* NBC5: Quinn, Brady Spar on Jobs, Ethics: In his opening statement Quinn outlined his main themes — job creation, compassionate governance — while accusing Brady of “reckless” budget plans and legislating in his own interests. “I’ve created jobs,” Quinn said. “I’ve brought honesty to the governor’s office.” Brady, in retort, accused Quinn of failing to create jobs in Illinois, leading the state into a record $13 billion deficit, and running a “secret” government that isn’t accountable to the people.
* Tribune: Quinn, Brady lash out on ethics, taxes, education at governor debate: Quinn accused Brady of voting to help his real estate development business. Brady offered his strongest response yet, flatly denying there was any problem with him voting three times for improvements around a planned highway interchange in Champaign that was near land he was working to develop. “There was no conflict of interest in these pieces of legislation,” Brady said. “I’m above that.” Afterward, Brady said he does “not regret voting for those three pieces of legislation.”
* Rockford TV: Gubernatorial Debate Gets Heated: The word “spending” dominated the debate between the two candidates for governor. “This is a house of cards, the governor is not being transparent, he’s spending money recklessly and Illinoisans are going to have to pay for it” says republican candidate for governor, Bill Brady. “I’ve cut more than any other governor in Illinois; I’ve cut my own pay” says Governor Pat Quinn.
* Daily Herald: Hot-button issues at center of governor debate: State Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican, told moderator Ron Magers and panelists at the ABC 7/League of Women Voters debate that he is proud of his social beliefs opposing abortion in the cases of rape and incest, and opposing civil unions and gay marriage but is not “using them to divide Illinois.”
* Sun-Times: Brady rips Quinn for handing out big construction checks: GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bill Brady Wednesday ripped Gov. Quinn’s barnstorming tour of vote-rich areas during the past two weeks to hand out multimillion-dollar construction checks. Brady, the state senator from Bloomington, accused his Democratic rival of ticking down the campaign season clock by using one of the advantages of incumbency: doling out money from last year’s $31 billion capital construction program. Since the start of this month, Quinn has crisscrossed the state, handing out $368 million in construction funds. That total doesn’t include another $73 million in state or federal allotments that were the basis for Quinn press conferences… Quinn denied using the projects that benefit the city’s South and West sides and areas far Downstate — areas where the governor is trying to gin up voter turnout for his campaign — for political gain.
* ABC7: Quinn, Brady trade jabs in ABC7 debate: During one question, the governor learned of a link between Senator Brady and Dean Martinez, a former deputy to ousted Rod Blagojevich. “I really was surprised to learn that the former deputy to Rod Blagojevich was hosting a secret fundraiser for Senator Brady,” said Quinn. “Governor Quinn is drawing for straws. These are fine people. Let me talk about governor Quinn,” said Brady.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Quinn campaign…
But the bombshell of the evening came when moderator Rebecca Sanchez asked Senator Brady about a secret fundraiser thrown for him by Rod Blagojevich’s Deputy Governor.
In public, Brady denounces the entire Blagojevich administration. But privately, Brady is attending secret political fundraisers thrown for him by Blagojevich aides. The hypocrisy was not lost on voters.
Brady is one of the most right wing, partisan members of the General Assembly. But when it comes to secret fundraising, Brady is more than willing to cross party lines.”
* Bill Brady’s quote on Juan Ochoa and Dean Martinez…
“I believe they are leaders in the Latino community. They did host a fundraiser for me… They are good people who care deeply about their community and their state. And i look forward to their guidance.”
Guidance? Really?
From a friend…
I get the strategy, but those guys are transactional
CBS 2′s Dana Kozlov reports that while publicly, Brady has been criticizing Quinn for his association to Rod Blagojevich, behind the scenes, one of Blagojevich’s former top aides has been raising money for him.
Dean Martinez is his name. And Bill Brady admits Blagojevich’s former deputy governor has been helping his fundraising efforts. Brady says he doesn’t see any hypocrisy in that alliance. Gov. Quinn sees it another way.
“We’d like to know more details about that,” said Quinn. “Apparently, the only time he wants to deal with the Blagojevich administration is when it comes to raising money for himself. We need some answers there.”
“Gov. Quinn is drawing for straws, these are fine people,” said Brady.
All I can say is the Illinois Governor’s race could use a candidate from The Rent is Too Damn High party. I still don’t see much to pull the average person not invested in party politics to vote for either of these guys.
Oh geez…Blago’s greatest champion for six years attacking Brady for associating with Democrats. Give me a break
- Just Observing - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:16 pm:
1. Rich are you going to post more about this “secret” fundraiser? Or is this a story I’ve missed.
2. Bibi — our The “Rent is Too Damn High” is Scott Lee Cohen. That is why SLC may do marginally better than people expect (or our telling pollsters) — some people are going to vote SLC, not because they “believe in” him, but as a giant FU to the two major parties.
