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*** UPDATE *** After answering several questions about DC minister Willie Wilson’s past earlier this afternoon, the Kirk campaign now says that the Willie Wilson at the event is from the Chicago area. Here’s his bio. Strange, that.
Wilson is apparently a deacon at Christ Temple Baptist Church in Markham. Deacons aren’t usually called “Reverend.”
* I’m really not sure why I’m supposed to care that a Washington, DC minister just endorsed Mark Kirk…
Willie Wilson, a nationally prominent black pastor, announced his backing of Rep. Mark Kirk in the Illinois Senate race Monday, bucking his long tradition of supporting Democrats and splitting his endorsements at the top of the state ballot.
Wilson’s blessing is meant to signal to black voters that the Republican candidate is an acceptable option in one of the nastiest and closest Senate contests in the country.
“It’s about the man, not the party,” said Wilson, a pastor at Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington.
And the Kirk campaign is trying its best to call attention to what it claims was an inappropriate Giannoulias campaign response…
The Giannoulias campaign dismisses the endorsement, claiming Wilson is “not the leader of the Westside.”
Well, he’s not. Rev. Wilson’s church is in Washington, DC.
* From the Kirk campaign press release about Wilson’s endorsement…
Today’s endorsement follows another by the City News – an African American owned weekly newspaper serving Kankakee, Will and Southern Cook Counties.
That endorsement was made way back on April 22nd. And the paper has a long history of endorsing Republicans. The paper backed Adam Kinzinger against Debbie Halvorson, and Isaac Hayes over Jesse Jackson, Jr. The paper also endorsed Scott Lee Cohen back in July.
Basically, what’s happening is that Kirk is attempting to counter the continuing argument by Giannoulias that Kirk’s “election integrity” program is targeted at black voters.
* And I really can’t believe that WLS Radio picked up on this story. Oh, wait. Nevermind. It’s WLS Radio…
Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias may have been better served to reserve attacks on opponent Mark Kirk’s military service record should a report by a Greek law office prove true.
According to a report by The Weekly Standard, Giannoulias, who holds dual citizenship in Greece, may have dodged the Greek draft while he lived in the country from 1998 to 1999.
Legal analysis prepared by an Athens-based law firm and obtained by The Weekly Standard found that Giannoulias lied to reporters when his campaign told the State Journal-Register he wouldn’t be required to serve in the Greek armed forces because he was not a permanent resident.
So, he may have been required to serve in the Greek army and he didn’t. I’m not sure I care.
* And I’m not sure I completely buy this, either…
The Giannoulias campaign has composed a model that includes every voter in Illinois with a grade from zero to 100, a score of 100 meaning they are most likely to vote for Giannoulias.
So far, of the 150,000 Illinois voters who voted early as of Thursday morning, 54 percent of them scored 50 or above on that predictor, Rendina said.
Among those more intensely for Giannoulias or Kirk, the most-likely Giannoulias voters — those scoring 70-100, accounted for 47 percent of the early votes.
Those judged to be most likely to be Kirk supporters — scoring 0-30 — accounted for only 38 percent of early votes.
There is a lot of guessing involoved there, Rendina admits. Not everyone will vote as predicted. The projections are based on past tallies of whether they have generally requested Democratic or Republican ballots.
* And, finally, somebody wants me to get upset that a candidate’s sign posted in what appears to be a public right of way next to an overgrown, empty lot was destroyed…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:49 pm
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Scott Lee Cohen would have a warehouse full of signs if it weren’t for public rights of way next to overgrown, empty lots.
Comment by George Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:01 pm
On the Kirk endorsement:
Is this Pastor Willie Wilson, from Washington D.C. the same one who in 1986 led protests against a Korean grocery store in Anacostia (D.C.), threatening the grocers, or maybe their supporters, with violence (”Heads are going to roll,” he said.)
Comment by Gary Klass Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:01 pm
at least the eggert sign is still up.
Comment by Easy Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:03 pm
Good looking Eggert sign.
Comment by Reggie P Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:06 pm
I don’t think you will see Jack McGuire out there with any razor blades!!!!
