Obama's Ex-Indian-American Aide to Run For Top Illinois Post

President Barack Obama's former Indian-American campaign adviser Raja Krishnamoorthi will be running for the post of Illinois Comptroller, the State's chief fiscal officer, in the 2010 elections.

Mr. Krishnamoorthi said he will "fight to restore trust in state government and bring more transparency and accountability" at a time when the State has been plagued with scandals like digging and selling of grave sites at the Burr Oak cemetery and admission irregularities at the University of Illinois.

"As so often happens in our capital Springfield, the special interests have won and our state government is broken.It is time to fix it. That is why I am running to become your next Illinois Comptroller," Mr. Krishnamoorthi said in an email.

He said the Burr Oak Cemetery scandal was only the latest example of the dishonesty riddling Illinois and the University of Illinois admissions clout scandal has shown that insiders have corrupted first-class higher education system.

"We need a State government willing to challenge the insiders and the status quo on behalf of hard-pressed taxpayers," he added.

The incumbent Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes has announced that he would run for Governor of Illinois, making the office of Comptroller vacant in the 2010 election.

Mr. Krishnamoorthi, who has earlier served as Deputy Illinois Treasurer, said he is seeking support to get his name on the ballot for next February's Democratic primary as well as help to finance the campaign.

If he wins, he would be the first Asian-American to hold Statewide office in Illinois.

As the State's chief fiscal officer, the comptroller is the keeper of the state's cheque book and has intimate knowledge of the state's finances, serving as the people's fiscal guardian.

Mr. Krishnamoorthi had worked on Mr. Obama's successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as the issues director for his primary campaign and then as a senior adviser in his general election campaign.

He was also among "friends and family" invited to attend Mr. Obama's January 20 inauguration ceremony.

A bit off topic but I'd figured I'd chime-in with an after action report of Senator Chris Lauzen’s annual Porky Picnic BBQ yesterday since there were alot of 2010 statewide candidates there and I had a chance to meet alot of them for the first time (or the first time in several years) and get some impressions.

There was big turnout, Senator Lauzen’s sons where there volunteering for their dad to personally welcome each person into the event. Nice touch. Senator Lauzen also offered to take his photo, free of charge, with anyone who attended the BBQ. I had my picture taken with him but only had the chance to talk with him briefly since there were alot of people. My impression is that he's still recovering his wounds from 2008 and unlikely to run for any higher office in 2010 (though he may in the future), and remains very popular in Aurora.

Saw a couple freepers there. No Phil Collins but Spintreebob was in attendance and we chatted for a while. Aside from the Governor's race we're pretty much on the same page.

Kirk Dillard had planned to attend but had to be out of state (undisclosed reason), so Mrs. Dillard was there working the crowds with some campaign aide. I was surprised to learn his wife is a real sweetheart and very likeable, although I still wouldn't vote for her combiner husband for dogcatcher. She came up to my table and talked up her hubby's credentials for the job. I politely said I was undecided for Governor but always support conservative candidates. She says “oh you've just described my Kirk to a tee, he's pro-life, pro-second amendment, pro-family, for lower taxes, and SB 600.” I told her I'd look at his website and think about it.

Chris Lauzen briefly introduced all the 2010 candidates and had nice things to say about all of them.

Adam Andrejewski spoke first, gave a standard “Mr. Conservative Reformer” stump speech (had a cute joke about how “An-dre-jew-ski” is pronounced “Governor” in English). Spoke directly to those of us in the audience who had doubts that someone with no experience could be elected, and said “that's what they said about Chris Lauzen 18 years ago but you got behind him for State Senator and now he's our go-to-guy in Springfield”. Which I suppose would be a convincing argument — if Adam were running for the lower level office of State Senator instead of Governor. So how about it, Adam?

