BY DAN CAMPANA
Man, things are buzzing around Beacon Election Central with just 11 days until non-early voters cast their ballots.
With so much happening -- campaign ads flying, finance reports filing, candidates stumping -- it's hard to keep up on all the good stuff floating around.
Here's a quick round up of the recent fun.
Mr. Popular: Perhaps you've noticed that a certain governor from Illinois has become quite popular in TV ads, including some in the 42nd District Senate race. Twice, here and here Blago has been a prominent part of Terri Ann Wintermute's blasting of incumbent Linda Holmes -- the latter especially.
Local weathermen have also taken to using Rod's face to represent rain on weather maps, and rumor has it the gov was out of position defensively during the Atlanta Falcons' game-winning drive against the Bears two weeks ago.
Questionnaires are wonderful: These things, posted throughout the Beacon Blog (cheap plug), offer in-depth, unfiltered views of the candidates through their own words. Some nuggets are better than others. Take this Q&A with state rep. candidate Joan Solms:
Q. With all the power the four legislative leaders posess, how can you be an effective lawmaker? Do you support your party's leader in the House?
A. Smile.
Draw your own conclusions on how that connects to voters.
You spent how much on what? Campaigns, especially congressional ones involving guys who make ice cream, spend a lot of money. Most of it is boring. You know, things like TV time and consultants. In his last finance report, Republican Jim Oberweis spent $3,984.12 on ... REBAR!! Alas, it was just for campaign signs, not to reinforce or hunker down anything.
Mrs. Roboto: In the spirit of the season, a familiar voice to the Beacon called in this week, Aurora Alderman Lynda Elmore. She wasn't calling to say hey, but instead as the voice of a robo call for Naperville Council Member Darlene Senger in her bid for the 96th District seat. Somewhat fittingly, the robo caller went to voice mail.
Disturbing trend of the week: Candidates pretending to campaign in a vacuum.
You have an opponent. Voters will compare you to that opponent. It is a competition. The other person does mean something to your campaign, no matter how much you say it won't.
Even better was one local candidate who, at first, said she wouldn't attack her opponent, before describing the opponent as unprepared and short-sighted. That happened in ONE conversation.
Leave a comment