* Members of the Illinois media received this e-mail the other day…

Good morning.

I have attached a copy of Rep. Tom Cross’ new headshot for you to use for your future stories.

Thank you.

And here it be…

You can see Leader Cross’ new photo in the original size by clicking here.

* Question: Caption?

       

95 Comments - Vote Quimby! - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:33 pm: Why, yes, I did get a new tie and haircut for this picture. - Tommy C - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:35 pm: Note to self: Shave before taking high-resolution headshot. - WOW - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:35 pm: DUDE! - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:36 pm: I mean absolutely no disrespect to the Leader, nor do I mean to imply any improprieties on his part whatsoever… but, um, is that his stoned Herman Munster look? Just sayin… - 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:38 pm: The face of “No” in Illinois. - Anon - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:40 pm: That looks like the “REAL” Republican candidate for Governor. These other mopes are losers. - VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:40 pm: This is not an attractive photo. Whoever sent it out should be sent home until this thing is replaced. Caption: New Cross Photographer Revealed to be Democratic Dirty-Tricks Operative - Scooby - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:40 pm: “So I met Skippy and Hoffman at Erie last night …” - Vote Quimby! - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:42 pm: Thanks for breaking the ice, Rich…I didn’t want to get banned for life! I usually blame it on being out in the sun…. Rep. Cross says, “I’ve been thinking about that, Mr. Hand, and if I’m here AND you’re here…doesn’t that make it OUR time?” - really? - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:42 pm: The Party of No (Republican’ts) Leader at Your Service - Obamarama - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:43 pm: Leader Cross’ financial disclosure revealed that he is the new spokesperson for the soon to be released Nikon 263.7 megapixel digital camera. - Speaking at Will - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:44 pm: Is anyone else hungry? I’m really hungry. Whats the number for Papa Johns? Hey guys, I just bought “Dark Side of the Moon”, anyone got a copy of Wizard of Oz? - Vote Quimby! - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:46 pm: Rep. Cross says, “If Illinois doesn’t get some cool rules, pronto, then we’ll just be bogus too!” - Fed Up - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:49 pm: If I only open my eyes halfway, I won’t be able to see the mess I helped make. - Out There - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:49 pm: Jeff Spicoli all grown up. - Anonymous45 - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:50 pm: Mrs. Cross: “Honey, I know a really great plastic surgeon who will help you find your eyes again”… I know, cuz it’s happening to me! Gravity is real! Yikes!! - John Bambenek - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:50 pm: “Rep. Tom Cross emerging victorious from the annual Sangamon County Hog the Roach competition.” - Third Generation Chicago Native - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:55 pm: I thought this loud tie would wake me up, and I didn’t have time to shave this morning. But seriously, that picture needs to be redone, when he shaves, is more awake, and picks out a better tie. - Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 12:57 pm: Have you ever seen Carolyn Krause AND Tom Cross in the same place at the same time? More proof that they are one and the same. - How Ironic - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:00 pm: Tom Cross, eager to show constituants that he can tackle tough problems right after rolling out of bed has his campaign picture taken showcasing his mad skills. - George - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:03 pm: It seems what this photo is really missing is LOADING… - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:06 pm: “He said ‘Speaker Madigan’… whoa, lemme think about that … Speaker …Speaker … it just shoots out… bam! ….its making me zone out a bit …” - Wumpus - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:06 pm: I am sleepy from fighting all night for the futre of Illiniois. - You Go Boy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:07 pm: Where does he stand on medical marijuana again? - Stones - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:07 pm: He should have enough clout to do a re-take! - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:08 pm: “Mr. Cross, you are getting sleepy, the lids are getting heavy … think of that happy place … that’s it … lids heavier still … getting calmer and calmer … there is no budget crisis, only sleep … lids getting heavier still … no sixty seats to worry about … just sleep …” - been there - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:16 pm: you can take the hayseed out of the country… - Lost in Translation - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:22 pm: Aaron Schock told me “Wear this tie and you are a can’t miss for GQ.” - Ghost - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:23 pm: Dude, medical marijuana is our future. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:24 pm: My eyebrows!!!! Agghhh!!!! What happened to my eyebrows?! - siriusly - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:26 pm: Just tell me when you’re going to snap the picture so I can open my eyes. - MrJM - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:28 pm: Cross: [with a cold] I shouldn’t have shaken hands with those old people. [Bart hands him some pills; Cross eats a handful, then stumbles to photo shoot] Lisa: I hope that flu doesn’t affect his headshot. Bart: Don’t worry…he’s taken a million of these capsules. [Box reads: “Extra-Drowsy Formula”] Bart: Eeep! - Anonymous45 - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:29 pm: This photo is a public service announcement for Why Farmers Should Wear Hats Coalition… - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:30 pm: “Jay Leno, in a suprise move, showed his support for Blonde History Month, by dying his hair blonde, and unexplainably shaving his eyebrows. Leno, known for his Salt and Pepper turned Grey maine made this decision after attending a 24 hour “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” movie marathon in the Valley. ‘I just want everyone to know the history of blondes, is that too much, man?’ Leno then promptly passed out for a brief moment and asked where he could get a burrito and a diet coke.” - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:31 pm: Wow. Looks as if people are finally getting out to get their headshots redone. This is the second one I’ve seen so far (Kirk’s being the first, which I think is a great shot; full smile!). Think they might finally be hearing the message that a few more “fine lines” and a bit of gray appeal more to Voters? Hmmmmm. - Anon - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:31 pm: I’m so sleepy I didn’t notice that my tie needs to be adjusted. - the bev - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:36 pm: Eddie Haskell all grown up. - Rob_N - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:40 pm: In an attempt to show Illinoisans he is serious about cutbacks, Minority Leader Tom Cross hired a photographer from the Springfield driver’s license office for his new media photo. - Amalia - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:40 pm: No dude, i’m not kidding. i’m the leader. - TaxMeMore - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:44 pm: Like others before me, the first thought was “Can we vote on that medical cannabis legislation again?” Also, “I thought you said eat the mushrooms in the dark, not keep the mushrooms in the dark.” - HoosierDaddy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:52 pm: While insisting that he was not intoxicated, the Republican leader was unable to offer a satisfactory explanation for his appearance. - Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 1:55 pm: Just one more good reason to stay away from politics as a career. - So. ILL - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:01 pm: Dude where’s my caucus? - Kornfu - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:05 pm: I yam what I yam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8TRoMSG-5I&feature=player_embedded#t=117 - Bluefish - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:05 pm: A “Before” picture in need of a “After”. - CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:08 pm: O.K. let’s make sure everyone knows this is a Madigan(s)/Obama dirty trick that Capt Fax fell for. StateWideTom did not have his head flattened for the 2010 campaign so he would be shorter than Running mate Dillard. Shame on Madigan for thios horrible dirty trick. Next he will be saying Topinka will be StateWideTom’s running mate. - OneMan - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:25 pm: How are you doin…. - zatoichi - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:27 pm: Class, for your final, you have 15 minutes with Photoshop to clean this up for a GQ cover. - Ghost - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:31 pm: Beavis heh heh heh come here heh heh heh - OakParkGuy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:35 pm: Cross is a good guy, but this looks an awful lot like Nick Nolte’s infamous mug shot. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:36 pm: Kinda looks like Jack Lavin. - siriusly - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:36 pm: Ahhh. It’s so much easier to relax and be at peace with ones-self, after you acknowledge that you can never be in the majority. - babs - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:39 pm: C’mon, we just got rid of hairboy. Do we really need to comment on anyone being photogenic or not? - Vote Quimby! - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:43 pm: Please submit your ideas on how to improve this picture to www.reinventtomcross.com. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:44 pm: Kornfu, wasn’t Saturday “Talk Like A Pirate Day”? lol - Lefty Lefty - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:47 pm: Got here late and all the Spicoli jokes are taken. Oh yeah… “That was my skull!” - D.P. Gumby - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:52 pm: Hey, Man, you sent the pix out w/o the photoshop! Oh, Dude, now people will never recognize me. - Don't Worry, Be Happy - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 2:54 pm: Dave Dring would have never let this happen. - Captain Flume - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:21 pm: Stoned was my first impression, too. - George - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:27 pm: Did the state pay for these photos? - PPHS - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:29 pm: You mean George Ryan could have released a photo, to use, other than that stupid pic of him that the Tribune runs? If Cross picked this one, I would hate to have seen the other ones. - Team America - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:33 pm: What, me worry? - siriusly - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:35 pm: BTW Rich: I’m not sure if you did this intentionally or not, but I have noticed lately that you’ve been posting the QOTD in the mid afternoon. I really like that schedule. Gives us morning shorts to start the day, updates and issues to discuss and then the QOTD is