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* UPDATED x2 * Bad moves all around in congressional races

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Illinois

* From the Chicago Republican Party’s official website…

Since the Chicago Tribune endorsed Chicago Democratic bums for Congress, it is only fair you know who some of these bums are.

And the photos…

Hey, doofuses. You want to get taken seriously? Stop doing idiotic stuff like this.

…Adding… Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady just called to make it extra special clear that the state GOP has nothing to do with these Chicago jokers. Brady has had some go-arounds with those clowns, and he was clearly upset at that ridiculous posting.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Peter Bella, the executive director of the Chicago Republican Party has pulled down his post. But you can still see it at Bella’s blog. If he pulls that one down, I have a cache of the original. Bella also has another post at the Chicago GOP website entitled: Bring Back the Bums!…

Instead of a hearty endorsement to throw the bums out, the Tribune decided they love bums.

Jan Schakowsky, Luis Gutierrez, Bobby Rush, Melissa Bean, Jesse Jackson Jr., Mike Quigley, and Danny Davis. Bums one and all.

Class act, that guy.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From a press release…

Statement from Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady

(CHICAGO) – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today released the following statement in response to the “Chicago Bums” post on the Chicago Republican Party’s web site:

“I am appalled at the actions of the Chicago Republican Party. This is not what the Illinois GOP stands for, nor condones in any way. We have instructed the appropriate individuals to remove the offensive material immediately.”

[ *** End Of Updates *** ]

* Speaking of foul…

The campaign manager for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is taking heat for an expletive-laced Twitter post about opponents of the proposed Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero in New York.

At the conservative National Review, publication National Review, blogger Jim Geraghty noted Alex Armour posted a message on his open Twitter page declaring opponents were “(expletive) dumb (expletive) who haven’t read the 1st amndmnt .

Ugh.

* It looks like Congressman Phil Hare has been edited into infamy again…

Conservative media are pushing a deceptively cropped video of Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) to claim he “doesn’t believe the national debt is real.” In fact, the context of Hare’s remarks make clear he was referring to the “myth” that you can’t “just can’t spend” to put “people back to work” because “this country is in debt,” an opinion with which liberal and conservative economists agree.

* With all the heat that Republican Bob Dold’s campaign has taken for sock puppetry, you’d think they might be a bit less blatant about sending out mass e-mails like this one…

From: Caitlin Wolff
Date: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Subject: Dold for Congress - Easy Volunteer Opportunity

Dear Volunteers,

My name is Caitlin Wolff from the Dold for Congress campaign. If you have received this email, it means that you have either sent Letters to the Editor before on our behalf or that you have expressed some interest in writing/sending Letters to the Editor for us.

We have only 27 days left to get Bob’s message if fiscal responsibility out to the voters. Dan Seals knows that he can win on the issues and has started throwing baseless accusations against Bob instead, trying to paint him as an extremist. One way we can combat these attack is by volunteers like you sending out Letters to the Editor. Could you send a letter in this week for us?

Most often we send letters to the editor to the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, and the Pioneer Press, as well as other local papers. We have pre-written letters that you can simply submit electronically or you can write your own. Most papers limit letter length to around 250-300 words. I would love to speak further with you about which way you would like to participate in our Letters to the Editor.

Please feel free to contact me at this email (XXXX@robertdoldforcongress.com) or at 847.XXX.XXXX.

Best,
Caitlin Wolff [Emphasis added]

Sheesh.

* From a quick summary of Ann Coulter’s speech in the suburbs last night…

Reminded everyone Republicans actually DO win on social issues and gave many examples, gay marriage at 80% opposed in the US as one of them.

Yeah. Run on social issues in Illinois, Republicans. Great advice.

* Somebody has math problems…

Faced with the problem of increasing access and speed, statist Bill Foster is happy to trumpet his recent grant for rural broadband, that I wrote about recently. The trouble is that with free-market forces, the same thing could have been accomplished for free.

Free? Really?

* Deidre Hirner has few ambitions…

“I’m not interested in being a media star, nor am I interested in being a rising political figure in my party,” Hirner told members of The State Journal-Register’s editorial board on Thursday. “[Congressman Aaron Schock] is a young man in a hurry. I don’t see how that translates to serving the people in the district.”

* In far more sane congressional news, former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar has endorsed Republican Bob Dold for the open 10th Congressional District seat. From a press release…

“Robert Dold is the right choice to represent the 10th Congressional District in Washington because he is a socially moderate, fiscally conservative Republican. He will help bring fiscal discipline to Washington and cut our federal debt,” said Edgar. “As a small business owner, Robert understands the needs of workers and small businesses and will take this much-needed perspective to Washington.” […]

“We need more people like Robert Dold in Congress,” Edgar said. “Robert’s commitment to sound fiscal principles, his hands-on experience running a successful small business, and, most importantly, his integrity make him a clear choice for the voters in this election.”

