tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post1895374009907550826..comments2024-03-09T22:15:08.461-06:00Comments on Lake County Eye: To Stump or Not to Stump?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post-46219924359824133482009-04-26T10:55:00.000-05:002009-04-26T10:55:00.000-05:00I couldn't have expressed it better, Nicki.I couldn't have expressed it better, Nicki.barney baxterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205241866262685383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post-78921675063622122392009-04-24T08:25:00.000-05:002009-04-24T08:25:00.000-05:00I don't know how Illinois compares to other states...I don't know how Illinois compares to other states, but here it's a fact that both of the main political parties have a lot to say about who runs in the primary. True, anyone who can get sufficient signatures can get on the ballot, but without the support (financial and otherwise) of their party, they would have an uphill battle. It's only to be expected that a prospective candidate would try to get some assurances before taking the plunge. Kirk is a smart guy, and I'm sure he won't run unless he has a pretty good idea who he'll be up against.<br /><br />I agree with the comment that he may be too left-of-center for the downstate Republicans. In his own district, part of his support is based on the fact that he's fairly moderate. I'm guessing he won't run for Senate (thus disappointing those of both parties who have their eye on his Congressional seat).Nickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543583197097665761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post-44679305588921813062009-04-22T00:16:00.000-05:002009-04-22T00:16:00.000-05:00Hi TA. We feel the same pressure to churn up dail...Hi TA. We feel the same pressure to churn up daily content for a voracious pack of readers. My personal blogging style tends toward the hyperbolic. It's a bad habit, but tolerated here -- we're the new kids on the block and we're trying to grow a reader base. <br /> <br />So of course I don't think any individual or any party can pre-wire the outcome of a state-wide primary. (At least not this day & age.) Anyone with the means to get the 5000 signatures can run for Senate in Illinois. But I'm not naive enough to think that any candidate wouldn't opt to get out of a primary battle if given the opportunity. Obama got into the Illinois Senate by knocking his primary opponents off the ballot. <br /> <br />Sure, a political party can't dictate a primary outcome, but they can put enough spin on the ball to control what direction it takes. My basic observation is that given the current state of the IL Republican Party, there isn't anyone in any position to spin that ball in any particular direction. Which probably is -- as you suggested -- so much the better for democracy in general. However I suspect that is cold comfort for Mark Kirk's Senate aspirations.<br /><br />Also, Hi Anonymous. I used to live in Beth Coulson's district -- she would make a fine Rep for 10. But I know for a fact that there are many candidates lined up and waiting -- on both sides -- for a chance at Kirk's seat.<br /><br />I don't share your confidence regarding Kirk's Senate prospects. If he makes it to the general election, it's his to lose. But he first has to make it to the general election. Easier said than done.<br /><br />=BB=barney baxterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205241866262685383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post-61447319376454398042009-04-21T10:25:00.000-05:002009-04-21T10:25:00.000-05:00If Rep. Kirk runs, statewide, he would at least wi...If Rep. Kirk runs, statewide, he would at least win the primary, since he's moderate. Dr. Sauerberg is moderate, and he won a statewide primary. Former Treasurer Topinka is moderate, and she won a statewide primary.<br /><br />If Kirk doesn't run for re-election, State Rep. Coulson should run for his seat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309311177399464085.post-3891411891320503832009-04-21T07:52:00.000-05:002009-04-21T07:52:00.000-05:00Thanks for the link, guys. However, you give litt...Thanks for the link, guys. However, you give little old TA a bit much credit; pump the Kirk staffers as I might, I don't have any better information than you do about where Congressman Kirk is going to come out on this.<br /><br />The 'Advisory Committee' was my idea to fill a page that day (and not at all influenced or requested by Team Kirk), but I agree that it was interesting that most commentors seem to counsel Kirk to stay home in IL-10, for his sake and ours.<br /><br />I am somewhat troubled by the undertone in your post that back-room dealing and eliminating the right of people to run for office and duke it out fairly in a primary is something expected, even condoned. If that wasn't the intent, then good, but that's the take-away I had from your post. I hope we have moved beyond that in both parties, and I think primaries can help strengthen and prepare a candidate (look what Hillary did to toughen up and polish Barack) and are not necessaily a thing to be avoided at all costs. <br /><br />Plus, the way I look at it, if somebody wants to run and can get enough (legitimate) signatures on a petition to earn the right to be on a primary ballot, then I say have at it!Team Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15035504738668036802noreply@blogger.com