IL-5 Democrats’ Post Election Twitter Hangover

Post March 3rd, my life hasn’t been the same.  Maybe my inbox isn’t full of candidates’ emails.  Maybe I’m not getting Facebook event invites at the same rate.  Or maybe my Twitter feed isn’t filled with election talk.

I guess I missed the quick-hitting and breaking news nature of Twitter.  So, I took a closer look at what the leading Democrats’ of the IL-5 race have been up to on Twitter post-March 3rd.

The answer is not much.  And I’m surprised quite frankly.

Democratic nominee Mike Quigley had a slew of Tweets on March 4th (I chalk that up to election win high), three updates on March 5th and one update on March 8th.  Quigley still has a general election to win!  I understand that his Republican and Green Party opponents have a one in a million shot at upsetting him, but Quigley still needs to keep his 1,000+ plus Twitter followers engaged and motivated.  If not, an even lower turnout in the general election will put Quigley at a disadvantage when everyone knows the Republican and Green strategies are about turning out voters to capitalize on voter apathy.  Plus, Quigley should be the district’s next congressman and I think he should have practice Tweeting updates to followers who want to stay informed about what their elected official is doing and thinking.

I saw that Sara Feigenholtz has not posted any updates since the day after the primary election.  She’s also got over 1,000 followers and even though I remember her having a Twitter profile as a state representative (seperate from her congressional Twitter profile), I did not see her revert back to that profile.  That leaves a lot of people who supported her hanging with no outlet to stay connected.  The election was an avenue leaving Feigenholtz with a higher profile for herself and she could continue that upward trending leadership role with additional communications via Twitter to constituents.  Plus, given the rumors that she is interested in Quigley’s Cook County Board seat, it might be nice to get some popular support behind her from Twitter followers.

John Fritchey’s Twitter snooze is a similar story.  No updates post March 3rd and no invitation to the 100 plus followers of his congressional campaign to join his other profile (as a state representative).  After all, Fritchey’s congressional Twitter profile should be deleted at some point soon, but not before he invites those followers to his normal Twitter page.

A closer look at Fritchey’s regular profile shows that he protects his updates!  For crying out loud, isn’t Twitter’s purpose to broadcast messages to anyone who will listen?!?!  He should change that ASAP.  I mean, in the age of Blago and Burris, people are expecting some transparency from their elected officials…especially if they’re on Twitter.

The biggest surprise though is Tom Geoghegan.  I’m not sure that he is thinking he has a political future post March 3rd, but I think a lot of other people think he does.  Geoghegan was arguably the candidate with the greatest national following, given his popularity with the netroots and mentions from major national publications and journalists.  Yet, his Twitter profile also doesn’t have any updates post March 3rd.  If Geoghegan was interested in running for office at some point in the future, it’s important that he pick up his Twitter game and start communicating.  And if he has decided not to pursue political office again, well I think he has an obligation to let his public know that as well.

As I’ve said on this blog before, Twitter is not nearly as effective when thought of using it as part of a campaign than taking a long term view.  That’s really what is needed for people to feel loyal and trusting of political leaders, and I would argue is necessary for long term support.

IL-5 Cost Per Vote and What the District Dems Need to Do

Three days after the IL-5 election won by Mike Quigley, what else could there be to talk about?

Photo Credit: Flickr User melfeasance

Well, one big issue, but I’ll get to that in a moment.

Given the short election and the abysmal turnout, it’s interesting to think about the amount of money raised in this race and what kind of spending it took to win or be competitive.  It seems the amount of money raised and the number of donors to each campaign had no correlation to voters’ motivation level to get out and vote.  A 20 percent turnout in the 5th seems to defy conventional thought as why so much money is needed to win over so few voters.

As I’ve said previously, I understand what the Illinois Board of Elections spokesperson called “voter fatigue” and the diminished motivation due to Blago and Burris.  Still 20 percent seems awfully small for choosing your member of congress.

Inspired by Progress Illinois’ number crunching during the election, here’s the approximate cost per vote from the top three finishers:

Candidate Feigenholtz      Fritchey          Quigley

Amount Raised $801,244         $605,813       $402,380

Total Votes 8,730                 9,209                 11,41

Cost Per Vote $92                        $66                    $35

As you can see, those cost per vote numbers are pretty staggering.  It makes me think back my marketing courses where they taught the 80/20 rule and that the voice of a few advocates are louder than the many.  In other words, some people were politically-interested that live in the district and others still payed attention from outside the district.  Those people were highly organized and motivated to fundraise, volunteer, advocate and  in some cases vote.  These voices though greatly outweighed and skewed my perception on the actual level of interest in this race.

