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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoes, Final Round

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Illinois

* Boones gets the best political bar/restaurant in Springfield award. Ellen McElroy-Kenworth and Liz Brown will receive our Golden Horseshoe for best legislative staffer. The winner of best statewide official is AG Lisa Madigan.

* Today’s round will be the last one. Please explain all your votes and try to answer all the questions. Thanks.

1) Best press spokesperson (legislative, congressional, local or statewide)

2) Best lobbyist (Statehouse only)

3) Best Capitol Fax Blog commenter

Remember, no negativity and no snark, and explain your votes, please. This contest is not just based on the number of votes, but on the intensity of the support.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:38 am

Comments

1) Best Spokesperson? I would have said David Dring until is vitriolic anti-Cubs comments today. I would never say Steve Brown. So I am going to have to say Rickey Hendon. He counts as a spokesperson, right?

2) Best lobbyist? As in most successful? Or as in my mostest favorite? Since I don’t know any lobbyist well enough to provide a good answer, I will just say God.

3) My most favorite Capitol Fax commenter would have to be Bill. Nobody inspires his fellow commenters as much as Bill does. Hands down. No contest. Send home the other contestants, ’cause this pigs got the slop.

Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:47 am
God is not a lobbyist (although someone does claim to lobby for him in Spfld) and Rickey is not a spokesperson. Try again.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:52 am
hmmm, I’ll vote on this round, don’t know if my votes should count as I’m just a reader fan of Capfax and didn’t vote in the other rounds, but…

1. best spokesperson. I’d like to say Steve Brown, gives it short and straight, but my vote goes to Ms Rausch. I think she deserves an award for all the spin she has to keep putting out in a postion where the spin is getting very hard.

3. Can I split a vote three ways? 1/3 to each VanillaMan, YellowDog Dem, and Ghost. They make me think, sometimes I agree, sometimes not, but they make me search for why I think this or that way on an issue.

Comment by Princeville Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:54 am
1) Steve Brown. Who else does as good a job as saying so much or so little, so clearly or obtusely depending on what the situation requires.

3) Gotta be Bill. Esp. since I took the bait a few days ago when he said Jay Hoffman was independent.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:54 am
Rich, you are no fun.

Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:56 am
1. Steve Brown. You have to admit that his comments not only can be a nasty backhanded slap at Madigan’s foes/victims but he can usually make you chuckle at least once a week. The press eats him up.
2. Bill Anderson. Super nice guy and effective on behalf of local governments. Plus, he’s like a Timex with his cancer battle - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
3. Vanilla Man. He truly believes in what he writes. I’d say Bill, but I swear he has to have his tongue firmly planted in his cheek every time he comments.

Comment by Bluefish Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 10:57 am
I’m plenty of fun. GB.

And, just for the record, I’m for Bill Anderson, too. And “Bill.” I’ll declare a conflict on spokesperson.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:00 am
1) Steve Brown. He is accessible and tells it like it is. Plus, if he wins, all of the pro-Blago bloggers will go apoplectic.

2) For 2007, it would have to be Steve Selcke. He coordinated AT&T’s lobbying effort on the Cable and Video Competition Law, probably the most significant bill the General assembly passed this year — to-date.

3) In keeping with a “Steve theme”, Steve Schnorf is my favorite Cap Fax commenter. He keeps the rest of us grounded in the facts.

Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:02 am
“all of the pro-Blago bloggers will go apoplectic”

Which blog are you reading?!

LOL

Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:05 am
Patty Schuh —- does teh best job of trying makes sense of what bosses are saying (especially Pate)

Bill Anderson is a good choice, but since we going with old timers how about Bill Olson at the beer distributors (plus is he wins he might front a bash.

Mr./Ms. DumberThanYouThink clearly works on the side with the Blagos. He/She hits the nail on the head day in and day out.

p.s. most believe Bill and GoBearss are the same person so will those votes be pooled?

Comment by Reddbyrd Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:09 am
1) Steve Brown, although Blago effectively co-writes the material for him. Like shooting very hairy fish in a barrel.

3) Vanilla Man, Capitol Fax Blog’s finest color commentator. I agree with less than half of what he says, but no one says it more memorably. He deserves the award for his Blago-in-a-cape medley.

