Well said Rich. Now let’s hope everyone posting here has the sense to read your INTRO comment before showing their ignorance in defending SLC. (”into” doesn’t make much sense - must proofread first)
-Also, anonymous, I didn’t delete your comment yesterday blaming this mess on Grainger-Terry. _
Thanks Rich, and I do honestly appreciate your service to the people of this state and to the people who are active participants and observers of the game. Both on the policy side (or lack there of) and the political side (which is never-ending).
As far as I am concerned, and no I am not kissing your ass, You, Marin, Ponce, Zorn, Schoenburg and maybe Charles Thomas are the only ones in-tune with what is actually going on behind the scenes in this state, which is currently on track, if it isn’t already is, to be the next “Michigan or California.” There is a genuine fundamental question if Dillard/Brady or Quinn has the “cojones” or the “intellectual capacity” on staff to get started on solving what is nothing less than a complete and udder disaster in state government. Hynes is right, the State is DEAD BROKE. You can’t solve these problems without a revenue increase and spending must also be cut- which includes pension reform and the ELIMINATION of Dozens upon Dozens of state boards and Pension reform. And I won’t even address MJM in this post.
With respect to my comments about Grainger Terry. They crossed the line when they started listing 18 year old unemployed kids as “Expenditures” on their D-2’s for SLC. Posting “Craig’s list” ads asking people to show up for “Astro-Turf Jobs Fairs” and BS “Campaign Rally’s” and then paying them $200 to show up and listing their names on D2′S under expenditures, crosses the line- especially when they put dozens and dozens of 18 year old kids name’s under expenditures for “consulting ” on their D2 expense reports.
This is an open letter to Grainger Terry at this point. You should show just a tiny bit of class, decent respect, human dignity and personally call each and everyone of those kids and apologize to them this weekend. Then submit an amended D-2 report remove their names from the expenditure reports, and repay them for their time from your personal accounts. If you and the names of people who worked on behalf of SLC don’t make a mild attempt to do this, your names will show up on Politico, TPM, Washington Wire, Political Wire and who knows where else. “Poilitics ain’t bean bad.” That is not a threat. This is the least you can do in the name of basic human decency and the future careers of 18 year old kids who may wish to continue working in government or politics. If you fail to do this, well, you deserve what you get and you should be prepared to look for new work out of Illinois and out of Washington DC. This isn’t personal, it is just a fair warning.
To conclude, and I am talking to Rich. You and I have met before numerous times, but I doubt you remember me. Perhaps when this is all over, you and I can go to the New Comiskey and enjoy a Sox Game. We can talk shop, talk baseball, or just enjoy a day in the sun. You pick the game and you can pick the bar. I got the tickets and the first round. I personally like Mitchell’s Tap, 3636 South Halsted. It is frequented by a lot of off duty sheriffs, firefighters, IBEW guys, IOE guys, and genuinely good people. But if you have another place you prefer, just name it.
Rich, I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to address my concerns.
Respectfully,
Anonymous
(Fan of the Blog-Active and Long Time Participant of the Game)
Let’s go back in time one month and imagine Turner or any of the other Lite Guv candidates running an ad telling about SLC’s “indiscretions”. I can see the ad now with the deep, scary voice; mugshot of the “massage therapist”; images of syringes, etc. Although it would have likely gotten him defeated, many, including the mainstream media, would lament the negative, nasty tone of the campaign.
Today, however, many are blaming this mess on the other candidates for not bringing this out. Are we saying that so-called negative campaigns not only have a place but are essential for informing the electorate about the people we are electing?
All we heard about was the nasty commercials between Quinn and Hynes. A good, effective SLC ad would make those ads look like Saturday morning cartoons.
Logical Thinker - there is a need to defend the some 213,000 IL voters who elected him as their nominee.
And there is a need to question why this wasn’t a scandal months ago.
How can anyone defend the Dem Leader’s attempt to change a fair election? This is a slippery slope.
Thanks Rich for stepping in. Comments have been getting very nutty of late.
What’s the over/under on Cohen dropping out? Before halftime Sunday or sometime on Monday??
- And I Approved This Message - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:38 pm:
Time for a deep breath all around. It’s a cold, snowy end to one of the zaniest weeks I’ve ever seen in Illinois politics. And I’ve been there for a lot of them.
Rich, when you went back and put in bold type your earlier comments, your observations were clear.
I thought the week of Rod’s arrest in the fetal position, perp walk, defense and offensive were the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
Scott Lee Cohen we hardly knew ye’.
I think we will will be clever and glib and bring our personal experiences to bear on this situation. But if we don’t find a way to work together to make this work, we’re spinning our wheels.
Illinois Politics is/are totally screwed up.
Anyone interested in trying to find a fix should line up.
I would add: To all you new commenters who are so concerned about the Democrats replacing a duly-nominated person - it is very transparent. This isn’t the PJ Star comment section.
Its a rather lame attempt by Republican partisans to try and keep SLC on the ticket (ain’t gonna happen), or make kicking him off a negative (ain’t gonna be).
So spare us your posts so we can get back to discuss the real issues at hand.
Like, where is this massage parlor located in Villa Park?
He DID win. Regardless of whether the democratic party wants him on the ticket given the developments of the last day or so, it’s not like he hid anything. He did the interview with Mark Brown in March and disclosed all of these details.
Is the blame on the voters for voting for him (as the media is trying to portray) or is it on the media for not bringing these details to light?
The media is carrying the water of the democratic party now and trying to save everyone the embarrassment of having him run in November but you can’t deny that he WON the election!
By the way, kudos to Bill Brady. He will never have my vote but I appreciate his call for SLC to step down. The report was that he said the SofI cannot afford to continue to be a joke. He said it would be easier for his campaign if SLC stayed on the ticket but would rather fight the good fight (not his words). Nice to have that call come from the other side.
Also for the record I wasn’t defending Scott Cohen. But now I will.
The State, and I mean that in the legal sense, has not taken away Scott’s right to hold office and has absolutely no vested interest in doing so without violating his and our rights. Scott Cohen has the legal right to be on the ballot.
So if we are not protecting the State by getting him off the ballot, who are we protecting? The Democratic Party of Illinois, that is who. In totality this duly elected Democrat is beyond a mess and the Democratic Party of Illinois is responsible for him.
With every call for him to step down from a prominent Democrat like Lisa Madigan, there should also come a sincere personal apology that they are ashamed that they and their party didn’t stop this guy in the first place. Every one of them are hypocrites that have not apologized for this guy getting to where he is on the Democratic slate.
In totality, defend the Democratic Party of Illinois for this guy with ALL OF THAT baggage winning. The more dirt there is on Scott Cohen, the more incompetent the Democratic Party of Illinois is.
Not from the woodwork, but he DID win. Simple fact. And I agree: changing a fair election is a VERY slippery slope. Careful how you step, good people of IL. As loathsome as this fellow may be, as much as you may not want him on the ticket, you’d better tread lightly. The cure could be more destructive than the sickness.
The only defense is the anchor around the drowning Dems gubernatorial hopes that he represents and the example of very sloppy quality control they bring to the process. I agree that the sum of the pieces points to a veritable sleazeball, however he is Their sleazeball and therein lies his “redemption”.
This situation represents a total lack of leadership by the Dem Party Chairman. He could have repudiated cohen, brought these allegations to light and informed every county chair and ward committeeman. Instead, MJM did nothing.
….yet everyone says he’s the greatest politician in Illinois. Good luck on this mess chessmaster.
Yo logical thinker — he’s a scumbag who BOUGHT the election.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:52 pm:
I dearly hope he steps down but Rich, overturning the will of the voters, no matter how uninformed/underinformed, no matter how flawed the candidate, strikes me as a dangerously slippery slope. Especially in a state already so unresponsive to the voters (via gerrymandering, party leaders manipulating campaign finance laws, etc.)
Is he the first person to BUY an election? No. And he won’t be the last.
The influence of money in politics is a completely separate issue, but until it is fully addressed, you will end up with results like this and whether we like it or not, we have to live with the results or else there is no point in having elections.
I’m with Logical Thinker. He won the Democratic primary fair and square. Why have a do-over just because people who didn’t even vote for him are embarrassed all of a sudden? Why should he step aside when he still stands a good chance of winning in November? Frances Carroll and James Montgomery didn’t step aside when Pat Quinn told them they had to, and they’re fine now.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
This Dude Missed his true caller, he may have done better if he went over and saw Pickle Joyce at Leo, he would have been a great boxer, he certainly has great staying power…….
In these difficult economic times I find it amazing that the L Guv position has a $2 million price tag . . . I might have gone 2 or 3 thou but no more.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
My point is if he won’t step aside, I’d rather Quinn go independent than they use anything more than the bully pulpit to try to get him off the ballot (e.g., new attention from the state’s attorneys or a.g.’s office, elected officials trying to galvanize private organizations to similarly attack his financial interests, etc.)
One or two good things could come out of this. First, assuming it’s too hard to amend the state constitution to remove the office, can’t we all at least agree to let the gubernatorial nominees select their running mates? MJM and the guv candidates should be put on the record about that asap. Second, and I realize this might be asking too much, but can’t we have a primary in the late spring or early summer so we don’t have what was essentially a campaign season consisting of the month of January?
Pam Harris, Logical Thinker, et al… If there was a law forbidding the winner of an election from stepping down, I’d agree with you.
But Rod Blagojevich was elected twice and impeached and removed. Did you argue against that? I bring that up because he and his staff constantly used the same “duly elected” argument during that ordeal which you are using now.
If you think RRB got railroaded and shouldn’t have been removed from office, I can see how your consistency argument would stand. Otherwise, I can’t.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:59 pm:
I’m just saying, some of you guys are mopes, I didn’t see many of you folks defending Jack Ryan when he was having his little Tet a Tet
fine, stay in as long as you want SLC & your staff (who appear to be here in droves tonight). But guess what, you’re finally going to get the attention you wanted & you deserve. If you were dumb enough to run for office with all this filth & garbage in your background, then be man enough to take the heat. And the heat will remain because any joker who thinks he/she won’t get this kind of attention (even if it is a couple months late) should be able to take it.
Nearly 1 million people voted in the democratic primary and he won it.
-Should he be off because of a checkered past? If so, then we should hold EVERYONE to the same standard.
-Should he be off because he’s an embarrassment? If so, it’s only because of the attention paid to the story AFTER the election.
-Should he be off because he’s not qualified? Who determines qualifications?
Look, there are politicians in Springfield and across the country, who are held up as party leaders on both sides of the aisle, who are MUCH BIGGER scumbags than this guy and who never get 0.001% of the attention SLC has in the last 2 days.
I think there is another issue here that some are overlooking. There were dozens of people who endorsed him, organized for him and worked for him. These people vouched for him and now they look like tools.
Its not ok to do something like this to the ranking members of “your” party. We had enough problems already and now we have another (potentially national) media fiasco. Lets try to do the right thing FOR ONCE and avoid looking like complete idiots and torpedoing our own party.
Everyone needs to line up, stand as an actual state party and demand SLC step down.
“If you think RRB got railroaded and shouldn’t have been removed from office, I can see how your consistency argument would stand.”
I do. He won re-election despite already having done everything except try to sell the Senate seat. Illinois knew what it had and ordered seconds.
And as long as Bill Brady is too Conservative for Illinois, Scott Lee Cohen has to recognize he is favored to take office at the end of the year unless he blinks. Pat Quinn and Dick Durbin are as powerless to tell him no as they were with Roland Burris.
The process in place for removing SLC is the election in November.
And I am in favor of using that process.
The process for removing RRB was impeachment and I was in favor of that one as well.
Zorn claims, with quotes from the Constitution, that the option is there to require pairing of the gov/lt guv for elections and that to activate the provision all it takes is G.A. action. Not a Con. Amendment. ??? Wouldn’t change the current problem but would prevent a repeat of ‘86 and ‘10.
Welcome to all the new people SLC or Grainger is paying to conduct some sort of war of false righteousness on the cap fax blog. Maybe these are the same people who were paid to be part of SLC’s baseless and fruitless challenge to all the other LtG candidates…Having daddy’s money must be so fun…why dont you folks ask SLC to buy you a drink at Vertigo this evening? You have all worked so hard just like SLC did going around making “contributions” to aldercreatures and other pols who were stupid enough to endorse this train wreck.
People, don’t blame these SLC supporters on his staff. I don’t think it’s coming from them. It may be coming from him, but I don’t think it’s from staff.
The reason he is being forced off the ticket is the sharks are embarrassed and want him to go away. They didn’t do their job in properly vetting him and it came back to bite them.
Your point on the the Blago saga raises an interesting hypothetical. What if Blago is acquitted? Sure there were many valid reasons for him to be impeached but if he walks, then there will be a lot of people who will have a lot of egg on their face. Ironically it would be the same ones who are pushing SLC off the ticket.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:10 pm:
I think I might agree more with what we’ll call the “Pam” side of things if this state voted for Governor and Lieutenant Governor separately in the General.
But we don’t. That matters to me. I can’t vote for Quinn/someone else…or even Quinn/Republican.
I think that should be changed, btw, but such is life.
On a completely unrelated note…Rich, your coverage this week has been stellar. I hope this ends soon so you can get a nap or two over the weekend.
Rich - my concern is with IL Democratic leadership “coming out” to demand SLC step down, the intense media coverage and how stupid IL looks AGAIN.
