* I’ve long believed that the best way to beat Sen. Chris Lauzen in the upcoming Congressional race is to poke, poke, poke at him until he loses his temper. His temper is infamous among people in the know at the Statehouse. And that temper was on full display this morning when the Tribbies asked him about scoring Rose Bowl tickets (see below for more on this subject)…
Lauzen called it “horrible” that “you would judge that there is anything inappropriate.”
“If you’re asking a question, it becomes a story,” Lauzen said.
Lauzen said he made a mistake running for office 16 years ago, saying politics is a “crappy business” that has cost his family millions of dollars.
“So I’ll, I don’t want any more trouble for me or my family,” Lauzen said. “This is really a horrible, horrible business. This is horrible.”
Lauzen also referred to his Republican opponent, Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove, in the race to succeed former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) in the 14th Congressional District.
“Just think what Oberweis will do with this,” Lauzen said.
Saying he was a “little bit sensitive,” Lauzen provided his home phone number to a reporter who asked how to reached him with any follow-up questions.
“Why don’t you call me at home and then maybe you can talk to one of my family members who won’t be going?” Lauzen said.
He called back later and softened his approach, but the damage was already done.
* This isn’t the first time that Lauzen has gotten snippy on the congressional campaign trail. Remember his somewhat weird press release after Denny Hastert endorsed Jim Oberweis?
At first, I was very concerned that your health was failing somehow, and I sympathized with you and your family. But, you have assured us repeatedly that there is no health problem and we are relieved on your behalf.
Discuss.
*** UPDATE *** In another congressional race, Billy Dennis has a post this morning on Aaron Schock’s latest poll. The following is from a press release which is posted in full at PeoriaPundit…
1. Aaron Schock has an excellent image among Republican primary voters.
Eighty-six percent (86%) of likely Republican primary voters have heard of State Representative Aaron Schock, with 64% having a favorable impression of Schock and 4% having an unfavorable impression. Encouragingly, Aaron’s name recognition and image have grown since August, when his image was 59% heard of/49% favorable/1% unfavorable.
Even more encouraging is that Schock’s favorables are more than twice that of his nearest Republican opponent. Jim McConoughey’s image is 65% heard of/25% favorable/2% unfavorable, while John Morris’s image is 42% heard of/15% heard of/3% unfavorable. McConoughey and Morris face an uphill battle trying to match Schock’s name recognition and favorables in the final weeks of the primary campaign.
2. Schock holds a commanding lead on the Republican primary ballot. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Republican primary voters back Aaron Schock on the ballot. McConoughey polls 14%, followed by Morris with 4% of the vote. Twenty-three percent (23%) of primary voters are undecided. By intensity, 35% definitely vote for Schock, while just 3% definitely back McConoughey and 1% are committed to Morris.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Politico…
Illinois GOP state senator Chris Lauzen declined to commit to endorsing his primary rival, dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, if he emerges as the party’s nominee in the February special election to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).
“He should not take anyone’s goodwill for granted,” said Lauzen in an interview with Politico.com. “I believe that both of us need to conduct ourselves in a way that makes easier for us to support each other.”
Sen. Lauzen is really getting into the holiday spirit, don’t you think?
- Rob_N - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:02 am:
The Trib reports: “Lauzen said he made a mistake running for office 16 years ago…”
Sixteen. Years. Ago.
That would imply he’s chosen to run for reelection several times — and in fact he has — rendering his complaints hypocritical (at the least).
What a crybaby.
- GoBearsss - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:04 am:
“Why don’t you call me at home and then maybe you can talk to one of my family members who won’t be going?” Lauzen said.
Like I said in the other thread: Sen. Lauzen gets my utmost respect for that quote.
- GoBearsss - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:06 am:
Thanks for taking that out, Rich. Sorry for swearing.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:16 am:
There are many in his district who have seen his district who have seen that temper. He is not a nice man.
- Anon - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:35 am:
It is ironic that the co-chairs of the LAC are Mautino and Lauzen. Mautino wins an award and the other……well:
His performance has been seen there (at the LAC)often and it is not just his temper, but his tangents, lack of respect, irrelevance…….many in Springfield have seen it.
Hope the voters have seen his performances too.
- Ghost - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:47 am:
lauzen has demonstrated the exsitance of the rare medical disorder, Political Tourette’s: vocalization of the worst possible political message for the situation
- Stuck with Sen. CPA - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 10:49 am:
Not sure why thes quotes went to their blog instead of the story. They’re priceless.
Yes indeedy, those who dare to disagree with Sen. Lauzen suffer his wrath. It’s not pretty to see.
Even worse, Sen. CPA was probably going to root for USC, where his kid goes.
He could have gotten out of the ‘crappy business’ if he had just honored the term-limits pledge he took when first elected. Instead, he sold his business and became a career politician.
- Trafficmatt - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:01 am:
I live in Sen. Lauzen’s district.
I will do my best to support Sen. Lauzen by voting for the other candidate, so he can leave politics, get a good paying job and be able to buy tickets to the Rose Bowl from stubhub.com like the rest of the poor suckers that can’t find tickets.
