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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Award, Round 2

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* Here’s round 2 of our Golden Horseshoes award. As I told you yesterday, voting is based on intesity of the opinion, not the sheer numbers of votes, so make sure to fully explain your positions, please. Also, no snark and no negativity. I don’t want to have to babysit this thread all day…

1) Best Illinois state legislator

2) Best Illinois congresscritter

3) Best IL statewide elected official

4) Best IL state agency director

I’ll announce yesterday’s winners later.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 11:25 am

Comments

state leg: connie howard
congress: barack obama, of course…
statewide elected: pat quinn or alexi (pick one)
agency director: couldn’t tell ya…

Comment by bored now Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 11:59 am
my favorite leg. would be either the outgoing Pat Lindner, Tim Schmitz, or Jil Tracy…all of them tend to be responsive, easy to work with and knowledgeable…best member of congress-hands down-shimkus…top to bottom, best staff, most reponsive staff, generally concerned with all of illinois…best statewide is alexi. talk about a guy who played his hand almost perfectly…not only has improved upon his office (and it was in pretty good shape thanks to jbt) but he has done it with limited scrutiny or issues…seriously, i am not certain there are any state agencies which seem to run well these days…they all seem to be a reflection of the man who is responsible for them.

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:01 pm
1) Last year I put up Mautino, I stick with him. Service to his district AND to neighboring districts (his involvement with Pontiac is a very good example). He helps other candidates. He does not toe the party line, his eye is clearly on his district and the people who live there.

2) Dick Durbin. This guy is everywhere, often in a low key way. His constituents come first, his staff is top notch, and the staff is always a good indicator of their leader.

3) Dan Hynes for continuing to push the budget issue and not let it sit. Whenever the fire seems to be dieing down a bit, he issues a press release and keeps it in the news. This is a problem that needs to be fixed but begs to be ignored (less pain to ignore a problem). Plus, he’s making the best of what should not even be an elected office.

4) I just don’t know. In the current environment, should I give a director high marks for staying or for leaving? I’m so torn on this I cannot nominate.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:04 pm
Said it last year and will say it again. Best legislator - Larry Bomke. Known for honesty, hard work, great job representing constituents, and above all - something sorely lacking in Illinois - INTEGRITY. I wish his name were better known around the state because he would make a great Governor.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:10 pm
The statewide constitutional officer who gets my vote is the one who runs against Rod Blagojevich for the Democratic nomination for Governor. Even though he is incredibly unpopular, it will still take a lot of guts and money to go after him if he decides to run for reelection.

Absent of that, I vote for Lisa Madigan and Pat Quinn. Both are able statesmen who deserve all of our respect for their classy handling of their positions and willingness to stand up to the Governor.

Comment by Duffman80 Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:12 pm
1.Best legislator-Senate President Emil Jones because he is a real fighter who takes no sass from anyone. He knows how to bring home the bacon for his district and takes care of his family and friends as well. Thanks for your decades of dedicated service to Illinois.
2. Best congresscritter-since you used the word critter I assume that you mean a Republican so I’ll go with Kirk because he is more liberal than a democrat and because all the Dem Congress creatures are trying to get my appointment.
3.Best constitutional-Governor Rod Blagojevich, for his courage, vision, honesty, and hard work, and for being smart enough to not to move his family to Springfield.
4.Best director-Ginger Ostrow because she is kinda cute and smart enough to do most of the dirty work and let Filan take most of the heat.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:18 pm
StLeg: Roger Eddy– works with both sides, knows his stuff, gets things done for his people.

Cong: Mark Kirk.

Statewide: Alexi G. Sharp young guy, showing real promise in some tough times.

Director: Chuck Hartke, Ag.. Why not. At least he actually shows up at farms and talks to farmers every now and then. More than can be said for most of Blago’s appoinments.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:22 pm
LOL, Bill. Very funny. Verrry funny.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:26 pm
Chuck Hartke is no longer Ag Director.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:26 pm
1. Mautino is a good choice, can’t add anything to Pot’s comments except to say they are all true.

2. I am tempted to snarkily vote for Jerry Weller, who managed to tick off almost everyone in his district, regardless of political affiliation, for his inattentiveness in office in 2008. It’s hard to get that large of a consensus from your district on any issue, and he managed to do so. But I’ll go with Mark Kirk, who managed to win the confidence of his district in a year where a perfect storm was not in his favor.

