The Democrats targeted three House seats for pick up. The district that begins about a mile north of me, the 10th, looked like it could slip away from the GOP. But moderate Mark Kirk prevailed.
In the western Chicago suburbs, Peter Roskam was one of the GOP's few bright spots in 2006, he fought off a tough challenge from Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth--more on her later. Roskam won again yesterday in the 6th. This was the late Henry Hyde's old district.
In the southern suburbs, ethically-challenged Republican Jerry Weller chose not to run for re-election in the 10th. In the GOP primary, Tim Baldermann prevailed, but quit the race two weeks later. Businessman Marty Ozinga took his place on the ballot, but that baggage, plus the revelation that Ozinga family money ended up in the campaign coffers of unpopular Governor Rod Blagojevich. Ozinga lost, Democratic Illinois State Rep. Debbie Halvorson will be moving on to Washington.
Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat, will choose Obama's successor. Widely believed to be under federal investigation for his alleged role in Illinois' "pay to play" scandals, he by almost all accounts has governed poorly. I'm confident "Blago" will make a bad choice. Which is good news for Illinois Republicans.
Duckworth, who lost both of her legs when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down by Iraqi insurgents, is considered a possible Obama replacement. That would be a smart choice, but remember, we're dealing with Blago here. Duckworth is bi-racial, and she grew up in Hawaii. Where did I here that story before? She's currenty the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and remains a major in the National Guard.
But Blago is making the pick, which means the smart choice won't be made here.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago) is also angling to be named Obama's replacement. He's black. Okay, you knew that already, but while he's not the race-baiter his father is, but he is the son of "Jesse Jetstream" who declared that he wants to castrate the President-elect. If Junior takes Obama's place as Illinois' junior senator, he'll bring along some of Senior's stench. Largely overlooked by the national media, the Jackson family has built a mini-machine on Chicago's South Side, which includes Junior's wife, Sandi, a Chicago alderman and ward commiteeman. That won't play well in Chicago's suburbs or downstate.
My odious congresscritter, Jan Schowkowsky (D-Evanston) would be the best choice--for Illinois Republicans. She's one of the most left-wing members of the House, and her husband, politico Robert Creamer, went to prison 2006 for kiting checks of a consumer advocacy group Schakowsky was a board member of, the Illinois Public Action Council. Schakowsky was never accused of wrongdoing.
There is speculation that Blagojevich might appoint himself to the US Senate. Perhaps he feels that convicted felon Ted Stevens (R-AK) needs companionship. Although Blago is crazy enough make a make a colossal blunder on just about anything, keep in mind he's someone who refuses to live in the governor's mansion--citing family concerns. I doubt he'd want to move to Washington.
Rich Miller of Capitol Fax has this to say:
That blue ribbon commission the governor was supposedly going to use to pick Obama's replacement? Turns out it's a bunch of people in his administration. From a press release…"Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that he will take his time and use a diverse senior staff made up of key members of his administration who will assist him in selecting a suitable replacement for Obama."
So much for consulting a group of "wise" men and women. These are the same people who have helped build that rock solid 13 percent approval rating.
Sheesh.
Obama's term ends in 2011, so whomever Blago picks will be looking at an election soon.
There is reason for optimism for Illinois Republicans. Let's not foul things up.
Over the next few months I'll be looking at other 2010 Senate races. Kansas is next.
UPDATE November 6: The Dems picked up at least a couple of seats in the Illinois House, and a few county board seats here and there. Still, no long coattails. Roskam won 58 percent of the vote, so I'm thinking his seat his safe--and the Democrats will look elsewhere in 2010. Safe for now. After 2010, it's redistricting time.
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