Now, the big issue I wanted to mention is not so much what happened in the primary but what needs to happen as this congressional race moves closer to the general election on April 7.  Yesterday’s comment from Evan sums up the post-primary situation perfectly:

What we need to do now is make sure that the Dems come out in the general election. I don’t know which of the opponents is scarier…Rosanna Pulido who runs on pro-gun and anti-immigration (even though she’s Hispanic) or Matthew Reichel who wants to “end the apartheid in Israel” and was living in Paris and not knowing if he’d ever return to the U.S. only 2 years ago. SCARY!!! We must all come out and vote for Quigley regardless of whom we supported in the primary.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

IL-5 Wrap Up and Election Night Party

Congratulations Mike Quigley.

In a close race with terrible turnout, Quigley won the Democratic primary with about 22 percent of the vote, followed by John Fritchey and Sara Feigenholtz with 19 percent and 17 percent respectively.

It’s  no surprise to anyone who’s read this blog that I favored Sara Feigenholtz in this race.  I thought she was the most honest, sensible and gutsy candidate in this field who I knew would stand up and fight for issues – like healthcare reform – that we badly need to fix.  Though that being said, I respect other candidates in the field who were also smart, capable and would make good members of congress as well.

The good news is we still have Sara Feigenholtz in the Illinois General Assembly and G-d knows we need all the capable and sane minds in that government turned circus of late.

I attended the Feigenholtz election night party at the Metro across from Wrigley Field.  Despite the disappointment in the election results, I think I speak for many people when I say that her supporters felt that there’s a ton of work to be done with Sara as a State Representative and that in no way does the election result say anything about the campaign she ran and the person she is.

Fellow State Rep. Susanan Mendoza, representing the SW Side of Chicago, came out on stage to greet the supporters.  She’s an absolutely talented legislator who is sharp as a whip.  If you have not seen her interview on Chicago Tonight from two weeks ago, I strongly suggest you watch it.  She possesses the type of no-nonsense and down to earth style that is so unusual yet needed in our elected officials.

State Comptroller and Sara Feigenholtz endorser Dan Hynes came out next to say a few words and introduce Sara.  He played the consummate veteran and respectable elected official role.

Sara’s message to the audience was classic Sara Feigenholtz – classy, hopeful and witty.  She encouraged everyone to support Mike Quigley and pledged to work with him as a congressman.  Furthermore, she looked forward to going back to Springfield to represent her district to fight the good fight.  She kept saying how much she loved the district she represents and I think that feeling is mutual.

One final thought…I understand that “election fatigue” effected voter turnout.  I understand that a special election is not as attractive as a presidential race.  I understand that voters are pissed from Blagojevich and Burris…But come on people!  Voting is the ultimate Democratic tool.  We as citizens must exercise our right to vote.  Getting to the polls and casting votes is a small sacrafice to pay for participating in our country’s governance.  Let’s remember that.

The Best of IL-5

It’s been a lot of fun blogging about the Democratic Primary for the 5th District Congressional seat.  We’ve seen a lot in the 10 weeks or so that the campaign has been in full swing.  I thought it would be nice to provide a rundown of the best and worst moments in the primary.

Image Credit: Progress Illinois

Best Coverage

This one is tough.  Capital Fax, Progress Illinois, David Ormsby and  Gapers Block have all provided insightful content into this race.  However, I think Progress Illinois did voters a tremendous service through publishing original and investigative content.  I for one am a more informed voter (though not a 5th District resident) because of the folks at Progress.

Too Many Skeletons in the Closet

By far, John Fritchey was put on the defensive more often than any other candidate.  This is a pol whose uncle-in-law and brother-in-law have been linked to some unsavory dealings, to say the least.  Furthermore, given his connections to the ward bosses and seeking their endorsement did  not do anything to alter the image that he’s the Machine candidate in this race…more so than even Patrick O’Connor.  Given the Blagojevich scandal and the Burris embarrassment, Fritchey seemed all too vulnerable in this race.  Rich Miller reports on just the last few days of Fritchey’s problems.

Where the Hell is this Guy?

