Rising Star

by David Garrow

  14. Dan Shomon e-mail to John Kupper et al., “Draft Weekly Report for Week 2,” 13 April 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly News, 13–17 April 2003, TWP; OFI, FEC Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 January–31 March 2003, 14 April 2003; OFI, “Obama U.S. Senate Campaign Raises Half-Million,” 15 April 2003; Dennis Conrad, “Illinois Democrats Busy Raising Money for U.S. Senate Race,” AP, 16 April 2003; “New Digs,” HPH, 16 April 2003, p. 4; Peter Savodnik, “Democrats See Big Opportunity in Open Illinois Senate Race,” TH, 7 May 2003; Dupuis and Boeckelman, Barack Obama, p. 48; Lawrence A. Horwich, Barack H. and Michelle L. Obama, 2002 Form 1040, 24 March 2003; OFI, “Campaign Prospectus,” n.d. [ca. soon after 16 April 2003], TWP; Bob Secter, “For Obama, Charity Really Began in the U.S. Senate,” CT, 25 April 2007; Dorothy A. Brown, “Lessons from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Tax Returns,” Tax Notes, 10 March 2014, pp. 1109–13; Steven R. Strahler, “Lou Holland . . . Dies at 74,” CCB, 29 February 2016.

  15. “2004 Campaign Polling: Illinois Senate,” NationalJournal.com, 8–11 April 2003; CF, 14, 15, and 16 April 2003; Rick Pearson, “Fitzgerald Not Going to Pursue Re-Election,” CT, 15 April 2003; Lynn Sweet, “Fitzgerald Quits Race,” CST, 15 April 2003, p. 1; Jodi Wilgoren, “Illinois Senator Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election,” NYT, 16 April 2003; Nick Anderson, “GOP’s Fitzgerald Won’t Try to Retain Senate Seat,” LAT, 16 April 2003; Pearson and Ray Long, “Edgar Leads GOP’s List to Replace Fitzgerald,” CT, 16 April 2003; Sweet, “Doubts Force Fitzgerald Out,” Scott Fornek and Dave McKinney, “White House Choice Is Edgar, but Field Could Get Crowded,” and Steve Neal, “Writing Was on the Wall After Latest Fitzgerald Polls,” CST, 16 April 2003, pp. 9, 55; Peter Savodnik, “Fitzgerald Bows Out,” TH, 16 April 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Fitzgerald’s Backing Out Pushes Obama in Front,” and “An Enlightened Health Care Policy,” CD, 16 April 2003, pp. 3, 9; Mike Ramsey, “Fitzgerald Won’t Run Again for Senator,” SJR, 16 April 2003, p. 1; Sweet, “Edgar Watch Puts Poll on Hold,” CST, 17 April 2003, p. 33; Corey Hall, “Union Accuses Hospitals of Price-Gouging Poor and Minorities,” HPC, 17 April 2003, p. 4; Shia Kapos, “HIV Compromise Wins Support,” CT, 20 April 2003; Lauren W. Whittington, “Waiting for Edgar,” RC, 21 April 2003; Richard Goldstein, “Republicans Ponder Senate Chances,” MJG and SI, 22 April 2003; Todd Spivak, “Obama Raises $600,000,” HPH, 23 April 2003, p. 2.

