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Question of the day

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* This Greg Hinz piece got me to thinking…

After 15 years as pundit and political operative, Dan Proft has a quick-on-the-draw verbal style that thrills the Republican base and ought to make rivals envious.

“People who play by the rules, who aren’t Mike Madigan’s third cousin, get hammered and hammered and hammered,” he quips over lunch, referring to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, one of those evil Chicago Democrats whom Mr. Proft loves to zing.

In a huge, and still growing, GOP field for governor, that talent — combined with hard-line conservatism — is his hope. But it’s only a hope in what appears to be very much a long-shot campaign for Mr. Proft.

“He’s not afraid to go after Democrats. Republicans like to see that,” said GOP consultant and Family PAC chief Paul Caprio. “But I don’t think Republican voters are going to nominate a political consultant. I think they want someone with stronger management credentials.”

* The Question: Who is your favorite longshot 2010 candidate at the moment? Explain.

And if the comment link doesn’t work, try clicking here. [By the way, I’ve added this sort of link to most of the posts below.]

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:49 pm

Comments

Hamilton Chang is a Republican political newcomer running for Beth Coulson’s seat in the 17th District. He’s an impressive guy with a strong background in finance, and the quintessential American Dream candidate with parents who fled the communist takeover in China. He is great on the stump, and as a 6′4″ Chinese guy, he really stands out in a crowd. I’m pleased to see the GOP is attracting more diverse candidates as well. We need more like this guy. But it’s a tough district that the moderate Coulson has had to fight hard to hold, so he’s definitely got his work cut out for him.

Comment by Team America Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:00 pm
I like the GOP candidate for Attorney General, and I do plan to vote for him in the general. no offense, but outside of black people and irish-americans, there really isn’t much diversity in illinois politics. this kim fellow is qualified and i think more asian-americans should be involved in politics/government.

i think it takes a lot of courage to step into the ring against Lisa Madigan, and even if people aren’t ready to declare the will vote for kim in the general the way I am, i hope people will at least be willing to hear him out before necessarily ruling him out. besides, illinois could use some new faces and fresh voices on the political scene in some of the statewide offices, and i think every constitutional office, except governor, easily lend themselves to be being more open to qualified and talented new faces and fresh voices.

the upshot of this is that hopefully it will inspire more new faces and fresh voices to run for public office after 2010 and moving forawrd.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Well it was Frank Edwards

Comment by ahoy Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Anyone who would release funds to the agencies that help families with special needs children. I just my sons up for the PUNS list and there are 18,000 families waiting for funding to be approved.

Comment by Boscobud Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:02 pm
Elgie Sims.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:02 pm
Elgie is not a longshot by any means.

And I think the odds are against a Republican in Coulson’s district, but I don’t think that makes Chang an actual longshot.

Let’s stick to real, honest to goodness longshots, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Well, he’s not as much of a longshot as Kim, but then, who is?

Comment by Team America Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Adam Andjzdksdkjwvzjikszxiski.

This guy is as sincere as the day is long. He is smart and no nonsense. He made a big nest egg in business and has used it to try and make a difference. His campaign shows he’s a good manager. His efforts are targeted, consistent and high-quality. His linkage with the far-right probably dooms him and he probably should have started lower than governor, but the guy’s got moxie and could be a rising star coming out of this primary.

Comment by Abe Froman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:06 pm
If we cannot get BrickheaJoe on the ballot, then another Ryan is a must….or how about Capt. Fax’s last web designer?…not as groovy as the GOPs but close.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:07 pm
Anonymous 1:02, please get another handle. Thanks.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:07 pm
I can’t decide if I’m rooting for Dan Proft or Andy Martin more.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:07 pm
I think that Steve Kim would have to be a favorite. He’s definitely a long shot. I would say he has something on Joe Birkett who wouldn’t take this race. Although I don’t plan to vote for Kim. Hopefully we’ll hear more from him.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:09 pm
Dangerous stone panels to be removed from Thompson Center
October 14, 2009 11:05 AM | 1 Comment
Approximately 1,000 granite panels on the facade of the James R. Thompson Center, each weighing between 200 and 600 pounds, will soon be removed in response to one of them falling this summer, state officials said today.

The estimated cost is $1 million. The panels clad the arcade and freestanding columns surrounding the state office building and plaza along Clark, LaSalle and Randolph Streets.

Some streets around the downtown state office building may be closed temporarily during the removal process, expected to begin by the end of the month and take about eight weeks….let’s see end of October THEN close for eights weeks (aka 2 months, AKA November, December….TTFN Xmas shopping)

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:09 pm
Team America,
todd stroger.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:10 pm
========
I like the GOP candidate for Attorney General,…
========

His name is Steve Kim, and he’s my favorite, too.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:11 pm
Vargas, the kid taking on Hastert’s son. As a Republican I can’t think of anything less appealing going to congress than the spawn of the man responsible for ending our majority. I’d much rather have a self-made candidate than a k-street made candidate.

Comment by shore Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:14 pm
Also I like this site a lot more than the new one. It looks like an old quilt with all the different colors everywhere.

There’s also a young taking on Jan Schakowsky. I’d love nothing more than to see her sweat a few out.

Comment by shore Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:16 pm
Hoffman

His background and credentials suggest he may actually bring soem solutions to the table.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:18 pm
Proft. I agree with him on almost nothing, but he’s a smart guy who would run an interesting campaign.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:30 pm
Jacob Meister, the openly gay candidate for Roland Burris’ U.S. Senate seat.
I may not be gay, but I like this guy!