3. Lisa Madigan or Dan Hynes - they get consistent positive ratings from, ummm, basically doing their jobs and doing them well.

4. Brian McPartlin, who is currently unemployed due to one of my #3 candidates.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:28 pm
Let me try this again. Bill, you are doing one fine job of campaigning for Obama’s seat.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:31 pm
Rich, why the term Congress Critter? Does it only apply to GOPers?

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:36 pm
Bill, I think you should at least give an honorable mention nod to Rep. Jay Hoffman in order to represent greatness in both chambers. Just a thought.

Comment by Oops... Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:37 pm
Shouldn’t someone be taking umbrage at Congresscritter?

For GA, I like Madigan. He’s ridden the tiger longer and better than anyone else. Smart as a whip, more conservative than I am, but that’s okay. Standing up to Blago has been a real public service. We’d be in a lot more trouble than we already are if he hadn’t.

Other than Blago, the other statewide officials are fine, but they’re pretty much irrelevant. The power is in the gov’s office.

For Congress, Emanuel was the best by far, a real national player on the fast track. I heard he got another job, though.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:46 pm
Wumpus: Rich went through this a few weeks ago. They are ALL concresscritters! (No offense intended.)

Six: I was going to nominate Weller because leaving was the best thing he has done. But, Rich said no snark and no negativity, and I thought my comments might be taken that way even though I am completely sincere.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 12:48 pm
1) Best Illinois state legislator: Bill Black, for his red faced, vein popping, if this bill passes Im going to resign, conviction.

2) Best Illinois congresscritter: Don’t have one.

3) Best IL statewide elected official: It would have been LM until today, so I guess its not AG.

4) Best IL state agency director: Sam Flood, for finding a way to keep all the IDNR/park closing blame where it belongs.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:01 pm
Describing any elected offices as “best” in Illinois is challenging to say the least, but here it goes:

1) Best Illinois state legislator - President-in-waiting John J. Cullerton for managing to bring the Senate Democrats together under one large tent and promising much-needed reforms to end gridlock and promote legislative advocacy.

2) Best Illinois congresscritter - Shout out to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin for his brave decision to request that former Governor George Ryan’s sentence be commuted.

3) Best IL statewide elected official - Governor Rod Blagojevich for withstanding/surviving Rich Miller’s relentless predictions of indictment.
And for taking steps to protect executive power in this state.

4) Best IL state agency director - Definitely Barry Maram, the Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, for loyally carrying out the Governor’s bidding through dispute around the expansion of the Family Care Program. He should be credited for highlighting the debate over executive v. legislative powers.

Comment by Black Ivy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:01 pm
Best legislator: I’m going with Beth Coulson. She’s a minority in the minority, yet she has the respect of all 118 of her colleagues. I think she’s smart and hard working and always listens to people on both sides of an issue.

Best Congressperson: Rahm will be missed, and his absence I think I will go with Sen. Durbin, most of the US House members don’t even resemble his stature, his excellence and his reputation for honesty and integrity. We are truly blessed to have Durbin representing us.

Statewide: Attorney General Lisa Madigan, hard working, honest, and doesn’t run and jump in front of every camera. She’s a great policy-wise thinker and I hope she will be a great Governor.

Agency director: none of them. Honestly they all work for Rod Blagojevich so no matter how good they might be, at the end of the day their honesty and their credibility is questioned. I know a few of them personally and professionally, I like them and think some of them are smart. But even the ones I know personally, I question what they say in the end because they work for RRB and even they can’t know if they are telling us the truth sometimes. Sorry to say, its sad but it is true.

Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:20 pm
1. Jay Hoffman…the hardest working rep. or sen.
2. Jerry Costello…does a great job bringing home the bacon for his district
3. The Gov.–my reasons do not matter, no one except bill will agree with them.
4. Barry Maram has done an excellent job under very difficult conditions.

Comment by left of here Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:33 pm
1. Rep. Greg Harris. He’s hard-working, charming, and perfect for his district. He’s brave and opnely gay in a legislature that isn’t necessarily too friendly to that and his views. His tireless work to make sure a civil unions bill gets passed in Illinois is inspiring. He may be Illinois’ version of Harvey Milk.

2. Rep. Jan Schakowsky - she’s elegant, eloquent, fun, spirited, tireless, and a friend of nearly every community.

3. Sec. of State Jesse White - his humility and dedication to his REAL job (a perfect lack of higher ambition to get in the way of his current duties) really speaks to his character. In a field of uber-ambitious (some would say overly so) state leaders, he’s a calm eye in the middle of the storm.