  16. Obama Block Schedule, April 2003, JKP; Dan Shomon e-mail to John Kupper et al., Kupper to Shomon, and Raja Krishnamoorthi to Shomon et al., “Obama Weekly Report Draft,” [20] and 21 April 2003, Obama Weekly News, 21–27 April 2003, TWP; Obama, “Increasing Minimum Wage to Lift Up the Poor,” HPH, 23 April 2003, p. 4; Rick Pearson, “President Asks Edgar to Consider Senate Run,” CT, 23 April 2003; Dennis Conrad, “Bush Urges Ex-Ill. Gov on Senate Run,” AP, 23 April 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Joins Hunger Group in Fighting to Remove Red Tape for Thousands of Hungry,” CD, 24 April 2003, p. 2; “Illinois: GOP Got Ryan-ed All the Way Down the Ticket,” The Hotline, 24 April 2003; John O’Connor, “Governor Says Death Penalty Moratorium Will Continue,” AP, 24 April 2003; “Illinois Keeps a Moratorium on Executions,” NYT, 25 April 2003; Obama to Stephen Pugh, 3 April 2003, SPP; OFI, “Black Young Professionals Raise $65,000 for Obama,” 24 April 2003; Obama Weekly News, 28 April–3 May 2003, TWP; Lenore T. Adkins, “Obama Hosts Swank Party, Nets $50K for Senate Race,” HPH, 30 April 2003, p. 7; “Young Black Professionals Raise $61,000 for Senate Candidate Obama,” HPC, 1 May 2003, p. 2; “Black Professionals Raise $61,000 for Obama,” CD, 10 May 2003, p. 6; Chris Rickert, “Simon Calls on U.S. to Be More Sensitive,” DDC, 26 April 2003; Bernard Schoenburg, “Democrats Lining Up Money, Staffers for Senate Run,” SJR, 27 April 2003, p. 15; Susan and David Axelrod, Nancy and Ed Burke, Sara Paretsky to Dear Friend, n.d., JKP; E. J. Kessler, “Illinois Senate Candidates Eyeing State’s Jewish Voters,” JDF, 9 May 2003, p. 1; Axelrod, Believer, pp. 154–55; DJG interviews with Alan Solow, John Kupper, and Tom Geoghegan.

  17. “Democratic Poll Overview,” ILSenate.com, Global Strategy Group, 25–30 April 2003; CF, 29 and 30 April and 2 and 6 May 2003; National Community Building Network 10th Anniversary 2003 Annual Conference, 30 April–3 May 2003; Russ Stewart, “Recruitment of Edgar Is GOP’s Top Priority,” NSP, 30 April 2003; Obama Block Schedule, May 2003, JKP; Bernard Schoenburg, “It’s Not a Great Shock,” SJR, 1 May 2003, p. 7; Daniel C. Vock, “House Vote to Come on Taped Confessions,” CDLB, 2 May 2003, pp. 1, 24; Chinta Strausberg, “Bush: Combat Ends, but War Must Go On,” CD, 3 May 2003, p. 3; Jaime Griesgraber, “Candidates Introduced at Annual Meeting of City Democrats,” DN, 5 May 2003; Steven R. Strahler, “Wheels Wobbling at Chico’s Law Firm,” CCB, 5 May 2003, p. 3; Alison Neumer, “Michael Golden,” CT, 28 May 2003; OFI, “Obama, Medicaid Advocates Criticize Bush Plan at Senate Hearing,” 5 May 2003; Strausberg, “Obama, Activists Rip Bush Over Medicaid Reform Plan,” CD, 6 May 2003, p. 2; Thomas P. Sullivan and Scott Turow, “Taping Confessions Is a Much-Needed Reform,” CT, 6 May 2003; Doug Wilson, “U.S. Senate Candidate Brings Message to Quincy,” QHW, 7 May 2003, p. B1; Steve Neal, “Don’t Count Comptroller Out,” CST, 7 May 2003, p. 59; Eric Krol, “High Roller Set to Spend Big to Unseat GOP Senator,” CDH, 13 April 2003, p. 1; Kennedy Communications, “State Senator Barack Obama, Candidate for U.S. Senate: Background Report,” April 2003, RRP; Hull for Senate, FEC Form 3, Report of Receipts and Disbursements, 1 April–30 June 2003, 3 July 2003, p. 173 ($18,840.26 payment to Kennedy Communications on 21 May 2003 for “Research”); DJG interviews with Paul Schmitz, Eric Adelstein, Megan Crowhurst, Kelly Dietrich, Dan Hynes, Chris Mather, Jef Pollock, Rick Ridder, Fred Lebed, Anita Dunn, Mark Blumenthal, David Spiegel, Kitty Kurth, Mike Henry, Mo Elleithee, Don Wiener, and Blair Hull.

