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Taking the fall and asking for money
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Jim Oberweis’ campaign manager sent out a final e-mail today. Mixed in with all the other stuff was a plea for money, of all things. Second, the financial costs associated with this campaign have been significant, and Jim has borne over three million dollars of that cost. Additional expenses are incurred as we close out the campaign effort. Any donation you could make via our web site or by sending a check to Oberweis for Illinois And then he took the fall for all the mistakes his own candidate made. Now, a final, final word. The mistakes made on this campaign are owned by the campaign manager. As I think of the Bradley Braves and their big basketball game tonight, I’m reminded that even in a close game, say a 38-32 game, the difference between a win and a loss is sometimes told in the turnovers. For my mistakes, for things done and left undone, I apologize. I’ll try my best to do better the next time duty calls. Classy move, but Oberweis is the one with the big mouth. He gets the blame.
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- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 10:56 am:
I agree Rich, a classy move.
But campaign professionals know that 99% of the time, a loss is either the fault of the candidate or was inevitable because of events beyond human control — like the candidate is simply wrong for the district.
That’s part of the reason I find so many of the comments on this site attacking media consultants and campaign managers absurd. Should the guy who told Jim Oberweis it was a good idea to climb in that helicopter be flogged? Sure. But advice that bad is rare. More common is candidates ignoring good advice, like “start raising money or get out of the race.”
- grand old partisan - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:03 am:
I completely agree with you YDD. Great post, Rich
- Bubs - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:04 am:
Rich, the word “classy” does not belong anywhere in a piece on the 2006 Oberweis gubenatorial campaign. It was at root a malicious effort, and a pig sty in both concept and execution. The candidate and major participants would do well to simply fade from the scene, as the stain of dishonor caused by disgraceful tactics will prove difficult to cleanse.
- Thom Yorke - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:32 am:
A malicious effort? Sure it was inept, poorly concieved and executed, but malicious? Towards whom? Topinka? Just because they were critical of her record?
- St. Nickname - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:36 am:
I’ll give him $1 if he promises to keep up his fight and promises to run statewide again in 2008 and 2010.
- ron - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:44 am:
“classy”?? pleeease! ( i’ll try to do my best next time duty calls) oberweis is planning on running again. Yikes!!!!! just when dubin’s approval rating drops below 50% for the first time(actual 48%) according to survey usa and the republicans will have an opportunity to take the seat from durbin in 08 and now we have the prospect of oberwies mucking things up again.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 11:54 am:
I’ll give them $100 if Milk Man agrees never to run state-wide again.
- Lincoln Lounger - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 12:12 pm:
Classy?!?! This is the guy who chased Jim Ryan around in a chicken suit. Joe Weigand is part of the “I’d rather be right than win” crowd. He and Jack Roeser and Patrick O’Malley wouldn’t support Jim Ryan (raging liberal, he) 4 years ago after O’Malley lost the primary. Somebody who agrees with them 80% of the time isn’t good enough. It’s “my way or the highway” with them. The sad thing is that they will actively help Blago so they can start on the next phase of their “movement”.
- Sour Milk - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 12:29 pm:
There is no one to blame for Oberweis’ embarrassing and mean-spirited campaign but the candidate himself.
I think Weigand clearly deserves credit for a classy move here, but what ISN’T classy, is Oberweis’ sore-loser act, refusing to endorse Topinka, and thinking another second place finish entitles him to grandstand and demand attention.
In a strange way, I almost feel sorry for Weigand, but I do question his decision to sign on with such a flawed, narcissistic, and malleable candidate. Weigand is a true-believer, and there’s nothing wrong with that; what is wrong is a candidate like Oberweis who just adopts and then regurgitates a platform without any deep commitment to principle. Oberweis hurts the conservative movement by high-jacking their agenda simply to satisfy his own need for attention and acceptance.
I will gladly work night and day to retire Oberweis’ entire campaign debt if it includes an iron-clad commitment on his part to NEVER run for any office again.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 12:29 pm:
Wiegand expressed himself in a “classy” way, but he has been a phony for so long, it all must be taken with a grain of salt. Roeser’s boy can be counted on to continue mucking about with the same divisive, myopic, off-the-wall tactics again when “duty”, or rather, instructions from his employer Roeser, calls.
- Dem Voting R - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 12:55 pm:
Just remember Judy that those ice cream coupons Obie gave you expire now in 7 days! Actually, 7 days from now, I hope Obie is a bad memory.
- ChopperJim's CoPilot - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 1:24 pm:
Hey how about we fly over to the Meeks Machine HQ and jump on that bandwagon. I am sure we would be welcome there. We could be the LiteGov.
- Beowulf - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 2:18 pm:
My guess is that Obie gave Judy those ice cream coupons with the hidden intent to begin clogging her arteries with cholesterol. This would eliminate her as a future challenger when the governor’s position comes up for re-election again.
Pretty darn devious, if you ask me.
