* I get some weird press releases sometimes. For instance…
Mike Bost cancels AARP Debate - Enyart, Seniors and Bowzer from Sha-Na-NA to rally in response
Bowzer from Sha-Na-NA?
* I kid you not…
U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12), will be joined by Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, advocate for seniors, to discuss Medicare, and Social Security issues surrounding the upcoming election.
“We can’t balance the budget on the backs of our seniors,” said Enyart. “We must protect Social Security, we must protect Medicare, and we must protect retirees and seniors on fixed incomes. Since day one in office, I’ve been fighting for these programs, and I will continue fighting each day.”
“Congressman Enyart is a champion of seniors’ rights,” said Bauman. “With his leadership and advocacy, I know that the interests of Southern Illinoisans will be maintained. On the other hand I find it shameful his opponent Mike Bost has canceled a 2nd debate with AARP because he believes they are a “Special Interest Group”.
Those interested in joining the rally should arrive at approximately 1:45 p.m., 15 minutes before the event.
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: The Pie Pantry, 310 E Main St # 1, Belleville
Bowzer and Enyart at the Pie Pantry. I wish I could’ve made it to that one.
…Not really, just kidding.
* Bowzer went to Columbia, so he’s no intellectual slouch, and he’s still doing his schtick…
*** UPDATE 1 *** It’s not just Enyart…
Sha Na Na Star Tours District in Support of Ann Callis, Praises Her Support for Seniors
CHAMPAIGN - Former Chief Judge and Congressional challenger Ann Callis today toured the district with Jon “Bowzer” Bauman to talk about the importance of protecting Social Security and Medicare for seniors. Bauman, known for his starring role in the group Sha Na Na, is also the co-founder of “Senior Votes Count!” a seniors’ advocacy organization that endorsed Callis’ campaign at stops today in Bloomington, Decatur, and Champaign.
“While you may associate me from the music of the 1950s and 1960s, I don’t want to see our country’s seniors go back to that time when their financial security was always in limbo,” said Bowzer. “I’m here to support Ann Callis because seniors in Illinois need a representative who will fight efforts to privatize Social Security or make Medicare into a voucher program, two proposals her opponent has supported that would be extremely harmful to seniors.”
Callis is running against Congressman Rodney Davis, who supported privatizing Social Security and voted for the Ryan budget that would end the Medicare guarantee and increase costs for seniors.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the NRCC’s Katie Prill…
So apparently Bowzer is the DCCC’s secret endorsement weapon – that seems more like the kiss of defeat. Remember Elizabeth Colbert-Busch. And Alex Sink. And David Weprin.
But really - If you’re born after 1975 or so you probably have no idea who that is. If you’re born before 1975, you probably have no idea why anyone would care. And if you’re in Illinois’ 12th or 13th Congressional District you have to wonder why any of this is relevant.
Perhaps Callis and Enyart would be better served calling Barbara Eden from “I Dream of Jeannie” because they have a better chance of winning their elections with her magic bottle than with Sha Na Na. 
That’s the best response Prill has provided all season.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:04 pm:
Meh, I liked him better on Match Game….
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:06 pm:
Thought someone hacked the site when this headline went up.
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:06 pm:
Meh. Any true educated voter doesn’t decide until Michael from Good Times weighs in.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:12 pm:
Anonymoiis, I should probably close comments on this one. Nicely done.
- Knome Sane - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
How weird is it that the Bowzer promo was filmed in a hotel room with an apparently unmade bed?
- Kama Sutra Records - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:21 pm:
Just because you went to Columbia does not mean that you are smart. Same with Dartmouth and Fenwick for that matter.
- OneMan - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
Why do I suspect the conversation to have him swing by involved mentioning pie a lot…
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
Why is Bost passing on an AARP debate? Senior citizens are the most reliable voters in off-presidential-year elections.
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:40 pm:
this is awesome
- Anon - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:49 pm:
Bost called for 12 debates at the beginning of this thing. Of course that was probably a show, but to think he skipped an AARP debate takes some pretty wishful thinking on the democrats behalf. I’d wonder why no one called their office to see if they had a response, but that would be asking too much from this place.
- Callan - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
two things…
1. would like to hear more from Enyart camp about the connection with Sha Na Na and this campaign because I think we’re missing something here…
2. Did Bost really cancel an AARP Debate? That would surprise me if he rejected debating in front of one of the most reliable voting blocs.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
Tough to decide what’s worse, old actors selling politicians or reverse mortgages.
- Knome Sane - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
=but to think he skipped an AARP debate takes some pretty wishful thinking on the democrats behalf=
Anon, I really have no idea what you’re talking about, and I think neither do you.
