And it continues…
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This “Jason Plummer won’t release his tax returns” story won’t go away quickly. Sen. Brady is now getting dragged into it by the AP….
The Republican candidate for Illinois governor isn’t saying whether he agrees with his running mate’s decision not to release his tax returns.
Bill Brady’s campaign for governor said in an e-mail Wednesday that he understands the tax decision was personal. But the campaign ignored the question of whether Brady thinks the decision was correct.
And Plummer has gone to ground…
Plummer’s campaign staff rejected interview requests from The Associated Press on Tuesday and Wednesday.
…Adding… From Plummer’s Tribune questionnaire…
I believe transparency is the most effective solution to the campaign finance reform question…. If candidates and elected and appointed officials are held accountable to the media and the taxpayers, they will think twice about taking a questionable donation or entering into a dubious business relationship.
So, when the media tries to hold him “accountable” on his refusal to be as “transparent” as his running mate, he thumbs his nose and refuses to answer questions? This is the new politics? Really?
- unspun - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:21 pm:
Which is worse: Plummer not learning the lesson from Brady’s debacle, or Brady not learning the lesson from Brady’s debacle? Gift wrap this one for Quinn.
- Ray del Camino - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:21 pm:
After last night there are some professional political consultants looking for new gigs. Won’t both sides please bring in some people who know how to run a campaign? This is embarrassing.
- CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:21 pm:
OMG
When they could be talking about how the non results from Tuesday mean GOP victory in IL they have to defend the Plummer deduction
Thanks
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:26 pm:
Ready for “prime time”????
As we watch this slow train wreck of self-inficted disater continue … One can not help but connect this to that YouTube sensation, the very “green” sports reporter with no way of knowing what was going on with the video, while the train wreck of no script and no direction went on and on ….
“and … Boom! Goes the Dynamite”
- fedup dem - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:28 pm:
Note to RDC: I doubt any of those political consultants from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arkansas or Oregon are in such dire straits that they would have to take on these campaigns!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:32 pm:
I think Brady’s hoping it goes away (why did it come up, anyway)?
In a couple of days, he’ll have to step up if the story has legs. It might not. It’s the LG.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:36 pm:
word, it came up because the AP asked a simple question.
- anno--mus - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:52 pm:
What the heck is going on over in Bradyville ? Is anyone calling the shots & driving the process? No direction, no plan, no comment, no problem !
- Adam Smith - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 4:58 pm:
Sounds like this kid is getting a big head and thinks he’s pretty hot stuff. What he is is a rank amateur.
- George - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:02 pm:
Rich, its new to him.
Actually, everything is new to him.
- Small Town Liberal - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:06 pm:
This is hilarious. I wonder how long Plummer sticks to his guns. Is Sheila Simon the only person in this race who hasn’t made a really stupid mistake at this point?
- Cubbie - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:07 pm:
“I know, a few bad guys got out of prison early, we’re not quite sure how many or where they are, but hey, look over here! This guy won’t show us his tax returns! I mean, come on people, wake up! He won’t show his tax returns!” Quinn Spokesperson
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:12 pm:
“You know, I’d gladly match my leadership and my executive experience up to most anybody’s.”
I guess that “matched” experience doesn’t include media relations or crisis management…
You know what would be good about now … unsolicited advice:
Dear Jerry Clarke,
Jason Plummer can not go five minutes without shifting the focus on himself, and not particularly in a good light when he is out in public or having to speak to reporters. Please, keep him out of any situations where he needs to speak about something that may not have been cleared by the Brady campaign. Make Plummer understand that every time he “messes” up, he “messes” it up for Brady …
Also, if there are no staffers from the Brady campaign with Plummer 24/7, get some. If there are currently staffers with Plummer from the Brady campaign, “re-distribute” them because they are not “helping” Brady …
Jerry, get ahead of this, or it will sink the Kid, which WILL sink Brady … and what is left of their credibility.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:15 pm:
With apologies to the WHO…
Meet the new politics. Same as the old politics.
