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*** UPDATED - Did Cohen pay supporters? *** Cohen says “Shoot all the elected politicians” to balance budget
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * Scott Lee Cohen’s gubernatorial campaign is barely a day old and he’s already getting goofy. Asked today on WIND AM’s Big John Howell and Amy Jacobson Show, Cohen was asked what he’d do about the deficit if he was governor. Cohen tried to make a joke, but it fell flat…
Cohen apologized for making the statement several minutes later during the final segment of the show. He then said he would “cut waste and corruption,” to balance the budget, citing high state employee wages. The audio clip is here. And you can click here to listen to the entire interview. In the interview, Cohen claims that the “Democratic Party crucified me,” but refused to detail any alleged threats. Believe it or not, he also said he ran a poll that showed he was “electable,” and predicted: “The females will forgive me.” Cohen claimed that the prostitute he allegedly knifed had fabricated the police report. And what if she talks during the campaign? “If she comes out, that’s on her,” he said. He said that people have applied to be his running mate, but he wouldn’t disclose any names. *** UPDATE *** From WBEZ’s election blog report on Cohen’s Monday campaign kickoff announcement…
The Cohen campaign denied paying anybody. Of course, the candidate denies knifing any hookers, so there ya go, as Sneed would say. Also, I’ll most certainly regret this, but I posted several photos yesterday of the SLC kickoff. Here’s a close-up of one of those photos showing Cohen on the right and a certain columnist on the left…  Caption contest? …Adding… I don’t think I saw this in any other coverage…
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- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:41 pm:
Haha, if he keeps up with comments like that Brady might need to worry about the tea partiers voting for Cohen.
- Moving to Oklahoma - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
Shooting may be a little too extreme. How about just fire them all instead.
- You Go Boy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:44 pm:
As for him running, he must think “Look who these idiots have elected in the recent past! Why NOT me???
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:45 pm:
Rich, I’m beginning to suspect that you are secretly behind this Cohen effort. The more this guy shoots his mouth off, the more readers you get.
- train111 - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:49 pm:
“Send in the clowns”
Election season in Illinois is certainly anything but dull.
train111
- Aldyth - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:49 pm:
Lovely. Recommending gun violence against politicians…
Not that we haven’t all thought it at one time, but it is a whole other thing for a candidate to recommend it as a viable solution.
- just sayin' - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:55 pm:
Is Marion Barry from D.C. still alive? I think he is. Must be Cohen’s hero.
- Just Wondering - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:57 pm:
SCL’s spokesman has his hands full.
- Cindy Lou - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 12:59 pm:
At least it’s going to be entertaining. LOL.
Wasn’t it Kirk last year stating citizens were so angry they could shoot somebody…now we got Cohen running for governor and talking of shooting the GA. Really, guys, start being more accountable for what falls out of your mouths.
In the meantime, Quinn, my neighbors are beginning to annoy me with their Brady yard signs, you really need to step it up.
- Way Way Down Here - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
If he keeps it up, he could cut into Blago’s media time.
- George - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:07 pm:
I think Cohen should get more heat than Kirk (deservedly) got for the shoot somebody comments he made.
Cohen specifically said the answer to the budget problems was to kill our elected representatives.
I mean… he ACTUALLY said that.
In a normal scenario, that would be enough to tank him.
- jonbtuba - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:08 pm:
And here I was thinking no other candidate could touch the absurdity of Brady’s “we need to go back to John Wayne’s America” statement.
Also, wouldn’t Cohen be an elected politician if he became governor? Hmm…
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:10 pm:
Mr. Cohen seems to suffer from a lack of self-awareness. He is going to have to work might hard for the rest of his life, performing remarkable civic deeds to become worthy of a crucifixion.
He was shown an exit, and he took it.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:14 pm:
At least he didn’t threaten to knife em
- George - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:14 pm:
Caption: “The Cohen campaign denies paying columnists to show up at the event.”
- Clapper - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
Caption:
“Is it true, Mr. Cohen, that you would consider the practice of making beer can chicken another form of animal euthanasia?”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
Caption contest?
Wanna-Be’s!
- Quizzical - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:18 pm:
I’m wondering what other totally inappropriate things he can do that, while farfetched for most politicians, seem to be within the realm of possibility for SLC. Maybe he’ll make Brady’s puppy execution bill the centerpiece of his campaign.
- just sayin' - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:18 pm:
“Kass wonders what pithy new nickname he’ll coin to crack himself up”
- joshkilroy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:18 pm:
“At last, someone to take on the Combine!”
- Ghost - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:20 pm:
“if elected govenor I promise hookers for all and knives for some!”
- Responsa - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:20 pm:
Seeing as how they mostly ignore Whitney, what I think is going to be interesting is how the media plays this whole Cohen for Gov. thing over the next few months. If they cover Cohen for the circuses whenever he opens his mouth it will only embolden him while further embarrassing our state all around the country. If they report as though he is basically not germane to the election, and don’t cover his foibles they might not be serving the public interest and the Il voters who got suckered in the primary at least in part because of inadequate media vetting. Bottom line: How much of the oxygen of the governor’s race, at a very critical time for Illinois, will be sucked out by SLC if he ends up getting on the ballot.
