Tammy Duckworth would be a cool pick - but I know nothing about her aside from her wiki blurb.

What about Ditka?

Seconded on the Duckworth pick.

The big deciding factor here will be the referendum on changing the state constitution to allow a recall of the governor. Blago is under heavy fire for his relationship with Tony Rezko, and currently has a 13% approval rating. If the referendum passes he will almost certainly be recalled, so appointing himself senator will save him that shame.

Tammy Duckworth--that's her name. I saw her on a show somewhere, and she seems pretty sharp. Not just a celebrity candidate, like some other female politicians I could name.

The 2010 primary in Illinois is going to make the 2008 presidential primary look positively tame and polite.

I'm hoping for Duckworth.

cryinoutloud: Tammy Duckworth--that's her name. I saw her on a show somewhere, and she seems pretty sharp. Not just a celebrity candidate, like some other female politicians I could name.

Her wiki says she was working on her Ph.D in Political Science when her National Guard unit was sent to Iraq.

If it turns out to be Duckworth, I look forward to when Biden invites her to stand up and take a bow.



Hot like Obama's campaign

I think it should be RON PAUL!

I'd like to see Tammy Duckworth in there as well.

Tammy Duckworth! Man I was sooooo hoping she'd win back in 2006. She ran in my district against a douchebag named Peter Roskam. Now Roskam's running against another veteran, Jill Morgenthaler. In 2006, Roskam won by 2%. The incumbent Republican in one of the most conservative districts in Illinois just *barely* held on to his seat against a young, female democrat.

So yeah, it'd be pretty damn awesome if Duckworth got Obama's senate seat.

Interesting...

In the increasingly ridiculous scenario where McCain wins, the Democratic Governor (Napolitano) is bound by state law to replace outgoing Senators with members of the same party, so she has to pick a Republican.

However, she is rumored (or known?) to be running for the Senate in 2010. If you pick a goofball, thinking to easily defeat him, that reflects badly on you as a governor, but if you pick a competent replacement, you set up a tough challenger.

As for TFA: go Tammy!

Sgt Otter: Her wiki says she was working on her Ph.D in Political Science when her National Guard unit was sent to Iraq

goddamn elitist egghead

I really really hope Blowjobovich doesn't get it. He actually has a lower job approval rating the G.W. right now. I wouldn't mind Duckworth for the short term. She can have a chance to prove herself before the election in 2010.

mofroe: Sgt Otter: Her wiki says she was working on her Ph.D in Political Science when her National Guard unit was sent to Iraq

goddamn elitist egghead

Doesn't it balance things out if she shoots stuff from a helicopter? And bonus Mavrick points for shootin' at brown people?

Is this her logo?



/window seat, please.

Lionel Mandrake: Interesting...

In the increasingly ridiculous scenario where McCain wins, the Democratic Governor (Napolitano) is bound by state law to replace outgoing Senators with members of the same party, so she has to pick a Republican.

However, she is rumored (or known?) to be running for the Senate in 2010. If you pick a goofball, thinking to easily defeat him, that reflects badly on you as a governor, but if you pick a competent replacement, you set up a tough challenger.

As for TFA: go Tammy!

Pick someone kind of anonymous. Won't screw up, won't make waves.

Lionel Mandrake: In the increasingly ridiculous scenario where McCain wins, the Democratic Governor (Napolitano) is bound by state law to replace outgoing Senators with members of the same party, so she has to pick a Republican.

Zombie Barry Goldwater?

If Gov Blowjob chooses himself my father may rally the rest of his blue collar corner old man bar buddies to riot. He was so pissed last gubernatorial election that he voted Commie rather than Democratic.

(And no, it wasn't *just* that Blowjob is a cubs fan, either.)

Lundah: The big deciding factor here will be the referendum on changing the state constitution to allow a recall of the governor. Blago is under heavy fire for his relationship with Tony Rezko, and currently has a 13% approval rating. If the referendum passes he will almost certainly be recalled, so appointing himself senator will save him that shame.

Yeah, but do you really think Blagojevich would be so stupid and egotistical that he would make us endure him as a U.S. senator? One who would lose in a landslide when the seat came up for reelection anyway?
.
.
.
...Oh shiat, we're screwed.

UberNils: Tammy Duckworth! Man I was sooooo hoping she'd win back in 2006. She ran in my district against a douchebag named Peter Roskam. Now Roskam's running against another veteran, Jill Morgenthaler. In 2006, Roskam won by 2%. The incumbent Republican in one of the most conservative districts in Illinois just *barely* held on to his seat against a young, female democrat.