If anyone has seen the YouTube of the college kid doing television as his college station, you will know this reference to what Bill Brady is going to be like the next few days …”and boom goes the dynamite”
I bet Jerry would love to just answer why Plummer hasn’t released his tax returns …
Matt: Calling Pat Quinn Blago’s “greatest champion” for 6 years is absurd. Anyone who was paying attention can attest. Martinez and Ochoa were hand-picked by Rod B. Pat Quinn never was.
I cannot understand why the MSM are not making a huge deal about Juan Ochoa and Dean Martinez. Has anyone checked how much money Ochoa raised for Rod? And Dean was deputy governor — hand-picked by Rod.
I also don’t understand why the Quinn campaign is not posting audio/video of Rod saying “Pat Quinn is not a member of this Administration.”
Its because Quinn decided to run for relection in July or so, so Quinn is a bit “late” in making points like Conflicts of Interests or Cozy Relationships ….Brady’s luck is starting to wear off too
Matt, you know as everyone does that Quinn did not spend 6 years defending Rod. He was completely shut out of the Governor’s office. It’s a tired, desperate attack.
Perhaps Brady should have read this article before he asked for Ochoa’s help:http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=17189
(It’s a reprint of a Crain’s article)
More important information that Brady apparently missed, from a 2007 Tribune story:Ochoa, a 36-year-old veteran of the Gulf War, was a member of the governor’s transition team in 2002-03, and has contributed $5,489 to Friends of Blagojevich since 2000, campaign filings show. Until recently he also was treasurer of the Illinois Business PAC, which has given Blagojevich $74,300 in cash and services since 2001, according to the Illinois Board of Elections.
That is why Campaigns hire managers and staff … the Funder is 1st a staff blown call, and if they told Brady NOT to do this, then its Brady’s fault …
However, if the staff KNEW it could get hot if they did have the funder, and talked Bill into it, thinking its not a big deal and this blows up … its worse if the staff just blew the call by not knowing who/what those guys bring to bear ..
Those are your fingers to point … ok Jerry and the boys … who gets that pointed finger?
funny in the comments here we said early on brady was doing well, but the chicago media post game debate coverage basically turned on comments in the blog comments section on the tenessee line and ochoa thing. It’s like a bunch of random journalists were sitting around with laptops looking at what other people were saying saw, these 2 comments in the debate thread and said, voila!, story.
to quote denny green, brady is who we thought he is, and somewhere jim edgar has his head in his hands shaking them violently saying “I told them so”. Zorn has already trashed him for saying illinois needs to be more like tennessee, using an explicative which is rare for a man like him, which means right now quinn staffers are looking for the most socially conservative nut job laws and awful statistics on tennessee government-maybe something on abortion or civil rights, to put in a killer tv ad airing tomorrow.
I don’t know the laws for quinn to hit brady on in tennessee, but it’s very random he picked that of all states since their governor is a democrat, I think.
Restrictions on Abortion
In Tennessee, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of January 2008:
The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided.
Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
Regarding Blago: How much you wanna bet Blago does/says something before Nov. 2 to torpedo Quinn? Something about how much he appreciated his early (2006) statements of support, insincere and calculated though he was? I like Quinn, but I can easily imagine Blago seeking one more opportunity to burn him. (Sort of how Osama bin Laden released a tape four days before the Kerry/Bush contest. Still not sure why that hurt Kerry, but it did.)
Rich did you happen to catch ABC Nightline following the ABC rebroadcast of the debate? I did.
Interesting story about state legislators “behaving badly” was the lead story. They sent some J-students undercover at the NCSL conference. No Illinoisans on camera that I saw, but they did put a shot of a “sponsors” board on screen - looked like sponsors for an Illinois reception - lots of IL groups on the board.
The story was a bit sensationalist of course, but mostly interesting and well done. Part of the story is on the Nightline site, perhaps the whole thing will be posted later.
- Leatherneck318 - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:37 am:
Seriously, people? Brady’s comments re: Indiana/Tennessee, and the PERCEIVED impropriety of having two of RB’s peeps around are THE talking points from tonight? They’re tertiary, @ best. If the Ochoa/Martinez zing is the best attempt that Team Quinn has of an “October Surprise”, then his ship is sunk. Maybe Stroger can get him a job, too.
The travesty that manifests from the media clinging to these non-issue, “gotcha”-style burns does NO ONE any good. Rather, it solidifies the pseudo-reality TV show hack image that the rest of the country thinks we are. Brass tacks people. The electorate in Illinois has the rare and wonderful opportunity to show our State’s leaders, and the nation, that “we aren’t who they think we are” (to paraphrase an earlier posters’ Dennis Green reference).
We, as voters, MUST cut through the drivel and ignore the chaos and distraction tactics of the “2-minute drill” of campaign season.
siriusly I saw the story and the first thing that went through my mind was shock that there was a story about corruption without illinois. the guy the produced the story, ross, is from chicago area.
