CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Anon — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:26:38 -0000

1. Staffer is Nia hands down. She is the best. She knows the issues and you can depend on her.

2.Mickey Cody-She is a great LA. She knows how to get things done and knows who to call to get things done. She has experience, knowledge and a great personality for constituents and lobbiests.

3.Not a big Saputos fan, but I think Sangamo Club is great even though its not public.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:22:31 -0000

1 Nia Odeoti, the Senate staff. Nia is very smart and represents the Senate very well.

2. Mary Alice Cedusky. Sweet, smart and knows how to get it done!

3. Maldener's, yum yum!

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:59:53 -0000

#1: Nia from Sen Dem Staff. Highly intelligent, compassionate and greatly respected.
#2: Micki Cody. Simply delightful and smart!
#3: Saputo's, what a great ambience.

Re: Question of the day

Little Egypt — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:27:18 -0000

#3 - SAPUTO'S hands down. It's been around for ages, Frank & Joe knew and were very connected to EVERYONE, and that's why it was, is and will always be THE place to be. Joe's wife Edda used to be one of the cooks way back when and she, Joe and Frank made the place what it is today. RIP Joe and Edda. Saputo's deserves this award heads above all the rest. In fact, there should be a Springfield Political Restaurant Hall of Fame with Saputo's being the very first inductee. You bet I'm partial and very unobjective on this one.

Re: Question of the day

Publius — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:26:43 -0000

1) Nia from SDem staff - immense understanding of both the process and substance of the law plus patience = great staffer!
2) Tie: Roseann Visintin and Rhonda Wood - it's hard to decide which of them is more on top of things for their Senators and both of them can smile at the most annoying lobbyist, even after a long day.
3) With the demise of Boone's, DH Brown's by default.

Re: Question of the day

you're wrong — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:39:26 -0000

point of interest: "No one from the House dems research" works on campaigns?

Are you kidding?

Re: Question of the day

Okay Then.. — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:07:49 -0000

If we're doing campaign staffers than the discussion is over--Garrett "no sign" Kniffen. Boom.

Re: Question of the day

The Fox — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:27:26 -0000

1.Cindy Davidsmeyer - No need to ask why.
2. Pick-it
3. Wherever Mike decides.

Re: Question of the day

Boomshakalaka — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:25:15 -0000

Kristin Bauer from House Dem Staff: One of the kindest, friendliest, hardest workers I've ever met, both at the capitol and in campaigns (she rarely loses, if ever)

Kristen Milligan, sec. for Rep. Skip Saviano. For all the crap she puts up with. The busiest office at the capitol.

Restaurant: Sportsman's: Best fried chicken and mashed potatos, and Rhonda works there three nights a week (one of the coolest people in Illinois)

Re: Question of the day

Smelly Cat — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:41:14 -0000

point of interest - Wednesday, Dec 3, 08 @ 5:39 pm:
Ah, what planet are u from? I've seen God knows how many Sen Approp Staff & Lawyers in the field this cycle and last.

Still off subject, but I still think that the politics have NOTHING to do with the legislation side.... and this is from YEARS of experience!

Re: Question of the day

Chambananon — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:12:12 -0000

For the staff and secretaries, I have to be honest that I'm not familiar with enough of the folks involved to give a "legitimate" vote.

But, in honor of my friend Joe Saputo, who passed away this past month, I'm making sure to put in a vote for the restaurant he founded with his twin brother Frank so many years ago.

Plus, it really is THE place to be for politicos in Springfield, on any given day -- good food (personal fave for the price is the baked ravioli at lunch -- you'll be full all day), good atmosphere, and a legitimately huge number of folks that know the scene, and have been involved in one way or another in IL politics since the 50s and 60s.

RIP Joe, we'll miss ya.

