Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day - Blog reader awards, Round Two

Posted in:

Illinois

Let’s continue today with our still-unnamed annual contest. I received some late e-mail votes (I probably shut down comments too early last night) so let’s have a runoff between two people who not only received the most votes, but also were supported by the strongest statements of why they should be named as the state legislator who best epitomizes public service. You can just write the name of either favored candidate in your response.

On our second and third questions today, please back up your vote with an explanation of why you feel this way. Just typing the name won’t count.

Here we go…

1) Who best epitomizes public service: Rep. Frank Mautino or Rep. Julie Hamos?

2) Which Illinois US Congressman, in your opinion, shows true statesmanlike qualities of putting country over party? Explain.

3) Which Illinois union, association, etc. has the most positive impact on Illinois government? Explain.

As before, purely negative or snarky comments will be deleted. If you want to argue with someone else’s choice, fine, but make sure you have your own nominee.

Comments will be closed on this contest at 6 pm tonight.

By an overwhelming margin, the late Don Stephens won the “Most effective local mayor” award yesterday. Also, I didn’t really like any of the names suggested for these awards. I’ll continue to think about it.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:08 am

Comments

1) No opinion
2) No opinion, but if we’re still allowed to vote for retired or dead people, I would say Bill Lipinski (but, he was politically secure enough to get away with it in his Democratic district)
3) C.U.B. Without them, we’d be burning political mailings for heat, and hooking our dogs up to treadmills for electricity.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:19 am
Legislator of the year is Don Harmon. He passed the Renewable Portfolio Standard for goodness sake. He honest as the day is long, and his word is his bond. Nuff said…

The Capital Fax Awards, not fancy, but promote yourself Rich!

Comment by anon56 Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:27 am
1) Don’t care for either

2) Peter Roskam - Truly cares about the 6th CD and is out there meeting with citizens from all over the district talking about a variety of issues. He’s not a single issue congressman. A strong supporter of our troops and our vets.

3) Operating Engineers Local 150 - They support the right candidates each time. Don’t follow the union norm to endorse DEM’s just because the other groups do.

Comment by GOPYooper Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:32 am
At risk of bending the rules, because I don’t think any of congressmen have particularly put country over party.

I give Sen. Obama a lot of credit for working with Sen. Coburn on some of the budget issues, to make the budget more transparent. These two could not be further apart on most issues, but they came together for the good of the country. Reaching across the that manner is just not done anymore.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:33 am
why only one award? Give it to both Hamos and Mautino. But if it has to be just one, let it go to the non-dynasty one, Julie Hamos — Frank is great, but he had the district handed to him due to his father. Julie came out of the ranks of senior services advocates before being elected to replace Jan Schakowsky in the House. (Yes, I know that she is married to Judge/former Rep. Alan Greiman.)

For Congressman, I have to favor Ray LaHood — who hosted get-togethers of all Congressmen regardless of party, and distained Newt Gingrich’s Contract for America. A thoughtful independent who will be missed.

Comment by capitol view Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:44 am
Award names…

The Cappies
BlogA’s
Bloggers Choice Awards
Lincoln Bloggers
Prairie Bloggers
Prairie Awards
Land of Lincoln Bloggs
Lincolnies

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:45 am
Thanks for reopening the voting. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to cast my vote for Julie Hamos, who probably has the best public policy mind in the legislature. Circulating petitions for her this fall was almost effortless because her core constituency in Evanston appreciates her intelligence, dedication,and policy leadership in the State legislature. She is “good government” personified!

I met her mother recently at a fundraiser- she told me that Julie has always been a “do gooder” and became involved in various worthy causes and issues when she was in high school. Too bad the political process in Springfiled turned her mass transit reform bill into goulash (Julie is Hungarian - you can hear a slight accent occasionally.)

