Keep your word, Dan
Friday, Feb 14, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Not good at all…
State Treasurer Dan Rutherford has decided to not release the results of an internal investigation related to allegations made by a former employee.
Rutherford, a Republican candidate for governor, was accused by Ed Michalowski of sexual harassment and claims that Rutherford asked him to perform campaign duties on state time.
The report from the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office about its internal investigation was scheduled to be released Friday, but Rutherford’s spokesman said Thursday that no further information from the investigation will be released “except through the courts.”
* More…
Rutherford had said he would tell his side once the investigation was complete, but Andjelkovich said he wanted to keep the information for court.
“Under the circumstances, he can’t continue to be talking out in the public forum,” Andjelkovich said. “That doesn’t mean that there’s something out there that’s being hidden or not disclosed.”
* Sorry, but I find this difficult to believe…
Andjelkovich said people shouldn’t draw conclusions from the secrecy.
“There is nothing to hide,” he said.
More information could come out as Michalowski’s lawsuit progresses. But before the March 18 primary election?
“Unfortunately, these things don’t go fast,” Andjelkovich said.
* Svenson makes some good points here…
Christine Svenson, the attorney for Rutherford’s accuser Edmund Michalowski, told Wolf and Proft that she knows why Rutherford does not want the report made public:
“He was in favor of the report before he was against it. Clearly he doesn’t want to produce this report and I know why. I know what the witnesses told the investigator. They corroborated my client’s testimony, and they had new evidence that no one had heard before that is not favorable to Mr. Rutherford.”
She says the report includes testimony from three Rutherford employees who say Rutherford also subjected them to uncomfortable sexual comments, and asked them to do campaign work on taxpayer time.
* And…
Meanwhile, one Illinois treasurer employee who gave a statement to the independent investigator is complaining that the office would not release copies of his own statement.
“Even the Warren Commission made copies of witness statements available to witnesses when investigating the assassination of President Kennedy,” the employee wrote to the treasurer’s in-house counsel, according to a letter obtained by the Sun-Times.
“This hardly rises to the level of a grand jury investigation or the Warren Commission. This is also a very stressful time for many of our colleagues in the office. I have no desire to add to that stress by being forced to litigate or make a public request simply for access to a copy of my own statement for my records.”
Ugh.
- Bogart - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:10 am:
Dan - you can’t have your ‘beefcake’ and eat it too. Bye Bye
- Demoralized - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:10 am:
It looks bad not to release anything. That just fuels speculation about Rutherford’s guilt. If he has something, especially something that supports his denials, then release it. The other guy’s attorney is having no problems litigating this in the press. Rutherford is getting the heck kicked out of him and keeping things secret screams he’s got something to hide.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:11 am:
===“Even the Warren Commission made copies of witness statements available to witnesses when investigating the assassination of President Kennedy,” the employee wrote to the treasurer’s in-house counsel, according to a letter obtained by the Sun-Times.===
It’s now “Burnt Toast”
You can’t have the Dopiest “Friday Fiasco”, whine about another candidate, and then not release anything, and not even release to those speaking their own statements.
Told you guys, “Lawyer-up” and after not letting you have a lawyer there, the press would have found that interesting.
It’s over.
- Aldyth - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:12 am:
I change my vote on the status of Rutherford’s campaign to “burnt toast”.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:12 am:
It’s difficult to believe because it’s not true - somebody has to want the report to be kept secret per a protective order, else it can be released. Who in the world is contributing to his campaign after this? I’ll be surprised if we don’t start hearing some GOP voices suggest that Rutherford get out of the race (though unless Brady or Dillard does as well they ain’t stopping Rahm-ner).
- so... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:13 am:
What kind of moron makes a splashy announcement that he’s ordering an independent investigation that will clear him, when he’s not absolutely certain that it will?
- IbendahlLuvsJBT - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:14 am:
The real question is why didn’t Rutherford hire this attorney when the shakedown happened? Mary Ann Ahern says that Michalowski told her that he was not interviewed by the investigators. Huh?!
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:15 am:
Is the report subject to FOIA?
And he was already toast as far as the primary. The question now is will he be able to finish his term as Treasurer.
- Motambe - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:15 am:
Stick a fork in him. He’s done.
