How Sucky Politicians Win Elections

I like Jennifer Davis, I do. She is less cynical and her articles are less slighted than most that appear in the Journal Star. Which is why today's Word on the Street column strikes me as odd. She writes that Clyde Gulley put priority on personal contact rather than financing to win his First District election. I'm afraid Jen has been spending too much time with the "progressive" editorialists at her place of employment. According to today's column Clyde spends lots of time with his constituents. He knows them. He loves them. He chauffeurs them around. Hell, on their birthdays he sends them cards and when they die he attends their funerals. Moreover, Gulley spent very little money on his campaign - especially considering he had five opponents. Uh, Jen, Clyde won because he HAD five opponents. The vote was split during the primary and the just barely winner, Greg Banks, did not have the name recognition or campaign insight it takes to win. Gulley did not spend much because he couldn't raise much. If there is one thing that Clyde Gulley doesn't do is return phone calls, e-mails, or show up at first district events. Hence, Gulley had five people so pissed off by his neglect they decided to run against him. I have been to anti-crime vigils in the First District and have yet to see Gulley at any of them. Gulley also has another big in. He is a member of the huge City of Refuge Church which carries a lot of clout in the area. Nonetheless, 47% of the First District voted for Banks, not Gulley, in the final election.

Hint: Politicians who spend time with their residents don't have five opponents. Billy Spears and Pat Nichting return their calls and their weakling opponents never had a chance. Thetford was taken to task for being non responsive and it cost her the election. She had two high spending opponents and was creamed in the general election. Thetford may well have lost in the primary had one of her challengers, Angela Anderson, lived in Peoria longer (six years) and been better known. As it was Anderson took 20% of the primary vote, which, for an unknown transplant, is quite remarkable in Peoria. Teplitz was booted because she was seen as aloof and only paid heed to the Second District's political and financial elite. Van Auken easily defeated her in the general election, but even I was surprised that the very odd wanna be doctor/realtor D. Doc took 6%. D. Doc was so bad that he admits that he didn't vote for himself.

Today's Word on the Street Column got one thing correct, contact can overcome currency in an election. However, it failed to address the elephant in the room, which is that neglect can breed a win by breeding a few too many candidates.