“I’m very grateful to accept Jim Edgar’s endorsement,” said Dold. “Governor Edgar led our great state with responsible economic policies and also with honesty and integrity. Governor Edgar’s tenure is an example of fiscally responsible government that is sorely needed in both Springfield and Washington, and is the kind of leadership I will provide as Congressman.”

“Robert has the no-nonsense approach that will get our country back to work and reduce the growth of government while maintaining the tradition of independent leadership this district is known for,” said Edgar.

That ought to help Dold with his “Yes, I’m really a moderate no matter what my own supporters say,” campaign.

* Roundup…

* Foster, Hultgren expound on immigration stances

* GOP groups focus resources: Hare wasn’t on the target lists of many Republicans at the start of the cycle – but he is now. The American Future Fund has taken out a $455,000 cable and broadcast buy that will run until Election Day against the second-term Illinois congressman—good enough for a bracing 3,391 gross rating points.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:39 pm

Comments

just when i start to think maybe i am more of a republican - the party does something offensive and ridiculous.

Comment by 10th Indy Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:47 pm
Man, I’ve seen offensive things in partisan politics before, but this is really over the top.

Comment by ILPundit Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:47 pm
The best part of Dold’s request for fake letters to newspapers is this line: “Dan Seals knows that he can win on the issues..”

Now that it is certainly a refreshing piece of honesty from Bob Dold.

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:53 pm
What a complete bunch of morons.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:53 pm
How could anyone at think those photos were a good idea? How skewed/messed up does your worldview have to be to actually do that?

Comment by Montrose Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:53 pm
I can add, NO class to the party of NO now.

Comment by VoterUSA Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:54 pm
I am embarrased to be a republican when the state party does “stuff” like that to rally the troops. Who in their right mind approves those pictures and the derrogatory comments. I have serious issues with candidates, that is nothing new, but I am not representing the party, I am not posting pictures to degrade democrats, humorless, and when we post humorous responses to pictures here on CapFaxBlog, we are never representing a view of a specific party or doing it with complete slandor.

I am extremely disappionted in my party, that, whatever it was, does not represent me, and it is not in goos taste or humorous in any manner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:54 pm
Rich - you should have watched the video of Hirner to put that sentence in context. She starts off by saying “I think that voters should support me because I have one and only one ambition being in this race, and that’s representing the people who live here in the 18th district.” I can’t think of a better ambition for someone to seek political office, and that is a car ffrom having “few ambitions”

Comment by NotaBot Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:58 pm
I think that because of its premeditated nature, the Republican website piece mocking the least fortunate among us is far more offensive than McCarthy’s comments.

Comment by FWIW Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Why not just call them bums with the real photos?

Not to mention they are apparently attacking the Trib, not the congresscritters in question.

Comment by Dirt Digger Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:03 pm
I hope the Dold’s packaged letters to the editor are as well-written as this email…”We have only 27 days left to get Bob’s message IF fiscal responsibility out to the voters.”

Comment by Politicalady Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:07 pm
The Chicago Republican website: a bad idea with bad execution. Also, when you put up next to nothing candidates, what do you expect, really?

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:09 pm
When I was heading home last night, Chicago Public Radio actually devoted one minute of prime time to that Alex Armour story. Yeah, that was idiotic of him to do, but at the same time I was thinking, why is this news? Now we get this load of amateur hour crap from the state GOP. Anyone asked Pat Brady if he is going to fire this jackass yet?

Comment by The Enfrocer Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:10 pm
Wait, these are not stills of the politicians doing one of those “live a day in their shoes” things, but is instead just some republican with a grudge and a copy of Photoshop? If the latter, that’s the saddest thing I’ve seen all week. The “artist” should win a weekend boat cruise with Mr. James O’Keefe.

Comment by Newsclown Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:10 pm
Hare looks to be in his last days of Congress. Never has one man said so many stupid things in such a short time. First, Hare said he “doesn’t care about the Constitution”and then he said “the defiit is a myth…” What kinda BOZO is this guy?

Comment by Watchit Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:11 pm
My bad. I said state GOP when in fact the guy responsible was Peter Bella from the Chicago GOP. Thanks for the earned media Pete!

Comment by The Enfrocer Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:15 pm
Over the top? Geez, it’s still weeks before the election. Its just gonna get worse. I’m sure we’ll seeing more and more of this. And should the G-NO-P lose some key races? Well, then the whining will reach an even higher tone.

Comment by Deep South Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:17 pm
those photos are mean and cruel to the people in the photos. what is up with the Republican party? this should go national along with the West Virginia advert for a casting call for a “hick.” this is just plain mean.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:19 pm
That Chicago Republican site is unbelievable. It really should be used against them but no one cares what they say anyway. I thought it was a joke but that is their main page.

