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* The Sun-Times, the Tribune and the Daily Herald have all endorsed David Hoffman for US Senate.

* The Question: How much help do you think these newspaper endorsements will be to Hoffman’s campaign? Explain fully, please. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:45 am

Comments

A few more people might recognize his name now.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:46 am
Not much. The few people that still buy those papers don’t pay any attention to their ed boards. Who cares who JKass likes?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:49 am
It will help, but I think the people who care what a newspaper’s editorial board thinks were probably inclined to vote for Hoffman in the first place.

Comment by well Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:51 am
I don’t know, but I appreciate the newspapers giving us the opportunity to find out.

It could be significant, given that there will be a low turnout and those who do vote are more likely to by voters who seek information on the candidates. It also means that when you do a Google search for “alexi giannoulias senate” the news headlines all say “Hoffman.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:52 am
None. In my experience, newspaper endorsements have little to no impact on elections. Nobody goes to these sources to make up their minds.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:52 am
Way too late in the game and not nearly as influential as they once were. Even if they give Hoffman an extra ten points he still loses.

Comment by E Pluribus Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:52 am
Well:
No one reads the Sun Times.
No Democrats read the Daily Herald.
The Trib lost its credibility (as far as endorsements go) when they endorsed McKenna.

Ultimately, and sadly, the Hoffman/Alexi showdown is going to come down to TV spots. Frankly, Hoffman looks like he is going to be a little short (pun intended) of Alexi in fundraising and therefore media exposure.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:53 am
Given the nature of this election I think the endorsements may help/hurt more than normal. I know a lot of regular voters –people who normally pick their candidates early — who are looking for any guidance in their decisions.

It seems inevitable that the voter turnout will be skimpy so every little bit makes a difference.

Comment by Redbright Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:54 am
I would rather have Alexis money than Hoffmans endorsements.

Comment by wise guy Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 10:56 am
I don’t think it will sway many. People have so many sources for their news that using a newspaper to pick their candidates seems quaint, a relic of a bygone time.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:00 am
Giannoulias’ campaign pursued organizational support (unions, committeemen and interest groups). Hoffman aligned himself with pundits and portrayed himself as squeaky clean and it got him the newspaper endorsements.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Having been on the losing side of an election where my candidate had all the newspaper endorsements, I have my suspicions how things are going to break. But we have elections to see who should win.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:05 am
Without significant name recognition most people will get in the booth and go ‘who is this Hoffman guy’. Too late in the game for him. Alexi’s name at least shows up regularly on TV and in newspapers because of his job which makes him familiar even if you know nothing about him. Put some nice spin ads out for Alexi and he is ‘good’. Do some nice ads for Hoffman and he is ‘who’s that’.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:07 am
Too Little too late. A month ago may have given him some fund raising momentum, not not enough time or money to make them count much at this point.

Comment by curious Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:08 am
Not enough.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:09 am
Given how little money Hoffman has to spend touting those endorsements?

He may come in second instead of third.

Also, the Sun-Times and Daily Herald endorsements do nothing to hurt Alexi.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:09 am
Jim Durkin got all those endorsements against Durbin. He’s still in the General Assembly.

Comment by Tom Parking Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:10 am
There’s substantial academic research showing newspaper endorsements have little or no influence on election outcomes. Don’t see how/why this one would be any different.

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:15 am
It isn’t just one endorsement. It is an editorial trifecta in a race that is closer than insiders imagine.

It will help. We won’t know the outcome until all the votes are counted.

But don’t count Hoffman out yet.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:16 am
Since the JIM! Ryan endorsement, the Trib’s editorial page simply has no credibility at all. In my experience, endorsements do help, but can only be really effective if they endorse across type. Which they usually don’t do.

Comment by RAM Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:17 am
Usually not much, but possibly a little more this time because nobody knows these candidates (including Alexi). Still it’s impressive what the Trib wrote and that Hoffman seems to be running the table.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:19 am
Three endorsements do nothing but help Hoffman, Alexi commenters notwithstanding.