  18. Obama Block Schedule, May 2003, JKP; CF, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13 May 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 7 May 2003, pp. 11–24 (HB 60, PA 93-0007, 20 May 2003); Christi Parsons and John Chase, “Women’s Equal Pay Advances,” CT, 8 May 2003; John O’Connor, “Bill Requiring Taped Interrogations Heads to Governor,” AP, 8 May 2003; Parsons and Kate McCann, “Taped Confessions Bill Passes,” and “First Light of Justice Reform,” CT, 9 May 2003; Anne Marie Tavella, “Legislators Want Police to Roll Tape,” CDH, 9 May 2003, p. 8; Jermain Griffin, “Legislators to Negotiate Scope of Proposed ‘Sunshine in Litigation’ Law,” CDLB, 9 May 2003, pp. 1, 24; Rick Pearson, “GOP Senate Floodgates Open as Edgar Says No,” CT, 10 May 2003; Bernard Schoenburg, “Edgar Won’t Run,” SJR, 10 May 2003, p. 1; Shamus Toomey, “No Party for Republicans Without Edgar,” CDH, 10 May 2003, p. 5; Terry Walsh to Dan Shomon, “Photo Shoot,” 25 April 2003, JKP; “Photo Shoot Schedule,” 10 May 2003, TWP; Dan Shomon e-mail to John Kupper, “PR Brainstorming on Wednesday, May 14,” 12 May 2003, JKP; Ryan Keith, “Labor Support, Money Helped SBC Win Big at Capitol,” AP, 12 May 2003; Rich Miller, “The Floodgates,” IT, 13 May 2003; Vikas Bajaj, “SBC Finds Allies in State Legislatures,” DMN, 13 May 2003; Rick Pearson, “Illinois Governor Defends Controversial Measure Benefiting SBC Communications,” CT, 13 May 2003; JCAR Minutes, 13 May 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 13 May 2003, pp. 55–66 (HB 3316) and 122–31 (HB 1574); Pat Guinane, “Lawmakers Vote to Hold Slowpokes to the Right,” SJR, 14 May 2003, p. 1; Anne Marie Tavella, “Slow Driver Bill Passes Senate,” CDH, 14 May 2003, p. 7; Marni Pyke, “Shining a Light on Racial Profiling,” CDH, 14 May 2003, p. 1; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Urges Congress to Resist $300 Billion Deficit,” CD, 14 May 2003, p. 3; “Agenda, PR Brainstorming for Senator Barack Obama,” 14 May 2003, John Kupper meeting notes, “Obama 5/14,” JKP; Senate Floor Transcript, 15 May 2003, p. 89 (Obama remarking concerning HB 515 that “I know that Pete Baroni did not draft this because it’s not as clear as I would like”); Senate Floor Transcript, 16 May 2003, pp. 118–31, esp. 120–21 (HB 2579); Edwin Colfax, “Taped Confessions,” CT, 18 May 2003; Obama YouTube Video, 16 June 2003 (HB 60 “is a major victory that we achieved this year” and “there is no logical reason why we would not provide health care plans to immigrant youth”); Mar
k K. Matthews, “States Tell Police to Turn on the Camera,” Stateline.org, 4 May 2005; Jerry Crimmins, “Videotaped Interrogations Get High Marks,” CDLB, 3 November 2005, p. 1; Rob Warden’s excellent “Illinois Death Penalty Reform: How It Happened, What It Promises,” Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 95 (Winter 2005): 381–426; “A Chronicle Q&A with Barack Obama,” Chronicle.com, 12 November 2007 (HB 60); Jim Edgar’s 2010 interviews with Mark DePue, pp. 1050–51, 1087, 1089; DJG interviews with Kathy Saltmarsh, Laura Russell Hunter, Deanne Benos, Jim Edgar, John Millner, John Kupper, Pete Giangreco, and Terry Walsh.

