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UPDATE: The ad is now at JBT’s site (link is to mpeg file). Also, Bill Brady’s new ad is posted at his site (link is to wmv file).
The Tribune starts us off.
After enduring a spate of attack ads, Republican governor candidate Judy Baar Topinka turned to Jim Edgar on Thursday, using TV commercials featuring the former governor vouching for her truthfulness and criticizing her rivals.
“You’ve seen the negative ads attacking Judy Baar Topinka,” Edgar says in the ad. “They say more about her opponents than they do about her. I thought you’d rather hear the truth from me.” […]
The Oberweis campaign questioned whether Edgar had taped the ad long before the debut of its own ad critical of Topinka.
“When did Gov. Edgar film his portion of the advertisement?” asked Oberweis campaign manager Joe Wiegand. “It seems to me that given Judy Barr Topinka’s record in office and the record of pay to play, insider deals and investigations, that any reasonable individual would understand that that record would be under attack.”
Topinka campaign aide Nancy Kimme confirmed that Edgar taped the ad before the latest Oberweis spot aired. Noting that Oberweis had used controversial commercials in previous unsuccessful bids for office, Kimme said, “Gov. Edgar anticipated he would pull another stunt.”
The Sun-Times has this.
Using the popular two-term governor to directly answer Oberweis and Gidwitz is a clear sign that Topinka is concerned that her critics’ ads are working, but her campaign spokesman insisted that is not the case.
“Not at all,” spokesman Roger Germann said. “From all accounts, she is still the front-runner and the best candidate after the primary to take on [Gov.] Rod Blagojevich and win.”
But Gidwitz spokesman Dan Proft said Edgar’s ad won’t work.
“It’s not his record that’s up for debate,” Proft said. “It’s hers, and that’s what she doesn’t want to talk about. Judy Baar Topinka has amassed a record that is in large measure at odds with Jim Edgar’s record.
“Interestingly, I don’t ever remember in a Jim Edgar campaign him using Judy Baar Topinka for a third-party endorsement. Never was a big demand for that.”
And the Oberweis TV ad is still drawing controversy. The State Journal-Register ran an editorial today.
Oberweis, who likes to borrow one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s favorite campaign phrases (”reform”), decided to re-form some newspaper headlines in making his television commercials. The TV spots use the masthead of The State Journal-Register and three other daily newspapers over faked headlines. […]
The fellow whose company produced the ads for Oberweis stressed to political columnist Bernard Schoenburg that the headlines “weren’t intended to be taken as true headlines.” Well, of course not - that would be unethical and just plain wrong. How odd then that the advertisement does such a nice job of making the headlines appear authentic.
HOWEVER, as stupid as faking newspaper headlines is (hint: if you’re going to fake something, consider faking something that wasn’t in print and can’t easily be looked up), it was certainly not nearly as crass as allowing a key Oberweis campaign worker to promote via a freelance column a hateful Web site that attacks Topinka for recognizing homosexuals as fellow human beings.
UPDATE: Now Bill Brady is stepping into the Oberweis controversy. From a press release:
Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, today urged Jim Oberweis to fix his misleading commercials or take them off the airwaves. Brady offered his thoughts on the commercials in response to numerous media inquiries.“Creative commercials may work when you’re selling ice cream, but the people of Illinois expect more from a candidate for governor. To misrepresent the truth says more about his judgment than about the candidate he is attacking in these commercials,” Brady said.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:26 am
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Rich,
I’ll pay you to come out and say you have as much hatred and contempt for Milk dufus as I do. Would you start the stopoberweis.com page. You may be suprised to find out that more Republicans hate him than Democrats.
Comment by southernilrepub Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:35 am
I have always been a fan of Edgar, but he has shown his loyalties lie Judy, rather then the people who elected him.
I am also disturbed by the complete lack of objectivity on Topinka’s gay rights stance. It is not a hateful website to attempt to educate the voters on her clear and intentional misleading of the voters. Judy and her campaign workers go to Southern Illinois and say, Judy isn’t for gay marriage and doesn’t promote the gay lifestyle. The pictures and her conduct clearly show otherwise.
The fact is she is not being truthful with the voters about her position on the issue.
Judy is in the pictures supporting positions she has told many in Southern IL she does not support.
Judy’s problem is she has taken no stance because of a firm belief in what is right, she has taken calculated political positions for votes. If she believed in the cause she wouldn’t tell Southern IL she doesn’t support gay marriage when the pictures clearly show otherwise.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:01 am
You know patriot you and this website on anti-gay views almost moves the Republican party back to the days of Adolf Hitler.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:44 am
OK, that’s enough of that. Move along.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:45 am
The knight in shining armor will save Judy.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:14 am
Everyone to Brown’s after work today for drinks and to discuss campaign strategies! Look forward to seeing you there! I’ll be wearing orange and blue… ORANGE CRUSH!!!
Comment by Goober Gladson Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:43 am
Patriot:
Kindly define “the gay lifestyle.” I’m very curious to hear how my lifestyle is so similar to that of every other gay person such that you can lump us all under one umbrella term.