Personally, I can’t believe people voted for this guy. I sure didn’t.
If someone who is fairly elected can be pressured to step down - that worries me.
The fact there is absolutely no defense for this guy being our Lieutenant Governor means there is absolutely no defense for the Democratic Party of Illinois letting this guy happen.
There’s a difference between defending Scott Cohen, his right to be on the ballot, and the incompetence of the Democratic Party of Illinois that Scott Cohen won their primary under their noses and their watch. Scott Cohen gets all the blame for what he has done and the Democratic Party of Illinois gets all of the blame for the did not do, but Cohen and his Democratic Party absolutely SHARE the blame that this situation even arose in the first place.
it does serve Madigan and crew right-how long have they known this could happen again? He has been around long enough and is supposedly smart enough to keep this from happening. But then, our own democrats have totally screwed this state so perhaps it is just a dose of long needed medicine.
“I think I might agree more with what we’ll call the ‘Pam’ side of things if this state voted for Governor and Lieutenant Governor separately in the General.”
The ideal solution is to return to Gov. and Lt. Gov. running separately, as was the case until the seventies. Then Quinn is free of Cohen, and there is still no denying primary voters their explicitly stated preference.
Maybe the voters of Illinois should finally learn that they shouldn’t use campaign commercials as their only source of information when deciding how to vote. Then we wouldn’t have these problems (emphasis on the plural form of problem). I say the Democrats made their bed, they used campaign commercials to decide how to vote, and now they should sleep in it.
If he steps down, the early primary will help the voters forget that he was ever on the ticket. The longer this goes on with SLC still in play, the worse it will be in November for the Quinn-Cohen ticket.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
RMN was facing certain impeachment. And Eagleton - selected as VP running mate who knowingly concealed his mental health history inc. shock tx, powerful antipsychotics, suicidal tendencies and institutionalizations.
If there are new people tonight commenting - I came because I follow the Capitol Fax tweets and I, like many of you, have been on full IL political mode since Tuesday’s election.
I’m not SLC or accomplice. Just a suburban mom frightened at the possibility of seeing an election overturned because the guy who won is scum.
Actually, it’s very easy to get off the ballot in IL.
As a candidate, when you file, they give you a “withdrawal of candidacy” form. You fill it out, get it notarized, and submit it to your county clerk. Then, you are OFFICIALLY off the ballot.
Of course, only YOU, the candidate, may do so. And you may do so at any time up to 45 days before the election (I think).
Placing blame without offering a solution is not helpful. There are the folks that think the office should be abolished. I disagree, but at least it is a solution that they are offering.
To blame the voters is absurd. What kind of solution would that require? End voting? Elect-by-raffle? It isn’t the electorate’s job to adapt to a runaway political system. Its their job to reign it in and participate.
Is there really any question that the vast majority of Illinoisans don’t want to see this guy anywhere near office? Really? After all this?
Of course not. We got duped. We admit it. Now we’re angry and we aren’t going to let you get away with it. Step down and go away. We want a do-over.
Rich, is he still expected to make a statement tonight, or is he just partying at Vertigo & invited people to join his party? What the heck is going on? Any reports from Vertigo yet??
If SLC is looking for an “honorable way” out I suggest “Harry Caray”. Not to be confused with the Japanese hari kari.
SLC puts on some big glasses, heads out to Wrigley and says “Cubs Win, Cubs Win, I’m leaving the democratic ticket because I just bought Cubs season tickets. See me and Ronnie Woo Woo at all the home games.”
I can’t help observing that those defending SLC, who ran as a Democrat, actually seem to have a lot of what appears to be loathing for the Party and especially for the Democratic voters.
SLC spent $2M on the election. I’m interested in finding out, if he does resign, how much money he is going to get and where it is coming from.
I would say that if SLC rides off into the night, the media (Rich, this includes you) has an obligation to bring to light the deal-making that goes on. I’m guessing that this will be an even bigger story than anything we’ve seen so far.
Why oh why didn’t the Speaker/Chairman save us from ourselves? After a year of Madigan is too powerful and too influential and that’s bad government, suddenly he’s supposed to tell us who’s OK to run because we’re too easily fooled and that’s good government?
Democracy ain’t pretty and this isn’t exactly our finest hour. Live and learn, but spare me the “speaker should have saved us” sanctimony. So you wanted the speaker to clear the field for his pal Art Turner? Let’s callup the Collins commission on this one.
So his $2M “investment” will be for naught? He won’t recoup any of it? Couldn’t he have spent that amount on something better? (The joke possibilites are endless)
I don’t see that happening. It was hinted at on ABC7 at 6 pm that the beginnings of a financial package are being tossed around to get SLC out of the race.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:44 pm:
I think folks are starting to drink as they post, because this is really going nowhere, and the comments are getting even worse…….
That is basically right Pat. Only for this race the Withdrawal form would be turned in to the State Board of Elections in Springfield or Chicago. I remember Rich Miller, Eric Zorn and other bloggers helping Jack Ryan get that done when he was delaying.
I started calling for George Ryan to resign in 1998 when days after the election the Tribune reported that his SoS employees were working on the clock to kick the Libertarians off the ballot. Did you, crazy?
Scott Lee Cohen’s head isn’t the only one that should be called for. Democrats want all the blame and focus to stay on Scott Cohen and away from their obvious incompetence in allowing a guy with his “qualifications” to win their party’s primary.
-I haven’t had more than 5 hours sleep three weeks straight. I’m going a bit nutty. lol-
Anyone who is on the front lines of this BS hasn’t gotten more than 4-5 hours of sleep in the last 3 weeks either. Thanks again for all you do. Hopefully, you can just take a week off and go to St. Lucia or someplace after SLC drops out and the Dillard/Brady recount commences. That should take a month or so. But then the legislature “might” be debating a “fair tax restructuring based on ability to pay” and “spending cuts.” God help us all.
If I’m to believe you that he won’t get anything after spending $2M, why would he leave the ticket now? What does he have to lose by staying until November that he hasn’t already lost?
He’s the one with the leverage because the Dems can’t force him off. He’s the one who has to sign the document(s), right?
===What does he have to lose by staying until November that he hasn’t already lost? ===
He will never be lt. governor. If Quinn stays on the ticket, they’ll lose. If Quinn leaves the ticket, he’ll lose. If they find a legal mechanism to kick him off, he loses.
Here’s a list of folks who endorsed SLC - what are they saying today? Personally, I love the IL Committee for Honest Government
Carrie Austin, Councilman – 34th Ward
Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Councilman – 21st Ward
JoAnn Thompson, Councilman – 16th Ward
Roberto Maldonado, Councilman – 26th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Councilman – 50th Ward
Scott Waguespack, Councilman – 32nd Ward
Deborah Sims, Commissioner – 5th District
Joan Patricia Murphy, Commissioner – 6th District
Frank Zuccarelli, Supervisor – Thornton Township
Chris Gonzales, Assessor – Thornton Township
Deyon Dean, Mayor – Village of Riverdale
Terry Wells, Mayor – Village of Phoenix
Stephanie Kifowit, Councilman – Aurora
Brain Wilson, Councilman – Calumet City
Eddy Gonzales, Councilman – Calumet City
Thaddeus Jones, Councilman – Calumet City
Roger Munda, Councilman – Calumet City
Nick Manousopoulos, Councilman – Calumet City
Charles Levy, Clerk – Niles Township
Charles Hernandez, Cicero Township Democratic Committeeman
Don St. Germaine, Kankakee County Democratic Party Chairman
Reverend Johnny L. Miller
Reverend Marvin Hunter
Personal PAC Illinois
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Ilaz Kadriu, President of the American Albanian Organization
Planned Parenthood Illinois
This is going nowhere, you are right. The SLC defenders are just argument-shopping now, moving onto the next one when their last one was shot to heck. Getting circular.
I think I understand now why Rich closes comments on Friday nights. Blogging while drunk should be a crime.
Personal PAC and Alderman Waugespack have retracted their endorsements; Alderman Stone is standing by him (per Progress Illinois). Not sure about the others.
===Why isn’t “he won” good enough, Rich?===
I could actually agree(well not agree, but understand) with some of the support arguments if SLC had been nominated for some other constitutional office. Even governor. Then you could say he won and should stay. But since Lt Gov is tied to Gov this is different. He is bringing down another candidate in the process. Quinn should not suffer because of his faults unless he tried to defend the guy, which he isn’t.
It all goes back to what Rich said yesterday: It doesn’t matter if he stays or goes he is not going to be Lt Gov regardless of what he does.
======= he’s the one with the leverage now ====== Are you injecting/ smoking the same crap as SLC?? How’s the Vertigo party going Logical thinker? You’re nuts.
“He will never be lt. governor. If Quinn stays on the ticket, they’ll lose. If Quinn leaves the ticket, he’ll lose. If they find a legal mechanism to kick him off, he loses.
Whatever happens, he’ll never be LG. Never.”
Rich,
Whose fault is that? Is it SLC’s that he’ll never win? He already won once. Again, he did everything a candidate with skeletons in the closet should do. He hid nothing and made an effort to get the details into the public arena. Most of the stuff coming to light now was in the public record. He can’t win because of the feeding frenzy after the fact. The dems should not be off the hook. They made this mess.
Regarding the endorsements - I’d like to point out that Personal PAC and probably Planned Parenthood too although I can’t find their endorsement list right now - endorsed multiple candidates in the LG race. They simply let you know who is pro-choice in the race. Because they’re on this list it makes it look like they chose SLC over the others, which is not true.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:03 pm:
Okay WFLD breaking news that we may hear an announcement
I have channel nine and 32 on pip
He will never be Lt Gov about sums it up. What would you do if you were Scott Cohen at this point?
Hmmmm. I’d be picking out politicians and saying, if you want me off the ballot, we’re going to be cleaning some house and ALL of these candidates are going with me or see ya in November. #1 Michael Madigan. #2 The endorsement list. #3 Lt Governor opponents.
If this guy is smart and recognizes the power he has from having nothing to lose, he could drag this game out quite a while and do a lot more damage to the Democrat establishment.
Oh, my, I think it’s a wrap. How much more can be said? Hey SLC & Co: There’s a real basic book entitled “Politics for Dummies.” Oh OK, yeah, yeah, I know, kinda over-simple for us high fallutin, big-state sophisticates, but hey if it’s in here and you don’t know it, really…how sharp can YOU be? I mean, come on, it’s called “Politics for Dummies!” You can scan the whole thing in less than an hour. But you don’t even have to read every page. In fact, just read part of page 236, kinda in the middle: “As soon as voters begin laughing at a candidate, that candidate IS FINISHED in an election (emphasis mine). He won’t be taken seriously AGAIN (more emphasis)…voters don’t view candidates as serious contenders when candidates become the butt of entertaining jokes.” And the last few days have been more than entertaining enough, at SLC’s expense. When you sit in on a poker table and you’re not sure who shouldn’t be at the table, it’s you who shouldn’t be at the table. Make the call (If for no other reason, Rich has to sleep, for cryin’ out loud!)
Regarding the endorsements - I’d like to point out that Personal PAC and probably Planned “Parenthood too although I can’t find their endorsement list right now - endorsed multiple candidates in the LG race. They simply let you know who is pro-choice in the race. Because they’re on this list it makes it look like they chose SLC over the others, which is not true.”
So, what you are saying is that I shouldn’t trust their endorsement? Really?
— bob, u r a bit on the nutty side —
omg. I just spit up my beer.
- South of the Loop - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:20 pm:
I can’t possibly think of how I, nor anyone else can come up with a reason to defend him.
Cohen, once, just this once needs to do the honorable thing, and bow out. This guy has so many new issues coming out each and every hour, none of them have been worth defending
Looks like he may be announcing his withdrawal in style… roped-off table, bottle of Cristal, walk in with an entourage of ladies on his arms… yelling “You want to see hookers, I’ll show you hookers!” Have a seat, withdraw, and give the media a big double-barreled one finger salute. Wouldn’t put it past him.
- the Other Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:24 pm:
HWah asks about the Planned Parenthood and Personal PAC endorsements: So, what you are saying is that I shouldn’t trust their endorsement? Really?
Well, read the original comment that pointed out that the organization endorsed multiple candidates for LG because there were multiple candidates who were pro-choice. This is a matter of a single-issue group saying you can trust these candidates to be pro-choice; we make no recommendation on other issues, you decide.
So yes, you can trust the endorsement because, in fact, nothing that we’ve learned about SLC has put into question his pro-choice credentials.
Screw it! Anyone want to go to Vertigo and go have a face to face with SLC? We can say we are on SLC’s guest list and are on his tab! Then we can youtube SLC dropping out of the race from Vertigo! Yes this is snarky, but I mean, someone could go down there and seriously do this right now.
I love reading national public radio bumpkin who voted for scott lee cohen bashing the capitol fax circa 1997 format since we can’t all be senior content developer’s? Which is media speak for I post links to actual journalist’s blogs?
This is like a high school freshman b baseball player calling out mark buerhle, or a scott lee cohen voter calling out someone with half a brain.
