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* State Sen. Jim Oberweis talked to the Daily Herald about his likely US Senate race, which would be his third run at the office, fourth statewide campaign and sixth major campaign since 2002, all but one of which he lost…
He said he’s aware he might take some heat for making another bid.
“Oh, I’m sure I will, as did Abraham Lincoln,” Oberweis said.
* More…
Oberweis says he’ll tell voters about his success in the dairy business. But he argues what’s different this time is his 2012 election to the Illinois Senate, where he grabbed attention this year for winning approval of an increase in the rural interstate speed limit to 70 mph. He points to that success to show he got a proposal through a General Assembly controlled by Democrats.
“One of the criticisms of me in the past has always been, well, he’s just a businessman and he won’t be able to get along with Democrats,” Oberweis said. “I’ve got more Democrat friends now that I’ve ever had before.”
* The Question: Do you think Sen. Jim Oberweis will help or hurt the statewide ticket next year? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:39 pm
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Oh please. The last thing we need is another self-absorbed politician comparing himself to Lincoln. Not an encouraging sign that Oberweis has learned ANYTHING from his multiple losses.
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:43 pm
Oh please tell me he didn’t just compare himself to Abraham Lincoln.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:43 pm
I accidentally hit “help,” but, on second thought, if the statewide ticket we are talking about is the Democrats, then I chose the right answer.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:45 pm
Stick to the question please. Or at least answer it.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:45 pm
Is this the “scary” Post of the Day? lol
To the Post,
===- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 23, 13 @ 11:58 am:
To the Updated Post,
If you are a member of the ILGOP, take heed.
This, is real. This, is not speculation. This, is not, “maybe”.
The ILGOP Ticket could very well look like this;
US Senate … Jim Oberweis - Black helicopters, the torches and pitchforks of intolerance, and the 1-6 record, winning a state Senate seat designed to make Oberweis stop ruining My Party and stay somewhere with irrelevence to hurting other GOP candidates. Fail.
Governor … Bill Brady, seen that Movie, bad match for Oberweis on the top, leading to more intolerance issues.
Governor … Bruce Rauner, seen as Rahm Emanuel’s Governor pick and his running mate “Slip and Sue” Sanguinetti who is not even remotely qualified to run the 5th Largest State in America if … Rahm Emanuel’s Governor fails to complete his term.
That is it.
You have Jim Oberweis to highlight intolerance, and elitism, and “Purity”, with 2 very specific candidates, one who was already defined as “too extreme” and would not be too difficult again with Oberweis on top, and you have Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner, running with Oberweis, both elitist, out of touch, and lacking the governmental acumen to seem to voters as they are alternatives to Durbin or to Quinn.
Jim Oberweis will taint Dan Rutherford, as Rutherford tries to expand the GOP, but Oberweis will be right there, destroying and tainting.
Jim Oberweis will manipulate Kirk Dillard’s new “Right” lean to try ot beat Durbin. Oberweis will not let the Dillard Campaign “try” to find a middle, as Oberweis will try to attach himself to his Senate Colleague, “Slytherins till the end.”
No one to run against Jesse.
A token AG candidate, I do not envy, but might not realize what he got himself into as he runs … as he is running.
Tom Cross will have a battle against Mike Frerichs. Oberweis is going to help? Cross not voting for SSM… AND …Oberweis on the top of this ticket…sounds like a winning formula?
The only incumbent Republican running statewide is Judy Baar Topinka, who draws the turncoat/AG candidate/now comptroller candidate Sheila Simon. Question is - How much of a drag will Oberweis/Brady, or Oberweis/Rauner be … and how much damage can be done to effect Comptroller Topinka with Oberweis/Rutherford and their seperate “ideas” … Kirk/Brady all over again? How much damage can be done to Comptroller Topinka with Oberweis/Dillard, as Dillard tries to find a middle and Oberweis dragging on Dillard, his Slytherin Senate Colleague?
Throw in Durkin’s “New Day” HGOP and the candidates saddled with Oberweis, as Diversity is the key for those numbers in the House to increase… as they hear and see Oberweis just tainting every one of those races.
This is real. Reality. This is 2014, today, in a snapshot of what My Party is shaking out to put to the voters so they can decide what is best for Illinois.
Funny thing about all those pitchforks and torches and political ice cream, with all those votes that never happened….
The ILGOP SCC tried to save us all from the taint. I guess the SCC never expected the “Stain”… would run for US Senate to finsih what the “Stain” tried to start.===
I voted “Hurt”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:48 pm
Jim Oberweis will not make of a difference unless he attacks Dick Durbin hard and gets national attention. If Oberweis is up to the job he could possibly make a difference. But, this is Illinois and Loretta Durbin is entitled to be a “consultant” because her husband put in all those years.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:50 pm
Ask Todd Akin. Hurt.
Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:53 pm
Hurt. Oberweis has never gotten more than 32% in a statewide GOP primary in three cracks.
I can’t see how he he’ll appeal to moderate Republicans, Independents and Democrats that GOP candidates need to win statewide. He’ll be a drag.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:53 pm
Talk about barnacles on the USS ILGOP barge. Lets hope the Oberweis dingy never makes it off the dock…
Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 12:55 pm
No difference. He has name recognition but people seem to know the difference between terrific ice cream and competent politicans…I hope.
Comment by Belle Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:07 pm
===“One of the criticisms of me in the past has always been, well, he’s just a businessman and he won’t be able to get along with Democrats,” Oberweis said. “I’ve got more Democrat friends now that I’ve ever had before.”====
And that’s just since this announcement…wonders never cease.
Comment by A guy... Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:14 pm
With apologies to Frank Thomas, I see a Big Hurt here. Illinois is not going to send a hard core anti gay person to the Senate. And the quote about Oberweis having more Dem friends than ever before is kind of unintentionally amusing.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:15 pm
He will hurt the GOP ticket, which is fine with a lot of people. Look, he is a self-centered and pompous man who thinks rules are for other people, not him.
Comment by Mongo Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:15 pm
As a Republican he scares me…great potential to be next year’s foot in mouth Todd Akin candidate. He could single handedly bring down the entire ticket. Please stay home, Jim.
Comment by GOP Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:21 pm
=== I’ve got more Democrat friends now that I’ve ever had before ===
C’mon, OW, the guy is reaching out across the aisle. You know - “some of my best friends……”
Oy
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:26 pm
Re the post, I think Oberweis hurts the ticket if he wins the nomination. I hope that doesn’t happen - if he fails to get to the general he and KD can open a restaurant and call it Dilly & Dairy.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:28 pm
@dupage dan
If Oberweis is in, how will he not win the nomination? Which of the other candidates have any money?
Comment by Bill White Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:29 pm
- dupage dan -,
I guess if I also throw in Oberweis’ “landmark legislation”, that still needs a “clean-up” bill for clarification, allegedly….
I really need to re-think my thoughtless response.
I am going to have some Political Ice Cream, using my pitchfork, by the light of a torch, on the helicopter landing pad as the black chopper returns from flying over Soldier Field.
thanks, - dupage dan -, for helping me find some “purity” in my thoughtlessness.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:32 pm
Obie could help the Republican party and their candidate for Senate if he announced he wasn’t running for US Senate.
Comment by Judgment Day Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:34 pm
Hurt. First of all, Jim Oberweis is unelectable in a statewide race, particularly in a high profile race like US Senate. The GOP needs top tier candidates for Senate and Governor who can attract new voters and solidify the base. Oberweis does neither.
While most politicians are 30 seconds from disaster, Oberweis is 15 seconds away…
Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:34 pm
==But, this is Illinois and Loretta Durbin is entitled to be a “consultant” because her husband put in all those years==
What? That was a random drive by.
*******
Anywho, I voted that he won’t make much of a difference on the entire ballot. He’ll definitely hurt the GOP’s chances of winning the Senate seat. I don’t think his name alone is going to make people not vote for other Republicans. Might keep people who are only concerned with the Senate home but I don’t think that’s too many people.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:35 pm
The long history of Oberweis gaffes, inept campaigning, and intolerance will be a drag on the entire ticket.
I hope his senate district constituents are furious. Then again, they drink different water in that part of the state.
Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Owillie
“Black helicopters, the torches and pitchforks of intolerance”
What are you talking about? Giving amnesty? Americans are against that by huge margins. This immigration issue has been on the burner since 2004 and Can’t Pass! and he is for Traditional marriage my God how far right can you get? Let’s bet Senator Durbin will Not brag about this immigration stance when he is campaigning on the west side or south side of Chicago! Durbin will need a good turnout from the Black voters what can he point to to say he has worked for them? Jobs? Prosperity? Why will this governors election be any different than others? This Obama care stuff is just beginning this is the biggest tax increase on the middle class and the young in the history of the world and Democrats own it.
You should see someone about your irrational hatred of Oberweis.
@Word slinger he has always run statewide with multiple candidates. When he got 32.8% JBT got 36 and won the primary. I will say it again Oberweis has to get 410,000 votes out of Cook and he wins!
Comment by votecounter Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:43 pm
- votecounter -,
The “Helicopter Ad” over Soldier Field … you saying that is now a “solid”, and might as well run it this time?
It was panned then, its a Stain now, and will continue to stain.