Who approves this stuff?
How long has it been up?
Why hasn’t Brady et. al. disavowed it?
This isn’t some hodge podge website. Somebody spent money on this.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:20 pm
This is just another example of the adage “This election is too important for the Republicans not to screw it up.” Whoever is in charge needs to take away the crayons and keyboards from the immature children and banish them to working on grade school class elections.

Comment by WRMNpolitics Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:20 pm
Is it just me, or do stories about a Republican former governor endorsing a Republican for office seem a little, shall we say, perfunctory? Is that really a news story? Shouldn’t a Republican support a Republican? I could understand it if Edgar endorsed Seals or Quinn, but really, what’s the big freakin’ deal there?

Comment by Thoughts... Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:22 pm
As a long time Chicago resident, I often get fed up with the way Democrats run things.

Then I look at the Chicago GOP and stuff like this, and I realize that the people of Chicago have no choice at all.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:26 pm
Bums? Yeah, I definitely want to put the GOP in charge of making decisions about human services. They clearly are wise, compassionate, thoughtful and forward-looking.

Comment by soccermom Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:28 pm
I’m glad you, Capt Fax, included the photos in your post because they have already taken it down and no one would have believed it.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:31 pm
i used to consider myself bi-partisan, but it’s really been the antics of the Chicago Republican Party that pushed me away. don’t forget these are the morons that put a bounty on Mayor Daley. They are childish and lame. It makes you rethink spending money on a MBA when you count how many they have in their organization lol

Comment by Diehard Dem Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:32 pm
“When I was heading home last night, Chicago Public Radio actually devoted one minute of prime time to that Alex Armour story.”

The story wedded “new media” with current events and someone stumbling a little bit … It is the perfect storm for the news’ junior high mentality.

Comment by Pioneer P. Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:34 pm
Replaced with the photo of one homeless person. As if that improves it.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:35 pm
Wow, you always thought the Repubs didn’t give a damn about the less fortunate but you wouldn’t think they would exploit them.

Shame.

Comment by What's in a name? Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:35 pm
Fortunately, PJW, I saved the entire page. I’ll be posting that soon.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:35 pm
One problem with saying “The Tribune endorses bums”: The Trib also endorsed Dold, Schilling, and Kirk. Admittedly, all are outside Chicago. Still, it seems like on a lot of levels, the GOP hasn’t though the concept through.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Of course, the Chicago GOP also references Bean, so my “maybe they were only referring to Chicago” idea is mistaken. Nope, it looks like the Chicago GOP is saying that the Trib just endorses bums.

Comment by Skeeter Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:42 pm
I swear, I thought that first picture was of Rahm! Caught outside before breakfast reading the paper…about himself, of course.

Comment by a fan of Cap Fax Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:42 pm
I love they pulled it. Was that their strategy? “We will do the “bums” page until someone looks at it. Then it is gone.” They are really hitting it out of the park today.

Comment by Montrose Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:43 pm
If Edgar thinks so much of Dold why did he endorse Beth Coulson (D-Glenview) in the primary?
And why hasn’t Coulson endorsed Dold yet? She could surely help him with the moderate women he seems to be losing.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:44 pm
Submit this to HuffPo — it will go national very quickly. Such an ugly, ugly gaffe.

Comment by Justin Boland Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:45 pm
Just horrible. Stupid is as stupid does. I’ve never heard of this website before. Who actually is this group? That web page quite clearly has about as much to do with “Republicans” as Code Pink nonsense has to do with “Democrats.” Yeah it’s fun to pile on, but everybody needs to take a breath.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:46 pm
Keep up the great work Eloise!!! You are doing a bang-up job as leader of the Chicago GOP!!

Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:53 pm
Rich,

Yes - Really. I have my HP 48GX calculator right here to help me with my math.

Comment by Ghost of John Brown Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:53 pm
You stay classy, Chicago Republicans !!

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:54 pm
Can you imagine the conversation when they were going out on their bum hunt. “hey, get a load of that one. She’d make a great Melissa Bean. Hey there’s a Jesse Jackson.” Just sick.

BTW, I know these folks are down on there luck but some lawyer ought to take their case and sue these morons for defamation or something. They still have rights and could use the money.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:56 pm
When Jim Edgar endorsed Dold’s opponent in the Primary, he criticized Edgar, pooh-poohed the endorsement, and argued that it was a negative. Sheesh. Just like he’s both pro-life and pro-choice at the same time!

Comment by Xgman Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 1:57 pm
@Responsa:

“The Chicago GOP is under the leadership of Chairman Eloise Gerson, also the 42nd Ward Republican Committeeman. Chairman Gerson was elected by the 50 Ward Committeemen in March 2008.”