I say it gives him a 15 point bump. Couple that with (another) slam-dunk debate tonight, and we’re going to have a serious, serious race on our hands.

Comment by Will Help Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:26 am
it will probably double his vote. how many people will he have out on election day — and how many of them will be stationed outside of the north shore?

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:31 am
Any of these by themselves: Maybe not much. However, all three combined, plus the debates which he has been rocking, plus his travel all over the state: I’d say they give him a pretty good boost. I think it brings him within range of Alexi. He has been a long shot for a while, but these endorsements plus his performance in the debates will give a BIG boost of credibility to those voters who are looking for any source they can to find a good candidate.

Also don’t forget that the early primary will be a big factor. Illinoians aren’t used to thinking about politics this soon after Christmas. It’s going to be a low turnout, and in an off-year election, the people going to the polls are most likely to be the wonkish types who aren’t going as much for name recognition.

Comment by Kristen Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:36 am
When they all swing together like this, I think it helps a candidate. Look at Anita Alvarez … Singly, I don’t know how much effect they have, but these three resounding (the Tribune only left out his ability to walk on Lake Michigan) together are probably the best thing that’s happened for his campaign so far.

If the intangibles keep falling his way, and he’s got the money to make sure that happens and that he’s front and center and continuing to communicate with voters, he’s got a shot at making this a serious reace.

Comment by P. Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:39 am
you can get a great endorsement, but if you do nothing with it, it will count for almost nothing. Hoffman needs a massive email campaign/friend to friend operation. he needs money to get this out in electronic media. in the old days, a good endorsement would be printed on newsprint and handed out along the lakefront el stops. independent candidate with
qualifications supported by independent sources….go for it David!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:47 am
Tom Parking,

I don’t think Durkin v Durbin is relevant here. Durkin was going up against a popular incumbent. That’s always an uphill battle. In this case, you have an open race.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:47 am
Anyone who is a ” goo-goo ” meaning good government type has my vote. Go Hoffman !

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:48 am
The whole is the sum of the parts. Endorsements from three major Chicago newspapers is a very important factor in communicating to the voters that David Hoffman is really the frontrunner in this democratic primary, and why. He has a clean record compared Alexi Giannoulias, he has demonstrated independence from political pressure, and has performed very well as Assistant U.S. attorney with Patrick Fitzgerald and as an Inspector General for the City of Chicago independent of political pressure.

Comment by georger Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:50 am
I think it helps with name recognition in the coming weeks. when a newspaper endorses someone, my first inclination is to read the article to find out why this candidate stood out from the rest.

Comment by south side democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:52 am
Can Hoffman weave these endorsements into a TV campaign explaining why he’s the best candidate for the job? If he can, maybe he makes a run in the final weeks.

Based on his ads to date, I don’t see that happening.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:57 am
They don’t do much…You can stick it on a TV ad, or some lit and it might get people to pay a little more attention to you. It might move 2% percent if even that and tht is a stretch. I haven’t read any recent literature about it. From an anecdotal perspective, it might help with down ballot races, like water district or judicial races.

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 11:58 am
endorsements might matter in some elections, esp’ly w/o incumbents, but in a low turnout early feb primary, these will have litle effect against the organizational support from most party leaders and unions that Alexi has amassed. given Alexi’s well thought out and detailed economic plans and the vision he has demonstrated as treasurer, i don’t get the endorsement of a one-note neophyte who seems to be running a campaign for state’s attorney.

Comment by corvax Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:04 pm
All three endorse Hoffman.

Can’t ask for a better test of the value of newspaper endorsements.

If Hoffman loses, they need to pick up extra advertising revenue by using the editorial page.

Comment by True Observer Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:04 pm
It will help but not enough to mean he does not have to make better commercials or otherwise campaign. This also hurts Gianoulias, but this is not a fatal blow by any means. The wildcard in this race is Cheryle Jackson as her support is probably the most solid.
People who do not read Capital fax will at least take notice of the local paper endorsement. When the TV at has the graphic “endorsed by”, people will take notice. In some cases, it will sway some voters but not turn the race around by itself.

