CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:02:01 -0000

Not quite. Every disaster scares away the weak while the heros to show up and help.

Re: Question of the day

wordslinger — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:30:52 -0000

--The political climate in this country and in this State combined with the weak economy, huge deficits and budget shortfalls have created an atmosphere which drives away from politics people who might be able to have an impact on some of the problems facing the citizenry.--

Like who?

I don't buy it. There are White Knights who want to be anointed rather than dirty themselves up in the arena, but I don't think that makes them better.

The scandal-mongering of James Callender didn't keep John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton from participating in the process. And that guy didn't pull any punches or worry about libel.

Re: Question of the day

Rocketman — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:03:35 -0000

The political climate in this country and in this State combined with the weak economy, huge deficits and budget shortfalls have created an atmosphere which drives away from politics people who might be able to have an impact on some of the problems facing the citizenry. Why would any successful person want to subject him/herself and family to not just scrutiny but abuse from opponents, media and the blagosphere? Anyone who enters the field nowadays is instantly subjected to abuse and claims of impropriety, guilt by association and all forms of attacks ad hominem. Most often, there is no basis for these claims but the candidate's reputation is tarnished and damage is done to his/her family.
Herman "Paddy" Bauler uttered the famous line, "Politics ain't beanbag", which is true and it was never for the faint of heart. But, the political climate is now considerably more dangerous as it can result in ambitious, agenda driven prosecutors conducting investigations which, even if they result in no charges, destroy a person's reputation and leave them penniless.
This may be why we have such a poor field of candidates.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:24:28 -0000

I don't think Dan Hynes could win another term as Comptroller, let alone Governor. He was asleep at the wheel in regulating cemeteries, and admits himself that in 10 years he couldn't get any meaningful cemetery reform legislation passed because the Cemetery Lobbyists were "so strong." Not exactly credentials for Governor. He will lose in the primary, and probably will not carry in his home 19th ward, similar to what occurred when he ran against Obama for US Senate. His time has passed.

Re: Question of the day

Ghost — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:05:27 -0000

Everyone is wating for Hynes to ketchup.

Re: Question of the day

lucid brazzi — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:48:40 -0000

The only ones who are paying enough attention to handicap this race this early are CapFax folks and other diehard political professionals. History proves that these types, while astute, are often wrong about results and not dense (easy, I mean in numbers) enough to decide elections. Hynes is criticized as boring but almost universally respected for his ethics and motives. For those who say he is capitalizing on his family machine, I would suggest that had he could have done more for himself hooking up with a big firm years ago and making tons of dough. I am pretty certain that most understand that he is modest in presentation as well as wealth. I suspect that he will be able to raise enough money to reach the voters and lety them decide who is best for a retreat from this currently dismal environment. Let's see how the general public reacts to a smart, decent guy.

Re: Question of the day

DCFS — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:08:36 -0000

Definitely Hynes should stay. Who cares about the back-stabbing Teamsters. Whatever happened to union solidarity you clods? AFSCME has been fighting this governor since he fell into office and the teamsters should show a little respect instead of endorsing Quinn. Just wait until the next time the teamsters want some support from me. They can drive their trucks into Lake Michigan as far as I am concerned.

Re: Question of the day

ToughGuy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:37:01 -0000

Sorry, I had a finger blow out. I began to say since the R's generally self destruct with their in-party fighting and a the total primary turnout for both parties might be 35%, this race will come down to organization. Unless the Comptroller can put together some kind of coalition it will be difficult since he has so far not been able to garnish the favor of any of the large union groups or County/Ward organizations. I think if he feel he is a viable candidate and can win, he should stay in. If not he should rethink his strategy and long term ambiitions. Either way with Hynes or Quinn, I still feel the track record and disfuntion of the R's will allow them to win.

Re: Question of the day

Bobs yer — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:29:25 -0000

Blago-mate needs a challenge. I think the reason there's no stronger opposition is that the Dem's expect to lose the office anyway. As an R, I love Hynses' challenge to Quinn re: tourism, advertising, etc. Well Pat? are these good or bad?? If Hynes keeps up this way, I may vote for him.

Re: Question of the day

ToughGuy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:22:40 -0000

Let's see, since the R's

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:56:50 -0000

Hey, Richard,

It's "Quinn" not "Quin"; and yes, this is an instance where a dictionary and thesaurus will fail thee.

