i already voted, so this is easy. i took a democratic ballot (for the second time in 25 years) and voted for eisendrath (to send a message) and pat quinn (so i could be proud).
i really had to pause about treasurer, but i ended up voting for alexi, because i know too many of the people who work for him. i’ve meet him; he’s young, a *good* candidate, and obviously ambitious — not that there’s anything wrong with that. i think there is something to the “downstater on the ballot” theory, and this blog is certainly indicative of the anger/frustration downstaters have about chicago candidates (technically, i live “downstate” as well, being south of i-80 — but i doubt anyone who actually lives downstate would agree with that), but mangieri doesn’t do anything for me (we talked at the thornton dem party), so he was easy to discard, given the absolute viciousness with which the dpi has gone after alexi. call it a sympathy vote — no one should be savaged like that.
i’m pretty sure i voted for jackson and robin kelley (i think both were uncontested). and i proudly voted for DEB SHORE for mwrd here in cook.
and, just to be fair, my wife cancelled me out on the governor’s race, and a couple other highly contested races (cook county board president, etc), so…
I am voting for Edwin Eisendrath for Governor,Mangeri for treasurer and Forrest Claypool for CCB President. EE and Claypool are reform choices. I would vote for Alexi over Mangeri, but this is my way to stick it to Barack for supporting GRod and not speaking out against the corruption in his own state.
As a Republican, I’ll be supporting Judy & Joe, for reasons covered pretty well on this blog. Essentially, they’ve got the best shot to win back the Governor’s mansion. I don’t think any of my other races are contested.
This will shock some folks, but Tuesday I will pull a Dem ballot.
I will vote for EE. Although he is a bad candidate, and although I really do not believe that Blago is personally corrupt, I have never gotten past the thought that Blago is just too dumb for the position. He just seems like a numbskull.
I will vote for Claypool proudly. This is the easiest choice on the ballot. I just wish he was running against Blago. That would have been a winning race.
I have not decided about Treasurer. I am leaning for Alexi because I feel obligated to support Greeks, but I don’t think his experience is much better than the other guy. He was a banker for three years? Big deal. I may well vote for the downstater.
I will be joining the growing crowd fleeing the Alexi Army and voting for Mangieri. It one thing to get fooled by Blago, but another to ignore the facts.
Even with more experience this guy looks a like bucket full of bad news. Get him out before the GOPs wipe the floor with him
- Northwest Side Dem - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:24 pm:
Gov: EE
LtG: PQ
Treas: Alexi
CCBP: Claypool
State Senate: Going with Michael Nardello over Don Harmon. Harmon’s a nice guy, but he’s married himself to the machine’s when he’s smart enough and has enough money that he can afford to be independent, and he’s endorsing their pet endorsements. Also, Harmon’s supporters have been removing hundreds of Nardello’s yard signs left and right, including from my grandmother’s house and from Nardello’s parents’ house. It’s a shame Harmon’s not doing anything to stop his ward and suburban machine buddies from their dirty tricks.
I am a state employee (taking leave to watch SIU) who will not vote in the primary because it would likely cost me my job. That is the way I interpret David Phelps comments about a mass exodus of Republicans after Blago’s re-election. If I felt that I had the freedonm to vote without dire consequences, it would be Brady.
- From the Email mailbox: - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:33 pm:
Dear Voters,
Please vote for Sandy Wegman, she has beat me up, and I need to come out of my liberal hiding place and make good.
Pull the ballot and vote for Brady. Mr. Phelps will be witness # 1 in your wrongful termination lawsuit. We have to take a stand or else risk this type of behavior being the norm for our state for all time. 100,000 state employees cannot have their consititional rights suspended by one idiot. WE have to send a message, that although the gov wants to run the state from Chicago, we will not let him treat the rest of our citizens like Daley treats his. Rise up I say and stand up for what you believe.
I can’t pretend to undertand the fear state employees live with on a daily basis because of this governor and his band of goons, but we must make a statement, and not allow him to paralyze us with fear.
Even if you don’t support Brady, don’t let this Goon take away your rights. If we do, what is next. If he can restrict your freedom of speeach and rigt to vote where to we go. I say if he comes after you then you sleep well, knowing you stood for what you believe.
What do we tell our children. There are some fundamental rights not worth standing up for.
- Central IL Stater - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:41 pm:
Hmmm…
Gov - Brady - he seems to be the best of the crowd. While I know a lot of people feel he’s the spoiler, I feel he’s the right candidate for the republican party. I feel the other candidates will not be viable against Blago.
LT Gov - I haven’t decided between Rauschenberger and Wegman. Reason being is that Ms. Wegman isn’t really pushing to be LT Gov anymore and while I originally supported her, I think moving toward Steve would be better.
None of the other Republican Statewide offices are contested so I’ll probably vote for them.
I am a state employee and unlike bonehead I am not going to let some loud mouth idiot take my rights away from me.People hvae suffered and died so we can have a Tuesday like next week.IT’S JUDY AND JOE
It seems the Post-Dispatch’s Topinka story is a little preoccuiped with her smoking…
It leads, “Seated at a table with a small group of white-haired war veterans at the Collinsville VFW earlier this month, Judy Baar Topinka lit up a Marlboro and laid out her conservative credentials…”
The 2nd paragraph starts: “Between puffs, she told the men, “I’m a traditional Republican.”
The 5th paragraph says Topinka drew a laugh, “dispelling the little whiff of tension that had been mingling over the table with the cigarette smoke.”
voted for EE and Mangieri. I probably would have gone with the kid Governor (he acts like he is in 2nd grade) but for the Hate Crimes Commission and the tax thing. With Dems in charge, we should finally, at long last, do the swap. Unfortunately, that will never happen with Blago’s tax pledges. The handling of the commission affair is what really did it. It showed everything that is wrong with this administration. Clueless staff work to begin with; Governor not taking responsibility; deputy governor thinking he is in Washington D.C. or NY; trying to make everyone happy and pleasing nobody. It just goes on and on with these idiots.
Edwin, to send a message.
Mangieri, because the Speaker told me to.
Claypool, because I happen to care about County government.
And Debra Shore for MWRD because for once in my life we have a candidate for this position that not only is supremely qualified, she also actually wants this job.
I haven’t decided whether to pull a Dem ballot and vote for Eisendrath and Claypool or pull a Repub and vote for JBT and Rauschenberger. I would really enjoy watching the Machine Democrats
like Blago, Rahm Emmanuel, et al scramble if Eisendrath got, like, 40 percent of the vote. I know EE can’t win.