“Thank you for showing up tonight. After much thought and consideration it is now clear to me I will not be able to serve as this great State’s Lt Gov. The Democratic Party of Illinois has made it clear they do not want me representing their party in November. Fine. I will drop out of this race as soon as the two campaign co-chairs who brought this state Rod Blagojevich resign their offices also. I will not be making any further comments until Michael Madigan and Richard Daley have a chance to take responsibility for backing Rod Blagojevich. Thank you for coming”
columbia college-translation I couldn’t get into medill. web content developer-translation-I don’t have the skills to do actual reporting.
good move.
when you regain your sanity from this mess, you still haven’t done a post election recap. A lot of faces/teams have been deposed from the scene or are out the door- hynes,stroger,hastert,ryan,hamos,coulson perhaps team edgar if dillard fails that have been around a long time, being replaced with a rising crowd.
=These people vouched for him and now they look like tools=
Obamarama, thank you. You get it. There is so much blame to go around related to the SLC fiasco that one barely knows where to start. But the one group whom I cannot abide hearing being blamed are the so called “stupid” voters. For decades voters and city workers in Chicago have been taught to trust and rely on endorsements and recommendations from their ward and precinct committeemen. That’s what many voters did this time, too. Since when did we start expecting voters to do individual google searches on each and every candidate on each and evey ballot? What goes around comes around.
======This is a matter of a single-issue group saying you can trust these candidates to be pro-choice; we make no recommendation on other issues, you decide.
So yes, you can trust the endorsement because, in fact, nothing that we’ve learned about SLC has put into question his pro-choice credentials.=========
I personally don’t think you get off without a ding or two here. Really, you are going to tell me to look to at shiny objects off to one side while telling me what to do when looking in the other.
I think you got burned on this one, but also think that single-issue groups don’t get to hide. Because “whoop-te-do” someone you supported sucks. I don’t want to hear more excuses, I want to understand how you won’t let this happen again.
I assume you aren’t saying you’d still support Cohen, are you?
*I* conceded the Republican nomination before McKenna did.
I know that’s off-topic, but c’est la vie. Back to Cohenaroo.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:36 pm:
moniquegarcia This is the table set up for Scott Lee Cohen at Vertigo. Who know if he’ll show, but the cameras are waiting. http://tweetphoto.com/10531754
I voted for Quinn. I didn’t vote for Cohen. I didn’t vote for anyone I didn’t know of. Sure, the ballot machine squawked. Election judge pushed a button and sent it through anyway. Get rid of this guy. What the heck were the Democratic Party “leaders” doing while this disaster was unfolding? Get rid of them too. What a mess. What an embarrassment. There are unemployed people that could have handled this better. Give some of them the jobs. Obviously it’s become “boring” for some of these chubbies.
G’nite all and thanks for putting up with us Mr. M. I’m thinking SLC is a guy whose own family probably does not like him all that much…what does he care whether he’s beloved by the citizens of Illinois? He paid for that spot…will follow the Blago model for standing up for the little guy (yeah, right)…and good luck prying his cold dead hands from the ticket.
Rich, I am a regular reader of the blog, though I have never commented. But I felt the need to say something in response to your comment: “It isn’t just that he allegedly knifed his girlfriend in the throat - I’m assuming that hooker girlfriends may not be incredibly reliable.” This statement just feeds into the myth that women involved in prostitution can’t be raped, can’t be attacked and are probably making it up if they are. I am not going to defend SLC. He is clearly a scumbag. But it doesn’t really help your case if you are making disparaging comments about women while pointing out his faults.
===This statement just feeds into the myth that women involved in prostitution can’t be raped, can’t be attacked and are probably making it up if they are.===
Sigh.
Here’s what I wrote…
===I’m assuming that hooker girlfriends may not be incredibly reliable===
I didn’t say she was lying, I said that, taken individually, I might be able to buy into his schtick. Stop looking for reasons to be offended.
===I am on my way but I can’t probably upload live audio or video until tomorrow.===
Why?
- Ashamed to be from Illinois - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:00 pm:
Everyone knew Rod was a crook in 2006, PQ stood by him. No one said step down Rod. I am not defending SLC, but the Democrats seem to have a history of this.
Lets look at this from HIS (admittedly perhaps not too logical) point of view.
He has spent some 2 millions bucks, and got the nomination.
Now, if he quits, he is out 2 Mil, and his reputation is in tatters. Hes a joke, like Monica Lewinski.
So, how can he turn this around?? He might hope to recoup his money (assuming he LOANED it to his campaign) by fundraising if he stays in. If he leaves, no hope to ever see it again.
If he stays in, he MIGHT hope to ride it out, and by focusing on his job fairs, whatever, be like Burris, who at least now is not really in the spotlight.
That Burris couldn’t fund raise even when he was the 60th vote is not really material here.
The point is, if he leaves, he has no hope at all.
so if SLC does drop…will there be a move for turner? If so someone ought to check Art’s D-2s cause methinks there is about 25K written to himself in cash payments and lots of other irregularities…we dont need more bs on top of this disaster
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
i’m guessing he’s pulling our chain…….
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:03 pm:
nothing on WLS yet…… WMAQ says nothing happening yet, they are waiting for him to show up, if the comes in the next 30 mins, they will break in
Come on SLC, Don’t go away mad, Just go away….
- Ashamed to be from Illinois - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:04 pm:
A couple of years later after the Fed arrested him. All those that supported him for 6 years then jumped ship, even though they knew it in 2006.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:04 pm:
Ben Bradley outisde of Vertigo…..
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:05 pm:
Bradley showing the table, Cohen nothing where to be found
As someone who actually “thought” about whom I would vote for, I haven’t smiled this much in the past year (December 7th, 2008, when they perp-walked the former Governor from his house in cuffs).
Only the knuckleheads that voted for him, as well as those that refused to talk about issues that matter- such as “charactor”- have themselves to blame.
If you don’t know who to vote for- maybe use some actual “common sense” and “learn” about the candidates and the various issues. If some group or other candidates endorsed him based on his being a democrat- you only have yourselves to blame.
Just because you don’t like the results, doesn’t mean that you can shirk the blame onto others. Man up- no one held a knife to your throat (sorry, no pun intended) to vote for either Rod for Governor the last two times- or for this guy. I have often thought that Illinois ought to have some stricter standards on voting….maybe that would help make up for some of the down right idiotic voting that seems to prevail in the Democratic Party primaries.
Ben Bradley refers to “waitresses in black miniskirts” and “many of the city’s top political reporters”, and all I can think is…’there’s a combination….’
A bit ot, but has anyone else started hearing from the out-of-state relatives and friends with the snarky comments re: SLC, Dillard/Brady, and Illinois politics?
The embarrassment never stops.
Regardless of how this happened or how it is fixed, spare me the platitudinous pomposity from the likes of Quinn, (D-Incompetent Hack) Durbin,
(D-Burris) Lisa Madigan (D-Daddy’s Girl) and MJM (D-Madigan)
I’m not sure if “moral authority” is exactly the right description, but IMHO their individual and collective failure to properly diligence a candidate who clearly had red lights flashing all around him long before the primary should preclude each of them from telling SLC what to do.
Each of them, and their ample staffs, blew it. Bigtime.
Maybe SLC is going to do this “Scavenger Hunt” style … “Look for the waitress with the ‘green’ carnation … she will have the 1st clue”
“Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger … go to the place where you can get a picture with Sam Sianis, txt to me to get the place you need to go next ..”
“Nice Picture! … Order a “Douuble Cheeze” and give it to the doorman at Excalibur with the Yellow Cowboy Hat …he will have you next clus, and don’t forget the ‘Double Cheeze!’ …”
Stone still thinks that the top jobs are positions like steam engine tender, oil lamp lighter and child labor mine worker….ramblings from an old man who wasn’t smart enough not to endorse a buffoon
===A bit ot, but has anyone else started hearing from the out-of-state relatives and friends with the snarky comments re: SLC, Dillard/Brady, and Illinois politics?
The embarrassment never stops. =====
I keep thinking of a Saturday Night Live episode about Blagojevich.
Elizabeth Dole: And—and let me add something: In my opinion, you are a disgrace to the state of Illinois. [briefly considers what she just said]: Well, maybe not to Illinois, but you know what I’m sayin’. If you were the governor of any other state, you would be a disgrace to that state.
The lawyer talking head on wttw last night, if I understood him correctly, said that in Illinois, political parties don’t formally approve candidates for slating. They get the right number of signatures and voila they get to run. There are other states which do approve candidate slates, supposedly. Maybe after SLC withdraws, as he will, eventually, we should check out the other states procedures. Alas, we’re Illinois. We never learn from anything.
I was googling the Rep. lt. governor candidate today and he is breathtakingly wholesome. I almost sent him a check right then and there.
SLC’s win is historical. It is the tipping point in our state’s political theater of the absurd. It shakes Illinois to the core and forces us to recognize just how bad Illinois politics have become. After Ryan. After Blagojevich. After impeachment. After Stroger. After GA budget gridlock. During the worse recession in two generations.
SLC jams all of this into our faces and demands that we throw out every single incumbant out of office.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:19 pm:
He’s only gonna make it worse for himself
it’s not unlike a lion, dont’ anger it, you will only make it worse, that’s how it will be
could have done a simple friday dump on Super bowl weekend, it would have been dead by monday
at least his side
then we would have moved on to the state central committee
and he would have been nothing but B Roll
- Remember the Budget - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:19 pm:
So, does anyone else think it is a horrible idea to have the primary the same month as the budget address? How is that bill doing to push the date back to March?
“The Picasso at Daley Plaza always says ‘Chicago’ to me, txt me a picture of a woman holding an umbrella, and you will get the next clue.”
SLC is running this like a Keystone Kop, wouldn’t shock me if its part of getting $2mil back filming Kass or Bradley or Flannery doing a Scavenger Hunt
I won’t link to it because that old prude and prune Rich Miller would probably delete the post, but I have a clue how to find the aforementioned website.
Utilize the google.
Type in Chicago Massage Parlor and Eden.
It shows it in Elk Grove Village.
I am shocked to find that kind of activity in Cook County.
Where is Tom Dart?
I would have figured he would have found an angle to garner publicity from this.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:29 pm:
Anonymous has arrived at Vertigo! WGN, NBC, Chicago Tribune, Sun Times is hete. Flannery left. SLC was supposed to be here at. 9 pm! Vertigo has cancelled his VIP room!
“I bet you are tired following all my clues … you know what might make you feel better … a massage, so go to the place ‘Adam and Eve’ might be found in Elk Grove … go in the 3rd stall and get your next clue ….”
lol… and y’all thought I was kidding about this Scavenger Hunt … “The Amazing Concession” “This is the Amazing Concession. Twelve of IL’s finest reporters will take you through the ups and downs of tracking the prize - SLC …”
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:39 pm:
before I go up, Although I didn’t know him that well, I have to say That Carlos Hernandez Gomez would be in his glory right now
I’m sure he’s having a great time in the big news room in the sky
Crap. Letterman is a repeat. I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about SLC until a national talk show host tells me.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:42 pm:
Just catching up, too many posts to read them all without falling further behind!
I was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt when the first few nuggets rolled out, then he goes on Chicago Tonight and says his life is an open book and he’s telling us everything. In the same breath he refuses to talk about his child support and alimony issues. That was the last straw.
If he stays on the ticket, I’ll still vote for Quinn, but it’ll be a tough vote. No way do I want Brady/Plummer. Of course, there’s always Rich Whitney.
Who I am I blaming for this? MJM
Why? There should have been an amendment to let the Gov. candidates designate their running mates after the 1986 debacle and he is the go-to guy for these things.
I also blame the rest of our Dem leaders. There should have been a Dem slate this year, and their unwillingness to work together for the common good made Cohen’s win possible.
What a ramble…I guess that goes with wine blogging.
I have to agree with the criticism of Grainger Terry. I would think that a good political consultant would evaluate (do opposition research) on their candidate to see if they can win the election to office. Grainger Terry did not get this guy elected; Grainger Terry won the nomination and now the guy is getting slaughtered in the press and they say “no more reporters?”
If Grainger Terry had any professionalism, they would have told SLC “This is going to blow up in your face, you should walk away now”. If SLC didn’t like that answer then Grainger Terry should have walked away.
How can Grainger Terry be trusted by any of their clients with regards to their advice? How can Grainger Terry do any fundraising for potential clients when their donors all look like idiots. Grainger Terry will close their doors. They are done in the political arena — maybe they’ll open as a different name and reorgainize but their credibility is done.
I also second the sentiment that Madigan should had done opposition research on all the Democratic candidates to ward off these types of issues. He failed the Democratic Party and the Democratic voters of Illinois.
anyone else think the forgotten Jason Plummer is having a busy couple of days, probably shredding away, burning sex tapes, clearing up any misunderstandings with the IRS?
SLC was supposed to be here at Vertigo to concede at 9. His spokesperson has not or returned a call from NBC, WGN, CBS, the trib WTTW or the Sun- times since 2 pm. SLC reserved a table at Vertigo for 5 people. He did not leave a credit card number. Sun times, trib and AP just left. No SLC sighting!
- Quinn T. Sential - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:56 pm:
Just came back home to find all this non-sense and I have to ask; raise your hand honestly if you stayed up late like this waiting for Geraldo to blow open Al Capone’s vault.
Progress Illinois and WTTW and anonymous are the only one’s left at Vertigo. Chicago TV and Print media refused to go to SLC’s house in Wicker Park to ring his doorbell. Anonymous is still considering it.
