It's pretty obvious

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.


Liberty Avenue Politics - a place for politics in Southern Queens

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by: nrafter530 @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 07:39:39 AM UTC

Emanuel...

...would probably rather be fourth in the House leadership than the junior-most Senator, methinks.

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by: Seth D @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 13:50:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not necessarily

Bob Menendez was third in the House leadership when he was appointed to the Senate.

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by: brownsox @ Sat Aug 11, 2007 at 15:13:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Emanuel

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. 

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by: Sean @ Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 00:50:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe

He's secretly gunning for Obama's Senate seat.

He's also in the Democratic leadership too

Liberty Avenue Politics - a place for politics in Southern Queens

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by: nrafter530 @ Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 02:56:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

He didn't want it again

and Van Hollen is doing a very good job.

www.trublupolitics.com

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by: Politicalhack @ Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 16:07:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My guess is

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.

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by: safi @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 07:53:29 AM UTC

Madigan is safest bet for Blago

The key here is that Blago wants to stay Governor and Madigan represents his biggest threat, so giving her the Senate seat would help him in his quest for a 3rd term despite the fact he isn't very popular statewide.  Blago won last time by having divided primary opposition and then tearing down his GOP general election opponent -- Madigan would be a unifying force for Blago opponents.

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by: Blue State Soul @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 14:01:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well...

...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?

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

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by: TheUnknown285 @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 14:05:40 PM UTC

Whom Might Blagojevich appoint

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

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by: salukijohn @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 16:40:06 PM UTC

Blago's Decision

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.

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by: AC4508 @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 16:46:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Okay...

...so Blago CAN serve another term?

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

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by: TheUnknown285 @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 17:08:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yup

No term limits in IL... Jim Thompson served 4 terms.

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by: Blue State Soul @ Sat Aug 11, 2007 at 02:37:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Forgot about White

He's probably the safest overall pick. Your not going to find too many people that have bad things to say about him. Plus, his appointment to the Senate would be the cap on one of the greatest African-American public officials in the history of the state of Illinois.

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by: safi @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 23:01:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Political views...

How are Madigan's or Hyne's politics in comparison to Jackson's?  It sounds like they're to the right...

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by: omarka @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 16:45:00 PM UTC

They may be

To the right, but I don't think its that much of a worry. Both Madigan and Hynes are mainstream Illinois Democrats in the mold of Durbin and Obama. Jackson may be to the left of them, but Madigan and Hynes are not Lieberman

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by: safi @ Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 23:03:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm guessing Jesse Jackson Jr.

...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?"

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by: Nuisance Industry @ Sat Aug 11, 2007 at 14:47:50 PM UTC

David Phelps?

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.

Friends of Senator Carl Levin

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by: ScottyUrb @ Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 05:17:21 AM UTC