  19. Obama Block Schedule, May 2003; OFI, “Obama Announces State Hearings on Bush Plan to ‘Download’ Key Parts of Head Start,” 18 May 2003; Obama Weekly Report, 19–26 May, 20 May 2003, TWP; Hull for Senate, FEC Form 10, 9 May 2003, 4:55 P.M. (re-sent 12 May 2003, 3:42 P.M.), FEC; Jack Brammer, “Two Kentuckians Reflect on Their Time with Barack Obama,” Lexington Herald-Leader, 19 January 2009; DJG interviews with Pete Giangreco, Terry Walsh, John Kupper, Dan Shomon, Nate Tamarin, Jim Cauley, and Rob Fisher.

  20. Obama Block Schedule, May 2003, JKP; “Democratic Poll Overview,” IlSenate.com, 19 May 2003; Greg Hinz, “Gov. Plays Favorite in Business,” CCB, 19 May 2003; CF, 9 April, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 27 May and 11 and 18 September 2003; Kelly Quigley, “Teamsters Back Hynes for Senate,” CCB, 20 May 2003; Eric Zorn, “Candidate Ryan Is Not Confused About Who He Is,” CT, 20 May 2003; Adam Clymer, “Two Parties on the Prowl to Claim the Senate in ’02,” NYT, 23 June 2001; Jill Stanek, “Jack Ryan: From Harvard to Hales,” IL, 30 September 2002; Daniel K. Proft, “Putting Conservative Principles into Action,” IL, 29 May 2003; Fran Eaton, “Jack Ryan, GOP Candidate for U.S. Senate,” IL, 14, 15, and 16 October 2003; Lynn Sweet, “Jack Ryan Holds Back in Biography,” CST, 27 November 2003, p. 45; Ray Long and Christi Parsons, “Scolding for SBC Law,” CT, 20 May 2003; “WomanView: Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (SB 1763),” NCPL, 25 March 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 20 May 2003, pp. 27–32 (unanimous passage of HB 3486, the successor to Obama’s SB 1763); Charlie Crain, “Teamsters Back Hynes for Senate,” NIT, 21 May 2003; Peter Savodnik, “Pols vs. Businessmen in Illinois Race,” TH, 21 May 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Governor: No Gambling!,” CD, 21 May 2003, p. 3; Ray Long and Rick Pearson, “U.S. Turns Probe to State Senate Democrats,” CT, 21 May 2003; Dearbail Jordan, “Altheimer’s International Chairman Quits After Internal Shake-Up,” TheLawyer.com, 21 May 2003; Tom Gradel to Kelly Steel et al., 21 May 2003, HORP; Rick Pearson and Ray Long, “Capitol Collision Course,” CT, 22 May 2003; Scott Fornek, “Downstate Dem Enters Senate Fray,” CST, 23 May 2003; Bernard Schoenburg, “McVeigh Prosecutor,” SJR, 19 April 2010; DJG interviews with Tim King, Wendy Pollack, Rob Scott, Dan Shomon, and Jim Dodge.