I’ll wait until the last minute and take my best guess as to whether JBT needs my vote, because at the end of the day, defeating Blago is the priority and she is the only Repub who can do it.
By the way, is there an IQ test to be a state employee. Apparently not, because the vast majority of state jobs are union and/or civil service protected and therefore lifetime sinecures regardless of how the incumbent votes.
Hard to believe that Phelps could be right and many of them are dumb enough to believe him, but
I have to concede the possibility.
I will vote for Judy Baar Topinka to be my party’s nominee for Governor because the thing that matters above all else is
that she has by far the best chance of beating Blagojevich.
For Lt. Governor, I will vote for Joe Birkett because he is the choice of Topinka and I tend to support some sort of system where the #1 and the #2 would have the best working relationship. Also, Rauschenberger just rubs me the wrong way for reasons we won’t get into here.
The only other contested races are for the legislature.
For State Senate (27th district), I will vote for Matt Murphy because he is a good, energetic and promising guy who would do the best job. He is far more conservative than his opponent Rita Mullins, but I feel the district is such where he would still be able to win the election against the hapless Democrat. As a conservative, I will support moderate Republicans (see my support for Topinka and also what I will be doing in a State House race) but from what I understand about Mullins, she really is basically flirting with liberalism in many instances and I just feel we can do better.
For State Rep. (53rd district), I am going with the incumbent Sidney Mathias. First, let me just point out that as somebody who is a proud Jewish Republican, I just could never go against him while trying to build up support in the party from the Jewish community and because he is an extremely good and able legislator who is a perfect fit for the district. His opponent, Scott Bludorn, was a Libertarian until about a year ago and has no proven loyalty to the Republican Party. While I don’t really dislike Bludorn personally, if he were to be the nominee, the Democrats would simply find somebody else to slate in the district (the two candidates currently running don’t have a prayer) and we would have a very competitive race.
So, two conservatives and two moderates in these contested races. May the best men and women win.
I would really hate to live in the 3rd Congressional district where I would be forced to vote for Spanky the Clown over the Neo-Nazi.
I voted with some strategy. Saw the polls Milkdufus was too close for comfort, against my better judgement voted for JBT. JBT is likely to have the best chance against Blago, voted for Rauschy because he is a good balance to JBT.
I’m going with Stroger for Prez, because as you all must know, I spent time in Cook County Hospital when I played the role of dashing Dr. Doug Ross in the Emmy award winning show, “ERâ€
And let me tell you, that place is run like a well oiled machine. In fact, it’s such a well run hospital that I’m sure the only reason Stroger isn’t there is because he doesn’t want to take up all the doctors and nurses time just for him. He wants them to take care of all the other people who are stuck in the waiting room for days, reading his campaign lit.
I mean, I really got to know John during my years at County General, aka Cook County Hospital. In fact, I was the guy who told him to name the place after himself. It was only in jest, but boy, he ran with it. More power to him. Hopefully, he can name other well run bureaucracies, like the Juvie Home, after himself.
That’s my 2 cents, take it for what it’s worth. I know I’m just an actor, but I am an Academy Award winning actor, and that should count for something, shouldn’t it?
I have decided yet. It also depends if I pull a Dem or Rep ballot. I having to choose during the primary, though. I have supported both republican and democratic candidates in the past.
I was all for Brady until Congressman Weller supported him. Weller has been too much of a flip-flopper on major issues during his term.
Hopefully, I’ll make up my mind by the time I pull up to the polling place.
- Cook County Democrat - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:29 pm:
Democratic Primary:
Sullivan - Lipinski looks like Count Dracula
Eisendrath - to send a message to Rod - shape up!
Giannoulias - Mangieri’s mud-slinging is awful.
Claypool - he’s the best man for the job.
Dart - it’s about time he won higher office!
Deb Shore - MWRD, she’s the most qualified person
The Candidate I am proudest of supporting, is Debra Shore for Metroploitan Water Reclamation District (Cook County).
Sun-Times columnist, Carol Marin,declared Debra Shore ” is perfect for the Water District.” The Tribune in an editorial, Our choices for Calen Water, said “Priority One should be the nomination of Debra Shore… a deeply respected and powerful voice in Chicago-area conservation circles.”
She worked hard,raised money, gathered more petition signatures than competitors, and swept all the major Cook County newspaper endorsements.
She doesn’t want to be President, or Governor - she just wants to be a MWRD commissioner. She’s the best candidate you might never have heard about.
Cook County Pres: Claypool. Stroger is a nice guy and has some strong accomplishments to point to, but he is part of (and officially the head of) a bad government. He hasn’t even tried to argue that things can get better or what he would change. Claypool is not only qualified, but he is saying the right things.
Treasurer: Alexi. I give the guy credit for standing up and calling him party out for putting up a lousy candidate. Also, the mud-slinging makes me ashamed of the DPI (besides the fact that it is totally off-base). He is drawing a lot of first time political participants, his supporters are very energized (while Mangieri’s seem not to care less), and the Pat Quinn support counted for a lot with me. Finally, and this is directed to all of those who argue he hasn’t paid his dues — paying your dues in this party has consisted of being a minion or favorite of one of the “families”. Why not be open to someone out fo the private sector? Let’s not forget that when the Ryan case is over the pending investigations all target the Democratic Party and its “pay for play” and patronage systems. Don’t we need candidates who haven’t emerged for those systems?
I am voting for Brady, quite frankly I am doing it for the future of the party. JBT has offered nothing as to why I should vote for her, no plans, no programs, no nothing. Brady is the best candidate to move our party forward and get us past our Ryan hangover.
FOr LT: I am not sure on this one. I like Joe, but not sure why he chose JBT. I like Rauschy, and think he is a good man, but he has been all over the map recently about things. Right now I am leaning for Rauschy.
For CD #17, I am voting for Jim Mowen, I feel Andrea Zinga has run another incompetent campaign and Mowen is the only one who will at least raise enough money to give us an outside shot at winning.
Governor - Eisendrath. The message must be sent.
Lt. Gov. - Quinn, of course.
Treasurer - Mangieri. Alexi’s resume is too thin, and despite only having worked for dad for a few years, he’s already built up an ugly clientele. Obama should get dinged for failing to have vetted this candidate.
County Board President - Claypool. I’m voting for Claypool, but I’m also voting against Stroger. Stroger is clearly unable to carry on the demands of the office, and the past corruption and incompetence must end.