Comment by Gomer Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:07 pm
What, no call for a federal investigation into this apparently flagrant sign-o-cide? The guy with the video camera just contaminated the crime scene. CSI-Joliet is going to give him a stern talking-to about that. They can still dust the remains for fingerprints, and um, check for fluids, and who knows, maybe they’ll catch a break and find DNA evidence. Stay tuned for next week’s episode…
It’s now silly season. In full bloom for another week. Anybody want to bet on whose campaign office gets a brick through the window first? I’ll go with McCann, but Crenshaw has to be considered a favorite based on this video.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:10 pm
The Crenshaw sign scandal is the future of new media “TV” news.
Comment by David Ormsby Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:23 pm
He wasn’t the only pastor there that endorsed kirk. Basically the same ones who gathered together to endorse Quinn not long after.
Comment by ANON Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:26 pm
Gee…didn’t Kirk see Alexi in his Greek Army uniform as he was flying his combat mission over Kosovo? Besides can Greece even afford an army?
Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:38 pm
The excessive political mailers are having the reserve effect on me and I’m getting really sick of them. I hit the saturation point at about the 6th mailer from the same candidate and we’re way beyond that now.
Comment by Who Cares Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:39 pm
There’s a lot of people at this stage of the election who are disgusted at the whole thing and don’t care. You hit on a larger issue, Rich. The disgust over the 4th grade antics and 3rd grade efforts will cause a lot of people to stay home next Tuesday. It’s sad, but the reality is that aside from the GOP maybe capturing the House in Illinois, not much is gonna change. The state is so far bankrupt the next Governor (Quinn or Brady) will not be able to fit it and if this silly recall provision is approved (and constitutional), neither of them would likely survive a recall effort either. So really, it comes down to do we want Sheila Simon or Jason Plummer, because there’s an outside chance one of them could have to put down their toys and band instruments and take over.
Comment by DzNuts Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:43 pm
===and I’m getting really sick of them.===
That’s the idea.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:51 pm
Why in the world would anybody care if Alexi failed to serve in the Greek Army? If he ever runs for the Greek Senate, it will be an issue.
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:02 pm
I think ALL of these signs on public property should be destroyed. They’re illegal.
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:05 pm
The City News also has a long history of only endorsing candidates that purchase ad space.
Comment by Apple Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:15 pm
Instead of complaining about a mutilated sign, why can’t we complain about the desecration of every empty space or lot congested with these stupid signs? If there are laws against people putting up signs to advertise garage sales, why do we have to look at this crap, usually long after elections are over?
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:17 pm
I can’t believe how so many reporters are being played for fools by Kirk’s campaign. That Rev. Willie Wilson has said some really, really nutty, hateful things about gays. And they are the kind of things you can’t just forget about after a forced apology.
Where are all the Republicans who crucified Obama over his Rev. Wright connections? What a bunch of hypocrites.
Comment by too obvious Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:34 pm
Re the signs, wonder how many people will be whining after the wind storm tears through shortly. Mother Nature is terrorizing my campaign!
Comment by too obvious Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:36 pm
Quick! Find another Willie Wilson!
Comment by Jo Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:39 pm
Ok, then what explains this quote?
Comment by Jo Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:42 pm
Also, here is the church’s website:
http://christtemplecommunitychurch.com/index.html
No mention of any Willie Wilson. There is a Deacon named “Willie Jones.”
This is just too hilarious.
Comment by Jo Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:51 pm
“According to a report by The Weekly Standard, Giannoulias, who holds dual citizenship in Greece, may have dodged the Greek draft while he lived in the country from 1998 to 1999.”
Actually, this is old news. This was first reported during the primary. Kirk is aware of it, but I doubt he will use it.
Why?
Al though it is true, if I remember the details correctly, there ARE arrangements that can legally be made where an individual, depending upon if he or she is in school (and there were 2 other conditions I forget of) can avoid the Grecian military draft.
Old news.
Comment by ChrisChicago82-Independent Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:55 pm
Because Greece is a Nato Ally. Ugh..who is his allegeiance to? Renounce your Greek Citizenship! Ugh, he has no honor…or something like that.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:56 pm
Jason Plummer is embarrassing brady right now on chicago tonight.
Comment by shore Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:13 pm
Plummer just tore simon a new one. Very very nasty. Simon had no response.
Comment by shore Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:26 pm
Who let Jason Plummer out of the bunker?! Embarrassing.
Comment by Served Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:28 pm
Did we say ‘Willie Wilson’?
