See what happens when you leave the state? If you're Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, you find yourself with a welcoming committee in the form of a primary opponent. Quinn toured Iraq and Afghanistan on a Department of Defense junket this week while state Comptroller Dan Hynes made plans to run for governor.
With the rookie governor gone for a week, did we really miss him? The Hound surely didn't. Maybe we should let the Democratic junta run Illinois and do without a governor. After all, we don't have a lieutenant governor, unless you count The Mighty Quinn himself.
Hynes, 41, the three-term comptroller whose job it is to pay the state's bills, has confided to folks he'll square off with Quinn in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary. Guess we should have seen that coming after he jabbed the governor several times during the budget mess follies in Springfield.
The Hound can't believe Quinn thought he would be spared a primary challenge. He dodged a bullet when Attorney General Lisa Madigan took a pass on running for governor. That opened the race for the Hynes gambit. Chicagoan Hynes already has $3.5 million in his campaign war chest. Quinn has a paltry $702,000, which won't buy a week's worth of TV time in the Chicago market.
A Democratic primary ballot means both candidates will need to spend, spend, spend and not watch from the sidelines as Republicans hammer each other with anvils and tongs. So far in the GOP race there's state Sens. Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard and Matt Murphy. There's also DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, radio talking head Dan Proft and unknown businessman Adam Andrzejewski who's obviously going to have the Polish vote in his corner.
And, there may be other Democrats itching to get their licks in, such as Christopher Kennedy, he of the politically astute and financially able Kennedy clan.Many figured Kennedy to run for the U.S. Senate, but he, too, could be trouble for the guv.
Unless somebody else with clout runs, Hynes will be the 'big dog' against the "Mighty Quinn". As long as the GOP candidates don't start a circular firing squad, they may be able to pull off a win. As for Kennedy, he'll try for the Senate as most Kennedys have little desire to become responsible for a budget or actual administration. They believe they have a predestined right to any office they want. Also, he would have to go against a long-seasoned politician like Hynes who'd chew him up in any kind of debate.
THE HOUND SAYS: Ah, but Hermie, that's where you're wrong about Chris Kennedy. Before President Obama was elected, there were a string of governors or former governors elected president. Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Bush. Makes sense to be a gubernatorial CEO before a national one.
Yes but these are Kennedy's we are talking about. The 'Royal Family' of American Politics. The only member of the family who ran for less than a Congressman's seat and won was Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. She got a Lt Gov spot but failed to make it any higher. Kennedy's only go for the 'big time' seats becaues...well darn it because they're Kennedy's and they are entitled.
THE HOUND SAYS: Hermie, you might get an argument if the Kennedys or the Bushes are America's "Royal Family". Don't forget, Jeb Bush is waiting in the wings...