The fight for second place
Saturday, Mar 18, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
The Oberweis-Brady feud continues.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jim Oberweis apparently had his Bosts mixed up when listing endorsements on his campaign Web site.
Then again, State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, suspects Oberweis knew exactly what he was doing when he incorrectly listed him, instead of his brother, Dan Bost, at the top of a string of political supporters for his candidacy to challenge Gov. Rod Blagojevich this fall.
Dan Bost, owner of Bost Trucking Co. in Murphysboro and a former Jackson County Board member currently seeking election to the board, is an Oberweis supporter.
“I have worked very hard throughout my service in the General Assembly to build a credible reputation throughout Southern Illinois,” Mike Bost said in a prepared statement Friday morning. “I view the listing of my name by Oberweis as a supporter of his as a deliberate attempt to confuse and mislead the voters.”
Why would they be confused? Because Mike Bost has been a vocal advocate of State Sen. Bill Brady for governor.
And continues…
Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady accused fellow candidate Jim Oberweis of having trouble with the truth Friday at a joint appearance, continuing the fight over their conservative credentials.
The men squared off in a side room before the Tazewell County Lincoln Day dinner, one night after Oberweis said Brady missed a vote on legislation that led to hundreds of business fee increases. Brady said Oberweis doesn’t know what he’s talking about, noting that the fee increases were added to the bill later–at which time Brady did vote against it.
Oberweis said Brady should have known the bill would eventually include the fee increases.
“You have all the (Republican) leadership voting against it,” Oberweis said.
“You are something else. You are something else,” replied Brady, a Bloomington senator. “You have trouble with the truth, don’t you?”
And remember how the Family Taxpayers Network accused Brady of being a Topinka plant and threatened him with a primary in ‘08? This was at the very bottom of the story:
Tomorrow in Part II we’ll cover in greater detail Brady’s attacks and misrepresentations
That was Thursday. As of Saturday morning, no updates.
- On the sidelines - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 10:45 am:
Unbelievable. How is it anyone takes Oberweis seriously? I do not doubt his sincerity and genuineness to get himself elected, but it seems this passion for power overrides any sense of decency. This is a man who compared pro-lifers to the Taliban three years ago - and yet you are not a “true conservative” if you support Brady - who has taken strident stands on Christianity in the public arena - if you vote for Brady over Oberweis?
- YNM - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 10:53 am:
New campaign slogan for the Oberweis people in ‘08 … “Got Truthiness?”
- Sour Milk - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 11:09 am:
‘08 slogan ?!?!? Hopefully Oberweis will be banished from politics by then. Three strikes — you’re out.
- In the Land of Silos and Cows - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 11:30 am:
“Part III - The FTN, and the tour of the ‘Paranoid Bunker of the Conseratively Insane’ where supposed conservatives go over the deep end and rail on anyone who disagrees with them by calling them a RINO, and wonder why they are STILL unable to get support”
- B Hicks - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 11:47 am:
Even if he loses on Tuesday, he’s not going away. The GOP winner will be ducking shots fired by Rod, and Jimmy O. all summer long.
He’s not the most stable person, you know. He won’t see it as a loss; his ego won’t allow that. He’ll view the loss as a theft by JBT and crew. He’ll be throwing out accusations and insults for the next 7 months.
I’d be willing to bet that he’d rather see Rod keep the office than to have Judy take it over.
He’s worth 30 million; he doesn’t care. He’ll buy a win, eventually.
- Anon - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 12:45 pm:
I was at the Tazwell County Lincoln day, when Oberweis gave his speech he pretty much acused Bill of stealing votes from him and then pulled on a campigan flyer and read off how was different from Topkina. During his speech you could hear people groaning and making angry comments.
- Wumpus - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 1:50 pm:
Anon, I thought we found an elected member of legislature who supports BiPolarweis(Tm), dang! Maybe he could run against John Cox for President in 08. The only thing is tht John Cox seems like a decent guy who can’t win an election.
It looks like Obie will fit right in at FTN.
- Nearly Normal - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 2:06 pm:
Obie is torching bridges as he lashes out at his inevitable loss Tuesday. If the conservative Republicans really want to win, they are going to have to pull together, nominate one candidate and work for that candidate’s election.
That doesn’t seem possible with the kinds of factions that are out there claiming the conservative mantle. Many of them have this “my way or the highway” attitude that does not allow coalitions to develop. Instead, they are maintaining a fractous Republican party that keeps moderates from accepting them.
Brady will easily win re-election to his Senate seat in ‘08. If he runs for another state-wide office again, he has gotten state-wide recognition as the saner conservative candidate whereas Obie comes across as the frantic one who has more money than talent or intellect.