Mrs. Dillard admitted she was nervous and said that she “married a politician because he told me that he'd make all the speeches in the family”. Gave the same talking points about how her hubby is alleged “conservative” but can you unite “all wings of the party” (Dillard must be the only in the race who goes to these events and tells conservatives he's one of them, then goes to RINO events and tells RINOs he's one of them. Polite applause.

Dan Proft admitted to being the “junkyard dog” in the race against the combine, and got alot of applause for being attacked by the Chicago machine for speaking out against corruption. I talked to him after the event (first time I had spoken to Proft face to face since he was Pat O’Malley’s campaign manager in 2002), and found him to be down-to-earth and more humble than Adam. (thought his youtube video was cute: http://www.youtube.com/user/DanProft#play/uploads/4/bJlSYbp59C4 ) He's still on my short list. If you're gonna run someone who's never held elective office, at least run someone who knows how government operates and has been involved in successful campaigns.

Bob Schillerstorm, DuPage county board chairman, surprisingly, gave the best “stump speech” for Governor, IMO, although again he's also a RINO (splitting the establishment vote with Dillard) and I wouldn't vote for him dogcatcher. Talked about how being a “Springfield insider” is a negative for Governor after they've wreaked this state and how DuPage county has all the best bond ratings and people flocking to its suburbs because they know how to handle funds and how the private sector creates jobs, not government. Threw some red meat at the crowd by mentioning what the RATs won't talk about in this state, and he bashed the Obama loving media elite.

No Matt Murphy and no Bill Brady at the porky picnic.

State Senator Dan Rutherford, who ran against senile incumbent Jesse White for SoS last time and got 42%, is running for Treasurer this time around and gave a nice hello. Chris Lauzen said he wanted to thank Dan for “coming out”. Jon Zahm thinks it was a subtle reference to the rumors that Rutherford is a homo, and he's going to mention that on his blog. Rutherford is another one who usually votes conservative (80-90% of the time) but a bunch of conservatives hate him.

Demetra DeMonte, our RNC Committeewoman and likely candidate for Lt. Governor (still unofficial) gave a stump speech. It was pretty close to the same speech she gave when she was elected committeewoman at the 2008 state party convention (”your average pro-life suburban mom”) I talked with her very briefly. Looks like she'd make a good Lt. Governor, but I'm still hesitant to back her because she came out of the Peoria machine that produced and groomed the likes of Bob Michael and Ray LaHood for “leadership” positions. She did, however, beat the establishment choice for Committeewoman (Carol Smith Donovan) in 2008

The three “anti-Hastert” conservative candidates for U.S. Congress from the 14th district were there, and spoke to the crowd briefly. I didn't meet any of them in person. I don't think any of them said anything to distinguish themselves as THE guy. Little Ethan Hastert himself wasn't there.

Lots of anti-Kirk conservative alternatives for the U.S. Senate are planning to run and were greeting people at the Porky Picnic. The conservatives grassroot voters I talked to were pretty much in agreement that Eric Wallace is the only one who had considerable background in politics and is prepared to mount a statewide bid that will cost millions of dollars. I finally meet Eric face-to-face, and mentioned how some freepers thought he looked like former Senator Edward Brooks of Massachuttes during his early years. Eric laughed and said he's going to have to look up old pictures of the guy sometime. I also meet another black conservative running for the Senate, John Arrington, who unlike Eric Wallace has held elective office (Harvey City Councilman). Of course I'm sure he was either elected on a non-partisan ballot or on a local party label like “Integrity Party”, as Harvey votes 90% RAT and wouldn't be caught dead supporting anyone with an “R” next to their name on the ballot. Arrington is very conservative, but wet-behind-the-ears and lacks the knowledge of internal party politics that Wallace discussed in depth as Vice Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party.

Randy Stufflebeam (2006 Constitution Party nominee for Governor) was there with his daughter. Lauzen gave him a great intro about how he helped Chris across party lines. Stufflebeam told everyone that he's planning to throw his hat into the ring again in 2010 if the GOP “runs another bad candidate” (we all knew he was talking about Dillard). I said the biggest priority is having someone waiting in the wings for Senate because Mark Kirk is likely to get the Senate nod. We had a spirited discussion.