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:47 am
1) Mautino and Hamos may be well respected for their public service, but I would also suggest that Dan Rutherford epitomizes the notion of a “citizen legislator” who holds down a full-time senior management job with a Fortune 500 company while serving in the State Senate. Rutherford’s commitment to constituent service is second to none and he demonstrates a statesman-like leadership in a caucus that has few other peers.

2)Ray LaHood is far-and-away the best choice for a congressman who puts country above party. His efforts to hold bipartisan “retreats” with other members of congress and their families was something to reduce the acidity of congressional politics. While certainly political, Ray has consistently put the needs of the country and all voters (democrat and republican) above the parochial interests that frequently pervade representative government in Washington DC

3)The United Mine Workers were instrumental in carrying southern Illinois for Blagojevich. Their support of him created the window for him to win and, by extension, the impact of his administration on the state. A close 2nd place vote would go to the Service Employees International Union which has grown signficantly in strenght and political power over the past few years.

Comment by DC Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:52 am
Stick to the two choices on state legislators, please. I’m not reopening the voting.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:54 am
Award suggestion: The LoL’s? (Land of Lincoln Awards)

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:56 am
Let’s get back to the questions asked, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 10:57 am
1) Mautino. He may have been appointed after his father passed away, but that was almost 20 years ago. He has certainly established himself as a community leader and a self-directed legislator in his own right.

2) You got me there. Who? I hate to say that I cannot think of one. If I could reach back in time, I would pick Glenn Poshard. I cannot think of anyone else; it’s just gotten too partisan.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:00 am
Ok, so no CAPFAXIES. What about “The Faxtacular Awards”?

Also, I vote Mautino. He’s faxtacular.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:03 am
1) Hamos. She’s spent years working on a solution for mass transit problems in the chicagoland area and finally devised a piece of legislation that has a shot at curing the ailing systems, however her work is tied up in the wicked web Cross, Blago, and Jones have created. There would have at least been some peace in the northern part of the state if Cross had “permitted” his cronies to vote for what is probably the only sensible piece of legislation this year - a plan that requires those who use metropolitan transportation (those in the northern part of the state) to pay for it themselves.

2) Anyone but Lipinski

3) Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. This year they’ve gotten closer to some real ethics reform, but of course, Jones is tying it up in the Senate because god forbid we actually preclude contractors from making contributions to Blago.

Comment by awardsfordummies Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:04 am
Hamos

Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:09 am
Award Name: Best Loved Illinois Public Servants (BLIPS)

Comment by Patriot Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:10 am
2) I think Phil Hare deserves the award. His work for Fair Trade instead of Free Trade was great. He got a lot of publicity on it, and really went against his party. He ralled a lot of Democrats and even some Republicans to his side even though all of the Dem. leadership voted for the agreement in Peru.

Comment by mike Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:17 am
3. the Better Government Association

The BGA has done a lot to force more open government under FOIA; not to mention keeping on top of current policies and government waste. They are non-partisan true govt watch dog group.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:20 am
1)Hamos can be way too haughty–ask folks who have worked with her on the transit stuff…I vote for Mautino…very decent, friendly, and hard working
2)Dick Durbin because what you see is what you get…honest, dependable, hard worker…
3)CUB, still looking out for the little people vs. the utilities after all these years

Comment by anon56 Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:23 am
1. Julie Hamos

2. If they don’t have to be alive, Sidney Yates, who worked so hard and was so loved and respected by his constituents that people who wanted his seat grew old and gave up, knowing that they couldn’t beat him. He built congressional coalitions for good legislation and supported the arts (all of them) more than anyone else in memory.

3. The Citizens Utility Board, for truth-telling, loud and strong.

And how about Public Servant #1?

Comment by been there Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:31 am
Mautino — he brings of a streak of independence/insanity that always makes his perspective interesting.
Danny Davis — great voice.
Associated Firefighters of IL — get things done and back up the word on the street.

Comment by Reddbyrd Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:32 am
1. Julie Hamos - Her transit bill had bipartisan support when she proposed it and was a brave solution to our transit problems.

