CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

babs — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:54:51 -0000

oops - sorry didn't mean to put down Kirk.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

babs — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:54:04 -0000

Statewide Lisa - has done much more (granted has held office longer) but she has never rested and has always worked for a safer community. Tops.

Federal - Durbin. Again, not even a contest. Best service and he's around the state - even when he's not up for election. Kirk is almost a stranger except for general elections.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Reddbyrd — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:47:03 -0000

Durbin ---- will bring home more bacon to IL than all that preceded...Dirksen, Rosty, etc.
LM ---- great track record that leaves naysayers banging their gums to no avail.

I am shocked and dismayed Capt. Fax omitted other great IL leaders...Hollywood...JaytheJiantHead, etc

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Way South of the Border — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:42:19 -0000

It's interesting that many are making the case for Lisa or Alexi as gov. That's not what the Golden Horseshoe award is, is it?

Since the economy is melting down, I base my nomination on current job performance, and I give it to Lisa. Her early work (which dates back at least two years) on mortgage fraud has paid off beautifully this year, with landmark lawsuits and settlements that are a model for the nation.

I appreciate Alexi as a young, energetic idea guy, but Lisa's focus and foresight puts her in front of the whole pack of constitutional officers. She has really delivered, when we need it most.

I'll have to simmer down on the Ryan issue before I weigh in Durbin v Kirk, so if I miss the deadline, so be it.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

jerry — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:41:57 -0000

Alexi Giannoulias and Dick Durbin.

I like how Giannoulias is using the powers of his office to affect policy and how he has dealt with cleaning up after the prior administration (such as the woman who defrauded the state for a couple of hundred thousand dollars, which was discovered earlier this year).

Dick Durbin, for all his years as an effective Senator and leader. His leadership on a variety of issues, such as veterans benefits, has been great. Plus his office is very good at replying when I contact them to complain about something. He's one of the best Senators out there.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Prairie Sage — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:40:22 -0000

No opinion on Madigan/Gian.

Durbin's a more effective legislator, both for the state and the party -- and he was in the House as well, for those who will say "but the Senate's a bigger platform".

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

DGL — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:33:15 -0000

Alexi because he is Greek, good-looking and rich.

Kirk because he is a North Shore guy.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

downhereforyears — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:22:12 -0000

Madigan and Kirk ( but Durbis is so close its difficult to choose between them)

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

IllinoisProgressive — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:19:26 -0000

Easily, Treasurer Giannoulias and Senator Durbin.

The State Treasurer has brought new ideas to a once dormant office. He has executed ideas that are meaningful to the people of Illinois (BrightStart, state property on ebay, taking control of the politically connected hotels, to name just a few) Even this week, he proposed a new idea to streamline pension investments. Treasurer Giannoulias has already fulfilled his campaign promises, with 2 years to go. He needs a bigger challenge and we need a better Governor.

Senator Durbin has been a thoughtful politician for many years. His biggest acheivement will have been recognizing the tremendous talents of and supporting a young, inexperienced Senator who will be our next President.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Jake from Elwood — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:57:39 -0000

Lisa Madigan: Simply put, very few politicians in my lifetime have exceeded my expectations when they have first taken office. She is one of them.

Mark Kirk over Durbin. I trust him more. Period.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

10th Indy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:56:17 -0000

Another reason to pick Kirk - the pioneer press story today on how he is distributing his Obama inaugural tickets. He's giving tickets to a leading Seals supporter. A class act.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

rms — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:24:13 -0000

Giannoulias and Durbin

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Prairie State Dem — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:08:46 -0000

Best statewide official: Alexi Giannoulias

Both Madigan and Giannoulias are excellent choices, and both are clearly competent and intelligent officials brimming with integrity.

While Madigan has brought a steady hand to the Attorney Generalâ€™s office, the question here should be one of reform. Our state is in dire circumstancesâ€”confidence in state government has been decimated by a seemingly endless parade of scandals and the citizens of this state are struggling to make it through this recession. As such, under such conditions, the measure of excellence should not be mere competence or good job performance. Rather, the â€œbest statewide officialâ€ should be the one that has exhibited an extraordinary understanding of the plight of the middle class, and the one that has melded both passion and pragmatism into that which our state has so desperately needed for so longâ€”common sense and compassionate leadership.

I would submit that the State Treasurerâ€™s record on this front clearly makes him the â€œbest statewide official.â€

Putting aside the fact that his election was in and of itself an amazing feat in a state where oneâ€™s fortune in politics is too often dictated by the strength of a family name, Giannoulias has simply *performed*. And he has performed *well*. In a year where the financial collapse has shocked both private and public institutions alike, he has not shirked from the responsibilities of his office, nor has he has been intimidated by the gravity of the situation.

But again, it is not merely the *performance* of an elected official that should be considered. Itâ€™s the manner of execution of that performance which separates the good elected officials from the best ones. Lisa Madigan has performed her duties well. But Alexi Giannoulias has not hesitated to go beyond the expectations of the status quo. He has articulate bold and innovative plans to both strengthen the financial condition of this state as well as to advance the interests of state citizens in a more general fashion. In other words, he has not just performed todayâ€™s tasks, but he has performed them in such a way as to secure the welfare of this state in the future.

Many of the commenters have rightly pointed out that Lisa Madigan is a hard worker who has kept the public trust well. This is true, but with due respect, that is the minimum we should expect from our elected officials. Her dedication and everyday resilience make Lisa Madigan a great statewide official. But it is Alexi Giannouliasâ€™s bold vision, valuable pragmatism and fresh insight that make him the best official in the state.

Best Congresscritter: Dick Durbin

Between Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin, I see no contest when it comes to the issue of who has best represented the interests of Illinois citizens in Washington.

