Very bad for Blagojevich who sent some of his talent up to Rockford. They also helped the strategy. Could be a sign of things to come for Hoffman and the boys. I also heard Mayor Scott would not go negative.
In addition, Scott’s opponent made an issue out of Blagojevich in the race - pointing to the fact that Scott boasted about his clout with the governor, but with very little tangible benefit to show for that relationship. That doesn’t bode well for Rod.
People on the ground report Morrissey ran an effective, negative campaign and apparently Scott not only refused to accept the fact that his campaign was hemorhaging support during the final stretch - he refused to hit back twice as hard.
Madigan and others had people on the ground for Scott in Rockford too. Blago appears responsible for helping drag Scott down, for sure - but if he chose to take the high road, that’s why he really lost.
Not a good day for Blagojevich in central Illinois either. Delivers a line about now the Illinois season is over so he can “get back to governing” and 20,000 boo.
Blago didnt get involved in this race until about three weeks ago at the request of Scott so I doubt he was involoved in any strategy. There was some backlash against the Rod, but mostly it was Scotts inablility to go negative. He was getting bludgeoned and refused to fight back…
Scotts opponent kept saying that Blagojevich did not deliever for the Mayor, but the Rockford Register Star actually ran an article which showed that Rockford and Winnebago County have actually done quite well from the State. Scott’s campaign would not refute the insinuations that the connections did not payoff… Hence, the perception. Bad move not to fight back.
I guess we’ll all see what kind of operation Blagojevich really has next year - but I have to agree with earlier posters - Rod’s track record of supporting candidates in local races is pretty miserable.
Rod may have lots of money - but he’s never had much of a ground operation (when you exclude Labor) and that is apparent in his recent string of disappointing losses.
Sources tell me that former State Rep. and State Treasurer candidate Tom Dart also send troops into Rockford for his former roommate.
What a shame such a good guy like Doug Scott lost.
Politics teaches us again and again that the best guys don’t always win. Politics also teaches us that candidate who don’t respond to misleading attacks lose as well. Period. End of story.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 9:55 pm:
Very bad for Blagojevich who sent some of his talent up to Rockford. They also helped the strategy. Could be a sign of things to come for Hoffman and the boys. I also heard Mayor Scott would not go negative.
- PrairieStateDem - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 10:24 pm:
I sure was hoping i was wrong on this one..
Doug is such a great guy and the previous poster was correct part of this dynamic is definetly backlash against Blago…
Its sad to see someone who is such a great public servant like doug dragged down by a fake like blago
- Tom DeLay's Mom - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 10:33 pm:
In addition, Scott’s opponent made an issue out of Blagojevich in the race - pointing to the fact that Scott boasted about his clout with the governor, but with very little tangible benefit to show for that relationship. That doesn’t bode well for Rod.
People on the ground report Morrissey ran an effective, negative campaign and apparently Scott not only refused to accept the fact that his campaign was hemorhaging support during the final stretch - he refused to hit back twice as hard.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 10:43 pm:
Madigan and others had people on the ground for Scott in Rockford too. Blago appears responsible for helping drag Scott down, for sure - but if he chose to take the high road, that’s why he really lost.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 11:02 pm:
Not a good day for Blagojevich in central Illinois either. Delivers a line about now the Illinois season is over so he can “get back to governing” and 20,000 boo.
- theheadusher - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 11:05 pm:
Are those the same “troops” that Blagojevich sent to defend former Sen. Pat Welch?
Blago is looking vunerbale. So Rich, which Democrat is going to step forward and point out that the “king has no cloths?”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 11:32 pm:
Blago didnt get involved in this race until about three weeks ago at the request of Scott so I doubt he was involoved in any strategy. There was some backlash against the Rod, but mostly it was Scotts inablility to go negative. He was getting bludgeoned and refused to fight back…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 5, 05 @ 11:50 pm:
Scotts opponent kept saying that Blagojevich did not deliever for the Mayor, but the Rockford Register Star actually ran an article which showed that Rockford and Winnebago County have actually done quite well from the State. Scott’s campaign would not refute the insinuations that the connections did not payoff… Hence, the perception. Bad move not to fight back.
- BuckTurgidson - Wednesday, Apr 6, 05 @ 10:27 am:
You can’t read the tea leaves when you’re drinking coffee.
To suggest the Rockford Mayor’s race has any bearing whatsoever on Blagojevich ignores the fact the the Mayor wouldn’t fire back.
This is always a bad strategy - even and maybe especially if the attacks against you are false (see Swift Boat Veterans for Truth).
Whoever brought up Welch as a proxy ought to go back and study the race a little more.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 6, 05 @ 11:39 am:
I guess we’ll all see what kind of operation Blagojevich really has next year - but I have to agree with earlier posters - Rod’s track record of supporting candidates in local races is pretty miserable.
Rod may have lots of money - but he’s never had much of a ground operation (when you exclude Labor) and that is apparent in his recent string of disappointing losses.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 6, 05 @ 4:38 pm:
Sources tell me that former State Rep. and State Treasurer candidate Tom Dart also send troops into Rockford for his former roommate.
What a shame such a good guy like Doug Scott lost.
Politics teaches us again and again that the best guys don’t always win. Politics also teaches us that candidate who don’t respond to misleading attacks lose as well. Period. End of story.