Comment by Richard Afflis Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:06 pm
I think it helps out Mark Kirk a lot for the general. Once Alexi wins, the papers that refused to endorse him in the primary are not going to reverse themselves and support him in the general. Too bad about Hoffman’s chances, though- he seems like he has some stuff.

Comment by Team America Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:08 pm
I am glad to hear about these endorsements. I truly think that if Hoffman can edge out Giannoulias in the primary, he could have a very good shot at winning the general election. I have to say that I was undecided and leaning Hoffman until I attended his town hall in Springfield last week and he really impressed me a lot and won my vote and support.

Comment by Chatamite Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:13 pm
I think for a newcomer like Hoffman it definitely adds credibility to his campaign. How much is difficult to say but I am thinking 5 - 8 pts?

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:16 pm
I agree that endorsements are likely to be more influential this time since people seem to be looking for guidance and it will be a low-turnout election. In addition, these endorsements of Hoffman are particularly strong and fact-based, making a compelling argument for anyone not firmly decided. Time is not on Hoffman’s side, but momentum, word-of-mouth, experience, and character absolutely are. He is gaining momentum, and this will surely help.

Comment by NSDem Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:19 pm
They’ll certainly have an impact. At the very least, all the voters who were simply going to vote for Giannoulias because they’ve heard his name before will now see an article–in not one but possibly 3 of their newspapers-describing Giannoulias as an inexperienced insider and Hoffman as an independent corruption fighter. Will it change everyone’s opinion? Of course not. But it will certainly make a bunch of people stop and think, most likely in Hoffman’s favor.

Comment by suburbanite Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:23 pm
Zero, nada, zilch! The Tribune, Sun Times and the rest have lost their clout! Can anyone help them find it?

Comment by Mr.Clean Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:31 pm
It will not help at all.

If you are a Democrat and you read these endoresments it will give you even more reason not to vote for Hoffman, if you didn’t have enough reason already.

He says he is an Indpendent and these endorsements re-enforce that he is an independent in the mold of Joe Lieberman.

In the Tribune Hoffman gave five quick answers how he differs with our President’s polices. I am sure there are many more. Not what we Democrats want in our U.S. Senator.

The best line in the Suntimes was “To be blunt we don’t get that”. Truer words were never spoken,they don’t get it because they are out of touch with what is going on in Illinois.

What these endorsements show is how out of touch all of these ed boards are. It also shows why their papers continue to lose readership at record pace.

Comment by (618) Democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:31 pm
I heard Hoffman in person last week as well and concur that he is impressive as well. He makes a good point that in the wake of this summer’s
Blago trial, a young independent could look like a good alternative to many voters. I hope so. Maybe the endorsements will help. On the other hand, a young independent obviously smart candidate could look pretty scary to Democratic Machine regulars. A galvanizing effect on the worst our modern Illinois political system has to offer, so to speak.

Comment by cassandra Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:37 pm
Several earlier published polls suggested that Alexi’s support was quite shallow. Anecdotal evidence suggests that quite a few voters see Alexi as a lightweight who is too young and too inexperienced to be a US Senator in this time of national turmoil. That all three newspaper editorial boards seem to think the same thing is a huge boost to Hoffman. These endorsements can make a real difference to Hoffman if they prompt national Democrat money to come in at the last minute to help him hold the seat for the Dems if they see him the stronger challenger against Kirk. (Remember that the DNC tried to find/lure other candidates because they were worried about Alexi’s appeal from the get-go.)

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:42 pm
Voters may not read the hard copy newspapers but they are definitely reading on-line! Want to know about a candidate..google the name. Hoffman comes up more than Alexi. When Alexi comes up it is all about how he doesn’t know how to do his current job and how he blames others for his mistakes. Regardless…it IS about the resume and Hoffman’s is outstanding. Early voting does count and it is happening….need I say VOTE HOFFMAN??!!!!