- Bubs - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 2:52 pm:
Why are we bothering to call these FTN guys “Republicans”? They are only out for themselves and their agenda, and will throw this party under the bus to achieve power and implement their Big Brother version of what America should be. From the FTN website:
“There are worse things for Illinois Republicans than four more years of Rod Blagojevich. If it takes four more years to find principled Republican leadership in Illinois – then that’s the price we’ll have to pay for not cleaning our stables sooner.”
So WHO is the “sell out,” boys? “My way or the highway,” indeed.
- Arkie - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 2:56 pm:
Classy? What chutzpah, asking for more money to feed Oberweis’ out-of-control egomaniacal dream of becoming a player outside the dairy world. May he forever go back to cheese-making, curd-handling and udder oblivion. Good riddance!
- Bubs - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 2:57 pm:
Even after the primary, I keep hearing these guys saying that Topinka is not a “real Republican” since she is not to the far right on all issues. Let’s see what George Bush’s hand-picked RNC Chairman has to say:
(AP) CHICAGO State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka makes a great candidate in the Illinois governor’s race, said Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman.
Mehlman is in Chicago today and addressed a minority round-table of state activists this morning.
He said he’s confident that Illinois is going to elect a GOP governor in 2006, and he said the Republican National Committee is ready to provide the resources Topinka will need for her campaign.
Mehlman also praised Topinka for her record on job creation and education funding.
- Wumpus - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 3:10 pm:
They are both idiots when it comes to running a campaign. This guy actually complimented Bi-Polarweis(Tm) for the Got Straws? plan.
Here is my $.02, KFC is hiring.
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 3:45 pm:
Who picked the campaign manager that made the mistakes? Who paid him?
- Anon - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 4:15 pm:
Oh, Bubs, what’s the link to FTN to back up your claim as to what they are saying about the Topinka-Blagojevich race? Its not on “The Champion”. Are you making that up?
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 4:56 pm:
After 3 statewide races, Oberweis can now concentrate on a smaller district and run to replace Hastert if he retires.
Could be a Schmitz v. Lauzen v. Milkman.
- Veritas - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 8:05 pm:
Classy? Reeks of false modesty.
- Veritas - Friday, Mar 24, 06 @ 8:06 pm:
Or rather, false humility.
- Anon. - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 4:34 am:
Hey Homophoberweis: Go away. Just go away. You embarass the rest of us. Go away please and never come back. Is that subtle enough for you?
- Anon - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 5:42 am:
Joe Wiegand is one of the nicest, kindest men alive, and “classy” is his middle name. You people who toss around insults don’t really know him.
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 6:41 am:
Why are we spending all this time and energy on The Milkman and the Polka queen. We must be busy working and preparing for the fall campaign…. Oh wait, that’s right the Liberals have to carry all the water, put up all the signs, walk the precincts, raise all the money, we can relax and go on a picnic, walk the dog and enjoy the time off as the liberals have assured us of a victory. Where is my picnic basket, haven’t seen it in awhile.
- The Conservative - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 6:57 am:
The thought of Congressman NObieOne, now that is a scary thought.
- Anonymous - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 7:13 am:
“Bubs” must be George Ryan blogging during downtime.
What a clueless hack.
- Anon - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 11:15 am:
glad he is finally getting buyer’s remorse, squandering millions and millions that could have been MUCH better used.
- Right Wing Republican - Saturday, Mar 25, 06 @ 8:53 pm:
Now here is a news item to give you nightmares. Obeiwon was elcted a Republican Committeeman in Sugar Grove #3. Today, people are calling other Rep. Committeemen trying to round up support to elect Obeiwon as the new Kane County Chairman at April 19th of the County Rep. Party.
Anyone got a wooden stake they can lend us?
- The Boos are Echoing Across Illinois - Sunday, Mar 26, 06 @ 12:28 am:
I don’t know exactly what Bubs is referring to, but FTN is running a piece on their site that calls on conservatives not to vote in the Governor’s race in November since it’s Blago and Topinka. Written by Tom Roeser. If appears to back Bubs up, I think.
What a bunch of sore losers.
- The Conservative - Sunday, Mar 26, 06 @ 12:38 am:
NObieOne headed for still another defeat:RUMOR HAS IT …
Jim Oberweis is running for Kane County Republican Party Chairman.
The Kane County Republican Party Convention, the biennial meeting of Republican precinct committeemen, is on April 19th. Given Oberweis won Kane County in his unsuccessful bid for governor on March 21st, and the fact he won election as Republican Precinct Committeeman for Sugar Grove precinct #3, Oberweis has begun calling Republican Precinct Committeemen for their support and votes on April 19th.
What do you think?
25 March, 2006
- Bubs - Monday, Mar 27, 06 @ 12:06 pm:
“Clueless hack” here!
Various “anons,” it isn’t on the Champion. That’s where they try to look noble. The dirty work is on the old Renew Illinois site, www.familytaxpayer.net.
To the Anon that questioned whether the quote existed, look under “Topinka Tattler” to the article, “Topinka Brings Out Big Goons” - last paragraph.
You also might run through the Tom Roeser article posted on the front page of the site in which Roeser suggests that conservatives should simply “bypass” the gubernatorial election in November.
Some “Republicans,” huh? Even I voted for Keyes.