Bitter race shaping up for 2010 governor

DENVER - The focus for now is Barack Obama and the White House, but just beneath the surface of the Illinois Democratic Party, there's growing restlessness regarding who will run for governor in two years.

Two-term Gov. Rod Blagojevich has not said whether he plans to seek a third term, but many delegates the Daily Herald talked to in recent weeks had this advice: Don't do it.

"I have mixed feelings about him, like everyone else," said delegate Cynthia Rodriguez of Lockport. "When he leaves office, he is going to leave us with something. We have had corrupt governors before, but at least this one is leaving us with something. He did a lot for Illinois children."

Several delegates declined to answer or attach their names to their comments, fearing it could lead to political retaliation or claiming the topic is a distraction from a convention Democrats want focused solely on Barack Obama.

But those mentioned as possible candidates acknowledge that after November, the focus will quickly turn to 2010 and the governor's office.

"I do think people want to have an idea of who's going to be their next leader, especially with the mess that's going on in Springfield," said state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Chicago Democrat often mentioned as a possible candidate.

Even while pushing Obama unity, possible contenders couldn't avoid questions about their political aspirations. They're all here hobnobbing among Democratic powers and Obama gave three of them - Giannoulias, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Comptroller Dan Hynes - speaking roles at the convention. Giannoulias is hosting a reception for delegates tonight.

Meanwhile, Blagojevich didn't get a speaking role and skipped the convention's first day.

After running in 2002 as a self-proclaimed reformer who'd restore ethical standards in the wake of GOP Gov. George Ryan's scandals, Blagojevich's administration has produced numerous investigations and controversy.

He's acknowledged being questioned by federal investigators, probes continue on his hiring and contracting practices, his chief political fundraiser has been convicted of using his Blagojevich clout to mastermind a state pension kickback scheme and the governor's close friend and adviser on issues such as gambling expansion has been charged with cheating on his taxes to hide illegal gambling debts.

His unpopularity among lawmakers prompted an effort to try to add recall to the state constitution, and there's been talk and actual memos about impeachment proceedings.

Against this backdrop begins the speculation on who Democrats should put forth in 2010 in what could be a bitter contest.

"I will say this, I do believe Gov. Blagojevich, if he runs again, is going to have a primary opponent or two or 10," said state Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat who has considered running before.

Many Democrats are awaiting signals from Attorney General Madigan regarding her future. Madigan's father is Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, also chairman of the state party. If she runs, some Democratic hopefuls would then look elsewhere.

But she wasn't offering any clues Tuesday.

"This is something I'm going to think about, and when I make a decision, you will know about it," she told reporters.

Asked if she would back Blagojevich for a third term, Madigan replied, "No."

Other possible contenders include Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and Bill Daley, the Chicago mayor's brother.

"There's truth that there's rumors," Daley said about a 2010 bid.

In fairness, there was not exactly uniform support for Blagojevich's re-election when the Daily Herald checked delegates' pulse four years ago. Even the governor was coy back in 2004 when asked if he'd seek a second term, saying only: "I can't say that."

Of course, he did run, easily fended off a primary challenger and won a second term with just under 50 percent of the vote while spending $16 million.

Whether he can do it again is a big question.

Multimillion-dollar legal fees connected to the federal investigations have taken a huge bite out of his campaign war chest.

Still, he has his supporters. And a wide-open Democratic primary could be just what Blagojevich needs. If enough candidates split the anti-Blagojevich vote, he could capture the nomination with his core backers.

"I think that is his call," Oak Brook delegate Raghu Nayak said of a possible third term for Blagojevich. "I think he has done a very good job, even though he has not gotten a lot of credit for it."

And if nothing else, this governor has consistently proven he'll do what he wants regardless of other's sentiments.

When asked recently about 2010, Blagojevich ducked the question just as he did four years ago.