*** UPDATE 2 *** This is somewhat odd, but it probably can’t hurt…
The producer behind the “Barbershop” movies, “Soul Food” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” showcasing Humboldt Park, has found another family with a compelling story to tell — this time in documentary form.
His subject: Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by his mentor, President Barack Obama.
“He’s got an interesting story to tell. He’s young, and this is going to be an amazing political race,” says Mr. Teitel, who launched shooting at a small fundraising gathering for Mr. Giannoulias. The filmmaker arrived with camera and sound crew in tow.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Post-Dispatch blog…
This is from a written statement by Lance Trover, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. He notes that, four days ago, Moody’s downgraded the state’s rating on general obligation bonds from A1 to Aa3, and today, Fitch Ratings placed Illinois’ AA minus rating on a negative credit watch.
“While the Illinois bond rating tumbles, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been spending his time raising money for a U.S. Senate race,’’ Trover wrote. “. . . On the same day the State of Illinois appeared on a credit watch list, Alexi Giannoulias was busy trumpeting his fundraising numbers for a political campaign. … Blagojevich Democrats have created a fiscal crisis and instead of serving as financial watchdog for the people of Illinois, Giannoulias is focused on his next political move.’’
Um, how exactly is Giannoulias supposed to have prevented that downgrade?
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Wow. Just wow. Giannoulias had hoped to raise about half of this when he started out. Considering the current economic climate, this is freaking huge…
He’s still just at the “exploratory committee” stage, but Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has already raised $1.1 million in the 28 days since he announced he was “exploring” a run for U.S. Senate.
He is eyeing the seat formerly held by his friend and basketball court partner, President Obama.
“It’s actually unbelievable on two counts: The sum of $1.1 million, in and of itself, is unbelievable, but the fact that it’s in the worst political fund-raising environment that, I think, any of us have ever seen, makes it all the more extraordinary and impressive,” said political activist and fund-raiser Michael Bauer.
The Washington Post reported a week ago that political donations are down 26 percent across the board from two years ago, presumably because of the economic downturn. Giannoulias supporters said this big a haul — with no Giannoulias personal or family loans, PAC or corporate money — in the 28 days before the March 31 quarterly reporting deadline appears to be a record.
Giannoulias told me last night that there is no personal money in that mix. That $1.1 mil may also be close to a one-month US Senate record, by the way.
And Bill Daley has been awful quiet lately, hasn’t he? He wasn’t using a threat of a US Senate run to leverage that ambassadorship to China, was he? Whatever the case, floating his name constantly in Sneed’s column didn’t seem to hurt Giannoulias’ fundraising one little bit.
* Meanwhile, appointed US Sen. Roland Burris said yesterday he still hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll run for real and added…
He has not raised any money for a run.
Surprise, surprise.
* And in another race, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign fired off a blast e-mail to supporters yesterday asking them to vote in an online poll…
Right now the Chicago Tribune is hosting an online poll that asks if Lisa should run for governor. Cast you [sic] ballot and let your opinion be known by clicking on the link
Clicking on the link shows her efforts haven’t worked wonders…
Yes (1107 responses) 41.6%
No (1552 responses) 58.4%
2659 total responses (Results not scientific)
Maybe it was the typo.
* Related…
* Sweet: Madigan debuts in D.C. as state decision looms : Madigan, in a brown pants suit, flanked by men all wearing grey, was trying on the big stage to see how it fit. It fit fine.
* Illinois attorney general, feds crack down on mortgage scams
* Feds, states clamp down on refinancing schemes
* State’s attorney vows to change search warrant filing system
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:32 am:
$1.1 Million in 28 days? Holy crap!! That should scare the bejesus out of everyone looking to run for that office.
- Rocket - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:43 am:
WOW. I agree with Rich, very impressive! What happens when he actually announces? What happens when he puts his own millions into the race? What happens when Durbin and Obama host events?
Alexi is UNC….unbeatable!
