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Debate thread
Monday, Oct 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Come back here tonight for debate liveblogging. Until then, use the comments to suggest a debate drinking game for both Blagojevich and Topinka. By the way, your best bet for listening online is probably WBBM AM. ————————————————————————————— * Man, Topinka sounds nervous at the beginning. * LOL… Did the governor just call Topinka “Public Official A”? Shameless. * I wonder how many people will actually hear this debate? * These endless fillibusters have to stop, on both sides. * “She’s issued more than 300 no-bid contracts.” - Gov. Blagojevich * The governor says he got that info on Topinka’s office from a FOIA his office submitted. Topinka has denied that she gave out those no-bid contracts. * Seriously, the moderators really need to get control of these two a bit more. These endless lists and diatribes are no help at all. * The fun thing is that the computer broadcast is on a delay, so I can “see” what they’re about to say by reading the comments as they come through. * Topinka discloses that Paul Vallas helped craft her education plan. I had heard this was the case. Curious that they haven’t made more hay out of this fact. * There isn’t even a hint of optimism in her voice. The hectoring gets old. * Topinka commends MJM for asking for special session, says there should be a freeze. That’s gonna put serious pressure on Blagojevich. A ComEd lobster was most worried about this earlier tonight when I talked to him because it could force Blagojevich to actually call the session. * LOL. JBT brings up the ethanol ad where the guv is standing in a soybean field. * It’s a good thing that the drinking game wasn’t “Take a shot every time somebody posted a snarky, off-point, high schoolish comment” or I’d be dead by now. * So, what have we learned from this, campers? They despise each other? No, we knew that one already. Topinka is too negative? Nope. Knew that. Blagojevich is a robot with his talking points unless he’s seriously challenged? Nix that, already knew it (and he wasn’t challenged here tonight). * What they ought to do is broadcast the post-debate press conferences because we didn’t get much out of this. * By the way, hats off to the governor’s Internet squad. TopinkaWatch had a bunch of info on the no-bid contracts point moments after the governor uttered it tonight. * As OneMan just pointed out in comments….
Exactly. There was no attempt to put him back on his heels. He just churned out his factoids one after another pretty much uninterrupted, and she sounded like she had a frown on her face the entire time. Win: Blagojevich. * My final point: This is basically a tune-up for the Public TV debate (although that debate is not completely certain). Few people will actually listen to a political debate on radio. Many more people will see the news coverage than the debate. And lots more will see the TV ads generated by the debate, if any. Topinka’s performance is less of a factor this time. But that doesn’t excuse it. [Comments closed. Use Tuesday’s thread instead.]
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- HANKSTER - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 4:33 pm:
shot of tequila everytime Blagojevich says George Ryan and everytime Topinka says federal investigations and the best part is that after 5 minutes you will be passed out and not have to listen to the rest!
- Squideshi - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 4:38 pm:
How about a shot for anyone that can guess who the moderator will be for the supplemental debate with Rich Whitney immediately following?
- BonVoyageJohn - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 4:46 pm:
Finke had a great idea yesterday…over/under on number of times the word “Ryan” is used. I say 2,000 and I’ll take the over.
Wonder if Shimkus will make to the debate or is he still on the lam?
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:03 pm:
Blogo throws back a shot every time he says “we have been friends since I was 8 years old”, “I’m not sure if it was a christening or a birthday present”, “healthcare for kids,” “George Ryan’s treasurer”, and “uh, oh, uh, um, you asked me—-what was the question?” Then I think we’ll start hearing the truth, and it won’t be pretty.
- Curious - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:17 pm:
How can someone in Chicago hear the debate? Is this only a radio debate? If so where can I pick it up around the city?
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:23 pm:
You can hear the debate at 8:06PM on 780AM
- Curious - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:31 pm:
Thanks Bridget!
- Curious - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:37 pm:
Will the debate be streamed online anywhere?
- Ryan - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:41 pm:
I know WBBM streams online…
http://www.wbbm780.com
As does WJBC
http://www.wjbc.com/
And WJPF
http://www.wjpf.com/home.php
All are IRN affiliates
- Ryan - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 5:41 pm:
Also forgot KMOX…
http://www.kmox.com
- Squideshi - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:11 pm:
WBBM is no good. They’re planning to air a partisan political event this evening that excludes one of the three candidates on the ballot. When they do so, they may be in violation of federal law.