I would have some sympathy for Sen. Lauzen and his poor financial situation (snicker, snicker) if was working really hard to support the District. However, I’ve seen VERY few situations where he has actually performed for the District instead of making grandstanding statements and supporting silly legislative initiatives.
- Jaded - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:05 am:
I agree with Lauzen. Politics is a crappy business that has cost him millions. In fact, it is so crappy, he should just quit.
You show-em Senator resign. Don’t let them kick you around, resign now, on the spot. That will teach-em for picking on you. I mean the nerve of those reporters for not understanding that you deserve those tickets. The only way, and I mean the only for you to get back at them is to quit today, right now.
- Frank - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:10 am:
With Oberweis foot-in-mouth disorder and Lauzen’s political tourettes syndrom, I only wish I lived closer to the district to get a first-hand look.
- leigh - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:39 am:
Frank I live here. I am a life long Republican. I will pull find a democrat to live with before I vote for either, but if push came to shove- Oberweis, at least he brings ice cream.
- Bill - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:40 am:
Chris,
Can I have your tickets?
- Jake from Elwood - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 11:44 am:
Two choices: the irate accountant or the irrational ice cream magnate. The old wrestling coach isn’t looking too bad now, is he?
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 12:02 pm:
It is time for Chris Lauzen’s defenders to come to his aid and salvage his campaign. Jack Roeser can issue another press release declaring who is and isn’t holy, Jon Zahm can sue the Tribune, and Joe Wiegand can picket outside in his chicken suit.
- kane county doc - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 12:41 pm:
Lauzen was wrong to say those things…but remember he’ll be one of 435 others in the MINORITY party, if he’s gets elected. And if he thinks Emil is a pain-in-the-rump, wait till he meets Pelosi. The guy will work hard for the 14th, probably sleep on an air mattress in his office in DC like a few other Congressman. Obie will spend his time in DC making more money for his conglomerate of companies. Say what you will about Lauzen at the end of the day, he’ll be working for his constituents, not his board of trustees
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 12:52 pm:
My mantra: If the dems cannot pick up a few seats in Illinois, they do not deserve to have control of the House.
The 11th should be easy, the 14th & 18th are shaping up to be ripe for the picking. I still do not understand why Dems aren’t lining up to run against Schock.
- Crimefighter - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:02 pm:
The oversaturation of mailers by Schock apparently worked with some people, I however, sent an email to his campaign wanting off his mailing list and am voting for an opponent cause of the overkill on mailers.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:03 pm:
“Oversaturation” of mail never knocked off any candidates that I know of.
When people complain about being contacted “too much,” that means the campaign is working as it should.
- Crimefighter - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:16 pm:
Yeah, but mailers every week and sometimes two of the same mailer in the mailbox? Ugh. I guess what really turned me off was the stuff I read about him in this blog.
- Truthful James - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:19 pm:
” I’ve long believed that the best way to beat Sen. Chris Lauzen in the upcoming Congressional race is to poke, poke, poke at him until he loses his temper…”
Sorry, Rich, but as the sentence is parsed and given the follow-up, it looks as though you are happy with the tantrum and look forward to his defeat.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:19 pm:
Once a week? Are you kidding? You’re gonna hate the home stretch.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:21 pm:
TJ, I care not who wins that race. Please don’t jump to conclusions.
- Bill Baar - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:26 pm:
It is a crappy business, and, if you’re honest, you don’t get rich. (Worth noting Lauzen apprantly not rich from politics.)
I’ve been elected twice to homeowners association boards. I’ve seen many many highly educated and professional people totally lose their cool in these positions.
It’s given me a respect for politicians because it is a crappy business, and you’ll get dumped on and it’s a real art to be able to listen to it, smile, thank the person for their thoughts, and then move the meeting on…
- Elon - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:28 pm:
I for one find it humorous when anyone in the public spotlight loses their temper.
For Lauzen however this habitual problem has become an embarrassment. I wonder how his wife and child felt when he accosted the football coach at Marmion for not playing his son. Where there is smoke there is fire, so sadly there are many more stories that have not made the press.
It is obvious that Senator Lauzen struggles with handling the pressures of daily life let alone public office.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:30 pm:
I forgot about that one. Not sure how.
- Red Ranger - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:46 pm:
Didn’t Lauzen want to fight Rick Winkel on the Senate floor over the bonding issue?
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:56 pm:
Sure Schock sent several effective mailers out. But before this poll, Schock took a huge pounding in the media and in blogs for more than a month. LaHood bashed Schock on the front page of the SJR and the Peoria Journal Star. Still, Schock is 40 points over his closest opponent.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:57 pm:
Most media attacks don’t work. You have to burn that message in with mail, TV, radio, etc. Schock is the only one burning anything right now.
- ice phisher - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 2:25 pm:
Looks like Christmas came early for the voters in the 14th. I for one will enjoy the holiday season just a little bit more with visions of Senator Lauzen uttering these comments dancing in my head.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 2:29 pm:
Sad!
The GOP is wanting voters to choose between a guy who has lost millions in office and a guy who has lost millions trying to get in office.