  21. Obama Block Schedule, May 2003, JKP; “Notes,” CDLB, 16 May 2003, p. 24; Libby Brewer Notice, CT, 18 May 2003; CF, 26 March and 21, 23, 28, 29, and 30 May 2003; Obama Weekly Report, 19–26 May 2003 and 27 May–1 June 2003, TWP; OFI to Team Captain, “June 12th Event,” 20 May 2003; Claire Serdiuk e-mail to Marty Nesbitt et al., 22 May 2003, SPP; Scott Fornek, “Downstate Dem Enters Senate Fray,” CST, 23 May 2003, p. 4; Obama, Commencement Address, Chicago-Kent College of Law, 25 May 2003; Gubernatorial Press Release, “Governor Calls for Ban on Sale of Dietary Supplement Ephedra,” 14 May 2003; Brandon Loomis, “Ill. Gov. Signs Ephedra Ban,” AP, 25 May 2003, and CDH, 26 May 2003, p. I-9; Jim Ritter, “Ephedra Sales Banned in Illinois,” CST, 26 May 2003, p. 6; Senate Floor Transcript, 27 May 2003, pp. 29–42, esp. 34–35 (HB 3023); John Kupper notes, “Barack 5/27,” 27 May 2003, JKP; Minutes, GARS Board of Trustees, 29 May 2003, #223, pp. 1859–63; Senate Floor Transcript, 29 May 2003, pp. 82–88 (HB 2221); Senate Journal, 29 May 2003, p. 46; Ray Long and Rick Pearson, “State Set to Clean Its House,” and Christi Parsons and Long, “Death Penalty Reform Goes to Blagojevich,” CT, 30 May 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 30 May 2003, pp. 42–43 (HB 569), 140–42 (SB 1493) and 160–61 (SR 89); AP, “Nightclub Safety Bills Heads to Governor,” 31 May 2003; Senate Floor Transcript, 31 May 2003, pp. 27–39 (HB 3412), 181–86 (SB 600), and 201–3 (SB 4); Long and Parsons, “O’Hare Plan Passes Amid Budget Rush,” CT, 1 June 2003; Pearson and Long, “Blagojevich Lauds His Budget,” and Kate McCann, “Democrats Take Charge,” CT, 2 June 2003; Jermain Griffin, “Campaign Finance Reform Still on Group’s Docket,” CDLB, 3 June 2003, pp. 1, 24; Stephen S. Morrill, “Client Report for 2003 End of Session,” Morrill & Associates, June 2003, esp. pp. 6–9; Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, End of Session Report 2003, esp. pp. 15, 136–200; Illinois Environmental Council, “2003 Environmental Scorecard,” and “End of Session Report,” 2 June 2003, JGP; “Major Bills Passed by the Illinois General Assembly,” LRU First Reading 17 (August 2003): 7; “Spring Legislative Session Mostly Mild,” C-WR 18 #7, 8 August 2003; Barbara Van Dyke-Brown et al., Almanac of Illinois Politics—2004 (University of Illinois at Springfield, 2004), pp. 150–51 (crediting Obama with nineteen bills passed); Tom Waldron, “Supporting Working Families When State Coffers Are Empty: Lessons from Illinois’ Successful Campaign for a Better EITC, Hatcher Group, November 2003, pp. 8–10; Linda Mills, Illinois Prisoner Reentry: Building a Second Chance Agenda (Annie E. Casey Foundation, July 2004); Carrie Cox et al., “Certificates of Relief from Disabilities Implementation and Tracking,” Safer Foundation, November 2006, esp. p. 5; David Moberg, “Union Blues Lift in Chicago,” Nation, 9 April 2005; Ed Wojcicki, “Still the Wild West?: A 10-Year Look at Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois,” Simon Institute, Southern Illinois University, September 2006, p. 17; Cindi Canary in Jackie Calmes, “Statehouse Yields Clues to Obama,” WSJ, 23 February 2007; Olivia Clarke, “Choosing Sides,” CL, January 2008; Brad Spirrison, “Barack Obama Has an Affinity for Venture Capital That Dates Back to His Days as a State Senator,” Venture Capital Journal, 1 February 2009; Maura O’Hara, “IVCA Mourns a Key Contributor,” IllinoisVC.org, 17 August 2011; John Sexton, “Obama Praised Private Equity When He Needed Cash,” Breitbart.com, 2 July 2012; Alejandra Cancino, “Executive Profile: Keith Kelleher,” CT, 2 December 2013; DJG inteviews with Larry Walsh, Miguel del Valle, Paula Wolff, Will Burns, Pete Baroni, Linda Mills, Sean Noble, John Nicolay, Keith Kelleher, Madeline Talbott, Roberta Lynch, Bill Perkins, Ray Harris, Michael McGann, Jerry Morrison, Cindi Canary, and Ed Wojcicki.

