The Civic Report

Mark Kirk

Alexi Giannoulias

Cheryle Jackson

2010 U.S. Senate Race

Republican Mark Kirk edges out Democrats Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Jackson for the lead in the race for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat, a new Rasmussen poll finds.

On the Kirk-Giannoulias match-up, here is the question and the results:

In thinking about the 2010 Election for the United States Senate, suppose you had a choice between Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. If the election were held today would you vote for Republican Mark Kirk or Democrat Alexi Giannoulias?

41% Kirk

38% Giannoulias

4% Some other candidate

17% Not sure

Kirk bested Jackson 47 percent to 30 percent, with 6 percent saying some other candidate and 17 percent not sure.

Noteworthy tidbit: In each case, you’ll notice, 17 percent of respondents weren’t sure. Expect that to change as the race proceeds.

Stakes: Kirk is seeking to break the stranglehold Democrats have on statewide offices in Illinois. Many political observers consider him the Republicans’ best shot.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Dick Durbin, the senior U.S. senator from Illinois, has decided against holding any townhall meetings to discuss the president’s health care plan.

Health care townhalls across the country have been disastrous for Democrats, marked with frustration and no small amount of vitriol.

Rather than risk a shouting fest, Durbin says he will hold private meetings across the state.

Juicy quote: He won’t be doing what he calls “sucker-punch town hall meetings” that he says have attracted “political theater,” CBS2 Chicago reports.

Related: Aspiring senator Mark Kirk held a private townhall meeting in Naperville Wednesday along with fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert. No one shouted at that meeting.

Reporting quirk: The Plainfield Sun reported that one audience member asked Kirk and Biggert this tough question:

I’ve set up companies in Canada, England and in the U.S., and I can tell you that unless my spouse works for a big company with health care, I can’t think about opening a business,” Kirk was told. “Why should I be responsible for my employees’ health care when a society should take care of that?”

The reporter did not include Kirk or Biggert’s response.

Watch a recent townhall in Tampa:

Feel like going to a townhall? CBS2 Chicago lists these upcoming meetings:

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) is planning health care town halls for 9 a.m. on Aug. 22 at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St., and at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Second Baptist Church of Maywood, at 36 S. 13th Ave. in Maywood.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has a town hall set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Niles West High School Auditorium, at 5701 Oakton St. in Skokie.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) has scheduled a town hall meeting for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, 11249 S. Halsted St.

U.S. Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson

Chicago Urban League president Cheryle Jackson wants Barack Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat.

Although politically untested, Jackson has name recognition, especially in Chicago. She will face a field that includes fellow Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk.

The Associated Press makes special note that Jackson is African American.

Her entry into the race makes her the best-known black candidate to seek the seat that has been held by three of the nation’s four black senators in modern times. The Senate’s only black member – Roland Burris – currently holds it.

Blago baggage: Jackson served as Rod Blagojevich’s spokeswoman in his first term.

Strategy talk: Rival Alexi Giannoulias told Chicago Public Radio Tuesday he wouldn’t attack Jackson for her Blagojevich ties — for now.

Jackson quote: The Chicago Sun-Times, reporting on Jackson’s entry into the race, leads with this quote from her:

“I want to focus on the economy, jobs, I know a little something about that, helping to create jobs, supporting entrepreneurs to create jobs, connecting people to jobs, preparing and training people for jobs,” Jackson said.

What is the Urban League? An organization dedicated to economically empowering African Americans.

Jeremy Rose, president of the Chicago Young Republicans

Jeremy Rose, president of the Chicago Young Republicans and campaign adviser to gubernatorial candidate Matt Murphy, gives his take on Lisa Madigan, Mark Kirk, Kirk Dillard and Alexi Giannoulias.

Rose offers an insider’s look at the jockeying and political calculations being made within the Illinois Republican Party and which office the party thinks it has the best shot at winning.

Hint: It rhymes with U.S. Tennant.

Listen:

Rose 1 Lisa Madigan’s big decision (4:22)

Rose 2 New faces and old faces in the party (3:48)

Rose 3 The governor’s race (4:34)

Rose 4 The importance of fund-raising (3:16)

Rose 5 Republicans and Chicago politics (4:34)

Rose 6 Looking ahead (2:47)