U.S. Congress - 7th - Ascot. Danny Davis needs to stop hanging around with Moonies.
MWRD - Shore and Avilla. Time to shore it up and shake it up!
What’s interesting is that up to this point no one has said Blagojevich.
Is this a sign of what to expect on Tuesday. Looks like everyone on here is tired of the corruption that plagues the newspapers almost daily.
If the bloggers feel this way just imagine what the rest of the state is saying.
Question: If the jury in George Ryans trial delivered a verdict (whether guilty or not guilty) on Monday, does anyone think that it would have an effect on Tuesday?
You can pull a democratic primary ballot and vote against GRod. EE is on that ballot too. There is no way to tell who you voted for, it will just show you were a good robot and voted democratic. The people in “charge” are dumb enough to assume all democrats will vote for Blago. You will be OK.
I was sitting on a fence between voting for Brady or Gidwitz. When Weller endorsed Brady that meant that I probably will vote for Gidwitz. A Weller endorsement means that somebody will be a part and parcel of the old GOP regime. Weller & George Ryan are like strawberries and cream. Was that Forest Gump who said that?
Both Rauschenberger and Birkett are good guys but I will vote for Steve Rauschenberger because he is the man best qualified for for the job. I know that is a unique concept for the GOP Party. An individual actually chosen for his abilities rather than his political connections and affiliations? Get ready for lightening bolts to fall from the sky!
I’m voting for EE..looking forward to meeting him tomorrow at 11 in ESL.
To the first commenter, if you live in Cook County you are in no way, shape or form living downstate!
I have a personal dilemma – any advice for me from the peanut gallery?
I am a loyal Republican, living in the city of Chicago. I’ve always pulled a GOP ballot, with one exception. The 2002 primary where I wasn’t particularly satisfied with our gubernatorial slate. I pulled a Dem ballot to vote for Vallas and placed an anti-nepotism vote for Schmidt for AG.
I feel like I’m in a similar scenario this year. Looks like JBT will cruise to victory for the GOP nod. In a closer race, I’d vote for Gidwitz, but he’s on the high road to 15% at best, so it seems. Thus, it looks like my vote will be more impactful by pulling a Dem ballot. Stroger absolutely needs to go, in the Cook County Prez race. Plus, I could send a mini-message to Blago by voting for EE. And the more I hear about this 20-something year old guy who thinks he’s qualified to be treasurer, the more I think it would be best to vote for the other guy.
Is there any real reason to pull a GOP ballot this year, when there are some tightly contested races on the other side that one can influence?
Thanks for your input…
-Maroon
P.S. Ironically, the number I have to input to post my message ends with the digits “666″ - maybe it’s a message from the man upstairs to stay loyal
heh. i’ve met people who think that south of i-88 is downstate (wanna guess where they live?). but not being a natural midwesterner, i am kinda fascinated by this whole downstate thing, and most the people that i’ve talked to think that south of i-80 is downstate. personally, i think mount vernon is downstate, carbondale too, but what do i know?
- formerimportantperson - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:08 pm:
EE–this is a tough call
Stroger–good track record
Mangieri– or should I say against Alexi, not a bad guy but not ready for this, and what an unorganized campaign–did you just get people off the street to work on your campaign?
John T. Kelly - For the 3rd District because John will represent the 3rd District
EE - Edwin is a quality person.
Stroger - Always liked the man.
Dart - Probably one of the smartest people in public service and as loyal as he is intelligent
Giannoulias- Impressive young man
Governor: Ron Gidwitz. He actually seems to have some idea of what he would do as governor–has been active politically, a successful executive, and willing to listen to and work with people on all sides. I feel that the other candidates here are clueless, feel entitled to the office, or some combination of the two.
Lt. Governor: Steve Rauschenburger. Seems to be on the same page as Gidwitz. Has experience in state government, and (hopefully) will work to fix it.
Governor: Edwin Eisendrath. I have heard his message on the ECONOMIC growth of IL., EDUCATION, and ETHICS. I believe he will be good for this State and can fix the numerous problems that we face.
LT. GOVERNOR: PAT QUINN. I believe he is a good guy.
DEM TREASURER: ALexi. The truth will come out before November.
The Milkman and Wegman (she reminds me of a conservative, female Paul Simon)
Dave McSweeney, Matt Murphy and Cary Collins.
By the way, I hope Claypool wins the Dem nomination because Peracia has embraced illegal immigration — that makes him part of the problem not the solution.
Stick a fork in him, he’s done… it’s Claypool or no-vote in that race!
I took advantage of the early voting, and as Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois Committee for Honest Government I proudly supported our endorsed candidates that were on the Democratic ballot for my precinct in Chicago’s 49th Ward. (After all, since I signed those endorsement letters it wouldn’t make much sense for me not to be consistant.)
The complete ICHG endorsement list can now be found as the first comment to the afternoon comments. But for those of you who are not sure who is on the ballot over by Loyola University (where my polling place is located), I personally voted for the following in the contested races:
Governor - Eisendrath (readers of this blog have had enough opportunities to know why I feel Rod must go).
Treasurer - Giannoulias.
State Central Committeeman (9th) - Patrick D. McDonough, the whitsle-blower in the Hired Trucks Scandal.
County Board President - Claypool (I have also previously said enough about the need to replace John Stroger).
Sheriff - Since the ICHG decided that it could not endorse any of the three candidates (and is totally opposed to the candidacy of Tom Dart), I took a pass on that race.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District - I proudly voted for FRANK AVILA (Punch 51), the ICHG’s Legal Affairs Director and a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves JAG Corps. I also voted for Boguslaw “Bogie” Stefanski.
Appellate Court Judge - I voted for Circuit Court Judge Kathleen G. Kennedy in the Hartigan vacancy race (Kennedy once worked as a Hearing Officer in Juvenile Court’s Child Abuse and Neglect Section, where I currently work as a support staffer; a department that is underappreciated for the hard work the Hearing Officers have done over the years in reducing the backlog of cases in the system). In the race for the Hartman vacancy, I was glad to vote for former Chicago Bar Association President Joy Virginia Cunningham.
CIRCUIT COURT - Aurelia Marie Pucinski (Burr vacancy).
Michael J. Howlett, Jr. (Jaffe vacancy).
George I. Sarolas (Nudelman vacancy).
Thomas J. Byrne (Schiller vacancy).
Thomas “TJ†Loftus (Travis vacancy).