Speaking of Patrick O’Connor, I’m confused as to why he even stayed in the race.  He didn’t show up to the first and probably best attended and covered candidates’ forum at DePaul University, citing that he had better voter reach going to various Super Bowl parties.  His website was not even up and running until about two-and-a-half weeks before the election and his biggest selling point is that he’s Richard Daley’s floor leader.  Not exactly a compelling argument to put him in Congress.

Most Impressive Campaign Operation

Sara Feigenholtz started campaigning in mid-December, before anyone else and never looked back.  She put together a top-notch group of staffers, whose outreach to the public was always respectful.  She was the first to open a second campaign office.  She received the biggest endorsement of the race – in terms of money and people to hit the streets – in the SEIU.  And, she demonstrated message consistency in a race with a lot of mudslinging that kept voters knowing she is about health care reform above all else.  Yes, that could mean she’s disciplined and a good campaigner.  But I also give a lot of credit to her staff for keeping the ship on course.

What the F*%k was He Thinking?

Victor Forys comparing Mike Quigley to the Nazi “Big Lie” theory:

The Minister of Propaganda for Germany in World War II, said “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

“Commissioner Mike Quigley is telling a big lie, and he is repeating it over and over and over,” said Dr. Victor Forys, M.D. “That is what you can expect from a career, recycled, politician like Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley,” said Dr. Victor Forys.

Bad taste, and low, Victor.  By the way, do you remember the Polish Chicago man who desecrated the Jewish cemetery on the Northwest Side?  Hello?!

Best Ads Barely Anyone Saw

I was super-impressed with Charlie Wheelan’s three TV ads – Underwater, Upside Down and the Dark Knight.  Those ads showed a level of creativity and uniqueness that I have never seen in a political advertisement.

The ironic thing is that few people saw them.  The Wheelan campaign just didn’t have enough money to buy any kind of airtime to get traction and their online promotion fell somewhat flat.  I think if this race was longer and they had a chance to raise more money, the viewership would have been a different story.  Still, I think campaigns will be influenced in the future to create ads that don’t always follow a formulaic method.  That’s a good thing.

Big Ideas and Netroots Champion

This goes to, of course, Tom Geoghegan.  Disagree with him or not, I have never heard a better, clearer explanation of single payer health care before.  Tom brought huge amounts of energy to really enhance the substantive debate about issues in this campaign.  I don’t think he’ll win, but I would bet he’ll be the one person who gathers a nice following after the race that could put him in office one day.  Thank you, Tom Geoghegan for challenging traditional thinking and making political leadership about improving lives and the health of our country.

Worst Stunt

Several weeks ago Mike Quigley’s campaign launched moretransit.com.  I blogged about it, arguing that stunts can be good thing when they’re thought through.  But this one was not, especially given that a day or so after it was launched the Senate voted on the bailout making the site irrelevant.

Biggest Need for a Twitter Lesson

This one also goes to Mike Quigley’s campaign.  The campaign’s Twitter profile teetered the line between badgering and annoying, prompting many complaints.  I had a conversation with Quigley’s campaign manager about this issue.  In the end, there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to use Twitter.  At its best, Twitter is a conversational and community building tool that are a real asset to campaigns.  At worst, it’s a tool to stalk, offend and turn people away.

Social Media Champ

If Geoghegan won over bloggers, Feigenholtz was the most popular at engaging people on Facebook and Twitter.  She leads her opponents with the most supporters on Facebook, at nearly a thousand, and as the WindyCitizen’s Twitter Tracker shows, she also is the big leader in conversations about the IL-5 race.

Feel free to add to this list…and make sure to vote tomorrow!

Facebook, Easy Way to GOTV and Stay Top of Mind

I got word last night that Sara Feigenholtz’s campaign is asking supporters to change their Facebook profile picture to an artistic Feigenholtz portrait.

Now Sunday morning, I took a quick runthrough of the other leading candidates’ websites and social networking profiles to see if they were asking supporters to do the same.  Surprisingly, they have not yet.

As a simple way to use social networking and build solidarity for a campaign, changing profile pics days before election day is a great strategy.

I think it proved successful only a few months back when voters went to the polls for election day.  Even more so today, because most everyone I know voted for Barack Obama, I’ve hardly seen monolithic support for one candidate among my network.  Changing Facebook profile pics that would pop up in a newsfeed is that much more important to giving any slight edge in this race.

Plus, the Feigenholtz picture is pretty cool, and maybe it will stimulate word of mouth, the holy grail in marketing communications.