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/bost-says-he-s-not-ducking-debates-scheduling-conflict-to/article_0db72f54-fa68-567d-8246-9cf191a665fe.html
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:59 pm:
Sets up a potentially great moment for Bost on election night if he wins. Come out in a leather jacket, t-shirt and pompadour and sing to Enyart “Goodnight Sweetheart, well it’s time to go. Doh doh-doh doh doh…”
- Anon - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
=Anon, I really have no idea what you’re talking about, and I think neither do you.
I might not be the best reader on the planet, but I scoured that article for the letters A, A, R, and P placed together but I couldn’t find it anywhere. With my little ability to comprehend, seems like that article is talking about a WSIU debate. So, as I said, to think that Bost would skip an AARP debate is probably wishful thinking.
- Kama Sutra Records - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
ws: AARP: left wing organization. Why take the bait?
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:11 pm:
–AARP: left wing organization.–
Better check under the bed for commies.
- Stones - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:16 pm:
I’ve actually met and had a beverage or two with Jon Bowzer Bauman. He’s a nice guy. Also engaged in politics, primarily on the democratic side.
- Apocalypse Now - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:35 pm:
Bost is doing a radio show on KMOX in St. Louis at 2:15 pm, the biggest radio station in the market. Pass on that to be at an AARP event with a few folks. NOT.
- DuPage Expat - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:40 pm:
Problem with the AARP is that they don’t call Dems on it when their logo is used in mail attacking Republicans. It compromises any appearance of impartiality they may have, and basically ensures Republicans won’t show up. Better that they slap down any Democrat attempt to co-opt them and get debates than become implicitly politicized and thus marginalized.
That said, they really do only exist to sell insurance to their members; why don’t we have the GEICO-State Farm transportation forum too?
- NotAJournalist - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:41 pm:
Has anyone even checked to make sure Bost was invited? Answer might hurt the narrative but at least the speculation could stop.
- A guy... - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:45 pm:
Here comes the big artillery, stand back.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:24 pm:
===Meh. Any true educated voter doesn’t decide until Michael from Good Times weighs in.===
Scared me away, well done!
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:47 pm:
Geez, what’s with the snark from the NRCC. And why diss on Jeannie?
These DC flacks are the worst. Faux outrage on all matters, large and small, and bad writing to boot.
Not a one of them could find the district they’re talking about on a map if it were tattooed on their tukkus.
- AnnaMan - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:54 pm:
Personally hate the NRCC response. If it’s so irrelevant, why does it require a response at all? Offensive to I Dream of Jeannie fans everywhere.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:55 pm:
===Offensive to I Dream of Jeannie fans everywhere===
Every day, new victims are born or self-made.
- Duke - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:57 pm:
It is an event for seniors, so not really aiming to appeal to people born after 1975, NRCC. Also, maybe Callis and Enyart camps just want to give seniors an event to enjoy.
- PerryCountyILL - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 5:02 pm:
Agree with AnnaMan on the first point. Personally, I think an appearance by a 50s musician is kind of silly and won’t help Callis or Enyart, but the NRCC now also looks silly by addressing it at all. If it doesn’t matter, spare us the rhetoric for once.
- Kama Sutra Records - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 5:09 pm:
Speaking of Barbara Eden, go to You Tube and check out her routine to “Spinning Wheel.” You will temporarily forget about any election whatsoever. Seriously. I could not believe it myself.
- Anon - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 5:57 pm:
Seniors will remember “Blue Moon,” and nobody did it better than Bowser.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:52 pm:
I care a lot more what Bowzer thinks is best for Illinois than Chris Christie.
So, why do reporters show up for a presser with the loud-mouthed, scandal-plagued, deficit-laden governor of New Jersey?
And how do his ethics and state budget problems not make it into the story?
“Voters born after 1975…” Yes, because this election is only about voters under 35.
Maybe someone could send @katieprill a link to Logan’s Run?
If that’s the best she has, she should stay outta Illinois. She wouldn’t last two rounds on CapFax.
Rich, since Governor Christie is coming back soon, I hope you will do your fellow journalists a great service by rubbing their faces in Christie’s record of massive budget deficits, pension chaos, excess borrowing and budget shenanigans:
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/04/28/analysis-new-jersey-faces-four-year-fiscal-crisis/?p=all
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 7:38 pm:
“Ah, 1975…when Republicans believed in clean air, public education, Social Security, and the earned income tax credit.”
I Do feel old, #katieprill !
- econ prof - Tuesday, Sep 23, 14 @ 11:31 am:
The only reason anyone under the age of 40 would’ve ever heard the name “Bowzer from Sha-na-na” is from the Adam Sandler “Hanukkah” song.