Rising Star

by David Garrow

  CHAPTER NINE: CALCULATION, COINCIDENCE, CORONATION

  1. Edward B. Chez, Hull for Senate, to Secretary of the Senate, 21 January 2003, FEC; “Big Spender Triggers Higher Donation Limits,” CST, 1 February 2003, p. 4; Lauren W. Whittington, “Millionaires on Notice,” RC, 3 February 2003; Rick Pearson and Ray Gibson, “Campaign Fund Law Has Giant Loophole,” CT, 5 February 2003; Jennifer A. Steen, “Self-Financed Candidates and the ‘Millionaires’ Amendment,’” in Michael J. Malbin, ed., Election After Reform: Money, Politics, and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), pp. 204–18; Obama, TAOH, p. 5; Senate Floor Transcript, 22 January 2003, p. 1 (Obama introducing SB 59); Robert Themer, “U.S. Senate Hopeful: Rural Strategy May Grow in Pembroke,” KDJ, 28 January 2003; Whet Moser, “The Ongoing Poverty of Pembroke, Illinois,” CM, 21 September 2011; “Topics to Discuss at Axelrod Meeting, January 27, 2003, 3:45PM,” Shomon e-mail to Kupper, 27 January 2003, “Barack 1-27,” John Kupper conference call notes, JKP; Andrew Gruber e-mail to Shomon and Raja Krishnamoorthi, “Obama Corporate Tax Breaks—Summary Memo,” 23 January 2003, Gruber e-mail to Joe Seliga et al., “Obama,” 27 January 2003, Gruber e-mail to Krishnamoorthi and Shomon, “Obama Corporate Tax Breaks,” 30 January 2003, AGP; Shomon e-mail to Kupper, “Press Release on FEC Report,” 28 January 2003, Obama e-mail to Shomon, “Re: Press Release on FEC Report,” 29 January 2003, JKP; OFI, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 July–31 December 2002, 29 January 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 29 January 2003, pp. 3–4 (Obama introducing SBs 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, and 131); “Fully Implement FamilyCare Budget Initiative for FY04,” NCPL, 5 February 2003; Obama in Ken Silverstein, “Barack Obama Inc.: The Birth of a Washington Machine,” Harper’s, November 2006, pp. 31–40; Martin Dupuis and Keith Boeckelman, Barack Obama, the New Face of America (Praeger, 2009), pp. 46–48; DJG interviews with Michael Dorf, Claire Serdiuk, Kelly Dietrich, Dan Shomon, John Kupper, Paul Harstad, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andrew Gruber, Joe Seliga, and Bill Fuhry.

  2. “Obama for U.S. Senate Strategic Plan,” n.d., 9pp., JKP, and a subsequent, updated but highly similar 8pp. version, TWP; Kupper Campaign Expenditure Projections, n.d., ca. January 2003, JKP; Chinta Strausberg, “Activists Say No to Joyce Washington,” CD, 29 January 2003, p. 3.

  3. CF, 23, 24, 27, and 28 January and 4, 5, 7, and 14 February 2003; JCAR Minutes, 4 February 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 5 February 2003, p. 5 (Obama introducing SBs 263 and 264); Lynn Sweet, “Fitzgerald Needs to Shed Cloak,” CST, 6 February 2003, p. 37; Matthew Kameny, “Democrats Support Taped Interrogation,” BP, 6 February 2003, p. 3; Shomon e-mail to Kupper et al., “Monday’s Strategy Conference Call,” 10 February 2003, OFI, “Obama to Hold State Hearings on ‘Dangerous’ Bush Medicaid Plan,” 11 February 2003, Press Conference Transcript, 11 February 2003, JKP; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama: ‘Medicaid Cuts Will Kill Hospitals,’” CD, 12 February 2003, p. 3; Steve Neal, “Fitzgerald’s Fading Fast,” CST, 12 February 2003, p. 45; Shomon e-mail to Paul Harstad et al., “Conference Call on Obama Issues Committee,” 13 February 2003, JKP; Andrew Gruber e-mail to Raja Krishnamoorthi et al., “Obama Bill,” 14 February 2003, AGP; Christopher Wills, “Obama Record Shows a Liberal Open to Compromise,” AP, 25 June 2008; Steven Thomma, “Obama an Effective Mediator in Illinois Senate,” KRDC, 27 March 2008; DJG interviews with Rob Scott, Greg Sullivan, Jim Dodge, Matt Jones, Bill Haine, Kathy Saltmarsh, John Cullerton, Paul Williams, Chuck Hurley, Dan Shomon, and John Kupper.