- IbendahlLuvsJBT - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:16 am:
Why does the other employee want a copy if his statement? Is he/she planning their own lawsuit?
- Stones - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:16 am:
The fat lady just sung.
Really disappointed in Rutherford.
- PoolGuy - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:16 am:
if the report has bad stuff in it that Dan doesn’t want anyone to see, they will see it at some point anyway. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, but this is no good.
what’s his option if it is bad news? let it out now and probably drop out of the race? or hopefully win the primary (which he likely won’t anyway) then even more bad news comes out and he has to drop out as the Repub nominee? I realize he’s no quitter but the second option would be worse to me. if the report has info that exonerates him why not release it?
- How Ironic - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:16 am:
Dan should drop his campaign now. I think by the time the smoke clears he will be out of his current job. He way over promised about releasing the report and now by NOT releasing it has essentially hung himself.
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:17 am:
With this latest development, I’d have say the toaster is in flames and the extinguishers are empty.
- Bobo - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:18 am:
It may be good legal advice to not release the report but it also means he can’t be Governor. He needs to get out.
- Samurai - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:18 am:
Dear Dan Rutherford,
You were a good candidate, but the allegations of harassment and campaigning on State time have tarnished your candidacy to the level of being a spoiler. You will have no chance in the general election. Please withdraw from the primary and deal with the lawsuit and other allegations. Thank you.
- walker - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:18 am:
Headline writers at newspapers and reporters are still calling this an “independent” investigation today.
Shame on them.
- Snucka - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:18 am:
He continues to appear at events and ask for money. Pretty brazen, but I guess it must be difficult to realize that his lifelong dream has vanished before his eyes. I just hope that he is OK emotionally and is able to recover personally, come what may on the legal front.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:19 am:
===And he was already toast as far as the primary. The question now is will he be able to finish his term as Treasurer.===
That is exactly where this has evolved to; it is beyond the primary, and the “Friday Fiasco” will be where it all could possibly end.
- SonofSuperAbe2014 - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:19 am:
I think we can safely say that Dan will not get a mandate. Looks like he has something to hide. I still believe Proft is in the middle of this especially since Svenson has become a defacto guest host on WLS.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:23 am:
Take a deep bow dan and back the hell out the door
- Publius - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:26 am:
Just look at how the late Dan Rutherford handled this matter. He was clearly incapable of thoughtful decisive executive action. In our system primaries have a way of weeding out the incompetent.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:26 am:
Game over, Dan.
I do find it interesting though that the stated reason for not releasing this report is to avoid litigating the case in the media, yet somehow Svenson knows everything about the investigation’s findings and is using the absence of the report’s reveal to litigate the case in the media.
- Tom Joad - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:26 am:
Rutherford gambled on getting an independent report with employees rallying to his defense. He gambled and lost. What happened to his own in house independent investigation? He could release that if it exists. The IEA endorsement was also something he counted on. He didn’t get it. Now he needs to cut his losses by getting out of the race. Otherwise these stories will continue for the next five weeks.
- Wensicia - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:27 am:
“Under the circumstances, he can’t continue to be talking out in the public forum,”
Sounds like an admission the report doesn’t help, rather hurts Rutherford. Under these circumstances, how can he expect anyone to invest further into his campaign? Time to bow out…
- Snucka - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:28 am:
It’s easy to make statements like “he should drop out”, because we can see objectively what is happening and what has happened. It’s more difficult to be the person who has been campaigning for Governor for decades, whose very strong ambition has been snuffed out in a matter of weeks. Whether it was snuffed out by Dan’s own actions or the treachery of others almost doesn’t matter (to him) at this point.
I’m not saying he should stay in the race. Clearly he is not going to win. I’m only saying, put yourself in his position and understand that even if he is guilty of some/all of the allegations, he is a human being who is not going to realize a major life goal. I think he will drop out before Election Day, but I understand why he is so reluctant to do so.
- unspun - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:28 am:
It’s odd that Svenson persists in her commentary and attacks against Rutherford through the media now that the federal lawsuit is a reality.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:29 am:
Done and doner.
Where’s the “independent” part of the investigation if the treasurer exercises control over the findings and evidence?