- bored now - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:43 am:
i personally doubt that burris’ name will be on the ballot. he keeps throwing out this mythical $400,000 in debts he needs to repay — i don’t think there’s ever been an accounting of what it is actually for — and it feels like he will raise money for that without actually getting in the race…
- cynically anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:46 am:
Maybe people like having Lisa as AG and want to keep her there for another term while the housecleaning gets done.
- Stop the Madness - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 9:58 am:
Alexi raised $1.1 million in March? Wasn’t that the same month that Illinois’ bond rating slid from AA to AA-minus? That will cost Illinois taxpayers millions of dollars.
Shouldn’t Alexi be doing the job he was elected to do? I don’t see how this makes him look good. He’s just another self-dealing hack who has demonstrated no ability to manage the public trust.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:04 am:
=== Shouldn’t Alexi be doing the job he was elected to do? ===
How, exactly, could Giannoulias have prevented that lowered bond rating?
We’re not idiots here. Don’t try to pull stuff like that, please.
- Niles Township - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:17 am:
Rich,
With just a little snark…I thought “online polls mean nothing.” Apparently Lisa’s folks cared enough to “out” their hopes and you cared enough to post about it. Enjoy the week.
- Lakefront Liberal - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:17 am:
A friend went to one of his fundraisers and said she didn’t recognize anyone there. An unusual thing if you are someone who tends to go to political fundraisers.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:21 am:
Good point, NT, but when the candidates try to Freep an online poll, then it does mean “something.” lol
- Niles Township - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:37 am:
Does it mean anything more when the the attempts to Freep the poll seem to be failing?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:38 am:
I dont’ know if it means anything more, but it’s surely a whole lot more entertaining. :)
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:40 am:
Yea, that Lisa result was pretty surprising. Don’t know what it means but would love to see real polling about her in that race. Maybe we’ve all overestimated her appeal for the top job…or people’s resistance to having her in the top job and her step-dad as speaker.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:41 am:
CC, she’s adopted. That makes MJM her father, not her stepfather. Try to avoid stuff like that here, please. Thanks.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:45 am:
Well technically, he’s both her father and her stepfather, but yes I take your point.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:46 am:
CC, or it means someone opposed to her has been voting over and over and over….
- Taxman - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 10:54 am:
Congrats to Alexi. That he is Barack’s friend is surely helping him.
On the other hand… I dont see much enthusiasm for Lisa Madigan out there. Well, other than people that are afraid to NOT support her because of her father - Speaker Madigan. I think there is a wave out there demanding new, young voices and not the same tired political names that keep popping up (Madigan, Hynes, Daley,).
Its also frustrating for me that my past contributions I made to DPI in the past went to fund her AG campaign and only select Madigan approved candidates. No money for Dem grassroots efforts in the county or for other statewide elected officials. Arent we supposed to be helping ALL democrats and not the Speakers daughter and select House candidates? I apologize in advance for my venting.
However, it is surprising that she could not muster votes on an online tribune poll that she is obvioulsy trying to sway her way. No organization? I bet the kids over at DPI got a new assignment today!
It always amazes me how much pols care about these stupid online polls anyway…
Pingback Ill. treasurer Giannoulias raises $1.1 mil in U.S. Senate bid | Political Fix | STLtoday - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 11:10 am:
[…] Of course, politicians tooting their own horns about how much money they’re able to raise is nothing new — but, for the record, $1.1 million in one month is a pretty amazing figure. There’s even speculation today that it might be a one-month national record fundraising amount for a Senate seat. […]
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 11:20 am:
How much weight will Lisa Madigan give the results of this poll?
If Blagojevich could raise almost 30 million for his re-election, and was Illinois’ worst governor - what does a 1 million dollar month mean for Giannoulais? Obviously, fundraising amounts have little correlationship to the quality of the candidate.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 11:27 am:
–I think there is a wave out there demanding new, young voices and not the same tired political names that keep popping up (Madigan, Hynes, Daley,).–
That would certainly be a departure from the American experience.
We’re not the only ones that have dynasties in this country, of course. Adamses, Roosevelts, Tafts, Byrds, Harrisons, Browns, Lees, Longs, Talmadges, Kennedys, Bushes, Dodds, Fishes… the list is endless.