Rich - Quinn was nominated for the Lite Guv spot by Dem voters in the primary.
Blago was too preoccupied w/ Vallas to be hand picking a lite guv “running mate”. (Sounds a bit like what happened w/ this year’s primary.)
If Quinn was “hand picked” in ‘02 why was he the only statewide left OFF the DPI-funded walk card that year?? Durbin was on there. Dart was on there. So were L-Mad, Blago, and Hynes.
shore: i don’t know that brady is who we thought he was. now we know that he’s the republican rod who would rather be in tennessee than ravenswood. i can’t say i knew that…
Seriously, Pat Quinn of the Blagojevich team beating anyone up with Rod Blagojevich? The Quinn who raised funds that directly/indirectly went to solicit votes for Rod? The Quinn who actively encouraged voters to foist Rod on the people of the State of Illinois?
I know Quinn’s campaign has not only been hampered by the memory of Rod, but also comatose. Many have been praying for the media to dig into something, anything about Bill Brady to make this race competitive. They may bite on this one, but I think the issue cuts both ways for Quinn.
Anytime someone brings up Rod Blagojevich, Quinn comes to mind first, Brady, if at all is way, way down the line. For this to work for Quinn, the voters are going to have to forget Quinn’s relationship with Blagojevich. I don’t think they will.
Been There: i don’t know anyone who seriously associates pat quinn and rod blagojevich. rod was determined to suck the air out of the room and he sure the heck (rich, we need a waiver on your language thingie when talking about rod!) didn’t like to share the stage.
rod blagojevich was a lone wolf who was at war with various parts of the democratic party (madigan being only one of several), so why should democrats be hung with him now? i mean, besides the fact that republicans want to bludgeon us to death with him?
Bored Now, did you vote in 2002/2006? Millions of Illinois voters did, and the ballots in those elections read Blagojevich/Quinn. Yes, you and I understand that there was an estrangement at some point, but most voters don’t know that. That’s why it’s risky for Quinn to bring up or even reference the name Blagojevich.
My experience must be very different from yours. I know dozens of people who voted seriously in 2002/2006, and know Pat Quinn as the running mate of Rod Blagojevich. That’s why I think this is a risky strategy for Quinn.
What? Quinn was Blago’s Lt. Gov. but your saying he’s just fine? Then we are suppose to beleive somehow these Deputy Gov. is tainted somehow maybe that’s why Quinn let hem go because he wouldn’t Pay to Play.
Been There: sorry, dude, talking to the wrong person. i was still a florida voter in 2002 (even though i lived here) and, more to the point, i was working on republican senate races in south dakota, minnesota, missouri and georgia. so, no, i didn’t vote in 2002 (in illinois OR florida, something about a mental quandary i felt at the time; a wee bit hard to give up my florida voter status — florida being a state where votes are actually important to the outcome of elections — for illinois, where competitive elections are primary, not general elections).
in 2006, although i argued that we should vote for rod in order to get quinn as governor (the writing was on the wall), i pulled the trigger for whitney, thinking he’d take his 5% and build a real alternative to mike madigan’s party. alas, i was wrong, whitney is a goof-ball and couldn’t care less about party-building (or anything else).
but i wasn’t talking about ME. i was actually talking about other people i know, who paid attention to all the television coverage rod generated before and after his arrest, where he made it clear he didn’t want no stickin’ association with quinn or any other democrat to speak of.
having said that, i think quinn is pulling out all the stops — he’s actually facing losing this election — so it might be a risky strategy. i can’t say i know what choices he’s left in the bag…
Bombshell:
The difference is that the LT governor was kept far from any decision making by Rod Blqgojevic; the Deputy Governor was at Blqgojevich’s right hand, executing his orders.
The Martinez/ Ochoa issue will have no legs outside of the Hispanic communities, and participation of these two is pretty well known already, for good or ill.
So it’s wrong for Brady to get some FR help from Martinez, but it’s OK for Quinn to retain and give raises and promotions to all of the overpaid Blagohacks in state government? Take a look at IDOT, for instance. The ad almost writes itself:
“Why are Rod Blagojevich’s friends still getting rich with your money? Why are his friends in IDOT still getting paid more than 135,000 a year? On the day that Blagojevich was impeached, they gave themselves raises! And what does Pat Quinn do? Why, he gives them promotions. It’s time for a clean break. It’s time to send Pat Quinn and the rest of Blagojevich’s friends packing.”
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:24 am:
- “Gov. Quinn is drawing for straws, these are fine people,” said Brady. -
More channeling of Dan Quayle by Brady. I think he may be the one grasping for straws from now on.
Rich, please help me understand why it’s OK to tag Brady with getting FR help from Blago friend Martinez, but it’s not OK to refer to the fact that Quinn made Blago friend Lavin the chief of state operations and deals? I mean this sincerely. Thanks.
