Tammy Duckworth To Replace Cohen? Quinn Wants It That Way, Source Says

[spiritual_gunfighter]

Does Pat Quinn want Tammy Duckworth to fill the recently vacated Lt. Governor spot? A source told Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed that Duckworth is "at the top of Quinn's original wish list"--but some insiders are saying Duckworth won't leave Washington.

"Sneed hears former Illinois state veterans chief Tammy Duckworth is Gov. Quinn's personal pick as lieutenant governor nominee -- replacing the scandal-ridden Scott Lee Cohen," Sneed wrote in her column Tuesday.

Duckworth lost both of her legs while serving in the Illinois National Guard in Iraq 2004. She ran for Congress in 2006, and though she didn't get the spot--she was chosen last year to be assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs for the Obama administration.

Sneed's source reports that veterans groups "are already petitioning Gov. Quinn for her to fill the role" and Quinn already has a favorable record with veterans.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/09/tammy-duckworth-to-replac_n_454911.html

[mopinko]

1. he can have todd oconnor.

he ran for water rec, but lost. a great candidate, just a too crowded list.
there were a couple good guys on the ballot, also. we endorsed mike boland. he would be great.

[barb162]

2. David Hoffman?

I think he's the greatest. :)

I think he'd make the Lt. Gov. spot an actual working job.

PS You'll notice Cohen hasn't written his letter yet on giving up the nominee spot. I believe he has until August to officially give up the ticket spot. I don't know if the Party can announce someone without Cohen giving up the spot.

[mucifer]

3. I heard on WXRT news this am they are considering scrapping the Lt Gov position altogether

maybe I heard wrong. I can't seem to find the story on the web.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

4. They should at the very least make it possible to vote for

Lt. Gov separately from Gov.

[PhD]

6. That's not a great option

It causes lots of turmoil when the two positions are occupied by opposing parties.

[barb162]

5. here it is:

February 11, 2010

Facing criticism, Speaker Madigan suggests eliminating lieutenant governor office
Posted by Ray Long and Monique Garcia at 9:12 a.m.; last updated with Madigan WGN radio interview at 11:22 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD---Facing criticism from some fellow Democrats over the Scott Lee Cohen primary election debacle, House Speaker Michael Madigan introduced a measure that would eliminate the office of lieutenant governor five years from now.
snip
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/02/facing-criticism-speaker-madigan-suggests-eliminating-lieutenant-governor-office.html

[DollyM]

7. when our school system has to lay off teachers due to budget shortages . . .

I think the state can do without a Lt. Gov.