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* Treason? Really?…
Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today accused his Republican opponent of “economic treason” for raising money from U.S. businessmen in China the day before a Congressional vote on overseas business, prompting GOP Rep. Mark Kirk to respond that Giannoulias is running a dishonorable campaign.
Kirk’s fundraiser was held not in China but via Internet video conferencing and the event was scheduled long before Kirk’s May 28 vote, his campaign said. The fundraiser with 12 citizens working in Beijing raised about $6,000—a drop in $12 million he has raised so far.
Giannoulias refused to back away from his accusation tying Kirk’s vote to the money. He said Kirk has put China’s interest ahead of that of the United States.
“It can be called nothing but an act of economic treason,” said Giannoulias, the state’s treasurer who receives labor’s support.
You gotta be kidding me.
* More…
“He raises money from corporate executives in Beijing one day, and the next day sold out American jobs to China to return a favor.”
“That’s not the vote of someone who is representing the interests of Illinois families ,” Giannoulias said. “It is the vote of someone who is representing the economic interests of Beijing.”
Kirk staffers counter that the fundraiser, which generated less than $6000, was scheduled weeks before the vote. They contend he opposed the bill because it increased spending by $102 billion, and added $54 billion to the national debt.
“If he wants to say that’s a coincidence, I’d say it’s a very interesting coincidence,” Giannoulias insisted, sticking to his allegation that the vote was a direct quid-pro-quo for the fundraiser which took place the day before.
When I posted my own story yesterday, I thought the whole vote and fundraiser thing was a rather curious coincidence. I was also fascinated with the fact that so many internal leaks have sprung out of the Kirk campaign this year.
But calling somebody a traitor is truly beyond the pale in politics. Giannnoulias ought to apologize.
*** UPDATE *** CBS2…
NBC5…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:27 pm
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Reeks of desperation.
Comment by Jeff Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:35 pm
Alexi has lost it. Desperation is setting in. Everyone knows that Rich’s 3% rule on wave elections may actually be closer to 5% this year.
Time has run out for hail mary passes because the airwaves are too clogged for anything to get through.
Comment by OswegoDem Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:37 pm
BOOM goes the dynamite!
Comment by Marcus Halberstram Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:38 pm
What a goofy thing to say.
Comment by David Ormsby Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Well I think AG covered himself by couching as “economic” treason.
Just a little red meat for his base. And frankly given that it relates to China, this should be a bigger negative story for Kirk.
Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:42 pm
The professional hired guns may know more than I, but I would think that statements like this only appeal to those already in your camp. The ones who are sitting on the fence, who have trouble with Kirk lying about his record, might even be more apt to be offended that Alexi went way over the top using the word treason with someone who has served.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:42 pm
Alexi is so far out of his depth, one of his water wings just burst.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:42 pm
What a despicable, shameless thing to say; just as bad as the comments on the other thread by some on Dems not supporting soldier, or Cleland being soft on national security.
And stupid to boot. If GOPers are smart, they’ll be screaming for Dems from Obama on down to disown. Nice distraction, Einstein.
The saddest thing is one of these guys is going to win.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:43 pm
Wow, this is nothing short of disgusting.
Comment by A.B. Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:44 pm
OK, I’ll concede that “treason” is probably over the line. And Giannoulias missed a chance to put this vote in context of Kirk’s China Study group and impolitic comment to Chinese officials not to believe the US numbers from ‘08. There is a pattern of Kirk playing footsie with China, whether that’s based on public policy or fundraising policy is fair to question.
China is a currency manipulator, plain and simple, and Kirk has been awol on calling China out over this issue. That’s a solid populist message Giannoulias misses when he jumps into hyperbole like this.
Kirk is wrong on the issues. Giannoulias needs to point it out in clear, unemotional langauge.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:44 pm
gaffes like this are treason he’s gonna tlose
Comment by gadfly Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:45 pm
I don’t know. Raising funds from China and then basically voting to send Illinois jobs to China?
“Treason” is a very strong word, but the actions of Kirk were also very strong. He put the interests of China over the interests of Illinois. What label applies?
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:45 pm
Was Nancy Pelosi in on it? After all doesn’t she control the schedule in the House?
Comment by Greg B. Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:47 pm
Ridiculous, but this will get people talking about the China issue.
Comment by Stephen A. Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:48 pm
What’s even dumber is that he could have made points on the issue, like candidates of both parties are doing, without using the word. Now that’s the issue.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:49 pm
You stay classy Alexi…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:49 pm
This ranks right up there with Aqua Buddha. Do these guys have the same media guru?