4. Tammy Duckworth. She represents the best kind of people who should get into politics. She speaks as a voice of the minority in politics (Asian-American, Disbaled, Veteran), but also simply as a leader. She’s absolutely dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to, and has helped create some the of the State’s most effective and helpful programs, including the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program and requiring testing for Tramuatic Brain Injuries for returning Vets. She’s humble, polite, and an impassioned speaker. Frankly, she’s one in a million.

Comment by Wonderboy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:38 pm
1. Gary Forby, hear me out. Without him, that part of Illinois would have gotten NOTHING these last four years. NOTHING. No rate relief, nada, zilch, NOTHING.

2. Jan Schakowsky, because they are ALL goofs. She at least reflects her voters to a large degree.

3. Alexi, by far. A star on the rise who has delivered results for this state at a time of great grid lock.

4. Sam Flood, for keeping blame where it was due.

Comment by Ravenswood D. Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:40 pm
Best Legislator- John Cullerton. I truly believe he has the leadership qualities to start a healing process. He also does a fine job of representing his constituents.

Best Congresscritter- Dick Durbin. He is legit in his passion for doing what’s right for all the people of Illinois.

Best statewide- Jesse White. He seems to ride above all the infighting and does a decent job running SOS.

Best Agency Director- James Sledge. There is a reason he has moved from Human Rights Commission to IDES to CMS all in the span of a few years. He is a great administrator and a very fair person. If anyone can handle the task of controlling and maybe even improving the big elephant it is him.

Comment by Kathy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:42 pm
1. Beth Coulson: There is a reason she keeps winning in an overwhelmingly Democratic district.
2. Mark Kirk: Wish there more like him.
3. Tie between Lisa Madigan & Pat Quinn: Both do their jobs well, and give the governor headaches.
4. If they were appointed by Blago, they are disqualified by me from being the best anything.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:42 pm
Some of you apparently did not see or do not care about the warning against negativity and snark. Stop it, please. I’ve already deleted several posts.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:50 pm
No snark, well, there goes my response to you about Chuck. Yeah, I had forgotten that he retired.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 1:53 pm
Rich,
Have you picked a winner yet?

Comment by Boscobud Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:20 pm
State Leg: Susan Garrett, she stands up to her party and works hard for the interests of her district.

Congresscritter: Mark Kirk for the same reasons.

Constitutional Officer: Dan Hynes, understands finance and not afraid to speak his mind; in it for the right reasons.

Agency Director: Director of IDNR, Sam Flood that poor guy doesn’t get any respect, the Gov won’t go to a State Park if his life depended on it.

Comment by Reality Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:20 pm
1. Bill Black - intelligent, hard-working, dedicated, blunt, humble, trustworthy and extremely funny. Takes his responsibility very seriously, but is never embarrassed to poke fun at himself.
2. Shimkus - Responsive to his constituents and so far, appears to remain committed to his convictions.
3. Lisa Madigan - Intelligent and seems to stay above the fray.
4. I’m sure there are numerous agency directors who are committed public servants. Unfortunately, most of them have been put in the difficult position of having to cover for the administration or face banishment. As a result, I am unable to name a “Best” Director short of going down the entire list and picking the one that I’ve never heard of which means that person has stayed under the radar and/or doesn’t have any press-release worthy programs for the daily announcement schedule.

Comment by observation Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:23 pm
State: Cullerton/Rodogno - at last a ray of hope.

Congress: Kirk - he is bright, hardworking and innovative. I love his tele-town hall meetings and getting to hear what my neighbors think about a range of issues - very cool.

State: Lisa Madigan - She is smart and capable and I appreciate that she is a working mom who doesn’t make a big case of it day in and day out.

Secretary: Tom Jennings - A great guy who knows what he is doing.

Comment by 10th Indy Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:27 pm
1) Best Legislator: Frank Watson. Honest, Hard working, sincere and passionate about the job (too passionate for his own health obviously). Watson managed to keep his caucus relevant despite their minority status. Kept the crazies at bay, without tossing his members under the bus. Kept his caucus united on things when it was important and let them represent their own interests when they needed to.
Did his best to work with a Senate President who was often hostile, petty and parochial. Earned the respect of both Madigan and Blagojevich — no small feat.