2. I would have to go back a long ways to think of someone.

3. Sierra Club - They seem to decide an environmental agenda, help elect people to vote their agenda and send volunteers into district offices to remind the people they help elect what their priorities are.

Comment by Linda Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:36 am
1. I guess Hamos, especially if they pass her transit bill.

2. As tough as it is for me to say, Kirk, has done well at cleaning up the lake and working with democrat Beam to forewarn of a federal transit funding crisis. He seems to play well with others; however, it would be nice if he could pursued some fellow repubs to back transit funding.

3. As effective a SEIU has been, there still not in the league with the Teamsters for making a point, for example, shutting down Pace on the spur of the moment demonstrated what they could do.

4. What about the Faxticuliar Virility Awards?

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:38 am
Hamos certainly has the intellect to get things done but she tends to be partisan maybe somewhat flashy. Frank is a behind the scenes guy. You can go talk to the guy and not feel like you didn’t get the truth. He works hard for his constituents.

I say Bean. She hustles. Maybe this is because she was targeted but she did the same things when she started running against Crane the first time. Time will tell with her if she turns away from her moderate pro-business roots.

Comment by Just Asking Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:42 am
1- Mautino, his spouse makes better pizza
2- None.
3- SEIU - their influence in the Chicago Aldermanic races (and upcoming Rep races) is astonishing. What a way to revive the labor movement!

Comment by 312 Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:51 am
1. No opinion

2. Roskam: He works hard for the 6th District.

3. IL Campaign for Political Reform: Casts a good light on who gets what from whom

Comment by Thirtysomething Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:55 am
1) Julie Hamos. She put herself out on a limb this past year by crafting a well-funded transit bill that included significant reforms (which angered some union folks) all the while most everyone else in Springfield did nothing but take shots at Julie’s bill.

2) Ray LaHood, and this shouldn’t be a contest. The press liked to quote him because he wasn’t afraid to call out either party when the party’s leadership did something stupid, and for years he organized bipartisan retreats. Also, within the Illinois Congressional Delegation he organized bipartisan appropriations meetings that aided Illinois’ efforts at bringing money back to Illinois.

3) The United Transportation Union (UTU), which is led by Joe Szabo. The UTU backs universal fare cards for the RTA system, and has been instrumental in Amtrak expansion.

Comment by Radical Moderate Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:57 am
Congressman who puts country ahead of party? Let me think. John E. Porter comes to mind.

I’m gonna try to avoid calling anyone out by name, but many times when a legislator breaks ranks with his/her party the decision isn’t driven by patriotism. Sometimes it’s self-serving. For example, a politician might be crafting an image as a moderate. Or s/he might be chasing after campaign contributions or an endorsement.

My two cents would be to leave the country over party award vacant for 2007.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 11:57 am
3) This is “eye of the beholder” territory. I vote for the Illinois Federation of Teachers. I do not agree with some of their positions, but everything they do seems to be well thought out and they have a very strong group of advocates in the Springfield office.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 12:00 pm
Current congresscritters, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 12:39 pm
1) Mautino

2) Kirk

3) Illinois Issues

Comment by 2for2 Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 12:40 pm
3.SEIU had the nost positive impact on governnent in Illinois by successfully investing resources in challenging incumbents, I believe these challenges have had a tranformative effect on Chicago politics - the Chicago City Council is no longer an automatic rubber stamp for Mayor Daley. The City Council may actually become an effective policymaking and legislative body when Mayor Daley retires as a result of the seeds SEIU planted in 2007. Incumbent reelection is no longer guaranteed. Aldermen can nowe be held accountable for their performance and their votes. Ultimately, I think competitiveness will increase the quality of our local elected officials.