Comment by Realist Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:55 pm
Yes because calling someone a Mob Banker is the same as accusing someone of being a traitor. Seriously?
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 1:58 pm
sorry but i disagree with rich and everyone here that this attack is any different than mob banker or half the other things flying around here. it aint beanbag and all that.
as to the substance of the attack - mark kirk protected tax breaks for outsourcers of american jobs. that makes it pretty easy to make the case that hes not on the side of american workers.
what should alexi call that if not economic treason?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:00 pm
Can we all just admit what has been woefully apparent for months now? The Dems here and nationally have followed a consistent strategy of unleashing personal attacks, the more over the top the better, in order to change the focus away from their enormously unpopular policy positions.
All’s fair, as they say. And it is a wise strategy to shift the focus away from an argument you are losing.
Kirk has been an exception who has had to climb down in the mud pit because of his own mistakes. But we are seeing here what we are seeing across the country–Dems are doomed or in deep trouble and their polling shows that the only thing that will save them is to convince voters that their GOP opponents are evil, corrupt, crazy or all of the above.
Alexi’s numbers have been slipping the last week and they are almost out of money, so a Hail Mary was in order.
But to call a long-serving military officer (and one false award doesn’t take away his outstanding record and his litany of real decorations) a traitor is way beyond the pale.
This is going to backfire on Alexi in a big way.
Comment by Adam Smith Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:02 pm
I read that Kirk Finance memo. Seems pretty like standard stuff. But one thing caught my eye. Kirk had Chris Radagno raising him 20k. Radagno’s daughter works for Kirk–pay to play–I’m just sayin’. And what if the State Senate GOP caucus comes up 20k short to help some of their surging challengers?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:03 pm
hisgirlfriday,
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, but as I posted earlier the question is: does this get him votes from the undecideds or just play to those already in his camp? I don’t think it gets him votes.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:04 pm
Alexi was a banker+His clients were Mobsters=Mob Banker
Truth hurts. Lies are punished.
Comment by Adam Smith Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:05 pm
Alexi did not serve - Kirk did. To call Kirk out for treason is an insult to all veterans.
Alexi should apologize
Comment by VA Vet Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:06 pm
Seriously Anon 2:03, aren’t things bad enough on both sides–negatively impacting voters–without playing “what if”?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:09 pm
Worst than the Swift Boats because at least the Swift Boaters claimed to be of Kerry’s unit. THis is worst than RWR’s people implying GHWB was a coward.
Alexi is now showing at every step, that he is qualified to be the Township collector…maybe.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:21 pm
Let me get this right, Wumpus.
Vets talking truthfully about how Kirk voted on issues that impact the military somehow makes Alexi look bad?
Not following.
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:25 pm
Got the two Alexi threads confused. My bad.
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:26 pm
Point of fact, there has been no one convicted of treason in the U.S. since WWII.
Robert Welch accused Pres. Eisenhower of treason. Joseph McCarthy accused Gen. Marshall and “the Democrats” of treason. If you want to roll with those guys…..
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:26 pm
been there:
if this story plays out as kirk being on the side of communist chinas business interests more than american workers then its a win for alexi.
do i think it will play out that way? given the trib headline for the story and richs reaction to his report being used by the campaign this way - no. best case is alexi has a great act blue funding day. worst case is kirk gets to crocodile tears sympathy his way around having to answer for his record on siding w china against the us.
but in a ridiculous environment where the lead headline for alexis hardball appearance is alexi ducks rahm for mayor question how else but making an audacious statement does he force reporters to talk about it?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:33 pm
hisgirlfriday
== but in a ridiculous environment where the lead headline for alexis hardball appearance is alexi ducks rahm for mayor question how else but making an audacious statement does he force reporters to talk about it? ==
Using that logic I should be able and call the cops and I say I see an armed man when my car will not start because I can get a quicker response that way.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Point of fact, there has been no one convicted of treason in the U.S. since WWII.
Robert Welch accused Pres. Eisenhower of treason. Joseph McCarthy accused Gen. Marshall and “the Democrats” of treason. If you want to roll with those guys…..
———-
Richard Nixon called Harry Truman a traitor as well. Truman never forgave Nixon, and for decades refused to be in the same room as him. Of course, 200 years ago those comments would likely have sparked a duel. So Alexei’s going way beyond normal campaign rhetoric here.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:52 pm
“Fonzie” has jumped the shark.