Man! As a citizen of Illinois, I’m appalled at this guy. As a Republican in Illinois, I’m appalled at this guy. I can just imagine the type of comments you have been deleting. This guy is toast, period. No alibi or explanation will save him.
I understand he can’t be forced off the ballot. Its either resign in disgrace, or run and continue to be disgraced.
But what about that major REFORM that our Springfield angels refused to adopt that may have assisted in preventing all of this drama. You know, the one that would have pushed the primary date back to May or June? The compressed primary schedule actually was a factor in allowing this guy to sneak under the radar screen.
Let’s start out with a demand that the primary be set in May or June, hell I would even take August in future election cycles.
Grainger Terry deserves no blame. They probably told him this could be an issue. Did they advise records be sealed? He even claim clean to some extent beforehand. But in the end, he had the cash, and GT was willing to entertain him, and it worked well. In the end, they’ve made a lot of money and demonstrated their effectiveness. Maybe they thought coming clean was enough, or that the press would come earlier, but they shouldn’t be blamed for this mess.
Have allready placed calls to Madigan’s offices expressing displeasure with his lack of vetting SLC on behalf of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Believe it is time for MM to start saddling his horse and start that ride ” into the sunset “.
Quinn, Madigan and Durbin, etc had no problem running on a ticket with Rod Blagojevich. They swallowed their pride and they did it TWICE. The difference is that Blago WAS vetted and everybody knew what a train wreck he was before the election. And nobody called for him to drop out and he won anyway.
- The REAL Anonymous...fka Anonymous - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 10:35 am:
Wow. Anonymous is pretty determined. Good for you!
Wow! What a mess. A mess that could have been avoided by political leaders after it happened in 1986. Why in the world after that Larouchie debacle did our “leaders not take the politcal and legislative steps necessary to avoid a repeat?
Yes Rich, He Won is enough. Unless you would like to have your candidates appointed by political insiders, you MUST accept that elections have consequences. If the people of Illinois decide the guy is unfit to serve, they can vote for the Republican ticket. That is how our democracy functions.
=== If the people of Illinois decide the guy is unfit to serve, they can vote for the Republican ticket. That is how our democracy functions.===
lol
Nice try. There’s no law against him stepping down.
- dump the shady banker - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 6:25 pm:
Gosh, the Democratic leaders sure have a double standard. Why aren’t the Democratic Party leaders asking Alexi to quit. His bank is being investigated and he was the chief loan officer. He did a little old lady out of her building, okayed questionable loans. By November the Republicans will have made toast out of him. So if the can’t boot Alexi why boot SLC, the voters selected both of these yoyos.
She DID hire Gloria Allred. Who called that in the comments?
- Pot calling kettle - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 10:54 pm:
Suntimes article ==A convicted prostitute who accused Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen of threatening her with a knife told the Chicago Sun-Times today she “does not believe he is fit to hold any public office.’’==
I just got back home last night from a three week vacation. All I heard from afar was the result of the Alexi and Kirk primaries.
Today, i discover that Julie Hamos, Beth Coulson, Suzie Bassi, and possibly others are out of politics for the time being. No winner yet for either Dem or Repub Governor primary races, and the Lt. Gov race just gave us our first winner dropout.
I have to predict a low turnout for the November elections. Not a rebellion against incumbents of either party, just a disallusionment with the political and electoral process by Illinois residents. Blame them?
- Little Egypt - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:16 pm:
Well said Rich. Now let’s hope everyone posting here has the sense to read your into comment before showing their ignorance in defending SLC.
- Anon62 - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:18 pm:
couldn’t agree more, rich. this guy is a train wreck. there is no possible defense of this guy.
- Little Egypt - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:18 pm:
Well said Rich. Now let’s hope everyone posting here has the sense to read your INTRO comment before showing their ignorance in defending SLC. (”into” doesn’t make much sense - must proofread first)
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:22 pm:
Amen Brother Miller, preach.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:28 pm:
HE WON! The media and his opponents had 7 months to bring these details to light. Any of them or all of them and they didn’t.
You don’t get a “redo” on the election results. If so, why ever have elections again?
- washedmyhands - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:30 pm:
Mr. Miller, since you’re tight with SLC (just joking), any chance you can suggest he demonstrate how much he really wants to be Lt. Gov.?
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x158
2410479/Sheriffs-office-demonstrat
es-Taser-on-county-board-member
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:30 pm:
I just love how this clown is bringing out new commenters from the woodwork.
“He won” ain’t enough, pal.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:32 pm:
@ Rich Miller
-Also, anonymous, I didn’t delete your comment yesterday blaming this mess on Grainger-Terry. _
Thanks Rich, and I do honestly appreciate your service to the people of this state and to the people who are active participants and observers of the game. Both on the policy side (or lack there of) and the political side (which is never-ending).
As far as I am concerned, and no I am not kissing your ass, You, Marin, Ponce, Zorn, Schoenburg and maybe Charles Thomas are the only ones in-tune with what is actually going on behind the scenes in this state, which is currently on track, if it isn’t already is, to be the next “Michigan or California.” There is a genuine fundamental question if Dillard/Brady or Quinn has the “cojones” or the “intellectual capacity” on staff to get started on solving what is nothing less than a complete and udder disaster in state government. Hynes is right, the State is DEAD BROKE. You can’t solve these problems without a revenue increase and spending must also be cut- which includes pension reform and the ELIMINATION of Dozens upon Dozens of state boards and Pension reform. And I won’t even address MJM in this post.
With respect to my comments about Grainger Terry. They crossed the line when they started listing 18 year old unemployed kids as “Expenditures” on their D-2’s for SLC. Posting “Craig’s list” ads asking people to show up for “Astro-Turf Jobs Fairs” and BS “Campaign Rally’s” and then paying them $200 to show up and listing their names on D2′S under expenditures, crosses the line- especially when they put dozens and dozens of 18 year old kids name’s under expenditures for “consulting ” on their D2 expense reports.
This is an open letter to Grainger Terry at this point. You should show just a tiny bit of class, decent respect, human dignity and personally call each and everyone of those kids and apologize to them this weekend. Then submit an amended D-2 report remove their names from the expenditure reports, and repay them for their time from your personal accounts. If you and the names of people who worked on behalf of SLC don’t make a mild attempt to do this, your names will show up on Politico, TPM, Washington Wire, Political Wire and who knows where else. “Poilitics ain’t bean bad.” That is not a threat. This is the least you can do in the name of basic human decency and the future careers of 18 year old kids who may wish to continue working in government or politics. If you fail to do this, well, you deserve what you get and you should be prepared to look for new work out of Illinois and out of Washington DC. This isn’t personal, it is just a fair warning.
To conclude, and I am talking to Rich. You and I have met before numerous times, but I doubt you remember me. Perhaps when this is all over, you and I can go to the New Comiskey and enjoy a Sox Game. We can talk shop, talk baseball, or just enjoy a day in the sun. You pick the game and you can pick the bar. I got the tickets and the first round. I personally like Mitchell’s Tap, 3636 South Halsted. It is frequented by a lot of off duty sheriffs, firefighters, IBEW guys, IOE guys, and genuinely good people. But if you have another place you prefer, just name it.
Rich, I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to address my concerns.
Respectfully,
Anonymous
(Fan of the Blog-Active and Long Time Participant of the Game)
- Old Shepherd - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:32 pm:
Let’s go back in time one month and imagine Turner or any of the other Lite Guv candidates running an ad telling about SLC’s “indiscretions”. I can see the ad now with the deep, scary voice; mugshot of the “massage therapist”; images of syringes, etc. Although it would have likely gotten him defeated, many, including the mainstream media, would lament the negative, nasty tone of the campaign.
Today, however, many are blaming this mess on the other candidates for not bringing this out. Are we saying that so-called negative campaigns not only have a place but are essential for informing the electorate about the people we are electing?
All we heard about was the nasty commercials between Quinn and Hynes. A good, effective SLC ad would make those ads look like Saturday morning cartoons.
- chicagoexpat - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:33 pm:
c’mon, it’s about time the Dem party had a candidate willing to hold court above a rub n’ tug.
(Am I disparaging the Vertigo nightclub at the top of the Dana Hotel and Spa? Sorry)
But it still don’t hold a candle to the Jack Ryan debacle, that was the MOST fun.
- Pam Harris - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:34 pm:
Logical Thinker - there is a need to defend the some 213,000 IL voters who elected him as their nominee.
And there is a need to question why this wasn’t a scandal months ago.
How can anyone defend the Dem Leader’s attempt to change a fair election? This is a slippery slope.
- DuPage Dave - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:37 pm:
Thanks Rich for stepping in. Comments have been getting very nutty of late.
What’s the over/under on Cohen dropping out? Before halftime Sunday or sometime on Monday??
- And I Approved This Message - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:38 pm:
Time for a deep breath all around. It’s a cold, snowy end to one of the zaniest weeks I’ve ever seen in Illinois politics. And I’ve been there for a lot of them.
Rich, when you went back and put in bold type your earlier comments, your observations were clear.
I thought the week of Rod’s arrest in the fetal position, perp walk, defense and offensive were the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
Scott Lee Cohen we hardly knew ye’.
I think we will will be clever and glib and bring our personal experiences to bear on this situation. But if we don’t find a way to work together to make this work, we’re spinning our wheels.
Illinois Politics is/are totally screwed up.
Anyone interested in trying to find a fix should line up.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:38 pm:
Rich,
I would add: To all you new commenters who are so concerned about the Democrats replacing a duly-nominated person - it is very transparent. This isn’t the PJ Star comment section.
Its a rather lame attempt by Republican partisans to try and keep SLC on the ticket (ain’t gonna happen), or make kicking him off a negative (ain’t gonna be).
So spare us your posts so we can get back to discuss the real issues at hand.
Like, where is this massage parlor located in Villa Park?
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:40 pm:
Why isn’t “he won” good enough, Rich?
He DID win. Regardless of whether the democratic party wants him on the ticket given the developments of the last day or so, it’s not like he hid anything. He did the interview with Mark Brown in March and disclosed all of these details.
Is the blame on the voters for voting for him (as the media is trying to portray) or is it on the media for not bringing these details to light?
The media is carrying the water of the democratic party now and trying to save everyone the embarrassment of having him run in November but you can’t deny that he WON the election!
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:42 pm:
By the way, kudos to Bill Brady. He will never have my vote but I appreciate his call for SLC to step down. The report was that he said the SofI cannot afford to continue to be a joke. He said it would be easier for his campaign if SLC stayed on the ticket but would rather fight the good fight (not his words). Nice to have that call come from the other side.
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:42 pm:
Also for the record I wasn’t defending Scott Cohen. But now I will.
The State, and I mean that in the legal sense, has not taken away Scott’s right to hold office and has absolutely no vested interest in doing so without violating his and our rights. Scott Cohen has the legal right to be on the ballot.
So if we are not protecting the State by getting him off the ballot, who are we protecting? The Democratic Party of Illinois, that is who. In totality this duly elected Democrat is beyond a mess and the Democratic Party of Illinois is responsible for him.
With every call for him to step down from a prominent Democrat like Lisa Madigan, there should also come a sincere personal apology that they are ashamed that they and their party didn’t stop this guy in the first place. Every one of them are hypocrites that have not apologized for this guy getting to where he is on the Democratic slate.
In totality, defend the Democratic Party of Illinois for this guy with ALL OF THAT baggage winning. The more dirt there is on Scott Cohen, the more incompetent the Democratic Party of Illinois is.
- Mary, Sterling - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:45 pm:
Not from the woodwork, but he DID win. Simple fact. And I agree: changing a fair election is a VERY slippery slope. Careful how you step, good people of IL. As loathsome as this fellow may be, as much as you may not want him on the ticket, you’d better tread lightly. The cure could be more destructive than the sickness.
- A Citizen - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:46 pm:
The only defense is the anchor around the drowning Dems gubernatorial hopes that he represents and the example of very sloppy quality control they bring to the process. I agree that the sum of the pieces points to a veritable sleazeball, however he is Their sleazeball and therein lies his “redemption”.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:48 pm:
Tread lightly doing what?
All everyone is trying to do is shame him to resign.
And it sounds like he will.
Just like he was duly nominated, he can duly resign.
And those 200,000 people who voted for him will breathe a collective sigh of relief.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:48 pm:
Tom Petty was right, the waiting is the hardest part
- Easy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:49 pm:
This situation represents a total lack of leadership by the Dem Party Chairman. He could have repudiated cohen, brought these allegations to light and informed every county chair and ward committeeman. Instead, MJM did nothing.
….yet everyone says he’s the greatest politician in Illinois. Good luck on this mess chessmaster.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:49 pm:
Yo logical thinker — he’s a scumbag who BOUGHT the election.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:52 pm:
I dearly hope he steps down but Rich, overturning the will of the voters, no matter how uninformed/underinformed, no matter how flawed the candidate, strikes me as a dangerously slippery slope. Especially in a state already so unresponsive to the voters (via gerrymandering, party leaders manipulating campaign finance laws, etc.)
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
Is he the first person to BUY an election? No. And he won’t be the last.
The influence of money in politics is a completely separate issue, but until it is fully addressed, you will end up with results like this and whether we like it or not, we have to live with the results or else there is no point in having elections.