Why is everyone down on Dean Martinez? I thought he was great with Jerry Lewis, and he was legendary with the Rat Pack.
- Great Caesar's Ghost! - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:18 am:
Say, “ta ta”, Bill.
- juan delpueblo - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:57 am:
So now anyone who worked with Rod is a criminal. How about Jack Lavin Quinn’s COO ? How about Billy Ocasio a rabid Rod supporter who is now on Qinn’s cabinet? or his hispanic outreach coordinator Hector Villagrana who also worked for Rod ? Martinez and Ochoa have never been investigated or accused of anything other than working for a governor who was corrupt. Let add all the names of those who worked for Gov Ryan. How about all those who worked for HDO. Rich i respect your blog but you are way out of line. Since when do we practice the political tarring and feathering of individuals without any proof of their doing anything wrong.
How can tea partiers who are supporting Brady look themselves in the mirror?
- Wizard of Ozzie - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:22 am:
To all the Brady apologists-
The problem for Brady is that he is a hypocrite for going after Quinn for his ties to Blagojevich when he himself is asking former top Blago advisers to raise money for him (and these are not the nice ones).
Quinn has retained those in the administration that he thinks are the best and brightest. Jack Lavin worked for Pat Quinn in the Treasurer’s office, graduated Magna Cum Laude from U of I, and has a MA and MBA from U of Chicago. Anyone who knows Jack Lavin knows that he is imminently qualified. Dean Martinez and Juan Ochoa are political hacks.
That being said, again, the problem w/ Brady’s association with them is the glaring hypocrisy
.
Quinn - “If you think I suck being a running mate for Rod Blagojevich and his partner in government, well, my opponent knows someone else from that administration who raised money for him.”
Please. Yeah, your ex-campaign buddy and future felon is so toxic you have to use him as an attack against your opponent. Lame.
Hey, Wizard. If you knew anything about how things work in gvt, you would know that Martinez is hardly a ‘hack.’ He did a good job of running IDOFR, and most people who worked in or with that agency will confirm that. Do you really mean to suggest that Lavin is above reproach because some college gave him a few letters to put after his name? Get real. If an audit is ever done into state personnel and grants, a lot of Lavin’s bodies and thumbprints are going to turn up at the finance authority. The toll authority, dceo, and other agencies that have a lot of discretion in making deals.
Here is some food for thought on why Latinos might support someone other than Quinn.
1. Bottom line is that has room for growth in his support for Latinos in the community and in state positions.
2. How many state agencies have Latino Directors, General Counsels, executive level appointments?
3. HFS, DOT, DHS, DCFS, Tollway, DOC, DCEO, and especially at the Gov’s Office level — how many Hispanic professionals are there and what is their talent level?
4. The Hispanics Quinn has appointed in his office and in other agencies suffer from lack of experience, and are soft on leadership skills… Billy O is a great person but what is his Agenda and how much has he really done with his authority? If you have to think about it, the answer is right there staring you in the face. Asking for power is no way to get it…
Quinn hasn’t shown tremendous support for Latinos on big issues and his support has been lukewarm at best. You can only recycle his relationship with the United Farmworkers and Cesar Chavez so many times before you ask — what have you done since then?
Quinn could garner the support of so many of the Latinos but he has to be earnest in his desire to make real change….
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
- you have to use him as an attack against your opponent. -
Secret fundraiser?!? What a loaded joke statement!! I attended the fundraiser and it wasn’t a secret. The room was filled with hispanic small business owners and judging by their strong comments that night are totally fed up with the condition of our state’s economy. The fact that the question was even raised makes their point even stronger that the governor is not focused on the economy.
- juan delpueblo - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:23 pm:
Both Dean Martinez and Ochoa raised money for Quinn before they realized he was firing more Hispanics Than he hired. Quinn should return the millions he has received from SEIU and the other Union who where active Rod fundraisers and staunch allies.
That fundraiser was widely publicized; this is just a strategy by Robert Enriquez side-kicks to get attention; a strategy previously used by this group to get government appointments
For what I understand, there are over 10 self-proclaim “Latinos for Bill Brady” groups, and theirs, has exactly 10 people. Five in their FACEBOOK group.
If there’s anybody we should be worry about it’s this group who knows well the political game and are trying to get some benefit.
- Jo - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 9:26 pm:
Indiana/Tennessee might be the biggest debate gaffe since Gerald Ford’s “There is no Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe”.
Or, at least since Christine O’Donnell.
- Bibi - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:09 pm:
All I can say is the Illinois Governor’s race could use a candidate from The Rent is Too Damn High party. I still don’t see much to pull the average person not invested in party politics to vote for either of these guys.
