Could Gitmo topple Democrats in Illinois? (pigs are flying = LA Times)

LA Times ^ | 2-1-10 | Johanna Neuman

[STARWISE]

Only 15 months ago, President Obama carried his home state of Illinois with 62% of the vote against Republican John McCain's 37%.

Now, the incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn -- who came in after Rod Blagojevich was impeached -- is in trouble, and Cook Political Report calls Obama's old Senate seat one of five "toss-up" races that Democrats are in danger of losing this November.

Known for its corrupt politics -- Blago's predecessor, Republican George Ryan, is still in jail on corruption charges -- Illinois is also suffering an economic meltdown, the kind that creates a perfect storm for political upsets.

Unemployment is nearing 11%, the state deficit could top $11 billion, and more residents are moving out than in. Voters are also angry about the governor's proposal for a 50% increase in state income taxes, and his budget-cutting early release of 1,700 state inmates, some of whom have already been re-arrested.

“Democrats are starting to realize that every single Democrat in the country is vulnerable now,” said Jerry Morrison, political director of the state Service Employees International Union. "It’s a very angry electorate, a very volatile electorate."

As for the Senate seat, the leading Democrat is 33-year-old state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a friend and occasional basketball-playing buddy of Obama's.

Republicans are said to be salivating for a Giannouilias victory, so they can attack the finances of his family-owned business, the Broadway Bank, the target of inquiry from regulators.

Meanwhile on the Republican side, Rep. Mark Kirk is leading in the polls. Party insiders were unsure his record as a social moderate and fiscal conservative would fire up the tea party activists so critical to Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts. But lately Kirk has been moving to the right.

(Kirk video @ link)

[STARWISE]

"Will Gitmo help Kirk too?" ..... Lord, I hope NOT!

Related:

If not NYC, where else could Obama's administration possibly try the Guantanamo Bay prisoners?

Excerpt:

"Guantanamo was especially ill-thought of among millions of people overseas who can't vote in the U.S.

In fact, despite warnings that it was more difficult than it seemed from Springfield, on his second day in office before he'd even found all the White House bathrooms, Obama signed a real Executive Order ordering the Guantanamo prison closed by the end of 2009.

He couldn't follow his own Executive Order. Missed the deadline. Completely blew it.

In fact, it was more difficult than it seemed from Springfield, or anywhere else for that matter. Turns out, few of the other countries that were so eager to have Guantanamo closed were so eager to imprison its inhabitants on their soil.

And it also turns out that, if released, about 1 in 5 of these guys went right back into combat against American and allied troops, which is a dangerous thing.

So despite the promises and the Executive Order, in fact, there's still no new or maybe firm date for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Although, by golly, it will be closed. Believe in it.

In the meantime, however, the secure facility is still there. Still secure. So are the prisoners. And the best part is, Guantanamo has no member of Congress to get his/her behind shot off by angry voters in this fall's midterm elections, as pointed out here could happen in Illinois Tuesday."

[STARWISE]

~~PING!

Let’s ROCK the IL elections !!

[2ndDivisionVet]

[afraidfortherepublic]

And several pro-life candidates are competing for the Republican nomination for the governorship on the Republican side.

[Carley]

Didn’t Quinn secretly release prisoners that went on to commit further crimes?

[screaminsunshine]

They are toppling like bowling pins hit by the Tea Party Express.

[STARWISE]

He did briefly, then stopped it.
Chicago/IL politicians have such
conviction and character ..... /S

[Liz]

" If you keep your mouth shut, I'll get you a lucrative deal. The Hair Club wants
to show anxious baldies bad things can happen when guys have TOO much hair."

[bcsco]

But lately Kirk has been moving to the right.

Lying SOB is what he is. I'm voting (shortly) for Adam Andrzejewski (gov) and Patrick Hughes (senate).

[STARWISE]

Great state election reference page .. all states, all races (state/office list on the left side):

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/governor_alabama/

Illinois Governor

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/senate_illinois/

Illinois Senate

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/senate_illinois/

[maggief]

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/02/02/the-next-peoples-seat/?test=latestnews

“Blagojevich's trial begins in June...many here expect White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser to the President Valerie Jarrett will both be required to testify since their voices are reportedly on some of the FBI’s blago-wiretaps.”

[Carley]

Didn’t a previous governor, on his way out and to prison, release dozens of convicts?

Talk about the Chicago way!

[Liz]

Rahm Emanuel salutes Americans on inauguration day.

"You stinking Americans, remember Chicago owns the White House now."

[Liz]

“...many expect Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett will testify at Blagojevich's trial in June......since their voices are reportedly on some of the FBI’s blago-wiretaps”.....

Heheheh.

[bigbob]

Conviction and character...not to mention a legacy to pass down to their children...

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/garrard-mcclendon-live/2010/02/carothers-pleads-guilty-—like-father-like-son.html

In IL, corrupt politics is a family business.

[hoosiermama]

Guess I should have bought more popcorn at the store this AM.....Hope they catch them all in perjury traps.

Liars!

[JustPiper]

Keep me updated please? Mail ping— anything!

[JustPiper]

Oh yah!