Illinois (Democrat open seat)

Deserves attention because it's a key battle which anyone can win, but neither of the candidates is particularly interesting except that they're both bogged down by scandals.

Very competitive race, but two damaged candidates are running for the Senate. This seat used to be held by Barack Obama. When he resigned in 2008 to take a certain higher position, it was left up to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to select an interim appointment to hold the seat until 2010. Allegations of him selling the seat were raised, but ultimately it was handed off to Roland Burris, a Chicago political machine apparatchik. Burris chose not to stand for election, so the seat opened up. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, another politico closely affiliated with some of the more shadier characters within the Chicago political machine like Tony Rezko, is the Democratic nominee. His family owned a bank that went into receivership by the FDIC due to several failed loans in the suburban Chicago real estate market. They also made bad loans to several Chicago political figures, including Rezko. In short, the guy has a lot of negative baggage. In the past, he has used his experience ... Read more

Yeee Haaaah...... Strap on folks. We're looking at another exciting installment of Illinois politics, the best floorshow in the nation. This one should be lots of fun. It almost makes me wish I was still in the business.

UPDATED AUGUST 12, 2010: In true Illinois fashion both political parties have nominated candidates who couldn't be elected dog catcher in any other state with honest politics. They are neck and neck and it is anyone's guess who will pull it off. I would put it leaning Democrat since the Chicago Machine is in a better position to steal the winning share of the vote. Hold your nose and bump this to five stars.UPDATED JUNE 3, 2010: Connecticut has its Dumbocrat candidate for the US Senate lying about his service record and now Illinois has the same thing except it is the GOPper candidate, Mark Kirk. He has been in hot water for days about this. Unfortunately for the Dems in Illinois is that they managed to nominate a crook for the job. The Chicago Machine is working overtime to get the Democratic nominee, Alexi Giannoulias to drop out but to no avail, so far. Maybe the Blago corruption trial will start some movement. Illinois politics is the gift that just keeps on giving.ORIGI... Read more