- Matt - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:16 pm:
Oh geez…Blago’s greatest champion for six years attacking Brady for associating with Democrats. Give me a break
- Just Observing - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:16 pm:
1. Rich are you going to post more about this “secret” fundraiser? Or is this a story I’ve missed.
2. Bibi — our The “Rent is Too Damn High” is Scott Lee Cohen. That is why SLC may do marginally better than people expect (or our telling pollsters) — some people are going to vote SLC, not because they “believe in” him, but as a giant FU to the two major parties.
- ok - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:18 pm:
Brady could have avoided this deal about Brady relying on Blago’s chief advisors, but (like Rich said), he went ahead and used the term “Guidance.”
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:22 pm:
===Rich are you going to post more about this “secret” fundraiser? Or is this a story I’ve missed.===
Subscribers have known about this for weeks.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:23 pm:
If anyone has seen the YouTube of the college kid doing television as his college station, you will know this reference to what Bill Brady is going to be like the next few days …”and boom goes the dynamite”
I bet Jerry would love to just answer why Plummer hasn’t released his tax returns …
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:24 pm:
===All I can say is the Illinois Governor’s race could use a candidate from The Rent is Too Damn High party. ===
Maybe not… http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/nyregion/20rent.html?_r=1&ref=politics
- Chubs Mahoney - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:25 pm:
Matt: Calling Pat Quinn Blago’s “greatest champion” for 6 years is absurd. Anyone who was paying attention can attest. Martinez and Ochoa were hand-picked by Rod B. Pat Quinn never was.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:28 pm:
“My Rent is Too Damn Free…”
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:29 pm:
===Pat Quinn never was. ===
He was in ‘02.
- Matt - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:35 pm:
Even if it was an accident that Quinn ended up on the ticket…
Quinn didn’t have to defend him for six years!
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:35 pm:
I cannot understand why the MSM are not making a huge deal about Juan Ochoa and Dean Martinez. Has anyone checked how much money Ochoa raised for Rod? And Dean was deputy governor — hand-picked by Rod.
I also don’t understand why the Quinn campaign is not posting audio/video of Rod saying “Pat Quinn is not a member of this Administration.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:40 pm:
Soccermon -
Its because Quinn decided to run for relection in July or so, so Quinn is a bit “late” in making points like Conflicts of Interests or Cozy Relationships ….Brady’s luck is starting to wear off too
- Chubs Mahoney - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:47 pm:
Matt, you know as everyone does that Quinn did not spend 6 years defending Rod. He was completely shut out of the Governor’s office. It’s a tired, desperate attack.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:47 pm:
Perhaps Brady should have read this article before he asked for Ochoa’s help:http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=17189
(It’s a reprint of a Crain’s article)
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:49 pm:
More important information that Brady apparently missed, from a 2007 Tribune story:Ochoa, a 36-year-old veteran of the Gulf War, was a member of the governor’s transition team in 2002-03, and has contributed $5,489 to Friends of Blagojevich since 2000, campaign filings show. Until recently he also was treasurer of the Illinois Business PAC, which has given Blagojevich $74,300 in cash and services since 2001, according to the Illinois Board of Elections.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:52 pm:
come on Kass, time to write a combine column. that’s what this
is all about, you know, like Joe Berrios and his buddy buddy
status with George Ryan.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:53 pm:
Soccermom -
That is why Campaigns hire managers and staff … the Funder is 1st a staff blown call, and if they told Brady NOT to do this, then its Brady’s fault …
However, if the staff KNEW it could get hot if they did have the funder, and talked Bill into it, thinking its not a big deal and this blows up … its worse if the staff just blew the call by not knowing who/what those guys bring to bear ..
Those are your fingers to point … ok Jerry and the boys … who gets that pointed finger?
- Matt - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:53 pm:
Irrelevant…All the more reason why Quinn SHOULD’NT have defended Rod when everyone in Illinois knew the score
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:55 pm:
And Brady might be interested in the state auditor’s thoughts on the chamber’s use of state funds: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/Performance-Audits/07-IHCC-Perf-full.pdf
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:57 pm:
Soccermom doing oppo, lol
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:58 pm:
Soccermom -
Send your resume to Jerry Clarke, c/o Brady Reasearch Staff position ….lol
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 10:59 pm:
Rich, get her resume to Jerry …
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:00 pm:
I think she’s with Quinn. Click the link.
- ok - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:00 pm:
Wow - missed the Brady quote about standing up for Walmart. Haha.
- ok - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:02 pm:
Fox Chicago (Flannery) also references the Dean Martinez fundraiser in the post-debate coverage.
- Cubs2010 - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:02 pm:
Brady should have checked on TN also, they have a 6% income tax as well as a Dem governor. Sounds like Quinn may actually want IL to be more like TN.
- ok - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:04 pm:
Oh! Ha! Rich, you just got a plug from Fox Chicago - talking about the governor’s poll from PPP.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:04 pm:
Yeah, Fox Chicago just quoted Cap Fax….take that NYTimes!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:04 pm:
Playing along … lol
Rich you got a “Bob Sirott” shout-out on Fox Chicago on the Guv poll….