- illinoise - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:16 pm:
isn’t brady yelling about transparency and unethical governance? i guess plummer didn’t get the memo. or pay attention to his campaign in the past month
- Yiddish Cowboy - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:18 pm:
Cubbbie, pretty funny (and on point) comment. Too bad that this tax thing is an issue. It shouldn’t be, as it’s none of my business. I know, I know, others will disagree, especially the media; however, the media don’t get to see and know about everything in a person’s life, even when a person decides to run for public office, thereby becoming part of the public domain. The above being said, Plummer’s response to the Tribune’s questionnaire does bubkus to help Plummer in his refusal to release tax returns.
- MrJM - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:23 pm:
Plummer: “And you can’t make meeeeeee! Yur not the boss! Waaaaaaah!”
– MrJM
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:24 pm:
I’d like to know what Mrs. Brady’s position is about whether Plummer should release his returns.
- Truth Seeker - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:36 pm:
Tax returns are private matters even for pubic office holders. My real concern is what will Gov. Quinn’s pension and benefit package be if he loses in November. Has anyone got an idea?
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:41 pm:
from the ellipsis of Plummer’s Tribune questionnaire:
==extensive quarterly financial disclosure statements for candidates, elected officials, government agency heads and their spouses==
So….we can expect an update for March 31 when?
- George - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 5:44 pm:
That’s your biggest concern in this race?
Might as well vote your conscience, then, and deny him his pension for another 4 years.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 7:38 pm:
Jason Plummer has already said that he would not accept pay for being Lt. Guv, provide the unemployment rate remains in the double-digits. With that, there is nothing wrong then with him not wanting to reveal his income-tax records.
I would be a whole lot happier if he pledged to not be paid the entire four years of his term, along with the GA putting the elimination of the Lt. Guv. office on the ballot and voters voting to nix the office.
- dupage progressive - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 7:46 pm:
Plummer = the gift that keeps on giving.
- conda67 - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 7:54 pm:
The way it is going he may not get check from state for several years. I have not worked in my trade since may of 09.
- anno--mus - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
Is Clarke still on the Brady squad ? If he is, I’m surprised this kind of crap is going on in Bradyville. The credibility factor is drifting away by the day & this early on. No plan & no organization.
- ironman - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 8:32 pm:
I think this a mute subject. Peoples tax returns has nothing to do with running the state. This is a way for quin to distract the voters of the state.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 8:38 pm:
mute - moot
- Logical Thinker - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 9:08 pm:
Anytime these same reporters/media types want to hold the same standard to Alexi, it’s fine by me. I don’t see the clamour to release his returns and I think there are a lot more interesting details in there.
- Park Shasta - Wednesday, May 19, 10 @ 11:02 pm:
Plummer also dodged a debate with Sheila Simon tonight. Bad move Plumster. We still love ya though big guy.
- anno--mus - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 6:06 am:
Because they think Alexi is probably not going to win at this point given some of his issues & other things will probably come out in time. Tax returns seem to be the least of his problems.
Brady/ Plummer might potentially win. Plummer is just a kid & is Brady’s weak spot right now {at least one of several of them}. Seems though the folks in Bradyville are fully embracing him as part of the team despite it all & seem not be controlling that part of the message. You’d think some of these “bloopers” would have been worked out by now. Perhaps Clarke & the boys could send little Jas to visit a relative till well after the election. The Plummster….got to love him.
- Cindy Lou - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 7:23 am:
While I get the tax release debate…just realease the things, how bad can the tidbits in the be?…I don’t think Plummer should duck/avoid or be outta sight outta mind.
Yeah, LG is not real necessary and the state could toss out the position and few would notice. Until that day comes though this is the guy who would replace the governor if something were to make the governor unable to perform his elected postion.
With that being the situation, allowing a ‘hid the kid’ or ’shut the kid up’ because he might hurt Brady’s chances of winning is BS.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:06 am:
By the way, Plummer hiding NOW … that ain’t helping … disclose, THEN hide … for Brady’s sake!
- Ghost - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 8:08 am:
The battle for he worst run campaign continues bewteen our gubnetorial canidates.
- logical - Thursday, May 20, 10 @ 10:06 am:
Come on Rich, there are a lot more important things to discuss in this election. Unlike the full time politicians, he does not receive a paycheck from the state thus his income should not be any of our business. This whole fiasco is just another attempt for the politicians to change the subject away from the failed state economy. If his lumber yards are successful and profitable, maybe he should be the governor to take control of the mess. I have another idea, how about everyone whining about his failure to display his tax forms that provide political comment should display their tax forms.