Rising Star

by David J. Garrow

  25. V. Dion Haynes, “Fight Racial Profiling at Local Level, Lawmaker Says,” CT, 29 June 2003; Dan Shomon e-mail to John Kupper et al., “Obama Weekly Meeting Agenda, Monday, June 30,” 29 June 2003, Nate Tamarin e-mail to Kupper, 30 June 2003, Kupper notes, “Obama 6/30,” Obama Block Schedule, July 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly News, 1–7 July 2003, TWP; OFI, “U.S. Rep. Lane Evans Endorses Barack Obama,” 1 July 2003; Jennifer Davis, “Evans Endorses Illinois Senator,” PJS, 2 July 2003, p. B3; Matt Adrian, “Rep. Evans Endorses Obama in 2004 U.S. Senate Race,” DHR, 2 July 2003, p. A3 (and as “Evans Gives Senate Race Endorsement to Obama,” QCT, and “Evans Endorses Obama for Senate,” SI, 2 July 2003); Bernard Schoenburg, “Lane Evans Endorses Barack Obama for Senate,” SJR, 2 July 2003, p. 12; Doug Wilson, “Evans Endorses Obama for Senate Race,” QHW, 2 July 2003, p. A9; Dave Dorsett, “Senate Hopeful Makes Macomb Stop,” MJ, 6 July 2003; Daniel Duggan, “Hull’s Senate Bid: No Experience Necessary?,” ECN, 2 July 2003; CF, 2, 7, and 10 July 2003; Shamus Toomey, “Health Program Expanded,” HPH, 2 July 2003, p. 8; OFI, “Obama Reports $1 Million on Hand for U.S. Senate Bid, Has Raised Over $1.4 Million for Campaign So Far,” 2 July 2003, TWP; V. Dion Haynes, “Racial Profiling Ban Leaves Some with Mixed Emotions,” CT, 3 July 2003; NTSB, “NTSB and Illinois Make History When Governor Signs Three Most Wanted Improvements in One Day,” 3 July 2003; gubernatorial press release, “Governor Strengthens Traffic Safety Laws in Time for Summer Travel,” 3 July 2003; Matt Adrian and Richard Goldstein, “Senate Candidates Stack Up Money,” DHR, 6 July 2003, p. B4 (and also QCT, 5 July and SI, 6 July); Obama Weekly News, 8–15 July 2003, TWP; Paul Harstad e-mail to John Kupper et al., “Draft Q’aire for Our Dem Primary Survey,” 8 July 2003, and Pete Giangreco e-mail to Harstad, 11 July 2003, JKP; Obama to Paul Simon, received 11 July 2003, and Simon to Obama, 15 July 2003, PSP; Corey Hall, “Senator Barack Obama Celebrates Healthcare Legislation at PUSH Forum,” HPC, 10 July 2003, p. 2; “Peace Group Will Discuss Patriot Act,” Glencoe News, 26 June 2003 (9 July); OFI, FEC Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 April–30 June 2003, 10 July 2003; Friends of Barack Obama, Report of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures, 1 January–30 June 2003, 31 July 2003; Scott Fornek, “Downstate Dem Quits Senate Race,” CST, 10 July 2003, p. 3; OFI, “Obama Calls on Congress to Declare Independence from Drug Lobby,” 10 July 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Seeks Creation of Federal Drug Czar,” CD, 12 July 2003, p. 2; Todd Spivak, “Obama Shoots Down Federal Prescription Drug Plans,” HPH, 16 July 2003, p. 6; “Baggage Ex-Cons Don’t Need,” CST, 13 July 2003, p. 31; Laura S. Washington and Leslie Gryce Sturino to Candidates and Campaigns, “July 13th Forum Format and Ground Rules,” 10 July 2003, JKP; Antonio Mora, Eye on Chicago, CBS 2 TV, 13 July 2003; “IVI-IPO Partial Transcript,” WBEZ, 13 July 2003, JKP; John McCormick, “Senate Hopefuls Abound for ’04,” CT, 14 July 2003; Carol Felsenthal, “Governor Sunshine,” CM, November 2003; David Bernstein, “Mr. Un-Popularity,” CM, February 2008; Bernstein, “Chicago Straight,” CM, June 2009; John Presta, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots (Elevator Group, 2010), pp. 111–12; DJG interviews with Chuck Hurley and John Cullerton.

