More and more Casey Stengel's line comes to mind when I think about the Democratic party in Illinois. I know anyone has the right to run but as a party, can't Democratic leaders do better at identifying and developing good candidates? Candidates stronger on experience and lighter on baggage? Isn't there anyone tending to details and unwanted distractions?
The very purple 6th congressional district has a no-name candidate with no political experience who practically admits on his web page that he's running because no one else wanted to.
Pawn broker Scott Cohen buys his way to the Lt Guv nomination, is asked to step down, he finally does (leading to a protracted discussion of a replacement, complete with racial overtones), then comes back as an independent candidate-- for
governor. Granted, that probably beats another LaRouchie infestation but shouldn't a contingency like this have been covered in the negotiations to step down? Toss the guy a bone to both get out
and stay out?
Now, to no one's particular surprise, our senate candidate finds himself in the headlines as part of the banking crisis. With him apparently profiting on the failure of his family's bank. Throw in some mob ties for good measure.
Brace yourself. Here comes SENATOR Mark Kirk.
Broadway Bank’s failure a twin blow for Giannoulias
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0424-broadway-bank--20100423,0,1669391.storyThe failure of Chicago-based Broadway, which was unable to raise the $85 million it needed to remain independent, was anticipated, and its worsening health has weighed on (Alexi) Giannoulias' Democratic bid for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat. The bank had been struggling in recent years with real estate loans gone bad, losing $75 million last year.
Giannoulias worked for his father at Broadway before entering politics, and during his successful run for state treasurer in 2006 he used his banking experience as one of his chief qualifications. But in the Senate race, he has tried to distance himself from the bank's troubles.
The Tribune reported this month that the $1.15 billion-asset bank, founded in 1979, lent a pair of Chicago crime figures about $20 million during a 14-month period when Giannoulias was a senior loan officer. Giannoulias' Republican opponent, Mark Kirk, has hammered away on the bank issue, prompting Giannoulias to accuse Kirk of negative campaigning.
<snip>
The Giannoulias family took out nearly $70 million in dividends from the bank in 2007 and 2008. Demetris Giannoulias, Alexi's brother and Broadway's chief executive, has said most of the money was used to pay corporate taxes and for estate planning after the 2006 death of family's patriarch, Alexis Giannoulias.
Because of the bank's loss last year, the family could be eligible for millions in tax refunds. Alexi Giannoulias said Friday that he would not take advantage of the carry-back provision that would have allowed him to get a refund from the bank's failure but said he could not speak for the rest of the family. As a Senate candidate, he said, he didn't think it was appropriate to take advantage of the provision.
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