Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** Recent moments in Massive FAIL
Next Post: Quinn asks for cabinet member resignations
Posted in:
* From an e-mail…
You should know that I actually put my Golden Horseshoe award on my resume! I’m sure it sealed the deal on my new gig!
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…
* Best legislative staffer
* Best state legislative secretary/admin assistant
* Best political bar/restaurant in Springfield
* Best IL state agency director
* Best Illinois state legislator
* Best Illinois congresscritter
* Best IL statewide elected official
* Best Statehouse lobbyist
* Best press spokesperson
* Best non-press staffer for a constitutional officer
* Best “insider”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:29 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** Recent moments in Massive FAIL
Next Post: Quinn asks for cabinet member resignations
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Absolutely not - Horseshoe is so perfectly Springfield, no other name is apt.
Comment by Thoughts... Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:34 pm
Godlen is nice, but I’d stick with Golden
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:36 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.
Comment by Tom Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:38 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.
Comment by Quacktastic Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:40 pm
Tom, yes, we did. https://capitolfax.com/2008/12/21/golden-horsehoes-final-round/
Quacktastic, we gave out a trinket one year.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:41 pm
In honor of Rich… we could call it the Golden Cannoli.
Comment by George Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:42 pm
No need to fix it, it ain’t broke.
Comment by Scooby Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:42 pm
The WSJ solidified the Horseshoe’s national status back in March… it stays.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703416204575145564283066500.html
Comment by unclesam Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:48 pm
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Keep it as it is and design a logo for it. Make certificates even.
Comment by Levois Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:49 pm
No, no, no changes. Some things are just bleepin’ golden!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:50 pm
F@!%ing Golden Horseshoe award
Comment by Jeff Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:51 pm
Golden Horseshoe is perfect. Is there an actual physical award?
Comment by Obama's Puppy Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 12:59 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 . . . “
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:00 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)
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:04 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.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:23 pm
I second the motion to have a commentor award.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:36 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!
Comment by Golden Horseshoe Voter Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Rich — could you please create a Golden Horseshoe Hall of Fame so we can see the past winners?
Comment by soccermom Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Best legislative liaison
Comment by unspun Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:44 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.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 1:57 pm
Best (most effective) campaign manager
Comment by Ghost of John Brown Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:06 pm
Best chance of failing to win re-election.
Comment by Hawkeye Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:08 pm
Best “Outsider”
Plus, I would do multiple best lobbyist awards:
Best Lobbyist - former legislator
Best Lobbyist - former staffer
Best Lobbyist - do gooder
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:15 pm
I’m a fan of the do gooder lobbyist category, as well as the “Bleeping Golden Horseshoe” for the re-naming.
Comment by Who Else Goes Down Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:19 pm
best campaign staffer
Comment by Anon Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:20 pm
===as well as the “Bleeping Golden Horseshoe” for the re-naming. ===
Wouldn’t look very good on a resume.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:21 pm
I second unspun at 1:44. Add legislative liaison.
Comment by SAP Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:25 pm
Maybe “Best performance on the witness stand”?
Comment by George Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:26 pm
“Best rat cellar food(food-like) item”?
Comment by George Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:27 pm
maybe something related to appointed members of a boards or commissions? Considering they are under the gun now.
Comment by George Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:28 pm
I would break out the lobbyist categories into “association” and “contract.” Just a thought.
Comment by Jimmy87 Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:54 pm
How about best blog/blogger? Rich could award one to himself if he wanted too.
Comment by Levois Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 2:55 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.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:04 pm
I agree with adding best campaign staffer. I would also add one for best (most effective) advocacy/non-profit.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:11 pm
Howsabout “best appearance on a reality TV show by spouses of disgraced elected officials”?
Or would that just be called “The Patty”?
Comment by dupage dan 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
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:19 pm
==Cheezwiz==
Blasphemy
Comment by ANON Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:27 pm
I would agree with best Campaign staff/staffer, since that’s where the money was, so to speak, this past year.
Comment by ANON Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:28 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.
Comment by Cynic Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:37 pm
Best deal for the taxpayer’s money.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 3:51 pm
Golden Kitty Award
Comment by Way South of the Border Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Worst bill
Best public interest group/advocate
Comment by Chicago Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:11 pm
@Chicago
“Worst Bill” goes to Bill Bradley for the ‘Puppy Killer’ one. That will forever be the worst bill ever.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:41 pm
Best campaign advertising/media firm?
Comment by soccermom Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:50 pm
I just love this site! It ain’t broke…no need to fix it.
Comment by Ain't No Justice Friday, Nov 19, 10 @ 4:51 pm