Comment by Fan of CapFax Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:31 pm
One more: Dave Schroeder, who is taking on Ken Dunkin, would be a huge improvement.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:34 pm
I like what’s his name, oh you know, that one guy, you know who I mean.

Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:35 pm
Adam perhaps because he is the only candidate I have ever seen who used the term API

Comment by Oneman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:43 pm
Rich Whitney…the way this governors race is shaping up, he is more and more attractive.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:45 pm
Hoffman for U.S. Senate He came to the Champaign County Democratic dinner, presented himself well, and made an effective case for his candidacy. He may wind up being blown away by the experience and money of others, but for that one evening at least he looked good.

Comment by jake Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:48 pm
Shore, Sen. Hultgren is taking on young Hastert in the 14th and it’s probably a toss up between those two. As sincere as Vargas is, with Hultgren in the race, he’s officially demoted from long-shot.

I like Steve Kim too. He’s going to help the GOP in the growing Asian community.

Comment by Abe Froman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:03 pm
Dave Hoffman for senate, probably the Dems best candidate but definitely a long shot. I’m not sure that anyone running against Ken Dunkin should be considered a long shot.

Comment by LouisXIV Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:13 pm
I like Rich Whitney or the Greens. The guy is honest and educated. Just those two principles would serve illinois well.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:14 pm
Anonymous 2:14, can you post under another handle, please? That one’s already taken. Thanks.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:18 pm
thanks anon…I got his lastname in my previous post right , but for some reason couldn’t recall his firstname as readily.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:18 pm
My pleasure! He IS amazing, isn’t he?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:25 pm
Andy, the constant consonant. He probably started by reaching too high but one should “make no little plans”. We could be seeing him again in a future campaign if he loses.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:40 pm
Adam Robinson - a well-spoken, moderate Republican running for State Senate in the 7th District (far northside of Chicago). It’s a pretty heavy Dem district, but he’s putting together a good and diverse organization. The incumbent is facing a serious primary challenge.

Comment by Anon-Number7 Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:47 pm
Todd Connor, 31, a former Navy officer, Iraq vet, U of Chicago MBA, and IL inspector general running–more like galloping–for a seat on the Metropolitan Water Rec board.

He wants to hose the place down, clean it up, and make the numbers ad up. Tough gig.

But heck–he’s even got a real white hat.

Comment by David Ormsby Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:49 pm
David Hoffman for US Senate. The Republicans are just dying to see Alexi in November. They’re scared to death of Hoffman.

Comment by hoffman, for sure. Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:51 pm
Bob Schillerstrom will surprise a lot of people with his hard work and simple message -he is not one of them from Springfield!!

Comment by Soxfan Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:21 pm
“Shore, Sen. Hultgren is taking on young Hastert in the 14th and it’s probably a toss up between those two. As sincere as Vargas is, with Hultgren in the race, he’s officially demoted from long-shot.”

If Foster hangs up his cleats, it’s going to be a chip shot for the Republican.

Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:32 pm
David Ormsby, you put an interesting spin on the question: the biggest longshot to the most irrelevant elected position. I like that!

Comment by Joe in the Know Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:33 pm
Dan Proft for sure. While our politics do not match, I think he is a brilliant young politician and his in-your-face style couldnt help but hold people accountable. If nothing else, the debates would be must-see TV.

Comment by Danski Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:45 pm
Dan Proft for his tagline:

Illinois isn’t broken. It’s fixed.

Comment by Dan Prophet Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:50 pm
Mike McDermott - for any office.

Comment by Lt. Guv Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:56 pm
i don’t know that i consider todd connor a real longshot. that may depend on how many people actually file for mwrd, but it seems to me that connor has out campaigned everyone else circulating petitions for the seat. i seem to recall another newcomer who ran a few years ago about whom the same could be said…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 4:02 pm
Dan Proft sounds great when he mouths Bill Clinton’s line about those who play by the rules getting the shaft. Not bad for an anti-government reformer who has been on the public payroll for years at such wonderfully reform minded places as Cicero drawing super inflated salaries for answering reporters questions with “no comment.”

He’s a longshot for a reason. Fact is, he’s full of shot.

Comment by Pete Giangreco Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 4:54 pm
Former State Senator Roger Keats, GOP Candidate for Cook County Board President.

If the Democrats are self-destructive enough to re-nominate Stroger, he could do it.

But I don’t think thay are that self-destructive.

Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 4:57 pm
Pete G. — full of shot? Shecky Greene, look out.

Keats as Cook County board pres. would be trippy. From his days in the Senate, he doesn’t really strike me as the guy itching to oversee the hospital system for the indigent and public defender’s office.

You don’t think someone told him he would get to be the club pro at George Dunne National?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 5:35 pm
Michael White, the independent candidate, seems like a real person. I would like to see someone in the governor’s office that can relate to people and understands the meaning of a dollar.

Comment by Integrity Please Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 7:09 pm
I wonder how David Hoffman can be both the best candidate AND a longshot. If he’s the best candidate, he’ll win the primary.

As to my favorite vanity candidate –sorry, long shot candidate– I like Proft. I have faith his act will only get more entertaining as Feb 5 draws near.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 10:09 pm
Doug Whitley.

Oops.

Never mind.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 8:16 am
Dan Proft - He’s brilliant and ready to fight.

Comment by Regular Republican Friday, Oct 16, 09 @ 10:34 am