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:09 pm:
Good. It’s about time. lol
- Jo - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:16 pm:
I think this proves we were all watching the NLCS instead of the debate. LOL
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:38 pm:
Juan Uribe gets the winning run in….can you believe it?
- Ghost - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:44 pm:
tick tick tick
- shore - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:52 pm:
funny in the comments here we said early on brady was doing well, but the chicago media post game debate coverage basically turned on comments in the blog comments section on the tenessee line and ochoa thing. It’s like a bunch of random journalists were sitting around with laptops looking at what other people were saying saw, these 2 comments in the debate thread and said, voila!, story.
quinn owes you a beer.
- just sayin' - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:59 pm:
Is it too late for the GOP to replace Brady on the ballot? Only half kidding.
- Chubs Mahoney - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 11:59 pm:
Shore: Admit it. Brady stinks in these debates.
- shore - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:04 am:
to quote denny green, brady is who we thought he is, and somewhere jim edgar has his head in his hands shaking them violently saying “I told them so”. Zorn has already trashed him for saying illinois needs to be more like tennessee, using an explicative which is rare for a man like him, which means right now quinn staffers are looking for the most socially conservative nut job laws and awful statistics on tennessee government-maybe something on abortion or civil rights, to put in a killer tv ad airing tomorrow.
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2010/10/hoosier-daddy-and-his-volunteer-spirit.html
- shore - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:09 am:
I don’t know the laws for quinn to hit brady on in tennessee, but it’s very random he picked that of all states since their governor is a democrat, I think.
Restrictions on Abortion
In Tennessee, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of January 2008:
The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion is provided.
Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- Steve Downstate - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:11 am:
Regarding Blago: How much you wanna bet Blago does/says something before Nov. 2 to torpedo Quinn? Something about how much he appreciated his early (2006) statements of support, insincere and calculated though he was? I like Quinn, but I can easily imagine Blago seeking one more opportunity to burn him. (Sort of how Osama bin Laden released a tape four days before the Kerry/Bush contest. Still not sure why that hurt Kerry, but it did.)
- Siriusly - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:19 am:
Rich did you happen to catch ABC Nightline following the ABC rebroadcast of the debate? I did.
Interesting story about state legislators “behaving badly” was the lead story. They sent some J-students undercover at the NCSL conference. No Illinoisans on camera that I saw, but they did put a shot of a “sponsors” board on screen - looked like sponsors for an Illinois reception - lots of IL groups on the board.
The story was a bit sensationalist of course, but mostly interesting and well done. Part of the story is on the Nightline site, perhaps the whole thing will be posted later.
- Leatherneck318 - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:37 am:
Seriously, people? Brady’s comments re: Indiana/Tennessee, and the PERCEIVED impropriety of having two of RB’s peeps around are THE talking points from tonight? They’re tertiary, @ best. If the Ochoa/Martinez zing is the best attempt that Team Quinn has of an “October Surprise”, then his ship is sunk. Maybe Stroger can get him a job, too.
The travesty that manifests from the media clinging to these non-issue, “gotcha”-style burns does NO ONE any good. Rather, it solidifies the pseudo-reality TV show hack image that the rest of the country thinks we are. Brass tacks people. The electorate in Illinois has the rare and wonderful opportunity to show our State’s leaders, and the nation, that “we aren’t who they think we are” (to paraphrase an earlier posters’ Dennis Green reference).
We, as voters, MUST cut through the drivel and ignore the chaos and distraction tactics of the “2-minute drill” of campaign season.
- shore - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:59 am:
siriusly I saw the story and the first thing that went through my mind was shock that there was a story about corruption without illinois. the guy the produced the story, ross, is from chicago area.
- G. Willickers - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:02 am:
* Chubs Mahoney sez: Martinez and Ochoa were hand-picked by Rod B. Pat Quinn never was.
* Rich responds: He was in ‘02.
Rich - Quinn was nominated for the Lite Guv spot by Dem voters in the primary.
Blago was too preoccupied w/ Vallas to be hand picking a lite guv “running mate”. (Sounds a bit like what happened w/ this year’s primary.)
If Quinn was “hand picked” in ‘02 why was he the only statewide left OFF the DPI-funded walk card that year?? Durbin was on there. Dart was on there. So were L-Mad, Blago, and Hynes.
Nary a Quinn to be found though.
- Quinn-bashing fad - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:07 am:
This is how downstate Brady chooses to reach out to the Hispanic community in Chicago?
- shore - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:12 am:
there was actually an earlier question about naming one hispanic he would appoint to his cabinet.
I would have named ozzie guillen director of communications.
