Chicagoist: Interview: Mark Pera, Congressional Candidate

morydd

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:16:01 -0600

Kevin: thanks for your response, but my question is in reference to the local/state elections that are happening Tuesday. Looking at the sample ballots, under things like "Recorder of Deeds" the Republican Ballot lists "No Candidate". Is this election simply a primary for those races as well, or would choosing to vote in the Republican presidential primary mean that I am unable to vote at all for those local and state offices in which no Republican is running. (And forced to vote for the Republican candidate in the other races?)

Kevin Robinson

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:46:50 -0600

morydd: Some states hold open primaries, which means that a registered voter may vote in any party primary regardless of his or her own party affiliation. Illinois holds semi-open primaries, which means that registered party members can vote only in their own party's primary, and unaffiliated voters can pick a party and vote in that primary. Your choice now will not restrict your vote on Election Day in November, though. Hope that answers your question!

morydd

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:16:14 -0600

I don't know where else to put this question other than an election related post. I went to look at the sample ballots, and it appears that if I chose to vote in the republican primary, I cannot vote for any Democrat (which means for most I can't vote at all) in the local and state elections. Is this correct?

Prescott Carlson

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:16:55 -0600

I merely noticed that the criticism today seems much higher than normal on the various posts, I didn't think anyone was crying about it. And in my opinion, the posts on the weekends around here lately are top notch.

Ward Up

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:02:03 -0600

Kevin Robinson can take it. To paraphrase Mayor Daley, "There is going to be criticism." By the way, he uses that with anything. "Flooding? There is going to be flooding." Then a month later, "Corruption? There is going to be corruption." Anyway, with getting criticized, writers expect it, especially political writers. That said, keep on writing, Chicagoist.

matilda

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:35:45 -0600

If you can't handle the heat, or something like that, I guess--even for unpaid writers. Are there any writers, though, here or otherwise, who expect not to get criticism, whether constructive or otherwise? I find that hard to believe, but I am probably wrong. I would assume that's just part of being a writer.

Spav1

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:31:39 -0600

When they are consistently producing sub-par material for an extended period of time, I say everyday is "Pile on Chicagoist Writers Day"

Prescott Carlson

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:23:30 -0600

I wasn't aware the mayor had made January 30th "Pile on Chicagoist Writers" day.

Seth Lavin

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:33:28 -0600

Kevin, did you see Jim Oberweis mentioned in serious eats (a nat'l food blog)? http://www.seriouseats.com/required_eating/2008/01/more-ice-cream-in-illinois-14th-congressional.html

matilda

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:30:24 -0600

Well, to be fair, the so-called marginal blogger did manage to get this insightful quote: "The internet is an extraordinarily powerful tool." Who would have thunk?

Spav1

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:18:09 -0600

Then maybe the headline should read "Marginal Blogger Endorses Congressional Candidate": Details After the Jump

matilda

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:12:05 -0600

More advocacy than an interview, but perhaps that is what the writer was going for.

whymustiregister

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:08:08 -0600

Pera gets two points for calling Kevin out both his efforts to cheerlead for him and his sloppy use of "Chicago machine." The interviewer here is more interested in promoting the candidate than the candidate, which is completely bizarre. It is like reading John Madden interview Brett Farve, completely shameless ---sorry, I can't end this sentence without vulgar reference to sexual acts.

Spav1

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:57:11 -0600

"That’s a multi-faceted question. I’m going to vote in ways that I think best reflect the values of the 3rd Congressional District, and reflect what my beliefs are." Stupid and vague. Why don't you tell me what ALL your beliefs are so I can vote for THEM. This is what is wrong with modern politics. The crazy mixture between "trustee" and "delegate" representation. If you campaign on a values and belief platform then that means the voters trust you to make good decisions for them and is a little paternalistic and insulting. If you campaign on "I am going to listen to the voters" it means that you are going to over-rely on polling etc and basically be a panderer because you can never make everyone happy. So, for this guy to say that he is going to do BOTH basically means "I am going to do whatever I want, and either say it was a gut-call or that it is what the voters wanted, whichever is more politically convenient at the time". Great interview, Kevin. What, you didn't get his favorite color? I am guessing it is "blue" or "green".