The bullish*t begins

I'll be honest.

I had high hopes for this next election. As I've stated before, I was raised in a blue collar home that tended democrat but we also didn't like gay marriage or abortion.

Since these candidates have come out, it's been nothing but disappointment. Why?

Dave Koehler didn't have the balls to stand up for his own personal convictions against a powerful U.S. Senator.

Cheri Bustos has turned into a horribly negative, unfair and destructive special interest candidate.

Aguilar and Gaulrapp can't raise a damn dime.

This is fine by me. I was going to support Schilling in the end anyways because of his reasonable support for PLA's. But how disappointing.

It's looking like Bustos will be the nominee. Are Democrats in Illinois that stupid that we are going to nominate a corporate queen who made millions off of the health care industry?

Even Jacobs (as much of a joke he is) would have been an interesting race.

Of course, my personal favorite was Mark Schwiebert. If he had the balls to run, he would've given Schilling a run for his money. Schwiebert is good when it comes to gaining crossover support from independents and even some right wingers. Maybe next time Marky!

Open Letter to Mark Schwiebert

Dear Mark--

Thanks for everything you have done to help the city of Rock Island. You are truly a great man who has inspired people like myself to get involved and make a difference. It sure is sad to see you not run for Congress. However, I am extremely excited about the opportunities and work that you will be able to do in regard to ending global warming.

I am confident that after your long and effective stint as mayor of a city that has averaged some of the highest crime rates, highest unemployment, and lowest home values across the country, that you will truly be effective in stopping and reducing greatly the amounts of CO2 in the air.

I am also confident that you would not have been able to get as much done to stop global warming as a sitting member of Congress, as you could being a retired mayor and family attorney. Clearly the real legislative power is not found in the halls of Congress, but in the halls of retirement.

Lastly, I would commend you on the courage that you have shown throughout your career. Your valiant efforts to defend Rock Island from "evil-doing" would-be mayors such as David Kimbell have proven themselves over time. When faced with true adversity, you stood your ground and fought. For this I praise you.

I would encourage you to stay valiant. Keep striving for greatness in being the best family-law attorney in Rock Island County. Keep fighting for rights derived from boards that affect our daily lives in more ways that one. Please, never lose that fighting spirit. It would be a horrible tragedy if you were to lose it.

Sincerely,

QC Pundit

P.S. This entire letter was satire, if you couldn't tell. If you translate it from satire it roughly translates to, "Are you stupid? This was your race and your chance to make a huge difference on the issues that you (and I) care about."

Mark Schwiebert

Has anyone heard about his status in the race? Is he running or not?

If he's running, good for him. He's the candidate with the most credibility, intellect, ability and compassion. The general wouldn't be a problem for him.

The recent QC Times story on him leaves it out there as if he might be backing out.

For the sake of the Quad Cities and getting a good candidate, I surely hope not.

I know that many of my republican friends would support him and the democrat base would be there as well.

It would be a shame for Mark to not try to carry on with his legacy. Mayor is just such a small picture compared to Congress.

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.