Best “Congresscritter” — I’d say it’s a three-way tie between Kirk, Shimkus and Roskam. Each has their own strengths. Shimkus draws only token opposition in a district that is competitive. I only know Kirk through his district office staff — but they are outstanding. Roskam is a rising star — as bright and articulate as Obama, he could easily be on the national ticket in eight years.

Best Statewide: Dan Hynes. Hynes actually works at his job. He’s got substance and seems to really believe in being responsible. Contrast that with Giannoulias, who seems to me to be pretty much an empty suit.

Best Agency Director: Doug Scott. Hardly ever in the news. Just keeps the agency running with no major scandals or screwups, which is what a good director should be.

Comment by Old Elephant Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:32 pm
I still think Julie Hamos is the smartest, hardest working legislator. She got much more attention during the transit hearings. As one of many people who went from having federal representation of Obama, Durbin and Emanuel and now only having Durbin - I still think I’m in good hands. No one will serve the 5th District as well as Rahm has - he will be missed. Statewide, too many big egos. Right now I’d pick Dan Hynes - hard working without as many press releases announcing it. Agency? Really? No idea.

Comment by babs Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:42 pm
Best Legislator: John Cullerton, been there long enough to know what he is walking into and doing it anyway: gets public service right for the most part.

Congress: Rahm Emanuel: Blunt, shrewd, honest, brilliant. He’ll be quite the asset to the Prea-elect.

Best Statewide: Dan Hynes and Pat Quinn. Honest hard working gents, not flashy, just capable public servants.

Best Agency Director: Tammy Duckworth @ Veteran’s Affairs. A bright capable woman who has made a huge sacrifice in an unpopular war and strives to help those who have also served.

Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:47 pm
Best Legislator — John Bradley. To me, the most sincere, down-to-earth member of the legislature who actually gets it. He’s as smart as they come and has the courage to stand for his convictions while facing overwhelming and sometimes impossible odds. I seriously question whether Democrats will ever nominate another downstater for statewide office, but if they do, this guy should be on that list.

Best congressperson — unfortunately my top two choices for this both have new jobs. Absent them I would’ve said Durbin before his latest shenanigans. So that leaves….who? What the heck, give it to Kirk — winning re-election against that kind of headwind is worth something. Points for that.

Best statewide official has to be Lisa Madigan. Despite what folks say, she’s independent, a free thinker, she’s taken the office of AG to the policy level it should be at and she’s a nice person to boot.

Best Agency Director — Know many and they are mostly fine people. But, the answer by carbon deforestation is the one I agree with most. Therefore, I nominate “None of the above” and respectfully request that Rich include that in the list of potential winners.

Comment by Absentee Ballot Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 2:51 pm
Best Legislator: Sen Don Harmon- Well liked and extremely bright, always effective

Best Congressperson: Rep. Rahm Emanuel, truly a force. With him leaving, Sen. Durbin. A class act.

Best Statewide: Sec of State Jesse White. His sole focus is on doing his job.

Best Agency Director: Tammy Duckworth. Amazingly bright, hard working and dedicated.

Comment by JohnnyC Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 3:27 pm
1)Sen. Harmon
represents a diverse district in more ways than one; trusted among colleagues; open to argument from both sides; only questionable call I can think of is getting bond lawyers exempt from the ethics bill (may have been another bill)
2)Shimkus
very representative of his district in manner and philosophy; respect from colleagues shown by continued rise in leadership; only issues are minimal connections at best to “pagegate” and seeking more terms than he promised
3)Gianoullias
truly an example of why there should always be young, eager, thoughful professionals in any business…making sure good thoughts get fully discussed before being axed; Hynes is proving more and more to be more bark than bite; Madigan is free thinking, but too much…one example was the identity theft bill some years back where she completely disregarded all consequences to business–liberal is fine with me, but she really showed her hand there, and the governor has already shown what blind ideals get us
4)Brian Hamer, Revenue
I remember him being truly proud when he spoke to a small group of government interns about a new little program that would hopefully force businesses to pay overdue taxes by posting notices on their premises…there’s something to be said for a director whose personal agenda isn’t completely related to politcs

Comment by COPN Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 3:38 pm
1. Hamos. Every time I’m waiting for a bus or train & see it coming I send up a silent prayer of thanks.

Comment by BannedForLife Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 4:17 pm
1) Dan Beiser - Does his job with little fanfare. Takes care of his district without having to stroke his ego doing it. Very responsive to his contituents.

