I finally met Alex Giannoulias this morning.

[kevsand]

There were eight of us for breakfast in Urbana today: Alex, two of his staff, Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing, myself, my daughter (aka Material Girl), and a stalwart Dem couple (also from Urbana). We were at Laurel's campaign office, which was formerly a private home, so we had a dining room sized table to sit around.

Alex made a very good first impression on Material Girl and I. (As an eight year old, she sometimes picks up on things I don't, and is an excellent judge of character, even when she doesn't fully understand all the issues.)

He talked about a number of interesting initiatives he wants to pursue: community reinvestment, expanding the state's linked deposit program, consumer credit education.

He's clearly very knowledgable and just as clearly working hard to take his campaign from one end of the state to the other. His stop in Urbana came as he worked his way back north after making it down to the Carbondale/Makanda area this weekend.

The Treasurer's office is the only open seat out of all the statewide "constitutional" offices this fall, and also the only one not currently held by a Dem. I think he's going to run a very strong campaign against a relatively unknown repub.

People should definitely make an effort to bring him to local events, or go to see him for themselves before they make up their minds about him.

[madrchsod]

1. thanks for the info

i`ve never heard of him...i live in a big black hole of republicanism

[wndycty]

2. I agree with your impressions. . .

I met Alexi the week of the primary and I was very impressed.

[kaleagal]

3. I was impressed when I read his website...

but now that I know my niece likes him, I'm even more impressed. :D
Course, he looks like he's kind of a cutey. I'll bet she has a crush on him, too.
Anyway, I can't wait to meet him in person, too.

[minvis]

4. Very impressive

Our DFA group met him several weeks before the primary and he was extremely knowledgable on the issues of the Treasurer. I wholeheartedly support him.