  26. Obama Block Schedule, July 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly Report, 16–22 July 2003, TWP; Peter Savodnik, “Illinois Senate Democratic Primary Heats Up,” TH, 16 July 2003, p. 6; Ray Gibson and Rick Pearson, “Candidate Hull Spends at Record Pace,” CT, 16 July 2003; Scott Fornek, “Blackjack King Outspends Dem Rival 4–1 in Senate Bid,” CST, 16 July 2003, p. 1; Lynn Sweet, “Senate Rivals Find Silver Lining in Hull’s Spending,” CST, 17 July 2003, p. 34; “Diversity Committee Hosts Summer Program Reception,” Equal Time (Jenner & Block), Summer 2003, p. 11; Jenner & Block press release, “State Senator Barack Obama Addresses Summer Associates at Annual Diversity Dinner,” 17 July 2003; gubernatorial press release, “Governor Signs Six-Bill Package Addressing Serious Problems in Illinois’ Criminal Justice System,” 17 July 2003; OFI, “Ground-Breaking Obama Criminal Justice Package Signed into Law,” 17 July 2003; Pearson, “Taped Confessions to Be Law,” CT, 17 July 2003; Monica Davey, “Illinois Will Require Taping of Homicide Investigations,” NYT, 17 July 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Jones Credited with Criminal Justice Bill Signing,” CD, 17 July 2003, p. 2; Mike Ramsey, “Taped-Confessions Bill Signed into Law,” SJR, 18 July 2003, p. 1; Kevin Pang, “Long-Distance Service Has a Conservative Ring to It,” CT, 18 July 2003; Joe Ruklick, “Hail Passage of Anti-Crime Bills,” CD, 19 July 2003, p. 1; Chad Anderson, “You Might Be a Candidate for U.S. Senate If,” RRS, 19 July 2003, p. A10; CDH, 20 July 2003, p. I-3; Obama and Fred Tsao, “Seek to Improve Working Conditions for All,” CT, 21 July 2003; CF, 21 July 2003; Eric Zorn, “Radio Host Sees Senate Bid with a Citizen’s Eye,” CT, 22 July 2003; Robert Feder, “Talk Show Hosts Aim for U.S. Senate,” CST, 22 July 2003, p. 47; Todd Spivak, “Obama Passes $1M Mark in Bid for U.S. Senate Seat,” and Obama, “Gov. Okays Obama’s Cutting-Edge Legislation,” HPH, 23 July 2003, pp. 1–2 and 4 (and 30 July 2003, p. 2); Corey Hall, “Gov. Blagojevich Signs Six Criminal Justice Reform Bills,” HPC, 24 July 2003, p. 1; John Cullerton, Kirk Dillard, and Peter G. Baroni, “Capital Punishment Reform in Illinois: A Model for the Nation,” DCBA Brief: Journal of the DuPage County Bar Association, April 2004; Thomas P. Sullivan, “Police Experiences with Recording Custodial Interrogations,” Northwestern University School of Law, Summer 2004, esp. pp. C1–C3; Joe Ruklick, “Fund-Raising Success Gives Obama Momentum,” CD, 26 July 2003, p. 5; Strausberg, “Trotter, Washington Butt Heads Over Obama,” CD, 22 July 2003, p. 3; Hull for Senate press release, 21 July 2003, BlairHull.com; “South Side Congressman Bobby Rush to Chair Blair Hull’s U.S. Senate Campaign,” WBBM Radio, 21 July 2003; Pearson, “Rush Endorses Hull for U.S. Senate,” CT, 22 July 2003; Fornek, “Rush Chairing Hull’s Senate Campaign,” and Steve Neal, “Bobby Rush a Sellout,” CST, 22 July 2003, pp. 15, 25; Spivak, “Rush Snubs Obama, Endorses Hull,” HPH, 23 July 2003, p. 2; Strausberg, “Rush Backing of Blair ‘Divides Rep’s Base,’” CD, 24 July 2003, p. 2; La Risa Lynch, “U.S. Rep. Rush Backs Hull for Senate,” CC, 24 July 2003, p. 1; “Seeking Higher Elected Office,” City Journal, 24 July–7 August 2003, pp. 3–4; Obama Weekly Report, 23–29 July 2003, TWP; Presta, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots, pp. 122–26; DJG interview with Bruce Spiva.