sort of the lighthearted afternoon time waster. If its not intentional, just fake it. I think it works. - Cooper - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:39 pm: Wake & Bake….. - Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:42 pm: Mistakenly sent to the press corps instead of the Aurora Beacon-News’ “bad school picture” contest. - perplexed & perturbed - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:46 pm: “This is my Sonny Crockett look.” - Ned Racnad - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 3:53 pm: Any chance we could get a photo of the press secretary who sent this head shot out? - wordslinger - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 4:11 pm: “Fire bad!” - The Prophet - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 4:36 pm: Note to Tom: Put your wife in charge of picking out your photos and your ties next time. This looks like something that I would have done (and that my wife would have been hounding me about for the next decade or two). Women are much smarter than we guys are on these things, Tom. - Boone Logan Square - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 4:40 pm: Dude, where’s my caucus? - Boone Logan Square - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 4:42 pm: I missed the 2:01 So. Illinois caption. Consider my vote #2 for it. - Call Me Al - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 5:02 pm: Alcohol + Digital Camera = This picture - The Court Jester - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 5:10 pm: I’m all for a picture of the Press Secretary… - So. ILL - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 5:16 pm: I’d like one too. - Gregor - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 5:40 pm: This “My name is Earl” photo was obviously taken by the Secretary of State Drivers License division… - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 5:49 pm: So many photo (opps)…so little time. Sweet misery. - one day at a time - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 6:19 pm: Au Natural…don’t blame the photog…because it sure wasn’t photoshopped! - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 6:35 pm: Wonder why the bottom of the picture is grayed-out (using MS-Paint?), and not even a straight border at that… - Thomas Westgard - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 6:39 pm: I assisted Mr. Cross in the usual fashion of dealing with these things: http://www.mountainofevidence.com/2009/09/tom-cross-has-new-headshot.html - Dan S, a taxpaer, a voter and a Cubs Fan - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 6:54 pm: Dude, you wanna another hit, pass the bong. - bwana - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 7:07 pm: Tom!Tom!Tom! Can you imagine what Hunter S. Thompson would do with this shot?? Now I know why Brandon left! - Justice - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 7:33 pm: Loved the brownies……..wow, I now have a bodacious case of the munchies! - Honest Abe - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 7:37 pm: Answer QOTD with a Question: Why does the press need a new picture or any picture at all? - A Citizen - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 7:40 pm: It is important to be able to tell the horse from the jockey, although this pic doesn’t seem to accomplish that mission. - AA - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 8:19 pm: MONTGOMERY, AL (AP) In a shocking move, redneck comedy king Larry the Cable Guy announced his sudden retirement and plans a new career in politics. “Larry,” freshly shaven and dressed in a suit and tie, plans to enter the race for Alabama Governor “as soon as I get me a new da** name.” - Marc Feldstein - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 8:26 pm: The new GOP ‘leadership’ in Illinois? Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? Love the WKRP reference by Hooiser Daddy: While the Senator admitted to intoxication, he couldn’t explain his nudity. - wordslinger - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 8:29 pm: “I’ll tell you, politics is not a sport, it’s a way of life, you know, a hobby. It’s a way of looking at that electorate and saying, “Hey bud, let’s party!” - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:03 pm: ============== Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? Love the WKRP reference by Hooiser Daddy: While the Senator admitted to intoxication, he couldn’t explain his nudity. ============ Every once in a while, it’s not a bad idea to just relax and go with the flow. And if you wake up nude following intoxication…heh; it’s not the worse that can happen. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:05 pm: Good advice from Word, too. We’re on a roll today–and all thanks to Cross’ pic. You go, boy! - Quizzical - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:28 pm: “I have a dashiki the same pattern as this tie. All the folks at Bonnaroo thought it was great.” - Bobs yer - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:29 pm: nice little bash, Rich. Congratulations. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:42 pm: No one’s bashing anyone, Bob. Alot of this stuff is really more “open thread” type stuff. We’re just letting off steam and getting ramped up for the grueling week ahead of us. - The Court Jester - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:43 pm: actually as I think about it, the funniest part of this qotd is that Rich Miller is making fun of the way someone looks…what??? - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 9:47 pm: And rumor has it that the last “official” one we saw of him was from High School…full beard and all. Yowzah! (I like beards!) - helpme - Monday, Sep 21, 09 @ 10:17 pm: I have no clue as you can clearly see. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.