  22. Chicago Tonight, WTTW, 29 May 2003; David Mark, “’04 Illinois Democratic Senate Candidates,” Campaigns & Elections, June 2003, p. 40; Obama Block Schedule, June 2003, Dan Shomon e-mail to John Kupper et al., “Agenda for Today’s Conference Call/Meeting,” 2 June 2003, JKP; Obama Weekly Report, 2–8 June 2003, JKP; Scott Fornek, “Poshard Never Heard of Downstater, Leans Toward Hynes,” CST, 4 June 2003, p. 12; Chinta Strausberg, “Pols Urge Governor to Sign 2nd Chance Bill,” CD, 12 June 2003, p. 3; Lesley R. Chinn, “Ex-Offender Legislation Passes; Awaits Governor’s Signature,” HPC, 12 June 2003, p. 2; Hull Research to Hull Communications et al., “Current/Additional Research on Barack Obama,” 9 June 2003, HORP and RRP; Hull Research to Hull Communications et al., “Current/Additional Research on Dan Hynes,” 9 June 2003, HORP; Sean Cartwright, Kennedy Communications, to Hull for Senate, “Current/Additional Research on Gery Chico,” 9 June 2003, HORP; Jeremiah Posedel e-mail to Dear Friend, “Rep. Evans Endorses Obama!,” 9 June 2003, TWP; Voices for Choices v. Illinois Bell Telephone, #03-C-3290 (N. D. Ill.), 9 June 2003 (Judge Charles P. Kocoras granting preliminary injunction); Jon Van and Christi Parsons, “Judge Blocks SBC Rate Law Ruling,” CT, 10 June 2003; CF, 13 June 2003; Peter Savodnik, “Illinois Lawyer Simmons Garners Support,” TH, 10 June 2003; JCAR Minutes, 10 June 2003; Obama Weekly Report, 10–16 June 2003, TWP; [Joe Sinsheimer], “Research—State Sen. Barack Obama,” 2 vols., 12 June 2003, esp. pp. 2, 4, 51, 90, 167, TWP; John Kupper notes, “Obama Research,” n.d., 2pp., “Horizon/CMS,” n.d., 11pp., and “First Health Group Corp.,” n.d., 18pp., JKP; Mark Schreiner, “Passion for Politics Keeps Drawing Him In,” Wilmington Star News, 25 March 2007; James L
. Merriner, “Obama 2008?,” CM, March 2006; Howard Fineman, “The Broker: Vernon Jordan,” Newsweek, 5 April 2008; Vernon Jordan, Make It Plain (Public Affairs, 2008), p. 207; Eric Alterman, “Life of the Party,” Guardian, 6 November 2008; Katherine Rosman, “Before He Was President,” WSJ, 7 November 2008; DJG interviews with John Kupper and Joe Sinsheimer.

  23. The Demo Memo (Milton Township, DuPage County), 3 June 2003; Bernard Schoenburg, SJR, 12 June 2003, p. 7; Ed Tibbetts, “Evans Endorses Obama in Senate Race,” QCT, 12 June 2003; Stephen Pugh and Marty Nesbitt to Pugh, 9 May 2003, and Bettylu K. Saltzman (OFI) to Stephen Pugh, 2 June 2003, SPP; “Fundraising Reception,” 12 June 2003, Dan Shomon, “Obama Labor Strategy,” 10 June 2003, TWP; Bruce Dixon, “In Search of the Real Barack Obama,” Black Commentator, 5 June 2003; “Not ‘Corrupted’ by DLC, Says Obama,” Black Commentator, 19 June 2003; “Obama to Have Name Removed from DLC List,” Black Commentator, 26 June 2003; DJG interviews with John Kupper, Joe McLean, Claire Serdiuk, Bettylu Saltzman, Stephen Pugh, and Pete Giangreco.

