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* Joe Walsh interviewed Sen. Kirk Dillard this week for his ongoing series about Republican gubernatorial candidates. Listen to the whole thing if you have time…
* Silliest question…
“Do you like freedom, and why?”
* Silliest claim by the candidate…
“i ran an administration that left a billion and a half surplus.”
It left that surplus six years after Dillard left the chief of staff job.
* Something I don’t think I knew: Dillard’s law school classmate was Tom Paprocki, who is now Springfield’s Catholic bishop.
* Best hit on an opponent: The far right is freaking out over the Obama administration’s “Common Core” learning program. One of Walsh’s callers referred to it as “Communist Core.” Dillard then connected Bruce Rauner to Common Core through Rauner’s financial support of Stand for Children.
*** UPDATE *** The Rauner campaign passed along some OR…
From Tribune Questionnaire: http://primaries2012.elections.chicagotribune.com/editorial/kirk-w-dillard/
“I support many of the proposals of Stand for Children. When I ran for governor in the 2010 primary, I offered a lengthy plan called “”Best in Class - Helping Children Succeed for the Jobs of Tomorrow”" which included improving student performance and closing the achievement gap, developing a 21st century workforce, and raising the bar on higher education. I believe in merit pay, and we must not renege on our commitment on rewarding teacher excellence. We need to encourage corporations and foundation to establish funds to reward our best teachers.”
He also took $10,000 from stand with children and was endorsed by them: http://www.wbez.org/story/stand-children-endorsed-candidates-sweep-elections-97524
* A quote that could come back to haunt him: “I thank Dave Smith of the Illinois Family Institute and those who came down to Springfield” for the anti gay marriage rally. Those were his first public remarks about the rally, which featured some pretty darned hateful comments by some speakers.
* Most pandering Dillard comment: A caller lambasted Dillard for not being a true conservative like Walsh. Dillard responded…
“[Joe Walsh is] someone I look up to and model myself after.”
I kid you not.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:52 am
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Political future crashes in 3…2…1
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:53 am
Well, congratulations Sen. Dillard you have moved down yet another notch on my ‘who I am going to vote for list’.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:55 am
Wow, if Dillard models himself after “screamin” Joe, then he has lost my vote.
Comment by Jim'e' Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:56 am
Is Dillard a candidate for Governor of Illinois or Senator from Georgia???
I would have never thought Illinois would see a GOP primary where big name candidates would stumble over each other to say the goofiest thing so that they could personally drive the clown car off a cliff, but looks like we’ve got it.
Comment by train111 Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:58 am
Dillard was my candidate in the primary last election. He ran a poor campaign. That is why he lost - not because he wasn’t far enough to the right. While Dillard could, perhaps, win a primary by going far to the right, in what delusional state of mind is this candidate suffering from that he thinks he could win a general election for governor with this stance?
He certainly won’t get my vote - primary or general.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 9:58 am
==“Do you like freedom, and why?”==
It’s not a silly question considering who asked it and the audience that probably listens to Joe Walsh. The Walsh types generally believe that anybody that doesn’t believe the same things they do are anti-freedom.
To normal people, yeah, it’s a silly question.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:00 am
Dillard’s pandering and insincerity is truly disappointing.
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:00 am
How can he look at himself in the mirror after saying crazy stuff like that? Embarrassing.
Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:04 am
Rich:
It’s a cheap put down to say ” The far right is freaking out over the Obama administration’s “Common Core” learning program”. There are plenty of public school teachers, union members, and left wing activists that don’t believe in one size fits all. After all, Common Core is laughable: like everyone is going on to college! That’s a funny one.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:09 am
Wow. Just…wow.
Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:12 am
–“[Joe Walsh is] someone I look up to and model myself after.”–
That smoke you see in the distance is Jim Edgar’s hair on fire.
Bound to happen. Lot of combustible material there, and Dillard is playing with matches around Edgar’s legacy.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:12 am
Perhaps Dillard was speaking of the guitar player.
Comment by Lil Squeezy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:13 am
Whatever happened to the “most electable moderate Republican”?
Comment by N'ville Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:13 am
=== There are plenty of public school teachers, union members, and left wing activists that don’t believe in one size fits all===
I don’t disagree, but he was on Joe Walsh’s program and he’s running to the far right in a GOP primary.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:16 am
=== Jim Edgar’s hair on fire ===
Jim Edgar’s public repudiation in 3, 2, 1……
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:16 am
I cannot believe these words came out of the mouth of a man I’ve known and liked for years.