For the simplest explanation, one need look no further than Donald B. Farmer. Army Staff Sgt. Farmer was the first Illinois casualty of the Iraq War. He left the streets of Zion for the streets of Iraq, and on December 2004, at the too-young age of 33, Farmer died in the deserts of a foreign land.

Since then, some 4,208 more American soldiers have lost their lives in that war. While Kirk was the only member from Illinois who both helped to craft the initial Iraq War resolution and has voted against ending this war some two dozen times, Durbin has become a consistent and clear voice for the responsible redeployment of troops from the region.

Aside from the war, Durbin is the best congresscritter for this state because he has done so much more than simply vote on bills, send pork home, or look after local interests. He is a national leader, and has been an integral player in crafting the federal strategies that are needed to bring not only Illinois into the 21st century, but to lift the entire nation out of the plethora of debacles which currently plague us.

Kirk has performed well as a representative for his district, but Durbin has excelled as a leader. And he has done so not just for Illinois, but for the entire nation. For that reason, he is the best congresscritter in the state.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Pomerium Ultra — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:04:54 -0000

Lisa cuz I can't spell the other guy's name.

The good senator because he flies commercial.

HWAS: Ya sittin' on a tack?

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

fedup dem — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:02:07 -0000

Durbin & Madigan. The reasons have already been well-documented by others here.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Lakeview Dem — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:46:08 -0000

Alexi - I think people are more concerned with economic issues right now than criminal/legal issues, and the spotlight will be on Alexi. Meanwhile, Alexi has some cutting edge ideas like the pension system consolidation that some might disagree with, but which cannot be said to be for his personal gain. They are the kinds of ideas which will either make or break him, and it takes character to take a stand on such ideas.
Plus, he doesn't have the same ties to the same-old, same-old, as Madigan does, and he is ideally positioned to ride the "change" wave that won't peak until after 2010 (in my opinion).

Durbin - because he is an upstanding senator who has always stood up for Illinois. Also he has silently shown the kind of clout he really has, by throwing it behind Obama early on, and thereby helping to lay the groundwork for Obama's victory.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

The winner should be... — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:39:51 -0000

Lisa Madigan: Historically, the office of the Attorney General has been filled by a person who wants to do good, but just can't seem to get it right for the people. She has dedicated her time in office to protecting the consumers of this State. She has exemplified what an Attorney General should be and how they should conduct themselves. Add to that the fact that she is the highest Attorney in State Government, yet what she spends on attorneys for the State is far less than what Blago's staff attorneys and all of the firms he hires receive. Granted this isn't how she wants to do business, but she has made it work for the past few years.

I respect Alexi and think he does a decent job, but I am starting to think that he governs by press release. His office constantly releases news about things "he will be doing" instead of things he has done. I think he needs a few more years of experience and work.

MY PICK IS LISA MADIGAN.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Are you kidding me? — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:23:34 -0000

Alexi - he is young and smart - not scared to ruffle some feathers

Durbin - Smart man who has done great things for illinois

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Wonderboy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:18:30 -0000

Lisa Madigan - clever, honest, and finds the right (and legit) ways to help people, like suing the pants off Countrywide for their deceptive lending practices

Dick Durbin - one of the most honest and caring individuals in Congress; delightfully stubborn but willing to compromise and apologetic if he believes he's made a mistake; cares first and foremost about Illinois; was a mentor to Barack Obama; a natty dresser with an insanely long attention span and obssession with details; a fabulous orator who never needs notes.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Nicole G. — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:05:16 -0000

Alexi and Durban all the way!

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

abe froman — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:01:53 -0000

Statewide-I have to say Madigan has much more to show for her tenure. It's a more impactful office but she also uses it to full affect. I still can't quite get what it is everyone sees in Alexi.

Congress-Both are good in different ways, but I have to say Kirk because he wins out on the independence and integrity fronts. Durbin is too hyperpartisan and he is something of a media hound. Kirk gets in the press a lot for a House member but it's because he does something proactive. Durbin just gloms on to everything that comes along.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Moving to a Red State — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:57:58 -0000

Giannoulias over Madigan.
Finally fiscal responsibility has entered the lexicon of state government. I'm only dissapointed that it didn't come from my party. Since no Republican has a chance of righting the course on S.O.S. Springfield, Giannoulias is this state's only real hope for putting our fiscal house in order and creating an environment that will foster growth in Illinois' economy. Despite the comments of others above, the myth of Lisa's "independance" from the Speaker is something that should concern all Illinois voters should she run for Governor.

Kirk over Durbin. I haven't moved to a red state yet, so I have to keep whatever Rebublican office holders I can get. His consistancy of voting with Bush however earns him no better than a "B" in my book.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:54:00 -0000

Lisa over Alexi: She is an adult, shown strong leadership and independence.

Kirk over Durbin: Just because of the Ryan issue.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Odyssey 2010 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:30:11 -0000

Alexi over Lisa. He has come through on everything he said he was going to do with the office. By any measure, he is one of the greatest Treasurers this state has seen. As for the potential head to head in 2010, can accountability really come out of a Madigan-Madigan-Cullerton axis? Also, the economy and state finances are going to be issue #1 in 2010, and Alexi has a better grasp.

Durbin over Kirk. Kirk hasn't done anything of note and is a big step down from John Porter. Durbin has risen very quickly in a decade, and Illinois is better for it.

Also, Durbin + Alexi is the only real chance we have for changing Illinois' broken system. The Madigans should take their share of the blame for where we are, since he has been speaker and in charge of the party longer than Rod has been Governor.

Re: Question of the day – Golden Horseshoe Runoffs

Publius — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:27:49 -0000

Alexi G - he's not afraid to innovate, and he's able to do it without demonizing his opponents.

Durbin - the Ryan commutation request shows (again) that he has the courage of his convictions, even when they might cost him.