Comment by ZC Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:09 am
1. Steve Brown. Knows exactly what buttons to push.
2. Bill Anderson–does great work for his clients and an all around nice guy
3. Yellow Dog Dem. Well researched, well thought out positions and fun to read.

Comment by Lake Tom Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:10 am
1) Steve Brown & David Dring. Their comments are usually a bit funny.

2) No idea…

3) Favorite commenter — Bill, it’s nice to see someone besides Winston & Strawn defending the Governor.

Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:12 am
1) Mike Klemens at Revenue - he has substantive knowledge of the department
2) Tom Johnson of Taxpayers’ Federation - A person with knowledge who provides an honest assessment of tax and fiscal issues
3) Bill - whether you agree with him or not, and I almost never do, he presents an alternate point of view that many times (unfortunately) reflects the views of many of the uninformed apolitical folks who are the overwhelming majority of this state.

Comment by Just the Facts Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:13 am
Sorry, Rich, can’t speak to the first two. I try to stay away from lobbyists and press people.

For best blogger, it’s GOT to be Vanilla Man. The series of blogs that he did a couple months ago about Our dear governor threatening to jump with the “Four Tops” claiming to catch him and the reporting from the scene was absolutely priceless. I was laughing all day long.

Comment by Trafficmatt Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:13 am
Steve Brown? Nah, he has it much too easy. It’s Ottenhoff and Rausch who have their hands full.

Comment by FlackerBacker Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:18 am
1. Second the vote for Mike Klemens. He was a big help to me on a story I once wrote concerning property tax multipliers. Explained the process in a way that put a very complex issue in perspective.
2. Don’t know any lobbyists, so I’ll pass.
3. Since the race appears to be between Vanilla Man and Bill, I give the nod to Vanilla Man, again based on his hilarious play-by-play of “Blago the jumper.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:20 am
Best Lobbyist? That’s a easy one: Former St. Laurence Viking and Legal Beagle for the Speaker:
Jim Morphew. Looks at his client list, varied but a true pro and has the respect of a ton of legislators!

Comment by kane county doc Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:21 am
1. Steve Brown is the best
2. Mike McClain- one of the nicest guys around to members and staff
3. Blogger- Yellow Dog Dem- much funnier on the internet than in person

Comment by Babybyrd Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:27 am
2) Best lobbyist in my mind is Pam Webber. She works for great organziations (IL Extension, and IL Domestic Violence Coalition). She has always been very we recieved. Although she may not work for one of the “big” powerhouse companies that lobby, she lobbies to ensure what is best for the people of IL comes out!

Comment by lj Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:27 am
Just joking about Yellow Dog.. he’s a great blogger

Comment by Babybyrd Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:27 am
1. Steve Brown- direct and effective, does come off as spinning as much as some others.

3. YDD- Well researched, respectful, articulate, and he doesn’t need 8 paragraphs to outline his position. Cream of the crop.

Comment by Gene Parmesan Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:28 am
Is Klemmens still eligible? Didn’t we give him a new title and a phatt raise

Actually he should be the director of the dept. of revnue, but he is smart enough not to take the job

Thanks for the vote too!

Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:28 am
1) Bill Beavers, Todd Stroger’s unofficial spokesman, because, hell, who else makes us laugh so much? I mean, c’mon, if you can’t laugh at the “hog with the big nuts”, who CAN you laugh at? (O.K., Ms. Cuban Missile Crisis gets 2nd place …)

2) There are too many effective lobbyists for me to pick any one out. Because I have a distaste for this activity in general, I choose not to enter a vote here. Not a slam against lobbyists themselves, only against the system which allows special interests to buy perks and influence our votes at the polling place can’t seem earn.

3) Toss up between Bill, VanillaMan & YDD … I can’t say that I agree with them much, but they never cease to entertain.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:29 am
3) Cassandra - she says what we’ve all been browbeaten in to not believing.

Comment by Leroy Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:33 am
Rebecca Rausch easily the best looking and best spokesperson
This guy anonymous knows what he is talking about
Everyone is tied for second behind Margaret Vaughn the first female speaker of the 3rd House.

Comment by Anon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:33 am
1. Rebecca Rausch-hands down best spokesperson
2. Bill-always incitefull
3. Margaret Vaughn-hardest working women in politics, she also has the best parties.

