Monday’s Word on the Street column mentioned that Aaron Schock got the endorsement of the Sangamon County GOP. Do you know why he got the nomination of the Sangamon County GOP? According to State Journal-Register reporter Bernard Schoenburg, a big reason is simply because he’s the perceived front-runner:
“I guess one of the things you have to take into account is that all of the polls that we have looked at and studied indicate that he … is in the lead and will probably win the nomination,” [Sangamon County GOP leader Tony] Libri said.
“It was a tough decision, because I’ve got to tell you, I like the other two candidates very much.”
I wonder what polls they looked at — Schock’s own poll numbers that he released, or an independent poll. I’m not aware of any independent polls having been conducted in this primary contest. Did Sangamon County conduct their own poll? I think mere front-runner status is a dubious criterion for endorsement.
It’s worth noting that the endorsement isn’t especially strong, either. They like the other two candidates just as well, apparently:
He also noted that, similar to the presidential endorsement, he’s not insisting that all loyal party members toe the party line in the race for the 18th … “If one of our precinct committeemen or if some of our members feel strongly about this and want to go with somebody else, we will honor that,” Libri said.
Good. I’m glad to know I have the Sangamon County GOP’s blessing to vote against Schock if I wish.
With all the endorsements Schock has gotten this week, did your headline mean to say “Schock endorsement weak” or “Schock endorsement week”?
I think he gave nukes to Jackson, IL to pressure Springfield to do what he wants them to do.
CJ: You call front-runner status a “dubious” criterion for endorsement. Dubious? Are you such a nice guy that you can’t write something like “idiotic” or “self-serving” or “cowardly”?
I cannot respect somebody who bases their endorsement on poll numbers or fundraising or anything else that concerns only the horse-race and not the candidates’ personalities and politics.