For many of the other offices, like Congress, State Senator and State Central Committeewoman, I wrote in names, even though those votes won’t be counted. But to me, that’s still better than voting for the likes of Jan Schakowsky (by the way, when will her husband be sentenced in federal court?) and Carol Ronen.
RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
I asked last week about the polls, do they count the crossovers taking Dem ballots to vote against Blago? I’m voting for EE because Rod’s consolidation of agencies has been a disaster.
Mr. Ethics, I’m not sure there will be too many GOP crossover voters. They’ll have their chance to vote against Blago. in the fall.
If Republicans want to vote AGAINST somebody, they already have Oberweis in their primary. It’s worth staying with the Party just to cast a protest vote against him.
EE: Because he is simply the best choice of the two. There is no comparison between RGod and EE when you look at credentials side by side. Anybody that could vote for RGod has got a great big void where their brain outta be (unless you have a big do nothing position or a contract) then I can see you voting for RGod. I think voters are going to end the “business as usual” come Tuesday. Alexi is another candidate that is not owned by the machine. I’ll take my chance on new guys vs old hacks. We need to change things in this state so lets get started.
- NorthClarkStreet - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:57 pm:
Gov: EE because he went to the best private school on North Clark Street.
Tres: Knox County Paul, because Alexi went to the 2nd best private school on North Clark Street.
Cook Pres.: Stroger, because i’d like to see Houlihan as the next Board Pres. Claypool is a reformer in name only.
Sheriff: Dart, after years of being kicked to the curb by the other South Side Dynasties, the Darts’ get finally will get their time in the sun.
MWRD: Deb Shore, because she deserves a driver and three staffers.
- Silas - the assassin opus dei monk - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 6:09 pm:
Im voting for…
Blago - EE a lost cause
Pat Quinn
Eddie Garza - Sandoval must go
Tom Dart
Forrest Claypool
John Kelly - Lipinski lost my respect with what he did with his son
I hope you Chicago Repubs pull a Dem ballot to vote for EE and Claypool — Judy has it wrapped up, and we (Dems) desperately need your votes to ensure a Claypool victory and to weaken Blago. Please consider pulling a Dem ballot!!!
EE
Mangieri
Stover (Congress to face Shimkus)
Srewart (App. Judge)
- The Ghost of Marty's Beard - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 7:16 pm:
Gidwitz & Rauschenberger
The only poll that counts is on Election Day. Gidwitz is clearly the most qualified and is the only candidate that actually put forth a detailed agenda to reform Illinois and bring jobs back to our state. He’s been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune and the Southern Illinoisan. He can actually unite Republicans all over Illinois against Blago in the general.
Topinka - no plan, serious ethical problems, pay-to-play, can’t differentiate herself from Blago and won’t have the money to compete.
Oberweis - milkdud, enough said.
Brady - no real plan (sorry, his Contract for Illinois is all soundbite, no action), not ready for primetime.
But, I need to thank the town of Sesser and Mayor Ned Mitchell. Over 100 people have turned out for tonights fish fry and meet and greet with Edwin Eisendrath. Great Job Sesser!
And all cook county dems should vote for Martha Mills for the Travis vacancy on the circuit court, a truly impressive woman who began her legal career doing voting and civil rights work in the dangerous south in the dangerous early 60’s, the only court candidtae to be highly rated by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 7:40 am:
This is so easy, I already voted for the only candidate that can beat Blago in the fall, Bill Brady, Steve is the best qualified candidate for LT. Governor, Joe is a good man but has to many distractions and they would make a very strong team and a great geographic team as well. This would be the winning team. A vote for NObie is a waist, he cannot win, his ethics problems will cause him problems in the fall with the base should he win now. Hey perhaps another office might appeal to him in the future.He now knows how this works, perhaps he can change positions again and the next time be against guns…..
Looks like the buckets of bad news have let all the air out of Alexander’s Army. Just heard the Mangieri radio with Jesse White and the Tribune endorsement. Looks like the media caught to Alexander in the nick of time.
The Jesse White ad for Mangieri has been running for more than two weeks — and you can see what great effect it has had.
And Mangieri used DPI money to buy all of 25 radio ads! WOW! ! ! Give me a break with “all the air out of Alexander’s Army.” Even DPI’s polls still show Giannoulias with a sizeable lead.
- bored now - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 11:34 am:
i already voted, so this is easy. i took a democratic ballot (for the second time in 25 years) and voted for eisendrath (to send a message) and pat quinn (so i could be proud).
i really had to pause about treasurer, but i ended up voting for alexi, because i know too many of the people who work for him. i’ve meet him; he’s young, a *good* candidate, and obviously ambitious — not that there’s anything wrong with that. i think there is something to the “downstater on the ballot” theory, and this blog is certainly indicative of the anger/frustration downstaters have about chicago candidates (technically, i live “downstate” as well, being south of i-80 — but i doubt anyone who actually lives downstate would agree with that), but mangieri doesn’t do anything for me (we talked at the thornton dem party), so he was easy to discard, given the absolute viciousness with which the dpi has gone after alexi. call it a sympathy vote — no one should be savaged like that.
i’m pretty sure i voted for jackson and robin kelley (i think both were uncontested). and i proudly voted for DEB SHORE for mwrd here in cook.
and, just to be fair, my wife cancelled me out on the governor’s race, and a couple other highly contested races (cook county board president, etc), so…
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 11:37 am:
I am voting for Edwin Eisendrath for Governor,Mangeri for treasurer and Forrest Claypool for CCB President. EE and Claypool are reform choices. I would vote for Alexi over Mangeri, but this is my way to stick it to Barack for supporting GRod and not speaking out against the corruption in his own state.
- Rick - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 11:44 am:
As a Republican, I’ll be supporting Judy & Joe, for reasons covered pretty well on this blog. Essentially, they’ve got the best shot to win back the Governor’s mansion. I don’t think any of my other races are contested.
- bradyfan - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 11:47 am:
I already early voted yesterday and I supported Brady and Joe
- Skeeter - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:13 pm:
This will shock some folks, but Tuesday I will pull a Dem ballot.
I will vote for EE. Although he is a bad candidate, and although I really do not believe that Blago is personally corrupt, I have never gotten past the thought that Blago is just too dumb for the position. He just seems like a numbskull.
I will vote for Claypool proudly. This is the easiest choice on the ballot. I just wish he was running against Blago. That would have been a winning race.
I have not decided about Treasurer. I am leaning for Alexi because I feel obligated to support Greeks, but I don’t think his experience is much better than the other guy. He was a banker for three years? Big deal. I may well vote for the downstater.