  4. Lynn Sweet, “Vallas Backing Chico for Senate,” CST, 13 February 2003, p. 33; “Hynes Readies for Senate Race,” CT, 13 February 2003; “Democrat Announces Bid for Fitzgerald Seat,” CT, 14 February 2003; OFI, “Obama Pushes for Renewal of Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit,” 16 February 2003, JKP; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Unveils New Tax Credit Bill,” CD, 17 February 2003, p. 3; Beth Sneller, “DuPage Democats Turn Attention to Beating Fitzgerald,” CDH, 17 February 2003, p. 1; H. Gregory Meyer and Sean D. Hamill, “4 Democrats Take Aim at GOP, Bush Stances,” CT, 17 February 2003; Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Cynthia Miller et al., Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Andrew Gruber et al., “Obama Issues Committee,” 18 February 2003, AGP; Jeremiah Posedel e-mail, “Meet & Greet—Blair Hull,” 18 February 2003, JKP; Senate Floor Transcript, 18 February 2003, p. 14 (Obama introducing SB 552); Obama Block Schedule, 18–28 February 2003, JKP; Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Miller, “Pls. Forward to Issues Committee,” 21 February 2003, AGP; Tom Waldron, “Supporting Working Families When State Coffers Are Empty: Lessons from Illinois’ Successful Campaign for a Better EITC,” Hatcher Group, November 2003, pp. 3–4; DJG interviews with John Bouman, Sean Noble, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andrew Gruber, Joe Seliga, Dino Christenson, and Matt Piers.

  5. CF, 19, 20, and 21 February 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 19 February 2003, pp. 2, 18–32 (Obama introducing SBs 777, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 890, 891, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 994, 995, and 997, and SR 43); Andrew Gruber e-mail to Obama, “Obama Bill,” 19 February 2003, AGP; Mary Massingale, “Democrats Pushing Plan to Cut Drug Prices,” SJR, 20 February 2003, p. 1; Jodi Wilgoren, “Jesse Jackson, a Club Owner and Lasting Ties,” NYT, 20 February 2003; “Devine’s Intervention,” CT, 20 February 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 20 February 2003, passim (Obama introducing fifty-five bills: SBs 1183, 1407–30, 1432–33, 1437, 1493 (altered March 5), 1524, 1554–58, 1582–88, and 1618–22); Eric Zorn, “Numbers Add Up to Suffering and Heartbreak,” CT, 22 February 2003; Mary Schmich, “Tragedy Pulls Racial Divisions into Spotlight,” CT, 23 February 2003; Sean D. Hamill, “Nightclub Safety Laws Mapped by Legislator,” CT, 27 February 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama, Club Owners Push Anti-Panic Bill,” CD, 27 February 2003, p. 5; Senate Floor Transcript, 27 February 2003, p. 6; “Obama Weighs In on E2,” HPH, 5 March 2003, p. 6; Andrew Gruber e-mail to David Adams et al., “Obama Corporate Tax Breaks,” 12 March 2003, AGP; DJG interview with Steve Derks.