I think a coin toss ought to do it in this case.
Are there any Peorians over the age of 30 capable of being a congressman? What happened? All the adults left?
If Schock continues his bloviating Robin-Boy Wonder routine he will wear out his welcome by March, so that by August voters will be willing to support anyone but Schock by November, setting up an independant challenger.
As soon as you win Aaron - please disappear for a VERY long time.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:47 pm:
VanillaMan, when you talk of what voters will think of Schock in March and August, you seem to affirm he will win the primary. I think you’re right on that point.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:50 pm:
The GOP is wanting voters to choose between a guy who has lost millions in office and a guy who has lost millions trying to get in office.
I think a coin toss ought to do it in this case.
This is the most perfect summary of the 14th GOP primary I have read to date. Thanks, VM.
- How Interesting - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:14 pm:
I find it ironic that Sen. CPA NOW finds politics a “crappy business.” He did run on term limits the first time, I think he felt that 12 years was enough. But then when someone questioned him on that after his first 12 years in office, he said HE didn’t want to be the guinea pig! How appropriate, what a self righteous snob - I hope he loses.
- Anon - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:24 pm:
If this is how Lauzen reacts to a relatively minor scrape that he shares with many other pols who got Rose Bowl tickets, I can’t WAIT to see how this guy deals with real heat. KA-BLOOMIE!!!!
I note that Obercream has had to deal with FTN attacks just about every week. He just smiles.
Sen. Lauzen: If you can’t take the heat, stay in the living room, where it is soft and oh-so-cozy.
- Elephant Man - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 5:52 pm:
Lauzen and Roeser are an embarassment to the Republican Party.
- downhereforyears - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 6:10 pm:
Lauzen…what a loser…all he stands for is a no vote…name me one initiative he’s had and successfully passed. His only color is RED.
- Rayfan - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 7:20 pm:
More “I’m the only guy that can win” from the Schock camp. While the others do have to prove him wrong, Huckabee is proof that a poll six weeks before the elections hardly predicts the winner….. just ask Giuliani, Romney, Hillary ….
Schock is in an enviable position poll-wise. But not sure anyone really believes this race won’t be decided in the last couple of weeks of January.
- DEM61350 - Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 9:13 pm:
Poor, poor Sen. CPA!! His true colors are showing! I can remember when Ryan cut IDOC budget, Chris was made a fool on all Chicago newscast’s…poor CPA Chris was upset because (he said) his wife was crying because he looked like a fool on TV. I will never forget Chris…neither will Sheridan.
- Jon Zahm - Saturday, Dec 22, 07 @ 12:48 am:
Rich, I’m disappointed that you are taking joy in the idea of trying to prod someone into blowing their cool. You did not like when the Keyes goons followed Obama around with a camera. I had to intervene with the Aurora Sportsman Club President last night when an Oberweis hack tried to set up a camera on Chris at the candidate forum.
Chris was misquoted by the Lib Trib blog writer regarding the sentence about regretting running 16 years ago. Note that part was not in quotes.
Chris got frustrated as everyone does sometimes.
People here are writing his political epitaph too early. You are talking about a man who has won 6 of 6 Republican primaries and 5 of 6 generals. Oberweis is a 3 of 3 loser plus three losses for Kane Republican Party Chair/14th State Central Committeeman and State Party Chair.
- Schock Goes Negative? - Saturday, Dec 22, 07 @ 1:37 pm:
In reality, Schock’s “poll” was a negative push poll:
http://peoriapundit.com/blogpeoria/2007/12/22/politics-schocks-poll-sure-sounded-like-a-push/
If Schock is involved in these sorts of shenanigans, maybe he’s not really winning.
- Aaron Slick - Monday, Dec 24, 07 @ 10:10 am:
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) Lauzen is a passionate man on those things that he cares about. Personally, I like that quality. Maybe it is about time that a politician actually cared about something (or anything besides getting re-elected)quite so passionately.
I usually watch these politicians yawn as they go through the motions. Lauzen is my type of guy although I sometimes differ from him on his views. Is he sanctimonious? Yeah, sometimes. But, this is one of the few guys in politics that I truly feel is doing what he thinks benefits others in his district rather than himself. I don’t know about the rest of you but I find that very refreshing.
And, the fact that Peter Fitzgerald (who I and many others truly respect)is backing Lauzen in the 14th Congressional race rather than Oberweis also says a lot to me. And, then there is the fact that Joe Wiegand (Oberweis long-time campaign manager) has chosen to support Lauzen (as a volunteer with “no pay”) rather than his old buddy, Jim Oberweis tells me mountains about who I think that I should throw my support behind.
- Crusher - Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 2:16 pm:
Jon;
As someone who is involved with Lauzen’s campaign and is a frequent defender of Lauzen, why hasn’t Lauzen directly come out and refuted the Trib writer if he was in fact “misquoted’? This story has gotten an enormous amount of coverage in the media and in the blogs and appears to reinforce what Lauzen’s detractors have been saying about him for years. At the very least, it holds him up to additional ridicule at a time when he can least afford it. Could the reason be that he was not actually “misquoted”?
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