- scoot - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:17 pm:
Already voted for JUDY & JOE
- mr. anon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:18 pm:
I will be joining the growing crowd fleeing the Alexi Army and voting for Mangieri. It one thing to get fooled by Blago, but another to ignore the facts.
Even with more experience this guy looks a like bucket full of bad news. Get him out before the GOPs wipe the floor with him
- Northwest Side Dem - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:24 pm:
Gov: EE
LtG: PQ
Treas: Alexi
CCBP: Claypool
State Senate: Going with Michael Nardello over Don Harmon. Harmon’s a nice guy, but he’s married himself to the machine’s when he’s smart enough and has enough money that he can afford to be independent, and he’s endorsing their pet endorsements. Also, Harmon’s supporters have been removing hundreds of Nardello’s yard signs left and right, including from my grandmother’s house and from Nardello’s parents’ house. It’s a shame Harmon’s not doing anything to stop his ward and suburban machine buddies from their dirty tricks.
- bonehead - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:24 pm:
I am a state employee (taking leave to watch SIU) who will not vote in the primary because it would likely cost me my job. That is the way I interpret David Phelps comments about a mass exodus of Republicans after Blago’s re-election. If I felt that I had the freedonm to vote without dire consequences, it would be Brady.
- From the Email mailbox: - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:33 pm:
Dear Voters,
Please vote for Sandy Wegman, she has beat me up, and I need to come out of my liberal hiding place and make good.
Sincerely,
Bob “Koostra”
- the Patriot - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:40 pm:
Pull the ballot and vote for Brady. Mr. Phelps will be witness # 1 in your wrongful termination lawsuit. We have to take a stand or else risk this type of behavior being the norm for our state for all time. 100,000 state employees cannot have their consititional rights suspended by one idiot. WE have to send a message, that although the gov wants to run the state from Chicago, we will not let him treat the rest of our citizens like Daley treats his. Rise up I say and stand up for what you believe.
I can’t pretend to undertand the fear state employees live with on a daily basis because of this governor and his band of goons, but we must make a statement, and not allow him to paralyze us with fear.
Even if you don’t support Brady, don’t let this Goon take away your rights. If we do, what is next. If he can restrict your freedom of speeach and rigt to vote where to we go. I say if he comes after you then you sleep well, knowing you stood for what you believe.
What do we tell our children. There are some fundamental rights not worth standing up for.
- Central IL Stater - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:41 pm:
Hmmm…
Gov - Brady - he seems to be the best of the crowd. While I know a lot of people feel he’s the spoiler, I feel he’s the right candidate for the republican party. I feel the other candidates will not be viable against Blago.
LT Gov - I haven’t decided between Rauschenberger and Wegman. Reason being is that Ms. Wegman isn’t really pushing to be LT Gov anymore and while I originally supported her, I think moving toward Steve would be better.
None of the other Republican Statewide offices are contested so I’ll probably vote for them.
- DOWNSTATE - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:46 pm:
I am a state employee and unlike bonehead I am not going to let some loud mouth idiot take my rights away from me.People hvae suffered and died so we can have a Tuesday like next week.IT’S JUDY AND JOE
- Sour Milk - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:49 pm:
I already voted for Judy & Joe.
I wish I could “early vote” in the 2008 primary, so I could vote against Oberweis a second time.
- Newshound - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:52 pm:
It seems the Post-Dispatch’s Topinka story is a little preoccuiped with her smoking…
It leads, “Seated at a table with a small group of white-haired war veterans at the Collinsville VFW earlier this month, Judy Baar Topinka lit up a Marlboro and laid out her conservative credentials…”
The 2nd paragraph starts: “Between puffs, she told the men, “I’m a traditional Republican.”
The 5th paragraph says Topinka drew a laugh, “dispelling the little whiff of tension that had been mingling over the table with the cigarette smoke.”
What gives??
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisstatenews/story/F646ED2DD71F2B4286257134001C4F32?OpenDocument
- Minion - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:57 pm:
voted for EE and Mangieri. I probably would have gone with the kid Governor (he acts like he is in 2nd grade) but for the Hate Crimes Commission and the tax thing. With Dems in charge, we should finally, at long last, do the swap. Unfortunately, that will never happen with Blago’s tax pledges. The handling of the commission affair is what really did it. It showed everything that is wrong with this administration. Clueless staff work to begin with; Governor not taking responsibility; deputy governor thinking he is in Washington D.C. or NY; trying to make everyone happy and pleasing nobody. It just goes on and on with these idiots.
- Minion - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 12:59 pm:
also, Mangieri - we DONT need another liberal Chicagoan on the ticket; especially one that thinks mobsters are “great guys”. Go Paul!
- Wumpus - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:04 pm:
Brady and Birkett.
Rutherford
- 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:10 pm:
Edwin, to send a message.
Mangieri, because the Speaker told me to.
Claypool, because I happen to care about County government.
And Debra Shore for MWRD because for once in my life we have a candidate for this position that not only is supremely qualified, she also actually wants this job.
- Cassandra - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:20 pm:
I haven’t decided whether to pull a Dem ballot and vote for Eisendrath and Claypool or pull a Repub and vote for JBT and Rauschenberger. I would really enjoy watching the Machine Democrats
like Blago, Rahm Emmanuel, et al scramble if Eisendrath got, like, 40 percent of the vote. I know EE can’t win.
I’ll wait until the last minute and take my best guess as to whether JBT needs my vote, because at the end of the day, defeating Blago is the priority and she is the only Repub who can do it.
By the way, is there an IQ test to be a state employee. Apparently not, because the vast majority of state jobs are union and/or civil service protected and therefore lifetime sinecures regardless of how the incumbent votes.
Hard to believe that Phelps could be right and many of them are dumb enough to believe him, but
I have to concede the possibility.
- Establishment Republican - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:21 pm:
I will vote for Judy Baar Topinka to be my party’s nominee for Governor because the thing that matters above all else is
that she has by far the best chance of beating Blagojevich.
For Lt. Governor, I will vote for Joe Birkett because he is the choice of Topinka and I tend to support some sort of system where the #1 and the #2 would have the best working relationship. Also, Rauschenberger just rubs me the wrong way for reasons we won’t get into here.
The only other contested races are for the legislature.
