Caption contest!
Thursday, Mar 13, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Monique Garcia and Michelle Manchir report for the Tribune…
Gov. Pat Quinn is facing a challenger in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election, but the state’s chief executive is not running much of a campaign.
He hasn’t aired a single television or radio ad, and he hasn’t sent out mail pieces to potential voters. He didn’t name his top campaign staff until this week, and his running mate, Paul Vallas, didn’t move back to Illinois until this month. Beyond that, Quinn has barely acknowledged opponent Tio Hardiman, the former leader of a city anti-violence group who was dismissed after he was arrested on a domestic battery charge last year. Cook County prosecutors later dropped the case.
While the Republican governor hopefuls trade barbs, Quinn has lain low. He has barely been out in public after a highly critical audit of how his administration divided up a $55 million state anti-crime grant program and the quick resignation of his hand-picked director of the state’s child welfare agency. The governor also pushed back his yearly budget address until the week after the primary — a move that allows Quinn to find out who his Republican opponent will be in the fall before taking a stand on whether the state should extend a soon-to-expire income tax hike he signed into law in 2011.
Instead, Quinn has spent the past several months doling out money for projects across Illinois, low-risk, locally popular things like new bike trails, equipment for firefighters, and improvements for airports and water mains. He traveled to Washington to meet with President Barack Obama on the national effort to raise the minimum wage and toured Illinois towns ravaged by November’s deadly tornadoes, railing against the denial of some federal financial assistance.
* From John Gregory at the Illinois Radio Network…
“There’s no excuse for the media to keep giving Gov. Quinn a pass, and not force him to have a debate with Tio Hardiman,” Hardiman said, “because we’re actually gaining numbers every day. We can only go up in the polls now. We can only go up—all the way.” Hardiman believes there’s real support for his campaign, and not just from Democrats willing to get behind anyone who isn’t Quinn. He claims his website is outperforming all other candidates, including those running for the Republican nomination.
* By the Hyde Park Herald’s Jeffrey Bishku-Aykul…
“Every mismanagement of the state falls on the poor and the working class people to hold the state up. Without the poor and the working class, this state would be destroyed already,” [Hardiman running mate Brunell Donald] said.
She added, “We don’t have a governor with a backbone for the poor and the working class.”
* And David Ormsby at the Illinois Observer writes about a poll he commissioned which showed Quinn leading Hardiman 64-36…
“Given that 36% of Democrats, including 35.5% of African Americans are currently planning to support an accused domestic abuser over the incumbent Democratic Governor, this poll makes it clear that Governor Quinn has some work to do in shoring up his base,” said Aileron Communication President Dave Lundy, a public relations and political strategist based in Chicago.
Quinn’s meager margin over Hardiman is also being fed in part by Democratic voters’ sour mood about the state’s direction.
“[N]early two thirds of voters believe that Illinois needs a new direction, as 57% of respondents indicated that they believe Illinois is headed in the wrong direction while 43% believe Illinois is currently on the right track,” according to the pollster. “This view is strongest among women, 58%.”
Lundy warns that a sizable Hardiman protest vote portends problems for Quinn if the Rauner does indeed emerge as the governor’s general election opponent as many insiders are expecting.
“The question in the Democratic primary was never whether Governor Quinn would win. Instead, his opponent’s presence on the ballot should be viewed as a proxy for “other” and right now 36% of Democrats would rather vote for ‘other’”, said Lundy. “In a campaign against a social moderate like Bruce Rauner, that could be highly problematic.”
* From Hardiman’s Twitter page…
- Cassidy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:11 am:
I am surprised by the significant numbers of my Democratic friends that plan to vote against Quinn in the primary. Its just about the only reason to vote in the Democratic primary.
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:14 am:
Quinn has problems but in 1994 Roeser took 25 points off incumbent Jim Edgar in their primary and then he won the general by just shy of 30 points, so let’s not get too far into the deep end here. Incumbent Blagojevich dropped 29 points to Eisendrath in 2006 and went on to win his reelect by a wider margin than he won his first gubernatorial.
- train111 - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:17 am:
I’d be willing to bet Hardiman carries at least 20 all white downstate counties simply because his name isn,t Patrick J. Quinn.
- Louis Howe - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:20 am:
Will Quinn lose any Illinois counties? Good question.
The Illinois governor’s race is symptomatic of the Democratic Party’s problem nationwide. Who do you trust to run government? Incompetent Democrat executives or competent executives who hate government?