- Bogart - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:30 am:
At the very least, these events warrant an impeachment investigation. The leaders can’t be allowed to ignore possible misconduct by a constitutional officer of the state. The GA’s schedule on this can’t be controlled by the federal lawsuit’s timeline.
- IbendahlLuvsJBT - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:30 am:
Somewhere, deep in a scrap heap, Pongee is crying.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:32 am:
Steve Rhodes said this earlier today at the Beachwood Reporter and I couldn’t agree more:
“Even if Rutherford is innocent of the allegations against him - and even if the report he’s now hiding does nothing but exonerate him - we now have a glimpse of how he would behave as governor when faced with adversity and controversy. It’s not pretty.”
- sal-says - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:32 am:
==“There is nothing to hide,” he said.==
==…but Rutherford’s spokesman said Thursday that no further information from the investigation will be released “except through the courts.”
- Wally - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:33 am:
With this decision, DR needs to drop out of the race. I thought he needed to provide this report AND proof Rauner was involved this week, in order to remain in the race. It makes no sense to go forward.
- anon - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:33 am:
Clearly his campaign is over. More importantly for me is that I’ve lost respect for this man. Rich has echoed common statements about Rutherford made by others for some time. He was an energetic, affable man who always had a smile on his face and a kind word. Now he has a Nixonian quality that is unfortunate and career ending. For the good of his party, he should withdraw from the primary, though I dont know if good for the party for him to make an endorsement. I guess I’m suggesting that he crawl into a hole and pull the hole in with him. Wow, thats sad.
- Mason born - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:34 am:
Mr. Rutherford the Fat Lady has sung and you handed her the microphone. If you truly believe the state is better off without Quinn. Then at this time the only Honorable thing to do is decide which of the other 2 more closely agrees with your positions and beliefs and endorse him perhaps even give him your war chest (call it a loan).
It is completely possible that the lawsuit is bogus. However if your own “independent Investigator” can’t clear you then there is no point in asking the rest of us to give you the benefit of the doubt. I won’t be voting for you and i suspect most informed voters will not. That being said you can in some ways influence this race by how you choose to leave it. A classy exit now beats that inevitable 4th place finish concession speech.
- tominchicago - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:34 am:
Who does Rutherford’s attorney think that he is fooling. Absent a protective order, there is nothing that bars parties in civil litigation from disclosing information on the case. I checked the court docket in this case and no such order has been entered. Our only choice is to draw negative inferences from Rutherford’s refusal to release the taxpayer funded report.
- sal-says - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:35 am:
==“There is nothing to hide,” he said.==
==…but Rutherford’s spokesman said Thursday that no further information from the investigation will be released “except through the courts.”==
TOAST !
- LincolnLounger - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:36 am:
A lot of us waited and gave you, Dan, the benefit of the doubt. That’s over now. That Friday fiasco raised a lot of eyebrows, but your performance since these issues were raised has been abysmal and aren’t worthy of this important task.
Get out now, Dan. You care about the Republican Party, as do I. Lots of us were with you until yesterday, but it’s over. Have an impact. Tell people that it’s unfair, but you have to concentrate on your defense and salvage the reputation you have earned. You know Brady can’t win. Dillard probably can’t either, but it’s your best bet to screw Rauner. Fix the mess, and maybe you will live to fight another day. But only if you get out now.
For future reference, you cannot run your own campaign. You cannot surround yourself with kids who just tell you what you want to hear. You cannot ever say, “You just said no to the Treasurer.” You need some experienced, wise counsel who can tell you the hard truth.
You have become your mentor, Leader Lee, and it’s not pretty.
- In the Middle - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:40 am:
So… @9:13 nailed it. I rest my case.
- JB13 - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:45 am:
If Rutherford really believes that this was all Bruce Rauner’s doing, he needs to get out immediately, and declare his support for either Dillard or Brady to make it a two-person race. If he stubbornly insists on going full-on Baghdad Bob, claiming that this is all made up and he will be vindicated and everyone will shower him with rose petals on his inauguration day, well, all he’ll do is further clear the path for Rauner to the nomination. Clock’s ticking, Dan.
- Mister M - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:47 am:
DR is damaged goods; can’t come back from the mess. In addition to his damage, the Republican field is damaged. Quinn is the most vulnerable, most beatable Dem candidate imaginable and yet he’ll probably win. Brady lost last time. Dillard lost to Brady. Rauner can’t be trusted. So what now?