  27. Rick Ridder and Craig Hughes to Mike Henry, “Media Plan,” 22 July 2003, RRP; Dan Shomon e-mail to David Axelrod et al., “Barack’s Meeting with AFSCME on Tuesday, July 22,” 16 July 2003, Jim Cauley e-mail to Axelrod et al., “AFSCME Tomorrow,” Nate Tamarin e-mail to Pete Giangeco et al., “SEIU,” 21 July 2003, “2004: How Obama Wins by the Numbers,” n.d., 9pp., JKP; “Obama for Illinois: Vote Model & Targeting,” n.d., 27pp., TWP; Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, 24 July 2003; DJG interviews with John Cameron, Ray Harris, John Kupper, Pete Giangreco, Terry Walsh, Jim Cauley, and Audra Wilson.

  28. Scott Fornek, “Web Site Draws Few Senate Hopefuls So Far,” CST, 25 July 2003, p. 16; CF, 28 July 2003; John Kupper fax to Deb Schommer, 25 July 2003, JKP; Joe Ruklick, “Obama’s Stand on Issues,” CD, 29 July 2003, p. 6; Peter Savodnik, “Illinois Senate Candidate Compared to Moseley Braun,” TH, 30 July 2003, p. 9; Charla Brautigan, “Democrats Endorse Hynes for U.S. Senate,” JHN, 30 July 2003; Mark Rodeffer, “Hull Takes on Health Care Industry,” NationalJournal.com, 31 July 2003; Fornek, “Senate Hopefuls Vie for Black Vote,” CST, 5 August 2003, p. 8; Rick Pearson, “Rauschenberger Weighs Senate Run,” CT, 5 August 2003; Meg Kinnard, “Hull Vies for Black Vote with Rush Support,” National Journal.com, 6 August 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama: ‘Blacks Too Smart for PR Divide,’” CD, 7 August 2003, p. 4; Rashid Khalidi, “Israel Blocks Path to Peace,” CT, 11 February 2002; Khalidi, “Basic Truths from Both Sides of the Conflict,” CT, 3 April 2002; Isaac Wolf, “Khalidi Accepts Chair Offer from Columbia,” Chicago Maroon, 31 January 2003; Peter Wallsten, “Allies of Palestinians See a Friend in Barack Obama,” LAT, 10 April 2008; Terry Gross, “Which Way the Wind Blows: Bill Ayers on Obama,” Fresh Air, NPR, 18 November 2008; William Ayers, “The
Real Bill Ayers,” NYT, 6 December 2008; “An Interview with Bill Ayers,” The Point #5, Spring 2012; Rachel DeWoskin, “The Sunday Rumpus Interview: Bill Ayers,” TheRumpus.net, 1 December 2013; Presta, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots, pp. 132–34; Steve Metsch, “Beverly Man Writes Book About Obama Campaigns,” SS, 22 March 2010; Scott Lynch-Giddings, “Why Vote for Obama? Because of Who He Is,” 29 October 2012, SLGP; DJG interviews with Scott Lynch-Giddings, Mona Khalidi, Bernardine Dohrn, and Bill Ayers.

  29. Harstad Strategic Research, “Illinois Statewide Democratic Party Survey, 16–22 July 2003,” 34pp., graphical supplement 24pp., Senate Summary, 4pp., 30 July 2003, JKP and PHP; Harstad to Obama for Senate Campaign, “Survey Shows Barack Obama Among Leaders in Democratic Nomination for U.S. Senator in Illinois,” 1 August 2003, PHP; John Kupper daybook entries, August 2003, JKP; Cauley to Obama Team, “The Consultant Meeting Follow-Up,” 7 August 2003, TWP; “Obama Earned Media Plan,” 8 August 2003, JKP; OFI, “Integrated Strategic Plan,” n.d., JCP; Ben Austen, “In the Loop,” Harper’s, June 2010, pp. 29–37; DJG interviews with John Kupper, Pete Giangreco, Terry Walsh, Paul Harstad, Mike Kulisheck, Jim Cauley, Dan Shomon, Claire Serdiuk, Randon Gardley, Nate Tamarin, Audra Wilson, Madhuri Kommareddi, Liz Drew, Tom Hazen, Lauren Kidwell, Pam Smith, and Kevin Watson.

