Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Birkett backing away from AG race? Sure looks like it
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Birkett backing away from AG race? Sure looks like it

Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Well, that didn’t take long

“”Right now, obviously, the plan is the plan,” Birkett said. “I didn’t formally announce, but I was indicating I would not be a candidate for governor and was looking at the attorney general’s race, and that’s the way it stands right now.”

Really? That’s what he said?

Um, no.

This is from the e-mail Birkett sent out last week

I’ve made the decision to remain a prosecutor and to run for the Office of Illinois Attorney General in 2010.

There was no “indicating” that he wasn’t running for guv and “looking” at the AG’s office. He announced for AG. Watch his campaign video if you don’t believe me. It’s entitled: “Joe Birkett Announces for Illinois Attorney General.”

Yet, the local paper described his comments as: “hedged a little.” That’s more than a little.

* Birkett said he’s now going to have to talk to his supporters to see what they want him to do…

“Lisa Madigan’s decision to retain that office is something I have to speak with my supporters about and assess the possibilities. But anybody can be beat.”

Hat tip to a commenter.

…Adding… With all the flip-flopping today from Quinn and now Birkett, I think I need some Dramamine.

Just sayin…

       

32 Comments
  1. - Anon - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:21 pm:

    Well if he has to “talk to his supporters” he ought to be able to call both of them and decide by tomorrow.


  2. - CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:22 pm:

    Capt Fax is just too quick…especially on the days he lays off the silly sauce until after 5ish
    THis was posted below, but will edit and move up

    This should go in the county election non-stories ( i.e. Houli a candidate for anything other than retirement and a long ride with the FOI filly).

    But it is too desperate since it suggests BrickheadJoe will not run for AG.

    “Right now, obviously, the plan is the plan,” Birkett said. “I didn’t formally announce, but I was indicating I would not be a candidate for governor and was looking at the attorney general’s race, and that’s the way it stands right now.

    Now this suggest the Brick’s announcement video wasn’t meant to be an announcement video. Fire the cameraman for putting words into the Brick. Give him a Cruz to the big house.
    So disregard.
    Also note that the Brick’s in-house Daily Herald PR person, Christy G., did not pen this so who knows what the actual news could be. Remember
    these are DuPagers who have already picked the AG.


  3. - Rob_N - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:27 pm:

    Anon, methinks you’re being “two” generous. ;)

    It’s one thing for a politician to walk something back if they think their original statement isn’t on tape somewhere, but Birkett actually taped himself saying he decided to run for AG and then he posted it on his campaign site and he entitled it “Joe Birkett Announces for Illinois Attorney General.”

    ‘Fraidy cat.


  4. - Levois - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:28 pm:

    OK Birkett! Whatever, back off if you want I could respect you if you were going for it.


  5. - OneMan - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:29 pm:

    Umm get ready to zuke

    Sun Times (Sneed) is reporting Burris will not run for re-election


  6. - Easy - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:29 pm:

    With all due respect, his first announcement was so poorly timed and executed that he should get a do-over.


  7. - Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:30 pm:

    So, bottom line here is that we don’t yet know who Dillard should apologize to.


  8. - Inquisitor - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:31 pm:

    Does anyone else’s head feel like its about to explode?


  9. - Joe B - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:31 pm:

    what a tool


  10. - Lincoln Parker - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:32 pm:

    Off Topic, but worth noting, according to Sneed Burris won’t run again:

    http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/burris/1659702,roland-burris-senate-reelection-2010-070909.article


  11. - Macbeth - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:32 pm:

    ==
    Sun Times (Sneed) is reporting Burris will not run for re-election
    ===

    Wow. He got the title he wanted for the tombstone.

    Nice!


  12. - OneMan - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:34 pm:

    From the Sun Time item
    “After 20 years in government service, Burris didn’t want the last four months in office to be that legacy,”

    Too late my man


  13. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:38 pm:

    We have a Burris post up now. Please go there to comment on that topic. Thanks.


  14. - Rob_N - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:45 pm:

    Professor, ya made me spit out my dang soft drink. roflmao

    Clearly, Dillard needs to apologize — immediately — to Proft’s cat.


  15. - Yellow Dog - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:48 pm:

    === So, bottom line here is that we don’t yet know who Dillard should apologize to. ===

    If Republicans are smart, Madigan will be unopposed for Attorney General.