- haverford - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:47 am:
Okay it’s Friday, so silver lining time - it is somewhat gratifying to know that Rutherford’s ultimate undoing here isn’t the question of his potential ‘gayness,’ but rather his regular ol’ Illinois duck and coverup approach to apparent corruption.
What. a. complete. mess.
- SAP - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:50 am:
If Rutherford bails and endorses Dilllard or Brady, does the endorsement help or hurt its recipient?
- OneMan - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:50 am:
It bums me out to no end, but yeah this kind of seals it….
- Archiesmom - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:51 am:
It isn’t the crime, it’s the coverup.
Say good night, Dan.
- BigDoggie - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:52 am:
@JB13 - Are you suggesting Rutherford throw his support behind either Dillard or Brady to help the one he supports, or to help the other one??
- Susiejones - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:55 am:
I am so disappointed in this latest from Dan; I have been a fan of his for years and was so excited when he announced his candidacy for Governor. I always believed he was a man of his word, but now it seems he is not when the independent investigation report won’t be released. Not good because it infers there is something in there corroborating some or all of the allegations against Dan. I am very sad today for him.
- IbendahlLuvsJBT - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:00 am:
Dan, release the report. It’s what you promised you’d do. If you don’t not even you’re most ardent supporters can trust you to keep your word. I did biz with you, man. I’ve been taking heat for being in your corner. You’ve got to make this right, whether or not the report is damaging, put it out there. It’s coming out anyway. If you are the one who releases it as promised at least you’ll be respected for keeping your word.
- Downstate - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:03 am:
Seems like Rauner, Dillard and Brady have just entered the diner, and left Rutherford sitting in the car without the key.
- Soccermom - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:04 am:
Rutherford has handled this so badly. Clearly, he can’t stand the heat, so it’s time to leave the kitchen. Sorry, and I know it’s painful for him to support Dillard. But at this point, he needs to realize that staying in the race makes Rauner the nominee — and potentially, dear heaven, the Governor. So he needs to get out and think about how to revive his reputation after the dust settles. Because there’s no way he can win this thing now.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:04 am:
Downstate has the best snarky comment of the week.
- Roadiepig - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:07 am:
- SAP - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 9:50 am:
If Rutherford bails and endorses Dilllard or Brady, does the endorsement help or hurt its recipient?
IMHO any statement that includes “I am withdrawing my name for consideration” and something like “We, as a party, need to rally around (fill in either of the two non-Barons)to have a chance to replace Gov. Squeezy for the good of this great state”. That’s really the least he can do, with the mess he has made of his own chances.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:11 am:
SM,
I think it’s too late to stop Rauner from winning the nomination. But who do you think will be the better not-Bruce candidate - Dillard or Brady?
- Leave a Light on George - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:12 am:
Dan
Come out. Come out wherever you are.
- Smoggie - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:13 am:
47th Ward is right.
Forget the primary.
If he’s not releasing this report then it must be pretty bad.
Sounds like he may need a good criminal defense lawyer.
Luckily in IL, we’ve got many lawyers experienced in defending public officials.
One last note on this — hearing the allegations and the timing, I was highly doubtful. This looked like either a disgruntled employee or just politics.
Now, I’m inclined to believe the accuser. Why else would there be a refusal to release the report?
- AFSCME Steward - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:13 am:
“I think it’s too late to stop Rauner from winning the nomination. But who do you think will be the better not-Bruce candidate - Dillard or Brady?”
I’m switching to Dillard.
- VictorNorth - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:13 am:
Downstate @10:03, you win!
- Lunchbox - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:20 am:
Dan is done. To piggyback off 47th Ward’s question, can this report be produced with a FOIA request?
- Tom Joad - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:21 am:
Why would any candidate want his endorsement now? That would be the kiss of death.
- Northsider - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:29 am:
His lawyer is probably telling him he risks personal liability and bankruptcy. He has to weigh that risk against the ability to continue a very, very long shot chance at winning. He’s undoubtedly in shock and denial, but he’ll get out soon.
He should not endorse anyone, simply say he wants no part of the politics of personal destruction and take a vacation until the primary’s over.