  24. “Upcoming Events,” ObamaForIllinois.com, 14 June 2003; Steven R. Strahler, “Center Not Holding at Altheimer,” CCB, 16 June 2003, p. 30; Obama Weekly Report, 16–23 June 2003, TWP; Russ Stewart, “‘Black Is Beatable’ Gives Hope to State GOP,” NSP, 18 June 2003; Bill Zwecker, “Looks Like the Party’s Over,” CST, 19 June 2003, p. 40; “Armour & Co.,” CT, 22 June 2003; “Hynes Receives Backing,” CDH, 23 June 2003, p. I-3; OFI, “Obama Hails Supreme Court Decision Upholding Affirmative Action,” 23 June 2003; www.blairhull.com, Internet Archive (TV and radio ads); Scott Fornek, “Dem Senate Hopeful Starts Earliest Illinois TV Blitz Ever,” CST, 24 June 2003, p. 16; Eric Krol, “Senate Hopeful Already Thinking About March,” CDH, 24 June 2003, p. 11; Meg Kinnard, “Hull Gets an Early Start for Illinois Senate,” NationalJournal.com, 24 June 2003; Steve Neal, “Rush Senate Endorsement Puts Payback Before Prudence,” CST, 25 June 2003, p. 47; Rick Pearson, “Top-Dollar Senate Race Looms,” CT, 25 June 2003; Chinta Strausberg, “Maynard Jackson’s Death at 65 Leaves ‘Big Hole,’” CD, 25 June 2003, p. 8; Russ Stewart, “Flood of ‘RWGs’ Mean Avalanche of Senate Ads,” NSP, 25 June 2003; Eric Krol, “Unorthodox Candidate Enters U.S. Senate Race,” CDH, 26 June 2003, p. 6; Bernard Schoenburg, “Blair Hull Announces Bid for U.S. Senate,” SJR, 26 June 2003, p. 13; Patrick J. Powers, “Senate Hopeful First to Place Metro-East Ads,” BND, 27 June 2003, p. B1; AP, “Hull’s Early Push Reflects His Wealth, Lack of Name Recognition,” 27 June 2003; “The Long, Hot Political Days of Summer Have Arrived,” SI, 1 July 2003; Meg Kinnard, “To Hull, Business Savvy Would Help Senate,” NationalJournal.com, 10 July 2003; OFI, “Obama Asks Hastert to Act Immediately to Make Sure 378,000 Illinois Families Receive Tax Credit in Washington,” 26 June 2003; Michael C. Dorf to Dan Shomon and Terrie Pickerill, “New Disclaimer Requirements for Radio and Televised Communications,” 27 June 2003, JKP; Ameet Sachdev, “Altheimer & Gray to Close,” CT, 28 June 2003; Lynn Sweet, “Chico Could Be In for Bumpy Ride,” CST, 3 July 2003, p. 33; Dearbail Jordan, “The Final Dark Days of the Firm That Wanted Too Much,” TheLawyer.com, 7 July 2003; Sachdev, “Altheimer’s Lawyers Migrate to New Firms,” CT, 17 July 2003; Sachdev, “Altheimer Practices Questioned,” CT, 20 July 2003; Chris Fusco and Tim Novak, “Rezko Cash Triple What Obama Says,” CST, 18 June 2007, p. 3; Bob Secter and David Jackson, “Funds Tough to Figure for Rezko Aid,” CT, 31 January 2008; Kenneth P. Vogel, “Obama Releases Names of Rezko-Linked Donors,” Politico, 15 March 2008; Baim, Obama and the Gays, pp. 15, 201, 521; Stone in James L. Merriner, “The Friends of O,” CM, June 2008; DJG interviews with Geof Stone, Susan Pierson Lewers, Leslie Corbett, Kevin Thompson, Nate Tamarin, Alan Reger, Megan Crowhurst, and Kelly Dietrich.