Already more profile pics are popping up in my newsfeed featuring Feigenholtz’s photo.  I’m curious to see if others follow suit.

IL-5 Quigley Trying to Respond to Feigenholtz’s Attack Ad

Going into the weekend preceding Tuesday’s primary election, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s campaign unveiled a new TV ad attacking Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley.

The ad comes on the heels of the SEIU’s $250,000 effort to buy Feigenholtz more TV advertising air time.  Quigley’s campaign responded last night by posting a response to the Feigenholtz attack ad on YouTube and today held a press conference covered by Progress Illinois.

The advertisement makes three arguments against Quigley.

1. Mike Quigley chose to endorse Todd Stroger in 2006, despite Quigley’s campaign messaging that has positioned him as a Stroger adversary to root out Cook County government waste and corruption
2. Mike Quigley sent his chief of staff to work on Todd Stroger’s 2006 Cook County President campaign
3. Mike Quigley voted for Todd Stroger’s 2007 budget that cut frontline County workers while protecting Stroger friends and family on the County payroll

Today, I asked Quigley for Congress campaign manager Tom Bowen for a response to these questions.  Below is our email exchange:

Hey Tom,

I just started to follow Feigenholtz’s new ad and Quigley’s response on YouTube.  Was hoping you could answer the following questions/accusations from Feigenholtz to put on a blog post:

Why did Quigley chose to endorse Todd Stroger in 2006?

Did Quigley order his chief of staff to work on Stroger’s campaign or did she go on her own free will?

What about Stroger’s 2007 budget that Quigley voter for, given the accusation that it cut jobs for nurses and other frontline workers to make room for Stroger friends and family on the county payroll?

Thanks

Jesse

Jesse,

Please show me the 3rd party source that says Mike Quigley endorsed todd stroger, specifically the word “endorse” or any form of it.

Please also note that Sara appears on stroger’s site and in an editorial by the Chicago Tribune as an endorsee.

http://stroger.sitebuilder.completecampaigns.com/sbcc/personalinfo.php?page=biography&seq=5

No he did not order her to do anything.  Feel free to talk to Jen about it.

3. Why mike voted for that budget was answered in the tribune editorial board, don’t have a transcript handy, but you know where to find the link.

The idea that Mike cut frontline workers to make room for Stroger patronage workers is laughable.  Quigley is the one candidate in this race who has proposed hundreds of millions of dollars of reforms to government to cut waste, bureaucracy and patronage.

And I hope you ask these sorts of loaded questions to all the campaigns.

Tom,

These are just the allegations leveled by the Feigenholtz campaign that I wanted to have you weigh in on.

The Sun Times reported in 2006 (Sept. 21) that Jen Koehler was asked to work Stroger’s campaign “with Quigley’s blessing.”

The same article said Quigley “was throwing support” behind Stroger.

I don’t have the transcript of the interview with the Trib in front of me…anyway you or staff could highlight what Quigley said?

Jesse,

With the limited time I have left in this campaign to do things, I don’t want to nor do I have to spend it answering accusations leveled against me without the reporter/blogger doing homework.

It would be like me sending an email to you, “I heard John Fritchey is buying billboards in nebraska” and you then going to john’s campaign for comment.

So you don’t have anything that says Mike endorsed stroger, but you do have things saying sara did.  I think that answers the question about who endorsed him.  Mike didn’t and Sara did.

Also, and don’t feel like this is directed at you, I do this for all reporters.  I’m not going to go through the reported coverage of the campaign for you, I don’t have the time or the staff.  Go to the trib site and watch it, let it load so you can skim through, but they asked him your exact question, “why did you vote for stroger’s budget.”

As you can see from this exchange and the Progress Illinois post, it does not seem that the Quigley campaign is coming out and direclty answering these points raised by the Feigenholtz campaign.

After a little digging on Lexis Nexus, I found the following segment from the Chicago Sun Times (Sept. 21, 2006) showing that Quigley supported Todd Stroger’s Cook County Presidency bid and lent his chief of staff to Stroger’s campaign:

It was with some surprise — oh, let’s be honest and say our jaws dropped — to read that Mike Quigley, the reformer on the Cook County Board, the man who always questioned the way former president John Stroger did business, was throwing support to Stroger’s son, Todd, in his bid to become the next County Board president.

