Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias held a conference call [Friday] to take a couple shots at Mark Kirk for his vote on a small business loan bill. While the conference was happening, an AP reporter asked why Giannoulias was doing this on a conference call, not in person at a press conference. His answer? Bad hair day.
Go here to listen to the full quote. He got into a bit of a tiff with the AP reporter. And here’s the AP’s subsequent take…
Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias wanted to rap his opponent over a vote in Congress, so he arranged a teleconference for reporters. Why not hold an actual news conference?
“I’m having a bad hair day,” Giannoulias joked before explaining that he thought the last-minute conference call was more convenient for everyone.
Republicans used the quip to link Giannoulias to a certain ex-governor known for obsessing over his hair.
“Alexi and Rod: More in common than we thought,” was the headline on a statement from the Illinois Republican Party.
Oops.
* Meanwhile, the Daily Herald appears to be catching on to the game that Bob Dold’s been playing with them. The paper just called him out on a rating by a tea party group that appeared in a conservative magazine. Notes next to the rating claimed that Dold’s campaign indicated “that he wishes to be viewed as a moderate.”
We told them Bob is a fiscal conservative and a social moderate, and that he is pro-choice.
On Friday, Dold denied to the Daily Herald that his campaign asked to be ranked lower. But the paper was able to reach a member of the tea party group who was involved with its voter guide…
On Monday, Patriots member Joan Seifert, who spoke with Folino about the guide, confirmed Folino didn’t want Dold to be rated highly by the group.
“They wanted to be sure he wasn’t perceived as a conservative, and I was more than happy to oblige that,” said Seifert, of Grayslake. […]
The group’s director, Lake Villa resident Tony Raymond, admitted no one in the Dold campaign specifically said he wants to be “viewed as a moderate,” as stated parenthetically in the voter’s guide.
“That’s our interpretation of why he wished not to be ranked highly,” Raymond said.
So, he didn’t ask to be viewed as a moderate, but his campaign did ask that he not be ranked highly.
The paper now appears to be getting more aggressive with Dold. The original hed on its story posted this afternoon was: “Dold, Seals at odds over tea party guide.” It’s now: “Dold: Campaign worker asked for low rating from tea party.” ADDING: The hed now reads: “Tea party group: Dold campaign worker asked for low rating.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee has already run an ad in the district, hitting Seals for his support of the recently-enacted healthcare law. “Pelosi’s plan didn’t go far enough for Dan Seals,” the NRCC’s attack ad said. “Oh no. Dan Seals said he supports the even more expensive public option.”
Meanwhile, President Obama sent out an email appeal for Seals, who will also benefit from an upcoming Democratic fundraiser set to be hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Seals is part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program and the committee has reserved TV time in the district ahead of the fall. A Seals internal poll from earlier this month boasted a lead over Dold–49-36 percent.
The AFL-CIO also sent a mailer for Seals as part of a 2.5 million piece direct mail blitz for Democratic candidates across the country.
* But the Hotline says that national Republican support is light at the moment…
The NRCC is also spending a little bit on the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Kirk (R), who is running for the Senate. The NRCC is spending $56K on an ad targeting Democratic nominee Dan Seals (D). But that’s hardly a drop in the bucket, given that broadcast TV in the Chicago media market costs millions.
* Related and a campaign roundup…
* President Obama, like wife, will headline Giannoulias fund-raiser
* Wave Of Third-Party Ads Adding to Dems’ Woes: In Illinois, Treas. Alexi Giannoulias (D) has been attacked on TV with more than $1M worth of ads from the Chamber of Commerce, American Crossroads and the Committee for Truth in Politics. In addition, his opponent Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) had more than $2.8M more in the bank at the end of the 2nd quarter, and the NRSC has not yet begun to spend the $3.4M they pledged to the Kirk campaign.