Too bad we couldn’t flip the Democratic ticket and have Quinn return to Lt. Governor and Vallas run for Governor. At least we could “Keep Hope Alive.”
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:22 am:
Folks, we talked about all of that stuff the other day. How about we get to the caption?
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:22 am:
What do you having going for you sir in this campaign…
One thing, I am not Pat Quinn
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:23 am:
The candidate responds to how many booths he had reserved for his victory celebration.
- Bluefish - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:23 am:
Hello. I’m Tio Hardiman. I’m using the ONE You-tube video my campaign can afford to produce to share with you the ONE reason to vote for me on March 18 - I’m not Pat Quinn. So please give me your ONE vote.
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:23 am:
Who is not Pat Quinn and running in the Democratic Primary?
This guy.
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:24 am:
Let me point out the fact I am not Pat Quinn
First, I will wear ties of many different colors…
- Walker - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:24 am:
Quinn’s got to be careful and effective with his campaign money.
Though Quinn’s funds would be plenty in ordinary years, this time Rauner’s money avalanche will be hard to survive.
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:25 am:
Look at my finger tip
now at my eyes
now at my finger tip
now at my eyes
Now you must vote for me.
- OneMan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:26 am:
Who isn’t Pat Quinn
This guy
- Walker - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:26 am:
“Don’t you dare talk back to me.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:28 am:
“I know I got one vote; mine.
How about…You?”
- DE - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:28 am:
“Hardiman estimates the percentage likelihood of his victory”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:30 am:
“One man can actually defeat Pat Quinn.
I… am not that man.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:31 am:
“Crazy Dude, ‘Table for one’…”
- Siriusly - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:33 am:
That staring into space and pointing photo works really well for the State Treasurer, I will use that pose too.
- Mouthy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:34 am:
If you can donate a buck to my campaign I’ll hold up two fingers…
- PublicServant - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:35 am:
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Tio (I didn’t hit nobody) Hardiman indicates the direction tax levies will take under his administration.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:36 am:
You vote for me women! You know what happens when Tito gets angry!!!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:37 am:
“One hit; Me hitting you, you going to local authorities…”
- Upon Further Review - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:37 am:
If “None of the Above” were a ballot option in Illinois, as it is in a few other states, Hardiman and “None of the Above” would out poll Quinn on Primary Day. Quinn would secure the nomination with an unimpressive plurality.
He’s not an effective or popular governor and he may be corrupt depending upon how the current anti-violence initiative scandal plays out.
Quinn is no “Sam Shapiro.” He’s more like “John Stelle.”
- Wumpus - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:38 am:
Well, tell Brunnell that since the only people who seem to matter to them are working class/poor, Quinn has done all he could to create more of them!
Pull my finger
- Upon Further Review - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:40 am:
Tio Hardiman channels Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” in the 1932 World Series.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:40 am:
“You may be right; I may be crazy. But, I just might be the lunatic you’re looking for…”
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:42 am:
Rahm told me FIRST run for governor THEN I get more anti violence money women!
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:42 am:
“I’ve got this one!”
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:44 am:
“If I had one debate–only one–I would have put that m#&*!% Quinn out. Just one.”
- Mighty M. Mouse - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:47 am:
One more week and I’ll become nothing more than the answer to a trivia question. Oh, the horror!
- langhorne - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:48 am:
after my win, i am going to disneyland.
- Dude - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:49 am:
“I’ll be the FIRST to concede Tuesday evening at 7:01 pm. You heard it here FIRST”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:55 am:
One is the loneliest vote that you’ll ever cast. Two votes can be as bad as one
It’s the loneliest number since the number one.
- Upon Further Review - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 8:57 am:
“I could not afford the foam rubber hand with the upraised finger, but you get my meaning.”
- wHATEVER - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:05 am:
I.Q.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:24 am:
“I save ‘this’ finger for the voters; I have another ‘finger choice’ for Gov. Quinn…”
- x ace - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:30 am:
“It’s Tio , not Tito ” and no “I’m not the Vodka Guy”
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:31 am:
“Alright governor, your blood pressure is fine. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve brought in a specialist for the prostate exam….”
- zatoichi - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:32 am:
‘One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do. Two can be as bad as one. It’s the loneliest number since the number one’
- A guy... - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:32 am:
Pull my finger. No really, pull it.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:34 am:
Democrats, you have ONE chance to cast a protest vote against Pat Quinn!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:37 am:
I can stick my finger this far in both ears.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:37 am:
I may not have the money to “shake-up” Springfield, but I am willing to check its prostate!