- Ashamed - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:28 pm:
As a loyal member of one of the state’s two largest parties (it doesn’t matter which one…the election is about good government or its absence, not party ID), I am ashamed that its gubernatorial candidate did not insist on including all the candidates who are on the ballot. Are they scared of being shown up by a third-party candidate? [Actually, they probably should be. You start to wonder after a while whether Illinois really is scraping the bottom of the leadership barrel to come up with these choices.] Can’t we do better?
- bored now - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:35 pm:
oh, please tell me what federal law insists on the inclusion of a fringe candidate?
- Ashamed - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:37 pm:
Do we really need a federal law to force us to give the people a good look at all of their options (such as they are)?
- Hova - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:43 pm:
It’s time for Rod to answer all of the allegations that are out there. He can’t hide anymore.
- Rex - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:49 pm:
I’ll give the Gooberner $50 bucks to smash an empty beer can against his forehead. Maybe this action might reconnect his madula with his brain stem so he can “think more clearly.”
- ISU REP - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 6:51 pm:
The debate wouldn’t perchance be on tv…I like watching Rod squirm
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 7:55 pm:
No, I think it’s only on the radio.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 7:57 pm:
One thing for sure, the expectations are all on Blago; he has to dance pretty darn well tonight to not be considered the loser in this debate.
Topinka’s expectations are to make some points on the corruption and follow up with some workable-sounding proactive plans, enough to show she’s been working on a plan.
Rod’s arguments will be “I may not be perfect but I have a plan and tey don’t”. He will also try the “Whatever you think I did bad, the other side has been doing it, so we’re even” ploy. Rod will try the rope-a-dope, trying to turn every question into a prepared soundbite from the campaign, and he will try to run out the clock with incredibily contorted run-on sentences.
Topinka needs to keep Rod off the prepared soundbites and ad-libbing off the cuff: Rod will then self-destruct like last Thursday.
- Gregor Samsa - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:07 pm:
here it comes…
- Gregor Samsa - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:07 pm:
White horse’s you know what…
- William - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:09 pm:
Rod says he never promised to ride in on a white horse.
Backpeddling already.
- Gregor Samsa - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:11 pm:
He’s on the talking points again…She was Ryan’s treasurer, but not Blago’s?
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:12 pm:
We would be better off if they would both GET absent.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:15 pm:
Nice try Elvis. Public Official A DOES NOT stand for absent. It stand for your butt is in a sling with the Feds.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:16 pm:
Good one, Red, hitting your stride now on the long term public servant thing, and nice dig on the presidential aspirations.
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:16 pm:
Are they ever going to talk about anything other than how sleezy each one is?
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:17 pm:
I’m lifting my finger right now…
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:17 pm:
Rod gets a chance to respond and WBBM interupts with a weather report, I hope that they are consistent and interupt with another weather report during a Judy response.
- RealClear - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:18 pm:
Topinka was asked about Cellini, Kjellander and accepting contributions from people who do business with her office - she avoided answering the question.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:19 pm:
I hope she hits on the fact that SHE is also HIS treasurer.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:20 pm:
She’s a wreckin’ machine!
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:20 pm:
We are #1 for healthcare programs. We are #50 in AFFODING IT.
- RealClear - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:21 pm:
Shameless…Topinka fails to mention that the 300 taxes and fees would not have passed without the votes from 10 Republicans (including Cross, Saviano, McAuliffe, etc.)
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:21 pm:
Did she have an inspector general that resigned (was fired), I think she was an African American woman, I would love to know the story behind that. I would love for the press to dig that up, maybe there is no story there but I would like to know.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:22 pm:
What is the deal with those D.O.L. job figures anyhow? We know DCEO was double-counting job here in the state, but what’s the accounting trick they’re using on the federal figures?
P.S. Edge tax Credit was a George Ryan initiative.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:22 pm:
HE had an inspector general who resigned.
- Concerned Voter - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:23 pm:
Here we go, bring up those business cost increases, way to go Judy.
Good, overtime really not enough people to do the job, understaffing.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:23 pm:
Oh, she’s hitting good on the fundraising.
- Da Godfather - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:24 pm:
does this debate really matter? blago gets in and then is indicted within 6 months.. Pat Quinn the next Gov.. Scarrrrry
- he's not quite truthful - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:24 pm:
Ever tried getting a doctor to take AllKids? Not as easy as Blago suggests…
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:25 pm:
Rod is winning! leading the state in jobs! Blah blah blah Judy
Judy said obfuscate…she must be reading Capfaxblog
- RealClear - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:25 pm:
Wow, Judy sounds like she already chain-smoked 5 packs of Marlboro Reds today. And the night’s still young.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:25 pm:
Oh NO, you di’in’t raise the FOIA thing, Rod!
