GOP: Budget vote could cloud Obama’s horizon

[Freddie Stubbs]

Illinois political scene
GOP: Budget vote could cloud Obama’s horizon
By Patrick O’Connor

Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama, a state senator, has remained untainted by legislative squabbling among fellow state Democrats, but some Republicans argue that a key roll-call vote could haunt him as the November election nears.

“Barack Obama is going to have to defend his support of Emil Jones,” said state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R), referring specifically to Obama’s vote in favor of a series of tax increases proposed by Jones, a strong Obama supporter. The increases eventually were killed in the House.

Illinois has been abuzz lately with tales of Democratic infighting. The state’s General Assembly recessed last week without approving the 2005 state budget by the June 1 constitutional deadline because Jones, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan — all Democrats — could not agree on a final bill.

Despite that bickering, Obama maintained a 22-point lead over Republican opponent Jack Ryan in a recent Chicago Tribune-WGN statewide poll. Political operatives on both sides of the aisle say Obama has not been dragged into the fray.
“They’ve put it all aside,” said Margaret Blackshear, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, an Obama supporter. “With Obama, we’re there.”

more: http://www.thehill.com/campaign/061004_obama.aspx

[mopinko]

1. don't they

wish! what a load.