Comment by insider Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:48 am
SOS . . . SOS . . . SS OBERWEIS . . . HAVE STRUCK ICEBERG ON SUNNY DAY AND DRILLED HOLES IN BOTTOM OF BOAT BY MISTAKE . . . TAKING ON WATER QUICKLY . . POSITION: LONG: ONE ICE CREAM DRIVE LAT: CARPENTERSVILLE . . . TROPICAL STORM JUDY APPROACHING . . . SINKING FAST. . . DECK CHAIRS LOOK NICE . . . SOS
Comment by Bubs Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:48 am
Bubs– LOL!
Did anyone doubt that it was just a matter of time before Obie torpedoed himself? I’m just glad it happened BEFORE the primary.
Comment by HoosierDaddy Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:53 am
I hear ya, Goob, I’m thirsty for some of that Fosters drafts, but I wish there was more variety there!
ultimate clique-
1) illini fan
2) orange tie
3) republican
4) state worker
5) central IL
6) small town
7) DH Brown’s
Comment by Fergie Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:57 am
8) rehash high school
Comment by John Champion Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 11:47 am
The Jim Edgar endorsement is nice and all, but JBT could have created much more interest airing the same basic ad, but featuring Dick Mell instead of the former governor.
Then again, that testimonial may already be taped, too; for use in the General.
Comment by No Peotone Airport Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 12:31 pm
By Gay lifestyle I mean one who engages in homosexual activity. And you missed the point. The point is Judy is misleading voters on her position on the issue and people should be able to be critical of her without being called hitler or a Biggot.
If I was running I would not be ashamed to tell voters I am pro-traditional family values and pro-life. Why is Judy ashamed to be truthful about her positions. I have respoect for those who have different opinions then my own on these issues. However, it is difficult to respect someone who misleads the public about her position. I will respect you as a person regardless of orientation, gender or creed, but if you don’t respect your position enough to be honest about it, how can you expect others to.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 12:37 pm
I don’t know if this observation belongs here or not, but I’m not sure where it goes. When Ron Gidwitz put his ad on the air critical of her, Judy Baar Topinka had Republican Party chairman Andy McKenna go after Gidwitz. Now when Jim Oberwiese airs a critical ad (and I’m not defending anyone who manipulates newpaper banners with false headlines) JBT runs to Jim Edgar. I’m just wondering if or when JBT plans to stand on her own two feet?
Comment by Common Sense in Illinois Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 1:51 pm
Judy has never done it on her own. She was protected by Edgars fiscal conservatism and did what she was told.
If she cannot stand up in a debate room and defend her own positions with a relatively mild mannered group of republicans wait until Rod steps in.
Her entire strategy was to avoid issues, she waited until the last minute to announce, dodges debates and press conferences where she could be put on the spot.
I am sure Blago, Madigan, and Jones will all allow her the courtesy to contact Andy or Jim on any issue when she needs help.
These guys are a pack of wolves looking at a lame buffalo, hoping she makes it out of the herd. If you think what happened to Jack was bad, wait until the greatest fundraising politician in the state’s history and the democrat machine gets ahold of judy.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 2:46 pm
The ad is a nice touch.
I don’t buy the argument that she is weakened or hiding behind anyone. These clowns want Judy to stoop to their gutter level, which she nicely refuses to do because she doesn’t have to.
Believe me, she has the upper hand. The clowns would kill to trade positions with her at this point.
Comment by Rick Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:14 pm
I cannot beleive that the political discourse here is more concerned about using a fake masthead as a quote attribution device that the fact that JBT, a candidate for governor of Illinois, is under federal investigation, tried to write off 30 million of taxpayer dollars because her pals made a crappy hotel business deal, took hundreds of thousands of campaign contributions from the same pal through a bank he is an owner in, and these same banks giving her buckets of money have lucritive contracts with her office of Treasurer.
Doesn’t this bother anyone. How can so many people be filled with righeous indignation over using graphic representation of a masthead to present infornmation yet not bat an eye over all the nefarious acts our would-be governor is engaged in before being elected. And when questioned, she hides behind the coat tails of sugar daddy Edgar. This is who we want as Governor. At least Oberweis is trying to point out the real JBT not reshaped for public consumtion JbT. Because the last thing this state needs is yet another rubber stamping, spineless leader that continue to rob our pensions and saddle our chlidren with crippling debt and nothing to show for it.
Comment by Headline Remaker Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:24 pm
I’m sure the reason that no one is making a big fuss over Brady’s negative radio ads is because he’s fallen out of the picture so far that he isn’t on anyone’s radar….but I can’t help but finding it ironic that Sen. Brady has chosen an attack ad to point out that he’s above the fray in the primary race. And yes, comparing your opponents to fighting children is an attack.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:07 pm
Headline Remaker,
Maybe it’s because your accusation is obviously not true, meaning patently false.
JBT is under investigation? Really? What evidence do you have of that?
Took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the same pal through a bank? Really?
Check your facts, pal. Right now, you’re batting a thousand.