For State Senate (27th district), I will vote for Matt Murphy because he is a good, energetic and promising guy who would do the best job. He is far more conservative than his opponent Rita Mullins, but I feel the district is such where he would still be able to win the election against the hapless Democrat. As a conservative, I will support moderate Republicans (see my support for Topinka and also what I will be doing in a State House race) but from what I understand about Mullins, she really is basically flirting with liberalism in many instances and I just feel we can do better.
For State Rep. (53rd district), I am going with the incumbent Sidney Mathias. First, let me just point out that as somebody who is a proud Jewish Republican, I just could never go against him while trying to build up support in the party from the Jewish community and because he is an extremely good and able legislator who is a perfect fit for the district. His opponent, Scott Bludorn, was a Libertarian until about a year ago and has no proven loyalty to the Republican Party. While I don’t really dislike Bludorn personally, if he were to be the nominee, the Democrats would simply find somebody else to slate in the district (the two candidates currently running don’t have a prayer) and we would have a very competitive race.
So, two conservatives and two moderates in these contested races. May the best men and women win.
I would really hate to live in the 3rd Congressional district where I would be forced to vote for Spanky the Clown over the Neo-Nazi.
- Milkmansucks - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:25 pm:
I voted with some strategy. Saw the polls Milkdufus was too close for comfort, against my better judgement voted for JBT. JBT is likely to have the best chance against Blago, voted for Rauschy because he is a good balance to JBT.
- George Clooney - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:26 pm:
I’m going with Stroger for Prez, because as you all must know, I spent time in Cook County Hospital when I played the role of dashing Dr. Doug Ross in the Emmy award winning show, “ERâ€
And let me tell you, that place is run like a well oiled machine. In fact, it’s such a well run hospital that I’m sure the only reason Stroger isn’t there is because he doesn’t want to take up all the doctors and nurses time just for him. He wants them to take care of all the other people who are stuck in the waiting room for days, reading his campaign lit.
I mean, I really got to know John during my years at County General, aka Cook County Hospital. In fact, I was the guy who told him to name the place after himself. It was only in jest, but boy, he ran with it. More power to him. Hopefully, he can name other well run bureaucracies, like the Juvie Home, after himself.
That’s my 2 cents, take it for what it’s worth. I know I’m just an actor, but I am an Academy Award winning actor, and that should count for something, shouldn’t it?
- Marta Elena - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:27 pm:
I have decided yet. It also depends if I pull a Dem or Rep ballot. I having to choose during the primary, though. I have supported both republican and democratic candidates in the past.
I was all for Brady until Congressman Weller supported him. Weller has been too much of a flip-flopper on major issues during his term.
Hopefully, I’ll make up my mind by the time I pull up to the polling place.
- Cook County Democrat - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:29 pm:
Democratic Primary:
Sullivan - Lipinski looks like Count Dracula
Eisendrath - to send a message to Rod - shape up!
Giannoulias - Mangieri’s mud-slinging is awful.
Claypool - he’s the best man for the job.
Dart - it’s about time he won higher office!
Deb Shore - MWRD, she’s the most qualified person
- Marta Elena - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:29 pm:
OOPPS –
KUDOS to Sour Milk for an early anti-vote for Obie. I wonder if we can get a petition going to ban him from politics ……….
- Grubnednarb - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:43 pm:
The Candidate I am proudest of supporting, is Debra Shore for Metroploitan Water Reclamation District (Cook County).
Sun-Times columnist, Carol Marin,declared Debra Shore ” is perfect for the Water District.” The Tribune in an editorial, Our choices for Calen Water, said “Priority One should be the nomination of Debra Shore… a deeply respected and powerful voice in Chicago-area conservation circles.”
She worked hard,raised money, gathered more petition signatures than competitors, and swept all the major Cook County newspaper endorsements.
She doesn’t want to be President, or Governor - she just wants to be a MWRD commissioner. She’s the best candidate you might never have heard about.
“Mark 43″ on Cook County ballots for Debra Shore!
- Feingoldopoulos - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:46 pm:
Gov: EE (protest vote)
Cook County Pres: Claypool. Stroger is a nice guy and has some strong accomplishments to point to, but he is part of (and officially the head of) a bad government. He hasn’t even tried to argue that things can get better or what he would change. Claypool is not only qualified, but he is saying the right things.
Treasurer: Alexi. I give the guy credit for standing up and calling him party out for putting up a lousy candidate. Also, the mud-slinging makes me ashamed of the DPI (besides the fact that it is totally off-base). He is drawing a lot of first time political participants, his supporters are very energized (while Mangieri’s seem not to care less), and the Pat Quinn support counted for a lot with me. Finally, and this is directed to all of those who argue he hasn’t paid his dues — paying your dues in this party has consisted of being a minion or favorite of one of the “families”. Why not be open to someone out fo the private sector? Let’s not forget that when the Ryan case is over the pending investigations all target the Democratic Party and its “pay for play” and patronage systems. Don’t we need candidates who haven’t emerged for those systems?
- downstateyp - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 1:56 pm:
I am voting for Brady, quite frankly I am doing it for the future of the party. JBT has offered nothing as to why I should vote for her, no plans, no programs, no nothing. Brady is the best candidate to move our party forward and get us past our Ryan hangover.
FOr LT: I am not sure on this one. I like Joe, but not sure why he chose JBT. I like Rauschy, and think he is a good man, but he has been all over the map recently about things. Right now I am leaning for Rauschy.
For CD #17, I am voting for Jim Mowen, I feel Andrea Zinga has run another incompetent campaign and Mowen is the only one who will at least raise enough money to give us an outside shot at winning.
Oh and of course, Rutherford all the way…
- Phocion - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:15 pm:
Governor - Eisendrath. The message must be sent.
Lt. Gov. - Quinn, of course.
Treasurer - Mangieri. Alexi’s resume is too thin, and despite only having worked for dad for a few years, he’s already built up an ugly clientele. Obama should get dinged for failing to have vetted this candidate.
County Board President - Claypool. I’m voting for Claypool, but I’m also voting against Stroger. Stroger is clearly unable to carry on the demands of the office, and the past corruption and incompetence must end.
U.S. Congress - 7th - Ascot. Danny Davis needs to stop hanging around with Moonies.
MWRD - Shore and Avilla. Time to shore it up and shake it up!
- JUST WATCHING - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:19 pm:
What’s interesting is that up to this point no one has said Blagojevich.
Is this a sign of what to expect on Tuesday. Looks like everyone on here is tired of the corruption that plagues the newspapers almost daily.
If the bloggers feel this way just imagine what the rest of the state is saying.
