Why Paul Vallas May Win Either Way This November

OneMan has a thought up about Paul Vallas and it is worth reading.  He thinks Vallas is positioned either way things roll this fall.

Well he either ends up Lt. Governor for a guy who isn't going to run for another term and has 4 years to work the state and the Democratic Party as Lt. Governor. Even if Quinn wins he isn't going to become Captain Popular with the Democratic Party in Illinois giving Vallas a chance to be the one people like as it were... 

If Quinn loses, Vallas is positioned to run for Governor in 4 years having spent time going around the state, increasing his residency time as well positioning himself as the education candidate down the road. A Rauner governorship is not going to be a bed of roses and Vallas has always done well with the press and would be a lot for accessible for Chicago media than Mike Madigan (who is no fan of the media) and a better on camera interview (and more relevant) to a Chicagoland TV news audience than any of the other four tops would be.

We have to admit that we always kinda liked the guy.  Not sure why.  But...felt like he was the real deal and someone we could get behind.  That he's been dispatched to be Pat Quinn's attack dog is a shame because voters probably don't even know he's running with Quinn.

Illinois Voters: Remember *This* About Governor Pat Quinn

Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner (The Guy Who Can Right Our Ship in Illinois) is out with a new tv spot that aims to remind voters that all Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has done is talked a big game and failed to deliver.  We're hoping that voters remember that this is the same guy who stood right behind Rod Blagojevich as his Lt. Governor...



VO: When you hear Pat Quinn’s false attacks remember his broken promises.

GOV PAT QUINN: Our job recovery bill will create more than four-hundred thousand jobs.

VO: Under Quinn Illinois leads the Midwest in job losses.

GOV PAT QUIN: Another area we are not cutting is education.

VO: Quinn cut 500 million causing teacher layoffs and crowded classrooms.

GOV PAT QUINN: Under our plan a family of four will not pay higher taxes.

VO: Quinn raised taxes by 67 percent on every Illinoisan. Pat Quinn a broken record of broken promises.

David McSweeney and Darrin LaHood: Get Rid of the Lt. Governor NOW

In an opinion piece, State Representative David McSweeney and State Senator Darrin LaHood are out this morning calling on the Illinois Senate leadership (ahem...Senate President Cullerton) to put their proposed constitutional amendment up for a vote in the Senate.

From the piece:

To say that the state's No. 2 office is not exactly essential is an understatement. 

Last year, the Illinois House approved our proposed constitutional amendment to give voters the opportunity to eliminate the office of lieutenant governor. To get the amendment on the November ballot, the Senate has to pass the proposal by May 4. 

Voters will have the option in November to consider constitutional amendments dealing with victims' rights and voters' rights. Illinois law allows the legislature to place up to three constitutional amendments covering different sections of the Illinois Constitution on the ballot in each general election. Two amendments are already on the ballot. We urge our colleagues in the Senate to make our proposal to eliminate the office of lieutenant governor the third. 

Talk about a luxury we can no longer afford: Eliminating this unnecessary position in Illinois government could save the state approximately $2 million a year. 

The fact that a former occupant of the office left the position early because he was bored and another quit — on his second try — is a clear reminder that the office is not exactly a hotbed of activity. Other than being involved in the Rural Bond Bank of Illinois, the Illinois River Coordinating Council and the Illinois Main Street program, there is little the lieutenant governor has the authority to do. 

The time has come for the Senate leadership to put the proposed amendment up for a vote. Give voters a chance to dump the office on Nov. 4.