That’s gonna come back to bite you.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:26 pm:
No, Pat Quinn for Governor is the best case scenario!!
Judy has the most nasal, smoke-a-pack-a-day voice ever, ugh. I would vote for Blago if it meant I wouldn’t have to listen to HER for the next few years.
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:26 pm:
I think listening to this on the radio or over the web is probably too dull for the average voter.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:26 pm:
BAM!
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:26 pm:
Why didnt she yell and scream when Ryan and Edgar raised fees?
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:27 pm:
At least she said hundred and not thousand this time.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:27 pm:
Marie, you’re probably right. RealClear, great minds…
This is the 2nd time Rod has said Judy is making things up.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:28 pm:
Whoops…gotcha Judy!
Oh it is only one lease and its Quinn’s fault!
- Da Godfather - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:29 pm:
i want to know why rod’s taxes only went up 1% ….. rod has no idea! LMAO!!!!!!!
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:30 pm:
That’s the second time Judy said “deja vu all over again.”
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:30 pm:
No I was talking about her. I believe her Inspector General was digging a bit too much. I may be wrong, but it can’t be hard to look can it? Just see if Judy had an Inspector General who resigned (was fired), I’m sure we can find. If she lost an Inspector General I would love to know why. I can be wrong. Hopefully Rich or someone else can confirm.
- anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:30 pm:
The women on the Bachelor this season are Hot!!!
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:30 pm:
Yes yes yes
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:31 pm:
Maybe the algebra students can work a story problem on how property tax assessments are calculated…
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:32 pm:
If I was judy I wouldn’t agree to any more debates!
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:33 pm:
More ‘rithmatic?
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:33 pm:
If I were Judy, I’d demand the debates be televised.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:34 pm:
Bill, I COMPLETELY agree. Judy would be stupid to take Rod on any more than absolutely necessary!! He’s killing tonight.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:34 pm:
“How can he pay for it” is going to be the mantra.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:34 pm:
She just called us all a bunch of deadbeats!
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:35 pm:
Judy needs to get a clue. She has an opportunity to say what she stands for, what she will do, but she just bashes, bashes, bashes. Poor Judy I feel sorry for her. She is not giving anyone a reason to vote for her, she just keeps digging for reasons not to vote for Rod. She is just a very very very weak and miserable candidate.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:35 pm:
Nobody knows what she’s talking about!
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:36 pm:
OMG! He just called Judy a senior citizen (by “going to to senior citizen bingo”)!
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:36 pm:
Agree Bridget. JBT is not doing well in my mind. Blago has his talking points down a lot better.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:37 pm:
Rod knows Judy’s plan better than she does.
- YR - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:38 pm:
He’s killing? Good lord you’re nuts…
- a friend - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:39 pm:
300 no bid contracts worth 52 million? say it aint so judy. she’s so damn adamant that her office does absolutely everything competitively bid. sounds like she has some serious explaining to do. but will the media actually call her out on this?
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:39 pm:
spit it out Judy!
Whose got a smoke?
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:39 pm:
YR, you think Judy is doing well? Blago isn’t my favorite guy, but I’ll certainly concede that he debates far more effectively than Judy.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:40 pm:
She should hit now with the flu shots and the crummy drug program
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:40 pm:
He is drilling her with his 5 points. She just has no plan, she is clueless. He came prepared he came loaded. He sell himself strategically, he attacks her strategically, she just keeps talking. Does she have her coffee cup? If so what is in it?
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:40 pm:
Hahaha, I think Judy only takes Lucky Strikes. Real women dont need no stinkin’ filters!
- ISU REP - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:40 pm:
Some major Blago koolaid is being downed tonight
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:41 pm:
Awkward comments by the moderator.
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:41 pm:
Key lime green? With her loud red hair? Got she must look like a darn X-mas tree.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:42 pm:
a natural color
YES!!!!
Perfect hair!
Yes!!!
They should make them each sing an Elvis tune!
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:42 pm:
Topinka’s lies on no-bid contracts are already up on Topinka Watch.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:42 pm:
But an emergency session this week is not possible?
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:43 pm:
I’m going to be Judy for Halloween. Where can I get a lime green suit?