- T.J. - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
I’m with Logical Thinker. He won the Democratic primary fair and square. Why have a do-over just because people who didn’t even vote for him are embarrassed all of a sudden? Why should he step aside when he still stands a good chance of winning in November? Frances Carroll and James Montgomery didn’t step aside when Pat Quinn told them they had to, and they’re fine now.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
This Dude Missed his true caller, he may have done better if he went over and saw Pickle Joyce at Leo, he would have been a great boxer, he certainly has great staying power…….
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:53 pm:
===when he still stands a good chance of winning in November? ===
Are you daft? Did you read the post?
- A Citizen - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:54 pm:
In these difficult economic times I find it amazing that the L Guv position has a $2 million price tag . . . I might have gone 2 or 3 thou but no more.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
My point is if he won’t step aside, I’d rather Quinn go independent than they use anything more than the bully pulpit to try to get him off the ballot (e.g., new attention from the state’s attorneys or a.g.’s office, elected officials trying to galvanize private organizations to similarly attack his financial interests, etc.)
- foster brooks - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
The only one that created this mess are the dumb voters of illinois
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
Ok, then. If Republicans want to continue to defend Scott Lee Cohen, they do so at their own peril.
- 60611 - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:57 pm:
One or two good things could come out of this. First, assuming it’s too hard to amend the state constitution to remove the office, can’t we all at least agree to let the gubernatorial nominees select their running mates? MJM and the guv candidates should be put on the record about that asap. Second, and I realize this might be asking too much, but can’t we have a primary in the late spring or early summer so we don’t have what was essentially a campaign season consisting of the month of January?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:58 pm:
Pam Harris, Logical Thinker, et al… If there was a law forbidding the winner of an election from stepping down, I’d agree with you.
But Rod Blagojevich was elected twice and impeached and removed. Did you argue against that? I bring that up because he and his staff constantly used the same “duly elected” argument during that ordeal which you are using now.
If you think RRB got railroaded and shouldn’t have been removed from office, I can see how your consistency argument would stand. Otherwise, I can’t.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:59 pm:
I’m just saying, some of you guys are mopes, I didn’t see many of you folks defending Jack Ryan when he was having his little Tet a Tet
- Little Egypt - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 7:59 pm:
Logical Thinker - if you’ve been around Illinois politics for even just a few years, you should know it’s NEVER as simple as “HE WON”.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:01 pm:
fine, stay in as long as you want SLC & your staff (who appear to be here in droves tonight). But guess what, you’re finally going to get the attention you wanted & you deserve. If you were dumb enough to run for office with all this filth & garbage in your background, then be man enough to take the heat. And the heat will remain because any joker who thinks he/she won’t get this kind of attention (even if it is a couple months late) should be able to take it.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:02 pm:
Crazy,
Why should he be off the ticket?
Nearly 1 million people voted in the democratic primary and he won it.
-Should he be off because of a checkered past? If so, then we should hold EVERYONE to the same standard.
-Should he be off because he’s an embarrassment? If so, it’s only because of the attention paid to the story AFTER the election.
-Should he be off because he’s not qualified? Who determines qualifications?
Look, there are politicians in Springfield and across the country, who are held up as party leaders on both sides of the aisle, who are MUCH BIGGER scumbags than this guy and who never get 0.001% of the attention SLC has in the last 2 days.
- Obamarama - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:03 pm:
I think there is another issue here that some are overlooking. There were dozens of people who endorsed him, organized for him and worked for him. These people vouched for him and now they look like tools.
Its not ok to do something like this to the ranking members of “your” party. We had enough problems already and now we have another (potentially national) media fiasco. Lets try to do the right thing FOR ONCE and avoid looking like complete idiots and torpedoing our own party.
Everyone needs to line up, stand as an actual state party and demand SLC step down.
- Hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:04 pm:
“a complete and udder disaster in state government”
Anonymous, was this a Jim Oberweis joke?
- T.J. - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:04 pm:
“If you think RRB got railroaded and shouldn’t have been removed from office, I can see how your consistency argument would stand.”
I do. He won re-election despite already having done everything except try to sell the Senate seat. Illinois knew what it had and ordered seconds.
And as long as Bill Brady is too Conservative for Illinois, Scott Lee Cohen has to recognize he is favored to take office at the end of the year unless he blinks. Pat Quinn and Dick Durbin are as powerless to tell him no as they were with Roland Burris.
- anon - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:04 pm:
once again - illinois politics at it’s finest!
- Pam Harris - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:04 pm:
The process in place for removing SLC is the election in November.
And I am in favor of using that process.
The process for removing RRB was impeachment and I was in favor of that one as well.
- A Citizen - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:05 pm:
Zorn claims, with quotes from the Constitution, that the option is there to require pairing of the gov/lt guv for elections and that to activate the provision all it takes is G.A. action. Not a Con. Amendment. ??? Wouldn’t change the current problem but would prevent a repeat of ‘86 and ‘10.
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:06 pm:
Welcome to all the new people SLC or Grainger is paying to conduct some sort of war of false righteousness on the cap fax blog. Maybe these are the same people who were paid to be part of SLC’s baseless and fruitless challenge to all the other LtG candidates…Having daddy’s money must be so fun…why dont you folks ask SLC to buy you a drink at Vertigo this evening? You have all worked so hard just like SLC did going around making “contributions” to aldercreatures and other pols who were stupid enough to endorse this train wreck.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:06 pm:
Pam, again, there is no law against a candidate dropping out. So, your argument does not stand.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:08 pm:
Hey Rich, I guess they have wireless at Vertigo, and the goofs are bored waiting for their buddy to show up…….
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:09 pm:
People, don’t blame these SLC supporters on his staff. I don’t think it’s coming from them. It may be coming from him, but I don’t think it’s from staff.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:10 pm:
Rich,
The reason he is being forced off the ticket is the sharks are embarrassed and want him to go away. They didn’t do their job in properly vetting him and it came back to bite them.
Your point on the the Blago saga raises an interesting hypothetical. What if Blago is acquitted? Sure there were many valid reasons for him to be impeached but if he walks, then there will be a lot of people who will have a lot of egg on their face. Ironically it would be the same ones who are pushing SLC off the ticket.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:10 pm:
Yo think it’s coming from him actually? wow
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:12 pm:
I think I might agree more with what we’ll call the “Pam” side of things if this state voted for Governor and Lieutenant Governor separately in the General.
But we don’t. That matters to me. I can’t vote for Quinn/someone else…or even Quinn/Republican.
I think that should be changed, btw, but such is life.
On a completely unrelated note…Rich, your coverage this week has been stellar. I hope this ends soon so you can get a nap or two over the weekend.
- Pam Harris - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:13 pm:
Rich - my concern is with IL Democratic leadership “coming out” to demand SLC step down, the intense media coverage and how stupid IL looks AGAIN.
Personally, I can’t believe people voted for this guy. I sure didn’t.
If someone who is fairly elected can be pressured to step down - that worries me.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:13 pm:
===but if he walks, then there will be a lot of people who will have a lot of egg on their face===
Call me crazy, but somehow, I don’t think that’s much of a possibility.
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:13 pm:
The fact there is absolutely no defense for this guy being our Lieutenant Governor means there is absolutely no defense for the Democratic Party of Illinois letting this guy happen.
There’s a difference between defending Scott Cohen, his right to be on the ballot, and the incompetence of the Democratic Party of Illinois that Scott Cohen won their primary under their noses and their watch. Scott Cohen gets all the blame for what he has done and the Democratic Party of Illinois gets all of the blame for the did not do, but Cohen and his Democratic Party absolutely SHARE the blame that this situation even arose in the first place.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:14 pm:
First,
Rich, I think y0u sussinctly explained the SLC situation, and you shouldn’t have to explain why this guy is a mope … if you can’t see it, the ….
I just wanted to thank you Rich … Hyperbole is annoying, especially with people not speaking from what makes sense …
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:16 pm:
===If someone who is fairly elected can be pressured to step down - that worries me. ===
Three words: Richard Milhous Nixon.
Also, he was nominated, not elected. Think Eagleton.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:17 pm:
===I hope this ends soon so you can get a nap or two over the weekend. ===
I haven’t had more than 5 hours sleep three weeks straight. I’m going a bit nutty. lol
When this is over, I’m gonna sleep for two days straight.
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:17 pm:
thanks for the levity Rich…im just imagining SLC in some hotel room somewhere ringing his hands over the blog with his world crashing down around him
- jumpin jimmy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:18 pm:
it does serve Madigan and crew right-how long have they known this could happen again? He has been around long enough and is supposedly smart enough to keep this from happening. But then, our own democrats have totally screwed this state so perhaps it is just a dose of long needed medicine.
- T.J. - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:19 pm:
“I think I might agree more with what we’ll call the ‘Pam’ side of things if this state voted for Governor and Lieutenant Governor separately in the General.”
The ideal solution is to return to Gov. and Lt. Gov. running separately, as was the case until the seventies. Then Quinn is free of Cohen, and there is still no denying primary voters their explicitly stated preference.
- DuPage Dave - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:23 pm:
I’ve never seen such a coordinated effort on this blog before. Hard to believe it’s not partisan, but who knows???
- Dan S, a taxpaer, a voter and a Cubs Fan - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:24 pm:
Let him run, the Dems voted him in as their candidate, let the entire State judge him in November.
- Its Just Me - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:29 pm:
Maybe the voters of Illinois should finally learn that they shouldn’t use campaign commercials as their only source of information when deciding how to vote. Then we wouldn’t have these problems (emphasis on the plural form of problem). I say the Democrats made their bed, they used campaign commercials to decide how to vote, and now they should sleep in it.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:29 pm:
===Hard to believe it’s not partisan, but who knows???===
That’s what astroturf smells like Dave. It’s more commercial than partisan, but hey, why split hairs?
- really? - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:31 pm:
If he steps down, the early primary will help the voters forget that he was ever on the ticket. The longer this goes on with SLC still in play, the worse it will be in November for the Quinn-Cohen ticket.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
Hey Dan S, Just like Jack Ryan like…………
Oh yeah, that one went well……..
- Pam Harris - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
RMN was facing certain impeachment. And Eagleton - selected as VP running mate who knowingly concealed his mental health history inc. shock tx, powerful antipsychotics, suicidal tendencies and institutionalizations.
If there are new people tonight commenting - I came because I follow the Capitol Fax tweets and I, like many of you, have been on full IL political mode since Tuesday’s election.
I’m not SLC or accomplice. Just a suburban mom frightened at the possibility of seeing an election overturned because the guy who won is scum.
- Pat Collins - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
Actually, it’s very easy to get off the ballot in IL.
As a candidate, when you file, they give you a “withdrawal of candidacy” form. You fill it out, get it notarized, and submit it to your county clerk. Then, you are OFFICIALLY off the ballot.
Of course, only YOU, the candidate, may do so. And you may do so at any time up to 45 days before the election (I think).
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
I wonder if Pam, et al would be saying the same thing if it was Brady facing this right now.
Likely, they would be calling for his head.
We’ll see how this election plays out, though. Anything is a possibility at this point.
- Obamarama - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:35 pm:
Placing blame without offering a solution is not helpful. There are the folks that think the office should be abolished. I disagree, but at least it is a solution that they are offering.
To blame the voters is absurd. What kind of solution would that require? End voting? Elect-by-raffle? It isn’t the electorate’s job to adapt to a runaway political system. Its their job to reign it in and participate.
Is there really any question that the vast majority of Illinoisans don’t want to see this guy anywhere near office? Really? After all this?
Of course not. We got duped. We admit it. Now we’re angry and we aren’t going to let you get away with it. Step down and go away. We want a do-over.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:36 pm:
tick tock
Rich, is he still expected to make a statement tonight, or is he just partying at Vertigo & invited people to join his party? What the heck is going on? Any reports from Vertigo yet??
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:37 pm:
If SLC is looking for an “honorable way” out I suggest “Harry Caray”. Not to be confused with the Japanese hari kari.
SLC puts on some big glasses, heads out to Wrigley and says “Cubs Win, Cubs Win, I’m leaving the democratic ticket because I just bought Cubs season tickets. See me and Ronnie Woo Woo at all the home games.”
- Cindy Lou - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:38 pm:
I can’t help observing that those defending SLC, who ran as a Democrat, actually seem to have a lot of what appears to be loathing for the Party and especially for the Democratic voters.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:39 pm:
SLC spent $2M on the election. I’m interested in finding out, if he does resign, how much money he is going to get and where it is coming from.
I would say that if SLC rides off into the night, the media (Rich, this includes you) has an obligation to bring to light the deal-making that goes on. I’m guessing that this will be an even bigger story than anything we’ve seen so far.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:40 pm:
===how much money he is going to get and where it is coming from.===
He’s not gonna get anything.
- Anon - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:41 pm:
What does Sen. Burris have to say?
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:42 pm:
Why oh why didn’t the Speaker/Chairman save us from ourselves? After a year of Madigan is too powerful and too influential and that’s bad government, suddenly he’s supposed to tell us who’s OK to run because we’re too easily fooled and that’s good government?
Democracy ain’t pretty and this isn’t exactly our finest hour. Live and learn, but spare me the “speaker should have saved us” sanctimony. So you wanted the speaker to clear the field for his pal Art Turner? Let’s callup the Collins commission on this one.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:43 pm:
So his $2M “investment” will be for naught? He won’t recoup any of it? Couldn’t he have spent that amount on something better? (The joke possibilites are endless)
I don’t see that happening. It was hinted at on ABC7 at 6 pm that the beginnings of a financial package are being tossed around to get SLC out of the race.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:44 pm:
I think folks are starting to drink as they post, because this is really going nowhere, and the comments are getting even worse…….