- bored now - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:35 am:
shore: i don’t know that brady is who we thought he was. now we know that he’s the republican rod who would rather be in tennessee than ravenswood. i can’t say i knew that…
- Been There - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:52 am:
I don’t think this ‘bombshell’ issue has legs.
Seriously, Pat Quinn of the Blagojevich team beating anyone up with Rod Blagojevich? The Quinn who raised funds that directly/indirectly went to solicit votes for Rod? The Quinn who actively encouraged voters to foist Rod on the people of the State of Illinois?
I know Quinn’s campaign has not only been hampered by the memory of Rod, but also comatose. Many have been praying for the media to dig into something, anything about Bill Brady to make this race competitive. They may bite on this one, but I think the issue cuts both ways for Quinn.
Anytime someone brings up Rod Blagojevich, Quinn comes to mind first, Brady, if at all is way, way down the line. For this to work for Quinn, the voters are going to have to forget Quinn’s relationship with Blagojevich. I don’t think they will.
- bored now - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:58 am:
Been There: i don’t know anyone who seriously associates pat quinn and rod blagojevich. rod was determined to suck the air out of the room and he sure the heck (rich, we need a waiver on your language thingie when talking about rod!) didn’t like to share the stage.
rod blagojevich was a lone wolf who was at war with various parts of the democratic party (madigan being only one of several), so why should democrats be hung with him now? i mean, besides the fact that republicans want to bludgeon us to death with him?
- Been There - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 7:11 am:
Bored Now, did you vote in 2002/2006? Millions of Illinois voters did, and the ballots in those elections read Blagojevich/Quinn. Yes, you and I understand that there was an estrangement at some point, but most voters don’t know that. That’s why it’s risky for Quinn to bring up or even reference the name Blagojevich.
My experience must be very different from yours. I know dozens of people who voted seriously in 2002/2006, and know Pat Quinn as the running mate of Rod Blagojevich. That’s why I think this is a risky strategy for Quinn.
- BombShell? - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 7:22 am:
What? Quinn was Blago’s Lt. Gov. but your saying he’s just fine? Then we are suppose to beleive somehow these Deputy Gov. is tainted somehow maybe that’s why Quinn let hem go because he wouldn’t Pay to Play.
- bored now - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 7:31 am:
Been There: sorry, dude, talking to the wrong person. i was still a florida voter in 2002 (even though i lived here) and, more to the point, i was working on republican senate races in south dakota, minnesota, missouri and georgia. so, no, i didn’t vote in 2002 (in illinois OR florida, something about a mental quandary i felt at the time; a wee bit hard to give up my florida voter status — florida being a state where votes are actually important to the outcome of elections — for illinois, where competitive elections are primary, not general elections).
in 2006, although i argued that we should vote for rod in order to get quinn as governor (the writing was on the wall), i pulled the trigger for whitney, thinking he’d take his 5% and build a real alternative to mike madigan’s party. alas, i was wrong, whitney is a goof-ball and couldn’t care less about party-building (or anything else).
but i wasn’t talking about ME. i was actually talking about other people i know, who paid attention to all the television coverage rod generated before and after his arrest, where he made it clear he didn’t want no stickin’ association with quinn or any other democrat to speak of.
having said that, i think quinn is pulling out all the stops — he’s actually facing losing this election — so it might be a risky strategy. i can’t say i know what choices he’s left in the bag…
- Rmati - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 7:43 am:
Bombshell:
The difference is that the LT governor was kept far from any decision making by Rod Blqgojevic; the Deputy Governor was at Blqgojevich’s right hand, executing his orders.
- 42nd Ward - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 8:07 am:
The Martinez/ Ochoa issue will have no legs outside of the Hispanic communities, and participation of these two is pretty well known already, for good or ill.
- Mike Ins - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 8:33 am:
Martinez was a deputy gov for a total of about 10 calendar days before Blago was arrested, FWIW.
- Mares eat oats - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:21 am:
So it’s wrong for Brady to get some FR help from Martinez, but it’s OK for Quinn to retain and give raises and promotions to all of the overpaid Blagohacks in state government? Take a look at IDOT, for instance. The ad almost writes itself:
“Why are Rod Blagojevich’s friends still getting rich with your money? Why are his friends in IDOT still getting paid more than 135,000 a year? On the day that Blagojevich was impeached, they gave themselves raises! And what does Pat Quinn do? Why, he gives them promotions. It’s time for a clean break. It’s time to send Pat Quinn and the rest of Blagojevich’s friends packing.”
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:24 am:
- “Gov. Quinn is drawing for straws, these are fine people,” said Brady. -
More channeling of Dan Quayle by Brady. I think he may be the one grasping for straws from now on.
- Wally - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:32 am:
Wouldn’t the “Bombshell” be all the construction checks Quinn is passing out?
- Wally - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:34 am:
Mares eat oats——–Look for your copy to be an ad soon at a TV station near you! Great job!
