Comments on: Halvorson Campaign Poll Says She’s Beating Ozinga In 11th Congressional Race http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/06/03/halvorson-campaign-poll-says-shes-beating-ozinga-in-11th-congressional-race/ Insight - Foresight - Hindsight Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:59:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mike Counts http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/06/03/halvorson-campaign-poll-says-shes-beating-ozinga-in-11th-congressional-race/#comment-202447 Mike Counts Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:18:46 +0000 http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/?p=1725#comment-202447 When Ozinga first entered the race, it was a lost race. The Republican primary winner pulled out, and it looked like Halvorson would run unopposed. It's only because of this district's strong red history that a new candidate was selected to represent the party here, and it's largely because of name recognition that he even has a shot. Give him some credit; he started from zero and he's made up a lot of ground. He will continue to do so. He may or may not win, but he's committed for the next 10 years or so, and if this district goes blue on the coattails of Obama, it won't stay that way. For what it's worth, calling Halvorson "arguably the most powerful woman in Illinois" made me laugh. Ever heard of Oprah? The only Illinoisan more electable than her is Obama. When Ozinga first entered the race, it was a lost race. The Republican primary winner pulled out, and it looked like Halvorson would run unopposed. It’s only because of this district’s strong red history that a new candidate was selected to represent the party here, and it’s largely because of name recognition that he even has a shot. Give him some credit; he started from zero and he’s made up a lot of ground. He will continue to do so. He may or may not win, but he’s committed for the next 10 years or so, and if this district goes blue on the coattails of Obama, it won’t stay that way.

For what it’s worth, calling Halvorson “arguably the most powerful woman in Illinois” made me laugh. Ever heard of Oprah? The only Illinoisan more electable than her is Obama.

]]> By: Roy Cone http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/06/03/halvorson-campaign-poll-says-shes-beating-ozinga-in-11th-congressional-race/#comment-101919 Roy Cone Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:41:14 +0000 http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/?p=1725#comment-101919 I for one look forward to results of polls not put out by the candidates themselves. Regarding Hiram's points, first off I think it's clearly a stretch to refer to Ozinga as a "public figure". Sure, his family may have a history in politics, but he himself does not. He's spent the better part of his life running the family business. It's refreshing to see a successful person reinvent himself in a quest to become a public servant. The bottom line is that Ozinga is not a politician. I view the term "public figure" broadly; politicians, celebrities in the entertainment field come to mind first and foremost. Halvorson has been on Blago's overspending bandwagon for years. Indeed, just last week, "Majority Leader" Halvorson, to her benefit, allowed lawmaker pay hikes to take effect. And given her tenure in the state senate and her current, supposedly lofty position there, one would think she would have accomplished more, such that she would truly qualify for Congress. Voters will not tolerate proven ineffectiveness, especially from someone seeking to go from Springfield to Washington, D.C. I do concur the "quasi-incumbent" reference is a bit of a stretch itself, and I think Ozinga was simply attempting to portray himself as a fresh, genuine agent of change in contrast with career politician Halvorson. Finally, I do agree that the timeliness of the Ozinga company's radio ads coupled with its owner's campaign is "very interesting" to say the least. I for one look forward to results of polls not put out by the candidates themselves. Regarding Hiram’s points, first off I think it’s clearly a stretch to refer to Ozinga as a “public figure”. Sure, his family may have a history in politics, but he himself does not. He’s spent the better part of his life running the family business. It’s refreshing to see a successful person reinvent himself in a quest to become a public servant. The bottom line is that Ozinga is not a politician. I view the term “public figure” broadly; politicians, celebrities in the entertainment field come to mind first and foremost. Halvorson has been on Blago’s overspending bandwagon for years. Indeed, just last week, “Majority Leader” Halvorson, to her benefit, allowed lawmaker pay hikes to take effect. And given her tenure in the state senate and her current, supposedly lofty position there, one would think she would have accomplished more, such that she would truly qualify for Congress. Voters will not tolerate proven ineffectiveness, especially from someone seeking to go from Springfield to Washington, D.C. I do concur the “quasi-incumbent” reference is a bit of a stretch itself, and I think Ozinga was simply attempting to portray himself as a fresh, genuine agent of change in contrast with career politician Halvorson. Finally, I do agree that the timeliness of the Ozinga company’s radio ads coupled with its owner’s campaign is “very interesting” to say the least.

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