Those weren’t rumors
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I hinted at this in comments on Tuesday and told subscribers about it yesterday. Bernie today…
Republican state Sen. SAM McCANN didn’t vote in the March 18 primary, Macoupin County election records show.
McCann, whose 50th Senate District represents part of Springfield, couldn’t be reached Wednesday, but the fact that he didn’t cast a ballot in March lends credence to the idea that he was already thinking of his almost-run for governor back then.
McCann on Tuesday issued a late-afternoon statement saying that, “despite rumors to the contrary,” he’s not running as an independent for governor.
But petitions with his name, and apparently his blessing, were being distributed.
Skipping the primary after enthusiastically endorsing Kirk Dillard, means that McCann planned this bid months ago. The “rumors” claim was completely bogus.
But his planning was spotty at best. He didn’t have a running mate’s name on his petitions, so he would’ve been tossed even if he gathered 25,000 valid signatures in a little over two weeks (another bad planning move on McCann’s part).
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:27 am:
At least Mike Cys and Jerry Clarke didn’t set up a Domain on the Web to “gear up” for four years from now…
Planning is fine, sneaky planning and making yourself look foolish in the fallout is … bad planning.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:30 am:
OW….
Perhaps there is a domain, perhaps someone registered it a couple of days ago….
Perhaps someone did it just to do it….
- JSlim - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:30 am:
Maybe he was just trying to scare up a primary opponent for himself for 2016? Likely successful on that front.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:32 am:
A little too clever.
A real pipe dream to think that a state senator with no statewide name-recognition and no money could compete in an independent bid for governor.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:32 am:
Look, I am sorry. I was wrong.
Sen. McCann was golfing on Primary Day, keeping up a tradition in My Party.
It went “extra holes” and just couldn’t find time from 6am to 7pm to vote.
I overreacted. I am sorry. It all makes sense, and there was no plan to run by Sen. McCann.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:33 am:
There are statesmen, politicians, and shifty/inept pols. He has no where to go but up, if that is possible
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:33 am:
- OneMan -, you are setting me straight. It’s all about the long term planning, isn’t it?
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:36 am:
Norseman- I hope you are taking notes here.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:38 am:
Clever enough to know not to vote in the primary. Dumb enough not to know you need a running mate on the petitions. Classic Illinois conservative campsign: too clever by half.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:39 am:
Anyone ever been to a “McCann St. Patty’s Day Party”?
They usually carry over beyond the 18th… believe me, I know.
Voting was just not possible.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:50 am:
Ready, Fire, Aim.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:54 am:
Sam will not survive another election in his district, and will get creamed if he tries for any other office. He is suffering from the arrogant syndrome in which many elected officials get during their first term. They think they are untouchable, that everyone likes them. Then they believe they are smarter than their constitutients. Some needs to bring him back to the ground.
- CirularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:16 am:
We are still crushed that IL whack jobs will not have Sam McCann as the receptacle for their November votes. FYI there is still time to register in all of our brother backward border states. We are sure there are some real magoo’s they can vote in.
- A guy... - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:17 am:
In light of the circumstances with the petition, you need to find two complete nuts, one more deferential than the other. Oy.
- Norseman - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 11:39 am:
AA, yes. But I do have to apologize for my sneaky attempt to get additional folks on the ballot to split the vote and help elect Oswego Willy. The guy I put in charge failed me miserably. However, I’ll fall on the sword for it.
In any event, the stealth campaign still appears to be working. None of the media types has picked up on our efforts other than super political reporter Rich Miller.
- Walter Mitty - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:10 pm:
So all this say’s is…. OW for Governor will have his running mate’s name attached on his petitions… Whew, I would hate the chance at losing a patronage job by poor planning… Thank you Senator, you provided the road map for OW’s success…. I already have chosen my Dumb and Dumber dreamsicle colored tux for inauguration night… So no stealing my look… Go Willy!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 12:34 pm:
As anyone can read, - Norseman - is more than capable to drag this Dope over the Finish Line. I am truly lucky. - AA -, thanks for having the campaign’s “6″, and - Walter Mitty -, I can’t wait to take a picture with you at the Inaugural in that suit. Who knows, we may be in a caption contest ourselves.
- sangamon gop - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 10:50 pm:
Sounds like the earlier Sam story, when he missed an earlier election because he was working on a roof all day. He has lost much of his tea party support. One of his biggest supporters in ‘12 is working hard for Rauner. How will that end up?
- Kerfuffle - Friday, Jun 13, 14 @ 8:35 am:
Like I said earlier - the man swims in the shallow end of the pool.