Sun-Times political columnist Carol Marin detailed the whole business in her column on Wednesday, noting that Quigley’s chief of staff, Jennifer Koehler, is being seconded to work for Stroger’s campaign. With Quigley’s blessings.

“Would this be the same Mike Quigley who, beginning with his election in 1998, was the loneliest commissioner on the whole board?” Marin asked. “The guy crying for reform from a back bench? The lone vote for the longest time on cutting the bloated budget and confronting the endless corruption?”

Yes, indeed. One wonders about Quigley’s motives, particularly when he tells Marin he would look “ridiculous”directly endorsing Stroger so he has sent him “the best and brightest” of his staff. Quigley says he needs to help

Democrat Stroger, because the race for Cook County Board president has become a “grim choice” between Stroger and Republican Commissioner Tony Peraica. He adds that he hopes Stroger is being honest about wanting reform. Amen.

It can only be said that politics makes strange bedfellows.

And in reference to Quigley’s support of Stroger’s 2007 budget, the Chicago Tribune quoted Quigley endorser and fellow Cook County Board member Forrest Claypool  on Feb. 27, 2007:

“I’m disappointed that four commissioners who publicly committed to cut deeply in the patronage bureaucracy in this government abandoned that pledge in a backroom on the eve of the vote,” Claypool said.

Maybe the reason Quigley’s camp is being so evasive is because Feigenholtz’s points are indefensible?

IL-5 Race Goes National

The race for Rahm Emanuel’s open seat is starting to get national attention just five days before election day.

It’s taken a few days, but Charlie Wheelan’s Dark Knight political short is gaining headway with the creative professionals community and national marketing insider trade magazine, AdAge.  TimeOut Chicago mentioned it.  But the video has been viewed just over 4,000 times on YouTube – hardly viral.  Can Wheelan do better?

Photo Credit: Liz Bernunzio

Meanwhile, Tom Geoghegan continues to score big outside the district.  He received public support from Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson, Slate’s Mickey Kraus and a blog post from U.S. News and World Report.  Had this race been run over a normal period, Geoghegan might have seen some of this national popularity manifest into greater contribution levels.  As it is, peering at his last few 48-hour file contributions, most of his contributors are out of state (ActBlue, where most Geoghegan supporters are giving, doesn’t report individuals.  Those records will be made public by the candidate at a later date).

And, Geoghegan wrote an article featured in the nation’s most-read political blog, the Huffington Post.

Glaringly absent from national media coverage was much of a focus on the actual favorites – Sara Feigenholtz, John Fritchey and Mike Quigley.  To me, that says a few things.  First, Wheelan and Geoghegan have done a lot to either take risks or be so different from the rest of the field, that they’re candidacy has become a story.  And second, the national media just doesn’t get Chicago politics, its personalities, supporters and political organizations that will help determine the winner.  I think the answer is a little of both.

Feigenholtz Unveils Latest Campaign Ad, Returns to Her Passion

State Rep. and IL-5 Candidate Sara Feigenholtz is focused on her message and understands her candidacy’s strength.  Building on endorsements from Emily’s List and the National Organization for Women, Feigenholtz returned to her platform as this primary’s champion of healthcare, human services and women’s issues.

It is an interesting and good strategy to see Feigenholtz come back to this message at a moment in the campaign when the focus has been directed to the Roland Burris controversy.  I think for voters, her commitment to these issues discussed in the Feigenholtz Campaign’s latest ad, can help to draw sharp distinctions between her and other candidates.  In this race with so many candidates and lots of issues being discussed, voters can find common cause with issues that a candidate clearly stands for.

Here is the campaign’s press release:

Feigenholtz: Require Insurance Companies to Cover Mammograms

Sara successfully fought insurance companies to cover annual mammograms for women over 40 in IL;
pledges to do same in Congress to cover all women in the U.S.

Campaign Launches new TV ad highlighting Sara’s work to expand mammograms to women in Illinois

Chicago, IL – State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, a candidate to replace Rahm Emanuel in Illinois’ fifth congressional district, pledged today that in Congress she will fight to pass federal legislation requiring insurance companies to cover routine, annual mammograms for all women 40 and over. As the leading voice on health care expansion and reform in Springfield, Sara successfully fought to require insurance companies to cover routine mammograms for women 40 and over in Illinois.

Flanked by Oncologists and women who have survived breast cancer, Feigenholtz unveiled her proposal today at a press conference.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, annual mammograms for women 40 and over can reduce mortality rates by 20 to 25 percent over 10 years. Nationally, we spend over $8.4 billion a year to treat breast cancer.

