CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

What's Left — Tue, 09 May 2006 07:52:46 -0000

Unfortunately, we didn't get the 300,000 signatures needed to put the Illinois Healthcare Referendum on the ballot. Why do we have to go through that anyways. How about putting together a viable plan and just putting it on the ballot instead of volunteers standing on every streetcorner beggingfor signatures.

Re: Question of the day

Beowulf — Mon, 08 May 2006 07:37:56 -0000

Judy should be doing some ads even though they are limited in numbers. If she doesn't reach the hearts and minds of the voters until just before the election, all will be lost. People are burnt out by political ads a month or two before elections and they just mentally tune them out.

Re: Question of the day

steve schnorf — Fri, 05 May 2006 02:14:12 -0000

As staff you try to encourage elected officials not to take credit for good things that are happening that are beyond their control, because you know that if they do, they are going to own the blame when the good things start going bad, even though they're still beyond their control. It rarely works.

Re: Question of the day

Papa Legba — Fri, 05 May 2006 01:44:32 -0000

Been There: Could you please point me to a link that may have HARD data to back up what Dan said? His comments and links don't provide much data, just words. I thought Lovie's Leather's comments + links in his 9:45 post spoke a bit louder than Dan's did. I think they do confirm what I was stating. Why even go into the dot-com boom? Any state that was relying on gains made during the boom to balance their budgets, well that was just plain stupid. The portfolio manager for Illinois at the time should have been hung if Illinois was over invested in the Tech Sector. Any financial advisor could see that run-up was an aberration. In 2000 when the bubble burst GRyan was in office. So I guess you can blame him for our states financial problems now. The market took a dump when under his watch. Bottom line is this state is in trouble financially and Blago's policies do not help. End of story.

Dan, please no offense intended. Been There steered us down this street.

Re: Question of the day

Been There — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:42:03 -0000

Forgot to add on the ads, I agree with the various points of ChicagoCynic 11:29, SenorAnon 12:09, Lodaboy 1:07, and YDD 2:42 (sacrastic goading not to run ads), that the ads are hurting JBT and will show in polls soon. People may say they don't like negative ads and that it is too early because people are not yet focused, but they ultimately leave impressions that (if unanswered early) can, and do, influence decisions when it really does become fish or cut bait time come November.

Re: Question of the day

Been There — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:22:03 -0000

hole not "whole" sorry

Re: Question of the day

Been There — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:17:56 -0000

First, Dan, great and insightful comments, as usual. To Papa Legba, please re-read Dan's comments and then look to the stats on how Illinois is doing relative to other states in a nationally improving economy, post 911 and the dotcom bubble burst of 4/01 (state's became too dependent on the capital gains that disappeared that year and thereafter). The improvements in jobs, revenue growth, etc relative to other state's may actually confirm some of the short term and fiscal management issues you raise.

As to the campaign ads, it is never good politics to leave attacks unanswered. If JBT has some money, she should be spending it to avoid getting pushed into a whole too deep to recover from come Fall. Spending some money now also may help fundraising in demonstrating that she is viable and capable of engaging in a sustained campaign. Clearly she can not match dollar for dollar, but as the Governor's team has proven, there is a lot of free "earned" media resulting from the placement of paid advertisements.

Re: Question of the day

Disgusted — Thu, 04 May 2006 23:43:09 -0000

The saddest part of this whole discussion is the steady underlying stream through the governor's supporters responses that it doesn't matter how the game is played and who gets hurt, it's more important that he win This is in spite of his untrustworthyness, his turning on many of his supporters, his inability to keep peace in his own family, his spending the citizen's money "like a drunken sailor," his tempting fate by arrogantly dismissing the Fitzgerald threat and his treating the people doing the taxpayers' business with utmost contempt. He's our very own Gordon Gecko
(remember the movie "Wall Street.") Most of the citizens of this country are offended by such behavior.

Re: Question of the day

Ethel — Thu, 04 May 2006 22:23:54 -0000

TOB - Those special funds, in many instances, do benefit many Illinois residents. Funds to remove leaking underground storage tanks, funds (gathered from licensure fees for architects and engineers) are to enforce the legitimate practice of those professions. By their licensure, architects are pledged to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state. However, real estate agents, contractors, draftsmen, lumber yards, and developers have made no such pledge, and are typically not knowledgeable of code requirements. Because of the sweep of special funds that were intended for enforcement of the architecture act, there is only one (1!) inspector for all of the state - only to respond to complaints. That inspector is, of course, in Chicago. There is nothing south of I-80.

Is that good government?

