Theft
Friday, May 1, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There used to be a saying at the Tribune that if it isn’t in the Trib then it hasn’t happened yet. That’s often how they excuse theft…
Cicero spokesman Dan Proft, a political strategist who made hundreds of thousands of dollars as the town’s mouthpiece, is leaving that job to pursue other interests, including perhaps a run for governor. […]
Though his statement did not specify his plans, the Illinois State Board of Elections’ Web site shows that on April 9 he filed a form D-1, Statement of Organization, which indicates that he has formed a “new committee” as a Republican candidate for governor.
The story ignores the fact that Illinois Review reported on Proft’s D-1 days ago.
* HillBuzz had this tidbit over a week ago…
…last night we ran into several people in the Chicago political scene who told us Proft’s employee Julie, who also was National Communications Director for the Tea Parties on April 15th, has been actively recruiting people to work for Proft’s gubernatorial bid.
And then a few days ago, they published this e-mail from Proft…
Friends,
If you are receiving this email then I have discussed with you my interest in running for Governor.
Among the tasks to be completed in this pre-launch phase of the initiative is circling back with family and friends interested in helping with specific asks.
So here they are in my inimitable direct fashion:
(1) Please write a check. We have opened a campaign account (but will not have campaign website live for online contributions until I would announce).
Checks can be made payable to:
Proft for Governor
P.O. Box XXXXX Chicago , IL XXXXX
The Trib did give itself credit for this…
The Tribune reported last year that Proft, who helped Larry Dominick get elected town president twice since 2005, has received no-bid contracts worth more than $500,000 a year to represent the town and local school districts.
I’m pretty sure Carol Marin had that one first.
But, of course, it’s bloggers who are thieves.
…Adding… And speaking of goofy Tribune antics…
The Chicago Tribune in recent weeks solicited subscribers’ opinions on stories before they were published, a practice the paper’s own reporters said raises ethical questions, as well as legal and competitive issues.
An e-mail signed by 55 reporters and editors, sent Wednesday to Editor Gerould Kern and Managing Editor Jane Hirt and obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, questions why the newspaper conducted the surveys and what stories were used. They also wanted to know which readers were surveyed and whether any story had been altered as a result of reader comment.
Unreal.
- wordslinger - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 11:58 am:
Post-Blago, does the GOP gubernatorial nominee come out of Cicero? I doubt it.
But at least he might encourage other GOP candidates to work Cook County. Because there are GOP votes there.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:10 pm:
Anyone who is considering cutting a check to Profit for Governor may wish to consider an alrernative cah of their cash:
FAM Investments LLC is taking new investors for a limited time only. Our unique and proprietary investment strategy includes low fees, creative new approaches, and good, steady returns. We are certain a modest investment in FAM will do more for you than the same amount invested in Dan Proft.
Sincerely,
The founders of FAM Investments
John Filan
Arthur Andersen
Bernard Madoff
- Ghost - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:15 pm:
Rich, the trib does not have any reporters left. They have to pay for those managment bonuses somehow, and you need content to sell. So mayb they wet their beack a little at other news sources….the critical point is the AP is not mad at them, Long Live the AP!
- Eighty - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:16 pm:
Ladies and gentlemen, our next governor: http://img.mediaspanonline.com/5149/2200184.jpg
…oh look, a kitty!
- just sayin - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:17 pm:
The idea of Proft running is made only marginally less absurd by the fact that all the other GOP contenders talked about thus far are also going nowhere.
By the way, Mr. Cicero No Bid is listed as a contributor to Illinois Review on the front page of their website. I would hope they would have the story first.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:21 pm:
We will be witnessing even more embarrassing media stories as it stumbles around looking for whatever credibility and stardom is left.
Newspapers were like “American Idol”, in that their credibility attracted journalist newbies who gained credibility by “winning” and being published. As long as the newspapers were the source of new journalist stars and high quality “hits”, newspapers had a product to sell.
Today’s papers have become more like Muzak, and their product is no longer attractive enough to sell. There are no reasons for those who looked for new stars to pay a subscription. The “hits” coming out of newpapers today sound alike and their quality is outshone by journalist stars that stand on their own, outside newpapers.
As each newspaper journalist stumbles, as each newspaper struggles, there are fewer reasons for advertisers to buy space in them. There are fewer reasons for citizens to pay a subscription price. Today, the old “American Idol” newpapers are not the only source of media producing the journalist stars.
As you demonstrate Rich, and you’ve been doing this for over a decade, your stardom isn’t because you are published in the SunTimes, it is because the “hits” you produce. Your tone, style and knowledge has attracted an audience large enough for advertisers to be attracted to you, not because you appear in a newspaper.
If I had to start a paper today, it would feature journalist stars who build their own fanbase and bring in readers. The editorial staff would keep the writers honest and keep the product honest. It would feature star columnists debating one another on current issues. It wouldn’t present news as though the reader is stupid, it would present news as though the reader can decide for themselves. Today’s readers are empowered to get their news from many sources. Today’s newspapers need to present themselves as the premier spot for debate, discussion and information.
They are often failing, and are now floundering. The folks in charge, just don’t get it.
- Amy - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:43 pm:
anyone else check their May Subscriber Advantage from the Tribune? checked it 5 minutes ago. it features, for $5, a discussion with R. Bruce Dold on Political Corruption in Illinois on May 28.
