Democrats try to unify headed into 2010 campaigns

SPRINGFIELD - Having rid themselves of "disgraced" Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Democratic leaders sought Wednesday to move beyond six years of divisive personal politics as they head into what could be a challenging election season.

So far Democratic control has produced massive state debt, an impeached governor and now a call for higher taxes. Not exactly an ideal platform on which to run a campaign.

But up and down the Democratic ticket, from statewide officials to local precinct workers, when asked during Wednesday's Democratic rallies around the Illinois State Fair how they'd refute likely Republican - if not general voter - criticism of Democrats' handling of state government, they pointed the finger of blame at Blagojevich.

"That's because of Rod Blagojevich. That isn't because of anybody else in the party," said Lisa Madigan when asked about voter frustration.

And Mary Erlenborn, a Democratic precinct representative from Bull Valley, pointed out that when problems emerged with a Democratic governor Democrats "removed their governor." Left unsaid is that Republicans didn't do the same when former Republican Gov. George Ryan fell under federal investigation that ultimately landed him in prison.

After winning a second term in 2006, Blagojevich was arrested by federal agents in December on charges he tried to profit from his ability to pick Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate, among other state powers. He was then impeached by the Illinois House and removed from office by the state Senate, a move that elevated Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn to the state's chief executive post.

In Blagojevich's absence, the Democratic rally took on a more unified flair. Gone were the throngs of Blagojevich supporters bused in to heckle and boo his rivals within the Democratic Party. Such antics along with swirling scandal previously led some Democrats - like Madigan - to skip the annual festivities.

"I was unwilling to stand next to Rod Blagojevich," Madigan said Wednesday.

Even the two leading candidates for governor - Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes - played nice and said the upcoming primary will not be divisive despite recent salvos fired from each campaign.

In a breakfast speech to party leaders, Hynes promised he'd earn the nomination for governor in the months ahead but described Quinn as a "decent man" and said the day - officially called "Governor's Day" - belonged to Quinn.

"I believe the governor deserves his day," Hynes said in announcing he'd not attend the rally at the Illinois State Fair where hopeful candidates make pitches to the party faithful. "And I promised my son he could milk a cow."

Democrats used the rally to make the case that they continue to offer voters the best option in Illinois, painting the GOP as devoid of ideas, a depiction sure to be challenged today when Republicans take their turn at the state fair.

And no matter how hard Democrats try to blame problems on Blagojevich, they expect to hear the former governor's name a lot on the campaign trail.

"Clearly the Republicans are going to try to make hay out of it," said state Rep. David Miller, a South suburban Democrat running for comptroller. He said Democrats could simply bring up former Gov. Ryan sitting in prison. "But it does nobody any good. It doesn't make higher education any more affordable."

Legislative leaders cast aside possible perception problems and looked to build on Democratic control. Senate President John Cullerton told the party faithful he wants to go after all seven Republican seats on next year's ballot. And House Speaker Michael Madigan downplayed media reports of Democrats' challenges.

"If you listen to the media, we're a challenged group," said Madigan, a Chicago Democrat and head of the state party. "If you listen to the media."