You just can’t make this stuff up
Friday, Jul 19, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s so hot, Tio Hardiman thinks he can be governor...
Former CeaseFire Illinois director Tio Hardiman has set his sights on a much higher title.
The 50-year-old community organizer said he is “seriously considering” running for the Democratic nomination in 2014 for governor.
“Some people may think I am crazy, but I think I would make a great governor. Everywhere I go from Chicago to Springfield people have been coming up to me asking me to run for governor, and I may just do that,” Hardiman said. […]
“Before a decision like this can be made, I need to have polls done to see what my chances are for winning. I think Governor Quinn is OK, but it is time for a change,” Hardiman said.
* Progress Illinois has the background…
Hardiman’s announcement comes about a month after he was arrested for allegedly punching and kicking his wife. His wife dropped the misdemeanor domestic battery charge earlier this month.
Well, he does need a new job.
- c - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 11:59 am:
Thank you Rich i needed a good laugh.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:00 pm:
Scott Lee Cohen may have found someone to share a ticket(?)
- Levois - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:02 pm:
It can’t hurt nothing. He can truly be honest about a number of issues the way Quinn and Daley can’t be. Of course we recognize he can’t win.
- BleugrassBoy - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:02 pm:
I’ll do that poll for him for $100.
- anon - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:02 pm:
he will not make it on the ballot.
- c - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:07 pm:
Which issue is that? how to get caught with a illegal handgun in the city of chicago after beating your wife and get away with it?
- Norseman - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:10 pm:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/654c7721e2/i-picked-the-wrong-week-to-quit-from-airplanefan
- Amalia - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:12 pm:
arrogance. you might think he’s just silly. but this is arrogance. beat your wife. get her to fold on the charges. feel emboldened. arrogance. Tio, get yourself right. this is not it.
- PublicServant - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:14 pm:
Maybe he can get Monique Davis as a running mate.
- MrGrassroots - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:18 pm:
Actually, I didn’t think he was crazy. Until now!
- MrGrassroots - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:19 pm:
I believe the Quinn people are huddling as we speak on how to respond to this development. Then laughter breaks out. I guess I am old school and believe you shouldn’t run for “anything” unless you have a reasonable chance of winning.
- ??? - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:21 pm:
“Everywhere I go from Chicago to Springfield people have been coming up to me asking me to run for governor, and I may just do that.”
Those aren’t people, Tio. They are the voices in your head.
- Chucky Jay - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:23 pm:
Brings a whole new meaning to the old journalism school “do you still beat your wife” question.
- Hank - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:35 pm:
Some people may think I am crazy…….no comment
- William j Kelly - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:38 pm:
Ok, how about this Tito for govenor slogan? When did you stop beating your wife Illinois!
- Anon - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 12:48 pm:
When asked the “when did you stop beating your wife” question, he’ll impress voters by pulling the restraining order from his pocket and reading the time stamp.
- Anonner - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:20 pm:
“His wife dropped the misdemeanor domestic battery charge earlier this month.”
I thought the state was obligated to bring charges up in a domestic situation like this…?
- anonymous - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:36 pm:
Could this possibly be a triangulation maneuver by someone supporting Daley? Even a small change in the black communities support for Quinn could turn the tide to Daley. Let’s see if any money comes into his foray into politics.
- William j Kelly - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:36 pm:
Go ahead and laugh now, but you will see the tito political genius when bill Daley buys him off with one of those Insider sweetheart deals!! After all isn’t this the guy who got paid a million taxpayer dollars to “stop violence”
- Tommydanger - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:39 pm:
Like any great leader does, he wants to be assured of his success before he leads.
Between Monique and this, there must be a full moon tonight.
- William j Kelly - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:53 pm:
Anonymous, you and I are more or less the same page here, on a side note, I am a big fan of your writing! Especially durring your Greek and Roman times!;)
- Logic not emotion - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 1:59 pm:
I’d love for him to run!
- Tommydanger - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 2:58 pm:
You would probably have to drag him away kicking and screaming from the opportunity to run against Quinn. After all, he has some experience kicking and screaming.
- Responsa - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 3:10 pm:
I sure hope Roland Burris doesn’t see these comments from Tio. He may get inspired to run, too. “People” all over the place are probably coming up to Roland urging, begging him to run, as well.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jul 19, 13 @ 4:41 pm:
I know his announcement is silly, but the concept of Cease Fire is real.
In today’s NY Times, there’s an article about East NY Brooklyn and how they’ve not had a shooting or murder in a year.
The credit is largely given to street intervention groups similar to Cease Fire.
We’re always trying to figure out why NYCs violent crime rate is so low compared to Chicago, St. Louis, Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, etc., it would be wise to not throw out the concept because of someone with feet of clay.
Here’s an interesting interactive map on crime rates in Illinois. You will be surprised.
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/il/crime/