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:10 pm
1) Julie Hamos, one of the few lawmakers who actually gets into the details of a topic, in particular transit funding and reform, where other lawmakers just spew rhetoric and play follow the leader. She has been on top of the transit funding debate and reform efforts for years and hashed out the reform plan to give the RTA more authority over the CTA, Pace and Metra, which in the end should lead to a better Chicago area transportation system. This is unsung work that she could easily have walked away from when negotiations with these transit agencies got heated — and it did. Her transit funding and reform legislation was a well thought out and negotiated deal that had every side making sacrifices. The only element that gets news — the sales tax increase — is the only element that has been challenged or criticized. Yet, the rest of it is strongly supported by all the other lawmakers who could have cared less to take the time to learn the issues and work on a real solution, including dozens of lawmakers in the area’s this affects. This was selfless work fraught with political pitfalls any knowing politician would avoid. Given the importance of transit funding and reform this year, I would argue the award should clearly go to Hamos and act as a signal to other lawmakers what their job description really should entail. In addition, when the measure finally passes, the benefits may not be realized for years and certainly the legislative leaders and governor will move to take credit for her work and her perseverance.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:10 pm
Although Julie Hamos is a friend, I think I have to stay with Frank Mautino. Yes, Julie crafted a CTA/RTA bailout, but forged ahead without having sufficient votes to pass the bill. Not a good thing to do and questions whether or not she was all that inclusive in putting the provisions together. I can’t recall the last time Frank lost a bill, or sponsored one that wasn’t generally agreed to before a 3rd reading vote.

2. Hard choice to choose between Denny Hastert and Ray LaHood. Both had earned the respect of not only their party, but of the full House as well. As far as the Democrats go, Obama hasn’t been in office long enough and Durbin is the go-to guy to bash the Republicans and seems to revel in it. I guess I’d have to give the nod to Jesse Jackson, Jr. who recently was unafraid to disagree publicly with his father. Whatever else you want to say about him…that took a pair.

3. Since I work for an association, I’m taking a pass on this one. Let’s let those who don’t work for an association do this particular analysis.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:11 pm
He’s still there (if barely) and even though I’m a Democrat, I’ve got to cast my 2) vote for Ray LaHood. Trusted enough by both parties to manage the House while it debated the Clinton impeachment. Sponsor of the annual bipartisan retreats / dinners where you can see Rahm Emanuel getting smashed drinking with Republicans. Elected in 1994 but declined to sign the “Contract with America.” One of the more respected Republicans by the Democrats. Outspoken long before his peers about the damage Bush was doing to the deficit.

Illinois is a pretty partisan state that tends to send knife-fighters to Capitol Hill, and I’m not saying LaHood isn’t partisan too. And my favorite congress critter is Rahm. But in terms of this award, and relative to Illinois, Lahood is a great bridge-builder. He will be missed in D.C.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:12 pm
Hamos

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:20 pm
1- ok.. I would have to go with Hamos. Well respacted, well informed, intelligent.

2- in Congress it would have to be Ray LaHood on the GOP side or Danny Davis on the DEMs

3 - unions / associations with a POSITVE impact. How about Jim Duffett’s Campaign for Better Healthcare. His coalition includes unions and businesses (although I dont think he’s on the chamber of commerce christmas card list)

Comment by The Horse Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:22 pm
1. Hamos - her work on transportation is remarkable. She is approachable and smart.

2. Kirk - hard working, a bit wonkish and most bills he introduces have a democratic co-sponsor.

3. C.U.B and UTU are both good choices for reasons above.
3.

Comment by 10th indy Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:26 pm
1. I have no idea, although I’ve been impressed with Hamos’ attempts to right the transit ship and actually come up with some solutions.

2. Ray LaHood. Man, I will miss him when he leaves. I am proud to call him my Congressman.

3. If you mean positive in terms of actually making a difference, I would say either CUB or ICAA. If you mean positive in terms of influence-peddling and money to be thrown around, SIEU.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Mautino - smart, humble, effective, independent when needed

Don’t know on congress

Illinois Issues magazine

Comment by john kennedy was a friend of mine & senator, you're no john kennedy Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 1:57 pm
Phil Hare! While other Democrats passed NAFTA and have yet to denounce what the Bush people have done with it Phil remains very vocal about his opposition. And I like the fact that he doesn’t want people to address him as “Mr Congressman” or “your grace”, it’s still just “Phil”.