So yeah, it'd be pretty damn awesome if Duckworth got Obama's senate seat.

I'm from Lombard, but I've been living in California for the past three years. So, I didn't get to vote for her, but I know that my parents were really enthusiastic about her. (They're registered Republicans, but so is pretty much everyone in DuPage -- this is the district that elected Henry Hyde.) I'd love to see Duckworth in the Senate.

/and yes, my folks love Obama as well.

Oh, and tidbits from Tammy Duckworth's Wikipedia entry:

Duckworth described herself as a "fiscal conservative and social moderate."

[During the 2006 election] The Financial Times reported that "...the Republicans have put out well packaged television advertisements questioning Ms Duckworth's patriotism."[57] Duckworth has responded to this questioning vigorously:

"I am sick and tired of the Republicans saying 'Either you agree with us on national security or you are not patriotic.' It is total baloney - in fact I have a better army word, but I can't use it. We must never forget that it is patriotic and it is American to question people in power."

More evidence that the Democratic Party is the real "big tent" party these days.

Librarians are hiding something: Yeah, but do you really think Blagojevich would be so stupid and egotistical that he would make us endure him as a U.S. senator? One who would lose in a landslide when the seat came up for reelection anyway?
.
.
.
...Oh shiat, we're screwed.

I concur.

Forty-Two: Oh, and tidbits from Tammy Duckworth's Wikipedia entry:

Duckworth described herself as a "fiscal conservative and social moderate."

[During the 2006 election] The Financial Times reported that "...the Republicans have put out well packaged television advertisements questioning Ms Duckworth's patriotism."[57] Duckworth has responded to this questioning vigorously:

"I am sick and tired of the Republicans saying 'Either you agree with us on national security or you are not patriotic.' It is total baloney - in fact I have a better army word, but I can't use it. We must never forget that it is patriotic and it is American to question people in power."

More evidence that the Democratic Party is the real "big tent" party these days.

Seriously...a maimed vet is questioned on her patriotism? Max Cleland, a triple amputee vet is questioned on his patriotism?

Unfknbelievable. A) where does the GOP get the fkn nerve to DO this, and B)THERE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO BUY IN TO THIS SHIAT???

W...T...F????

I love Duckworth -- donated to her campaign in 2006 and she damn near won.

Lionel Mandrake: B)THERE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO BUY IN TO THIS SHIAT???

The GOP has adopted the Bush Doctrine as its own: "If you're not with us, then you're with the terrorists."

If you don't lick Bush's boots, you're an America-hating socialist terrorist communist, and there will be NO discussion otherwise.

Girl From The North Country: If it turns out to be Duckworth, I look forward to when Biden invites her to stand up and take a bow.

On the plus side, they usually make those legs adjustable for height. She could make herself 6'5" if she wanted to and the prosthetic went that high.

Girl From The North Country: If it turns out to be Duckworth, I look forward to when Biden invites her to stand up and take a bow.

That's almost as funnay as Roskam talking about "cutting her off at the knees." Stop, I can't breathe I'm laughing so hard. Please.

You didn't see her at the DNC this summer? She walked onto and off the stage (with crutches). God bless Tammy Duckworth.

</i>

Goddammit, Blago, I'm gonna throw poop at you if you choose yourself.

Duckworth should get these wheels. Who wouldn't vote for that?

FuturePastNow: Goddammit, Blago, I'm gonna throw poop at you if you choose yourself.

You expect Mr. "Rewrite to do Right" to do right?

Hey, pick me, willya?

I'm an elitist (because I graduated from college, therefore I must be considered an elitist, right?), I think the SNL "Da Bears" skits were friggin hilarious (especially when the sound is turned down), I once had a layover in Chicago about 5 years ago, and I like Michael Jordan.

Although I've never been convicted of graft, so that may limit my future in Illinois politics.

The best part of an Obama presidency would be to negate race-baiters Jesse jackson and Al Sharpton forever.

Now his son could a Senator?

[throws up in mouth]

I couldn't vote for Duckworth when she ran because I live in Cook County, but I would have, she would make a great choice. Although Blago is such a meglomanical douche, I could just see him appointing himself. Although, I suspect if he did so, he'd probably get a call from Daley inviting him to a midnight meeting where Miegs Field used to be, and subsequently never heard from again.

lerry: I really really hope Blowjobovich doesn't get it. He actually has a lower job approval rating the G.W. right now. I wouldn't mind Duckworth for the short term. She can have a chance to prove herself before the election in 2010.