===Let’s bet Senator Durbin will Not brag about this immigration stance when he is campaigning on the west side or south side of Chicago!===
With all the intolerance that is Jim Oberweis, you think you can get that 4 votes a precinct for Jim Oberweis, when Oberweis preaches 100% … that is absolutle … 100% of the GOP Platform be followed, and as a member of the State Central Committee, how can he, Jim Oberweis, back off that Platform. Sen. Durbin, will paint, will use the taint, will point to the Stain, and that will be enough to define Jim Oberweis and every person on the ticket of My Party.
Harry Reid/Sharron Angle … pick ObamaCare, taxes, immigration … Harry Reid/Sharron Angle, which means the entire ILGOP hanging Oberweis out to dry, if the ILGOP wants any chance to winning … anything …away from the stain of Jim Oberweis’ intolerance.
I am not irriational, otherwise no one but me would be begging, pleading, hoping Jim Oberweis goes way from the Folly before he destroys the ILGOP for 2014. Seems to me, there are quite a few who really don’t want to see Jim Oberweis on top of the ticket too … Jim’s Tin Ear … refuses to hear logic, so he needs to be reminded … “You are not helping, you are hurting”
I hate to lose … Jim Oberweis, doesn’t mind (1-6) losing at all … that is a mjor difference too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 1:58 pm
surely you jest. He’ll be smoother this time, but he would hurt — as any Tea Partier would.
Comment by Capitol View Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:09 pm
=== is the biggest tax increase on the middle class and the young in the history of the world ===
Wow! laughed out loud
If Oberweis actually agrees with such statements, this is going to be some show!
If he generally avoids opening his mouth, he might have a long-shot chance driven by emotion, due to a general dislike of all in Washington. He also has some pleasing brand name recognition.
Head-to-head with Durbin in a rational contest, he has no chance at all.
Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:09 pm
To the question — won’t make much difference.
If Rutherford wins the governor’s primary, it makes running as a moderate Republican more difficult if he has a right-wing crank at the top of the ticket.
If Rauner wins, his paid media are going to frame the messages and set the tone for the entire election, and a lot of voters aren’t even going to realize there’s a Senate race.
Comment by olddog Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:12 pm
===Do you think Sen. Jim Oberweis will help or hurt the statewide ticket next year?===
Which statewide ticket? I think he hurts one and helps the other.
I think it was less than a year ago when GOP pundits were going through the campaign post mortem, trying to figure out what went so wrong for the Grand Old Party. The smart observers thought the party needed to open up and appeal more to women, Latinos, young voters, etc.
Nominating Jim Oberweist is the opposite of that strategy. There simply aren’t enough old, white, rural, conservative voters left to win statewide in Illinois. Their problem is with changing demographics and simple math, neither of which favor right wing GOP candidates.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:17 pm
No one can touch Dick and Loretta because they work for the public interest they are so altruistic in everything they do. Oberweis must be greedy because he owns a business: if only he would have hired Loretta as a lobbyist or consultant, then his image could finally be polished.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:25 pm
I think he helps the ticket. We’ve reached a point now where Republicans just need to give hard conservatives what they want so that the rest of the party can marginalize them going forward. A bitter defeat with an Oberweis/Dillard/Brady hard conservative top of the ticket would enable the party to say to conservatives like proft-look we tried your way and it flopped.
Losing with a moderate senate candidate who is unprepared to take on durbin and a Rauner RINO gov candidate would only embolden conservatives in 2016 and jeopardize Senator Kirk’s re-election.
wordslinger, I love you bud and I know you’ll throw sharp objects at me, but time to get this out of our system once and for all.
Comment by Shore Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:26 pm
Steve, either answer the question or don’t bother posting.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:30 pm
I voted “hurt.”
I just read “The New American Center: Why our nation isn’t as divided as we think” by NBC and Esquire. I think it captures why ultra socially conservative Republicans lose big offices in moderate or light blue states. If Bill Clinton was right about anything, it’s that we are a center-right nation (that wants politicians to stay out of our doctors’ offices and our bedrooms.) Oberweis is a rich, well heeled Todd Akin.
Comment by Diogenes in DuPage Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:39 pm
Most of the candidate get up and start singing:
Trouble! Right here in River City,
Pensions!
It starts with P that rhymes with T,
That means trouble,
Right here in River City…
I think Oberweis will just be another voice in that same choir.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:39 pm
This guy comes off as a right winger
Comment by Earl Shumaker Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Shore, if the far-right of the Illinois GOP was interested in winning and governing, your scenario might work.
I’ve never seen that as the case, though.
As far as guys like Proft, they have a business model, not a governing model. Staying pure and appealing to 25% of the electorate is good for business.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:50 pm
To help or hurt a race must be competitive.
Honestly I don’t see how Oberweis commands the attention. He is not a serious candidate.
Comment by Will Caskey Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 2:55 pm
I think he’s selling something well past its expiration date.
Comment by Mr Haney Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:02 pm
Impact of Obie is that he scares the heck out of people so he helps Ds increase turnout, which helps Quinn.
