Springer, Edgar weigh pros and cons of Senate runs

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 4/28/02 | Lynn Sweet

[LdSentinal]

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Talk show host Jerry Springer, considering a U.S. Senate run from Ohio, said he will form an exploratory committee in the coming weeks, while former Gov. Jim Edgar pondered through the weekend whether to jump into an Illinois Senate race.

Springer, a former mayor of Cincinnati who hosts a raucous Chicago-based show, said he hired Democratic pollsters Paul Maslin and Diane Feldman to conduct polls and focus groups to determine his viability.

"The question is whether I can cut through the clutter of the show,'' said Springer, who attended the White House Corres- pondents Association annual dinner Saturday night in Washington.

The poll, conducted in February by the University of Cincinnati's Institute for Policy Research, scored him with high unfavorables. Springer, who will put up his own money to seed his exploratory committee, said he will decide by July.

Meanwhile Edgar, following a 2-1/2-hour meeting with advisers in Champaign on Friday, continued to weigh whether to run in the Republican primary.

If the moderate Edgar gets in, he is expected to substantially clear the primary field, but he may not be immune to a challenge from the right. Conservative state Sen. Steven J. Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) discussed a potential run Saturday with Illinois Republican Party Chairman Judy Baar Topinka, the state treasurer.

President Bush made a pitch to Edgar, as did his key political adviser, Karl Rove, who is scheduled to talk to top Republican fund-raisers in Chicago on May 2 in an appearance for the state party.

[RonF]

Edgar is the only Reflublican in Illinois who has a chance to overcome the party's recent scandals. In fact, back when it all came to a head and the Illinois GOP was left without a chairman for a whole month in the middle of the campaign, Edgar was offered, and refused, the post. I just have to wonder if the White House can re-light the fire in his belly.

[OldFriend]

Springer and Sharpton representing the democrat party..........PERFECT!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Jerry Springer in the US Senate?!!!!! Oh gawd. Maybe he can do a show on Hillary and Bill "Wives who throw ashtrays at their straying husbands!"

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Yeah!!!!!!! At least Carol Mostly-Fraud won't be in the Senate race. Springer, Sharpton, and her - like Moe, Larry and Curly........ or Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber.......

[BlackElk]

Radical, unwashed and illiterate grandmothers who sleep with their granddaughters' lesbian lovers probably are a critical voting bloc at any Demonrat convention and might put Springer over the top in gratitude for his courage in advertising their cause.

Likewise NAMBLA members persecuted by criminal laws denying them equal protection of the law with those who really love sheep.

[OldFriend]

Wonder if any repub will be able to claim Fitzgerald's seat. He was a loose cannon but at least we had the numbers for a while.......until Jeffords the skunk.

[votelife]

it's all about the filibuster...

Many people did not pay attention to the Senate in Feb. Esp with war stuff going on. Frist, Hatch and even Bush have already spent capital on Estrada and more will definitely be coming. I have been writing/calling. The Dems are practicing a scorched earth policy, and we need to call them on it.

Freepers, rather than waiting to see what happens with Estrada and Owen, we need to take the lead. That means presuring Senators, special interest groups, media organizations, etc. This thread is meant to be an ongoing effort to get this man confirmed. For too many years liberals have had their way on the courts. Now, President Bush is in a position to move the courts to the right. The election of '02 showed that the country is with the President. Without the Senate we wouldn't be able to even discuss these nominees in the whole Senate. I think it's time to let Daschle, Hillary, and Pelosi know this is Bush country. Are you with me! Let's FREEP these people.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/847037/posts