Since we're all having fun speculating potential successors for Hillary Clinton in the Senate should she win the Presidency, let's take a moment to look at Illinois, too.
Assuming Barack Obama crushes Tom Tancredo in the 2008 Presidential election, whom might Gov. Rod Blagojevich appoint to serve the final two years of Obama's Senate term? Whom would you like Blago to appoint?
The most common name that I've heard batted around for a hypothetical Senate promotion is Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Other possibilities could include Comptroller Dan Hynes, who finished second to Obama in the 2004 Senate primary, or perhaps a Representative like Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Any other possibilities? Tammy Duckworth? Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn? Blago himself? (Shudder to think.) Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Consensus is on Lisa Madigan, especially after he massive landslide reelection.
What about;
Comptroller Daniel Hynes, who came in second to Obama in the 2004 Dem primary
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
Rep. Rahm Emanuel
Rep. Jan Schakowsky
State Senate President Emil Jones, who appears to be a favorite of the Governor.
Bob Menendez was third in the House leadership when he was appointed to the Senate.
I know this is a bit off topic, but I don’t understand why he wasn’t made DCCC chairman again for the 2008 cycle.
Madigan, Hynes or Jackson.
Madigan is the safe choice, she’d be a solid senator, she’s young, been elected statewide multiple times and would win fairly easily in 2010.
Hynes same thing, although he has lost a race unlike Madigan.
The thing is, I think both of those two could pass on the race because they may be eyeing the Governor’s mansion in 2010.
Unlike some, I actually think it’ll be Jackson for a couple of reasons. One, I think there’s a good chance Hynes or Madigan will turn it down for a shot at the Governor’s mansion. Also, Barack Obama is the only African-American in the US Senate(a fact not likely to change after the 08 election as their are no credible African-American candidates in this cycle) and if you don’t think their will be substantial pressure on Blago to ensure that there reamins atleast 1, your fooling yourself.
…Blago, especially as a Democratic governor, will be under tremendous pressure to appoint a black person to the position and certainly to appoint a minority of some sort.
Could Jesse Jackson, Jr. win statwide? Could Jan Schakowsky?
Lets be clear, the number one threat to Blago being elected for a third term is not Dan Hynes (though he is well thought of throughout the state), its Lisa Madigan. She has proven to be a solid Attorney General and romped to re-election last cycle. Blago might want her out of the way, but Madigan would likely decline the offer because she has her eyes set on the Governor’s mansion.
I think it would make sense for Rod to appoint somebody like Secretary of State Jesse White. White is well-respected, and would certainly only fill out the Senate term before retiring. Then it could be an open primary which might pit Hynes against Rep. Jackson.
Rep. Schakowsky and Rep. Emanuel will not leave the House because they’ve have already climbed the power structure there.
While the appointment of Lisa Madigan would seem most likely if for no other reason than to smooth relations with her father State House Speaker Micheal Madigan the best choice would be current State Comtroller Dan Hynes..He enjoys high name recognition, is popular downstate including my very republican home county of Vermillion, and is Blago’s number 1 democratic threat to winning a third term
How are Madigan’s or Hyne’s politics in comparison to Jackson’s? It sounds like they’re to the right…
…in part because I sense he would want — and be good in — the job. He’s an energetic legislator who could be a national leader for a long time. He’s also keen on bringing home the bacon (witness his push for the third airport) and his attention to constituent services bodes well for a long career in elected office.
Lisa Madigan wants to be governor and might view her current position as a better springboard.
Had Sheila Simon won her mayoral election I would have thrown her name in as a possibility, but I suspect that won’t be a consideration.
All of the above, plus Hynes, are political progeny. As Richard J. Daley used to say “what kind of world is it where a man can’t give his own son a job?”
He lost his re-election bid in 2002 due to redistricting; he was forced to run against John Shimkus in order to keep his seat.
Although, based on the replies here, Madigan seems more likely to be the pick.