In no circumstances could I ever vote for him for Governor. If it’s Dillard v. Quinn, I skip the race.
Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:18 am
I want to see Dillard channel Walsh. C’mon, Kirk, let it fly - scream a bit, bounce off the walls,
It worked so well for Joe…….
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:18 am
That billion and a half surplus was because they weren’t making a real pension payment. If that alleged surplus had been dumped into the pension systems, we’d be a in a lot better shape now.
Does Dillard really want people to look into how much — or little — money the Edgar admin put into the systems during those 8 years?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:19 am
I can’t keep my eyes off this trainwreck.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:20 am
Lack of funds (and common sense) has forced Dillard to sell out to the far right in hopes that he can somehow win the GOP Primary. Unfortunately, if that miracle would occur, he is horribly positioned to be victorious in the General. What a shame! I like Dillard and think that he and Tracy make a good team that would run the state much more efficiently and pragmatically. Unfortunately, his decision to go far right and lack of ability to define conservatism is very disheartening.
Rauner is the ultimate con man with one negative after the other - so Rutherford is starting to look more and more like the best alternative assuming he doesn’t self-implode. Why can’t the GOP get their act together?!!!
Comment by Seriously????!!!!! Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:21 am
sort of sad actually - he’s just giving Rauner the election by trying to out Brady Brady
Comment by Siriusly Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:24 am
Rich, this isn’t the first time that you referenced “hateful” speakers at the IFI rally, and thereby tarbrushed Dillard (and others). Take a broad look at any left of center public rally or protest, and you’ll hear plenty of “hateful” left wing statements and signage. But would you apply “guilt by association” to Democratic politicians who speak at or show up at such events?
Comment by Conservative Republican Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:25 am
Dillard’s loss was a “campaign staff loss” last time, as - dupage dan - stated so well. I always have said Dillard needed to build the infastructure to win. I never made a point that Sen. Dillard needed to move “Right” one bit.
You lose by 193 votes, you are not the “same” after; personally,…professionally. Where Kirk Dillard is failing/failed in this run is Kirk Dillard would have hammered “Kirk Dillard, 2014″ for forgetting what makes the ILGOP appealable to the people of Illinois, the ILGOP that had all 6 statewides, and majorities in both Chambers.
Maybe “Kirk Dillard” is a symbol of the ILGOP, with a carrer in the near term almost paralell to what has happened and is happening with My Party.
- Lack of field operations
- Lack of even FINDING “pluses”… to have a field operation to get the “pluses” to vote.
- Using poor analysis of failures as “failing to be far enough ‘Right’ to win.
- Appearing rigid on social issues, allowing the word ‘extreme’ to be ‘In-Play’.
- Allowing the movement to ‘to the Center’ appear as a ‘Failure’ for anyone in the ILGOP
Does any of these seem to paralell both “Kirk Dillard, 2014″ and My Party in the last 4 years?
It appears to me, very clearly, that the decision was made early on, that the mistake that needs to be “corrected” in 2014 is …
…to move “Right”, and not … find more voters, nay, any voters favorable to “Kirk Dillard, 2010″ and get those voters to the polls.
This decision may haunt “Kirk Dillard, 2014″ in one or both Elections this new Dillard is facing in 2014.
As I listen and type this, it saddens me that this new Dillard, keeps “looking back” and not learing one thing … about how all those Majorities were earned in the IL House and the ILSenate, and how Edgar, Kustra, Ryan, Ryan, Didrickson, and Topinka, elected with Phillip and Daniels … were not all the same, and how working towards coalitions in My Party … got to the governing of Illinois.
We are coming up on 20 years (1994), and it seems like 100 years, as we move farther away… from building that Reagan Rule of 80%.
I am sad, listening to this interview. For “Kirk Dillard, 2014″. The selection of Jil Tracy gave me “hope” for you, that you see this opportunity to govern again the most serious of the other 3 in the Primary, so why do you then tact in a way that makes you the opposite of what made you “the choice” of many 4 years ago?
If you just would have found the voters, instead of “finding your new self”, this run might have more speed inits gallup.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:25 am
He became Dan Rutherford…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:27 am
@MichelleFlaherty: Is it really a surprise Dillard sees nothing wrong with failing to make necessary pension payments? I mean if he’s going to look up to and model himself after Deadbeat Joe and all.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:27 am
– Unfortunately, his decision to go far right and lack of ability to define conservatism is very disheartening.–
Dillard is being quite clear in defining his brand of “conservatism.”