  6. Lauren W. Whittington, “Illinois Black Turnout Key,” RC, 24 February 2003; CF, 25 and 28 February 2003; Dan Shomon e-mail to Terry Walsh et al., “Obama Strategy Conference Call,” 25 February 2003, JKP; Senate Floor Transcript, 26 February 2003, p. 2 (Obama introducing SJRs 16 and 22); Kirk Erickson, “Poll: Few Voters Back Fitzgerald,” BP, 28 February 2003; Bennett, Petts & Blumenthal, “Recap of Surveys of Illinois Democratic Voters,” 4 May 2004, MBP; DJG interview with Mark Blumenthal.

  7. Greg Hinz, “Deals Cloud Ill. Housing Agency Bid,” CCB, 24 February 2003, p. 3; CF, 24, 26, and 27 February and 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, and 21 March 2003; “Stroger Hospital Doctor Named to Top Health Post,” CT, 26 March 2003; Lindsey Tanner, “Bleak Public Health Scene Confront’s New Chief’s Idealism,” AP, 10 April 2003; Stephanie Zimmerman, “The Advocate Is In,” II, June 2003; Sarah A. Klein, “Eric E. Whitaker,” CCB, 3 November 2003; Scott T. Shepherd, “The Politics of Health,” The New Physician, March 2004; “Complete Transcript of the Sun-Times Interview with Barack Obama,” 14 March 2008; Obama Block Schedule, 1–7 March 2003, JKP; UCLS Course Evaluations, Voting Rights, Winter 2003; “Bill Would Block Tech Investments,” CCB, 1 March 2003; The May Report, 3, 5, and 14 March 2003; John O’Connor, “Obama Challenges Opponents to Speak Out on War,” AP, 3 March 2003; OFI, “Planning Timeline” (2 versions), n.d., 3pp., JKP; John J. Koenigsknecht, “Homeland Security,” 25 February 2003, 7pp., Andrew Gruber e-mail to Raja Krishnamoorthi, “Issue Paper: Bush’s Tax Plan,” 28 February 2003, Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Gruber, “Tax Cuts,” 2 March 2003, Krishnamoorthi e-mail to Issues Committee, “Sample Paper,” 3 March 2003, AGP; Korecki, Only in Chicago, p. 160; DJG interviews with John Kupper, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andrew Gruber, Josh Pemstein, H. Ron Davidson, and Beth DeLisle.

  8. “Will the Senate Seek Justice?,” CT, 4 March 2003; Christopher Wills, “Senate Committee Approves Death Penalty Safeguards, Taping Requirement,” AP, 4 March 2003; Ray Long and Christi Parsons, “Senate Begins Assault on Crime,” CT, 5 March 2003; Anne Marie Tavella, “Taping Murder Interrogations Wins Early Senate Support,�
�� CDH, 5 March 2003, p. 11; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama’s Anti-Racial Bill Passes Panel,” CD, 5 March 2003, p. 3; “Death Penalty Bill Headed for Senate Vote,” CDLB, 5 March 2003, pp. 1, 24; Adriana Colindres, “Death Penalty Reforms Advance to Senate,” and “Bill Targeting Racial Profiling OK’d by Committee,” SJ-R, 5 March 2003, pp. 9, 15; Matthew Kemeny, “Death-Penalty Reforms Win Panel’s Support,” BP, 5 March 2003, p. A4; Dan Campana, “Taping Murder Suspects Gains Support in County,” DDC, 13 March 2003; Steve Neal, “Obama a Worthy Heir to Washington Legacy,” CST, 5 March 2003, p. 55; Neal, “Hynes Could Defeat a Weakened Fitzgerald,” CST, 12 March 2003, p. 49; Senate Floor Transcript, 5 March 2003, pp. 25–26 (Obama colloquy with Peter Roskam); CF, 6 March 2003, p. 2 (detailing the controversy); Kristy Hessman, “Senate Committee OKs Public Funding of Supreme Court Campaigns,” AP, 5 March 2003 (approval of Barack’s SB 1415); Paul Davis, “Barack Obama Seeks to Shape National Debate for Illinois,” N’Digo, 6–12 March 2003, pp. 6, 18; Michael C. Dorf to FEC, 20 August 2003, FEC; Mendell, Obama, p. 182; DJG interviews with Dan Shomon, Chris Sautter, Cynthia Miller, Will Burns, Kevin Thompson, Beverly Helm-Renfro, John Eason, Claire Serdiuk, Paul Harstad, John Kupper, Forrest Claypool, Joe McLean, Michael Dorf, Katrina Emmons Mulligan, Randon Gardley, Andrew Boron, Terry Walsh, and Pete Giangreco.