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:44 pm:
===It was hinted at on ABC7 at 6 pm that the beginnings of a financial package are being tossed around to get SLC out of the race. ===
Don’t believe it.
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:46 pm:
That is basically right Pat. Only for this race the Withdrawal form would be turned in to the State Board of Elections in Springfield or Chicago. I remember Rich Miller, Eric Zorn and other bloggers helping Jack Ryan get that done when he was delaying.
I started calling for George Ryan to resign in 1998 when days after the election the Tribune reported that his SoS employees were working on the clock to kick the Libertarians off the ballot. Did you, crazy?
Scott Lee Cohen’s head isn’t the only one that should be called for. Democrats want all the blame and focus to stay on Scott Cohen and away from their obvious incompetence in allowing a guy with his “qualifications” to win their party’s primary.
- Levois - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:46 pm:
This has got to be one of the most unexpectedly bizarre stories I have ever seen! Someone or somebody have dropped the ball on this issue!
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:46 pm:
@ Rich
-I haven’t had more than 5 hours sleep three weeks straight. I’m going a bit nutty. lol-
Anyone who is on the front lines of this BS hasn’t gotten more than 4-5 hours of sleep in the last 3 weeks either. Thanks again for all you do. Hopefully, you can just take a week off and go to St. Lucia or someplace after SLC drops out and the Dillard/Brady recount commences. That should take a month or so. But then the legislature “might” be debating a “fair tax restructuring based on ability to pay” and “spending cuts.” God help us all.
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:47 pm:
Rich,
If I’m to believe you that he won’t get anything after spending $2M, why would he leave the ticket now? What does he have to lose by staying until November that he hasn’t already lost?
He’s the one with the leverage because the Dems can’t force him off. He’s the one who has to sign the document(s), right?
- Anon - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:47 pm:
“Of course not. We got duped. We admit it. Now we’re angry and we aren’t going to let you get away with it. Step down and go away. We want a do-over.”
I think you nailed it.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:48 pm:
===What does he have to lose by staying until November that he hasn’t already lost? ===
He will never be lt. governor. If Quinn stays on the ticket, they’ll lose. If Quinn leaves the ticket, he’ll lose. If they find a legal mechanism to kick him off, he loses.
Whatever happens, he’ll never be LG. Never.
- Pam Harris - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:48 pm:
Here’s a list of folks who endorsed SLC - what are they saying today? Personally, I love the IL Committee for Honest Government
Carrie Austin, Councilman – 34th Ward
Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Councilman – 21st Ward
JoAnn Thompson, Councilman – 16th Ward
Roberto Maldonado, Councilman – 26th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Councilman – 50th Ward
Scott Waguespack, Councilman – 32nd Ward
Deborah Sims, Commissioner – 5th District
Joan Patricia Murphy, Commissioner – 6th District
Frank Zuccarelli, Supervisor – Thornton Township
Chris Gonzales, Assessor – Thornton Township
Deyon Dean, Mayor – Village of Riverdale
Terry Wells, Mayor – Village of Phoenix
Stephanie Kifowit, Councilman – Aurora
Brain Wilson, Councilman – Calumet City
Eddy Gonzales, Councilman – Calumet City
Thaddeus Jones, Councilman – Calumet City
Roger Munda, Councilman – Calumet City
Nick Manousopoulos, Councilman – Calumet City
Charles Levy, Clerk – Niles Township
Charles Hernandez, Cicero Township Democratic Committeeman
Don St. Germaine, Kankakee County Democratic Party Chairman
Reverend Johnny L. Miller
Reverend Marvin Hunter
Personal PAC Illinois
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Ilaz Kadriu, President of the American Albanian Organization
Planned Parenthood Illinois
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:54 pm:
This is going nowhere, you are right. The SLC defenders are just argument-shopping now, moving onto the next one when their last one was shot to heck. Getting circular.
I think I understand now why Rich closes comments on Friday nights. Blogging while drunk should be a crime.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:54 pm:
LOLOLOL
- Ben S. - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:55 pm:
Personal PAC and Alderman Waugespack have retracted their endorsements; Alderman Stone is standing by him (per Progress Illinois). Not sure about the others.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:55 pm:
===I think I understand now why Rich closes comments on Friday nights===
The real problem is that when I leave comments open I worry what’s being written. Can’t get any rest.
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:55 pm:
crazy, what you really meant was, “blogging while dumb should be a crime.”
- Been There - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:56 pm:
===Why isn’t “he won” good enough, Rich?===
I could actually agree(well not agree, but understand) with some of the support arguments if SLC had been nominated for some other constitutional office. Even governor. Then you could say he won and should stay. But since Lt Gov is tied to Gov this is different. He is bringing down another candidate in the process. Quinn should not suffer because of his faults unless he tried to defend the guy, which he isn’t.
It all goes back to what Rich said yesterday: It doesn’t matter if he stays or goes he is not going to be Lt Gov regardless of what he does.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:56 pm:
lol. Logical thinker, I think you are deranged!!
======= he’s the one with the leverage now ====== Are you injecting/ smoking the same crap as SLC?? How’s the Vertigo party going Logical thinker? You’re nuts.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:58 pm:
“The real problem is that when I leave comments open I worry what’s being written. ”
That’s what interns are for.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:58 pm:
wow, bob, lay off the sauce
- Logical Thinker - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:59 pm:
“He will never be lt. governor. If Quinn stays on the ticket, they’ll lose. If Quinn leaves the ticket, he’ll lose. If they find a legal mechanism to kick him off, he loses.
Whatever happens, he’ll never be LG. Never.”
Rich,
Whose fault is that? Is it SLC’s that he’ll never win? He already won once. Again, he did everything a candidate with skeletons in the closet should do. He hid nothing and made an effort to get the details into the public arena. Most of the stuff coming to light now was in the public record. He can’t win because of the feeding frenzy after the fact. The dems should not be off the hook. They made this mess.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 8:59 pm:
I can tell you what SLC gains if he drops out.
He gets a life where he can wake up in the morning and not find reporters camped out in his colon.
Also he avoids anti-violence and women’s groups camped out on his front lawn and in front of his businesses.
Sounds like a winner to me.
If he goes now he can return to his normal life. It beats the alternative.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:00 pm:
===It all goes back to what Rich said yesterday===
I first wrote that this morning, I think. Been another long one, though.
- Jojo - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:00 pm:
Regarding the endorsements - I’d like to point out that Personal PAC and probably Planned Parenthood too although I can’t find their endorsement list right now - endorsed multiple candidates in the LG race. They simply let you know who is pro-choice in the race. Because they’re on this list it makes it look like they chose SLC over the others, which is not true.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:03 pm:
Okay WFLD breaking news that we may hear an announcement
I have channel nine and 32 on pip
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:03 pm:
He will never be Lt Gov about sums it up. What would you do if you were Scott Cohen at this point?
Hmmmm. I’d be picking out politicians and saying, if you want me off the ballot, we’re going to be cleaning some house and ALL of these candidates are going with me or see ya in November. #1 Michael Madigan. #2 The endorsement list. #3 Lt Governor opponents.
If this guy is smart and recognizes the power he has from having nothing to lose, he could drag this game out quite a while and do a lot more damage to the Democrat establishment.
- Dem in Denim - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:03 pm:
Oh, my, I think it’s a wrap. How much more can be said? Hey SLC & Co: There’s a real basic book entitled “Politics for Dummies.” Oh OK, yeah, yeah, I know, kinda over-simple for us high fallutin, big-state sophisticates, but hey if it’s in here and you don’t know it, really…how sharp can YOU be? I mean, come on, it’s called “Politics for Dummies!” You can scan the whole thing in less than an hour. But you don’t even have to read every page. In fact, just read part of page 236, kinda in the middle: “As soon as voters begin laughing at a candidate, that candidate IS FINISHED in an election (emphasis mine). He won’t be taken seriously AGAIN (more emphasis)…voters don’t view candidates as serious contenders when candidates become the butt of entertaining jokes.” And the last few days have been more than entertaining enough, at SLC’s expense. When you sit in on a poker table and you’re not sure who shouldn’t be at the table, it’s you who shouldn’t be at the table. Make the call (If for no other reason, Rich has to sleep, for cryin’ out loud!)
- Bob - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:05 pm:
Rich,
why did my posts get deleted?
they are facts and matters of public record
I was the poster on the Kennedys and Barney Frank
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:05 pm:
Bob, you are a bit on the nutty side.
- HWah - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:06 pm:
Regarding the endorsements - I’d like to point out that Personal PAC and probably Planned “Parenthood too although I can’t find their endorsement list right now - endorsed multiple candidates in the LG race. They simply let you know who is pro-choice in the race. Because they’re on this list it makes it look like they chose SLC over the others, which is not true.”
So, what you are saying is that I shouldn’t trust their endorsement? Really?
That’s the best foot forward? Really?
How about a “we screwed up and apologize”.
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:12 pm:
hey Rich is something still expected to break tonite with the Vertigo fiasco or another part of the widening story?
- oneman - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:13 pm:
When he is off the ticket selecting the replacment is not going to be all hugs and puppy dogs
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:17 pm:
lets open the nominations for replacement…lets have a run off election between Bob and Ricky Hendon
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:18 pm:
WFLD and WGN say they are waiting for him to have his press conference, I have them both in PIP on the telly
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:18 pm:
Channel 9 waiting at Vertigo. Will break back when SLC decides to make his statement.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:18 pm:
prairiestatedem, yes
- Nick - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:19 pm:
— bob, u r a bit on the nutty side —
omg. I just spit up my beer.
- South of the Loop - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:20 pm:
I can’t possibly think of how I, nor anyone else can come up with a reason to defend him.
Cohen, once, just this once needs to do the honorable thing, and bow out. This guy has so many new issues coming out each and every hour, none of them have been worth defending
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:21 pm:
Looks like he may be announcing his withdrawal in style… roped-off table, bottle of Cristal, walk in with an entourage of ladies on his arms… yelling “You want to see hookers, I’ll show you hookers!” Have a seat, withdraw, and give the media a big double-barreled one finger salute. Wouldn’t put it past him.
- the Other Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:24 pm:
HWah asks about the Planned Parenthood and Personal PAC endorsements:
So, what you are saying is that I shouldn’t trust their endorsement? Really?
Well, read the original comment that pointed out that the organization endorsed multiple candidates for LG because there were multiple candidates who were pro-choice. This is a matter of a single-issue group saying you can trust these candidates to be pro-choice; we make no recommendation on other issues, you decide.
So yes, you can trust the endorsement because, in fact, nothing that we’ve learned about SLC has put into question his pro-choice credentials.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:24 pm:
Screw it! Anyone want to go to Vertigo and go have a face to face with SLC? We can say we are on SLC’s guest list and are on his tab! Then we can youtube SLC dropping out of the race from Vertigo! Yes this is snarky, but I mean, someone could go down there and seriously do this right now.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:25 pm:
Anonymous, go. Bring a video camera. You are now hired. lol
- shore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:25 pm:
I love reading national public radio bumpkin who voted for scott lee cohen bashing the capitol fax circa 1997 format since we can’t all be senior content developer’s? Which is media speak for I post links to actual journalist’s blogs?
This is like a high school freshman b baseball player calling out mark buerhle, or a scott lee cohen voter calling out someone with half a brain.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:25 pm:
Seriously. Go.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:26 pm:
shore, he wanted a staged WWF type fight to boost his little blog. I’m not giving him one.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:26 pm:
I bet it happens at 10pm for the Ten O Clock news…..
- shore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:27 pm:
Emily’s list is having a really really bad year here. jackson, feighenholtz, hamos, halvorson is likely gone, bueller?
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:30 pm:
“Thank you for showing up tonight. After much thought and consideration it is now clear to me I will not be able to serve as this great State’s Lt Gov. The Democratic Party of Illinois has made it clear they do not want me representing their party in November. Fine. I will drop out of this race as soon as the two campaign co-chairs who brought this state Rod Blagojevich resign their offices also. I will not be making any further comments until Michael Madigan and Richard Daley have a chance to take responsibility for backing Rod Blagojevich. Thank you for coming”
I need a drink.
- shore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:31 pm:
columbia college-translation I couldn’t get into medill. web content developer-translation-I don’t have the skills to do actual reporting.
good move.
when you regain your sanity from this mess, you still haven’t done a post election recap. A lot of faces/teams have been deposed from the scene or are out the door- hynes,stroger,hastert,ryan,hamos,coulson perhaps team edgar if dillard fails that have been around a long time, being replaced with a rising crowd.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:31 pm:
TMM, don’t post that sort of thing without identifying it as a joke, OK?
- Obamarama - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:32 pm:
Good point, Shore.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:33 pm:
===you still haven’t done a post election recap.===
Subscribe. i already did.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:34 pm:
Indeed, good idea Shore. Can we add Andy McKenna to that list? I mean, seriously, can we PLEASE add Andy McKenna to that list?
