Illinois Election 2010: Dem State Rep Candidates Denis Ahern, Michelle Mussman Tag-Team against House Speaker Michael Madigan

(Chicago, IL) — August 25, 2010. Aiming to claw their way into the job of an Illinois State Representative, Democratic state representative candidates–one from western Illinois and one from Chicago’s suburbs–are looking to either push Democratic House Speaker Michael Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) out of his or complicate it.

Welcome to the Democratic Party–the home of fair weather political friends.

Moline Democrat Denis Ahern, seeking the House seat being vacated by Michael Boland, yesterday said that were he to win that would vote against fellow Democrat Madigan for the post of House Speaker, and, instead, cast his ballot for freshman lawmaker for the top House job, according to the Quad City Times.

“If I am fortunate enough to win on November 2nd, my first vote will be for a new Speaker of the House of Representatives.  This vote will not be for the current Speaker.  My vote will go to a non-incumbent, a freshman,” said Ahern in a rambling press release.

The conservative Ahern who fashions himself as “1960s Democrat”–which means Southern “Dixiecrat”–versus a “2010 Democrat”–which means Barack Obama–neglected to note in his breezy announcement that Madigan has contributed more than $20,000 to his campaign–$10,000 before the primary election and $10,000 after. Still, Ahern wants more dough from Madigan. Huh?

Ah friends, Democratic style.

But at least Ahern will have a friend in Michelle Mussman, 37, Schaumburg.

Last week, in an interview with the Daily Herald, Mussman declared that as part of a solution to the $13 billion Illinois budget deficit is to “stand up to” Madigan. Well, of course. With “standing up to Madigan” as fiscal strategy, that pesky deficit will just melt away.

With Mussman, Ahern has got a gal pal for Speaker.