Re: Question of the day

dumb ol' country boy — Thu, 04 May 2006 20:43:49 -0000

So Original Bill, what state office are you setting in talking about this GREAT Gov, we have...I'm still waiting for him to "ROCK THE SYSTEM" and clean up this pay to play politics...Sounds like once again the Gov started talking before he thought..His staffers had to come tell him, you can't change that, we will not be able to raise any money. If anyone out there thinks that what Hot Rod is doing is legit, I got some land I want to sell them. I see whats going on inside state gov. as well as outside, keep living in your dream world, Original Bill, I can see in what you have typed and expressed, your a die hard "D" and will go down with the sinking ship. It's going down brother, don't be so blind that you cannot see it, this administration will end up like George Ryan. Another messy trial........... JBT needs to set and watch before responding, remember she has hired an excellent campaign manager in McFadden, seasoned and smart. Don't count this campaign out yet, should be interesting. Let the Gov continue to make his empty promises, he has credibility problems already, it will just get worse.

Re: Question of the day

Little Egypt — Thu, 04 May 2006 20:38:40 -0000

Public Official A, specifially Blago, is running a different campaign most definitely; however, let's not forget that one of his employees wore a wire for the Feds. Nuff said about that. But there is an old phrase, Too Big Too Soon. That's what's going on with Blago. Plus, if you are really sick and tired of his two slam ads with 2-3 other non-political ads being sandwiched between, do what I'm doing. First of all, mute your TV. Then write down the names of the companies whose ads are running between the slam ads, then call those advertisers and let them know where their ad is placed and what an INEFFECTIVE use this is of their advertising money. Without a single doubt, each and every person I have called is not happy with the TV stations doing this to their ads. There's more than one way to beat Blogo and his kids at their game. Sometimes no matter how much money you have, you just can't buy an election.

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Thu, 04 May 2006 19:00:23 -0000

OK, JBT does not need to start running ads yet due to the following:

Rock Solid Backing from all factions of her party.

Long track record of being a reformer and a GOP outsider with no ties to other GOP "players".

A huge lead in the polls.

Money pouring in from all directions.

Solid ideas and solutions for the state's problems which she talks about to the media.

Beloved by everyone with no "baggage" or investigations having gone on in her office.

Solid support from the poplular US President.

Her GOP in Illinois is in great shape and ready to win on every level.

I suppose she is right, nothing to worry about.

Re: Question of the day

Merlin — Thu, 04 May 2006 17:17:52 -0000

Ok, as promised, here is the only way Mod Rod can win reelection.

He must publicly acknowledge and thank his father in law for supporting his career. He must apologize for showing him disrespect and he must put him in charge of his political operations.

I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have the time or the inclination to list all the ways this would change the dynamic of this election but suffice it to say while Rod and his yuppie handlers are busy stroking themselves for these dumb commercials they are getting torched.

He has no political enforcer and there is no discipline among the committeemen who can and are cutting whatever deals they want.

Argue over all polls all you wish but if he does not make amends he will wake up one Wednesday morning in November wondering what truck hit him.

Re: Question of the day

Papa Legba — Thu, 04 May 2006 16:17:52 -0000

YDD: My comment is describing how a Governor can have a short-term influence on the economy. Its called fiscal irresponsibility.

Re: Question of the day

Papa Legba — Thu, 04 May 2006 16:15:06 -0000

Original Bill & YDD: One can always blame the economy, just as one can believe any poll they wish to. If the world economy and the U.S. economy is and has been growing, why is it stagnant and shrinking in Illinois? GRod is killing Illinois with his *policies*. It is a fact. If you don't believe me and before you rail at me, read some business sections in newspapers and you will see the numbers in black and white.

Less revenue + more spending = more debt. A Blago trademark for his accomplishments these past few years.

Re: Question of the day

Dan Vock — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:46:06 -0000

YDD, thanks, but anyone who's seen my credit card bills would never put me in charge of a state budget. ;)

Re: Question of the day

Yellow Dog Democrat — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:42:16 -0000

Dan Vock -

In a sane world, you and Steve Schnorf would be the Budget Czars.

You are correct. The Federal Reserve influences the economy. The President of the U.S. can, sometimes, but just barely, and usually only through trade policy or multi-billion expenditures.

Governors have almost no short-term influence on the economy whatsoever. They ride out a wave that someone else created. To the degree they can influence the economy, it is 5-10 years down the road, through long-term investments, not short-term gimmicks.

Unfortunately Dan, I blame the media, which senselessly perpetuates this myth every time someone issues a press release blaming someone for job losses or taking credit for job gains.

To get back on track though, Topinka should definitely, definitely, definitely not run any ads until September.

Re: Question of the day

the Patriot — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:40:53 -0000

You have combined some of my points with others but yes, the ads are way early and joe voter is not paying attention.