  9. CF, 6, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20 March 2003; John Patterson, “Why Local Leaders May Need to Record Closed-Door Talks,” CDH, 7 March 2003, p. 8; Obama Block Schedule, 8–31 March 2003, JKP; OFI, “Obama Says $1.35 Minimum Wage Increase Will Help Families,” 9 March 2003, OFI; Chinta Strausberg, “Blacks, Whites Unite in Anti-War Efforts,” CD, 10 March 2003, p. 3; CF, 11 and 12 March 2003; JCAR Minutes, 11 March 2003; “Blagojevich Delivers His First State of the State Address,” C-WR 18 #5, 14 April 2003 (12 March); Senate Committee Action Report, Health and Human Services, 12 March 2003 (SB 1082); Brock Willeford, “Senate Republican Staff Analysis,” SB 1082, 13 March 2003; Kristy Hessman, “Lawmakers Approve Abortion-Friendly Legislation,” AP, 13 March 2003; Ray Long and Kate McCann, “Club Safety Bill Heads to Senate,” CT, 13 March 2003; “Leave This Legal Reform Alone,” CT, 14 March 2003; OFI, “Obama Bill to Stop Racial Profiling in Illinois Passes Senate for First Time,” 15 March 2003; Andrew Binion, “Former Army Scout Loves His Role as NRA Lobbyist in Springfield,” SI, 4 May 2003; Terence P. Jeffrey, “More on Obama and Babies Born Alive,” Human Events, 16 January 2008; Larry Rohter, “Obama’s 2003 Stand on Abortion Draws New Criticism in 2008,” NYT, 20 August 2008; Jess Honig, “Obama and ‘Infanticide,’” Factcheck.org, 25 August 2008; Trotter in David Nather, “Obama’s Quick Rise on a Non-Traditional Career Path,” CQ Weekly, 21 August 2008, and on PBS Newshour, 25 September 2008; Rickey Hendon, White Enough/Black Enough, pp. 37–38; Hendon’s 2010 interview with Peter Slen; Beverly Helm-Renfro’s 2012 interview with Mark DePue, esp. pp. 55, 58, 61, 65; Christopher Wills, “Clues to How Obama Would Play His Hand as President Can Be Found in Poker Style,” AP, 24 September 2007; Peter Hitchens, “The Black Kennedy: But Does Anyone Know the Real Barack Obama?,” Daily Mail, 2 February 2008; Will Englund, “When Is Obama Bluffing?,” NJ, 5 December 2009; DJG interviews with Howard Peters, Bill Perkins, Dale Righter, Jo Johnson, Pam Sutherland, Beverly Helm-Renfro, Todd Vandermyde, Richard Pearson, Nia Odeoti-Hassan, Debbie Lounsberry, Glenn Hodas, Christine Radogno, Steve Preckwinkle, Frank Clark, Tristé Lieteau Smith, Mattie Hunter, Jeff Schoenberg, Iris Martinez, Jill Rock, Jim Dodge, Emil Jones Jr., Donne Trotter, Kim Lightford, Jacqueline Collins, Martin Sandoval, Bobby Molaro, Denny Jacobs, Ed Maloney, Dave Luechtefeld, Terry Link, Larry Walsh, Bill Brady, Mike Lieteau, Boro Reljic, Dave Manning, Phil Lackman, and Pete Baroni.