- Da Godfather - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:43 pm:
blago has on orange jumpsuit..
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:44 pm:
mines?
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:44 pm:
Telling point that the commissioners were Blago plants. And Rod coming down to Springfield.
Braveheart (snicker).
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:45 pm:
Damn the Topinka Watch is fast. Judy has some explaining to do. Sort of reminds me of a Thompson Twins song, “Lies, Lies, Lies” LOL
- Concerned Voter - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:45 pm:
I want to go for halloween as Blago, get me an elvis wig, a suit, and a bank account with $50 million in it.
- YR - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:46 pm:
Bridget,
Currently, I don’t htink either is winning. But I would, for once, LOVE to see this dope of a governor come up with an originial idea that isn’t part of his talking points.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:46 pm:
Rod has tunred into a talking point robot.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:48 pm:
I wonder if Rod’s handlers give him a script when he goes home every night…”Hello honey, how was your day…my day was fine…what is for dumber….uh…wait….dinner.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:48 pm:
Agriwhatcher?
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:49 pm:
A script? He is prepped, he is prepared. Judy on the other hand is just a wreck.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:49 pm:
Why would he veer away from his talking points? Isn’t the objective to pound the message over and over again and continue to direct the conversation back to his talking points? That’s the point and he’s nailing it.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:49 pm:
YR
His original ideas ARE his “talking points”. Its called being prepared.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:50 pm:
E-85 started with Edgar, not Blago.
- Green Observer - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:51 pm:
The real debate happened earlier on the lawn where the Greens had a voice. Rich Whitney was looking good in his sharp suit. Should have put him on stage to make the event more attractive.
- Wumpus - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:51 pm:
Does it count that more kids passed the High School exam if the standards were lowered?
Rod brought up FOIA, and Judy did not pounce over the Franks foia request.
Did Rod ever answer the question about taxes?
These two are like bickering children.
Apparently, the office to hold is treasurer, according to Rod, the treas has all the power.
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:51 pm:
The old ethanol in a soybean field trick.
- William - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:52 pm:
Prepped? He’s not answering questions, just spouting memorized points.
Rod, answer the questions!!!
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:52 pm:
I’m guessing “Bridget” and “Bill” are getting bonuses for every post.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:52 pm:
Judy sounds like a children’s book! “I like clean energy. Ethanol is good. Illinois has agriculture. We need ethanol. Rod doesn’t know about soybeans. He is dumb.”
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:52 pm:
Yessssssssss!
Any more questions Judy?
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:53 pm:
Rod was the one raised the fees on farmer’s ag chemicals and supplies until ADM told him to knock it off.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:54 pm:
I wonder if Rod could find Christian County on map.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:54 pm:
Bonuses? From who? Hook it up!
- Save a horse ride Harley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:54 pm:
Hot Rod is getting it for his property tax deal with Houlihan. When will Mr. Houlihan be available to discuss his findings? He pays less than what a 4000 sq ft house would be appraised and taxed at anywhere else in the state. Come on Gov, you look like the idiot here and quit playing us, especially the good folks of the Windy City.
- Da Godfather - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:55 pm:
raised fees on farmers chemicals?? he raised fees on everything!!
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:55 pm:
And most of all HER WORD is GOOD… no memorandum needed!
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:55 pm:
Farm in the zoo????
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:56 pm:
JC Penny is the biggest business in North Riverside. Corruption is the biggest business in Chicago.
- Southern Illinois Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:56 pm:
I own a corn field and believe it or not they both have driven by it. So, I say on that point the debate is a draw.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:57 pm:
Judy doesn’t have anyone crawling all over her!
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:58 pm:
Didn’t the fish farming funding come from the tobacco settlement funds? Or am I just imagining that?
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:58 pm:
Yeah…hammer it home Rod!
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:59 pm:
She should have hit him way harder ont he allkids medicaid failure.
- ISU REP - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:59 pm:
WAS in crisis?! Please Rod, you’ve done nothing but make things worse.
- El Conquistador - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 8:59 pm:
a chicken in every pot!!!
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:00 pm:
Rod takes a page from George Costanza’s book….it’s not a lie if you believe it.
- Little E - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:01 pm:
Preschool program - not up and running - no funding yet. AllKids - not up and running - no doctors will take more welfare patients.
- William - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:01 pm:
WBBM just cut off Rod’s closing address to go to their jingle and station ID. Kinda severe for him running past one minute.