- Sir Reel - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:31 am:
Time for Dan to go fishing with Travis.
- Empty Suit - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Rutherford is savy enough to know it’s over. He needs to take the weekend off do some soul searching and do the right thing. It’s either about a Republican winning in November or it’s about Dan.
We await your answer Dan.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Burnt toast. Crispy. Fried. Done.
- One ofthe 35 - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:48 am:
In light of the current situation it will be almost impossible for Dan to attempt to punish/fire anyone who may have provided damaging testimony against him. That would likely result in yet more litigation. What a mess!
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:49 am:
“Turn out the Lights, The Party’s over!!!”
I agree, he needs to step aside. I feel bad for the people in his office.
- veritas - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:55 am:
“Methink the lady doth protest too much.” Why is the Republican gadfly/wannabe Svenson even commenting on this. She has filed her suit. Her client has a new, higher-paying job. The evidence will be presented in a court of law. She is clearly making political commentary in the court of public opinion. That may be legal, but it isn’t a legal remedy. She is exposing the political nature of this entire situation. Time for another lease review.
- A Modest Proposal - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:56 am:
===Seems like Rauner, Dillard and Brady have just entered the diner, and left Rutherford sitting in the car without the key.===
Rutherford could call his sister to pick him up!
- Wensicia - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 10:59 am:
==can this report be produced with a FOIA request?==
I imagine the Tribune lawyers are looking into this right now.
- Dan Fan - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:04 am:
This is just killing us “Dan Fans” out here. He just seems like a likable guy and this all really didn’t add up.
Regardless of truth, perception is everything in politics. He needs to back out and let moderates in the party find a candidate they believe can beat Rauner (and ultimately, Quinn). He’s a spoiler if he stays in it. Sorry, Dan. Like you a lot, but state politics are brutal.
- Saint - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:07 am:
(5 ILCS 140/2.5)
Sec. 2.5. Records of funds. All records relating to the obligation, receipt, and use of public funds of the State, units of local government, and school districts are public records subject to inspection and copying by the public.
(Source: P.A. 96-542, eff. 1-1-10.)
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:16 am:
Saint, they’ll be happy to tell you how much money they spent. As for the report, I’m sure they’ll assert one or more of several FOIA exemptions to deny a request for a copy.
- Buzzie - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:18 am:
Exit, stage right.
- Upon Further Review - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:18 am:
It is impossible for any such report not to contain potentially damaging information, true or not true. A thorough report would have to include references to Michalowski’s complaints and resignation and none of this material, true or false, would be favorable to DR.
- Demoralized - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:23 am:
@Saint:
Records related to employee grievances or discipline are exempt from FOIA.
- Clark Kent - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:27 am:
Why won’t he release the report? My speculation is that is probably doesn’t even contain any evidence of “wrongdoing” but it probably does have a lot of stuff in there about Dan’s personal life that he just isn’t ready to come to terms with. This is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. The guy probably didn’t do anything illegal or unethical but his trust in others allowed him to become compromised. There are others in the party too. This should be a warning to them about what will likely happen if they are not careful.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:40 am:
Agree with @susiejones.
This whole darn thing is sad, all the way around.
- DuPage - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:58 am:
Rauner camp forward observer: “to try to put out the napalm, he jumped into quicksand”! Adversary neutralized! Regroup for attacks on the remaining targets.
- Living in Machiaville - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:05 pm:
Queue the closing curtains.
- OneLuv - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:16 pm:
By the middle of next week, some news outlet is going to FOIA this and he’s going to have a second law suit to deal with.
- Samurai - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:24 pm:
And some where sits Steve Kim with a case of severe hiccups.
- Tom Joad - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:27 pm:
“A tragedy of Shakespearian proportions?” The fault, dear Brutus, is not in out stars but in our selves.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:31 pm:
This sort of document is likely protected under the FOIA exceptions. Especially as this involves sensitive commentary and highly personal information concerning personnel.
Regardless, the basic details of it will come out during the lawsuit.
- Samurai - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:35 pm:
==Clark Kent - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 11:27 am:
Why won’t he release the report? My speculation is that is probably doesn’t even contain any evidence of “wrongdoing”===
Debatable Clark.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:43 pm:
Pontiac, we have a problem.