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:44:25 -0000

==========
life long democrates are all physically sickened by both the quinn and the hynes scenarioâ€¦.we need a new untarnished face to run illinois gov.
==========

Hope you'll consider a Republican then!

Re: Question of the day

Okay Then... — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:52:21 -0000

ls, that's the problem with the democrats. Remember G-Rod, who was trying to get $12million to stay in the governor's office? look where it got him. and still the democrats' only concern is money, money, money. Sickening!

Re: Question of the day

Spell check — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:38:41 -0000

Hey, Anon 4:42 -- it's "theatre," not "theater"

Sorry, couldn't resist. (And stand down folks; I know both spellings are accepted. Just having fun.)

Re: Question of the day

Bumblejuice — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:48:37 -0000

I can think of 3.8 million reasons for Hynes to run. Why can't Hynes win? The machine patronage armies have been decimated. Hynes has a squeaky clean image and can probably have a better campaign.

Just because the SEIU or AFSME endorse Quinn doesn't mean they will go to the mats for him. I'm sure they would be happy with Hynes too.

Re: Question of the day

Richard Afflis — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:40:41 -0000

Both Hynes and Quin should drop out as well as all the republicans running. It does not matter if they stay in or not with that political juggernaut- Rich Whitney is in the race! He is going to completely destroy ALL the competition. No one stands a chance against Whitney! He is going to take at least 75% of the general election vote.

Re: Question of the day

dupage dan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:07:45 -0000

I think Quinn is probably viewed as the incumbent and reaps much benefit from that. Hynes has to go negative to fight that but is making a total mess of it. Does Quinn go after Hynes' past ties? If he's smart he does so only if he is being hurt by Hynes. Otherwise, he should just stand there with Daley and smile. The dems up here in Chicago just love to pull the lever for him. All except those who use parking meters, or have businesses near parking meters. Come to thinik of it, maybe Quinn shouldn't stand so near Daley after all.

This is going to be fun.

Re: Question of the day

Jay Cutler's Wife — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:53:08 -0000

This is a good dialogue. I am throwing this out there since not too much is happening today... Everyone knows "ethics reform" will be a big part of whoever comes out of this in February. Say Hynes goes negative (which I think he has to do) and hits Quinn on "ethics reform." Are Hynes ties to the Chicago Machine and his past fundraising mishaps along with his FEC problems fair game. You think Quinn will hit him on this?? Will anyone care? How will this play out?

Re: Question of the day

dupage dan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:47:07 -0000

Watch it, Rich is on a language tear. I keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy (internet or hard copy) to prevent such scathing criticism. I get enough flak with my viewpoints - I don't want to get it for my grammer. :)

Re: Question of the day

Anon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:42:11 -0000

Excuse me for my lack of proofing before posting, it does "reek." HaHa

I do enjoy the stirring of the pot. Nothing makes for better political theater.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:42:10 -0000

Now, THAT's a good question, OM. Hmmm.

Re: Question of the day

OneMan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:40:39 -0000

I am always amazed at the power of the Rich Miller conspiracy...

It's not like he asked if it takes more than 100 years for a baseball team to win a world series if that team should be forced down to AAA or something.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:33:18 -0000

===It wreaks of bias toward Quinn.===

First, it's reeks.

Second, a week ago a bunch of Quinnites were saying I was biased towards Hynes.

Y'all need to make up your minds. lol

Re: Question of the day

Anon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:30:17 -0000

First, I have to wonder why Rich even posted this question. It wreaks of bias toward Quinn.

Second, Hynes should stay in the race. Quinn has done nothing to inspire confidence in his leadership style. One day he's for something, the next it's off the table. He can't seem to make up his mind about anything. And it certainly seems like he isn't doing anything to move away from the Blagojevich playbook. If he's going to lead, then he should lead and stop flip-flopping on every issue he takes up.

Lastly, Hynes may be boring, but I'm willing to take a look at him. We just went through a debacle with a good "politician" and that certainly didn't work out, to say the least. I'd much rather have a Governor who bores me to death and can govern than a politician who can give a rousing speech and then not deliver on anything.

Pat Quinn is the accidental Governor. He hasn't earned the position. A little competition is a good thing. He should have to earn it. As a life-long Democrat, I'm not comfortable going into November 2010 with a candidate who spent all of 2006 running around on record defending Rod Blagojevich. I can see the Republican ads now.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:29:26 -0000

===another embicel===

Do you realize how imbecilic you look when you misspell imbecile?

Sheesh, man. Go to your local cc and take a basic writing class.