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:01 pm:
If she gets another debate with him, wich I doubt, she needs to figure out how to
A) Sound a little less angry
B) Get him off of his talking points
Easy for me to say, hard for her to do.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:01 pm:
and the award for the worst moderator in debate history goes to…………
- Christian County?? - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:02 pm:
Rod couldn’t find Christian County on a bet….In fact he probably couldn’t find his own rear end without a bribe and a road map…
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:03 pm:
Governor Roboto laid an egg tonight. He sounded like a person way out of his league trying to grasp something he clearly doesn’t get. Amateur hour, pure amateur hour.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:04 pm:
Goodnight Bill. You exhaust me. And that’s not a compliment.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:04 pm:
What have we learned? We’ve learned that this is the best that we can find out of a pool of 12 million residents. She deserves to lose for not truly taking him to task with her only chance. He deserves to win, so that he can sleep in the bed of debt he’s made and possibly one up G Ryan, by being indicted while still in office. How sad for Illinois.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:05 pm:
I bet Rod’s handlers are dismantling him backstage right now. I hope they remembered the instructions.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:05 pm:
I’d say that Rod did pretty well tonight. He stayed on message, didn’t stutter, and sounded more in control of the conversation than Judy.
- ISU REP - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:05 pm:
SERENITY NOW…he should remember that when hes doing 10-20 in the state pen….
- Mona's friend - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:05 pm:
I would have to say Topinka did the worst job I have ever heard a statewide candidate do in a debate. Judy’s staff better get a handle on her. You guys are starting to look like idiots.
- HANKSTER - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:06 pm:
Topinka might not want to ask for another debate, she isnt in his league at these things. Forget policy or whatever you think about him or her, he crushed her.
- Gregor - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:06 pm:
I think if people tuned out after the halfway point, what they take with them is bad for Rod on the ethics. The second half, particularly the education chunk, was near impenetrable to the qverage person, and the stats flew fast and loose over the jobs/development topic. This is why 13 debates could have been good: one topic per debate, we could have got past more of the prepared talking points and into the underlying assumptions and plans.
- Da Godfather - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:06 pm:
pretty accurate.. Blago taking care of cronnies.. aka Tony Rezko.. he still MIA?
- Little Egypt - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:07 pm:
Pat Quinn, the gods are smiling on you.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:08 pm:
Domo arigato, Governor Roboto, domo…domo
Domo arigato, Governor Roboto, domo…domo
Domo arigato, Governor Roboto, domo…domo
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:08 pm:
Anon 9:05, that was freaking hilarious.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:10 pm:
Anon 9:08….I know
- wndycty - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:10 pm:
Just saw the clips on FOX32 in Chicago, like clockwork Judy had a coffee cup, this time a McDonald’s premium blend with a straw.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:10 pm:
Good night Little e
- Gregor Samsa - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:11 pm:
No, Rod didn’t “crush” her on anything. She hit her stride about the fourth question in and I thought she was gonna light the booster rocket, then she lost some steam as Rod tried to run out the clock with run-on sentences… Red could have hit harder on mrod’s failures and the connecting-the dots-thing. She better hope the press follows up on the statements and runs a side-by-side comparison.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:11 pm:
I wonder if Rod will head over to Papa Tony’s Pizza for a post-debate pie with a side ill gotten gains.
- Reddbyrd - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:11 pm:
Another homerun for Grod!
JudyBore forgot to tell about Brickhead and the executions..hmmm She’ll be down more points by sunrise.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:16 pm:
Grod and Arod have a lot in common. People expect a lot….and they never live up to expectations.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:18 pm:
He will have a hard time beating back this property tax issue. That is a simple, straightforward issue that the average voter understands. He really needs to work on his answer for that or she will just beat him over the head with it for a long while.
- Marie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:18 pm:
They were both a bit of a drag.
Thanks, Rich.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:20 pm:
The amazing thing is that Rod didn’t answer one question the moderator asked. Let’s hope he fares better with other types of folks who ask questions.
- Wumpus - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:21 pm:
From the ffem minutes I heard, they were equally complaining and calling the other a liar.
- Save a horse ride Harley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:23 pm:
It all seemed rather amateurish from the moderators to the candidates.
- WestsideDem - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:24 pm:
I’m afraid to say, she won, hands down.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:24 pm:
Wumpus- did you hear the part where Rod’s people flipped his switch on and he actually started doing the robot? It was amazing, the moderator did a play by play.