“Expanding access to mammograms for all women over 40 is cost efficient for our health care system and, simply put, saves women’s lives,” Feigenholtz said. “This is why I am announcing today that when I go to Congress, I will do for all women in America what I did for women here in Illinois – and that’s to require insurance companies to cover routine mammograms for all women 40 and over.”

Dr. Janet Phillips, a breast oncology nurse researcher with the University of Chicago, said Feigenholtz’s proposal would reduce the breast cancer mortality rate for women 40 and over.

“As a breast oncology nurse researcher, I can tell you that Sara’s plan would literally save women’s lives,” Phillips said.  “And, Sara has already helped save lives when she forced insurance companies here in Illinois to cover mammograms because she wouldn’t take no for an answer. With 97 percent of breast cancer deaths occurring with women over 40, we cannot afford to wait another day to make this happen.”

Currently, only 20 states, including Illinois, require insurance companies to cover mammograms for women 40 and over. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also report that timely screening can reduce the mortality rates of women over 40 by anywhere from 17%-30%.

Judy Moses, whose own breast cancer was discovered during a mammogram in her 40s, expressed the urgency of expanding access to mammograms to all women 40 and over.

“The clock is ticking for millions of women and I’m confident that, just as she was able to lead the fight to require insurance companies in Illinois to cover annual mammograms for women over 40, she can get it done in Washington,” said Moses.

In the end, Feigenholtz said her motivation was clear.

“Getting insurance companies to become paying partners in expanding mammogram and early detection services is cost-efficient, it’s sound public policy and more importantly, it’s the right thing to do,” said Feigenholtz. “That’s what I’ve fought for in my 14 years in Springfield and that’s the approach I’ll take with me to Washington.”

###

Fritchey Down, But Don’t Count Him Out

State Rep. and IL-5 Candidate John Fritchey is taking a beating in the blogosphere and now traditional media regarding, what the Tribune called, Fritchey’s deflection of questions directed at Roland Burris during Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment hearings.

Burris is just the latest shady political story coming to light – and on the heels of Rod Blagojevich’s nationwide circus – in Illinois politics.  Fritchey is tied or is related to what is becoming popularly regarded as the endemic quality in local politics.

But, if there’s any candidate in this race who will fight to the bitter end, it is John Fritchey.  He’s not the type to admit to any wrongdoing and has proven able to defend himself in questionable ethical situations, such as the zoning lobby lawyer job he works part time when not legislating.

Fritchey’s most recent ad is very reminiscent of his communications style that continually positions him to deflect serious accusations against him, and turn it around against his opponents.  In this TV ad, you can see Fritchey as the “reformer” who places himself above the bickering and mudslinging between Sara Feigenholtz and Mike Quigley.  Again, the irony here in the video is that Fritchey conducted his own “push poll,” which I’m sure was message testing, that he accused Sara Feigenholtz of conducting.  Fritchey also pushed the story about Feigenholtz’s name appearing on clout lists.

It is precisely this kind of teflon that Fritchey walks around with that makes his candidacy so viable.  You cannot deny his confidence, smooth style and ability to fall on the right side of most legislation does not make a good case.

Fritchey’s communications secret is based upon several components.  First, vigorously defend against accusations.  Second, take those accusations and turn them on your opponents.  Third, don’t stray far from the three or so major points that you base the campaign on.

It’s this sort of consistency and formulaic approach to messaging that will allow Fritchey to fight on.

By the way, if you haven’t seen Rep.  Susan Mendoza go after Burris, you must watch it.

Entering the Home Stretch: Who has Momentum?

Last week’s IL-5 race went out with a flurry of activity.  With several candidate forums coming up, the big question is which candidate, if any, is moving ahead of the pack?

I think the answer is not clear.  That’s no knock against any candidate.  It’s simply by virtue that this is a competitive race pitting talented elected officials, each with their own constituencies, voting histories and fundraising machines, coupled with two major upstart candidates with good ideas dedication to take smart, calculated risks to win over voters.  Here’s a quick rundown of where the last week took us.

Sara Feigenholtz

The Feigenholtz Campaign has led the field in fundraising since day one.  With over $550K raised, she’s in a good position vis-a-vis her opponents.  But, as David Ormsby points out, it appears as though the rate at which the campaign had been fundraising has slowed down.