Comment by Anon 7 Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 2:59 pm
This is as childish as when Senator Obama’s presidential campaign put out a press release that identified his opponent as “Hillary Clinton (D-Punjab)” for fundraising in the Indian community. Is there any adult supervision of these things?
Comment by And I Approved This Message Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:13 pm
I’m going to sleep now. Will someone please call me Wednesday morning, November 6 to wake me up? I would prefer to skip the remaining campaign season.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:15 pm
What year is that November 6th? Cuz that’s a Saturday in 2010. =-)
Comment by A.B. Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:19 pm
What a punk move!
Comment by Bubs Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:21 pm
Alexi, who has a law degree that he presumably earned, blows it again.
Treason, as any first-year law student knows, consists of levying war against the United States, or giving aid and comfort to the enemy. You cannot get a conviction without two witnesses to the same overt act. Treason, even “economic treason”, does not apply here.
It seems that treason has joined the word ‘nazi’. Whoever uses it first loses.
It smacks of desparation. What do Alexi and his handlers know that we don’t? Is Eric Edelstein providing his talking points?
Comment by Boy oh Boy oh Boy Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:43 pm
This is as stupid as…as…Mob Banker….only more so. Clean off your shoe, Alexi, and move on.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:44 pm
After calling someone a traitor, calling someone a liar doesn’t quite have the same zing, does it?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 3:54 pm
Law degree? What cracker jack box did that come out of?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 4:10 pm
The heavy use of negative campaigning will make more people stay home on election day, rather than bring them out. Who this benefits more is hard to say. But, what else do any of the major candidates have going for them. I can’t remember a time when it was this hard to find anything positive about the candidates running for high office in this state.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 4:28 pm
Remember went Mark Kirk went to China and told the Chinese not to trust the U.S. government on the budget/economy?
In the recent case it looks like Kirk is raising money from Americans doing business in China who stand to benefit from Congress voting to keep tax breaks for U.S. companies that outsource jobs.
Kirk put the business interests of rich ex-pats ahead of American workers. I wouldn’t call that “treason”, but I’m not a guy who lost a good paying manufacturing job.
But Kirk going to China and claiming the U.S. government is lying in its budget numbers? That’s pretty unseemly for a member of Congress.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 4:31 pm
As I indicated on another thread, Alexi jumped the political shark tank today.
From negative campaigning trying to define your opponent to shrieking like a drama queen. That hysterical drama queen Kirk bashing is suddenly seen in a new light.
As hysterical drama queen Kirk bashing. Treason?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 5:29 pm
Alexi G is just another spoiled rich kid who had daddy’s money, daddy’s access, etc. Plays basketball in a Greek “pro” league while Kirk at least volunteered to serve his country.
And I’m a very upset disappointed Democrat.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 5:47 pm
Thank you Lisa Madigan for not running for senate, agreeing with daddy not to lift a finger for Pat Quinn, running tv ads you could have given to candidates who needed them.
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:03 pm
Phil Rogers line of the day “Like a medaphor of the campaign recently, the campaign sign fell…”
Epic! Good for NBC5 to call alexi out!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:09 pm
it is what it is…kirk is for jobs overseas! kirk has used some harsh words against his opponet and now kirk is upset about what is the obvious… who he accepts money from gets a vote in return.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:23 pm
Thanks for the heads up A.B. I was looking at October. However, you can still wake me up on Noember 6. A few extra days would be OK with me. I’m sooooo sick of this election cycle.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 6:58 pm
Alexi should have just let the ads speak for themselves.
Since he didn’t, I think Alexi just imploded this morning. While I see the point he is trying to make (it is a stretch, but I see the point) the term “treason,” is so slanderous that this will probably act as Alexi’s “Aqua B,” moment. Bad idea Alexi.
Comment by ChrisChicago82 Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 9:25 pm
Rich, your Kirk-Beijing story was cited on Keith Olbermann tonight.
Comment by K Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:07 pm
Nice to see the mainstream Chicago media blasting away at these outlandish comments.
Comment by A.B. Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:17 pm
As a veteran I’m more interested in the whole business of whether Kirk was actually shot it in the incident where he said he was under fire. Reminds you of the flap with Hillary and whether she landed somewhere or other under fire, doesn’t it? “Economic treason” is probably over the line, but if someone would have called me “mob banker” over and over concerning individuals who had loans from many different banks, I’d have snapped or socked him in the nose by now.