Just got a mailer from Obie today bashing JBT. The was paid for by FTN. No mention of Brady. This was no doubt because JBT is seen as the frontrunner in the polls whereas it is only recently that Brady has moved in the polls while Obie has receded.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 2:09 pm:
Nearly Normal, if that’s the “train wreck” mailer, could you scan it and email it to me please? Thanks.
- Nearly Normal - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 2:32 pm:
Yes, it is Rich. The scanner is warming up and I will send it.
- Bradys the Guy - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 2:41 pm:
The antics of Oberweis and his campaign are a clear reflection of their recognition that Oberweis just does not have the numbers to win. He has hit his ceiling.
His only recourse is to continue to trumpet his “Mr. Conservative” pose and attempt to steal voters from Brady, who has the least money.
What they don’t get is that these tactics reveal the sham of his pose as either a “conservative” or a “reformer”. Instead, they are educating the voters that Brady is the authentic conservative reformer. Disillusioned Oberweis supporters are welcome under the “big tent” of the Brady camp. Vote Brady on Tuesday.
- anon - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 3:59 pm:
What a grand idiot is all I can say. Can you imagine him dealing with the GA???? He just can’t grasp the concept that no-one wants to elect him, for what are becoming very obvious & disturbing reasons with tantrums & stupid remarks & comments. It seems those who do or at least in “public view” are as goofy acting as Oby is. I will say this though that hearing some of his minions {those that took his bait}speak for him at recent events I had an opportunity to have attended with friends ..their “fire & brimstone” is more now like a light drizzle. It’s hard to get fired up about a guy who acts & conducts himself the way he has !!! Is it Tuesday yet ????
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 6:48 pm:
What a guy, this NObieone, He talks about good ethics and then shows not only does he have none but that he has no class as well. What an embarrassement to the party. He should fall to behind Gidwitz if justice serves. His campaign is melting like his Ice Cream. If he truly was a conservative he would ask everyone to support the real conservative Bill Brady. Bill has more class and shows true christianity when he speaks. Come on NObieone show you might really be a conservative and step aside for the real winner.
- Central IL Stater - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 7:56 pm:
Bill was in my area of the woods today (Champaign) and he, as usual, conducted himself with class and he listened to the voters that came and answered their questions. I am really grateful for a candidate such as Bill - And he’s quite cute if you ask me (and a few other ladies that were in attendance, lol).
Nevertheless, we’re all working hard to see Sen. Brady nominated and hopefully win the election. I feel he’s like Peter Fitzgerald in 1998 (except without the money.). Peter was both a fiscal and social conservative and he served his state well and I do miss the boy.
I feel Looserweis has not only peaked but has gone downward down that hill. I know a lot of the Looserweis supporters probablya re embarassed about his antics. I feel after the “pick the straw to see who stays in the race”, was the MOST UNPROFESSIONAL Stunt of all. I’m so tempted to just copy that bit off the newspaper and give it to my friends to let them know what kind of NUT they are voting for. I don’t care if it is a joke, it’s a stupid one. Someone should write the Looserweis campaign and URGE HIM TO STEP DOWN. What a Looser. Rich, thank you for all this interesting news - you have been great.
- Central IL Stater - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 7:57 pm:
Ooops. Made a mistake. A few other ladies FELT BILL WAS CUTE. Sorry, that’s what I get for typing and not rereading. Sorry guys.
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 18, 06 @ 9:09 pm:
So let me get this right {NOieone wants to expand gambling in Illinois}. His proposal to gamble on pulling straws with a weighted pull for himself. Sounds as though he has been drinking his sour milk. It is sad to see his campaign come apart and fall to the side, like yesterdays trash. However when you lie, cheat and come against a christian brother you are going to be exposed for what you are not. Your failed campaign is your reward Jim, wear it well you have sealed your own fate at the ballot box. Your ex supportors are joining the Brady victory march.
- Central IL Stater - Sunday, Mar 19, 06 @ 8:13 pm:
Conservative. Nice remarks. I like the “Your ex supporters are joining the Brady victory march.” comment.
Yup. It’s gonna be a fun night Tuesday. At least it won’t take as long as they have gone to that new voting system equipment.
I’ve seen the stuff they have decided to use in Champaign County and it’s very nice. It’s an OCR. There’s also another machine for those who are impaired.
I know that people will like this better than the punch cards - I will too just because too many voters tried to use the pencil instead of the stylus.
Those days are over (yippie). We’ll see how it goes.
Again The Conservative, thank you for your insightful remarks.