Like early Christmas presents, here comes the rollout of candidates for 2010 to bump U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, D-Lameduck, from office. First to launch an "exploratory committee" is one-term state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, while Burris has www.supportburris.com is a legitimate site that could be used if
the Democrat decides to seek a full term. The Giannoulias Web site is www.alexiforillinois.com, or at least according to his press release. And so it begins.
Despite numerous calls to resign because of revelations about how he was appointed to the seat by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Burris has hunkered down in the bunker and even Gov. Pat "The Unmighty" Quinn has backed off calls from black ministers and lawmakers to leave Roland alone. This after he has changed his story
multiple times. And probably will again.
Another possible Democratic candidate is William Daley, brudder of Da Mare of Chicago, who was a Clintonista cabinet member. And, there's more out there, trust The Hound on this one.
If the GOP doesn't mess it up, the next junior senator from Illinois could be a Republican. Lake County's own Congressman Mark Kirk of Highland Park is one of those eyeing a run for the seat next year.
Recall that The Hound in the above paragraph said GOP won't mess it up. Remember that the party in the Land of Lincoln has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory numerous times, so there is always that possibility. This even with a plethora of scandals foisted on voters by the state's Democratic pols.
By all rights, 2010 should be a Republican year in Illinois. But then, The Hound remembers GOP leaders putting up Alan Keyes to run against Barack Obama in 2004. Uh, is Keyes available?
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Alexi Giannoulias skated by the voters unnoticed, for an office I doubt many really understand. However, he has his own little problems regarding his bank's associations with the Chicago mob. There are those who may not understand the 'nuances' of other 'outfits' like ACORN or PACs, but a mobbed-up banker isn't going to be looked on with favor, unless the One arrives and gives Alexi a big push towards the office.
Kirk has a good chance, but the Il GOP will have to stand united behind him, and not fragment itself between the party leaders, who have screwed up the last few elections, and the grass roots, who want someone who has has produced results and can provide a clean record. (An actual reformer, not someone who spouts the word 'Change' and then turns arouns and rewards tax cheats and lobbyists.)
THE HOUND SAYS: The reason Alexi the Great skated by is that he was running for an office most people don't have a clue what it does. The treasurer's office and comptroller should be combined. Now that's a savings, right? No need to pay two statewide executives. Besides, he was a Democrat regular. Need The Hound say more?