Question: If the jury in George Ryans trial delivered a verdict (whether guilty or not guilty) on Monday, does anyone think that it would have an effect on Tuesday?
- babs - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:22 pm:
47th Ward, you got my ballot and my reason. Different ward, same sentiment. EE: Mangiere: Claypool and Shore. That’s the ticket.
- Papa Legba - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:25 pm:
BONEHEAD:
You can pull a democratic primary ballot and vote against GRod. EE is on that ballot too. There is no way to tell who you voted for, it will just show you were a good robot and voted democratic. The people in “charge” are dumb enough to assume all democrats will vote for Blago. You will be OK.
- Beowulf - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:26 pm:
I was sitting on a fence between voting for Brady or Gidwitz. When Weller endorsed Brady that meant that I probably will vote for Gidwitz. A Weller endorsement means that somebody will be a part and parcel of the old GOP regime. Weller & George Ryan are like strawberries and cream. Was that Forest Gump who said that?
Both Rauschenberger and Birkett are good guys but I will vote for Steve Rauschenberger because he is the man best qualified for for the job. I know that is a unique concept for the GOP Party. An individual actually chosen for his abilities rather than his political connections and affiliations? Get ready for lightening bolts to fall from the sky!
- anonymous - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:27 pm:
Already voted Brady/Birkett
- Just Observing - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:37 pm:
Gov: EE
Treasurer: Mangieri
Cook County Prez: Claypool
MWRD: Shore, Avila and O’Brien
I don’t really care about any of the other races — they are boring.
- Darrell Democrat - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:40 pm:
I’m voting for EE..looking forward to meeting him tomorrow at 11 in ESL.
To the first commenter, if you live in Cook County you are in no way, shape or form living downstate!
- Maroon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:48 pm:
I have a personal dilemma – any advice for me from the peanut gallery?
I am a loyal Republican, living in the city of Chicago. I’ve always pulled a GOP ballot, with one exception. The 2002 primary where I wasn’t particularly satisfied with our gubernatorial slate. I pulled a Dem ballot to vote for Vallas and placed an anti-nepotism vote for Schmidt for AG.
I feel like I’m in a similar scenario this year. Looks like JBT will cruise to victory for the GOP nod. In a closer race, I’d vote for Gidwitz, but he’s on the high road to 15% at best, so it seems. Thus, it looks like my vote will be more impactful by pulling a Dem ballot. Stroger absolutely needs to go, in the Cook County Prez race. Plus, I could send a mini-message to Blago by voting for EE. And the more I hear about this 20-something year old guy who thinks he’s qualified to be treasurer, the more I think it would be best to vote for the other guy.
Is there any real reason to pull a GOP ballot this year, when there are some tightly contested races on the other side that one can influence?
Thanks for your input…
-Maroon
P.S. Ironically, the number I have to input to post my message ends with the digits “666″ - maybe it’s a message from the man upstairs to stay loyal
- bored now - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 2:52 pm:
heh. i’ve met people who think that south of i-88 is downstate (wanna guess where they live?). but not being a natural midwesterner, i am kinda fascinated by this whole downstate thing, and most the people that i’ve talked to think that south of i-80 is downstate. personally, i think mount vernon is downstate, carbondale too, but what do i know?
- formerimportantperson - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:08 pm:
EE–this is a tough call
Stroger–good track record
Mangieri– or should I say against Alexi, not a bad guy but not ready for this, and what an unorganized campaign–did you just get people off the street to work on your campaign?
- lee - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:22 pm:
topinka and rauschenberger
- Pat Hickey - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:22 pm:
John T. Kelly - For the 3rd District because John will represent the 3rd District
EE - Edwin is a quality person.
Stroger - Always liked the man.
Dart - Probably one of the smartest people in public service and as loyal as he is intelligent
Giannoulias- Impressive young man
- Mad Cou - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:28 pm:
Governor: Ron Gidwitz. He actually seems to have some idea of what he would do as governor–has been active politically, a successful executive, and willing to listen to and work with people on all sides. I feel that the other candidates here are clueless, feel entitled to the office, or some combination of the two.
Lt. Governor: Steve Rauschenburger. Seems to be on the same page as Gidwitz. Has experience in state government, and (hopefully) will work to fix it.
- Mad Cou - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:30 pm:
My apologies to Mr. Rauschenberger for misspelling his name.
- EXCITED NOW - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:46 pm:
Already voted:
Governor: Edwin Eisendrath. I have heard his message on the ECONOMIC growth of IL., EDUCATION, and ETHICS. I believe he will be good for this State and can fix the numerous problems that we face.
LT. GOVERNOR: PAT QUINN. I believe he is a good guy.
DEM TREASURER: ALexi. The truth will come out before November.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 3:53 pm:
Jon Zahm for Gov. Rev. Doug for LT Gov.
- The Colonel - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 4:03 pm:
The Milkman and Wegman (she reminds me of a conservative, female Paul Simon)
Dave McSweeney, Matt Murphy and Cary Collins.
By the way, I hope Claypool wins the Dem nomination because Peracia has embraced illegal immigration — that makes him part of the problem not the solution.
Stick a fork in him, he’s done… it’s Claypool or no-vote in that race!
- Pete Granata - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 4:23 pm:
EE (protest) Mangieri Duckworth
- John 3:16 - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 4:35 pm:
EE
Alexi
Claypool
- State worker AFSCME - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 4:56 pm:
Judy and Pat Quinn a perfect level headed match.
GO JUDY!
- todd - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:01 pm:
Will vote for Oberdude and Rauchy.
- anon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:08 pm:
Tres. - Mangieri
- Randall Sherman - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:14 pm:
I took advantage of the early voting, and as Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois Committee for Honest Government I proudly supported our endorsed candidates that were on the Democratic ballot for my precinct in Chicago’s 49th Ward. (After all, since I signed those endorsement letters it wouldn’t make much sense for me not to be consistant.)
The complete ICHG endorsement list can now be found as the first comment to the afternoon comments. But for those of you who are not sure who is on the ballot over by Loyola University (where my polling place is located), I personally voted for the following in the contested races:
Governor - Eisendrath (readers of this blog have had enough opportunities to know why I feel Rod must go).
Treasurer - Giannoulias.
State Central Committeeman (9th) - Patrick D. McDonough, the whitsle-blower in the Hired Trucks Scandal.
County Board President - Claypool (I have also previously said enough about the need to replace John Stroger).