Heck, there’s been a Frelinghuysen holding office in or from New Jersey since the Revolution.
Remember the advice, Richard J. gave Adlai III? “Don’t change your name.”
- Taxman - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 11:47 am:
Wordslinger:
This is a departure from the american experience. Agreed. The name didnt work out so well for Hillary Clinton did it? Need I also cite the backlash for politicians passing along their seats to sons/wives? Stroger? Hannig?
My opinion isnt scientific. Im strictly basing this off of what I hear about the Madigans in political circles. People feel her father has too much power. He uses the IL Dem Party to elect his daughter and approved House candidates - not to build the party or help Dems across the board.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 11:53 am:
VM,
It doesn’t speak to a candidates qualifications, but the ability to raise money is the ticket to entry in a run for public office whether we like it or not. It doesn’t mean you’re going to win (Blair Hull, Jack Ryan, etc), but it does mean you get taken seriously.
- Morton - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:11 pm:
Amazing all that money Alexi raised. Haven’t been this impressed with fundraising totals since…..Rod Blagojevich.
- Cosmic Charlie - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:14 pm:
Very impressive Alexi.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:16 pm:
–A friend went to one of his fundraisers and said she didn’t recognize anyone there. An unusual thing if you are someone who tends to go to political fundraisers.–
I take it your friend’s not Greek!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:17 pm:
The way you raise money is as important has how much you raise. Should Giannoulias run, last week he said became the first Illinois candidate for U.S. Senate to refuse corporate PAC and Washington lobbyist money. Let’s see how PAC man/lobbyist chum Mark Kirk deals with that.
- Rocket - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:18 pm:
The GOP should focus on winning a few state constitutional offices and forget about the Senate seat. Kirk should be gearing up to run for governor. Madigan v. Kirk is a race I would love to watch!
- George - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 12:24 pm:
The poll Lisa has to worry about more is that one a few months back that showed her with 0% support among African Americans. Now, I think that was for the Senate seat, but there might be something transferable…
- Shore - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 1:14 pm:
The woman replacing Hillary in New York just raised $2.3 million over 2 months so saying this is huge is well, out of context. Considering that the two guys fighting for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota have been raising $3 million a month since December, and again, that’s Minnesota don’t ya know, it’s really not that impressive.
Also in fairness to Mark Kirk, since there are a few Republicans in this state and most people don’t know the man yet, it would be fair to start linking to major national stories about him like this-especially since it tamps down a lot of the wrong ideas on this blog that he won’t be good for conservatives. Note the weekly standard is THE conservative mag in the nation.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/363dzfuf.asp?pg=1
- Lamballe - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 1:15 pm:
How will Madigan run for president in 2016 without a term as governor of IL between now and then? To quote a story in the Illinois Times a few weeks ago, “Lisa Madigan: Hat. Ring. Now.”
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 1:16 pm:
===The woman replacing Hillary in New York just raised $2.3 million over 2 months so saying this is huge is well, out of context.===
She’s an incumbent. He hasn’t even announced yet and is fending off the Daley’s.
- Shore - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 1:33 pm:
And she’s a pro-gun anti-immigration upstate new york conservative in a state party that is anti-gun, pro-immigration and city based. She’s also unlike Alexi, never run statewide, and was never a part of the most successful national political fundraising campaign of all time.
This blog is one of the few that just does facts and no bull, so no reason not to cover major national stories like that on Kirk, that are informative and at the very least shed light on a man who is still a Congressman here if not a future U.S. Senator.
Every other comment on this blog about Kirk is he’s pro-abort and therefore not acceptable to conservatives that article ends that notion.
- The Mayor - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 2:03 pm:
;) YASOU Patrioti! FYI, there is more where that came from! GO ALEXI!
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Apr 7, 09 @ 3:44 pm:
The money you raise, the more favors need to be repaid. I wonder when we start seeing the campaign signs with phonetic spellings of Giannoulias?