- Joe from Joliet - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:21 pm:
Uh, no Segatari. You are one of the group we are calling the Zippers - didn’t have a clue who you were voting for except that Brady was not from the Chicago area. Just sayin’ is correct - Brady played to your fears and you bought it.
With apologies to the Jaggerz:
Zip a-zip a-zip they call them the Zippers
Zip zip zip they don’t know what they’re after
- just sayin' - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
Oh wait, I want to snag this one before John Kass uses it. How ’bout:
Scott Lee Cohen (I-Delusional)
- OneMan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
SLC announces that with $500 or more in unclaimed pawn tickets you can enter the contest to be his Lt. Governor candidate
- MrJM - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:29 pm:
“Two of them, who were understandably shy about sharing this information, told me they were promised $10 to show up. They say they were recruited at “the pawn shop.” They also told me they hadn’t yet been paid.”
“The Cohen campaign denied paying anybody.”
Maybe Cohen is telling the truth.
Maybe he just promised to give those guys cash but then shafted them when it was time to pay up.
And maybe that is his secret plan for balancing the state budget.
– MrJM
- just sayin' - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:33 pm:
sorry, one more:
Scott Lee Cohen (I-Like Hookers)
The possibilities are endless with the ‘I’ for Independent thing.
- MrJM - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:34 pm:
Caption: “I can give you thirty bucks for all five microphones. Look, I got microphones comin’ outta my ears… Ok… fifty bucks that’s the best I can do. Take it or leave it…”
– MrJM
- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:36 pm:
“Scott Lee Cohen represents a return to the Chicago of yesteryear, when hookers weren’t considered real people and you couldn’t be a pawnbroker without a little fancy knifework…”
- OneMan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:36 pm:
It’s worked for the state so far, why change now.
- Scooby - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:52 pm:
They weren’t getting cash, everyone knows the policy “Store Credit Only”
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:52 pm:
“Kass, I already told Zell, I’m not buying any of his newspapers. Now if you have watches, we can talk.”
Or, given the Tribs financial problems how about:
Broke and Broker.
- illinoise - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:54 pm:
“Shoot all the elected politicians?”
He did say he’s campaigning on honesty over experience. He’s only used a knife before
- dupage dan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:55 pm:
(With profound apologies to the original moocher, Wimpy) - I’ll pay you Tuesday for a vote today.
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 1:59 pm:
With the caveat, it seems unlikely Cohen can get the sigs to get on the ballot.
It seems possible that Cohen being in the race helps Quinn. If Quinn can portray Brady, Whitney and Cohen as goofballs, Quinn could make the narrative about the serious public servant against the ideologues and attention seekers.
The media gives Cohen plenty of attention.
And the more time the media spends on the foibles and goofiness around Cohen, the less time they spend on the state budget.
Voters are in a somewhat sour mood. Quinn (and the DPI) would rather have the voters link their sourness to eccentric candidates and wannabes than link their sourness to how state government has been run.
I also think Whitney benefits from Cohen being on the ticket in that every story about Cohen builds Whitney’s case for getting more media coverage.
Media coverage of Cohen can also be a lever for Randy Stufflebeam, Mike Labno and Mike Niecestro, independent and minor party candidates challenging Kirk from the Right.
The GOP, Brady and Kirk would be foolish to let Cohen into the game if his petitions are easy to disqualify.
- Cubs2010 - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:02 pm:
No union bug on the signs. Another oops.
- Highland, IL - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:18 pm:
Now that he’s not a Democrat he doesn’t have to fool with the union bugs.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:18 pm:
Two people who routinely get too much attention for having a loose grasp on reality while, at the same time, criticizing the very political perversion that has made them known.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:21 pm:
“Mr. Kass brings up a good point. I, Scott Lee Cohen, am NOT part of the ‘combine’, however, let me make it clear … a watch-braclet deal at the pawn shop, bought for Mother’s Day, is a ‘com-BO’ and something we are proud to offer…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:28 pm:
“What am I looking for in a running mate? Good Question. IF… If you have NOT been… CONVICTED… of a battery, AND you can get the victim … um, er … the other person involved … to hide at her ‘massage parlor’ when the press is looking for her … then come up her and stand with me and together we will change Illinois forever.”
- Steve Downstate - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:38 pm:
Even if the guy didn’t have sleaze all over him, jus that line, “The females will forgive me,” should be enough to do him in. Whenever a guy refers to women as “females,” that’s a pretty good clue he has no clue.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:39 pm:
SD, it’s even worse than that. “The females” gives it an ooky connotation. The man is clueless. And ooky.