“How we were targeted by former Gov. Blogavitch and what we’re asking readers to do.”
yes, Blogavitch.
- Ron - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:47 pm:
Proft seems to be taking a page from Rush Limbaugh.
Garner some attention, get the newspapers, if any are left, and the other media to give you lots of free marketing, and then cash in on the request to do publicity work for other candidates.
- anon - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
Ron is exactly right. This is a ploy to have some candidates hire him.
- scoot - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:52 pm:
Now is not the time for little games like this to be played…Proft can single handingly screw this race up for the GOP.
This is just delusional.
- John Bambenek - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 12:52 pm:
If I were a candidate looking to hire staff and one of the candidates ran for office, I’d be looking to see if that campaign was successful. Proft is not that stupid to run a “ploy” campaign and expect it to drum up business. He’s in it to win it.
- dan l - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 1:22 pm:
—–
#
If I were a candidate looking to hire staff and one of the candidates ran for office, I’d be looking to see if that campaign was successful. Proft is not that stupid to run a “ploy” campaign and expect it to drum up business. He’s in it to win it.
——
No doubt, you’re right.
Unfortunately.
- Anon - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 1:24 pm:
Of course the whole idea of the Tribune stealing the story has to be based on a premise that someone at the Tribune goes to that website. And, really, who besides a few right wing nuts and a few other bloggers who keep an eye on said right wing nuts for professional reasons reads the Illinois Review?
- Phil Burrey - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 1:29 pm:
This has “freaking awesome” written all over it.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 1:41 pm:
Anon, they do come here and I posted the IR story this week.
- ConservativeVeteran - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 1:57 pm:
I’ve known Proft for six years, and he’s as conservative as I am. I’m more likely to support him than I am to support Bill Brady or Joe Birkett.
- scoot - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 2:18 pm:
I’ve known Proft for six years, and he’s as conservative as I am. I’m more likely to support him than I am to support Bill Brady or Joe Birkett.
See what I mean..
- dan l - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 2:44 pm:
I hereby coin the term ‘proftbot’ to describe all future astroturf comments which will arise from Proft’s candidacy.
Please feel free to use the term.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 4:04 pm:
Am I the only one who doesn’t find it scandalous that after 150 years, someone at the Tribune decided to ask readers what they actually thought of a story?
- Rob_N - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 6:45 pm:
dan –
you forgot to add… “please feel free to use the term while drinking a St. Pauli Girl beer as you play that drinking game.”
D-list Dan Proft has nowhere to go but up!
We’ll see how fast Julie “that Proft guy’s an idiot” Johnson can come up with new sockpuppet aliases as she astroturfs every known Illinois blog.
- The Shadow - Friday, May 1, 09 @ 8:07 pm:
Dan Proft, most days, looks like he doesn’t bother to shave or even wash his hair. Is this the person whom the GOP wants as their standard bearer in 2010? I think not.
He and Rod McCulloch will form the “We’re not gonna clean up Springfield until we clean ourselves!” ticket. A match clearly made in political heaven.
His ‘employee,’ Julie, is a 19-year-old who Proft started dating shortly after she graduated from high school and she later moved in with him. It should make for interesting fodder for the campaign.
PROFT-MCCUOLLOCH 2010
We Don’t Need Personal Hygiene To Clean Up Springfield.
- Hildy - Saturday, May 2, 09 @ 3:35 am:
Rich, welcome to the club.
The Trib, under its ‘Breaking News’ guise, steals from Sun-Times wire and affiliate papers all the time.
- John Doe - Sunday, May 3, 09 @ 8:50 am:
Dan Proft can be sarcastic, opinionated, and gruff when he feels that he is being forced to suffer fools. Those qualities may not endear him to his critics. On the other hand, Dan Proft is bright, politically savvy, and refuses to compromise his integrity in order to accomplish the goals that he is seeking. Proft’s opinions on Illinois government mirror the opinions of many of the state’s Republican voters. I find his political views and willingness to refuse to be “politically correct” refreshing. I don’t agree with him on every issue by any means but he does have a very clear sense of honor & integrity. That attribute has proven to have been his “Achilles heel” on several occasions in the past. Many will feel that he should have aspired to run for a state congressional seat for his first time out of the gate into the state political arena. Until that time comes when the Illinois Republican Party is able to field a “top-tier” GOP candidate for governor, I believe that Proft will have a decent chance of achieving the office that he seeks in the GOP primary. He will have his work cut out for himself in the General Election but so will the other current crop of hopeful GOP candidates. If Proft can get the necessary public exposure throughout the entire state so the people can get a chance to hear his message,he might just be that “dark horse candidate” that the Illinois Republican Party has sorely needed to make themselves viewed as the “new & improved version” of a once proud and great political party. They have been recycling their worn and tainted vestiges of the Grand Old Party since loveable George “Can I Get A Witness” Ryan went off to federal prison. They need to try something and someone different.
An interesting (and unfortunate) sidebar which shows you just how a political candidate’s popularity is often determined: I had recently asked a GOP lady who has seen and listened to Proft if she would be willing to cast her vote for him? Her reply was, “No because he looks like he always badly needs a haircut and a shampoo”. Now, if that doesn’t scare you about the intellectual qualification of the Illinois voter, “What will?”