Comment by LaurenA Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:44 pm
It’s fun when volunteers and staffers come on to CapFax and type a glowing endorsement of their candidate verbatim off of the back of a lit piece.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:47 pm
When almost half of the voters are undecided in this race how can you say it won’t help. This is a huge boost for the Hoffman campaign. Now they will be able to raise much more money for TV ads. I think Hoffman could take out Giannoulias in this race. I also think the debate tonight and debates in the future will be very important.

Comment by Connor Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:49 pm
Good endorsements however without the money to get them out to the masses I don’t think they will make much difference for Mr. Hoffman.

BTW Rich, I hear Mark Kirk is up with new TV ad, are you going to post it?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 12:56 pm
. . . Rich Miller’s Maxim: “If all it took to win was money, Blair Hull would be president.”

Similarly, Jim Oberweis had money and name recognition, but that didn’t make him a senator, did it? So Giannoulias shouldn’t start measuring for curtains just yet.

All of us familiar with the inside game would do well to step back and observe the electorate. Right now it is IMPOSSIBLE to overestimate the anger Illinois voters have toward the political class.

Alexi comes across as like the dog who caught the car but doesn’t know what to do with it. So he offers too-glib soundbites that, combined with his sleepy eyes, slack-jawed bewilderment, and English spread collars, make him look like a dilettante.

The economy is too lean and too many people are hurting too much to assume that it will be business as usual at the polls. The masses are angry and they want to direct that anger somewhere. This election year, the incmbents perceived to take the electorate for granted will bear the brunt of that wrath.

The triple endorsements of Hoffman give people the added excuse they need to vote for him.

Comment by Let's Not Forget . . . Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:00 pm
=== all the voters who were simply going to vote for Giannoulias because they’ve heard his name before will now see an article–in not one but possibly 3 of their newspapers-describing Giannoulias as an inexperienced insider and Hoffman as an independent corruption fighter. ===

Um, the Tribune editorial didn’t even mention Alexi, the others offered him faint praise.

Perhaps you should read before commenting?

Here’s the thing: Democratic primary voters have already voted for Alexi once, if not twice, just four years ago.

The Tribune and others cemented him as an independent outsider willing to take on the Machine back then.

If Alexi were an unknown quantity, it would be different. But he’s a somewhat trusted brand, and he’s not going to lose that trust because of these editorials.

Meanwhile, voters who are undecided right now are undecided for a reason: they aren’t paying attention to the U.S. Senate race. Don’t expect them to start magically reading the paper this week.

Like I said, if Hoffman can raise a couple million bucks to do two weeks of broadcast t.v., these ads make a difference.

But anyone writing that check has to wonder if they’re really just helping Cheryl Jackson.

That’s a conundrum.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:04 pm
In a very low turnout election it might help. It might also help Cheryl Jackson if the cook county board race brings out a sizeable African-American vote and most of Hoffman’s increased support is at the expense of Alexi G.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Actually, it helps Cheryl Jackson in what could be a repeat of 1992. If (and its a big IF) Hoffman can edge closer by knocking Giannoulias down, Cheryl can sneak in if the African-American base gets out to vote. They may be motivated with the Stroger race.

Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:43 pm
It would help Hoffman if the electorate could read!

Comment by Angry Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:45 pm
I find it interesting that all three papers fell for Hoffman’s “anti-corruption” angle. That might be slightly helpful in the general against Kirk, but what people actually care about right now are jobs and the economy. How did the papers miss that?

Plus, I sincerely doubt that Chicago is any less corrupt as a result of David Hoffman. So, what has he done? Other than help a Blue Dog navigate the Senate and help one of the most conservative SC justices of our time write opinions, what has he done?

This isn’t a big loss for Giannoulias. Readership numbers are low and I don’t know of anyone who is so loyal to a paper that they’ll vote a certain way because their ed board said to. And let’s not forget that Giannoulias has the full support of labor - if they turn out the vote, this thing’s over.

