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 Review Goes With Ron Burgundy?!?

Heeeeey!  That's *our* thing!  We're the guys who use Ron Burgundy to make our political points here in Illinois!  You guys are the ones who write about immigration and use the word 'aliens' in your stories.

Let's keep it that way?  Deal?

"Who Is Kirk Dillard?"

Over at his blog, OneMan ticks off the latest developments in the Governor's race (including the IEA Endorsement and the Rutherford problem) and then ponders who exactly *is* GOP Gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard?  

We think it is a fair question and one worth exploring.  OneMan does get at least one answer:

Well as someone who has given money to Rutherford I can tell you that isn't happening. Might have happened with 'old' Dillard (still regret not voting for him last time), but now I am not too sure who Dillard is (well besides Jim Edgar's former Chief of Staff). It isn't the IEA endorsement that causes me concern, as much as it doesn't seem to mesh with a guy who is supposed to be as conservative as he seems to want to present himself as now. I know some good, strong social conservatives who are supporting Dillard. More power to them, don't agree with them on everything but they tend to be consistent. Not sure why Dillard is more appealing to them than Brady this time, but again social issues really are not my yardstick.

Nice zinger in there with the Edgar line...

Eric Zorn: "Rauner lapping GOP Field"

Over on his long-standing (longest standing?!?) blog on the Tribune's site, Eric Zorn wraps up the Tribune's lead political story with a nice neat bow in his headline:

Rauner lapping GOP field -- Tribune poll

Zorn goes on to point out the 2:1 margin was about the same as last month.  The Dan Rutherford storyline - with his former employee - certainly isn't helping him gain ground, but maybe Kirk Dillard can make it a race?  To do that?  He needs an influx of cash, we thinks....  Why?  Because Rauner is going to make himself hard to hit.  See exhibit A:  Illinois Review reports that Bruce Rauner skipped a debate last night.   Running out the clock isn't easy, but if Rauner's campaign thus far is any indication, he's up for the challenge.  Look!  Coach is calling the '4 corners'.