Comment by Moline Maleman Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 2:00 pm
Thanks for reopening this. I’ll reiterate some of the points I made late last night:

1) Mautino edges out Hamos, for the simple reason that he’s a quiet workhorse. Schoenburg has more actual legislation than his state rep (bills get introduced and voted on, legislation has become law).

2) Lahood. Others are good at working on Illinois projects (Kirk, Costello, et. al), but you said _country_, not state. Lahood is the ONLY one who fits that bill.

3) The Civic Federation. That pension time bomb is ticking, and 20 years from now we will ALL wish we had paid more attention.

Comment by Prairie Sage Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 2:05 pm
I forgot my nominee for the name–
why not make it unique to Springfield’s culinary prowess and call it “The Golden Horseshoe.”

Comment by Prairie Sage Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 2:06 pm
1. Hamos get my vote…Mautino is a great guy but I believe that Hamos takes on more complex issues. All in all, both are fine lawkamkers.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 2:06 pm
1) Hamos for sure. She has really put a ton of quality effort into doing the right thing for transit AND found time to champion a number of other progressive causes. She is a great representative. Would that the entire house had her gumption, the GA would be a totally different place.
2) Dick Durbin for sure. The turbine magazine story hit the nail on the head. Here is a man who has persevered and done good work for the people of Illinois while simultaneously keeping an eye on national and international issues as well. All the while keeping a relatively low profile. Unlike some politicians, when Durbin is on the news, its because the media seeks him out, not the other way around.
3) Too hard to tell.

Comment by pjs Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:03 pm
1. Mautino. Quiet, effective legislator who bridges the divide on insurance issues.

Personally, I like Hamos and her politics, in general. But I still remember how she sold out the black caucus over gambling years back in order to get more votes on the gay rights bill — then bragged about it, which caused the black caucus to vote present on gay rights, dooming its passage.

Now, she appears to be playing the role of the insider again, throwing her support behind billionaire Gigi Pritzker’s effort to build in Grant Park. Miles from her state rep. district. I don’t know why Rep. Hamos decided to involve herself in a local issue way outside of her district, or why she wouldn’t be advocating for a $100 million facility to be built in her district instead. But I know that she used to work for Mayor Daley, and something about her involvement in the Children’s Museum deal stinks to high heaven.

2) My choice for most principled is Schakowsky, but she is deeply partisan. Next choice would be Guitierrez, followed by LaHood.

3) Citizen Action Illinois.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:12 pm
Mautino. He does a good job with downstate issues.

2. The Lipper. Just because I like calling him the Lipper

3. SEIU. It was smart not getting involved in the primaries. They have bodies and money.
3.

Comment by Lake Tom Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:13 pm
1. Mautino again, even though in fairness I am not as familiar with Hamos’ overall body of work. Frank is honest, puts principles before party, and is as approachable as any legislator who has seniority. And 312 is correct, Lena Mautino makes an awesome pizza.

2. Ray LaHood is known as a congresscritter who is not a hard-line party guy. He has been criticized by some neocon-typoes as being a RINO or some such idiocy, but he has earned the respect of the voters in his district, which when all else falls away is really the only thing that matters.

3. The Union League Club, where deals are made. Well, it DOES have the word “union” in it. Seriously, AFSCME, because public employment is one of the few bastions of the union movement these days, and they are less arrogant than some of the others while still doing a fairly good job for their members.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:46 pm
1. Mautino
2.Roskam or Hastert
3.All the groups that worked to defeat GRT

Comment by It's 5 O'clock somewhere Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:51 pm
1. no opinion
2. kirk He does a good job protecting the lake and isnt as embarrising as alot of the others.
3. The U.S. Attorney office for Norther Ill. There works not done but they have made excellant progress in fixing Ill. goverment.