We meant ‘Willie Nelson.’
And did we say ‘endorsed’?
We meant to say, ‘didn’t repudiate.’
Sorry for any confusion.
Sincerely,
The Kirk campaign.
Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:36 pm
We Republicans need to get fit for making “You Tube” scandal videos….half of ‘em sound like we are impersonating Darth Vader’s respiratory issues. “The ability to destroy signage (gasp) is insignificant next to the power of the force.”
Comment by washedmyhands Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:48 pm
If Alexi had actually served in the Greek army while still a US citizen, THEN I would have had a problem with it.
Comment by Been There Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:54 pm
Been there, he holds dual citizenship. It is not like Greece is Iraq or North Korea…although no one has confirmed that he did not serve in either of those militaries
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 8:05 pm
so is Alexi’s 0-100 scale a similar scale he used to evaluate loans? hey, this one scored a 75 - it won’t default!
Comment by Robert Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 8:08 pm
oh my god, Jason Plummer just said this in response to the question about whether he would ban assualt weapons: “Anything illegal should be banned.”
I kid you not.
He also pretty much signed off on the idea that the earth was created just 10,000 yrs ago. Ponce was leading the witness a bit, but the boy blunder pretty much had no problem with that assumption.
Plummer also first tried to pull a fast one re the family business, but eventually Ponce got out of him that the business is all non-union employees. First he tried to take credit for the employees of subcontractors, some of whom are union.
And another disaster on the tax returns. Plummer actually said “no one has ever asked on the campaign trail.” I’m only paraphrasing slightly. He definitely used the word “ever.”
Voters should be horrified this dishonest spoiled brat could become governor, in theory, in just a matter of months.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 8:18 pm
Hey also, there’s something fishy going on with the guy who endorsed Kirk today.
The POLITICO story talks about Willie F. Wilson. Check him out on the church website at uniontemple.com. This is the Reverend who has made some really insulting comments about gays and lesbians. He’s from D.C.
But now Kirk is talking about Willie L. Wilson from the Chicago area. A completely different guy, and a guy who is NOT a Reverend.
What’s weird is Kirk’s campaign responded and obviously acknowledged Willie F. in the POLITICO story.
Is it possible they simply went out and found a new Willie Wilson when they hear about the problems the first one had? It’s very odd.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 9:00 pm
to plummers credit he wasn’t a total moron, although he came close. Sarah palin has set the bar so low for our side that this performance wasn’t that awful. he did go after simon hard and you got the feeling watching her that a)she wasn’t prepared at all for it b)she sort of thought this kid is young enough to be my student-what is he doing talking to me like that.
like alexi there were a number of questions he’d or brady’d been asked before that he just didnt have a response to. that part was inexcusable.
he also looks ever bit of 14 up there.
Comment by shore Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 9:05 pm
Another lifetime banishment.
Elections do tend to bring out the worst in people.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 9:37 pm
“I guess I should have taken my offer… ahem… ‘offerings’ to the deacon at Christ Temple Baptist Church in Markham.” — Scott Lee Cohen
Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:06 pm
Perhaps Kirk should have the Grecian Government issue an arrest warrant for Alexi fo rnon-service. They do owe him a favor from when he led the Greek forces in the battle of Troy.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:09 pm
The Politico story just doesn’t come out of nowhere.
So you either have another Kirk embellishment (claiming the endorsement of a national figure when all they really got was a local business owner)…
Or you have Kirk running away from an endorsement by trying to find another person named Willie Wilson and claiming that was who they were talking about the whole time…
Comment by ok Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:09 pm
Oh, but at least some of us haven’t lost our sense of humor. That’s another reason I love this blog!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:21 pm
It was pretty awkward when Ponce and Plummer were clashing over Plummer’s experience as a reserve intelligence officer. I’m still not clear on whether he’s done it for one year or four.
And when Ponce interjected that Brady basically has no budget plan lol.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:23 pm
Update:
It turns out Kirk was endorsed by Willie Wilson, the center fielder for the 1985 World Series champ Kansas City Royals. He was joined by former teammates George Brett, Steve Balboni, and Brett Saberhagen.
Kirk, of course, threw a no-hitter and hit for the cycle for the Royals in the deciding game 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 26, 10 @ 7:12 am