If Durbin runs against a nobody, Dems don’t take it too seriously. They do enough for him to win but turnout is low.
Obie scares them to get out and vote.
Quinn should write checks to Obie’s campaign.
Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:03 pm
Oberweis is controversial, but it is simplistic to try and hand blame or potential hurt on the Republican election prospects on him, alone.
Comment by Downstater Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:09 pm
===…but it is simplistic to try and hand blame or potential hurt on the Republican election prospects on him, alone.===
“Right on!
Signed,
Sharron Angle
former GOP Nevada US Senate Candidate
Wedge for Nevada Democratic Party”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:17 pm
I answered hurt, but only if he wins the GOP nomination. Little impact on the primary.
Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:20 pm
I think it would torpedo all state GOP candidates in suburban Cook, Lake, etc. I think it would probably take down Rutherford if he were to get the Guv nom as he seems unwilling to take shots at fellow Republicans and would be awfully easy to paint as in Oberweis’ corner. Rauner, at least, seems to be competent enough politically to distance himself so maybe he’d be safe.
Comment by Johnny Q. Suburban Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:24 pm
Can’t possibly help, so ‘hurt’.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:31 pm
I doubt that it will matter much since no really impressive Republican candidates have stepped up.
Oberweis is not a good candidate, but he is better than nobody at all.
Comment by anonymous Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:45 pm
===Little impact on the primary.===
Tell that to Bruce Rauner. Do you think Oberweis voters are Rauner voters or Dillard/Brady voters?
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:47 pm
Oh, you meant would he help or hurt the Republican ticket!
Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Anonymous 3:45
You mean like Keyes ?
“Oberweis is not a good candidate, but he is better than nobody at all.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 4:05 pm
Ok,
Now I am going to let you all in on a little secret. Just between all of us.
I belong to the City Union Civic Alliance Federation Club of Chicago. Yeah, it’s a big deal.
About 6 months ago, I happen to be seated next to Ron Gidwitz and I heard him tell a fellow “CUCAFCC” Member about this plan he was hatching.
First, Ron was going to “turn his back” on Dillard, very publically, and give Kirk some space to operate.
Then, Ron said he would cozy up with Bruce Rauner, another “CUCAFCC” and make sure Bruce runs.
(Note: ok, full disclosure, Bruce Rauner took my parking space, so yeah, that is why I am so angry! Whew, that feels better)
By backing Bruce and turning his back on Kirk, Dillard really looks seperated from Ron, giving Kirk the best cahnce to win, since Gidwitz is the “Mush” of the ILGOP.
Now, how do make sure Rauner loses and Dillard has a better chance to win?
As Ron is pondering this, another member walks by; Jim Oberweis. I literaly saw the lightbulb go on.
“Jim, you need to run for US Senate. Look, I will even do a poll, and maybe that will convince you to run? Think about it, Jim”
Jim and Ron did our “Club Handshake” and Jim left.
Ron continued with his half-baked scheme …
“I get Obie to run to get comservatives out to beat Bruce, and Kirk should beat Rutherford and Brady, if … Kirk can get a field organization.”
So, that is how this all happend.
Ron Gidwitz got Oberweis to run to take out Rauner, who Ron is “helping”, which is the Kiss of Death for Bruce, helping Kirk Dillard, who Ron turned his back on, which will lead to Kirk Dillard … who “was” Ron Gidwitz’s first choice “way back when” … for governor.
As i take off my Tin Foil Hat … i leave you with this food for thought …
Don’t tell anyone about Ron, and Bruce, and Jim, and I are all in the “CUCAFCC”…
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 4:25 pm
He’ll hurt it, no doubt. If he’s proven anything running State-wide all of those times before, it’s that he has little appeal on the whole, and loses–repeatedly. And, sorry, but his comparison to the Greatest President of the U.S. Who-Ever-Lived is QUITE a stretch, to say the least…!
The reality is that Dick Durbin remains immensely popular overall, people know he’s got clout in Washington for our Home State, and WON’T want to LOSE such access, influence, and power! Shucks, as a typical example, he even pulled-off quite the intriguing, upbeat, and somewhat, arguably, BI-Partisan Press Conference in Chicago with, of all people, the 2008 RePUBlican Party’s Candidate for President, U.S. Sen. John McCain by his side!!
Dick Durbin is like the Perennial “Teflon U.S. Senator”–try as they may to hurl mud (or whatever) at him and good luck–cuz’ it just won’t stick. Barring some unforseeable tragedy, he will most assuredly be re-elected.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, Oct 31, 13 @ 4:38 pm
I voted that he won’t make much difference. I might change my mind if he actually makes it through the primary. Honestly, I think one of his cows could beat him in the primary.
Comment by HoosierDaddy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 7:53 am