- Hit or Miss - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:56 am:
Only one of us can win the primary election and I think that man is Pat Quinn.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:03 am:
you smell something?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:07 am:
finger sword champion
- Rob Roy - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:11 am:
You can pick our friends and you can pick your nose…But…
- A guy... - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:12 am:
How many donors you got Tio?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:13 am:
throwing a new sign to my hommie`s
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:20 am:
this is my california raisin pose.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:22 am:
Chuck Norris once shot an enemy plane down with his finger by yelling “bang.” So Governor Quinn, I have just one word for you…
- Upon Further Review - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:23 am:
“Trigger Finger” is an often overlooked medical condition. That is why I am working to raise public awareness of this silent and debilitating condition.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:29 am:
Can you put that away please? Every time you point, I see a” — oh wait, I forgot that not everybody is a Portlandia fan.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:38 am:
I`m pushing every button in this elevator.
- RonOglesby - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:45 am:
Here, pull my finger. See what happens.
- Smoggie - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:50 am:
I’ve got ONE arrest for morally repugnant conduct.
Just ONE.
In context, that’s not all that bad.
If I was a Republican, Dan Proft would consider me a fine upstanding citizen and would be spending hundreds of thousands of other people’s money sending out mailers showing Pat Quinn dancing.
- Tony Strupac - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 10:57 am:
Two words: “Ben Dover”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:01 am:
This is my pokey finger.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:01 am:
Smoggie, there is still one week to go, please don’t give Proft anymore ways to get paid spending naive peoples money!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:03 am:
Ring toss anyone?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:06 am:
How many doughnuts can you stack on my finger?
- the unknown poster - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:08 am:
If elected governor I promise to NOT pick your nose.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:10 am:
“meet my little friend”
- MrJM - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:12 am:
“I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward — and always twirling, twirling, twirling…”
– MrJM
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:17 am:
I like pokeing hamburger at the supermarket.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:24 am:
I`m not a 1%er
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:29 am:
can you say biometric?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:42 am:
one oz. of medical marijuana please.
- A guy... - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:48 am:
I’m a Globetrotter without a ball.
- roscoe tom - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:54 am:
This is all I need for domestric violence.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:59 am:
One used car a day is all we need to be #1 in the Tri-County area.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 12:13 pm:
this way to america,over the chainlink.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 12:27 pm:
flood control
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
one scotch, one burbon,& one beer.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:00 pm:
One…singular sensation. That’s what Tio Hardiman announced was the key to happiness for Illinois. Hardiman did not specify what this sensation would be.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:05 pm:
is the atm taking my photo.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:22 pm:
One singular sensation
Every little step he takes.
One thrilling combination
Every move that he makes.
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
You know you’ll never be lonely with you know who.
One moment in his presence
And you can forget the rest.
For the guy is second best
To none,
Son.
- Dan Bureaucrat - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
“When God calls you for a mission then you must obey. God crowns Kings and not man or woman. No matter what’s going on in your life, God will make a way some how. Can I get a witness here?”
–Tio Hardiman
(true quote from Facebook today)
- Sangamo Sam - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:36 pm:
“One. That’s how many times you’ll ever hear about me again.”
- Sangamo Sam - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:39 pm:
“One more mention of that domestic violence thing and I’m going all Medieval.”
- Sangamo Sam - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:41 pm:
“And now for something completely different - a man with a tape recorder up his nose.”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
popping quinn`s bubble.
- LisleMike - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 1:49 pm:
One…
is the lonliest number that you’ll ever do…
- the unknown poster - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 2:27 pm:
Now cough when I tell you to.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 3:55 pm:
Taxi!
- zatoichi - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 4:07 pm:
Here’s the church…here’s the steeple…here’s what happens when half the church falls into a financial sink hole.
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 9:52 pm:
“I will say it one FINAL time–so just look me here straight in the eye now, and just like President Clinton assured you that night, and we all beleved it, I know I SURE DID, stil DO, so you can all believe ME, too: I did NOT have sexual relations with that Woman…!”
Reporter: “WHAT Woman? No offense, Tio, but, honestly, Dude, since her really HAS’nt been much ‘o anything talked about in this Campaign, we REALLY don’t know ANYthing about all this, so… are you SURE you still wanta deny all this?”
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Mar 13, 14 @ 11:54 pm:
That was meant to read above, “…still DO…!” Also, “…since there really HAS’nt been…?”