Alexi Giannoulias listed John Kerry as one of the two Senators he most wants to work with

[karynnj]

I am fortunate to know and have spoken with Senator John Kerry. I admire his recent efforts to hold the line on strong bills for health care reform and climate change. He has taken principled stands, something we need more of in the U.S. Senate. He has proven that, in the face of adversity, you can still make a tremendous difference and I would seek his counsel in the U.S. Senate.

They were not allowed to pick Durbin. His other choice was Schumer, of whom he said:

If I’m elected, I look forward to working with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. I admire Senator Schumer’s tenacious advocacy of progressive principles and his focus on how legislation impacts families outside of the beltway.

His opponent, Hoffman, picked Webb and Feingold, giving no reasons.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/30/832331/-IL-SEN:-Alexi-Giannoulias

The Hoffman one is - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/31/832323/-IL-SEN:-David-Hoffman

(I have no idea what to think about this race and haven't spoken to Chicago area relatives about it. Hoffman is really attacking Giannoulias in a pretty desperate way (to the level that it could be called smearing) and many of those attacks have been on DU. It is also interesting that the Daily Kos diarist calls them the 2 leading candidates as Hoffman is polling third. From just what each opted to write here, I hope Giannoulias wins the primary and the general election.)

I thought this most interesting because of what he chose to say about Kerry - whether or not he is good. I think the choice of Webb and Feingold says a lot too. Although I like Feingold, his votes have really been counterproductive in this Congress and Webb has never been a vote that could be counted on. Both seem to be choices of who he perceives to be progressive favorites.

Using just that, Giannoulias' choices are both people who work hard to actually create something that will pass, where Hoffman's choices are people who are extremely independent but who will stand on principle. Both sides have value, but Giannoulias actually bridges those qualities in the reason he gives for John Kerry. That he values Kerry's pricipled stands, shows he knows there are a times for working together and times to stand alone.)

[Luftmensch067]

1. I love your analysis here

And I'm glad to read this because I had not been aware of the candidates in this race at all! It's quite extraordinary, in my opinion, for Giannoulias to openly speak positively of JK -- it seems to mostly still not be done by people in the party who are hoping to advance -- and it shows not only perceptiveness, but also courage. I hope he wins!

[MonteLukast]

2. I like Alexi Giannoulias.

I really liked what he had to say about the Employee Free Choice Act.

Nice to see he has good taste in mentors! :)

[karynnj]

3. I really do not know what to think of him

I haven't followed the race at all until I was reading those two articles. So, I have no insight into how much weight to give to the insinuations that he and/or his family used poor judgment in their bank. For all I know, they could be anywhere from It's a wonderful life's George Bailey to people at the root of the banking problem. Either could experience their bank failing. (Gail Collins has a very negative characterization of him - because he is young and his family rich.)

I too liked what he wrote on the issues - he did a far better job in his than Hoffman in his, but there is a caution that all the big newspaper's have endorsed Hoffman.

So, knowing so little, why did I post this? Because that whole response at this point in a campaign is a totally political action. That does not mean it is not sincere - it could well be. The significance is that a young, charismatic politician wanting to win voters picked Kerry and Schumer - and articulated why. To me, it marked a somewhat new second step to the process that seemed to start this summer of people crediting Kerry as an elder statesman. This is the type of question where the answer would often have been Kennedy. In addition, the characteristics shown reflect some of the issues that dominate now.

I will be watching the results with interest.

[Inuca]

4. I did not follow much either

and I should have I guess since I am in IL. From the little I heard, including a couple of local mailing lists, Gianoulias (even I have problems with his name, and I am from that part of the world, and I could say and spell Blagoievich in my sleep) is the favorite and likely to win today. I was not going to go and vote... maybe I should... though it feels a bit like cheating when I do not have a clear and informed preference.

[karynnj]

5. Giannnoulias won the primary - so I hope he will be working in the Senate

- and I hope he is sincere in his respect for Kerry, which it does sound like. The reasons chosen sound like our reasons - not more "political" ones.