  10. “DL21C’s March 2003 Second Thursday Event” and “Candidates Greet 2nd Thursday Crowds,” DL21C-Chicago.org; Senate Floor Transcript, 19 March 2003, pp. 1 (Obama introduces SR 89) and 6 (Senate passage of Obama’s SB 59); OFI, “Obama Challenges Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates to Stand Up, Speak Out and Oppose Iraq War,” 15 March 2003; Jim Ritter, “Anti-War Rally Here Draws Thousands,” CST, 17 March 2003, p. 3; H. Gregory Meyer and Grace Aduroja, “Demonstrators Say No to War,” CT, 17 March 2003; Megan Reichgott, “Some Illinoisans Cheer, Others Protest U.S. Attack on Iraq,” AP, 20 March 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 20 March 2003, pp. 56–58, 106–12, 197–200, 204–5, 219–24; Rich Frederick, “Ephedra Bill Passed by Senate,” SJR, 21 March 2003, p. 21; “State Sen. Obama to Speak at Evans Reception,” CDLB, 21 March 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Uninsured Black Patients Gouged: SEIU Study,” CD, 22 March 2003, p. 20; Matthew Kemeny, “Three Democrats Hope to Unseat Fitzgerald,” BP, 23 March 2003, p. B3; Tammie Leigh Brown, “Democrats Meet with Community Saturday,” MJ, 24 March 2003; Todd Spivak, “E2 Tragedy Prompts New State, City Safety Laws,” HPH, 9 April 2003, p. 6; Jan Dennis, “Son’s Death Spurs Crusade Against Herbal Stimulant,” AP, 25 April 2003; DJG interview with Jeremiah Posedel. On James Meeks, see Monica Davey, “At the Crossroads: A Neighborhood, a Church and a Pastor,” CT, 6 April 1999, Greg Hinz, “State Senator, TV Host and Megachurch Pastor,” CCB, 4 July 2005, p. 2, and Mick Dumke, “The Church of Clout,” CR, 25 January 2007.

  11. Senate Floor Transcript, 24 March 2003, pp. 77–89, esp. 87; Chris Wetterich, “Senate Votes to Allow Needle Purchases,” CST, 25 March 2003, p. 19; OFI, “Obama: Governor’s Budget Protects Crucial Services,” 25 March 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 25 March 2003, pp. 69–71 (SB 4) and 77–84 (SB 130); Senate Floor Transcript, 26 March 2003, pp. 86–90 (SB 125), 90–93 (SB 130), and 187–97 (SB 1415); AP, “Senate Approves Public Funding of Supreme Court Campaigns,” 26 March 2003; Jermain Griffin, “Senate Approves Public Funding for High Court Campaigns,” CDLB, 27 March 2003, pp. 1, 24; CF, 27, 28, and 31 March 2003; Newsnight, CNN, 28 March 2003; Tim Jones, “Poll: 66% of Blacks Oppose War,” CT, 29 March 2003; Christopher Wills, “Civil Rights Activists Seizing Opportunity Under Democrats,” AP, 30 March 2003; Obama Block Schedule, 8–31 March 2003 and April 2003, JKP; E. J. Kessler, “Campaign Confidential,” JDF, 4 April 2003; Todd Spivak, “Controversial Obama Bill Would ‘Open Government,’” HPH, 2 April 2003, p. 3; Steve Neal, “Pappas Nears Hynes, But It’s Still Early,” CST, 2 April 2003, p. 53; DJG interview with Nathan Diament.

