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* Does Gov. Pat Quinn’s choice of Paul Vallas as a running mate help him or hurt him politically? Take the poll and then make sure to explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:35 pm
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Hurt a little in that it is going to upset some friends and he needs all the friends he can get.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:37 pm
Would help more if Paul Vallas was on the top line.
Comment by Bourbonrich Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:38 pm
Help. Only LtGov candidate who could step into the job.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:41 pm
Won’t make enough of a difference.
Vallas is an excellent choice. He is smart and more than competent. Bourbonrich puts it well.
But Vallas also opens up some odd questions.
- Democrats couldn’t find someone qualified other than a person who hasn’t lived in the state for years?
- Why was Vallas saying he was a Republican in 2010, when Quinn was running for Governor? Was he so disenchanted with Quinn’s leadership? What changed?
- Vallas may also outshine Quinn if he gets too much exposure.
In the balance, things will be a wash or a slight positive by the time the political slander machine and the media does its dirty work.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:45 pm
From my earlier Post;
===Positives? Chicago Schools, understands beurocracy of government, respected for passion of task, not afraid to go after those he disagrees with.
Negatives? Another Chicago white male, been “away” for some time, his lost to Rod was a downstate thrashing, so helping with downstate is not a plus.
Wow. Name is good, the politics, the jury is still out.
Running very large school districts, with the budget issues, unions, city and state government cooperation…
Vallas is qualified to be a “Governor in Waiting” - a Lt. Governor===
Bottom line is that Paul Vallas is more than qualified to take over and be Governor of the 5th largest state in the country, and with no Primary to worry about, and Quinn workig with AA legislators, like with guns, and signing SB10, and all Quinn Populists moves … Paul Vallas doesn’t hurt, helps, but enough for crediblity to BE a Governor …
Voted “Won’t make much …”
Honestly, if/when the LG Nominees have their one and only debate, Vallas will be able to easily hold his own, and help as best as he can Pat Quinn.
Can’t say I feel the same about 3 of the 4 LGs running in the GOP Primary.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:46 pm
Great choice by Quinn.
And Rauner is especially screwed. His only hope in primary was for D and Independent crossovers. Vallas totally undermines that. Rauner’s chances just went from bad to worse.
Quinn’s choice makes all of the GOP choices look small and bush league.
Comment by too obvious Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:48 pm
I think it helps him. Vallas comes off as competent with quite a bit of experience. I think he could step in the Governor’s role if necessary.
Comment by Stones Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:52 pm
The bottom line is that Quinn will need to get enough votes from the collar counties to win, and hainvg Vallas wont make that a difference maker.
Comment by Jim'e' Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:54 pm
Paul should have been elected governor when he ran but time and distance (his living elsewhere)might have some impact on the race. As to how significant that impact might be remains to be seen but he will wear well when compared to outher LTG candidates.
Comment by Kerfuffle Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:55 pm
He’s not well known but, on the other hand, he’s
very competent and not likely to upstage the Guv
or embarras him.
Comment by Esteban Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 1:59 pm
Nix that.
Having read Jonathan Pelto’s comments on the other thread, I would change my vote to “hurts”.
It’s also going to be hard to focus on your political message when the focus for months will be upon the Lite Guv candidate’s court case concerning residency.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:00 pm
Does nothing for him downstate since Vallas believes the state ends at county line road. Also, his baggage from Connecticut is sure to follow him here. Someone should ask how the teachers feel.
Comment by CLJ Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:02 pm
I believe there are both pros and cons to the Vallas selection, the major con is he could upstage the bumbling Quinn. I voted it won’t make enough of a difference to matter.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:03 pm
Hard question. My first instinct was that Vallas will undercut Rauner (particularly since Rauner’s big non-econ issue is school reform). But I can see a scenario where Vallas’s school-reform experience–he did lots of privatization in Philly and NO–could cause some backlash among Chicago Democrats.
Comment by whetstone Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:03 pm
Bold, maybe brilliant, tho not without risks. But overall “too obvious” above nails it. Cements Quinn reform/indie cred, plays against type re ticket-balancing except to extent it cuts into any GOP nominee’s hopes of adding suburban independents to a downstate base. Underlines that Quinn is the antithesis of Blagojevich.
Comment by Squeezy Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:06 pm
It’s too soon to say. If you want a pick someone to get people excited and talking about it though, Vallas is a good one. Unlike the GOP LG picks, no one today is asking “who the heck is Paul Vallas?”
