As of late last week, Vallas was privately saying he most likely won't run due to money. That was before the polling info was released.
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 7 months ago
A week or two ago I said Vallas would do well head to head against Claypool because I think he is respected in the black community, would benefit from a black backlash if he knocks out Stroger and also from lots of regular dems who despise Claypool. If this poll is accurate it bears that out.
EmptySuitParade
· 7 months ago
McClure was always a little squirrelly this just proves it
wordslinger
· 7 months ago
That unauthorized, grassroots, Vallas groundswell just continues unabated!
Alvin
· 7 months ago
The more important poll is the one done by SEIU a few weeks ago and was posted on this blog. This poll was done by a reputable polling org. According to this poll, in a three-way race Claypool would emerge victorious in the city. Keep in mind, back in 2006 Claypool lost the city 60% to 40% to John Stroger. While this is just a poll, Claypool's city-wide performance is encouraging. Next, if you factor in the fact that Claypool won in suburban Cook County by a 60% to 40% ratio, and the fact that he is likely to take a larger share percentagewise, I think Claypool is in pretty good shape. It is clear that Vallas used a rudimentary poll to make it look like he can beat Claypool. That poll was merely a way to help facilitate Vallas' ability to raise campaign cash, which has always been his biggest problem.
Anonymous45
· 7 months ago
I just wish we were in the second four year term of Governor Vallas...that Chicago magazine article made me think how accurately I sized up Blago the first time I met him...
get serious
· 7 months ago
We also have no idea what kind of info they "pushed" in this poll.
Plus, everything changes when voters in Cook realize Vallas has gone traitor by putting an R by his name. Also, he's mostly a blank slate now, but wait until the rough and tumble of a campaign.
Add to that the fact there is no Republican Party in Cook.
My guess is Vallas doesn't get in, and I think he would be dumb to, especially as an R. It will quickly be exposed as the gimmick it is.
Ravenswood Right Winger
· 7 months ago
Is Forrest Claypool going to step up and actually run?
anon64863
· 7 months ago
RRR - That is a good question. He's been quiet lately, hasn't he?
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 7 months ago
"He’s been quiet lately, hasn’t he?"
If this is him being quiet, I hate to see him loud. He is all over the news.
siriusly
· 7 months ago
I hear Claypool is in. Vallas can do whatever he wants, but that county ain't ready for a Republican turncoat county board president.
scoot
· 7 months ago
As of late last week, Vallas was privately saying he most likely won’t run due to money. That was before the polling info was released.
Simply not true...Vallas never said he was/wasn't running in any interviews. But let's be clear, he's running.
just sayin
· 7 months ago
I don't see Vallas running. He's moved around and had big paying contracts in Chicago, Philly and now New Orleans. He's done well for himself and some friends he brought along, but what about the kids? Has he really fixed anything in any of those towns? Can he really tell African American parents in Chicago that he left a good school system for their children before he hightailed it out to Philly to pick up another gig?
I think Vallas wakes up and realizes the spotlight of a campaign would very likely put an end to the gravy train.
It will also be very easy for any opponent to sell the phony label when Vallas is sporting a new Republican decal.
Fan of CapFax
· 7 months ago
EmptySuitParade - Wednesday, May 20, 09 @ 11:02 am:
McClure was always a little squirrelly this just proves it
When you criticize someone or call names, it only makes you look squirrelly.
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 7 months ago
As much as Vallas's turning repub might be an issue in a general election, people should not underestimate Claypool's ability to turn off the electorate. Let's not forget, he lost to a guy in a coma who had all sorts of bad press against him.
I think Vallas's tough part will be getting out of the repub primary without being ripped to pieces by his new party.
In a general election Vallas will not scare the electorate like Peraica or the milk man.
anon64863
· 7 months ago
Phineas - He's been in the news, but it doesn't seem that he's been gearing up for a campaign.
ReddSuitCrew
· 7 months ago
Is it "squirrely" to blog on State time?
Just wondering.
just sayin
· 7 months ago
The big problem for Vallas is I don't think anyone really buys the Republican conversion thing. He's made all sides suspicious. And to many it just looks like the latest plot to get rid of the Black Man.
The first question from the press to Vallas should be who did he vote for just six months ago for President, McCain or Obama?
Let's see how he gets out of that corner.
scoot
· 7 months ago
Please don't try to throw a glass of cold water on the Vallas campaign...ya know he has a good shot at winning. The Dem (corrupt) party doesn't fit him anymore, so he is w/ the GOP.
Leroy
· 7 months ago
Scoot - unless Vallas runs on a platform of ending the spoils system in Cook County, your statement is laughable.
How can I be sure Vallas isn't going to just replace Stroger hacks with his own hacks?
Malcolm
· 7 months ago
The county's 26% white, 26% black and 22% hispanic which bodes well for Stroger. Black ministers'(huge following)support, black pols support, Hispanic support, union support, and distain for Claypool equal good formula for Stroger win. The media and north side pols are turning off black and brown community with what appears to be a Carl Rove, swift boat, Willie Horton type of concerted attack on Stroger. Stroger may be over playing their hand.