  30. Obama Block Schedule, August 2003, JKP; “Democratic Poll Overview,” IlSenate.com, 10–12 August 2003; Paul Merrion, “In Senate Race, Give a Big Edge to the Officeholders,” CCB, 11 August 2003, p. 9; CDH, 11 August 2003, p. I-3; Anne Marie Apollo, “U.S. Senate Candidate Obama Introduces Himself to Elgin,” ECN, 12 August 2003, p. A1; Todd Spivak, “State Politicians Put Their Fundraising on Cruise Control,” HPH, 13 August 2003, p. 2; Christi Parsons, “Closed-Door Meetings to Be Taped,” CT, 13 August 2003; OFI, “Obama Law Strengthens Open Government in Illinois,” 13 August 2003; Spivak, “Gov. Signs Obama-Currie Bill for Open Meetings,” HPH, 20 August 2003, p. 6; Obama [State Fair] transcript, [13 August 2003], TWP; Frank Avila and Morgan Carter, “Election 2004,” CAN-TV Channel 19, 16–17 August 2003; Obama, transcript of remarks, Evanston, IL, 7 February 2004, JKP and TPP; CF, 14 and 15 August 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Starks, Jesse, Obama Say Recall Vote ‘Orchestrated,’” CD, 16 August 2003, p. 2; Bernard Schoenburg, “Senate Race Poll,” SJR, 17 August 2003, p. 17; Angela Rozas and Joshua Howes, “2 Juries Dubious over Confession Tapes’ Merits,” CT, 17 August 2003; Bruce DuMont, Beyond the Beltway, 17 August 2003, MBC; Ben Joravsky, “When Obama Needed Public Access TV to Reach Voters,” CR, 14 January 2014; DJG interviews with Steve Preckwinkle, Margaret Blackshere, Jim Cauley, Audra Wilson, Randon Gardley, Jesse Jackson Jr., Juleigh Nowinski, and Tarak Shah.

  31. Steve Neal, “New Poll Shows Obama Gaining Among Dems in Senate Race,” CST, 18 August 2003, p. 41; “Democratic Poll Overview,” IlSenate.com, 14–20 August 2003; Paul Simon to Obama, 18 August 2003, PSP; Obama Block Schedule, August 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly Report, 19 August 2003, TWP; Todd Spivak, “HP Pols Blast Veto Against Death Penalty Reform Bill,” HPH, 20 August 2003, p. 7; Neal, “Favorite Sons Call in Big Guns in High-Priced Race for Senate,” CST, 20 August 2003, p. 53; Ray Long and John Chase, “State Acts to Bar Future E2s,” CT, 20 August 2003; John Kupper to Obama Team, “Free Press Hits,” 22 August 2003, Kupper notes, “Obama 8/25,” 25 August 2003, Rachel Dahan e-mail to Nate Tamarin, “IWHC’s 2003 Legislative Voting Report Card—Obama 100%,” 25 August 2003, JKP; Todd Spivak, “Bobby Rush Explains Endorsement of Hull,” HPH, 27 August 2003, pp. 12–13; Chinta Strausberg, “Davis, Obama: Bush’s $500 Billion Runaway Deficit Train Wrecking Economy,” CD, 27 August 2003, p. 3; Kate Clements, “Low-Income Families Will Benefit from Laws,” CNG, 27 August 2003; Strausberg, “Jones to Blagojevich: ‘We Will Override Veto,’” CD, 28 August 2003, p. 3; “WomanView: Blagojevich Signs Two Bills Promoting Women’s Economic Security,” National Center on Poverty Law, 29 August 2003; Mary Massingale, “State Alters Earned Income Tax Credit,” SJR, 6 September 2003, p. 17; CF, 11, 16, and 18 September 2003; Emily M. Shaules, “New Illinois Law Protects Victims of Domestic Violence,” The Brief, February 2004; Julie A. Iotrowski-Govreau, “The Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act of 2003: A Comparative Analysis,” ISBA, May 2005; DJG interviews with Wendy Pollack, Jeremiah Posedel, Jeff Stauter, Scott Turow, Jan Schakowsky, Bob Creamer, Alan Solow, John Cameron, and William McNary. On Rezko, also see Thomas A. Corfman, “Giant South Side Project Planned,” CT, 31 July 2003, and David Roeder and Fran Spielman, “Up to 5,000 Residential Units in Plans for Near S. Side Development,” CST, 31 July 2003, p. 55.