Sheriff - Since the ICHG decided that it could not endorse any of the three candidates (and is totally opposed to the candidacy of Tom Dart), I took a pass on that race.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District - I proudly voted for FRANK AVILA (Punch 51), the ICHG’s Legal Affairs Director and a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves JAG Corps. I also voted for Boguslaw “Bogie” Stefanski.
Appellate Court Judge - I voted for Circuit Court Judge Kathleen G. Kennedy in the Hartigan vacancy race (Kennedy once worked as a Hearing Officer in Juvenile Court’s Child Abuse and Neglect Section, where I currently work as a support staffer; a department that is underappreciated for the hard work the Hearing Officers have done over the years in reducing the backlog of cases in the system). In the race for the Hartman vacancy, I was glad to vote for former Chicago Bar Association President Joy Virginia Cunningham.
CIRCUIT COURT - Aurelia Marie Pucinski (Burr vacancy).
Michael J. Howlett, Jr. (Jaffe vacancy).
George I. Sarolas (Nudelman vacancy).
Thomas J. Byrne (Schiller vacancy).
Thomas “TJ†Loftus (Travis vacancy).
For many of the other offices, like Congress, State Senator and State Central Committeewoman, I wrote in names, even though those votes won’t be counted. But to me, that’s still better than voting for the likes of Jan Schakowsky (by the way, when will her husband be sentenced in federal court?) and Carol Ronen.
RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
- Mr. Ethics - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:19 pm:
I asked last week about the polls, do they count the crossovers taking Dem ballots to vote against Blago? I’m voting for EE because Rod’s consolidation of agencies has been a disaster.
- Shadrock - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:21 pm:
I’m with Beowulf - Gid and Steve. Naive reason - they’re best qualified.
- Big Hair - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:25 pm:
Mr. Ethics, I’m not sure there will be too many GOP crossover voters. They’ll have their chance to vote against Blago. in the fall.
If Republicans want to vote AGAINST somebody, they already have Oberweis in their primary. It’s worth staying with the Party just to cast a protest vote against him.
- Paul Powell - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:43 pm:
EE: Because he is simply the best choice of the two. There is no comparison between RGod and EE when you look at credentials side by side. Anybody that could vote for RGod has got a great big void where their brain outta be (unless you have a big do nothing position or a contract) then I can see you voting for RGod. I think voters are going to end the “business as usual” come Tuesday. Alexi is another candidate that is not owned by the machine. I’ll take my chance on new guys vs old hacks. We need to change things in this state so lets get started.
- NorthClarkStreet - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:57 pm:
Gov: EE because he went to the best private school on North Clark Street.
Tres: Knox County Paul, because Alexi went to the 2nd best private school on North Clark Street.
Cook Pres.: Stroger, because i’d like to see Houlihan as the next Board Pres. Claypool is a reformer in name only.
Sheriff: Dart, after years of being kicked to the curb by the other South Side Dynasties, the Darts’ get finally will get their time in the sun.
MWRD: Deb Shore, because she deserves a driver and three staffers.
- Silas - the assassin opus dei monk - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 6:09 pm:
Im voting for…
Blago - EE a lost cause
Pat Quinn
Eddie Garza - Sandoval must go
Tom Dart
Forrest Claypool
John Kelly - Lipinski lost my respect with what he did with his son
Dan Burke
Gionnoilas (sp?)
Ricardo Munoz - state central committeeman
Vote early and vote often!
- Just Observing - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 6:25 pm:
I hope you Chicago Repubs pull a Dem ballot to vote for EE and Claypool — Judy has it wrapped up, and we (Dems) desperately need your votes to ensure a Claypool victory and to weaken Blago. Please consider pulling a Dem ballot!!!
- T.J. - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 7:02 pm:
I want to vote for Gidwitz but feel like he has no chance. Never liked Rauschenberger, though, so Birkett there.
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 7:15 pm:
EE
Mangieri
Stover (Congress to face Shimkus)
Srewart (App. Judge)
- The Ghost of Marty's Beard - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 7:16 pm:
Gidwitz & Rauschenberger
The only poll that counts is on Election Day. Gidwitz is clearly the most qualified and is the only candidate that actually put forth a detailed agenda to reform Illinois and bring jobs back to our state. He’s been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune and the Southern Illinoisan. He can actually unite Republicans all over Illinois against Blago in the general.
Topinka - no plan, serious ethical problems, pay-to-play, can’t differentiate herself from Blago and won’t have the money to compete.
Oberweis - milkdud, enough said.
Brady - no real plan (sorry, his Contract for Illinois is all soundbite, no action), not ready for primetime.
- Anon, - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 8:23 pm:
Don’t want to change the subject:
But, I need to thank the town of Sesser and Mayor Ned Mitchell. Over 100 people have turned out for tonights fish fry and meet and greet with Edwin Eisendrath. Great Job Sesser!
- tough guy - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 8:24 pm:
I’ll be voting for Blago as will about 67% of the Democrat primary voters. Mangieri for Treasurer.
- anon - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 9:26 pm:
Blagojevich and Giannoulias
- corvax - Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 10:13 pm:
Eisendrath
Giannoulias
Claypool
Shore, Maragos, Powell
In my nw suburban state senate race, Kotowski
And all cook county dems should vote for Martha Mills for the Travis vacancy on the circuit court, a truly impressive woman who began her legal career doing voting and civil rights work in the dangerous south in the dangerous early 60’s, the only court candidtae to be highly rated by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 7:40 am:
This is so easy, I already voted for the only candidate that can beat Blago in the fall, Bill Brady, Steve is the best qualified candidate for LT. Governor, Joe is a good man but has to many distractions and they would make a very strong team and a great geographic team as well. This would be the winning team. A vote for NObie is a waist, he cannot win, his ethics problems will cause him problems in the fall with the base should he win now. Hey perhaps another office might appeal to him in the future.He now knows how this works, perhaps he can change positions again and the next time be against guns…..
- HeKnowsBarack - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 9:32 am:
Looks like the buckets of bad news have let all the air out of Alexander’s Army. Just heard the Mangieri radio with Jesse White and the Tribune endorsement. Looks like the media caught to Alexander in the nick of time.
- John 3:16 - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 5:52 pm:
The Jesse White ad for Mangieri has been running for more than two weeks — and you can see what great effect it has had.
And Mangieri used DPI money to buy all of 25 radio ads! WOW! ! ! Give me a break with “all the air out of Alexander’s Army.” Even DPI’s polls still show Giannoulias with a sizeable lead.