- Responsa - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:35 pm:
=These people vouched for him and now they look like tools=
Obamarama, thank you. You get it. There is so much blame to go around related to the SLC fiasco that one barely knows where to start. But the one group whom I cannot abide hearing being blamed are the so called “stupid” voters. For decades voters and city workers in Chicago have been taught to trust and rely on endorsements and recommendations from their ward and precinct committeemen. That’s what many voters did this time, too. Since when did we start expecting voters to do individual google searches on each and every candidate on each and evey ballot? What goes around comes around.
- HWah - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:35 pm:
======This is a matter of a single-issue group saying you can trust these candidates to be pro-choice; we make no recommendation on other issues, you decide.
So yes, you can trust the endorsement because, in fact, nothing that we’ve learned about SLC has put into question his pro-choice credentials.=========
I personally don’t think you get off without a ding or two here. Really, you are going to tell me to look to at shiny objects off to one side while telling me what to do when looking in the other.
I think you got burned on this one, but also think that single-issue groups don’t get to hide. Because “whoop-te-do” someone you supported sucks. I don’t want to hear more excuses, I want to understand how you won’t let this happen again.
I assume you aren’t saying you’d still support Cohen, are you?
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:36 pm:
*I* conceded the Republican nomination before McKenna did.
I know that’s off-topic, but c’est la vie. Back to Cohenaroo.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:36 pm:
moniquegarcia This is the table set up for Scott Lee Cohen at Vertigo. Who know if he’ll show, but the cameras are waiting. http://tweetphoto.com/10531754
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:36 pm:
Is anyone going to stream this announcement on the internet?
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:37 pm:
I am having a hard time getting the image of the movie “The hangover” out of my head right now when I think of SLC this week.
All we need is Mike Tyson.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:39 pm:
I’m bored, I’ll liveblog it…….
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:40 pm:
you are right crazy…and i just checked the bathroom and there is a tiger in it!
- Heartless Libertarian - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:41 pm:
Does anyone remember when Andy Martin was the best thing we had to laugh at?
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:42 pm:
Table’s all set with mixers for bottle service. My earlier joke of how this might play out might not be far off after all…
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:43 pm:
im longing for the days of people making fun of boring old Jim Edgar ordering mac and cheese at the Gov’s mansion
- Perplexed & Perturbed - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:44 pm:
I voted for Quinn. I didn’t vote for Cohen. I didn’t vote for anyone I didn’t know of. Sure, the ballot machine squawked. Election judge pushed a button and sent it through anyway. Get rid of this guy. What the heck were the Democratic Party “leaders” doing while this disaster was unfolding? Get rid of them too. What a mess. What an embarrassment. There are unemployed people that could have handled this better. Give some of them the jobs. Obviously it’s become “boring” for some of these chubbies.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:44 pm:
prairiestatedem, we used to make fun of him and pine for more colorful politicians. OK, I’m done with colorful now, you can stop, please. Please?
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:45 pm:
which begs the question where would SLC’s Lt. Gov mansion been….in stone park at a massage parlor??
- Hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:46 pm:
Why is Vertigo even letting SLC have this press availability there on a Friday night?
Is that club so dead they need a bunch of journalists to fill it up?
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:46 pm:
@ RIch Miller
Anonymous, go. Bring a video camera. You are now hired. lol
Rich, are you friggin serious. If so, I will go now. I am going to expense it though. You got my back at the sox game?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:47 pm:
Gotta get a feed for this … anyone know who is going to do a live feed?????
- washedmyhands - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:47 pm:
G’nite all and thanks for putting up with us Mr. M. I’m thinking SLC is a guy whose own family probably does not like him all that much…what does he care whether he’s beloved by the citizens of Illinois? He paid for that spot…will follow the Blago model for standing up for the little guy (yeah, right)…and good luck prying his cold dead hands from the ticket.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:48 pm:
HisGirlFriday,
those type of clubs typically don’t get hopping until after midnight.
Hell, this is just publicity for them.
- Offended - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:48 pm:
Rich, I am a regular reader of the blog, though I have never commented. But I felt the need to say something in response to your comment: “It isn’t just that he allegedly knifed his girlfriend in the throat - I’m assuming that hooker girlfriends may not be incredibly reliable.” This statement just feeds into the myth that women involved in prostitution can’t be raped, can’t be attacked and are probably making it up if they are. I am not going to defend SLC. He is clearly a scumbag. But it doesn’t really help your case if you are making disparaging comments about women while pointing out his faults.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:49 pm:
If you can get there in ten minutes, do it. If not, don’t bother.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:50 pm:
Jeez Cripes …we need the feed!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:50 pm:
===This statement just feeds into the myth that women involved in prostitution can’t be raped, can’t be attacked and are probably making it up if they are.===
Sigh.
Here’s what I wrote…
===I’m assuming that hooker girlfriends may not be incredibly reliable===
I didn’t say she was lying, I said that, taken individually, I might be able to buy into his schtick. Stop looking for reasons to be offended.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:52 pm:
OW, I’ve tuned to WBBM Radio’s feed. Don’t know if they’re gonna do it or not, but I don’t think the teevee stations are gonna run a feed.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:52 pm:
OK, now I just want SLC to go because then the whackos will leave …. How do you do this Rich?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:52 pm:
Cool, thanks Rich …
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:58 pm:
@ Rich Miller
-If you can get there in ten minutes, do it. If not, don’t bother.-
I am on my way but I can’t probably upload live audio or video until tomorrow.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 9:59 pm:
===I am on my way but I can’t probably upload live audio or video until tomorrow.===
Why?
- Ashamed to be from Illinois - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:00 pm:
Everyone knew Rod was a crook in 2006, PQ stood by him. No one said step down Rod. I am not defending SLC, but the Democrats seem to have a history of this.
- Pat Collins - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:01 pm:
why would SLC stay in the race
Lets look at this from HIS (admittedly perhaps not too logical) point of view.
He has spent some 2 millions bucks, and got the nomination.
Now, if he quits, he is out 2 Mil, and his reputation is in tatters. Hes a joke, like Monica Lewinski.
So, how can he turn this around?? He might hope to recoup his money (assuming he LOANED it to his campaign) by fundraising if he stays in. If he leaves, no hope to ever see it again.
If he stays in, he MIGHT hope to ride it out, and by focusing on his job fairs, whatever, be like Burris, who at least now is not really in the spotlight.
That Burris couldn’t fund raise even when he was the 60th vote is not really material here.
The point is, if he leaves, he has no hope at all.
If he stays, he has a small chance.
So why NOT stick it out??
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:01 pm:
===No one said step down Rod.===
You must’ve missed that impeachment thingy.
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
WMAQ is filming live - outside of the club. Says that SLC will have a press availability…
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
Nothing yet, just s story on the Prostitute
lauren Jiggets outside of Vertigo
Said that Cohen may do a press availability, nothing definitive……
- Obamarama - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
Nbc leads with a story that SLC is seeking an honorable way out.
Live outside the nightclub.
Says closest advisors are advising him to step down.
Details prostitution bust with an undercover cop.
Cohen admits he met her at spa and was accused of assaulting her and holding a knife to her neck.
SLC still doesn’t believe she was a prostitute.
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
so if SLC does drop…will there be a move for turner? If so someone ought to check Art’s D-2s cause methinks there is about 25K written to himself in cash payments and lots of other irregularities…we dont need more bs on top of this disaster
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:02 pm:
i’m guessing he’s pulling our chain…….
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:03 pm:
nothing on WLS yet…… WMAQ says nothing happening yet, they are waiting for him to show up, if the comes in the next 30 mins, they will break in
Come on SLC, Don’t go away mad, Just go away….
- Ashamed to be from Illinois - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:04 pm:
A couple of years later after the Fed arrested him. All those that supported him for 6 years then jumped ship, even though they knew it in 2006.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:04 pm:
Ben Bradley outisde of Vertigo…..
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:05 pm:
Bradley showing the table, Cohen nothing where to be found
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:05 pm:
===SLC still doesn’t believe she was a prostitute. ===
Yeah, right. You been to that webpage yet? lol
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:05 pm:
Durbin/Jan, nothing new…..
- Roy Slade - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:06 pm:
As someone who actually “thought” about whom I would vote for, I haven’t smiled this much in the past year (December 7th, 2008, when they perp-walked the former Governor from his house in cuffs).
Only the knuckleheads that voted for him, as well as those that refused to talk about issues that matter- such as “charactor”- have themselves to blame.
If you don’t know who to vote for- maybe use some actual “common sense” and “learn” about the candidates and the various issues. If some group or other candidates endorsed him based on his being a democrat- you only have yourselves to blame.
Just because you don’t like the results, doesn’t mean that you can shirk the blame onto others. Man up- no one held a knife to your throat (sorry, no pun intended) to vote for either Rod for Governor the last two times- or for this guy. I have often thought that Illinois ought to have some stricter standards on voting….maybe that would help make up for some of the down right idiotic voting that seems to prevail in the Democratic Party primaries.
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:06 pm:
Ben Bradley refers to “waitresses in black miniskirts” and “many of the city’s top political reporters”, and all I can think is…’there’s a combination….’
- Hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:07 pm:
How bizarre. The jerk told everybody to show up there at 9 and then didn’t show to his own availability. Or he’s just Blago-like tardy.
So now all the reporters are doing standups on Michigan Ave. in the cold with no new info.
Yeah, that’s gonna get you some good press buddy.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:07 pm:
what a freaking circus.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:07 pm:
WBBM, nothing new, not even anyone outside of Vertigo….
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:08 pm:
Just saw Bernie Stone on Channel 7 WLS and he thinks Cohen should hang tough.
Stone claims Cohen is the only one who understood that this election is all about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”
I’m not making that up.
I need a drink.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:08 pm:
A bit ot, but has anyone else started hearing from the out-of-state relatives and friends with the snarky comments re: SLC, Dillard/Brady, and Illinois politics?
The embarrassment never stops.
Regardless of how this happened or how it is fixed, spare me the platitudinous pomposity from the likes of Quinn, (D-Incompetent Hack) Durbin,
(D-Burris) Lisa Madigan (D-Daddy’s Girl) and MJM (D-Madigan)
I’m not sure if “moral authority” is exactly the right description, but IMHO their individual and collective failure to properly diligence a candidate who clearly had red lights flashing all around him long before the primary should preclude each of them from telling SLC what to do.
Each of them, and their ample staffs, blew it. Bigtime.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:08 pm:
===Stone claims Cohen is the only one who understood that this election is all about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”===
For whom?
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:09 pm:
Now on to weather
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:11 pm:
Rich, ‘massage therapists’ need jobs too….
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:11 pm:
I expected a train wreck, i want to see a damn train wreck, WTH
- Pat Collins - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:12 pm:
his election is all about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”===
For whom?
Well, at a certain spa we can all get one….
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:13 pm:
Hahahaha - NBC: You can now call the Bears defense the “Rod Squad”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:13 pm:
Maybe SLC is going to do this “Scavenger Hunt” style … “Look for the waitress with the ‘green’ carnation … she will have the 1st clue”
“Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger … go to the place where you can get a picture with Sam Sianis, txt to me to get the place you need to go next ..”
“Nice Picture! … Order a “Douuble Cheeze” and give it to the doorman at Excalibur with the Yellow Cowboy Hat …he will have you next clus, and don’t forget the ‘Double Cheeze!’ …”
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:14 pm:
Stone still thinks that the top jobs are positions like steam engine tender, oil lamp lighter and child labor mine worker….ramblings from an old man who wasn’t smart enough not to endorse a buffoon
- TimB - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:14 pm:
I”m guessing SLC is in a nice, cozy situation, with a fresh drink, watching the “coverage” and laughing his **s off!!
- Been There - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:15 pm:
===A bit ot, but has anyone else started hearing from the out-of-state relatives and friends with the snarky comments re: SLC, Dillard/Brady, and Illinois politics?
The embarrassment never stops. =====
I keep thinking of a Saturday Night Live episode about Blagojevich.
Elizabeth Dole: And—and let me add something: In my opinion, you are a disgrace to the state of Illinois. [briefly considers what she just said]: Well, maybe not to Illinois, but you know what I’m sayin’. If you were the governor of any other state, you would be a disgrace to that state.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:15 pm:
Pat Collins… I don’t think you look like that girl in the mug shot.
- cassandra - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:15 pm:
The lawyer talking head on wttw last night, if I understood him correctly, said that in Illinois, political parties don’t formally approve candidates for slating. They get the right number of signatures and voila they get to run. There are other states which do approve candidate slates, supposedly. Maybe after SLC withdraws, as he will, eventually, we should check out the other states procedures. Alas, we’re Illinois. We never learn from anything.
I was googling the Rep. lt. governor candidate today and he is breathtakingly wholesome. I almost sent him a check right then and there.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:15 pm:
Now the stations are talking about a John Edwards sex tape.
Thankfully, so far we haven’t heard of a SLC sex tape.
Anyone have a clue as to the website Rich referred to showing the ex girlfriend?
I’m morbidly curious.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:17 pm:
===Thankfully, so far we haven’t heard of a SLC sex tape.===
You apparently didn’t click on the link above.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:17 pm:
—I was googling the Rep. lt. governor candidate today and he is breathtakingly wholesome. I almost sent him a check right then and there.—
Make the check out to “Jay Jay Plummer’s Communion Money Replenish Fund c/o Jay Jay’s Daddy …”
- TimB - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:17 pm:
IrishPirate….Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/
- VanillaMan - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:18 pm:
SLC’s win is historical. It is the tipping point in our state’s political theater of the absurd. It shakes Illinois to the core and forces us to recognize just how bad Illinois politics have become. After Ryan. After Blagojevich. After impeachment. After Stroger. After GA budget gridlock. During the worse recession in two generations.
