidated by, hizzoner da mare. That alone makes him good enough for me.

[razorbak]

I lived in southern Illinois from 1991-1999. Edgar is no conservative. But he and Bush are good friends and I believe he would support the Pres. most of the time out of loyalty to the team. His successor, Gov. Ryan, was so liberal and dishonest I voted for his Democratic opponent for governor. The Democrat was actually more conservative on abortion and on guns. Ryan blasted the Dem. candidate for planning to raise taxes, then raised them as soon as he got elected. When his corruption as Sec. of State came to light he went on a big made-for-the-media anti-death penalty crusade to distract from the scandals.

[Princeliberty]

But once he is general election they will
be more than happy to open up on him
for the scandals and the investigation
not over and more dirt may come up.

Always be cautious about who the
media proclaims is the popular Republican
candidate, always tends to only be RINOs
if you listened to the media you would
never run a conservative in any state.

[Princeliberty]

And as for the tight ship on the budget
wasn't it a fact that state spending went
up a lot under Edgar and Ryan both
and that under Edgar this got masked
by the fact the economy was growing fast
as part the national economy growing.

[supercat]

Yes, some of the scandals and whatnot probably started in his administration -- I don't remember specifics, Illinois corruption is not of much interest to me.

Does the name "King George" mean anything to you?