The Mix Line
by Dave Dernazza.
Wow! When I called the Senate a soap opera (
As the Senate Turns) in my last post, I had no idea how prescient I would be!
Senator Jack Enlow is an odd figure in Washington-Not well-liked, but tolerated, due to his ability to fundraise. He even seemingly had a decent marriage, and the breakup of it was defined by Enlow and his wife as "a mutual decision, lacking in acrimony."
Well, Enlow had a drunken encounter with his ex-wife that was filled with acrimony this past few days. He was arrested, for two cases of assault and battery, as well as public intoxication. Reportedly, Enlow was yelling "I'm a Senator! I'm Senator Jack Enlow, and I can't be arrested! You can't do this to me!" as he was handcuffed and placed in the police cruiser.
Well, Enlow resigned-An extremely fast resignation, and a sudden vacancy in the United States Senate. The political damage now has a chance to be minimized, and maybe Enlow can find some redemption. But meanwhile, Andrew Cordy has a new problem on his hands-Enlow's replacement. But fortunately, he does have options. To the Line! Again!
Honorable Mentions: Daniel Maddox and Mary Maskaleris.
Both Representatives would make excellent Senators-But they're not about to start on the bottom of an institution when they've just hit the top of another. Maskaleris will be named Chairwoman of the Rules Committee (A first) and Maddox has been named Chief Deputy Majority Whip, right-hand man to Noah Gellman, and Carol Gelsey trusts him a lot. Neither of them are about to leave, but the names have to be put out there.
5. Jack Meyer (Democrat, Springfield Mayor).
Meyer's on the list because he's an old warhorse, been there, done that. Man's got some stories!
If Meyer were appointed, it would be in a caretaking capacity only, as Meyer himself has indicated that he would like to retire soon. Cordy and Meyer have always had a decent relationship, and Meyer would be a good Senator. But Meyer has always been cantankerous, blunt and tough, and would not fit well in the realm of "my distinguished colleague." Though since Arnold Vinick left, the Senate could use somebody like that.
4. Congressman Barry Robinson (Democrat, Second District).
Robinson is a handsome, intelligent, very charismatic young man. However, Cordy's own logic would fly in the face of a Robinson appointment, as it's been said that Cordy might like a Senate seat for himself, and Robinson doesn't owe anything to Cordy, meaning that he would be in that seat no matter what. But it's unknown if Senator is really the position Robinson has his eyes on. He seems perfectly happy in the House, though he has said he wouldn't mind being Governor, and he was mentioned about running for Mayor, so it's clear that Robinson has some higher ambitions.
3. Mitch Bryce (Democrat, Former Secretary of Commerce and Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors).
Bryce recently returned to his native Chicago, and is currently writing about finance, the economy and politics for the Chicago
Tribune, and lecturing on those same subjects for the University of Chicago. His political skills are undeniable, Democrats in the Senate would love to have an economic expert on their side to refute any Republican claims, and he would be an excellent field marshall. The only question is does he want the job? He had retired before coming back onto the Santos camp, and it's unknown if he's ready for the commitment that being a Senator would bring.
2. Byron McAlester (Democrat, Former Governor of Illinois).
Perhaps one of the scariest men in politics-Not because he's sinister, but he's such a large man, and a very commanding presence. He's not someone I would want angry at me!
McAlester, despite his British-sounding name, was in fact the first black Governor in Illinois history. His policies were all fairly popular, and he always held high approval ratings, but he never worked well with the State Legislature. He preferred to go over their heads and appeal directly to the people, which usually worked, but made him few friends.
McAlester has been out of politics since 2000, when he retired, and he's been working in the corporate arena. Reportedly, he and Cordy have an easy relationship, and Cordy would have no problem with him as an appointee. But, with McAlester's well-known dislike of the often-dragging processes of the legislature, it's unknown if he would take the appointment, or if he did, it's highly improbable he would be around for more than the rest of Enlow's term.
1. Alex Sweeney (Lieutenant Governor, Democrat).
The most likely choice. Sweeney's young, popular, charismatic, and a close ally of Cordy. He's got connections within the Youth in Revolt and the Democratic establishment, and the press especially loves him, so there's not really a downside to this choice. It's already been speculated that Sweeney will run for Governor in '12, but he is unlikely to pass up a chance like this. Also, if Cordy's ambition's lie in the Senate, Sweeney could easily be persuaded to take the position now, and switch seats with Cordy later.
Whichever direction Cordy chooses, we'll know by Monday, as the Governor said that he would spend the weekend vetting candidates, and have a decision by then.
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