SLC jams all of this into our faces and demands that we throw out every single incumbant out of office.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:18 pm:
Pig’s Ear salad at the Purple Pig (ABC)
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:19 pm:
He’s only gonna make it worse for himself
it’s not unlike a lion, dont’ anger it, you will only make it worse, that’s how it will be
could have done a simple friday dump on Super bowl weekend, it would have been dead by monday
at least his side
then we would have moved on to the state central committee
and he would have been nothing but B Roll
- Remember the Budget - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:19 pm:
So, does anyone else think it is a horrible idea to have the primary the same month as the budget address? How is that bill doing to push the date back to March?
- TimB - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:20 pm:
===SLC jams all of this into our faces and demands that we throw out every single incumbant out of office.===
Or at least that we pay a little more attention to those that we vote for!
- Heartless Libertarian - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:20 pm:
=SLC jams all of this into our faces and demands that we throw out every single incumbant out of office.=
That comment would make more sense if SLC was actually an incumbent….
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:21 pm:
Ok, so I just realized we are liveblogging the local news in Chicago.
On a Friday night.
Almost 200 comments.
At least I am almost drunk.
- Pat Collins - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:21 pm:
Crazy, maybe u are doing some beer blogging? Think about it…..
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:22 pm:
===At least I am almost drunk. ===
You have some catching up to do.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:22 pm:
I thought “sexts” meant sexy text messages.
God, Save Illinois.
- Heartless Libertarian - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:22 pm:
Shiner Frost… you can sure drink ‘em fast….
- TaxMeMore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:23 pm:
Sorry about the last one, you are right about disclaimers when everyone is hanging on the next words that come out of this guys mouth.
Any guesses on who he walks in front of the cameras with, assuming he shows? Will Quinn and Madigan be by his side? Alone? Jesse Jackson?
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:23 pm:
crazy..better than live-blogging the local news in Oglala Nebraska, or something.
If you’re gonna do it, better do it well.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:23 pm:
“The Picasso at Daley Plaza always says ‘Chicago’ to me, txt me a picture of a woman holding an umbrella, and you will get the next clue.”
SLC is running this like a Keystone Kop, wouldn’t shock me if its part of getting $2mil back filming Kass or Bradley or Flannery doing a Scavenger Hunt
- shore - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:27 pm:
205 comments is enough, you need new thread, it takes an hour to get down to the end of the page.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:29 pm:
I won’t link to it because that old prude and prune Rich Miller would probably delete the post, but I have a clue how to find the aforementioned website.
Utilize the google.
Type in Chicago Massage Parlor and Eden.
It shows it in Elk Grove Village.
I am shocked to find that kind of activity in Cook County.
Where is Tom Dart?
I would have figured he would have found an angle to garner publicity from this.
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:29 pm:
I think that’s it, it ain’t going down tonight…
- Heartless Libertarian - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:30 pm:
Does this whole scenario mean we have to stop telling the children, “One day, you could be Lt Governor”?
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:30 pm:
Press “b” on the blackberry and it goes to the bottom.
It also gets you an “exotic massage”.
Well, if you follow the links.
- Hisgirlfriday - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:30 pm:
Wait a second, not only is he sending sexts to some girl, but associating with a Cellini?
tsk tsk tsk
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:31 pm:
Anonymous has arrived at Vertigo! WGN, NBC, Chicago Tribune, Sun Times is hete. Flannery left. SLC was supposed to be here at. 9 pm! Vertigo has cancelled his VIP room!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:31 pm:
“I bet you are tired following all my clues … you know what might make you feel better … a massage, so go to the place ‘Adam and Eve’ might be found in Elk Grove … go in the 3rd stall and get your next clue ….”
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:31 pm:
No, Heartless, but we do have to caution them not to pull a knife on anyone until AFTER they get elected.
- prairiestatedem - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:34 pm:
wbbm still cycling the cbs2 story about him maybe dropping out…no feed or report
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:34 pm:
Way to go Anonymous!
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:35 pm:
All TV has left Vertigo. Tribune and AP and Sun times are here and willing to drive to SLC’s house to ring the doorbell.
- Billy Dennis - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:36 pm:
I’ll live blog Letterman’s monologue.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:36 pm:
Anonymous, email any video you get if you get some.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:37 pm:
News is over, nothing else.
Bar switched on CLTV (or was on for the hawks game and is still on for now), so I will keep an eye out.
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:37 pm:
Is there a drinking game here that I missed?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:39 pm:
lol… and y’all thought I was kidding about this Scavenger Hunt … “The Amazing Concession” “This is the Amazing Concession. Twelve of IL’s finest reporters will take you through the ups and downs of tracking the prize - SLC …”
- i'm just saying... - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:39 pm:
before I go up, Although I didn’t know him that well, I have to say That Carlos Hernandez Gomez would be in his glory right now
I’m sure he’s having a great time in the big news room in the sky
May God Rest his Soul…..
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:39 pm:
Get some video of all the hangers-on and reporters as well. lol
- Remember the Budget - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:40 pm:
Babs - I think I missed it too…..But I am way past ready to start !
- Billy Dennis - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:41 pm:
Crap. Letterman is a repeat. I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about SLC until a national talk show host tells me.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:42 pm:
Just catching up, too many posts to read them all without falling further behind!
I was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt when the first few nuggets rolled out, then he goes on Chicago Tonight and says his life is an open book and he’s telling us everything. In the same breath he refuses to talk about his child support and alimony issues. That was the last straw.
If he stays on the ticket, I’ll still vote for Quinn, but it’ll be a tough vote. No way do I want Brady/Plummer. Of course, there’s always Rich Whitney.
Who I am I blaming for this? MJM
Why? There should have been an amendment to let the Gov. candidates designate their running mates after the 1986 debacle and he is the go-to guy for these things.
I also blame the rest of our Dem leaders. There should have been a Dem slate this year, and their unwillingness to work together for the common good made Cohen’s win possible.
What a ramble…I guess that goes with wine blogging.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:42 pm:
“Pam Zeckman… you were the last to get your picture of a woman with an umbrella at the Picasso, and I am sorry, but your jurney ends here …”
- Victor - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:42 pm:
A friend just texted me and said slc is at the victor hotel. I will post the pic if he sends it.
- Billy Dennis - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:43 pm:
NOOOO! Go for a record! We want a happy ending!
- Wondering - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:44 pm:
I have to agree with the criticism of Grainger Terry. I would think that a good political consultant would evaluate (do opposition research) on their candidate to see if they can win the election to office. Grainger Terry did not get this guy elected; Grainger Terry won the nomination and now the guy is getting slaughtered in the press and they say “no more reporters?”
If Grainger Terry had any professionalism, they would have told SLC “This is going to blow up in your face, you should walk away now”. If SLC didn’t like that answer then Grainger Terry should have walked away.
How can Grainger Terry be trusted by any of their clients with regards to their advice? How can Grainger Terry do any fundraising for potential clients when their donors all look like idiots. Grainger Terry will close their doors. They are done in the political arena — maybe they’ll open as a different name and reorgainize but their credibility is done.
I also second the sentiment that Madigan should had done opposition research on all the Democratic candidates to ward off these types of issues. He failed the Democratic Party and the Democratic voters of Illinois.
- babs - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:45 pm:
I’m sure we’ll get another chance.
- crazy - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:46 pm:
Drink everytime you post.
Seems to work.
- Anon - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:46 pm:
Hmmm, maybe some Leonard Cohen would be good. Democracy in the USA or The Future.
- dupage progressive - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:48 pm:
anyone else think the forgotten Jason Plummer is having a busy couple of days, probably shredding away, burning sex tapes, clearing up any misunderstandings with the IRS?
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:52 pm:
SLC was supposed to be here at Vertigo to concede at 9. His spokesperson has not or returned a call from NBC, WGN, CBS, the trib WTTW or the Sun- times since 2 pm. SLC reserved a table at Vertigo for 5 people. He did not leave a credit card number. Sun times, trib and AP just left. No SLC sighting!
- Quinn T. Sential - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:56 pm:
Just came back home to find all this non-sense and I have to ask; raise your hand honestly if you stayed up late like this waiting for Geraldo to blow open Al Capone’s vault.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 10:58 pm:
Progress Illinois and WTTW and anonymous are the only one’s left at Vertigo. Chicago TV and Print media refused to go to SLC’s house in Wicker Park to ring his doorbell. Anonymous is still considering it.
- kj - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:08 pm:
we were warned before the election in a very diplomatic way about Scott Lee Cohen.
“To hell with the rest of ‘em”
St. Sen. Rickey Hendon political advertisement
- jack - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:17 pm:
what a freak show!!
RICH- HAS ANYONE BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT DAN HYNES IS LUCKY THAT HE LOST ON TUES?!!
i feel sorry for quinn.. never thought that would ever happen–but it has…
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:23 pm:
Man! As a citizen of Illinois, I’m appalled at this guy. As a Republican in Illinois, I’m appalled at this guy. I can just imagine the type of comments you have been deleting. This guy is toast, period. No alibi or explanation will save him.
I understand he can’t be forced off the ballot. Its either resign in disgrace, or run and continue to be disgraced.
But what about that major REFORM that our Springfield angels refused to adopt that may have assisted in preventing all of this drama. You know, the one that would have pushed the primary date back to May or June? The compressed primary schedule actually was a factor in allowing this guy to sneak under the radar screen.
Let’s start out with a demand that the primary be set in May or June, hell I would even take August in future election cycles.
- matt - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:25 pm:
Grainger Terry deserves no blame. They probably told him this could be an issue. Did they advise records be sealed? He even claim clean to some extent beforehand. But in the end, he had the cash, and GT was willing to entertain him, and it worked well. In the end, they’ve made a lot of money and demonstrated their effectiveness. Maybe they thought coming clean was enough, or that the press would come earlier, but they shouldn’t be blamed for this mess.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:44 pm:
Rich- give me an email to send pic too. A “Snuggie pub crawl” is going on at club vertigo. SLC is still a no show.
- IrishPirate - Friday, Feb 5, 10 @ 11:49 pm:
I like the idea of drinking every time I post.
- Anonymous - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 6:30 am:
Have allready placed calls to Madigan’s offices expressing displeasure with his lack of vetting SLC on behalf of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Believe it is time for MM to start saddling his horse and start that ride ” into the sunset “.
- Vote Quimby! - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 8:30 am:
==Rep. lt. governor candidate today and he is breathtakingly wholesome==
Just wait, Cassandra….junior plummer is next…
- Luther's Boot - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 9:09 am:
Quinn, Madigan and Durbin, etc had no problem running on a ticket with Rod Blagojevich. They swallowed their pride and they did it TWICE. The difference is that Blago WAS vetted and everybody knew what a train wreck he was before the election. And nobody called for him to drop out and he won anyway.
- The REAL Anonymous...fka Anonymous - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 10:35 am:
Wow. Anonymous is pretty determined. Good for you!
- Rocketman - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 11:25 am:
Wow! What a mess. A mess that could have been avoided by political leaders after it happened in 1986. Why in the world after that Larouchie debacle did our “leaders not take the politcal and legislative steps necessary to avoid a repeat?
- Veritas - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
Yes Rich, He Won is enough. Unless you would like to have your candidates appointed by political insiders, you MUST accept that elections have consequences. If the people of Illinois decide the guy is unfit to serve, they can vote for the Republican ticket. That is how our democracy functions.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 2:25 pm:
=== If the people of Illinois decide the guy is unfit to serve, they can vote for the Republican ticket. That is how our democracy functions.===
lol
Nice try. There’s no law against him stepping down.
- dump the shady banker - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 6:25 pm:
Gosh, the Democratic leaders sure have a double standard. Why aren’t the Democratic Party leaders asking Alexi to quit. His bank is being investigated and he was the chief loan officer. He did a little old lady out of her building, okayed questionable loans. By November the Republicans will have made toast out of him. So if the can’t boot Alexi why boot SLC, the voters selected both of these yoyos.
- Edison Parker - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 7:57 pm:
She DID hire Gloria Allred. Who called that in the comments?
- Pot calling kettle - Saturday, Feb 6, 10 @ 10:54 pm:
Suntimes article ==A convicted prostitute who accused Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen of threatening her with a knife told the Chicago Sun-Times today she “does not believe he is fit to hold any public office.’’==
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/2033599,scott-cohen-amanda-eneman-allred-020710.article
This just doesn’t make sense, SLC said she would vouch for his good character. Go figure.
- Blue in DuPage - Sunday, Feb 7, 10 @ 12:31 pm:
I just became a WTTW subscriber. Go Phil!
- Capitol View - Sunday, Feb 7, 10 @ 11:04 pm:
I just got back home last night from a three week vacation. All I heard from afar was the result of the Alexi and Kirk primaries.
Today, i discover that Julie Hamos, Beth Coulson, Suzie Bassi, and possibly others are out of politics for the time being. No winner yet for either Dem or Repub Governor primary races, and the Lt. Gov race just gave us our first winner dropout.
I have to predict a low turnout for the November elections. Not a rebellion against incumbents of either party, just a disallusionment with the political and electoral process by Illinois residents. Blame them?