Comment by Rick Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 6:09 pm
Rick
Would you put money on the fact she is not being investegated? Of course she is. D’s tell that she does take money from those banks! But Judy has an Excuse!!!! She’s not a millionaire! She said she HAS to take money from banks because she’s not a millionaire. You are correct it is pathetic. Judy has used her trump card a little far out. Governor Oberweis! It will look like the cliffs on Okinawna they are jumping now!
Comment by Reagan Republican Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 7:30 pm
Reagan Dem, you’re credibility isn’t so good since your post yesterday saying Andy Shaw reported on air that the feds told him the investigation was on. I watched it and he wouldn’t go beyond saying law enforcement wouldn’t comment, and posted the
link to the story.
Now you’re telling me “of course she is”!?
You have zero evidence. It is just a smear based on a disgruntled employee now working to elect Oberweis who had no first hand knowledge of her allegation. The feds sent their obligatory letter and deep filed the whole matter.
Keep believing your conspiracy theories, and keep wasting all of Jim’s millions on this dry hole. Every million wasted there is another million not spent elsewhere.
Comment by Rick Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:15 pm
Rick
That is what Andy said ver batum.
If I called and asked is Rick being investigated and you were not they would say “we are not” as Scot Lazar did when George Ryan was running before he was being investigated. So their answer says they are not finished or have not completede their investigation. Both of those answers mean she is still under investigation. It does not say what the outcome will be but none the less… Talk about conspiracy theories there is nobody who has anything to do with the charges employed by Oberweis.
Comment by Reagan Republican Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:13 pm
Let’s just make one thing clear…Brady has not been involved in the negative or false info ads. In fact, I would say he is the one candidate who has maintained his character and integrity throughout this campaign. Say what you want about the others, just don’t include Brady in your knocks on the other boys…there is no comparison thus far.
The reality is that Brady is the only one who has been willing to stand on his own record and speak for himself while not constantly attacking the others. Yes, he has made comments such as his responses in the debate and call for Oberweis to pull the ads…but none of his comments have been false or slinging mud. He has actually seemed the most…what’s the word I want…gubenatorial…perfect word for how he has handled himself.
Comment by the wonderboy Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:54 pm
Nice try, Reagan Repub, but you can’t interpret a “no comment” as “yes, we are.” If you call that ‘proof’, then it is no wonder Jim is not offering it to TV stations wanting verification of his false charges, and many are refusing to run the ads.
I repeat- the lady that filed the complaint is working to elect Oberweis. Note I didn’t say drawing a paycheck from Jim. Jack Roeser funds her. She is working to elect Oberweis.
And she had no first hand knowledge of what she alleged. You conspiracy guys took it without verifying it and ran, and now you’ve got egg on your face.
Have a great weekend.
Comment by Rick Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:10 pm
Wonderboy - stop drinking the Kool-aid and start seriously examining who you’re backing. Dig a little deeper than the headlines.
Comment by DuPage Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 10:29 am
The essence of Headline Remaker & Regan Republican:
WWWHHHAAAHHHHHHH! Nobody is buying Obie’s smears!! WWWWHHHAAAAAAHHHH! We thought we’d really get JBT this time, but now it’s blown up in our face!! WWWWHHHAAAAAHHHH! Judy’s gonna win, which puts us in our political grave - no state jobs with Oberweis, no nuthin’! WWWWHHAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! We’ll just have to keep working for Jack! WWWWWHHHHAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Comment by The Council Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 5:47 pm
DuPage, was than an attack ad you just ran?
Seriously, I’m not sure how you can lump Brady’s ststement in his radio ad in the same group as some of this other stuff out there. He didn’t make any character attacks or use any misleading information … he simply compared himself to the others in the way he has chosen to run his campaign.
And believe me, I have not been drinking any kool-aid (btw, was your post an attack on kool-aid as well?) … I know Brady’s not perfect … but I do know he stands head and shoulders above the others in the primary, has a shot at bringing the party together, and is the only electable conservative in the bunch …so DuPage, who are you backing?
Comment by YNM Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 6:11 pm
How can I even respond to an ad hominem attack that has no substance. If you have an issue with something I say, then at least place some substance in your statements. Comments like “stop drinking the kool-aid” and the classic “hitler” comparison above are ridiculous and provide absolutely no substantive debate or discussion. I don’t mind disagreement, but I cannot debate someone who has no valid points to make.
By the way…who are you backing, Dupage? I will gladly point out my issues with other candidates and even admit some faults of Brady if you care to have an intellectual discussion.
Wow….sure am thirsty now…luckily Brady’s people just walked the precinct with some grape Kool-Aid which is SO TASTY.
Comment by the wonderboy Saturday, Mar 4, 06 @ 6:28 pm
Where was Brady’s ad filmed? It looks like some official historic building or museum. Anyone know?
Comment by Barry Goldwater Anyone? Sunday, Mar 5, 06 @ 5:49 am
The Old Courthouse in Bloomington for at least part of it…
Comment by the wonderboy Sunday, Mar 5, 06 @ 1:54 pm