Speak of the devil!

From the QCTimes, Illinois’ 17th District field taking shape

East Moline Alderman Cheri Bustos said she will file candidacy and organizational papers today with the Federal Election Commission and plans to make a formal announcement on July 13. She had planned a  June 30 announcement, but said she wanted to avoid clashing with the Fourth of July holiday.

AND

Two Democrats have formally declared bids for the office. State Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria and Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp have announced they’ll run. Gaulrapp just did so over the weekend.

PLUS -- Boland is in and Schwiebert is making an announcement next week about whether he will run.

This is what I'm talking about.

Bustos: Smart, personable, reasonable, attractive -- good candidate

Schwiebert: Smart, well-liked, well-known, pragmatic -- good candidate

Boland: Personable, well-liked, well-spoken, state wide candidate -- good candidate

Koehler: Strong labor, well liked, nice, well-spoken -- good candidate

Gaulrapp: Independent leaning, blue collar -- okay candidate (to be fair I need to learn more)

This is going to be an excellent primary. I've listed off the perceptions that each candidate gives off. This primary will allow the voters to select the one that can best communicate and implement their ideas to the general public.

Voters in the 17th are much more lucky this go around than how when Hare was selected.

I think the Quad Cities will be well served if any of these candidates --- gop or dem --- end up winning.

Let's be fair

We all know the primary practices of the past. Democrat party chairman sits down in room with the selected one and "the others." He tells them that they must back out of the race and in exchange they will get cozy jobs or the promise of being groomed for another office.

This is the same practice that led to our wonderful former congressman hare.

It's a joke.

None of these candidates for IL-17 should take any of the deals. If they are being offered a deal it's only because they have a shot at winning the primary and we all know that they have an even bigger shot at taking IL-17 back for the Dems.

I could lay out a case for everyone of these candidates to win -- including George Gaulrapp from Freeport! It's going to be a 100% free for all, unless these guys are all spineless -- in that case, they never should have been in the race from the beginning.

If the deal is worked out, that says a lot about the chosen one. Their strength as a candidate, their self confidence etc.

Sorry but if you can't convey your thoughts and win over your own party in a primary, then how are you going to reach independents and left leaning gopers.

We don't need a chosen candidate, we need a good candidate. The only way to ensure a good candidate that is supported by the base is to have a competitive primary. Plain and simple.

I hope that democracy doesn't fail again.