- Mares eat oats - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:59 am:
Rich, please help me understand why it’s OK to tag Brady with getting FR help from Blago friend Martinez, but it’s not OK to refer to the fact that Quinn made Blago friend Lavin the chief of state operations and deals? I mean this sincerely. Thanks.
- Old Shepherd - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:14 am:
Why is everyone down on Dean Martinez? I thought he was great with Jerry Lewis, and he was legendary with the Rat Pack.
- Great Caesar's Ghost! - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:18 am:
Say, “ta ta”, Bill.
- juan delpueblo - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:57 am:
So now anyone who worked with Rod is a criminal. How about Jack Lavin Quinn’s COO ? How about Billy Ocasio a rabid Rod supporter who is now on Qinn’s cabinet? or his hispanic outreach coordinator Hector Villagrana who also worked for Rod ? Martinez and Ochoa have never been investigated or accused of anything other than working for a governor who was corrupt. Let add all the names of those who worked for Gov Ryan. How about all those who worked for HDO. Rich i respect your blog but you are way out of line. Since when do we practice the political tarring and feathering of individuals without any proof of their doing anything wrong.
- just sayin' - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:20 am:
What else is Bill Brady hiding? What a sleaze.
How can tea partiers who are supporting Brady look themselves in the mirror?
- Wizard of Ozzie - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:22 am:
To all the Brady apologists-
The problem for Brady is that he is a hypocrite for going after Quinn for his ties to Blagojevich when he himself is asking former top Blago advisers to raise money for him (and these are not the nice ones).
Quinn has retained those in the administration that he thinks are the best and brightest. Jack Lavin worked for Pat Quinn in the Treasurer’s office, graduated Magna Cum Laude from U of I, and has a MA and MBA from U of Chicago. Anyone who knows Jack Lavin knows that he is imminently qualified. Dean Martinez and Juan Ochoa are political hacks.
That being said, again, the problem w/ Brady’s association with them is the glaring hypocrisy
.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:45 am:
Quinn - “If you think I suck being a running mate for Rod Blagojevich and his partner in government, well, my opponent knows someone else from that administration who raised money for him.”
Please. Yeah, your ex-campaign buddy and future felon is so toxic you have to use him as an attack against your opponent. Lame.
- Mares eat oats - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:58 am:
Hey, Wizard. If you knew anything about how things work in gvt, you would know that Martinez is hardly a ‘hack.’ He did a good job of running IDOFR, and most people who worked in or with that agency will confirm that. Do you really mean to suggest that Lavin is above reproach because some college gave him a few letters to put after his name? Get real. If an audit is ever done into state personnel and grants, a lot of Lavin’s bodies and thumbprints are going to turn up at the finance authority. The toll authority, dceo, and other agencies that have a lot of discretion in making deals.
- Coco - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:02 pm:
Here is some food for thought on why Latinos might support someone other than Quinn.
1. Bottom line is that has room for growth in his support for Latinos in the community and in state positions.
2. How many state agencies have Latino Directors, General Counsels, executive level appointments?
3. HFS, DOT, DHS, DCFS, Tollway, DOC, DCEO, and especially at the Gov’s Office level — how many Hispanic professionals are there and what is their talent level?
4. The Hispanics Quinn has appointed in his office and in other agencies suffer from lack of experience, and are soft on leadership skills… Billy O is a great person but what is his Agenda and how much has he really done with his authority? If you have to think about it, the answer is right there staring you in the face. Asking for power is no way to get it…
Quinn hasn’t shown tremendous support for Latinos on big issues and his support has been lukewarm at best. You can only recycle his relationship with the United Farmworkers and Cesar Chavez so many times before you ask — what have you done since then?
Quinn could garner the support of so many of the Latinos but he has to be earnest in his desire to make real change….
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
- you have to use him as an attack against your opponent. -
Its a counter-attack, moron.
- Nero - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 12:58 pm:
Secret fundraiser?!? What a loaded joke statement!! I attended the fundraiser and it wasn’t a secret. The room was filled with hispanic small business owners and judging by their strong comments that night are totally fed up with the condition of our state’s economy. The fact that the question was even raised makes their point even stronger that the governor is not focused on the economy.
- juan delpueblo - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:23 pm:
Both Dean Martinez and Ochoa raised money for Quinn before they realized he was firing more Hispanics Than he hired. Quinn should return the millions he has received from SEIU and the other Union who where active Rod fundraisers and staunch allies.
- Dirty tactics! - Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:36 pm:
That fundraiser was widely publicized; this is just a strategy by Robert Enriquez side-kicks to get attention; a strategy previously used by this group to get government appointments
For what I understand, there are over 10 self-proclaim “Latinos for Bill Brady” groups, and theirs, has exactly 10 people. Five in their FACEBOOK group.
If there’s anybody we should be worry about it’s this group who knows well the political game and are trying to get some benefit.