He models himself after Joe Walsh and is thankful for the efforts of Dave Smith of the Illinois Family Institute, the man who wrote that supporters of gay marriage “hate the God of Christianity and The Bible.”
Dillard had choices and he made them. I don’t doubt his sincerity and I certainly don’t feel sorry for him.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:34 am
Walsh: “Do you like freedom, and why?”
Dillard: “Yes. I like ‘free‘ and I love ‘dumb‘…”
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:40 am
Did something happen in the past four years that made Dillard decide he no longer wanted to be Gov?
Comment by UISer Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:40 am
The historically-low GOP approval ratings lately are a direct result of the tea party.
“[Joe Walsh is] someone I look up to and model myself after.”
Dillard wants to be a deadbeat and loser too?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:43 am
Kirk continues to self-destruct. SAD.
Comment by Buster Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:44 am
–“[Joe Walsh is] someone I look up to and model myself after.”–
It’s sad to think of the contempt Dillard must have for the voters he’s trying to attract if he believes they’ll swallow this nonsense.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:53 am
Common Core isn’t an Obama administration initiative, though. It’s coming from the states.
“Q. What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
A. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort that established a single set of clear educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts and mathematics that states voluntarily adopt. The standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit bearing entry courses in two or four year college programs or enter the workforce. The standards are clear and concise to ensure that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of the expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, language and mathematics in school.
Q. Who leads the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
A. The nation’s governors and education commissioners, through their representative organizations the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the development of the Common Core State Standards and continue to lead the initiative. Teachers, parents, school administrators and experts from across the country together with state leaders provided input into the development of the standards.”
http://www.corestandards.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions
Comment by TooManyJens Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 10:55 am
Good on him! Dillard has already served more than one term, but he can still lose in politics and host a radio show.
Comment by Stuff happens Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:05 am
Apparently D-Lard is thinking he can get away with pandering to the base and the rest of us just won’t hear it because he said it to Joe Walsh.
Because that’s how radio works, you know.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:07 am
I can;t wait until Jim Oberweis goes on the show
=== Do you like ice cream, and why? ===
Comment by Bill White Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:12 am
Hey giving money to an organization is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY different thank taking their money people…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:14 am
Thanking people for coming to Springfield, and paying the radio host a compliment only paints Dillard as a gentleman. Especially to the low information voter. That’s the vote you need to become Governor in this state. That’s how Quinn won.
Comment by Bill Wick Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:23 am
“[Joe Walsh is] someone I look up to and model myself after.”
Translation: I’m a loser.
Comment by Joan P. Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:39 am
==this isn’t the first time that you referenced “hateful” speakers at the IFI rally==
Maybe that’s because there were hateful speakers at the rally. That’s not really a debateable point.
==But would you apply “guilt by association”==
Dillard specifically said: I thank Dave Smith of the Illinois Family Institute and those who came down to Springfield” He has associated himself with everyone at the rally.
== Take a broad look at any left of center public rally or protest, and you’ll hear plenty of “hateful” left wing statements and signage==
That may be true but the rally Dillard refers to was the anti-gay marriage rally.
Sheesh.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:45 am
“That’s how Quinn won.”
Do you think that folks who don’t want church and state combined are low info voters?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:48 am
Dillard is staking his political career on this say anything, do anything bid of Governor. It’s failing miserably. Most of those that supported him before must be shocked by the way he’s sold his soul to the extreme right.
If he wants to salvage his career, he should drop out of the Governor’s race and run for re-election.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:50 am
“Thank you for having me on you show” is a compliment. “You’re somone I look up to and model myself after” is pandering.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:52 am
- Norseman -,
I had hoped if Dillard decided not to run for Governor, Dillard would have been one I hoped to take the reins of the SGOP, with instant credibility to the Reagan Rule, and now with Durkin the Leader of the HGOP, a Dillard/Durkin Legislative tag-team could do what needs to be done to move off the Veto-Proof status.
I would have liked that “Team” alot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:55 am
It will be a sad day when Dillard drops out of the race. He has been the most consistently entertaining candidate out there. I would really have enjoyed watching him campaign against Quinn all next year.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:56 am
@conservative republican
when did it become acceptable to defend someone who calls gay people disease filled deviants in the public arena?
Comment by Ggal Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 11:57 am
OW
When he does this, how many of the votes he got in 10 does he lose ? It seems to be a losing strategy to me. He was a moderate candidate when I voted for him in 10. He becomes a right wing extremist in 14. He no longer gets my vote & probably loses a whole lot more. Brady is already the darling of the far right. Dillard probably doesn’t get much support from them. Rececent national polling indicates that a substantial number of Americans identify with being moderate (far more than identify themselves as conservative). I just don’t see how he can win by surrendering the middle & attempting to get the Brady voters.
