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Question of the day
Friday, Nov 19, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * From an e-mail…
Our annual Golden Horseshoe awards started out as just a bit of fun, but they’ve morphed into something much greater than that. Statehouse people really take this stuff seriously. We’ll start the nomination process sometime after veto session ends next month. But before we get to that, let’s tackle this… * The Question: Now that we’ve gone all mainstream, should we rename our annual award? And, if so, what should the new name be? * Bonus Question: Are there any new categories you’d like to see added this year? …Adding… These were our categories last year…
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- Thoughts... - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:34 pm:
Absolutely not - Horseshoe is so perfectly Springfield, no other name is apt.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:36 pm:
Godlen is nice, but I’d stick with Golden
- Tom - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:38 pm:
did you ever award them in 2008? A few days into it, Blago was arrested and I don’t know if we ever went back to the awards.
- Quacktastic - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:40 pm:
One question… Is there an actual “hard” award or more of an Internet shout out honor?
If there is not a “hard” award, might I suggest a miniature Springfield Horseshoe trinket that could be bronzed.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:41 pm:
Tom, yes, we did. https://capitolfax.com/2008/12/21/golden-horsehoes-final-round/
Quacktastic, we gave out a trinket one year.
- George - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
In honor of Rich… we could call it the Golden Cannoli.
- Scooby - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
No need to fix it, it ain’t broke.
- unclesam - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:48 pm:
The WSJ solidified the Horseshoe’s national status back in March… it stays.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703416204575145564283066500.html
- Levois - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:49 pm:
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Keep it as it is and design a logo for it. Make certificates even.
- Amalia - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:50 pm:
No, no, no changes. Some things are just bleepin’ golden!
- Jeff - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:51 pm:
F@!%ing Golden Horseshoe award
- Obama's Puppy - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:59 pm:
Golden Horseshoe is perfect. Is there an actual physical award?
- Skeeter - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:00 pm:
Auction of naming rights to the individual awards. If you add a tab to this page with a list of winners and links to the sponsors, it definitely could be used as a fundraiser for either the site owner himself or perhaps some charitable group. Retain “Golden Horseshoe” but put the sponors name first, i.e. “The ABC Company Golden Horseshoe for . . . “
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:04 pm:
I’d like to see awards for political journalism & p.r.:
Best Spokesperson (1 public sector, 1 private sector)
Best Editorial Board
Best Political columnist/opinion writer
Best Blog (besides capitolfax, obviously)
- 47th Ward - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:23 pm:
You could introduce the best Cap Fax commenter award, but then you might just call it the Wordslinger award since there really isn’t much competition for the top slot.
- Living in Oklahoma - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:36 pm:
I second the motion to have a commentor award.
- Golden Horseshoe Voter - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:40 pm:
Now that the Golden Horseshoe has become mainstream, you should definitely retain the classic award name! I look forward to Golden Horseshoe season every year!
- soccermom - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:41 pm:
Rich — could you please create a Golden Horseshoe Hall of Fame so we can see the past winners?
- unspun - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:44 pm:
Best legislative liaison
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:57 pm:
I know it goes against the current and prior history of the awards, but I for one would like to see some snark added. I think the commenters here are at their funniest in such cases. Nothing mean, but perhaps something like “Most entertaining” elected official, among others.
- Ghost of John Brown - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:06 pm:
Best (most effective) campaign manager
- Hawkeye - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:08 pm:
Best chance of failing to win re-election.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:15 pm:
Best “Outsider”
Plus, I would do multiple best lobbyist awards:
Best Lobbyist - former legislator
Best Lobbyist - former staffer
Best Lobbyist - do gooder
- Who Else Goes Down - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:19 pm:
I’m a fan of the do gooder lobbyist category, as well as the “Bleeping Golden Horseshoe” for the re-naming.
- Anon - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:20 pm:
best campaign staffer
- Rich Miller - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:21 pm:
===as well as the “Bleeping Golden Horseshoe” for the re-naming. ===
Wouldn’t look very good on a resume.
- SAP - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:25 pm:
I second unspun at 1:44. Add legislative liaison.
- George - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:26 pm:
Maybe “Best performance on the witness stand”?
- George - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:27 pm:
“Best rat cellar food(food-like) item”?
- George - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:28 pm:
maybe something related to appointed members of a boards or commissions? Considering they are under the gun now.
- Jimmy87 - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:54 pm:
I would break out the lobbyist categories into “association” and “contract.” Just a thought.
- Levois - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:55 pm:
How about best blog/blogger? Rich could award one to himself if he wanted too.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:04 pm:
Just wondering if we could add some fun categories like those in DC…something like, “Most Likely to be Caught in a Scandal” “Most Napoleonic” etc. I like the GHAs and agree that liaisons should be added. They do a great job for the most part and are very knowledgeable.
- Anonymous - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:11 pm:
I agree with adding best campaign staffer. I would also add one for best (most effective) advocacy/non-profit.
- dupage dan - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:19 pm:
Howsabout “best appearance on a reality TV show by spouses of disgraced elected officials”?
Or would that just be called “The Patty”?
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:19 pm:
Golden Horseshoe is perfect. I can see that pile of fries and Cheezwiz right now….
Other categories:
–Most Annoying Legislator (Judy Koehler Award?)
– Most Likely Future Governor
– Most Likely Future Speaker (unless MJM has about horucruxes spread around the Dome and will be there forever).
– Most Likely Future Secretary of State
– Most Likely to Be Indicted
- ANON - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:27 pm:
==Cheezwiz==
Blasphemy
- ANON - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:28 pm:
I would agree with best Campaign staff/staffer, since that’s where the money was, so to speak, this past year.
- Cynic - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:37 pm:
Maybe you could add a category along the lines of the Century Club in the House. You could make the Rod R. Blagojevich Honorary “Up Day” Award.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:51 pm:
Best deal for the taxpayer’s money.
- Way South of the Border - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:10 pm:
Golden Kitty Award
- Chicago - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:11 pm:
Worst bill
Best public interest group/advocate
- How Ironic - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:41 pm:
@Chicago
“Worst Bill” goes to Bill Bradley for the ‘Puppy Killer’ one. That will forever be the worst bill ever.
- soccermom - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:50 pm:
Best campaign advertising/media firm?
- Ain't No Justice - Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:51 pm:
I just love this site! It ain’t broke…no need to fix it.