The News-Gazette editorial today:
A challenge to Jones from within his Democratic majority might be the best option. Eleven Senate Democrats, including Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Champaign, voted last Thursday to put recall on the ballot. Time will tell whether theirs was a courageous challenge to Jones or just a calculated maneuver that gave them political cover in their home districts. The real test is whether those Democrats, and others, are willing to offer an alternative leader to Jones and restore some semblance of respect and responsibility to the people and the government of Illinois.
A comment I made last week:
Who is going to be the first Senate Democrat to stand up and say Jones' leadership and devotion to protecting Blagojevich is part of the problem?
Are any of the Democratic State Senators "tough and independent" enough to admit that Jones is is part of the problem?
It's not that I'm tweaking the NG for echoing me, as I hardly think that's the case.
The point is that it's obvious that the Senate Democratic leadership, and their supporters (including our own Sen. Mike Frerichs) are a key part of the intractable problems in Springfield, due to their protection of and acquiesence to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Someone needs to challenge Senate President Emil Jones' leadership of the State Senate, even if it's only a challenge to this policy of deference to Blagojevich. Mike Frerichs campaigned as a "tough and independent" Representative for the 52nd District, but has so far challenged Jones only superficially, if at all.
Does Frerichs not see the need to challenge Jones, or is his unwillingness to do so due to loyalty, policy agreement, and/or the massive campaign contributions Jones gave Frerichs in 2006, and likely will again in 2010?
I have no problem calling up his office and harassing him again on this issue... but I think it'd be a bit more effective if his fellow democrats threatened him with non-support next time... either Green, GOP, or just leaving that spot blank on the next ballot. C'mon Dems! You want change? Quit giving your candidates a free pass on supporting the status quo. Accountability isn't what a politician does... it is what the voters force a politician to be. I'd vote for Frerichs. But right now a vote for him is a vote for Jones... and I cannot vote for Jones. Help an independent out. Call his office and post your feed back.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
When I called just now I got the same song and dance as last time... he has voted against him on the issues. I pointed out how little good that does with his vote to keep Jones in power to dismiss any downstate issues he supports. His staffer suggested he might be very unlikely to vote for Jones in the future so hopefully we, dems, indy's and moderate repubs, can help turn the tide on this.
Please call his office and ask that they pass along your disapproval on this issue:
Capitol Address
Senator 52nd District
118 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-2507
District Address
45 East University Avenue, Suite 206
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-355-5252
Fax: 217-355-5255
District Address
28 West North Street, 1st Floor
Danville, IL 61832
Phone: 217-442-5252
Fax: 217-442-5255
I called the Champaign district number. Call whichever you find most appropriate, and ask them to pass on your reservations and concerns on his vote that seems to trump any independence he otherwise attempts to show.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
It works the same way as it works with Naomi.
The Democrat Party will throw huge amounts of money at any candidate in any election Primary or General who wants to be elected, but only wants to march to the Chicago drum.
If Mike votes against Jones, without support from other downstate Senators, then he has lost his seat in the primary because the Democrats will find somebody who wants to be a Senator but does not care about this area.
No one who is a Democrat in this area who actually supports the people of this area will be successful in a Primary election.
Mike made his bed when he accepted the enormous amounts of money from Jones necessary to defeat Judy Meyers. Now he must either sleep in it or get out and let another sleeping dog lie.
Who I am, is who I want to be...
Rex Bradfield
Maybe I'm crazy or naive, but I think Mike could win any primary in this district on his own, even against a Jones financed challenger. Of course I'd rather not have to test that theory, and I certainly don't want anyone to take this as any sort of "bring it on" type of moment, but I really don't think Mike's problem is the primary. As you pointed out later, Mike's real problem is the general, where the Republicans will throw massive resources against him if they smell even the slightest whiff of vulnerability. Given the relatively narrow margin of victory in 2006, they're probably going to be coming with full loads no matter what in 2010, anyway. It's going to take some serious cash to stand up to that onslaught.
Given the relatively narrow margin of victory in 2006, they're probably going to be coming with full loads no matter what in 2010, anyway. It's going to take some serious cash to stand up to that onslaught.
So you're basically admitting that there is no way Frerichs can be the independent senator he promised to be during his campaign. He will always be Emil's lap dog. Electing a Democrat in this district has in reality only meant more Chicago control. Yeah, I think Mike will face a challenge in 2010.
"No one who is a Democrat in this area who actually supports the people of this area will be successful in a Primary election." Given the quality of Republican canidates, this quote is not just applicable to Democrats. Voters in the State of Illinois need to really do some political house cleaning. A constitutional convention would be a good starting point.
"So you're basically admitting that there is no way Frerichs can be the independent senator he promised to be during his campaign."
I admitted nothing of the sort. I merely said it was going to require a large volume of cash to defend the seat in 2010.
Emil Jones is not the only source of money in the universe. The questions every downstate senator (not just Mike) should be asking themselves are: 1) how much money will be spent against them? and 2) can they raise enough on their own to counter it without help from Emil?
It is important to realize that a substantial part of the expenditure in a targeted race is personnel. Can a sufficient number of skilled volunteers be found to partially offset that portion of the budget? Maybe, maybe not. It is also important to realize that not every downstate district has major mass media outlets, so that more can be spent on mailing and other forms of outreach as opposed to broadcasting. Also, remember that incumbency brings name recognition, familiarity, and comfort levels that are powerful advantages, especially in safer districts.
Finally, it must be recognized that breaking free from the bonds to Emil is only the very first step in the process. For real change, ultimately we have to ask if there could physically be enough senators downstate to actually force a change in leadership. If not, can enough senators from upstate be found to make up the difference? And if so, who is there for them to rally around as a replacement?
I think there might be positive answers to all of these questions, but they need to be asked now, and the preparations begun as soon as possible.