“…to move “Right”, and not … find more voters, nay, any voters favorable to “Kirk Dillard, 2010″ and get those voters to the polls.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:05 pm
- AFSCME Steward -,
With loads of respect,
I think you misread it, I was pointing out … mistakes being made by the choices that are being made.
To me, that decision … was a mistake.
Apologies, if I was not clear to you.
This is the very next line of the Post …
===This decision may haunt “Kirk Dillard, 2014″ in one or both Elections this new Dillard is facing in 2014.===
Again, with respect, and apologies if I was not clear.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:10 pm
Willy, I think his loss to Radogno took the wind out of his sails as far as the Senate. He wants to be a player and that loss served as notice that he’s hit the ceiling in the caucus.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:26 pm
- Norseman -,
You are very correct. Looking at it from the outside, and outside Dillard himself looking at the Senate, I had hoped for another bite at that apple, especially with Durkin taking over the House aparatus. A 2015 with Dillard/Durkin running the Shops in the Legislature was something, for me, I can be excited about, even with that possibility long since gone…
I know, - Norseman -, “move on…”
You are right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:32 pm
It underscores Walsh’s enduring staying power, but also what a joke Dillard/Edgar have made of themselves and how badly they’ve missed their opportunity/moment to move up. He and Rauner right now are Romney like in their push to turn themselves into political pretzels to impress the party base.
not impressive
Comment by Shore Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:41 pm
Yep, those “Communist” Core Standards… supported by the Civic Cmte, local chambers, the Business Roundtable, United Way, charter schools, PTA, Stand for Children, Advance IL, school management, and teachers unions. http://commoncoreil.org/about/
When both the AFT and the conservative Fordham Institute say we have the lowest standards in the country…. and we have a 60% community college remediation rate… and a skills gap that leaves about 200k jobs unfilled in IL because we don’t have the employees to fill them… I’d say our standards could use a little alignment with what it means to be college- and career-ready.
Comment by Eve Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:03 pm
little squeezy, you owe me a cup of coffee, thankfully my computer still works.
Comment by hacker Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:05 pm
Does anyone want to mention that this 401 K BS passed off by the IPI would financially sink the pension systems and probably lead to a property tax increase. I guess sponsoring the show buys you the right to ask the first question. Receipt please!
Comment by Obamas Puppy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:09 pm
===would financially sink the pension systems and probably lead to a property tax increase===
Untrue on the first point, true on the second.
Untrue because an employee who opts out of the pension system dramatically lowers state costs.
Yes, the state loses his/her contributions, but the state is no longer on the hook for the rest of his/her expected pension costs, which are far, far greater than employee contributions.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Desperation has made many people say and do some really weird things.
Comment by Buzzie Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:02 pm
Dillard was on the Walsh radio show…how can you expect him to bash Walsh on his own show? If you take the time to listen to all the candidates who did the show you will hear them all pander to Joe Walsh.
Comment by itsericwithaK Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:22 pm
===how can you expect him to bash Walsh on his own show?===
Who suggested that?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:24 pm
Somewhat cringe worthy statement from Dillard.
Reminds me of the statements in which Quinn continually attempts to tie himself to Obama.
Comment by Ouch! Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:36 pm
OW
Very busy day today (as usual).
I was in total agreement with you. I was just commenting on my puzzlement at just what Dillard is attempting to accomplish. With the state already being blue, and a nationwide trend away from the extreme right, it seems he is building new bridges to nowhere as he burns the ones he already has. Dillard should have looked at his loss from the perspective of what was occurring politically at the time and examined what went wrong with his campaign. It almost seems like he is trying to get a redo of the 10 GOP primary, this time being the right winger everybody wanted. Unfortunately, he fails to realize that each election cycle is different. What was a hot button issue or winning approach 4 years ago may not ne true this cycle. He seems out of touch and lacks good campaign advice. Brady already has the hard right vote locked up. Being a born again Tea Partier will not convince them to vote for him.
“- AFSCME Steward -,
With loads of respect,
I think you misread it, I was pointing out … mistakes being made by the choices that are being made.
To me, that decision … was a mistake.
Apologies, if I was not clear to you.
This is the very next line of the Post …
===This decision may haunt “Kirk Dillard, 2014″ in one or both Elections this new Dillard is facing in 2014.===
Again, with respect, and apologies if I was not clear.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 4:16 pm