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:06 pm
Depends on whom the opponents are, but I think it helps. Whatever travails he had in NO and CT, he will play well in the suburbs with independents and soccer moms. If Rauner is the opponent, he shores up the competency vs. gadly problem, and he is not as “in the pocket” to the unions clearly.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:10 pm
I’m holding off, because I’m not convinced that this is really going to happen. It strikes me as rather rash and might not hold up in the light of day.
It’s so out of left field. Has there ever been a situation where someone who ran for governor took the second banana slot? Could Vallas handle that? Could Quinn handle Vallas having his own mind?
I’ll believe it when I see it. Although not quite in the Bill Daley/Chris Kennedy class, Vallas has been known to deliver some head fakes as to running for office.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:11 pm
Union teachers are not going to like this. Given that unions are suspicious of Quinn anyway, this has to hurt.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:13 pm
I voted no difference either way. Not because I don’t like Vallas. I do. I voted for him in the primary way back when. He flirted with filing again later on and I hoped he would pull the lever and jump in. He didn’t. Now it appears to me that he is, in part, perhaps trying to get in by the back door. Riding Quinn’s questionable coat tails.
In addition, I wonder about the selection process. Is there no one else in Illinois who has been engaged in the governing process, or at least is actually living here (as opposed to doing just enough to avoid a serious challenge) who was considered or who would even accept the request? Someone is gonna ask that question.
Vallas could certainly step in as governor - right now if he had the guts to have stayed around and stayed engaged and dealt with the fear of flying. They gotta treatment for that, ya know. What happens when the smart one finds out that Quinn can be a bumbling fool, the kind that Vallas would be dismissive with? Can he sit there quietly cutting ribbons, etc, while Quinn acts a fool? Can he do that for 4 years until he gets his chance (assuming Quinn would step aside)?
This may well be worth the price of admission.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Good point - Skeeter -, and to that specifically, what will the teachers “do”, given Pat Quinn/Paul Vallas are going to make it through to November, are they willing to back Bill Brady, or Kirk Dillard …Bruce Rauner or Dan Rutherford?
Will they “sit it out”? (unlikely)
Paul Vallas on the November ballot really puts the IEA on notice(?)
I don’t have the first clue, given these dynamics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:22 pm
Vallas should help bring in the “Greek money” for Quinn, but he will also be helpful with suburban/GOP crossover voters who like Vallas.
Comment by Brendan Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:34 pm
I voted “Help”. I worked for Vallas when he ran against The Hair. I found him to be intelligent and thoughtful. I am now rethinking my stand of sitting out the governor’s race next fall.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:38 pm
I voted “Help”. I worked for Vallas when he ran against The Hair. I found him to be intelligent and thoughtful as to the state’s problems. I am now rethinking my position of sitting out the governor’s race next fall.
Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:40 pm
@dupage dan: re flying, he’s been doing a lot of work in Haiti recently, so it sounds like he’s dealt with it.
Comment by whetstone Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Anyone think it hurts PQ because Vallas is going to highlight how inept the Gov actual is at his job.
Comment by Devil's Advocate Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:55 pm
I voted that it won’t make much a difference. It’s all about the big boys.
Regarding Skeeters point, I don’t see much love coming the teachers way from Quinn anyway. If the candidates’ position on pension reduction is their litmus test, then Rutherford MAY (I’m still not trusting his alleged support to pension commitments) be their only choice.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 2:59 pm
I voted no impact. Vallas is a smart guy but he’s been out of the Illinois picture for quite a while. I mean it’s not like he’s clinging to a chief of staff job from 20 years ago, but his heyday in Chicago was a while ago.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:05 pm
Won’t make much of a difference since he doesn’t have the name-value that came with Shelia Simon. Plus–they do represent a couple of old white dudes instead of a an old white dude with a minority male or female.
Perhaps their experience will make up for whatever is lacking in their appearance…or maybe they will win just because they may seem like the best of the worst.
Comment by Belle Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:06 pm
In the long run, no impact. It is good to know, though, that Gov. Quinn is a “champion for everyday people.” Anyone who is not a person everyday should look elsewhere for their champion, I guess…
Comment by Sarge Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:15 pm
No difference.
Are there positives if you want to see them? Sure - as someone mentioned it cements indie cred and may - MAY - help with some suburbanites concerned about education and fiscal issues.