Re: Question of the day

Unspun — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:05:05 -0000

Staffer: Jim Dodge from SDems. He knows the law inside and out, is always helpful, and has a great sense of humor to boot.
Legislative Secretary: Cheryl Sakris from Sen. Althoff's office. She is well-organized, polite, and gets the job done.
Legislative bar: Two Brothers. 'nuff said.

Re: Question of the day

my picks — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:40:01 -0000

Legislative staffer: Senate Republican Analyst, Kim Fowler. She's completely professional; if she doesn't know the answer she finds it for you; she's one of the most knowledgable people in this building.

Legislative Secretary: Speaker Madigan's Assistant, Joann Sullivan. No question she has one of the hardest jobs in this building.

Legislative bar: The Plaza. People need to frequent it more often.

Re: Question of the day

point of interest — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:39:33 -0000

Sorry to start this, Rich, but I have to clarify. Only certain staffers work on campaigns, and when they do, it is not because it is part of their job. How many Senate appropriations staffers or Senate attorneys work on campaigns? The work they do is legislative work. How many House republican staffers work on campaigns? Hardly any. No one from the House dems research or legal staff worked on a campaign. I would say some of these people are the best legislative staffers.

Re: Question of the day

Randolph — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:29:11 -0000

Rich, quick question. Are we including staff directors in this? Seems like we shouldn't since they're management. When I think of "staffer" I generally don't think of "Director." Seems like that could be another category.

Re: Question of the day

Long time caller, 1st time pos — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:26:41 -0000

Mike Weir--good guy and can write some great mail
Sue Staley--I hear she is retiring. Any one who can work for her boss deserves employee of the year.
Deja Vu--where the party never ends.

Re: Question of the day

Smelly Cat — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:17:09 -0000

Opps. typos in the above... #3 should read "... likeliest... aforementioned three groups..."

Re: Question of the day

Smelly Cat — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:13:07 -0000

1). Any Senate Dem. staff person who ran screaming/looking for another job after Emil sold his soul to Satan & went to bed with GRod;
2). Any legislative assistant who is able to deal with throngs of screaming and yelling "one-day-advocates" for whatever group's "Lobby Day" and were still able to smile at the end of the day;
3). Any restaurant/watering hole where one is the LEAST likely to run into ANYONE elected, their staff or lobbyists looking for the aforementioned two groups of people!

Re: Question of the day

downstate hack — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:29:20 -0000

The Democrat senate staff
Republican House staff
D.H. Brown, after Boone's is closed the only Brown with party leaders mingling with regular folk

Re: Question of the day

make my vote count — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:20:49 -0000

Well, I'd also like to nominate Jon Paul Valadez. He got one of the most honest state reps elected (Nekritz, of course) who finally brought issues of sustainability and renewable energy to the Illinois legistlature.

Beyond that, he's organized, interesting and a dedicated worker. He's passed up tons of fun opportunities to be at work (believe me). Heâ€™ll go to bat for people and issues that are important to him. Thatâ€™s a great character trait. Oh, and heâ€™s cute and well-dressed, too.

JoAnn Sullivan is a gem.

Boone's.

Re: Question of the day

Lone Ranger — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:55:38 -0000

Back to the original question:

I would say John Lowder - no one nows the budget better than John.

For legislative assistant, either Judy Dowis - Senator Crotty's office or Marcia Simmons - Senator Munoz's office. Both are wonderful and extremely efficient. Plus if they won this coveted award it wouldn't go to their heads.

Finally, I would have to go with the Plaza. It's a great new bar where you can see many legislators and legislative staff unwinding after a long day at the Capitol.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:32:51 -0000

It's neither arbitrary nor capricious.

Re: Question of the day

Publius — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:31:58 -0000

Rich - I have never known you to be arbitrary or capricious, this doesn't sound like you.

Re: Question of the day

Rich Miller — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:29:32 -0000

Because I said so.

Re: Question of the day

tell the truth — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:26:08 -0000

and why is it Rich that "nobody directly connected to the Farnham campaign" is eligible? explain please.