2) Phil Hare - Hit the ground running and didn’t let being a freshman member keep him from speaking his mind. Took on the former VA Secretary and called him to task. Constituent service among the best in the nation.

3) Dan Hynes - Does his job with little fanfare and keeps the Governor on his toes. It’s nice to have a statewide who does their job instead of trying to keep their job.

4) Not really sure, but I’ll say Duckworth. Seems to genuinely care and deals with being hampered by the lunatic Governor.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 4:25 pm
Cullerton-I can’t believe this transition went as smooth as it did.

Emanual-It’s really not even a question.

Quinn-It takes a lot of gumption for an LT to go against a Governor-even if it is Blago.

Jack Hartman-I know he ain’t there anymore and don’t care how he did it but the Oasis’s are still cleaner and open road tolling has been a big improvement. I can’t think of anything anyone else did of any merit at all.

Comment by Pick of the litter Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 4:34 pm
Papa Madigan — I don’t always agree with his politics, but I have a lot of respect for him refusing to let Blago run roughshod over the legislative process; it might result in some unpopular stalemates for a while, but as Rich points out so often, nobody trusts the Governor in the first place — so the choice is stalemate, or handing the reins to Rod….

Shimkus — as noted by many others above, he’s consistently recognized as being a solid legislator, and has broad support in a region with rather mixed views; not to mention his worst “scandals” were accepting the request of constituents to stay in Congress, and the “pagegate” issue, which was really someone else’s scandal, when it comes down to it.

Lisa Madigan — again, not always a fan of the politics, but huge amounts of respect for her working as the AG impartially — everything I’ve seen or heard indicates that she’s working hard on a daily basis to enforce the laws of Illinois, regardless of partisan affiliation. Plus, she basically tells Blago to “shove it” on a bi-monthly basis, if not more often, and for that I salute her.

Sam Flood at DNR — others have said it, but I’ll agree: anyone who can dodge the bullets at DNR, and shine a spotlight on Blago deserves some applause and respect; he may be an appointee of Rod, but he seems to be fighting the good fight from where I stand…. now if only someone would get rid of Blago, and return DNR funding to where it should be….

Comment by Chambananon Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 6:12 pm
Gary Forby, No Question he is honest

Jerry Costello, Without question does a great job

Alexi G. He is the Best ever

Sam Flood, This guy is a Top Shelf Guy.

Comment by concerned Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 6:27 pm
I agree with concerned if we had a State full of Gary Forby’s we would be doing good.

Gary Forby
Jerry Costello
Alexi G. This goes without saying this guy will be the next president of the United States, Illinois is very lucky to have this young man.
Sam Flood, I wish every agency had someone like Sam Flood. He tells it like it is, and is a great guy.

Comment by coalmiiner Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 6:34 pm
State legislator: Cullerton is the most effective, and has managed to garner the support of his democratic counterparts while not alienating the minority
Congresscritter: Durbin. Period.
Statewide: Alexi is a rising star that is setting the table for a bright future.
Agency Director: Dean Martinez at DFPR (although he just left). He has managed the agency smoothly, kept the peace, and does not take himself too seriously.

Comment by Unspun Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 7:09 pm
State Legislator: Sen. Jacqueline Collins. She is highly principled, devoted to her constituents, compassionate and wise. While Cullerton has the potential to be a tremendous leader, and he is stunningly brilliant, Collins could be come the conscience of the Senate, and it could use one.
Congressman: If Rahm is eligible, Rahm. I think too many people sell him short as a mere prizefighting political hack, but deep down he is a very talented policy wonk, with strategic vision. Also, he will likely help Obama stay center-left instead of far left, all while appearing centrist. If Rahm is ineligible, while I admire Durbin tremendously, I think the most improved Congressman is Mark Kirk. It’s amazing what genuine fear of losing can do to your responsiveness and fidelity to your constituency. It’s hard to find someone who has worked much harder in the last two years than Kirk.
3. Lisa M. While Pat Quinn is a spirited populist idea machine that I will always admire, his sparring with the governor has rendered him largely impotent. While Alexi is bright, and promising and has made the most of the Treasurer gig, his ability to affect change is very limited. Probably the greatest turnaround at any cab level office is AG, and Lisa M has handled herself very well while being forced to make tough decisions, all while being Michael Madigan’s daughter creates many immediate skeptics of her objectivity.
Agency Director: Doug Scott for his competency and moderation.

Comment by Joshua Thursday, Dec 4, 08 @ 8:17 pm