And yes, I finally met the great Adam Andrejewski that several conservatives are raving about as the greatest thing since sliced bread. And no, I'm still not impressed. I feel like the “where's the beef” lady in the Wendy's ad. Adam would be an acceptable choice in the general election, but there's so much unknown and untested about this guy. As someone else noted, people running as “Republican reformers” in Illinois are a dime-a-dozen in Illinois — Mark Kirk is running as one too. Adam has some good ideas, but it's just rhetoric since he has no record of implementing any of it. Lately I'm thinking Adam's massive outpouring of support is an Internet phenomena ala Ron Paul since he's not polling much in the real world.

When I met him in person, his fans asked me what I thought afterwards and I said the guy seems to be a little too cocky and pushy for my tastes. Here's the conversation I had with him, paraphrased:

ME: Hey, Adam. So you’re the guy I’ve heard so much about. Phil Collins told me a lot of good things about you. So how’s the campaign going?
ADAM: Thanks Bill! It’s going great. I’m getting my name out through the state. We’re gonna take our outsider message to Springfield and win on conservatives principles. So I’m hoping to have you aboard.
ME: Yea I’m taking a close look at all the candidates but I’m undecided at the moment. I have to see what all you guys can bring to the table. It’s difficult, you know, with four conservatives in the race.
ADAM: FOUR conservatives? Really? Who else is conservative besides me?
ME: Well I’d say Dan Proft is a pretty staunch conservative, though I know he’s made a lot of enemies over the years with some of the GOP, but he’s still solid on the issues. And Bill Brady – I voted for him last time – same thing I’d say his record in the State Senator is pretty good though I don’t agree with him on everything. And of course Matt Murphy, I assisted his campaign when he ran for State Senate. He’s a really nice guy. Unfortunately he endorsed Mark Kirk this week so I have concerns about that—
ADAM. Well there go. OBVIOUSLY I’m the only real reformer in this race. [hands me card] so there’s my signup sheet to be a member of Adam of Illinois, Bill. If you could just write down your address and home phone and email I can get someone in touch with –
ME: Adam, I’m not signing up today because I’m still undecided for Governor...
ADAM: Oh but you could get my weekly e-newsletter it will keep you informed so you can decide.
ME: Well, Carl Segvich is a good friend of mine he forwards your newsletters to me all the time.
ADAM: Really? Yeah Carl is a great guy. Anyway if want a REAL conservative I’m your man.
ME: Cool. You do sound pretty good on the issues though your website can’t cover everything. I just need to scrutinize all the candidates really carefully.
ADAM: I understand that. But yeah, here, let me write down your email so I can get you on my mailing list today.
ME: Maybe later.

So, there's four hours of Lauzen’s Porky Picnic in a nutshell.

Nice recap. Very informative.

She came up to my table and talked up her hubby's credentials for the job. I politely said I was undecided for Governor but always support conservative candidates. She says “oh you've just described my Kirk to a tee,

No shite Mrs. Dillard? His United Republican Fund lifetime rating of 37.5 doesn't give me that impression. Nor do his comments on the combine and endorsement of Lisa Madigan. If I was in your place and feeling ballsy enough (easily to be ballsy online ;) ) I'd have told her that straight up. I imagine her reaction would be like when I was talking on the phone with a scam artist claiming to be from a credit card company. I googled the phone number, it's wasn't really "card services" it was a known scam number. I told the guy I had done that, that he was caught. Him: "Haha, no no this is American Express".

I'll be voting for the sillynamed Mr. Stufflebeam if Dillard gets the nod.

I'm glad people were behind Wallace for Senate. We don't need any vote splitting there.

Demetra DeMonte, our RNC Committeewoman and likely candidate for Lt. Governor (still unofficial) gave a stump speech.