SOURCE: http://cookrepublicanparty.com/coalitions.aspx

It’s definitely not random cranks, they really are part of the GOP party system in Chicago. Of course, I would bet the person actually responsible for that horrible blog post is not Gerson.

Comment by Justin Boland Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:00 pm
The Chicago Republican Party’s job seems to be to make the Illinois Republican Party look competent by comparison. That’s a difficult task.

Comment by just sayin' Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:16 pm
Spare me the posturing, I’ve seen worse in political cartoons in major newspapers.

Pat Brady has had it in for the Chicago GOP since his attempted coup against Eloise Gerson last June blew back on him in spades. So consider the source.

Comment by Bubs Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:22 pm
@Justin Boland

Thanks for posting that information. I don’t know how random they were/are but the creators of that page are most definitely cranks IMO.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:22 pm
Responsa, he may be a crank, but he’s also the party’s executive director.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:24 pm
And, Justin, I don’t really care about “going national.” And I really don’t care for that Huffington Post site.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:25 pm
Aren’t these the same clowns who posted the soft core porn (a topless woman) awhile back on that same Chicago GOP site? I remember there was a big dustup about it here and elsewhere.

Comment by too obvious Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:28 pm
That was a clone site. They’ve since combined the sites into one.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:29 pm
There is still a different scantily clad girl on the home page every time I look. I’m not sure if they are trying to get votes or sell cars.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:32 pm
Oh, I know you don’t care about going national — I was responding to a commenter who mentioned that. And yes, HuffPo is a viral engine, not a source of journalism or even much Truthiness.

Comment by Justin Boland Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:38 pm
I see the Update on Pat Brady’s press release. It is leadership like that which has the major donors all closing their checkbooks on the Illniois GOP. This is just Pat Brady personally feigning outrage to try and screw it to Gerson and Tom Swiss, two people who had nothing to do with it. Talk about class acts.

Bring on Oberweis for State Chairman. He can’t be worse.

Comment by Bubs Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:40 pm
Bubs, you are truly a classless person.

Try taking a walk through the Morton Arboretum and cool off.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:41 pm
All 5 members of the Chicago Republican Party should be ashamed of themselves!

Comment by Jaded Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 2:53 pm
All dold had to do was copy the kirk campaign the last 10 years the way kirk copied porter’s message and campaign and in this enviornment against a guy like seals he would have been up 10 points. For a new trier (alma mater of guys named rahm, biggert, mark kirk, rumsfeld, percy, heffner and heston) guy, Dold ain’t that bright.

Comment by shore Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:03 pm
I’ve said for a long time here that social media has the potential to be a sleeper gold mine and also land mine for candidates and campaigns. whoever takes over the state gop after brady is going to need to have a workshop because the dold bs, the chicago republican bs, that stuff is the kind of nonsense adult political parties don’t do that can kill years of hard work.

Grownups please.

Comment by shore Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 3:05 pm
Hugh Hefner went to Stenimetz.

Comment by Bill F. Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 4:10 pm
The Chicago Republican Party should be held to a plan to clean up its act or its affiliation should be decertified and they should be expelled from the state and national GOP. The rank and file of the Chicago Republican Party should vote their leadership out and demand change. They should not suffer fools lightly.

Full disclosure: I have been a member of the RNC for 30 years.

Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 4:24 pm
Way to go, Bubs, I knew we could count on you! See you in church!

Am I the only one who doesn’t see the hand of the vast Obama/Liberal/Commie/Nazi/Madigan/Vivisectionist Conspiracy in this? There’s no way real Republicans could be involved.

That’s no snark. These despicable haters aren’t real Illinois Republicans, and they should be drummed out the party just like the Minnesota Dems did with the Commies back in the day. And those Minnesota Dems didn’t fool around — through the door, or out the window.

Maybe they’re taking their cue from Newt. His latest pathetic attempt for attention is to blame the country’s economic problems on those who get food stamps.

Yeah, buddy. They’re just blowing a hole in the federal budget. The Pillsbury Boy who Would be President made his remarks at one of the many chicken dinners some fools actually pay him to speak at, where he gets tens of thousands of dollars and unlimited seconds.

Those who served him, of course, might be on food stamps, given the nature of their work. I hope they did what all hard-working restaurant workers do to obnoxious slobs who how honk them off:

Hack, ptooie.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 4:52 pm
“Chicago Republican Party’s official website…”

Disgraceful.

Too bad the folks that ‘dreamed’ this up are not homeless as well, to really ‘understand’ the issue and these images.

But….anyone can be a ‘child-like’ blogger these days…and they can seep in anywhere.

Ahhh….personal responsibility; where DID you go?

Comment by sal-says Friday, Oct 8, 10 @ 5:27 pm