  12. Senate Floor Transcript, 3 April 2003, pp. 16–18 (SB 15), 21–23 (SB 30), and pp. 23–34 (SB 50); Christopher Wills, “Senate Approves Broad Overhaul of Death Penalty System,” AP, 3 April 2003; Anne Marie Tavella, “Profiling, Taping Plans Pass Senate,” CDH, 4 April 2003, p. 17; Christi Parsons and Kate McCann, “Senate OKs Death Penalty Bills,” CT, 4 April 2003; CF, 4 April 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 4 April 2003, pp. 18–33 (SB 1035) and pp. 126–29 (Obama and Steve Rauschenberger colloquy on SB 1414); Chinta Strausberg, “Senator Obama’s Racial Profiling, Videotaping Bills Clear Senate,” CD, 5 April 2003, p. 4; “A Remarkable Week for Justice,” CT, 7 April 2003; Christopher Wills, “Obama Cites Death Penalty Reforms,” AP, 12 November 2007; Kevin McDermott, “In Illinois, Obama Made Waves from the Start,” SLPD, 10 December 2007; Obama, remarks on Trayvon Martin, 19 July 2013, Washington, D.C.; DJG interviews with Greg Sullivan, Matt Jones, Jim Covington, Kathy Saltmash, Pete Baroni, Bill Haine, Jim Dodge, Ed Petka, Dan Cronin, Don Harmon, Mark Donohue, Jim Finley, Steve Drizin, Lawrence Marshall, David Starrett, and Jacqueline Collins.

  13. Obama Block Schedule, April 2003, JKP; OFI, “Join Senator Barack Obama for a Community Discussion,” 6 April 2003; John Kupper conference call notes, “Obama,” 7 April [2003], JKP; JCAR Minutes, 8 April 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 8 April 2003, pp. 15–20 (SB 1586), 134–35 (SB 1414), 136–37 (SB 1417); AP, “Senate Approves Taping of Closed Meetings,” 8 April 2003; “In Springfield,” CDLB, 9 April 2003, p. 3; CF, 9, 10, and 11 April 2003; “Sen. Obama’s Minimum Wage Bill [sic] Passes Illinois Senate,” CD, 9 April 2003, p. 8 (SB 600, sponsored by Kim Lightford and seven additional senators, not including Obama); Mickey Ciokajlo, “Calling Cards Eyed for County Inmates,” CT, 10 April 2003; Bruce Japsen, “Illinois May Demand Report
Cards from Hospitals,” CT, 13 April 2003; Obama Weekly News, 13–17 April 2003, TWP; Cleve Mesidor e-mail to John Kupper, 15 April 2003, JKP; Jeremiah Wright, “Confusing God and Government,” 13 April 2003, www.blackpast.org/2008-rev-jeremiah-wright-confusing-god-and-government; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama to Bush: ‘Fix Up U.S. Budget First,’” CD, 15 April 2003, p. 3; “Governor Sets Stage for Budget Dance,” C-WR 18 #6, 17 April 2003; “Democratic State Senator Visits CMS,” Chicago Medicine, May 2003, p. 11 (“early April”); “FY 2004 Budget Review,” C-WR 18 #8, 8 September 2003; Baim, Obama and the Gays, pp. 15, 521, 538; Gayle Kaiser, “Up Close with Obama,” The Paper [Galesburg], 12 January 2005, pp. 1, 3; Brian Ross and Rehab El-Buri, “Obama’s Pastor,” ABC News, 13 March 2008; Roland S. Martin, “The Full Story Behind Wright’s ‘God Damn America’ Sermon,” CNN.com, 21 March 2008; Audra Wilson, “Witnessing History from the Very Beginning,” Chicago Reporter, 25 December 2008; Claire Bushey, “How Blagojevich Go-Between Built Surgery Center Business,” CCB, 8 June 2013; Marc Solomon, Winning Marriage (ForeEdge, 2014), pp. 268–69; DJG interviews with Kevin Thompson, Jeremiah Posedel, Jim Collins, Audra Wilson, John Bouman, Nate Tamarin, Andrew Boron, Pete Giangreco, Terry Walsh, Dan Shomon, and Peter Coffey.