Comment by il firefighter Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:35 am
The three blog posters that cause me to read what they have to say b/c it has a good chance of being insightful are bored now, archpundit and YDD.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:37 am
I’d say the best commenter is YDD. (even if saying it gives him an even bigger sense of righteousness)

Comment by Johnny USA Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:38 am
1) Randall Samborn. Not only does he get to tell every reporter in Illinois that he won’t comment on ongoing investigations, he got to do it in DC for Scooter Libby. And yet he is clearly a master of timing both deliberate leaks and public statements by his boss and a wall of other law enforcement officials.

2) Bill Luking — he has the toughest job, herding the Chicago delegation, and the most encyclopedic knowledge of not just the relevant state and federal statutes, but also the important court decisions at every level.

3) Vanilla Man — cogent, extensive, and humorous all at the same time.

Comment by Prairie Sage Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:40 am
Please, just choose one entry for each.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:40 am
It has to be Joe Handley,the governor’s guy for all the warm and fuzzy feelings the General Assembly has for the man.

Comment by blagoman Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 11:46 am
Best blogger - this is a no brainer. Vanilla Man. I am jealous that he is blessed with such wit. Not delusional in his posts - just gives the “fax” man.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:00 pm
#3, although his opinions usually lack any sort of factual or logical basis, it has to go to Vanilla Man. He may be wrong on everything, but he usually is an entertaining read. I can find facts and logic in a lot of blogs, but people who are wrong on everything but still manage to entertain? That’s a rare talent.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:01 pm
YDD–good context for comments and a strong understanding of recent Springfield history.

Comment by archpundit Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:05 pm
Okay, if I can’t split my # 3 vote three ways, then I guess my whole vote goes to Yellow Dog Dem.

But I sure did enjoy what VanillaMan did this summer with his replay of events, the one at the gov’s mansion and the one where Madigan, Jones and Blago were all had to go through trying to ‘trust’ one another. VanillaMan is a gem.

Comment by Princeville Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:06 pm
1. How can you not give the award to Abby Ottenhoff. I haven’t seen this type of spinning since Dennis Culloton worked his magic for O’le George. By the way, whatever, happened to Dennis?

2. Margaret Vaughn-Who else can you sing show tunes with.

3. I like reading Little Egypt so I’ll give her the vote.

Comment by Garp Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:07 pm
1) gotta be steve brown.
thank god, he makes reading the clips & reactions more fun.
2) mike mcclain for best lobbyist. He knows what’s going on & has more reason than most to have a big head, but he doesn’t. He is also fair to opponents of each issue he works on. Any company that hires him is lucky!

3) YDD — makes good points and most of the time makes a funny at the same time.

Comment by dupage progressive Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:11 pm
1) Steve Brown - a pro.
2) FELLER!
3) Yellow Dog Democrat. In spite of his name, insightfully digs in on Dems - probably better than Republicans.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:13 pm
#1) Hands down, it’s Abby.

#2) Da Mayor

#3) Fed-up Dem

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:13 pm
#3 My vote is for VanillaMan because he gets his point accross without being hateful.

Comment by Patriot Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:14 pm
Dennis is making big cash with Guy Chipparoni

Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:16 pm
Shelia Nix — this is all about sympathy, that has to be a hard job.

Don’t know any lobbyists that well so i’m passing.

I’m also a big fan of Yellow Dog, he doesn’t just bloviate and he’s usually got some reasoned, political analysis behind his comments.

Comment by Tom B. Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:19 pm
changing my vote. i should have read the comments first. I also cast my lobbyist vote for Feller. h/t johnshibleyfan

Comment by Tom B. Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:21 pm
Not a lot of voting on #2.

I’ve met Dave Piccoli from the IFT several times. He certainly works with a wide variety of people and seems like a good guy, so I’ll toss a vote his way.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:23 pm
1.) Best Spokesperson - Steve Brown. Steve had a lot of work to do this year, and he seemed to always do it very well. Madigan should be proud.

2.) Best Lobbyist - WOW! There are a lot of great lobbyists in Illinois. Bill Anderson would get my vote.

3.) A very tough call! YDD is outstanding and always insightful, but it has to be Bill!