Still, the hard early work is paying off.  The campaign launched its first paid advertising effort – featuring a TV ad with buys on major networks.  The Capital Fax provided some good

Photo Credit: Flickr Emily's List

insight into the details of the ad buy.

Feigenholtz was also able to hold off attacks this week by the Mike Quigley for Congress campaign accusing her of missing a crucial ethics vote in Springfield.  The mud-slinging hasn’t stuck though and Feigenholtz’s recent endorsement by SEIU last week and the launch of her TV ad really overshadowed the attacks against her.

Overall, the campaign has demonstrated a high level of organization with lots of paid staffers and multiple campaign offices.  The campaign’s commitment to its “ground game” will bode well moving forward.

John Fritchey

Fritchey, I would argue, has raised his profile significantly over the last week.  His campaign, which entered the race late, has the most momentum on the fundraising end.  The campaign has the second largest war chest behind Feigenholtz, raising more money than the latter since January 1.

Fritchey also held a notable conference call for bloggers last Tuesday.  He used the forum to answer questions for bloggers that have been covering the race.  The highlight of that exchange really came at the end of the call when asked about his comment that Rahm Emanuel told him he wanted the 5th District seat back after serving President Obama as Chief of Staff.  To me it proved Fritchey’s biggest asset, his frankness and ability to communicate in a no BS fashion, could hurt him if he’s not careful.  With only a few weeks until primary day, traditional media will surely be waiting for Fritchey to put his foot in his mouth.  Plus, he’s got baggage that other’s do not.  It will be up to him and his campaign to navigate communications carefully.

Tom Geoghegan

Geoghegan’s campaign seems to finally be able to bring home his netroots popularity to the 5th District.  Geoghegan’s popular interview at the Hideout on the Interview Show two weeks ago along with the another interview on Air America seemed to push him in the right direction.

Indeed Geoghegan picked up his biggest local endorsements last week, from the Greater Chicago Caucus and Teamster Local 743 (victims of the U of Chicago Hospital layoff).  Blogger and Geoghegan campaign volunteer Kathy G notes the endorsements are the latest, to go along with Progressive Democrats for America, Teamsters Local 743, Nation, Students for a New American Politics and  the CNA/National Nurses Organizing Committee.

The campaign has shown an adeptness to capitalize on Geoghegan’s netroots popularity.  The advantage here comes in the fact that this community understands each interview opportunity can be recorded and shared.  The netroots is effective because it shares.  And this creates the snowball effect of creating buzz which leads to more opportunities for Geoghegan to drive home his message. Certainly this has helped him.  But he’ll need more of these to continue gaining momentum.

Mike Quigley

Among the three elected officials vying for the congressional seat, Quigley brings the name recognition and reputation that early polls said led the field.  Two weeks ago and even the earlier part of this week, the campaign had been pretty quiet.

It even tried to gain quick attention and firm up Quigley’s position as reformer with the moretransit.com effort.  Problem was that the effort came too late, as the Senate voted on the stimulus package that day.

After ramping up with public criticism of Sara Feigenholtz for missing an ethics vote in Springfield last week, Quigley scored the first Chicago media endorsement when the Chicago Sun Times announced its endorsement.

That positions Mike Quigley very competitively in this coming week, with multiple  forums  scheduled and the endorsement by Chicago’s other major daily expected soon.

And while Sara Feigenholtz has notched the largest media buy, Geoghegan’s continued goodwill coming online and Charlie Wheelan’s openness to embrace unconventional and memorable TV ads, Mike Quigley has invested heavily in direct mail.  His direct mail campaign leads the field.  I would love to see the research behind the campaign’s direct strategy.  They’re clearly working on some solid evidence telling them direct mail is most effective at turning out voters on primary day.

Charlie Wheelan

Wheelan’s aforementioned TV advertising strategy helped get bloggers talking early.  Plus, Wheelan’s message and work as a professor at the University of Chicago has brought him new support coming from outside the district – support he’ll need to stay competitive in this race.

Unfortunately for Wheelan, his follow up TV advertisement, which was equally catchy as his first ad, came out at a time of too much campaign news and at the end of the week.  The story got buried.

He’ll have to remain aggressive and risque to bring some momentum back.  If he can pick up some endorsements this week – and possibly get the Tribune’s endorsement, which is not far fetched – Wheelan could find himself neck and neck with the field.

Watch for Prarie State Blue and Progress Illinois to follow the next forum at Access Living tomorrow.