CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

VanillaMan — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:03:24 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

wordslinger — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:58:09 -0000

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%

Black persons, percent, 2007: 26.0%

http://quickfacts.census.go...

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Ghost — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:41:25 -0000

I conducted a poll a few minutes ago, no one polled knew who Vallas was; but Shawn Johnson won with 100% of the vote.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Anonymous45 — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:06:34 -0000

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...

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

scoot — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:02:12 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

scoot — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:59:53 -0000

You know whats laughable...if these numbers showed Claypool ahead everyone would be singing a different tune..instead they are worried.

Admit it!!

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

One who Knows — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:53:14 -0000

Paul's Presidential vote might be the only affirmation of his GOP credentials. I don't think he runs either.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Malcolm — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:42:22 -0000

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!

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Phineas J. Whoopee — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:20:48 -0000

"The countyâ€™s 26% white, 26% black and 22% hispanic which bodes well for Stroger"

Where do you come up with this?

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Malcolm — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:03:24 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Leroy — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:50:36 -0000

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?

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

scoot — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:37:53 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

just sayin — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:18:41 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

ReddSuitCrew — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:12:52 -0000

Is it "squirrely" to blog on State time?

Just wondering.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

anon64863 — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:00:48 -0000

Phineas - He's been in the news, but it doesn't seem that he's been gearing up for a campaign.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Phineas J. Whoopee — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:46:52 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Fan of CapFax — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:17:40 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

just sayin — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:13:57 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

scoot — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:56:05 -0000

As of late last week, Vallas was privately saying he most likely wonâ€™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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

siriusly — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:54:39 -0000

I hear Claypool is in. Vallas can do whatever he wants, but that county ain't ready for a Republican turncoat county board president.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Phineas J. Whoopee — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:50:23 -0000

"Heâ€™s been quiet lately, hasnâ€™t he?"

If this is him being quiet, I hate to see him loud. He is all over the news.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

anon64863 — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:45:58 -0000

RRR - That is a good question. He's been quiet lately, hasn't he?

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Ravenswood Right Winger — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:42:22 -0000

Is Forrest Claypool going to step up and actually run?

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

get serious — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:40:41 -0000

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.

Re: Not enough info, but here it is anyway

Anonymous45 — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:23:30 -0000

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...