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 7 months ago
"The county’s 26% white, 26% black and 22% hispanic which bodes well for Stroger"
Where do you come up with this?
Malcolm
· 7 months ago
US census. Senator and Rev James Meeks is hosting Stroger fundraiser tommorrow. President of black baptist, Rev Turner, was out yesterday to support Stroger. Write Stroger off if you want to!
One who Knows
· 7 months ago
Paul's Presidential vote might be the only affirmation of his GOP credentials. I don't think he runs either.
scoot
· 7 months ago
You know whats laughable...if these numbers showed Claypool ahead everyone would be singing a different tune..instead they are worried.
Admit it!!
scoot
· 7 months ago
AND please don't challenge Vallas's GOP cred. If you have another Republican who stands a snowballs chance at winning the Prez race I would love to hear it.
Anonymous45
· 7 months ago
c'mon Leroy...no one has anywhere near the number of hacks that the 8th ward has...it has taken years, generations to perfect the system of entitled patronage that exists in the county system...this kind of political machinery doesnt just pop up overnight you know...
Ghost
· 7 months ago
I conducted a poll a few minutes ago, no one polled knew who Vallas was; but Shawn Johnson won with 100% of the vote.
wordslinger
· 7 months ago
Malcolm, the U.S. Census breaks down Cook County this way:
White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2007: 45.0%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2007: 22.8%
OK - we can agree that Cook County is ripe for change? After a couple of decades of Strogers, voters in Cook are finished with them?
If Cook goes GOP and Vallas, that would be starting from scratch. There hasn't been a GOP in Cook since folks drove around the Loop in LaSalles. You can't just start with nothing, and a single term isn't going to help the County, regardless of who replaces the Toddler. All a single term would accomplish is remove the names from all the doors and windows throughout Chicagoland.
Claypool is stronger than Vallas because voters know that electing the GOP would be revolutionary and probably difficult. Before they change the little letter (D) to (R), they will most likely elect Claypool to see if he could bring about constructive change under the current party system.
Vallas has a chance if voters have given up with the Democrats, and I don't think they are there yet. Stroger is getting the blame, and he will be removed, leaving the Party structure in place for Claypool.
While voters have chosen to saddle up their votes with Democrats in Cook since 1932, there is a reason they have stayed in the Democratic camp, even though the Cook County Democrats haven't deserved to run Cook since 1984. They have stayed with the Party through this last decade because that is what they do. I don't see them giving up hope with it - yet.
Vallas will be attractive, and voters will be happy to consider him, but like a new car company, they are not ready to buy until they've seen a few GOPers in their streets first.
All Comments
Plus, everything changes when voters in Cook realize Vallas has gone traitor by putting an R by his name. Also, he's mostly a blank slate now, but wait until the rough and tumble of a campaign.
Add to that the fact there is no Republican Party in Cook.
My guess is Vallas doesn't get in, and I think he would be dumb to, especially as an R. It will quickly be exposed as the gimmick it is.
If this is him being quiet, I hate to see him loud. He is all over the news.
Simply not true...Vallas never said he was/wasn't running in any interviews. But let's be clear, he's running.
I think Vallas wakes up and realizes the spotlight of a campaign would very likely put an end to the gravy train.
It will also be very easy for any opponent to sell the phony label when Vallas is sporting a new Republican decal.
McClure was always a little squirrelly this just proves it
When you criticize someone or call names, it only makes you look squirrelly.
I think Vallas's tough part will be getting out of the repub primary without being ripped to pieces by his new party.
In a general election Vallas will not scare the electorate like Peraica or the milk man.
Just wondering.
The first question from the press to Vallas should be who did he vote for just six months ago for President, McCain or Obama?
Let's see how he gets out of that corner.
How can I be sure Vallas isn't going to just replace Stroger hacks with his own hacks?
Where do you come up with this?
Admit it!!
White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2007: 45.0%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2007: 22.8%
Black persons, percent, 2007: 26.0%
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1703...
If Cook goes GOP and Vallas, that would be starting from scratch. There hasn't been a GOP in Cook since folks drove around the Loop in LaSalles. You can't just start with nothing, and a single term isn't going to help the County, regardless of who replaces the Toddler. All a single term would accomplish is remove the names from all the doors and windows throughout Chicagoland.
Claypool is stronger than Vallas because voters know that electing the GOP would be revolutionary and probably difficult. Before they change the little letter (D) to (R), they will most likely elect Claypool to see if he could bring about constructive change under the current party system.
Vallas has a chance if voters have given up with the Democrats, and I don't think they are there yet. Stroger is getting the blame, and he will be removed, leaving the Party structure in place for Claypool.
While voters have chosen to saddle up their votes with Democrats in Cook since 1932, there is a reason they have stayed in the Democratic camp, even though the Cook County Democrats haven't deserved to run Cook since 1984. They have stayed with the Party through this last decade because that is what they do. I don't see them giving up hope with it - yet.
Vallas will be attractive, and voters will be happy to consider him, but like a new car company, they are not ready to buy until they've seen a few GOPers in their streets first.