Comment by RFK fan Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 10:55 pm
Yup, it’s the media’s meme that Giannoulias “overreached”. However, that’s missing the bigger picture. In addition to Kirk’s earlier warning to China about the US budget, Kirk has been a major supporter of outsourcing for years. My first post about Kirk supporting outsourcing was in 2005. Further, I have a some experience in international law and some experience with companies like the one whose CEO contributed at that fundraiser. These companies are specifically created to move business from some countries and into others. In this case, this company is specifically set up to move business from the US to China. At the very least, Kirk has betrayed the American people in working with these companies to move American industry to China and has betrayed the people who have to live with the human rights and labor abuses in China. To bring this closer to home, it brought us unsafe products over the past couple of years. So Rich, I applaud your scoop, but feel you don’t really understand the true nature and extent of your own story.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Thursday, Oct 21, 10 @ 11:00 pm
EBG–
As far as the “bigger picture” is concerned, you might want to give a little thought to how international trade works in the real world, and consider all the Illinois commodities, heavy equipment and farm products which we sell to China (despite their human rights abuses) before you go all half cocked and suggest Rich doesn’t fully “understand” his own story.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 12:42 am
It seems that this story, based on the comments I’m reading here, is acting to fire up Alexi’s based just as Conway’s comments of Paul fired up his base, but are truly turning off Independent voters such as myself.
The only people who really do not find Alexi’s comments to be slanderous seem to be those who are al ready geared towards the far left.
I’m sorry, but when ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS within Chicago, along with the Tribune are practically admonishing Alexi G, something should tell you that he may have goofed this morning.
Comment by ChrisChicago82 Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 1:16 am
Responsa, EBG is always the smartest blogger in the room, even including Rich (on his own blog, no less). Haven’t you gotten that by now? She understands things that mere mortals (especially Republicans and especially especially Kirk supporters) could never even begin to comprehend.
Comment by Team America Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 6:47 am
I’m really amused by some of the GOP comments. The same people who rave out against “politically correct” are going out of their minds because somebdody said something mean about their guy.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 7:00 am
By contrast Skeeter it’s entertaining to see the AG supporters suddenly trying to point another direction or trying to defend the comment.
Comment by A.B. Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 7:09 am
It’s a little more than political correctness. Treason is a crime punishable by death.
Accusations of treason against political opponents have been the reserve of the lowest of the low.
He could have quite easily made his very good point without going there. Lot of Democrats and GOPers have worshiped at the free-trade-at-any-cost altar for some time.
From the Constitution:
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 7:47 am
I do know how international trade works and that’s why I’m concerned. I practiced in an international law firm and saw it for myself. A large part of the reason I quit was because I saw these companies sucking American jobs out of the country and sending them to the Pacific rim. A lot of you have been trained to spout out the corporate line, that’s the way of global business yada yada yada. It’s their line to make sure no one questions it. It’s been bad for American and no amount of telling the rest of us how we just don’t understand the complexities makes it ok.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 8:47 am
“By contrast Skeeter it’s entertaining to see the AG supporters suddenly trying to point another direction or trying to defend the comment.”
Beautiful point. It is obvious that the narrative is lost for Alexi on this one and he either needs to play defense, or change the subject al together.
What perplexes me (and I mentioned this earlier) is that he did not have to go the sensational route.
Although EBG is unbelievably STRETCHING in what she is saying, there is a base, however weak, to Alexis accusation. As a result, he should have just let the China ads speak for themselves, and hope he picked up a few impressionable undecided’s.
However, by coming out and using the inflammatory and slanderous label of “treason,” the man has turned his own attack loose on the very campaign that created it: his own!
And now, even somebody along the lines of Rich Miller is crying foul! CBS 2 and its anchors were appalled, the Tribune labeled the remarks “shameful,” WLS AM labeled it an “outrageous accusation,” and you should have seen the look on NBC 5’s Phil Rogers face last night at 6 pm… I was expecting him to, at any minute, either wave his index finger at Alexi to say “no no no kiddo… bad boy,” or wave his entire hand in an act of “goodbye” to Alexi’s campaign.
The man should have just left well enough alone. He wouldn’t have lost any votes, he wouldn’t be playing defense, an he would have picked up a small amount of undecided’s.
Just perplexing.
Comment by ChrisChicago82-Independent Friday, Oct 22, 10 @ 9:07 am
This is the reason I voted Green.
Comment by streeterville Saturday, Oct 23, 10 @ 5:39 pm