Comment by FED UP Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 3:56 pm
The Golden Horseshoe sounds like a winner to me.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 4:08 pm
Arrrggh! I was going to nominate the “Bowtie Awards” in honor of Paul Simon (what would Illinois look like today if he had beaten Dan Walker in the ‘72 primary), but Golden Horseshoe is pretty good!
My vote for 3 is CUB…too bad they couldn’t have kept the 10-year rate freeze from biting us in the ear.

Comment by Millstadt News Guy Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 4:18 pm
1. Best legislator, in line with what I said yesterday, Frank Mautino, for all the reasons cited above and his involvement with insurance issues.
2. Ray LaHood, again for his role in promoting bipartisanship and managing divisive issues such as the Clinton impeachment. Too bad he didn’t run for governor!
3. Association with most positive effect? I’ll have to pass on that one.

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 4:27 pm
Just a note for everyone voting for CUB. If it’s so effective, why is it the only “lobbying” organization created in statute…and able to use state mailings to solicit membership. Yes, Rich, I know I’m off subject, but I just needed to vent that.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 4:28 pm
1. Frank Mautino- Honest- works hard for the people in his district. Cares about the people in his district. No better spokesman for the downstate caucus than Frank. And Lena does makes a great pizza.
2. Anybody BUT Weller
3 AFSCME….Bar none. Works for their members harder than anyother union out there, and works just as hard to make governmnet better for the people. One class act organization!

Comment by DEM61350 Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 5:25 pm
Award Names- Lincoln Logs (with contributions accepted, and proceeds used to purchase large drums full of these time honored toys, to be donated in the award winner’s name-{just in tme for Christmas} to local women’s shelter charities so that their kids can have some building blocks towards a better and brrighter future.

I would have voted for Beth Coulson yesterday, but the nominations were closed before I was free to be able to vote. I will give my runner up vote to Frank Mautino. Julie Haamos is well ntentioned, but allowed Madigan to use here as his tool on this Mass Transit issue, and she lost a lot of favor with me by playng along n that charade.

Congress; I would give a posthumopus award to Henry Hyde, but for the living, the award should go to Mark Kirk. There is no question he has stood tall against some of the darker forces in the R Congress, especially Tom Delay, and he has been very effective for his district by workiing both sides of the aisle in finding common ground.

As far as organizatiions go, I think you would have to say the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, by simply shining the spotlight on much of the non-sense that takes place in Springfield all the time.

I have to give a nod to the Illnois Coalition for Jobs however, who’s latest efforts in court may help the state to remain solvent for a little longer than it otherwise would if the Governor were left un-checked to his own devices.

Comment by Representative Government Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 5:52 pm
1) Mautino. Credible, accessible, hard worker, represents downstate well, zero ego, and AA wants some of that pizza.
2) LaHood. His own man, great district service, returns phone calls, and many classy small gestures most Congressfolks never do, like personally calling each person he nominates to a service academy to give them the news.
3) Any group but SEIU. Barney-colored thugs are not AA’s cup of tea. I assume the US Attorney for Northern District is not eligible, but if so, I would vote for them. The only entity in the State with a batting average as high as Steve Brown.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 5:56 pm
Mautino, respected by both sides gets things accomplished by bringing both sides together. Independent to a fault in this environment…..

Comment by Humble Observer Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 5:58 pm
Hamos. CapFax Blog readers appreciate the great work she’s done on mass transit. But she’s also been a strong, effective leader on a range of other tough and vitally important issues, including some that are controversial even within her progressive district. For example, you don’t win a lot of friends advocating for affordable housing in the suburbs. But Hamos learned the issue cold and then dedicated herself to helping colleagues and voters understand why it was so critical to her district, the region and the state. That’s real leadership and real public service.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 6:35 pm
Hamos: Honest, articulate and well meaning. Mautino is a good chocie too but I’ll go with Hamos.

Comment by Alta Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 6:47 pm