  32. CF, 13 August 2003; Kennedy Communications to Hull Campaign, “Top Hull Negatives,” n.d., RRP; “Affidavit of Brenda Sexton Hull,” Hull v. Hull, #35363, Cook County Circuit Court, 12 March 1998, 7pp., JKP and TWP; Terry Armour, “Sexton Appointed,” CT, 8 April 2003; Armour, “Sexton Stands By Her Business Background,” CT, 9 April 2003; Rick Ridder e-mail to Mark Blumenthal and Blumenthal e-mail to Ridder, 5:44 P.M. and 11:08 P.M., 10 September 2003, MBP; Jason Horowitz, “Newly Out in Front for White House,” WP, 15 October 2009; Blumenthal in Remnick, The Bridge, p. 372; DJG interviews with Alan Reger, Mo Elleithee, David Spiegel, Rick Ridder, Joanie Braden, Anita Dunn, Mark Blumenthal, Mike Henry, Blair Hull, Fred Lebed, Kitty Kurth, and Don Wiener.

  33. Obama Block Schedule, September 2003, JKP; Deidre Cox Baker, “Activists, Candidates Decry Weak National Economy,” QCT, 1 September 2003; Steve Neal, “Dems Scuffle for AFL-CIO Backing,” CST, 1 September 2003, p. 21; CF, 11 and 28 August and 2 September 2003; OFI, “Obama Offers Strong Steps to Honor Labor by Protecting Worker Pensions,” 2 September 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Seeks to Protect Pensions,” CD, 4 September 2003, p. 5; Terry Walsh e-mail to Jim Cauley et al., “Pension Redux,” 5 September 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly Report, 8–14 September 2003, TWP; Thomas Roeser, “Rauschenberger’s Gambit,” CST, 6 September 2003, p. 12; Scott Fornek, “Poshard Never Heard of Downstater,” CST, 4 June 2003, p. 12; Obama YouTube Clip with Danny Davis, 1:30, 7 September 2003; Chicago Video Project, “Introducing Barack Obama,” 5:18, 2003; Laura Washington, “If He Can Turn Out His Black Base and Build a Coalition,” CST, 8 September 2003, p. 39; Mark Samuels, “Senate Candidate Should Be Judged on Ideas, Not Ethnicity,” MJG and CTC, 8 September 2003; Lauren W. Whittington, “Populist Pappas,” RC, 10 September 2003; Neal, “Obama, Daley Would Make Formidable Political Team,” CST, 12 September 2003, p. 45; Washington, “Uproar Over Top Cop,” CST, 15 September 2003, p. 41; Samuels, “Obama Works to Overcome Name Confusion,” MJG and CTC, 15 September 2003; Rich Miller, “Illinois Comptroller Leads the Democratic Field for Senate,” RCR, MD, and IT, 16, 17, and 18 September 2003; Obama, “Legislation Would Protect Worker Pensions,” HPH, 17 September 2003, p. 4; Bernard Schoenburg, “Rauschenberger Not Shy in Commenting About Foes,” SJR, 28 September 2003, p. 15 (Obama “is certainly brilliant and a great speaker”); Lynn Sweet, “Running to the Right,” II, January 2004; Obama on The Leonard Lopate Show, NPR, 22 November 2004; Michael Weisskopf, “Obama: How He Learned to Win,” Time, 8 May 2008; DJG interviews with Emil Jones Jr., Dave Gross, Margaret Blackshere, Steve Rauschenberger, Linda Mills, Claire Eberle, and Laura Washington.

  34. Paul Merrion, “Obama’s Appeal Drives Cash Flow,” CCB, 15 September 2003, p. 3; Dan Shomon e-mail to Kupper, “Illinois NOW Questionnaire,” 25 August 2003, “Final Draft, Illinois NOW Questionnaire for Senator Barack Obama,” 3 September 2003, Raja Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Obama and Obama to Krishnamoorthi, “UAW and NOW Questionnaires,” 6 and 7 September 2003, Fredrick Vars e-mail to Krishnamoorthi and Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Kupper, “Repro Rights,” 8 September 2003, JKP; OFI, “Illinois NOW Questionnaire for Senator Barack Obama,” 10 September 2003, pp. 2–4; OFI, “Obama Releases Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen Homeland Security,” 10 September 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama’s Security Plan Aims to Stop Terrorists,” CD, 11 September 2003, p. 3.