- A guy... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:47 pm:
To quote Hawk, “This game is OVA”. Can’t promise and not deliver. That’s self-inflicted. Can’t point anywhere but inward. No glee here. Genuine sadness.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 12:52 pm:
Wouldn’t a witness’ statement become part of his personnel file, and aren’t employees (even State) allowed to request and obtain the content of their files? (I was under the impression that that was per law v. company policy though I don’t have time to look it up.)
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 1:08 pm:
I put in a call to Roland Burris.
I expect to hear shortly whether he’s available for any unexpected vacancies in statewide offices.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 1:21 pm:
Rutherford is absolutely done as a candidate. A potentially winning legal strategy does not equal a winning political strategy. Next question, is he done as an officeholder? Hard for the public to have any confidence in the guy going forward for the rest of the term given this turn of events.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
Messenger: Gracious my treasurer, I should report that which I say I saw, But know not how to do it.
RUTHERFORD:Well, say, sir.
Messenger: As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I look’d toward Birnam, and anon, methought, The wood began to move.
RUTHERFORD: Liar and slave!
Messenger: Let me endure your wrath, if’t be not so: Within this three mile may you see it coming; I say, a moving grove.
RUTHERFORD: That lies like truth: ‘Fear not, till Birnam wood Do come to Chenoa:’ and now a wood Comes toward Chenoa. Arm, arm, and out! If this which he avouches does appear, There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. I gin to be aweary of the sun, And wish the estate o’ the world were now undone. Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack! At least we’ll die with harness on our back.
======= (apologies to the bard)
Dan, Birnham wood do come to Chenoa…
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 2:12 pm:
Sigh.
The sexual harassment allegations are one thing.
The prurient homophobia of the allegedly cosmopolitan and progressive Chicago media is another.
I can be pretty hard on the boys from Dixie, but this is my new favorite dude in the world.
Check out Dale Hanson, sportscaster from Dallas, on Michael Sam:
http://www.wfaa.com/sports/dale-hansen/Dale-Hansen-Unplugged–244822291.html
- Mason born - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Word
Hate to disagree with you but i actually thought Hanson fired a good bit to early. To me Michael Sam will either be drafted or not based on his skill set and what team needs him then his sexuality. TO me people are jumping the gun. Just as certain people decided to jump the gun and say Tebow was discriminated against when reality had more to do with his skill set not meshing with any particular team.
Now if Sam isn’t drafted and players with less skill and worse combine scores are in his place then Mr. Hanson will have a valid point and should rant away. Personally I hope my team snaps him up and quick.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Agreed, @wordslinger.
One of the most surprising and disappointing things about this entire sequence of events has been the innuendo and gossip-mongering of our local journalistas.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 3:16 pm:
Mason, I get you. I admired Hanson’s courage, being a sportscaster in Dallas.
Sam could be the equivalent of a Tebow defensive player.
Sam might be a “tweener” at the next level. Not quite big enough for DE, not quite fast enough for LB. Think Shea McCellan or Chris Zorich.
Tebow, of course, was a great run-option college quarterback on a dominant college team. Not a pro-set passer, not accurate enough, too slow on the draw for the NFL.
Plenty of Heisman winner QBs didn’t make it in the NFL. A lot of them from Florida.
The idea that Tebow was discriminated against because he’s a Christian is bizarre. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes dominates most NFL and D-1 locker rooms. Everyone points to the sky after a big play, everyone prays together when the game is done.
I think it will work itself out. The fact is, in the NFL, if you can make plays, they’ll find a spot for you. It’s a harsh meritocracy.
But, for the record, Vince Lombardi was way ahead of his time. Check it out.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2014/02/11/vince-lombardi-michael-sam-gay-acceptance/5395467/
- Mason born - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 3:31 pm:
Word
I look at it this way if Manti Teo can get drafted with that drama then skill set trumps.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 3:38 pm:
Mason, you’re correct. I thought it was a cool for an old sportscaster from Dallas to lay down the common sense the way he did.
- SouthCookGuy - Friday, Feb 14, 14 @ 4:03 pm:
Dan you’re done. Graciously bow out of this race ASAP. You’re damaging your party big time in Illinois. He should also resign as Treasurer too and deal with this mess he got himself into. What a major disappointment.