I envy his posting’s brilliant simple-minded predictability! It is like he mind-melded with Baghdad Bob and “Pravda”. Bill, the official spokesperson for the People’s Republic of Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:35 pm
1. I vote for the Spin Sisters as a group, they are the most “creative” at their roles because they have to be.
2. Bill Cellini - because he is effective at what he does and knows all the strings to pull. Not an endorsement of everything he does.
3. Difficult choice, and no clear winner because many are particularly strong in one area (prose, humor, irreverence, strong on the facts, best liar, etc.). Vanilla Man’s prose is often outstanding, though.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:36 pm
1. Steve Brown. 521 Google hits over the past year. With duplicates omitted. I love Dring and nominated him as my fav GOP staffer, but he had 92 hits by comparison. Brown’s zingers are priceless. The Gov’s press staff is disqualified, not because they aren’t good people, but because they have no credibility (albeit through no fault of their own). Plus, just like baseball, where you don’t win MVP if your team is in the toilet, you can’t give “Best Anything” to a team that’s at 83% disapproval.

2)Mike McClain. A workhorse, not a showhorse, McClain is one of the most effective, trusted lobbyists there is. Period.

3) Bill. He gives us all a reason to check back frequently and read comments. Though I disagree with his views, I respect his tenacity and ability to articulate his opinions. Plus, he’s like Cher, Sting, and Prince: he doesn’t even need a last name.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:37 pm
Best spokesperson : Rebecca Rausch — it takes a brave soul to continuously stand with someone who is constantly under attack.

Best lobbyist: It’s a tie : Loretta Durbin(she does a lot of great work for women interested in government)
Best comments : Yo no se. Yo no los leí pero haré con la mayoría y diré YDD

Comment by living for the weekend Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 12:57 pm
1. Ottenhoff…wow she deserves a medal after this year

2. No idea

3. Vanilla Man ‘cuz although I don’t always agree with him, I read his entire text and then ponder…

Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:07 pm
3) VanillaMan - Usually backs-up his position with facts.

Comment by Hickory Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Could the Spin Sisters actually edge out Brownie? This could be fun.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:18 pm
Abbby gets my vote. After all those years of being a “Madigoon”, she gets rewarded by becoming Rod’s mouthpiece. In the name of justice, please select her.

Comment by Vilhe Mechi Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:23 pm
1. Steve Brown. Nobody does more by saying less.
2. Jim McPike. Well respected and a lot nicer than when he was majority leader.
3. Bob Hicks

Comment by Ghostwriter Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:30 pm
Rich Miller @ 11:00. I am going to agree that you are fun. But you also have to follow your own rules (and explain your votes, please. This contest is not just based on the number of votes, but on the intensity of the support.)

The best spokesperson has to go to Abby. Given the same assignment Steve Brown probably has more talent. But the spin she has to come up with day after day after day, with a straight face, lets just say she has done a fantastic job and deserves the award.

I am all in with Feller. The hardest working man in the business. His day is never done. The gang at 26th St. don’t know how lucky they are.

I haven’t seen him here in awhile, but Pat Hickey was always a trip to read. Actually I usually had to read his post two or three times to figure out what he was saying. His passion for his positions is probably only matche by Bills loyalty to Rod.

Comment by Been There Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:34 pm
#1. Rebecca Rausch - credible, smart, classy.
#2 Don’t know.
#3 Bill - for his guts to say what’s unpopular on this blog and because he keeps coming back for more.

Comment by anon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:38 pm
Randy Witter for best lobbyist — a ton of integrity and represents a cluster of legisative interests well.

Vanilla Man for humor. We need a laugh these days, those of us who hang around the State House.

Comment by capitol view Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:41 pm
1) My gut says Steve Brown, but my heart goes out to Abby. Seriously, you have to feel for her - she goes from working for a top quality politician and decent human being to a hack of a governor with no conscience.

2) Mike Kasper. Not only charming, handsome, and intelligent, but extremely hard working. A class act guy.

3) You’re all entertaining.

Comment by Anon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:45 pm
The best lobbyist by far is Tom Madsen. His pic is in the dictionary to illustrate the word “integrity.” He ensures no one is blindsided, and is responsive to all requests for information in a timely manner. He works the offices like a beat reporter, speaks to everyone regardless of their stature, and brings a true sense of honor to the profession of lobbyist. Lastly, everyone who knows him would know that Tom Madsen did not write this and had no part in it!

