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* You may recall this from yesterday…
Approaching the November elections, Republican Paul Schimpf aims to bring “common-sense” legislating, conservative values and integrity to the state Senate in District 58, which covers Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Union and Jefferson counties. […]
Former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (2011-2015) is the current Democrat opponent in the Senate race, but Schimpf is confident that he is the right candidate to address the issues Illinois and his district are facing. […]
What makes Schimpf the best candidate for the district?
“Leadership abilities versus political lineage,” he said.
Schimpf explained that Simon comes from a tradition of politicians who do very little to serve the state; instead, they are more likely to serve themselves. He also argued that he can be a leader for everyone, not just for one party.
By far, the best thing Sheila Simon has going for her is her revered father’s name. She’s a proud liberal Democrat in a district which leans Republican (half of it is represented by a socially conservative, pro-life, pro-gun Democrat with a famous last name) and she hasn’t won an election on her own since her days as a Carbondale alderman.
So, that was just a goofy mistake - or perhaps an ill-conceived homage to the Karl Rove strategy of attacking an opponent’s strength.
* Today…
A spokesman for Schimpf said the comments in question had nothing to do with the late former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, and were instead a criticism of her connections to former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, under whom she served as lieutenant governor.
“We’re not going to disparage the memory of the late U.S. Sen. Simon,” said Schimpf spokesman Ron Deedrick. “He obviously was a statesman who served the nation and the state honorably.” […]
Simon said she sees no other way to interpret Shimpf’s comment about her lineage other than to consider it an insult to her parents. She noted that the most common definition of the term “lineage” describes the lineal descent from one’s ancestors, i.e. family.
Deedrick said he refuses to engage in a battle of semantics over use of the phrase “political lineage,” and called it “absurd” for Simon to continue to insist the comment was an intended as an insult to the late Paul Simon. Deedrick did not dispute that the accuracy of the quotes, but also said the campaign had no control over the ultimate outcome of the article.
…Adding… Wordslinger in comments…
Of course. Who didn’t make the Pat Quinn connection with “political lineage?”
LOL, that’s some lousy spin.
If you want to knock Simon for Pat Quinn, you say “Pat Quinn.”
If you want to knock Simon for leaning on the old man, you say “political lineage.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:23 pm
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Schimpf …
Raunerites are gonna Raunerite.
It was exciting that a spokesperson walked it back, after Schimpf said the words to begin this path.
SIU, Carbondale… “Vote Accordingly”… don’t be fooled.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Of course. Who didn’t make the Pat Quinn connection with “political lineage?”
LOL, that’s some lousy spin.
If you want to knock Simon for Pat Quinn, you say “Pat Quinn.”
If you want to knock Simon for leaning on the old man, you say “political lineage.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Schimpf knew what he said, and…
… I know what his spokesman tried to explain away….
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:32 pm
I prefer to spell it “Paul Shemp.”
As I said yesterday, perhaps the only person in the 58th district that could not beat Sheila Simon is Paul Shemp.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:32 pm
“Stuff that passes for controversy”
Comment by Shemp Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:35 pm
===“Stuff that passes for controversy”===
I guess Schimpf’s word doesn’t matter.
Ok
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:36 pm
You can never take back a word after you said it.
You need to stop and think before you speak. You insult people by trying to spin what you said.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Much ado about nothing. U.S. Sen. Paul Simon believed in and voted for a federal amendment to balance the budget. The Quinn/Simon administration most certainly did not. The region has changed tremendously since the honorable, late Senator served. This is only a big deal to the insider gang.
Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:46 pm
They blew this one. Say you’re sorry and move on. Wait a day and post a goofy banjo picture. You’ll be right back in business.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:48 pm
If Schimpf’s words weren’t a big deal, why walk them back?
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:48 pm
Because the staffers who write all this stuff read Capitol Fax. In this cycle of political drama and farce, voters will pay no attention. Post Sheila’s picture with Hillary Clinton, mail through most of the district, and nobody will remember.
Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:53 pm
So we’re supposed to infer that he was talking about Pat Quinn? Well that was certainly a mistake on Schimpf’s part. Although I can see why Schimpf would be reluctant to mention Quinn by name given the fact that he’s so revered. Much safer to have somebody draw the wrong conclusion that he might be talking about Paul Simon./s
Comment by pundent Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:57 pm
- Indochine -
Then why apologize. You said it’s no big deal. If it was about Quinn, then it’s really no big deal.
So is it a big deal or isn’t it?
Is it about Paul Simon or isn’t it?
What exactly isn’t a big deal?
I woulda let it go, taken the lumps… But… it’s no big deal?
That makes no sense.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 1:59 pm
You know you have crossed the line when you ( or your mouthpiece ) have to go back and “explain” what your simple and short statement really meant. Ninety-nine percent of those that read it knew exactly what he was talking about and now he tries to tell us that we did not understand the nuanced words he was using.
Bad form!
We can probably expect more of this.
Comment by illini Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Second attempt -
You know you have crossed the line when you ( or your mouthpiece ) have to go back and “explain” what your simple and short statement really meant. Ninety-nine percent of those that read it knew exactly what he was talking about and now he tries to tell us that we did not understand the nuanced words he was using.
Bad form!
We can probably expect more of this.
Comment by illini Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 2:12 pm
I read it twice and didn’t see an apology. I read a spokesman’s clarification to Sheila once again flogging her family.
It’s not a big deal to voters. It’s a big deal to staffers and the political chattering class.
I don’t know how to make my point any more clear. I get that you loathe Rauner and his “Raunerites”, but please get a sense of perspective.
I’m not Rauner’s nor Schimpf’s defender. My point is that it is JUNE and this is a tempest in a teapot about which voters in October and November will not care.
Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 2:27 pm
=== My point is that it is JUNE and this is a tempest in a teapot about which voters in October and November will not care. ===
I don’t disagree necessarily.
But it does show some problems with the candidate.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 2:28 pm
===I read it twice and didn’t see an apology. I read a spokesman’s clarification to Sheila once again flogging her family.===
Hmm.
===“We’re not going to disparage the memory of the late U.S. Sen. Simon,” said Schimpf spokesman Ron Deedrick. “He obviously was a statesman who served the nation and the state honorably.” […]===
But… Schimpf did, Schimpf did disparage.
So it’s not an apology? What is it then?
Why walk it back?
As to Schimpf or Raunerites… I have quite a clear indication as to where SIU and Carbondake need to be for their best interests.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 2:31 pm
Boy if Sheila is that thin skinned is she ready for the big leagues?
Much ado about absolutely nothing. Taking bets that Sheila will not bring Hillary to southern Illinois on her behalf.
Comment by the old man Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 3:15 pm
===if Sheila is that thin skinned is she ready for the big leagues? ===
Um, her late father was attacked. I think she was justified in pushing back.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 3:17 pm
Schrimpf needs to learn the first Rule of Holes: When you’re in one, stop digging. He’s taking a 1-day story and giving it legs.
Of course he didn’t mean Quinn, that makes no sense whatsoever given what his piece actually said.
Comment by Harry Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 3:17 pm
How do you think Rauner will play in Carbondale or on SIU Campus?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 3:25 pm
This was not about Sheila Simon being thin skinned. Her campaign saw an opportunity to once again remind the voters of her father’s impact on Southern Illinois. It only helps her here.
Of course Schimpf was talking about her father. It backfired and rightfully so. Amateur hour at it’s finest.
Comment by Southern Illinoisan Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I understood exactly what Schimpf meant. He stepped in it & he knows it and is now trying to wipe it away.
Comment by South Illinoisian Thursday, Jun 23, 16 @ 5:15 pm