    Dillard had it right the first time.


  16. - Robert Brandt - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 4:56 pm:

    From Joe’s website:

    “Welcome to the race, Lisa

    Lisa Madigan’s announcement does not change my plans. I look forward to offering Illinois voters new leadership in a state that desperately needs it.”


  17. - anon - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:02 pm:

    Hey Rich, The Daily Herald is more than just a local paper, it’s the third-largest newspaper in the state.


  18. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:06 pm:

    And they always seem to act like a homer on Birkett.


  19. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:09 pm:

    Rich -

    It’s not flip-flopping, it’s REVERSE SPIN!

    ;-)


  20. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 5:11 pm:

    Oooo. Clever.


  21. - cousin ralph - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 6:26 pm:

    Senator Birkett or Justice Birkett?


  22. - NICE KID - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 7:07 pm:

    JOE IS AFRAID OF A GIRL!! HAHAHAHA!!


  23. - MrJM - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 7:27 pm:

    Bawk… bawk… bawk… Bawkett!!!

    – MrJM


  24. - Chi Gal - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 9:08 pm:

    OMG! Birkett didn’t formally announce? I’m reading the Trib online tonight and at the end of an article is a Google ad for “Joe Birkett for AG” and a link to the “Joe Birkett for AG” website — http://www.joebirkett.com/get-involved/volunteer/ You will also find a link there to his 1:31 second video he placed on YouTube formally announcing his plans!


  25. - Google Ad Spotted! - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 9:18 pm:

    Ads by Google
    Elect Joe Birkett
    Help elect Joe Birkett Illinois Attorney General
    www.JoeBirkett.com/getinvolved


  26. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Jul 9, 09 @ 11:01 pm:

    I am not a fan, and he needs guys like me for support. He might as well stay where he is until something else looks more promising. He isn’t old. He can run in 2014 for something. Perhaps voters won’t remember the silly things he has had to endure.


  27. - Just sayin - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 12:05 am:

    Birkett really needs to go away. It’s not even like he’s done a great job where he is now.


  28. - T.J. - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 12:17 am:

    I am a big fan, but it makes no sense to run against Madigan again.


  29. - the ole precinct captain - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 5:52 am:

    Another fine mess by the Republicans (Circular Firing Squad). It is no wonder that the Dems keep rolling with nothing tom stop them with this type of behavior. This should be a banner season for the Republicans with the Dems current problems but it will not happen.


  30. - MyTwoCents - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 9:47 am:

    What Joe doesn’t realize is that trying the Brian Dugan case will only remind everyone how the DuPage State’s Attorney’s office let a confessed killer loose which allowed Dugan to kill two other girls. It will also remind everyone that two men were wrongly accused and placed on death row.

    Finally, it will remind everyone of Birkett’s very active role in supporting the DuPage Seven, including requesting the DuPage County Board to pay for legal fees in advance, wearing a D7 lapel pin and sitting on the side of the DuPage Seven in the court room. A prosecutor had no business taking these actions, especially the state’s attorney in that jurisdiction. In fact, it crosses the line…

    DuPage County is known far and wide for royally botching up the Brian Dugan case from Day One until the present. DuPage is a joke because of it. For some reason, Birkett remains in a bubble and creates his own reality that he’s actually doing great things. And the Daily Herald has played a major role in boosting Birkett’s inflated opinion of himself.


  31. - wordslinger - Friday, Jul 10, 09 @ 10:17 am:

    Joe seems to walk around with a dark cloud over his head. Not exactly the Happy Warrior.


  32. - MyTwoCents - Saturday, Jul 11, 09 @ 12:59 pm:

    Joe Birkett might have a chance of winning the race if he exposed all the problems with the Rolando Cruz case and the DuPage State’s Attorney’s office.

    It would be bold and daring.

    It would mean cutting loose loyalties to Jim Ryan and others associated with the case. It would probably mean making some personal apologies, starting with the families of the victims.

    He would then be taken seriously as a candidate who is unafraid of admiting mistakes and of fighting corruption within his own party and circle of friends.

    He’d come across as a true leader, a true hero and a true prosecutor.

    If…


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today's edition
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller