ANOTHER MAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE EMERGES IN ILLINOIS - AT 9:02 P.M. ET:  Illinois likes to be known as the land of Lincoln.  If Lincoln were alive, he'd probably ask that they take down the sign.  The state's most important product these days is embarrassment:

On the same day Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn officially claimed the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, he found out that his newly-minted running mate has a rap sheet that includes alleged domestic battery and tax evasion. The revelation has shocked Democrats, leading to worries that his presence could taint the entire statewide ticket.

Yeah, I guess there are judgment questions. 

According to court records obtained by the Chicago Tribune, Scott Lee Cohen, a millionaire pawnbroker who prevailed with a narrow plurality in the crowded primary for lieutenant governor, was accused by his ex-girlfriend, a prostitute, of holding a knife to her neck in a 2005 domestic dispute.

Cohen said in a statement Wednesday that he had no intention of ending his bid.

“I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside. When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly,” said Cohen.

When they speak?  Where?  In Wrigley Field?  The ex-girlfriend already charged him with holding a knife to her throat.   What will she say now, and how much will she be paid to say it?

“I tried to tell everyone about this early on. I wanted to talk about all of these issues, but everyone wrote me off, and said I didn’t have a chance to win. Now that I’m the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, the day after the election, there are questions. I am happy to answer any and all questions; I just need time to do so,” he said.

Time?  Why would you need time?  Maybe to consult with a criminal lawyer?

Illinois Democrats, many of whom first found out about Cohen’s past from newspaper reports Thursday, are now scrambling to find a way to remove him from the ballot – a process that they acknowledge is far from simple.

Look, it's Illinois.  How much damage can a knife-wielding lieutenant governor do?

February 4, 2010