Comment by Let the Big Dog Eat... Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:48 pm
It should help his campaign, especially with the Tribune and to a lesser extent, the Sun-Times, screaming for reform all of the time and becoming more combative. People are angry out there. How much the endorsements help the voting class in expressing that anger remains to be seen.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 1:50 pm
It is up to Hoffman whether the endorsements work. If used properly, they should win him the election, however, he doesn’t appear to be a very good campaigner.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:03 pm
Too late as some others have stated, and Four Percent 1:43 has a good point.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:05 pm
I think that it helps Hoffman but it will not be a decisive factor, unless Hoffman were to win by a percentage point or two.

Comment by RMW Stanford Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:13 pm
I do not se it helping his campaign at all other than to boost his already supporters. I don’t think the voters pay attention to newspaper endorsements and haven’t for some years now. The clout of the newspapers is gone as it relates to endorsements. Digital technology trumps paper endorsements.

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:30 pm
Todays’ editorial page of the ChiTrib had an ad touting one of those miracle cure gadgets. On the editorial page! 1/2 page ad!

How can anyone take their editorial staff seriously when they have that drivel on the editorial page. Maybe they know few are reading the paper anymore so it doesn’t count.

Can’t be anymore silly than their endorsement of McKenna.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:43 pm
I think it has very little effect on votes. I’ve never been in the voting booth and thought, “Hmmm, now who did the Tribune/Sun-Times/Herald endorse?”

Comment by Steve-O Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:47 pm
“a race that is closer than insiders imagine.”

Upon what, exactly, do you base this nugget of information, VM?

And the Blair Hull comparison is not apt. Hull had never run for office. Hull faced Dan Hynes and Barack Obama (and, sorry, David Hoffman and Cheryle Jackson are no Dan Hynes and Barack Obama). Hull had an ugly divorce file. And Hull was politically tone deaf.

The endorsements can’t hurt, that’s for sure. But I’ll add Governor Joyce Washington, who rang up some solid endorsements for Guv Lite in ‘02, to the list of those for whom newspaper endorsement couldn’t swing the race.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:48 pm
To clarify, I did not intend to suggest that an endorsement of Hoffman is silly like their endorsement of McKenna. I meant their placement of the ad was silly like McKenna’s endorsement.

The collapse of the integrity of the ChiTrib editorial page means an endorsement of any political candidate has little impact on the outcome of any election.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 2:51 pm
I just got an email saying Jesse White is endorsing Giannoulias. Dare I say that’s worth as much as Hoffman’s ed board endorsements?

Comment by Let the Big Dog Eat... Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:18 pm
Having right wing papers endorse a Dem candidate makes me LESS likely to vote for that candidate. Tells me they are not a true progressive. I don’t buy the local papers anymore because of how right wing they are and I certainly won’t use their opinion in deciding how to vote!

Comment by way northsider Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:21 pm
It might be worth something in an election that is wide open. There isn’t exactly a front runner of note right now. These endorsements will certainly help him.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:21 pm
The endorsements will make nice notations in some ads, but the money has to follow to push the ads.

Hopefully Giannoulias and Jackson can avoid any stage time shared with Hoffman.

Comment by Brennan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:24 pm
I think it will help the Hoffman campaign a lot. The people that are looking to learn more about the election and the candidates are those who are going to look at these endorsement articles for a little more information. With all of the scandal already surrounding Alexi, and his “negative” ad backfire on youtube, this is just one more plus for David Hoffman. It will certainly push his name toward the front of the news for this final push to election day, and one month is a long time for Alexi to have to be battling Hoffman on the free media known as political talk shows.

Comment by Downstate Trueblue Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:25 pm
Georger has it exactly right!

Endorsements from three major Chicago newspapers is a very important factor in communicating to the voters that David Hoffman is really the frontrunner in this democratic primary, and why. He has a clean record compared Alexi Giannoulias, he has demonstrated independence from political pressure, and has performed very well as Assistant U.S. attorney with Patrick Fitzgerald and as an Inspector General for the City of Chicago independent of political pressure. And, the papers are just three more in a long list of credible endorsements, Paul Vallas being another one…

Comment by StephanieB Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:26 pm
And, should point out that Alexi is no Blair Hull. Hull was a horrible politician and Barack had millions to spend on T.V.

