by Cal Skinner
It looks like the Democrats will have a 2008 presidential problem in Illinois.
The Chicago Tribune actually put everyone on the ballot in its most recent 600-person poll.
That’s as opposed to leaving one who was in disfavor off its poll ballot, as the Tribune did for this spring’s Republican primary election. Then, Andy Martin was not included until he sued the paper.
One bit of real news that Democratic activists will not appreciate is that Green Party candidate Rich Whitney is getting 6% of the vote with another 15% undecided.
“…and another 1% for another unidentified candidate.”
That unidentified candidate could, of course, have been identified by the Tribune. His name is Randy Stufflebeam and his candidacy is a write-in one. Pretty impressive for a write-in.
All the Tribune graphics ignore the Green Party’s strength, but getting over 5% of the vote would mean that the party becomes “established.” That, in turn, means that its candidates don’t have to get 25,000 signatures to get on the ballot.
3-5,000 will do quite nicely, thank you, a State Board of Elections woman told me this morning.
So, expect a Green Party presidential candidate on the Illinois ballot in 2008.
Disaffected Republicans might even help make that a reality by voting for Whitney.
More on McHenry County Blog.