- PFK - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:44 pm:
== I also think Whitney benefits from Cohen being on the ticket in that every story about Cohen builds Whitney’s case for getting more media coverage. ==
Carl, that would imply that media attention is portioned out fairly. It never has been and it never will be.
Whitney should not make a “…but you covered Scott Lee Cohen” argument to get more media coverage. Cohen is getting coverage because he’s a wacky spectacle. Whitney can get more and more coverage by continuing to be a serious, issue-oriented candidate AND by building up his organization and his supporter base. It’s hard to do it that way, but it’s really the only way to do it, because it’s kind of pointless to go around begging for media coverage based on what the media did to cover SLC.
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 2:48 pm:
Comic relief may be wanted as this election slogs forward to Nov.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:00 pm:
When is that next Grainger Terry conference so I can get hooked up with this campaign? It would be a fun ride…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:03 pm:
“I try to live my life by my favorite Leslie Gore Song:
‘Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,
Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together,
Brighter than a lucky penny,
When you’re near the rain cloud disappears, dear,
And I feel so fine just to know that you are mine.’
- Just Wondering - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:04 pm:
Scott Lee Cohen…I promise a Happy Ending for Illiois.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:15 pm:
If I’m not mistaken, “Men Only” hotels are illegal.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:19 pm:
YDD, have you seen the place? It’s a flophouse.
- p - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:21 pm:
Yeah, sorry, I don’t recognize … Who is the columnist?
Funny Quimby … I got my comment pulled for calling Grainger Terry sleazy awhile back.
- Ahoy - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:22 pm:
Sure, I held a knife to a prostitute’s throat, but I tipped well.
- ghost - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:28 pm:
Doc v cohen debate on pay perview.
- Ghost of John Brown - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:29 pm:
OK - the “shoot all the politicians” went WAY too far.
How about a compromise - just give them all straight jackets.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:39 pm:
When Cohen showed up at Dems Day with, shall we say, an interesting group of very vocal supporters, I said to folks that I assume they were paid. This just confirms it. Amazing.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 3:56 pm:
==I got my comment pulled==
I guess “vetting process” is in the higher-tier campaign package…
Yeah -p-, it’s a fine line. I just call them capitalists. Isn’t it up to the voters to decide?
- JonShibleyFan - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 4:18 pm:
Cap:
A prime example of a man who suffers from delusions of grandeur. Also a guy running for governor.
- BethB - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 4:27 pm:
Well, as a Female voter in the state, let me just clarify how NOT forgiven Cohen is… and I know several other females who agree. Domestic violence is no minor offense in our books.
- ilrino - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 4:32 pm:
Scott–Call me for tips.
Lars “America First” Daly
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 4:51 pm:
Sorry been busy hooking up CommandoKirk with Drill, Babby Drill aka Caribou Barbie
but Asked today on WIND AM’s Big John Howell and Amy Jacobson Show, Cohen
Blagoof Laski
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 6:08 pm:
One who is Greek, and another one who Reeks.
- A Informed Voter - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 6:37 pm:
Has anyone heard the rummer that Scott Lee Cohen has reached out to Matt Harrington to become his running mate? I was talking to a friend at lunch today from the CME and he knows Matt’s Brother in-law and Sister.
They told him that after the raido show this morining. Scott called or text Matt and ask if he like to think about becoming his running mate. Then asked if he could send a resume and the many newspaper stories that the Chicago Tribune and Suntimes as well as other that have been written about Matt.
Regarding saving the life’s of many people he has helped over the past 17+ years. Example being a kidney donor to a black woman he never knew until then, pulling people out of a burning building as well as a burning SUV.
Saving a 4 year old girl by Performing CPR. And that’s just once of the many times he provide CPR to people in need.
His brother in-law said that Matt cousin Pat Botterman would be rolling over in his grave if he did this.
If any one knows please speak up.
Best to all,
A Informed Voter
- Park - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 6:59 pm:
Cohen’s a great diversion for May. Come June 3d, he’ll be out of the news and 20,000 signatures short. It will be full Blago, all the time.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 8:27 pm:
Rob B. would be a perfect running mate. The GA would never impeach Gov. Cohen if it would mean a return to Gov. Rod! (I know the impeachment bars him, but everything else is so unlikely, why not?)
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 9:52 pm:
Resumes?
R. Kelly has Grammy’s, he doesn’t need a resume to run for Lt. Governor.
“Creep and Creepier”
- worn out Democrat - Tuesday, May 4, 10 @ 10:34 pm:
I say we pawn some of Our State (Lottery) assets to Cohen. This way if and when things get better we can get them back. Mayor Daley would be so jealous!
- g'burger88 - Wednesday, May 5, 10 @ 12:20 am:
Cohen wants to shoot the state politicians? Sorry, but utopian solutions aren’t what we need.
- TJ - Wednesday, May 5, 10 @ 1:27 am:
hmmmm…. makes ya wonder if the Cohen campaign is paying folks to comment on sites like this and elsewhere to make it seem like there are actually people out there that want this wannabe felon and deadbeat dad to run for office…..