Unless Hoffman has a deluge of TV time coming in the next couple of days, this race is over. The only upset would come from Jackson.

But, really, this will be one of the first statewide races called election night. It will never be close.

Comment by sucka free Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:43 pm
I think the endorsements will help. Particularly if he can promote them with the right tv ads. But we are talking about a single digit bump which I don’t think will be enough.

I personally don’t take the paper’s endorsements seriously. I’ve seen too many times when they make stupid endorsements for no discernible reason.

While on the subject of media endorsements, its clear the gay media does not like Hoffman and won’t be endorsing him. The reason is he is saying one of his qualifications is he is the only dem candidate married with children in the race. This 1950s attitude plus his background working for Rehnquist and a right wing congressman are going to hurt him much more than the endorsements will help him.

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:47 pm
Agree with Obamarama, it’s nice to see the earnest Hoffman staffers scrambling to refute the consensus here that it’s too little, too late. The endorsements won’t make up for a slow, lackluster campaign by Hoffman. Nice try, kids. Welcome to the big leagues.

Comment by E Pluribus Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:54 pm
I would certainly rather be “endorsed” than “not endorsed,” but it really is worth very little at the end of the day.

Comment by nice kid Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 3:58 pm
Another factor is that my impression is this is going to be a very low turnout election. The people turning out are going to be better informed or part of an organization. Therefore the endorsements from papers won’t mean as much as the endorsement of a union or political organization that will actually get people to the polls.

Also I think undecided voters are more likely to decide for themselves based on how Hoffman comes off in TV commercials rather than letting the hated mainstream media decide for them. Lets be honest, how much does anyone here trust the mainstream media?

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:03 pm
It will be a positive and at least won’t hurt him. The fact that the three major newspapers in the Chicagoland area supported him had to be a substantial “plus”. If it was just one or the other of the two major Chicago newspapers endorsing him, then it would have been just another “yawner” and would have put us to sleep.

Anymore, the only thing that a “major newspaper” endorsement of any candidate signifies to me is that this must be a political candidate that is not likely to be indicted by the Feds (at least in the immediate future).

Comment by Beowulf Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:08 pm
These endorsements will matter little in the Democratic primary. Alexi will show Hoffman that Democrats in Cook County and the rest of the state don’t want good government types like Hoffman. Cook County voters will go overwhelmingly for Alexi. Why would Democrats want “reform” when they control all the levers of power?

Comment by Steve Bartin Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:10 pm
For people who read the paper, I think it will help. At least it may encourage reading voters to seriously consider Hoffman, instead of simply voting for a front runner.

I listened to him speak last weekend in Urbana, he struck me as a well spoken and thoughtful candidate, who has also spent time fighting corruption in Illinois.

I personally am in a “throw the already elected rascals out” mood, and a better candidate for Senate doesn’t immediately come to my mind than Hoffman.

Comment by Das Man Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:17 pm
I am sure Democrat voters are real interested in what the Republican Tribune has to say!

Comment by Mr.Clean Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:32 pm
Mr. Clean, just checking. Are you referring to the same “Republican Tribune” that endorsed Obama for President?

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:40 pm
==This 1950s attitude plus his background working for Rehnquist and a right wing congressman are going to hurt him much more than the endorsements will help him.==

Dan Boren has as many right wing trophies as the Cubs have World Series rings.

I thought the “only candidate with a family” statement was rather odd, but it is the perfect invitation to rebut with Hoffman’s support for same sex marriage.

Comment by Brennan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 4:58 pm
“Are you referring to the same “Republican Tribune” that endorsed Obama for President?”

Are YOU referring to the Chicago Tribune’s FIRST EVER endorsement of a Democrat for president?

Comment by JonShibleyFan Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 5:10 pm
If you want to see how much people care about endorsements, take a look at the number of on-line comments with the endorsement. The Tribune had a total of 5, including one spam.

