Potential Burris Primary Opponent Raises $1.1 Million
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has raised $1.1 million for his Senate campaign exploratory committee, in his potential bid in the Democratic primary against Roland Burris -- an extraordinary amount, considering the tough economic environment, and the fact that Giannoulias only got in with 28 days left in the quarter.
The Giannoulias committee also says that this does not include any of his own personal or family wealth, or contributions from PACs.
Said Giannoulias: "We were thrilled and flattered by the outpouring of support that we've received over the last 3 1/2 weeks, and I think it's evidence that people are hungry for fresh leadership and new ideas in Washington, D.C."
Maybe people are just hungry for a candidate who isn't Roland Burris.
Josh
Matt
Eric
God help us. This dude's daddy owns a bank. He isn't really bright. He is actually kinda' dumb but, again, his father owns Broadway Bank.
April 7, 2009 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Broadway Bank has also been accused of laundering mob money. Our politics (I'm a lifelong Illinoisan) are just so unbelievably screwed up.
It's looking like our choices for Governor and Senator will include a mob-tainted banker and the daughter of the most powerful House Speaker (and a fierce proponent of our current pay-to-play political culture) in our history.
These people just don't care how their corruption and nepotism affects the people if illinois. It's enough to make a liberal take a look at the options on the Republican side.
April 7, 2009 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another Illinoisan here. Maybe I'm naive, but I truly believe our current Governor is a man for the people and see no reason why he shouldn't be re-elected. Yes, he is raising taxes, but it is the only way the state gov't could continue to operate because of the way Blowguyovitch buried us in debt.
April 7, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is politics. Obama is the exception to the rule. In most cases, intelligence is not a factor. How much money you have and who you know are.
April 7, 2009 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
I remember Obama making news when he endorsed Giannoulias when the latter was first running for Treasurer, which boosted his candidacy. Alexi was young and seen as a long shot. Any chance the funds are now coming from Obama's local big-money donors?
April 7, 2009 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, Yeah.
April 7, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
This guy is Obama's basketball buddy. I'm sure he will ride Obama's coattails into the job, unless Mark Kirk (R-IL) can somehow make something out of Broadway Bank's lending (Giannoulias was chief lending officer).
April 7, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Illinois is now a Democratic state. And skeletons in one's closet are not enough to keep someone who is part of the machine from being elected.
April 7, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink