Posted on 02/03/2010 8:55:56 PM PST by Steelfish
Illinois Senate Race Worries Democrats Anew
BY MONICA DAVEY February 3, 2010 CHICAGO — Alexi Giannoulias, the treasurer of Illinois and a basketball-playing friend of President Obama’s, won the Democratic primary here on Tuesday for the Senate seat once held by Mr. Obama. But his victory was hardly the free throw some had expected, setting off a new round of worrying among Democrats that the reliably Democratic seat might be picked off by Republicans in November.
With four others on the ballot, Mr. Giannoulias won 39 percent of the Democratic vote, or, as Republicans preferred to describe it on Wednesday, lost 61 percent of it. A little-known former federal prosecutor who had never run for office, David Hoffman, came within six percentage points of Mr. Giannoulias.
With much on the line here, including the symbolism of the president’s home state possibly slipping away, some Democrats were concerned that the party had played into the game plan of the Republicans, who chose Representative Mark Steven Kirk, a centrist-leaning suburbanite who hopes to appeal to the state’s independent voters and even some moderate Democrats.
Already Wednesday morning, the National Republican Senatorial Committee had issued a Web video mocking Mr. Giannoulias, 33, for what it described as questionable loans made by his family’s bank, his ties to Rod R. Blagojevich, the indicted former governor of Illinois, and more.
“Is this change we can believe in?” the video asks.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Good. When CommieCrates worry, I am happy!
Bump
The ‘RATS need to cool out. I’m sure he’s got the mobster vote locked up.
I bet he has a lock on the dead vote too.
Watching this junior high student’s acceptance speech last night, was extremely excruciating. I don’t recommend it for anyone. You’ve been warned... ;o)
Well, if Alexi withdraws, the rodents can just substitute fellow Combiner Mark Kirk, and he won’t have to change any of his liberal positions.
I have no interest in this seat given potential occupents. However, that ad the GOP put up is funny. The Democrat’s asked for it by nominating a guy with mob ties. The folklore about the mob is too ingrained in American culture not to be ripe to take advantage of even in Illinois.
The DNC will ask Giannoulias to step down and insert Jesse Jackson Jr to run against Kirk.
I’m sure he’s got the mobster vote locked up.
______________________________________________________________
If I was Kirk, I’d watch my back. Never trust the Mob.
A bit of trivia: Kirk represents basically the same congressional district that was once represented by Donald Rumsfeld. Like Rumsfeld, he is considered a defense expert.
During the Democratic Primary, Giannoulias’ main rival, David Hoffman, got all the major newspaper endorsements. That was why Hoffman did unexpectedly well. I expect those endorsements to go to Kirk in the general.
Mark this senate seat Republican pick-up.
“played into the game plan of the Republicans, who chose Representative Mark Steven Kirk, a centrist-leaning suburbanite who hopes to appeal to the state’s independent voters and even some moderate Democrats.”
Kirk may indeed get the votes of some democrats because I doubt if he’ll get the vote of conservtive Republicans.
**Already Wednesday morning, the National Republican Senatorial Committee had issued a Web video mocking Mr. Giannoulias, 33, for what it described as questionable loans made by his family’s bank, his ties to Rod R. Blagojevich, the indicted former governor of Illinois, and more.**
Not a very good reference or resume there! LOL!
The Times underestimates the circular firing squad. We’ve already had posters bitching how Kirk is REALLY just a democrat, so he must be made to lose. Take THAT RINOs!
A third party Tea Party candidate to split the non-democrat vote? The DNC would pay his filing fee if asked. Then laugh a lot.
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