Are there negatives if you want to see them? Yep. Last I heard before today, PV was an out-of-state Republican with a string of failed school districts in his wake. And Rauner has the money to dig that up - his OR person just got a big bump in the contract. And, I suppose, it could hurt him in the African American community.
But all in all, it’s still a wash. See, here’s the thing. Those suburbanites who like Vallas? They still have to vote for Quinn if they want him, and that could be a tough pill to swallow. The indie vote? He was getting that anyway.
I honestly don’t see how this pick brings him one additional vote, and I suspect it doesn’t lose him one additional vote. And it is high risk because I guarantee PQ’s team hasn’t vetted him to the fullest. That’s my gut right now. But I wouldn’t be surprised if long-term it hurts him.
And I’m with Word on outcome as well - I’ll believe it when I walk in the booth. Wouldn’t it be something if he dropped out in, oh, December?
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:15 pm
How will this sit with Quinn’s Rabid union (CTU) supporters? A school reformer and an ultra-leftie? Felix Unger and Oscar Madison - watch out!
Comment by Statesman Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:17 pm
Another Chicagoan on the ticket. Does Quinn know there is life outside of Cook County in Illinois?
Comment by for the record Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:17 pm
No difference. If the Governor’s sheer incompetence isn’t enough to make him the come in a distant 4th place in an unopposed primary, nothing is going to hurt him in the general.
Comment by Anon. Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:20 pm
whetstone - I realized after I wrote that line that it could be seen in 2 ways. Fear of actual flying, and fear of flying - into his own candidacy for governor. Hard to see Vallas not chafing under Quinn’s administration, as smart as he is.
Glad to hear he is over the actual fear. Debilitating condition with a path to a cure.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 3:29 pm
In the end, won’t make that much of a difference. But sure was tempted to punch the “hurt” button. Again, as I posted elsewhere here today, it’s just that out of ALL the hundreds of possible choices for a highly talented, committed, competent, capable, true-blue ILLINOISAN and (LOYal?)Democrat, the pick is VALlas(?!) I imagine some Teachers are happy but after that…shocking, and likely quite dissapointing, even apparently from what I’m reading disillusioning to some sectors and People of our Beloved Home State…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 4:19 pm
Helps. Without question.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 4:31 pm
I think it will hurt him. Here’s a Progressive Governor who is always talking the game of increasing opportunities for minorities and women, and his choice for Lieutenant Governor is another white guy, and one who really hasn’t lived in Illinois full-time for several years. If the minority community is upset, who could blame them? Were they led down a path…sure sounds like it. It will be interesting to see where suburban women now land as only Republicans candidates for governor seem to be able to find very capable women as running mates (not all, but both Rauner and Dillard anyway).
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 4:33 pm
I voted no difference, mostly because there is a lot we don’t know yet. The most intriguing question of all to me is that raised by word and others-Is he in this all the way?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 4:33 pm
Has to help. Unlike Republican side, where you question Lt.Gov’s competence to lead should something happen to the Governor (ie., hit by lightning), with Vallas next in line Dems may be doing rain dances.
Comment by DE Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 4:41 pm
I think Quinn is doomed, assuming the GOP does not nominate Brady again! People are ready to toss out the Dems and take a chance on a moderate Republican.
Comment by Curmudgeon Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 5:14 pm
=== People are ready to toss out the Dems and take a chance on a moderate Republican. ===
And who would that be?
Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 5:16 pm
“And who would that be?”
Me and most of my friends.
If the alternative is Rutherford, none of us support Quinn.
Haven’t figured out Rauner yet so can’t say.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 5:19 pm
Vallas will be a positive for Quinn with Independent voters in the collar counties. Vallas is respected and held by most (including Republicans) as a competent administrator. Vallas was also regarded as a guy who would stand up to those who tried to apply political pressure when it came to the issues. Those are just two of the dozens of achilles heels that poor Quinn has. It will be interesting to see how the teachers unions look at Quinn’s choice, though. My guess is that they are smarter than to buck Quinn on his choice. They aren’t about to vote Republican.
Comment by Henry Clay Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 5:30 pm
- Skeeter -,
Why are you unhappy with the Dems?
This intrigues me, where have the Dems failed…Pensions? Isn’t that … both… parties? Social Issues? … 4-62 on SSM. Where have the Dems failed you, - Skeeter -, I would like to understand…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 8, 13 @ 5:30 pm