I dunno, actually. You gotta look at the bright side - if Blago appoints himself, that means he can't be governor anymore. In the Senate he's one of 100, and he can get voted out next term.

But we'd get a new Gov.

Of course, better yet if the Democratic Party puts someone against him in the primary REGARDLESS. Here's hoping.

This Duckworth chick sounds pretty cool, though I know nothing about her. I always liked Jan Schakowsky too. If it's either of them, that would be neat.

I miss Miegs Field.

Duckworth is awesome, but the Illinois governor is an unpredictable douche so I won't hold my breath.

Goodfella: Although I've never been convicted of graft, so that may limit my future in Illinois politics.

Well, I hear you can learn it on the job...

To be fair, the seat should go to Alan Keyes, he did come in second to Obama for that seat.

I don't know too much about her, but Tammy Duckworth's speech at the DNC was very impressive. I was totally shocked at the end when I saw her walk off the stage...I went all Forrest Gump "she's got metal legs!"

Duckworth lost because people in Illinois like her less than they do Bush.

I'm sure the governor will think only about the people of Illinois and install someone who will serve the seat with honor.

Oh, who am I kidding. He's a politician, smart money says he picks himself.

DamnYankees: Tammy Duckworth would be a cool pick - but I know nothing about her aside from her wiki blurb.

As is standard in Il apparently. She ran for a GOP held congressional seat in a district which she does not live. She could have won if she had focused as much on her business background as the fact she lost 2 legs.

Bean represents the 8th CD, but lives in the 10th. Duckworth was running for the 6th CD
Duckie was appointed to the Veterans affairs Dept by the corrupt, soon to be indicted. That was something he probably did right until she showed up to campaign for someone in a state owned vehicle. Other than that, she may be the only "friend"/good PR move, the gov has. I wouldn't be surprised if Blago appoints his wife if Obama wins.

Remove all Republicans: Goodfella: Although I've never been convicted of graft, so that may limit my future in Illinois politics.

It didn't hurt Obama. In fact, he won IN SPITE of the Daley Chicago machine. What does that tell you?

Yes, because they didn't help him at all (I think they were supporting Hynes inthe primary). but he is part of the machine.

I'm gonna be a prick here and ask: the Asian woman who lost her legs in the war, does she have any qualifications? The last thing we need is yet another person holding a position of power that has no business.

Bush shows us the real consequences of that mistake.

Phil Herup: The best part of an Obama presidency would be to negate race-baiters Jesse jackson and Al Sharpton forever.

Now his son could a Senator?

[throws up in mouth]

Jesse Jackson Jr. is closer to the Obama mold than his father.

generaltimmy: ...but he is part of the [Daley] machine.

No, he really isn't.

Phil Herup: The best part of an Obama presidency would be to negate race-baiters Jesse jackson and Al Sharpton forever.

Now his son could a Senator?

[throws up in mouth]

Shows how little you really know about Jesse Junior.

Duckworth.

Duckworth is not a Dem's Dem. Too middle o the road for IL.

Remove all Republicans: Goodfella: Although I've never been convicted of graft, so that may limit my future in Illinois politics.

It didn't hurt Obama. In fact, he won IN SPITE of the Daley Chicago machine. What does that tell you?



I said "limit", not "prevent".

I'm starting to see Obama as a sort of Jackie Robinson of presidential politics.

He has to work 5 times harder than everyone else, be nearly flawless and impeccable in everything he does, turn the other cheek when he gets slapped, and stay as humble as Mother Teresa just to even stay in the race. If he did half the stuff McCain has done, he'd be history.

If his brother had just called 911 to complain about traffic, and then told them to fark off, that would be it.

If he yelled out 'coont' during a speech like the senator from Arizona did, they'd roast him on a spit for it.

If he did a "swamp thing" impression like McCain at the debate, it would be played as many times as the "Dean Scream". He, like Jackie Robinson, is allowed little room at all for error.

And that's what's so amazing and unique about Obama. He does have the poise, character, work ethic, selflessness, charisma, and intelligence that very few people have. The real deal.

Branch Rickey didn't just pick Robinson because he was pretty good. He picked him because he was the best. Not just the best Black player, but the best player. Period. It seems Obama sees he too has to strive for perfection just to reach the same places that others less qualified easily reach.

People have underestimated Barack Obama his whole life, and he just keeps on surprising them.

/knock on wood
//one more week