Comment by Blogger2 Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:45 pm
BTW, thanks for all the votes everyone. Its nice to feel appreciated, I especially JonShibleyFan’s comment that I do a better job of critiquing Democrats than the Republicans do. From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial platform (which, btw, could easily be the CapitolFax platform):

“I know that my retirement will make no difference in its cardinal principles, that it will always fight for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfied with merely printing news, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.”

– statement by Joseph Pulitzer, April 10, 1907

As for my criticisms of the Governor, I have this advice, from another Democrat:

Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

- Lyndon B. Johnson

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:46 pm
1. Steve Brown - Is there really a choice here?
2. Bill Olson - Beer Distributors - The man has beat cancer and about every other disease and still gets the job done with style and in a professional manner.
3. It’s a toss up between Vanilla Man and Bill. I don’t agree with everything they say but I make sure to read their comments.

Comment by Anon. in Springfield Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:48 pm
Don’t the SpinSisters votes count for .5? Slim and Red must share! Should they be apportioned to the BoyToys too?
Plus if it wasn’t for the rest of us….Giggles, Fumbles, SlickWille, The Real Estate Office, DiceK(new character) Wymamontana ….the list never ends. They would having to talk about. That devil Madigan doesn’t provide nearly enough material
Geez.

Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:51 pm
Could the Spin Sisters actually edge out Brownie? This could be fun.

Change the award from “best spokesperson” to “best actress” and they will be a lock.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 1:53 pm
1) Goodness, not one vote for Cindy yet? I vote for Cindy Davidsmeyer. She works hard, is a fair boss, and takes time to mentor the stream of 23 year olds who come thru Jones’ office every few years.

2) The Farm Bureau’s lobbying staff is pretty awesome.

3) eeny meeny miney mo - I pick Vanillaman.

Comment by Rayne of Terror Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:02 pm
I regret to advise that I must change my vote.
Sorry, VM.
Dumberthanyouthink is the only choice. I rarely have a clue in the world what the person is talking about, but it always is entertaining.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:02 pm
Rich and DTYT:

A vote for any one of the Spin Sisters, or the Spin Sisters as a group, should be counted as one.

For as Jesus said, “I and the Father are One.” They are more the Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse than the Holy Trinity Plus One, but I digress.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:03 pm
A vote for the best spokesperson should be someone who is most of the time credible in her/his comments. That, by itself, eliminates anyone from the governor’s office. My vote is for Steve Brown for the above mentioned reason. He says a lot with very few words and hits the nail on the head every time.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:11 pm
3. A toss between Bill and YDD, and since the Dog appears to feel limited to posting mainly things he really believes, I gotta go with Bill, who has no limits.

Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:18 pm
Can’t answer #1 or #2 but #3 is definately Vanillaman. Several of his posts, including the jumper, are the best written posts that I’ve seen. Bill is entertaining and certainly sets off most of us but Vanillaman definately has more talent as a writer.

Comment by Silent Majority Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:23 pm
Let’s start the FELLER campaign right now.

Comment by anon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:33 pm
1. Its gotta be Abbey and Rebecca because they are really pretty and Steve Brown is so ugly.
2. Nick Yelverton of the IFT because he always picks up the tab and he knows that you can’t bs a bs’er.
3. Normally I would vote for myself. I can’t really decide between Little e, Arthur Anderson, YDD, and that closet liberal Vanilla Man. I can’t vote for Dumber, ghost, and MOON because they are on the payroll.
I think I’ll have to go with Steve Schnorf because he gives an historical perspective from someone who was there and because I feel sorry for him because he had to put up with Edgar for so long.
Thanks to everyone for the kind(?)words and the votes. Ill by you a drink this weekend.

Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:42 pm
===but Vanillaman definately has more talent as a writer.===
??&%#@&%??

Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:44 pm
Little Egypt nails it on the spokesperson, not just the vote for Steve Brown. It’s a little troubling to see folks express what sounds like admiration for the SpinSisters and what they’ve done to earn the nickname.
Dunno on two
As much as I like YDD, Vanilla Man has to get the nod for the “jumper” series.

Comment by Ellinoyed Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:45 pm
Another vote for YDD - great at tying current events to history on any number of topics.

Comment by anono Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:11 pm
1. Oh c’mon, it’s gotta be RR and Abby. It’s take a couple of tough as nails women to put up with the abuse they take on a daily basis. When’s the last time Brown had to deal with the day those ladies had yesterday?
2. How has no one mentioned Dan Shomon and the Shomafia? Truly a stand up individual and gets it done for his clients. It’s your own fault if you ever leave a bar he’s at sober.
3. Bill just because he gets under so many people’s skin.

