CAMPAIGN 2008 - Illinois joins crush on Super Duper Tuesday
CAMPAIGN 2008 - Illinois joins crush on Super Duper Tuesday
By Rick Pearson
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Published June 21, 2007
Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday added Illinois to the list of states that are accelerating the selection of presidential candidates next year by signing a measure moving the state's primary to Feb. 5 from its traditional mid-March date.
"Illinois is the fifth-largest state in the country," Blagojevich said in a statement. "The people who live here deserve to play a bigger role in deciding who the presidential candidates will be."
Illinois' primary date change was orchestrated by the state's Democratic leadership. Ostensibly aimed at giving the state's voters more say in selecting delegates, supporters acknowledged it largely was done to boost home-state U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. At least 22 states have scheduled or are considering holding presidential primaries and caucuses Feb. 5, prompting the date to be dubbed "Super Duper Tuesday."
Traditionally, Illinois' later primary, which had been scheduled for March 18, has become a largely empty exercise for Democratic and Republican voters, with nominees often securing the required number of national convention delegates before the state votes.
It was almost 20 years ago that the state's primary voters last had any impact on the presidential race, when Republicans effectively ended U.S. Sen. Bob Dole's challenge to Vice President George H.W. Bush.
"It puts Illinois in the hunt in terms of selecting the nominee of both parties, Democrat and Republican," said House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Madigan, who sponsored the legislation in the House, said he recommended the move several years ago to the Democratic National Committee.
"I'm very happy that Illinois as a state will be in the hunt with both major political parties," Madigan said. "It's an improvement."
It is questionable what effect Illinois will have on the increasingly early presidential selection process, which effectively begins with the Iowa caucuses Jan. 14. Two states with more nominating delegates are at stake Feb. 5: California and New York, which is represented by Obama's rival U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Democratic contenders have continued to come to Illinois for fundraisers and insist they will compete for delegates. But Obama's home-state advantage is expected to dampen the campaign activity of his rivals, though they would be entitled to a percentage of delegates based on their support in each congressional district.
Republicans expect to benefit from the new primary date and a large but fluid presidential field with no clear favorite. State GOP leaders already have proposed an Aug. 16 straw poll at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair to tap into the quickening contest and gauge early organizational support.
"This change has already attracted Republican presidential candidates and energized party activists across the state," Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna said in a statement. "Illinois is playing a greater role in picking a president, and Illinois Republicans are looking forward to a healthy competition of ideas."
Blagojevich's signature on the bill marked a rare show of cooperation among Democratic leaders who have been at an impasse in state budget negotiations in Springfield.
Because the primary date change also moves up to August the time to circulate candidate petitions for all other offices on the ballot -- ranging from federal, state and county posts -- some lawmakers have privately wondered if they will still be in overtime session when their re-election petitions hit the streets.
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rap30@aol.com
By Rick Pearson
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Published June 21, 2007
Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday added Illinois to the list of states that are accelerating the selection of presidential candidates next year by signing a measure moving the state's primary to Feb. 5 from its traditional mid-March date.
"Illinois is the fifth-largest state in the country," Blagojevich said in a statement. "The people who live here deserve to play a bigger role in deciding who the presidential candidates will be."
Illinois' primary date change was orchestrated by the state's Democratic leadership. Ostensibly aimed at giving the state's voters more say in selecting delegates, supporters acknowledged it largely was done to boost home-state U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. At least 22 states have scheduled or are considering holding presidential primaries and caucuses Feb. 5, prompting the date to be dubbed "Super Duper Tuesday."
Traditionally, Illinois' later primary, which had been scheduled for March 18, has become a largely empty exercise for Democratic and Republican voters, with nominees often securing the required number of national convention delegates before the state votes.
It was almost 20 years ago that the state's primary voters last had any impact on the presidential race, when Republicans effectively ended U.S. Sen. Bob Dole's challenge to Vice President George H.W. Bush.
"It puts Illinois in the hunt in terms of selecting the nominee of both parties, Democrat and Republican," said House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Madigan, who sponsored the legislation in the House, said he recommended the move several years ago to the Democratic National Committee.
"I'm very happy that Illinois as a state will be in the hunt with both major political parties," Madigan said. "It's an improvement."
It is questionable what effect Illinois will have on the increasingly early presidential selection process, which effectively begins with the Iowa caucuses Jan. 14. Two states with more nominating delegates are at stake Feb. 5: California and New York, which is represented by Obama's rival U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Democratic contenders have continued to come to Illinois for fundraisers and insist they will compete for delegates. But Obama's home-state advantage is expected to dampen the campaign activity of his rivals, though they would be entitled to a percentage of delegates based on their support in each congressional district.
Republicans expect to benefit from the new primary date and a large but fluid presidential field with no clear favorite. State GOP leaders already have proposed an Aug. 16 straw poll at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair to tap into the quickening contest and gauge early organizational support.
"This change has already attracted Republican presidential candidates and energized party activists across the state," Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna said in a statement. "Illinois is playing a greater role in picking a president, and Illinois Republicans are looking forward to a healthy competition of ideas."
Blagojevich's signature on the bill marked a rare show of cooperation among Democratic leaders who have been at an impasse in state budget negotiations in Springfield.
Because the primary date change also moves up to August the time to circulate candidate petitions for all other offices on the ballot -- ranging from federal, state and county posts -- some lawmakers have privately wondered if they will still be in overtime session when their re-election petitions hit the streets.
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rap30@aol.com
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 7:40 PM
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