- Holy Taxbreak, Batman - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:26 pm:
Did I hear Rod’s property taxes on the North Side went up by less than 1% while his neighbors suffered 40% increases? There could be a revolt.
- Anon - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:27 pm:
I can’t believe his house is like 3800 square feet. No wonder why he never leaves his house (much less never goes to Springfield). He probably gets lost in there.
- Ted Danson - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:29 pm:
How funny would it be if Rod had a hair weave? Come on, it’s possible.
- RealClear - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:30 pm:
This is interesting. If you watch the Hot women (hat tip to anon 8:20) on the Bachelor with the sound off while listening to the debate, Topinka seems 5% less nutty than usual.
- Anonah - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:34 pm:
This will be interesting, to see the fact-checking and truth squad rundowns tomorrow.
- Donnie Baseball - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:34 pm:
Every time I see Rod now, I can’t get past the image of him on the Daily Show saying he was fascinated by Scwarzenegger’s film Pumping Iron. Now THAT is creepy.
- Casey Jones - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:37 pm:
Rod sounded like a bad telemarketer…the kind who, when interrupted, questioned or challenged just gets perplexed and starts reading the prepared script over again from the beginning. Either that or (for the rest of you who are old enough to remember this) like a record with a skip in it.
- R2D2 & C3PO - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:41 pm:
Great job, Rod.
- Link - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 9:41 pm:
With regard to finding Christian County…
Several years ago, the Governor was on a tour of southern Illinois in Massac County and when the hosts pointed out some issues along the Ohio River he said, “I didn’t know that the Ohio River came close to Illinois.”
Maybe not the exact quote but pretty darn close and the people who overheard this were democrats…
- Belle - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:00 pm:
I really can’t stand the thought of 4 more years of the ‘best darn Governor money can buy, and rent, and maybe rent to own…’ LOL
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:09 pm:
I listened with a friend from New York. She didn’t think much of the candidates, but she particularly couldn’t stand the moderator.
I sorta felt the moderator injected himself too much and seemed biased toward Blagojevich.
Neither candidate sounded particularly good to me. Both were talking to fast. Sometimes Blago sounded short of breath. JBT mangled her syntax too often. Who says, “mine’s” when they mean “mine”?
I would say Blagojevich did a better job accomplishing his goals than JBT. But breaking even was a win for him.
I’m not sure, but I suspect Whitney would have appeared at least equal to RB and JBT. Neither were impressive.
- B Hicks - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:33 pm:
So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I’m a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald… striking.
Rod won, hands down!
- Casey Jones - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:34 pm:
Rich, I just noticed you posted your verdict as “Win: Blagojevich”. I’m afraid you have the right bottom line, but his getting there was more a product of JBT failing to capitalize and the moderator allowing him to dodge the main point of many questions than something the Gov truly earned. And he shouldn’t win either a debate or re-election; what with the ethics questions, hiring fraud allegations, $1500 birthtism presents, an undertaxed 3,800 square foot house, an overall air of superiority and a clear belief in soveriegn immunity this fellow has more in common with Louis XVI than he does with the average Illinoisian. He needs to be put in the position of speaking to his record more and cannot be allowed the opportunity to turn future debates into commercials where he blandly delivers his well rehersed talking points or “RoboGov 2: The Sequel” will remain a possibility.
Of course, maybe we’ll all get lucky and somebody will catch Patty saying “Let them eat cake” on camera…
- ironman - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:36 pm:
The debate was split in my book. JBT don’t have much worries in southern illinois. I just walked a precinct with 700 voters. One person stated that they were voting for rod and the rest were good conversations about judy..I bet rod won’t get 150 votes in the demo precinct………
- Schiznitz - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:38 pm:
Blago was better at debating, but I didn’t believe a frickin word he said. He is shameless.
- Country Girl - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:46 pm:
In light of Ironman’s comments, I think you all should check out the unofficial poll being conducted by the Ottawa Daily Times. According to that poll, it is a dead heat with 26% currently undecided and an incredibly strong showing by Whitney (24%). Methinks this shows that it is a long way from over.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 10:48 pm:
LOLOLOL
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:08 pm:
Hmmm. looks like a Kool-Aid overdose for Mr. Hicks. I’ll investigate that once I finish auditing the Ottawa Daily Times-Clarion-Ledger-Star-Bugle-Gazette statistically valid poll.
