* Great entries today on our caption contest. Anon sequitor is fourth runner-up…

Brady and Quinn congratulate each other for saying nothing of substance during campaign nor taking any hard issue stands. Meanwhile an aide demonstrates to the media the preferred campaign stance for straddling the fence.

gadfly’s was very funny…

that’s it!!! i’m done with eharmony FOREVER. 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility for lasting and fulfilling relationships my foot. and i bet everyone else in this folder is just as bad or worse.

dave’s was great…

Pat Quinn: “So that’s what Bill Brady looks like. I never looked at the back row of the Senate.”

Bill Brady: “Look… a long-time state worker. Lets lay him off. Or pay him minimum wage. Or, at least, pay him minimum wage after we lower it.”

Oswego Willy continues his streak of being a bridesmaid but not quite a bride…

Brady, “I was expecting Dan Hynes.”

Quinn, “That’s funny, I was expecting Kirk Dillard.”

Brady, “Funny how things work out, isn’t it?”

Quinn, “Yeah … funny…”

But Cuban Pilot wins it with this gem…

BB: “Pat, from the bottom of my heart, I just wanted to come over here and thank you personally for being the worst statewide candidate ever and thus allowing this right-wing, puppy gassing, porsche driving, empty suit the opportunity to be governor.”

Congratulations to all. CP should send me an e-mail so we can work out our night of drinking.

* Jim Torricelli died this week. I’d often run into him in a certain Statehouse back office. Always a good guy. His many friends are pretty broken up about it, and my heart goes out to them all. From his obituary…

Jim was well rooted in his Italian heritage and was known as a colorful, unique man who was devoted to his family. His word was his life. He was a member of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He was also very involved in local and state politics and was a member of the Sangamo Club, Past Member of the Roman Cultural Society and founding member of the Bulldog Baseball Dugout Club. He loved to travel, read, fish, hunt, cook Italian food and dance.

* Another noted Italian-American will play us out…

Like painted kites, those days and nights
They went flying by