She sounds pretty good to me. Unless she plans to be Dullard or Schillerstrom's "running mate"

Chris Lauzen said he wanted to thank Dan for “coming out”. Jon Zahm thinks it was a subtle reference to the rumors that Rutherford is a homo, and he's going to mention that on his blog.

I haven't heard those rumors before. Would Lauzen mess with his colleague like that? LOL

He actully lost 63-33 to that ficus plant White. Salvi got 42% in 1998. I haven't heard of anyone stepping up to run against White this time. Senile old rats are a pet peeve of mine.

ADAM. Well there go. OBVIOUSLY I’m the only real reformer in this race. [hands me card] so there’s my signup sheet to be a member of Adam of Illinois,

Oh boy. So are you more or less likely to vote for him now? The used car salesman impression I get from your account is a tad off-putting.

Mrs. Dillard wasn't the one who appeared in the Obama ads, so I wasn't going to say anything nasty to her about her scumbag husband (she was too nice anyway). But if Mr. Dillard was there I probably would have told him to his face that I will never vote for any Republican who helped Obama win. And of course if Mark Kirk was there I'd ditch the whole politeness thing and tell him exactly how I felt. There was some little weasel Kirk campaign staffer circulating petitions there to get him on the ballot (although they didn't come up to my table). I'm told most people refused to sign. I did sign a petition to get Adam's name on the ballot for Governor.

There are currently four GOP candidates "exploring" a run for Lt. Governor. Only DeMonte was there. The four candidates are:

Brad Cole (R) - Carbondale Mayor
Demetra Demonte (R) - Republican National Committeewoman & Ex-Tazewell County GOP Chair
Randy White (R) - Hancock County Commissioner, Conservative Activist & '06 Constitution Party nominee
Dave Winters (R) - State Rep., Ex-Winnebago County Commissioner & Farmer

I voted for Randy White last time when he was the constitution party nominee, and I'll probably vote for him again now that he's running as a Republican. He's probably the most conservative of the four. I heard Winters is squishy (68% lifetime from United Republican Fund) and Cole, the only one with executive experience and the only candidate from southern Illinois, is a big government RINO (and another weird looking dude who's only in his 30s but has snow white hair). On the other hand, since the Lt. Governor is virtually powerless it's a question of how they can help the Governor candidate win, and I'm not sure Randy White offers much in that area. As a longtime county board member I'm confident he'd be able to govern though.

My feelings about Adam Andrejewski haven't changed since before I met him. If he was the ONLY conservative in the race to stop Dillard, I'd take a chance with him, but otherwise I think it's foolish to run a political novice for Governor and quite frankly I don't think he's as conservative as he claims. It's easy to promise the sun and the moon ('every dime in real time' sounds great if it was actually implemented and is a nice slogan) when you have no track record to back it up. I can see how Adam gains so many conservative activists as "supporters" though if he's as persistent as getting everyone to join his campaign committee as he was with me.

I think my opinion of Dan Proft went up since seeing him in person at the porky picnic. The guy's a career political and media consultant so over the years he's gotten on alot of conservatives bad sides while being on the other side of hotly contested GOP primaries. All the appointed offices he's held through patronage after getting his guy's elected (people call him "Dan Profit") would probably hurt his campaign too. But I have to agree with the following post on Illinois Review: "We've tried moderates (a.k.a. RINOs), nice guys, & crooks. None have gotten the job done. If crazy works, I'm all for it. On a more serious note, Chicago media's recent Proft hit pieces tell me Dan's the biggest anti-Machine threat out there. Having built support absent media approval, and assuming Dan wins the primary, Dan will be insulated from having the rug pulled out from under him come 2010. I'm not so sure the other candidates can do the same." It's a good point. And the fact Dan Proft is more humble and modest that Adam certainly left me with a better impression.

But I'm still taking a wait and see for Governor.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.