- Angie - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:09 pm:
Anon 9:08-
Hey, behaving like a carbon-based robot got Al Gore into a very close race back in the 2000 election. Maybe Rod thought it was so effective with supporters that he pulled it off on purpose.
Or maybe…the party is just running Frankensapiens robots to make us all THINK it is a real human? Gasp!!
- B Hicks - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:11 pm:
I met Bill Mitchell in Decatur tonight. Let me just say: Bobby thinks that he is a tad bit friendly, you know what I mean?
- Martha Mitchell - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:15 pm:
Bill, Wyndy and Bridget: You should all be ashamed of yourselves. We don’t care if the governor stays on message, etc. What he says is so scripted, no one knows who he really is. The main point with you all is winning at any cost. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite you. Your attitudes are disgusting, especially when not a day goes by without some new scheme, failed scheme, subpoena, scam, etc. from the governor and his staff of junior high students. Talk to people who work in state offices, NOT the supervisors, but the people in the ranks. They can tell you some horror stories about what’s going on and the horrendous debt to be paid by the tax-payers of Illinois caused by your favorite politician. Who do YOU think is paying for all this campaign literature - I mean program literature - that is being sent by bushels full to senior, immigrant and uneducated taxpayers. These folks are being wooed to vote to make up for the middle class voters who have seen through this governor and said “No Thanks!”
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:19 pm:
Shaw calls it a draw. Which is a win for Blagojevich.
Based on the performance of the two candidates, I expect Whitney to pick up 1-2 points this week.
- Bridget Dooley - Monday, Oct 2, 06 @ 11:30 pm:
Martha, keep your panties on, girlfriend. Many of us are not exactly Rod fans, we’e just looking at this as a political victory for Rod. Judy stumbled on her words, didn’t seem prepared, and took every opportunity to whip out snide nasty comments like “you’re attitudes are disgusting” and “you should be ashamed of yourself”. Oh wait, that was you! lol
Rod ain’t my favorite. In fact, the most compelling reason that I can think of to vote for him is that he very likely WILL get indicted and we will get Pat Quinn as governor. I’d take him over JBT any day.
- RealClear - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 12:44 am:
Blago clearly won the debate. But the really big win for Blago this week is the way Topinka’s friends Hastert and Shimkus are making Blago and his friends look like Boy Scouts by comparison.
Voters will take a guy accepting $1,500 birthday checks over a gang that looks the other way on icky old men serving on the House Gays and Teens Committee, any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.
- steve schnorf - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 1:08 am:
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a debate. Without better formatting and better moderators, these things are a waste of time for everyone.
- RickG - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 5:39 am:
Someone help me out. It’s 5:40 AM and I haven’t heard a thing from the Green Party. Am I missing something? Did they post their rebuttal anywhere?
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 5:54 am:
You kids just don’t get it. Things have sunk so low that neither party is looking for the best candidate. It only comes down to who hasn’t violated the public trust. Blago’s actions are unethical but have yet to be proven illegal. Meanwhile, JBT’s silence under Ryan’s leadership is a clear violation of the public’s trust. The Republican’s now have a lot of work to do. They know the Ds are going to vote, the undecided are totally disgusted by the National situation and have little faith in JBT, and the Rs are demoralized by the loss of their last trump card of being the party of virtue. Regardless, there will be few “winners” this November. Whoever is in office this coming year will be making some difficult decisions. Be careful what you wish for…
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 7:54 am:
So, where’s Big Jim when you need him. He did make his lucrative career off the Republican party after all. And he was a champion debater.
Time is tight a month before the election, but the next debate could mean the difference between a rout and a squeaky win or loss for JBT.
She needs to get Big Jim or at least some of his
bright law school associates at WS to mock debate, mock debate, mock debate right up to the
televised debate. First instructions: a loud buzzer goes off every time she says “you know”:
She said it about 5 times in the first minutes.
It makes her sound as if she doesn’t know what she is talking about. Only the unsure of themselves keep asking their audience for confirmation via “you know.”
Big Jim gave tens of millions to Ryan for his defense via his law firm. He can afford to give JBT a few thousand in debate coaching.
And if JBT’s staff can’t get her to improve her debating and public speaking technique, they should have the decency to quit.
Not to say Blago was much better. But his far more competent campaign staff have apparently drilled his talking points into him so at least he sounds better.
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 3, 06 @ 8:19 am:
The blagos ought to be good at campaigning. That’s all they have accomplished in four years while screwing everything else up!