Comment by Steamed Lobster Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:11 pm
1. Abby Ottenhoff, I think she makes laypeople believe that her boss understands the process
2. Neil Flynn because he has honesty and integrity; he’s accessible and courteous. Lawyers make better lobbyists.
3. El Salsa because it couldnt be any more obvious that he/she has a prime administration job and drinks the Kool Aid every day.

Comment by Lotta Liaison Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:19 pm
===Could the Spin Sisters actually edge out Brownie? This could be fun.

We should all remember this the next time Rich complains about a troll…

Comment by archpundit Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Where is the Beer Blogging today?

Comment by Rock-N-Roll-Rod Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:29 pm
=======Let’s start the FELLER campaign right now. =========
I’m on board. He never had a bad day in his life. A few bad nights, but hey.
I also think Feller would look great with a golden horseshoe hanging from his neck.

Comment by Never Had a Bad Day In His Life Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:45 pm
1) David Dring wins a tight race over Abby Ottenhoff. Dring’s ability to deliver the message with “flair” and his recent Zamboni quote are the difference.

2)Vince Persico
3)Anonymous

Comment by Elon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:50 pm
1. It has to be Steve Brown. Steve does more than just produce quotes. He brings a history, sense of strategy and wealth of knowledge that are valuable.
On the sister side, just because your boss is a political meltdown does not automatically make you a pro. Anyone can puppet to reporters and not call them back(RR). I respect Abby, but Brown is the clear choice.

3. I have to vote for YDD. He’s out there and he does a good job backing up his statements.

Comment by gotta vote Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:00 pm
2. Julie Sullivan. She knows her group’s side of the issue along with everyone else’s, and can fairly and accurately articulate all of them. (But Bill Anderson is also knowledgeable and a total class act. Both great.)

3. I have to go with Steve Schnorf for the same reason articulated earlier. He doesn’t write terribly often, but when he does, he can cut through vitriol and flailing to bring the conversation back down to constructive civility.

Comment by The Procrastinatrix Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:27 pm
YDD, Bill and uh, ME?
YOU LIKE ME! - YOU REALLY LIKE ME!

As you may have already read, I voted for Bill. This is because Bill needs this honor. If you only knew just how pitiful and small his life is, you’d vote for Bill too. If you have a heart, and really care about sending a gracious gesture to a guy who legally qualifies as a shut-in, I hope you’ll vote for Bill too. I hope he sees it as a second chance to go out there and find a human being to care for - or who knows, maybe a small stuffed lizard. (It would have to be already dead, or it would suffer so!)

If YDD wins, he earned it. His brilliant insights make everyone else recognize how little of a life he really has. Frankly anyone who knows as much about Illinois politics as YDD does, would need an intervention, wouldn’t they? Perhaps YDD could use the honor as a way to begin to salve that rotted conscience he has because of that last “D” in his name.

There are so many fantastic bloggers to choose, I know that whoever is chosen, they will be sincerely honored - but then, maybe not. So, this is what I think you should consider…

If you vote for me I promise to be funnier, wittier, smarter and more kind to each of you. I’ve been holding back because Rich makes me write cruel postings. If you only knew how many times he deletes my postings and then emails me demanding that I really insult the previous poster. He says it drives up web-hits. Well, I promise, I will no longer be mean to any of you! I bet a lot of you think that Bill and I just loathe one another. It isn’t true, it is all Rich’s idea. In reality, I always try to treat Bill just like an ugly stepsister, with the pity he deserves.

I’ll be nice even when you write something so incredibly stupid the Bush Administration translates it, prints it and uses it as torture at Guantanamo. Or the Democrats adopt it as a campaign platform.

I promise to be nice to your comments even when you sound as if you are one of those people who sit naked at your keyboard with a very large collection of empty bottles of Mountain Dew leaking on your hairy webbed toes.

I promise to be nice and give you a second chance when you mean to say something really clever and witty, but instead post something that biased, narrow-minded, and an embarrassment to thinking people everywhere, except in San Francisco or Boston.

And you can count on me to never laud this honor continually. Only until next year’s winner is chosen.

Have a nice weekend - don’t forget the Salvation Army this year!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:42 pm