The point on state workers is there is about 100,000 in IL. Plus spouses. They will not show up accuratly on poll data because they will not take the poll. None of them will vote for Blago.

If he loses, the D party can rally behind Lisa, and Mike, and be ok. The GOP gets a win by the mansion comming back. If Rod wins, he will be indicted in office which will sink the Democrat party. Especially when Lisa Madigan sat by and did nothing which she will continue to do.

Someone above tried to analogize this race to Edgar's the point is, Edgar was a much more popluar Governor with not nearly as much controversy. It has been about 7+ years Since Edgar left office. You will see Blago in jail 7 years after he leaves office.

You act like I am making it up but I did not raid the IDOT building. I did not draft audits saying his CMS was a scam, I did not put police line tape over the office doors of his cronies. Too bad we will have long lost this issue before Rod sings he jailhouse rock, but he will.

The ads will not overcome all of this.

Re: Question of the day

Roomie — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:39:41 -0000

I love the ads. Especially the tag line, "Whats she thinking?" Its so true.

Topinka deserves to be called out on her whacky positions and flip-flopping stances.

I find it most amusing that she slams the Governor for slashing state payroll/waste and then holds a press conference saying she wants to hire 13,000 more employess. When asked how are you going to pay for it, she always says, I'll have to wait and see what the books say. Excuse me, but as Treasurer shouldnt you KNOW what the books say? Your office gets a copy of all the fiscal reports just like everyone else.

Her campaign WANTS to respond to the ads, but they cant. Their numbers are tanking hence all the flashy, but light on substance press conferences that arent working. She cant afford commercials so she is trying the free route to little success.

Re: Question of the day

SenorAnon — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:30:40 -0000

And Downstate, if I were blackmailing you, why would I use my numbers to strengthen your position?

Seriously, put about three seconds of semi-conscious thought into that one.

Re: Question of the day

SenorAnon — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:13:32 -0000

So many different points...hard...to...follow.

Let me get this straight, according to Patriot (and others);

The ads are too early to work (Judy doesn't even need to work until October), but "There is nothing Rod can do to win."

So which is it? Is it too early, or is the election already over.

And then, the same Patriot, after schooling us about Rod's inability to win, says that, "even if he wins, he kills the party."

So now it is too early even though it is over but he can win, but that's bad for the party.

I see.

Oh, and Edgar never served time, and even though Blagojevich hasn't either, Patriot's contention that he will in seven years is the same as him having done so.

And let's not forget, Blagojevich only polls Chicago (pssst...don't tell everyone that one poll was Meeks' - a potential RIVAL to Blagojevich). And he doesn't poll state workers.

Because that't how polls work.

Well, sounds like you've got it all figured out. Or something.

Re: Question of the day

DOWNSTATE — Thu, 04 May 2006 15:06:08 -0000

ANON 1:48 is this the same Meeks that is blackmailing Blago for 6 billion and Blago is still rolling around in the floor laughing.The poll he took is part of a blackmail scam which is starting to unravel.So I wouldn't put to much into this Preacher/Blackmailers poll.

Re: Question of the day

The original Bill — Thu, 04 May 2006 14:53:35 -0000

Patriot,
His holiness Jim Edgar balanced the budget by, guess what?...."raiding" the pension funds causing the problems that you routinely blame the governor for. After he was sure he wasn't going to be in office anymore, he supported the time bomb 1995 legislation with the bomb set to go off in 2005.
Boom, it went off, which caused the financial problems of 2006. Fortunately we had a strong leader in Rod Blagojevich who could deal with the mess. So, go ahead, wait for the mythical indictments.That is always your comment of last resort. As far as integrity goes ask former Kemper share holders what they think of his holiness.
Gooooooo Seabiscuit!

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Thu, 04 May 2006 14:48:56 -0000

"Topinka is in trouble. The Meeks poll shows that Blagojevich has gained about 10% points since the last poll. With little else going on, the ads are absolutely having an effect. They are pretty good at pointing out where she and blagojevich differ on important policy issues like the assault weapons ban and the minimum wage. Furthermore, according to Tom Roeser's blog, she was the one who made the comment bashing bush and his administration and saying that she would only allow him to fundraise for her from an undisclosed location. She tried to pin that on a staffer and now the angry President has cancelled a planned fundraiser for her.

With support from national republicans waning, unresponded to negative ads which are dragging her numbers down, and a generally lethargic campaign in general, she is in serious trouble. If she doesn't get her act together quickly, the money won't come in and she will be unable to undo the harm from the ads.

The wheels are coming off."

Re: Question of the day

DOWNSTATE — Thu, 04 May 2006 14:44:03 -0000

I think the complaint here is yes our revenue is up but it is being mismanaged by people who don't know or only has one idea of state funded programs for re-election chances.