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 5:23 pm
I’m surprised the Sun-Times went with Hoffman.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 5:24 pm
Brennan,

I don’t know much about Sen. Boren but he is always described as conservative. I do know a lot about Rehnquist as do many people. The fact that Hoffman worked for him adds to my opinion that Hoffman is a political opportunist. I can understand working for a number of conservative Supreme Court Justices. But like many people, I can never respect or trust a democrat who would clerk for Rehnquist.

I found it interesting that the newspaper endorsements don’t discuss Hoffman’s conservative past and why he switched parties.

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 5:35 pm
I wonder if Andy Mckenna’s dad still has a financial interest in the Tribune company? Must be a slow day at Hoffman headquarters if they are sending their interns to Cap Fax to post off of campaign talking points.

Comment by Irish Eyes Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 7:16 pm
===
I found it interesting that the newspaper endorsements don’t discuss Hoffman’s conservative past and why he switched parties.
===

If I’m not mistaken, and in all fairness to Hoffman, I believe I’ve heard him say that he’s been a Democrat “his entire life”.

The long, long write-up on Giannoulias (can’t remember who published it) seemed to indicate that he really didn’t have a party affiliation–just political aspirations–until he heard of, or met (can’t remember which) Obama.

As an R, I’m not being catty. I’m just trying to make sure we’re sticking to facts–so please correct me if I’m wrong.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 9:46 pm
Sorry. That last post was from “The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous”.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 9:47 pm
And the reason that that sticks out in my mind is that I couldn’t quite figure out why Hoffman was saying that–aside from obvious loyalty to the Democratic Party–until I read the Giannoulias article.

After that I assumed Hoffman was taking a swipe at Giannoulias–for a couple of reasons having to do with when and how HE became a Democrat.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 12, 10 @ 9:56 pm
Anon -

I don’t think Hoffman’s taking a swipe at Alexi ~ I think he’s trying to cover an obvious chink in his armor.

Hoffman spends alot of time bashing Democrats, blasts labor unions, clerked for conservatives, and has a corporate view when it comes to international trade: that makes alot of folks question his street creds.

Alexi can’t claim that he’s “always” been a Democrat since he’s a Greek immigrant, although I know very few Greeks who claim to be Republicans, and the ones i met in Greece hated W.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 12:57 am
Back to Rich’s question, I think endorsements from smaller papers actually carry more weight with their readership than the “big” papers.

The question you ask about any endorsement - the weight you give it - is “does the endorser share my values?”

Lots of Democrats read the Tribune, but how many actually would say that their editorial board shares its values?

Frankly, if I were a Democrat and I could pick three newspaper endorsements, I’d go for:

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Southern Illinoisan
Rockford Register-Star

Unless of course the Southtown were making a separate endorsement!

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 1:01 am
Good points to consider, YDD. Thanks.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 1:04 am
Just one quick Q, though, YDD: Hoffman has ALWAYS been a Democrat (i.e., he never switched parties as Objective Dem claims), right?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 1:08 am
Hoffman’s views supporting America’s disastrous open border trade policies could cause him trouble when labor and working democrats find out about them…..I was planning to vote for him until I read the Trib endorsement.

Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 3:33 am
I don’t know if Hoffman ever was a registered Republican. But I don’t see how any Democrat could clerk for Rehnquist. This isn’t simply a case of voting for Reagan once or twice. This was actively working to advance an extremely conservative ideology.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 8:50 am
It was who hired him. Ain’t gonna work.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 11:33 am
No, its not just who hired him. Clerks aren’t just administrative hired help and this isn’t just any old random position. Supreme Court clerks write briefs and conduct research that support the viewpoint of the Supreme Court Justice. Justices don’t just hire bright people. They hire bright people who are in ideological agreement with their positions. This tells me that Hoffman was in basic agreement with Rehnquist’s very conservative views.

I’m surprised no one has researched or asked what opinions Hoffman worked on.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 1:50 pm
By the way, if a candidate on the Republican side had worked as a clerk for Thurgood Marshall or Ruth Bader Ginsburg, don’t you think most Republicans would think it was an important issue.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Jan 13, 10 @ 2:07 pm