09/17/2002 Archived Entry: "Blagojevich: I didn't inhale either"

So, how long before we have the "I tripped, but didn't fall down" candidate?

Replies: 16 comments

Welcome to the club...GW, Bill Clinton and perhaps some of the chaps running for the Dem nomination.

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/17/2002 10:12 AM PST

I tripped, but didn't fall down.....or is it the curse of Dubya:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/15/weekinreview/15SANG.html

If we go to war in Iraq in January 2003, it would be exactly what happened in January 1991, the third year of the Bush Administration....so makes me wonder whether the Dems are voting with Bush keeping the past in mind...or is it simply the curse of the Bush dynasty?

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/17/2002 10:20 AM PST

National Priorities:

http://www.pollingreport.com/prioriti.htm

Note the big changes since July.

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/17/2002 10:55 AM PST

Non-issue. This race is such a laugher that the top Dems in the state are angling for post-election positioning within the party and state government.

Does anyone ever ask if a candidate ever drove over the speed limit, went through a verrrrry late yellow light, or engaged in illegal lane usage? That's about as legal as smoking pot. Who cares?

Posted by johng @ 09/17/2002 11:09 AM PST

I can tell you that no one will care on election day here in IL. Prediction, dems sweep state races in IL with the possible exception of Treasurer.

Posted by Vlajos @ 09/17/2002 11:58 AM PST

Are you guys in Illinois looking at a CA style realignment?

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/17/2002 12:11 PM PST

I would say that the state is becoming very solid democrat, especially in national elections. It started nationally in the 1988 presidential election. Dukakis lost by a much smaller margin here than nationally. Then Clinton clobbered Bush and Dole. And of course, Gore defeated Bush II with 55% of the vote. Senator Fitzgerald is an anamoly. He won due to the scandals involving Senator Mosley-Braun. Illinois Republicans used to be rather moderate. This has slowly changed and with that, Republicans have fared poorly in recent elections. If the party goes back to its roots of Jim Thompson, Bob Michel and Charles Percy, Republicans will have a chance here. The most telling sign of the "re-alignment" in IL was in the 2000 election when Bush beat Gore something like 54% to 46% in DuPage County. DuPage is the most Republican voter rich area of the state. Republicans need to get somewhere around 65% of the vote there if they have a chance to win.

Posted by Vlajos @ 09/17/2002 12:21 PM PST

If they wouldn't accept people going through late-yellow lights, they would have no candidates from Illinois drivers. A yellow light here serves the same function as a green elsewhere. I can't count the number of times I've thought I was cutting it a bit close and then had the 5 cars behind me go through - and I'm not a timid driver. :)

IL Dems are definately going to have a good year. As Vlajos said, state races definately, a good shot at control of the legislature. A decent possibility of a majority of the congressional delegation. It's not single party dominance yet, but then IL GOP is more moderate than CA GOP.

After all, IL gave Gore a larger margin than CA. :)

Posted by RParker @ 09/17/2002 12:26 PM PST

Get Zogby tracking polls!!!

http://www.zogby.com/Salespage/2002tracking_track.cfm?refsite=politicalwire

Posted by Real DD @ 09/17/2002 12:39 PM PST

Parker:

What is the congressional delegation breakdown now? I hear that only Shimkus is in a tight race?

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/17/2002 01:16 PM PST

The IL congressional delegation consists of 10 D's and 10 R's.

Posted by Vlajos @ 09/17/2002 01:32 PM PST

Shimkus (Rep) is in a race against Phelps (Dem). Illinois lost a house seat due to reapportionment and these two incumbents were put in the same seat. I believe the district slightly favors Shimkus.

Posted by Vlajos @ 09/17/2002 01:35 PM PST

Yes, IL went from a balanced 20 seat delegation to a 19-seat delegation throwing Phelps(D) and Shimkus (R) together. The district is supposed to favor Shimkus, but a Phelps poll has the democrat leading by 2%. Blagojevich's and Durbin's coattails may pull him over the hump.

Posted by RParker @ 09/17/2002 01:41 PM PST

RParker-I've never been to Illinois (save for a hellish six-hour layover at O'Hare-if I'd been any nicer to the obnoxious moron at the counter, I would've been stranded there for the night-and missed my brother's wedding), but I really can't imagine yellowlight-running to be any worse than it is here in Washington. And DC (but especially Maryland and Fairfax) drivers are the absolute worst about lane changes (rarely legal) and speeding (either 100 MPH or way below the speed limit-often intentionally-in the left lane). I think there are very few places in this country where, if minor traffic violations could ruin a candidates' chances, anyone who had a car would be able to win elective office.

Posted by AVADem @ 09/17/2002 07:43 PM PST

Who said anything about yellow light running? I was talking about after the light turned red. :) Actually, I like the drivers here.. Very efficient compared to Seattle, where I used to live.

Posted by RParker @ 09/18/2002 09:37 AM PST

"A spokesman said Ryan had never used marijuana."

He does not have to. Ryan talks like he is on pot all the time especially when he tried to commit pre-meditated murder by pursuing death penalty against three innocent Hispanics. No self-respecting Hispanic should consider voting for Ryan.

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 09/19/2002 07:57 AM PST