* Illinois GOP Tar Giannoulias With Anti-Petraeus Label
* Politicians’ money woes strike a chord with voters - Candidates who’ve faced bankruptcy or foreclosure are finding that many people sympathize with their problems. And their opponents refrain from attacking on the financial front.
* Giannoulias-Kirk race pitches curveballs to voters
Who would have thought that Dold would flame out like. He seemed like a pretty solid candidate back during the primary. Well it certainly is getting to be entertaining to watch. I wonder what else is out there on this guy.
I agree with J, have a feeling that NRCC won’t be touching Dold with a 10 foot pole, there are many places where their money would be better spent. His campaign is like the gift that keeps on giving for us political geeks.
As I try to get a feel on the north shore for the Seals-Dold campaign I feel like alot of the people bashing Dold are Coulson supporters still bitter over her primary loss.
Dold ad is meh. Because of production values and deer in headlights look, make that a B-. (Message sounded good just listening without watching though.) And I like that he asked for a vote. A lot of ads this cycle have not been going for the close.
Seals has very well known “didn’t live in the district” and “couldn’t vote for himself” issues from his first two runs in the 10th, so I don’t know that Dems raising questions about Dold “residency” will be fruitful or even particularly wise.
the nrcc has done nothing for kirk in that district the last 2 cycles because it’s so expensive and they have fewer resources to spend. He still managed to win and those were in much tougher years. you say light, but compared to what kirk got from the national party, it’s a lot of dough.
As for voters on the north shore-there are more kirk for senate signs in hebrew on peoples lawns than there are alexi signs in english so that should tell you how that race is going and we’re talking liberal jewish glencoe here, not conservative wheeling.
Alexi looks and sounds on the campaign stump and in that call like a frat boy/playboy along for the ride. I don’t understand how on a perfectly normal weather day a candidate has a “bad hair day”. If he can’t show up for a press conference maybe he’s not fit to run a bank or a senate office. Oh wait we know about the former.
Little off tip rich (sorry), I see with a lot of sites that when there are youtube videos that they are able to be played on my iphone, but it doesn’t happen w/ capfax. It would be a nice feature is all I’m saying, but don’t kill the site trying to update it (again). Thanks!
This is why you hope to have enough money to pay good-looking actors portraying everyday people spouting your message, after which you do your voice over at the end.
When he was on the Bulls, Dennis Rodman used the bad hair day line a couple of times when he got in trouble. Maybe not the best role model for a Senate candidate.
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:47 pm:
Hmmm…wonder whether Alexi will ever utter that innocent phrase again. First compared to Blago and now Dennis Rodman.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:39 pm:
Kirk will sympathize with Alexi’s comment. They’re both hair candidates. What else do they have going for them?
- J - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:43 pm:
Who would have thought that Dold would flame out like. He seemed like a pretty solid candidate back during the primary. Well it certainly is getting to be entertaining to watch. I wonder what else is out there on this guy.
- Ghost - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:44 pm:
Hair today gone tomorrow?
I wonder if their air ever call out: “Seymour feed me!…”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:45 pm:
J, make sure to watch his ad. Not great.
- Bingo Bob - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:47 pm:
I agree with J, have a feeling that NRCC won’t be touching Dold with a 10 foot pole, there are many places where their money would be better spent. His campaign is like the gift that keeps on giving for us political geeks.
- Obamarama - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:48 pm:
What is with the weird pauses between sentences in Dold’s ad. It looks like he is waiting for someone to hold up the next queue card.
- Siriusly - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:49 pm:
Dold’s ad - can you say “jump cut”? The content is fine, but technically its a bad looking ad.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 3:50 pm:
Also, when you look into the camera, don’t stare.
- J - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:11 pm:
Wow Rich, you weren’t kidding about the ad. I think I’ve heard the opening music somewhere in a horror movie.
- 10th Indy - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:15 pm:
Blink, Bob, Blink!
- downstate hack - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:29 pm:
I have to disagree with the totally negative tone toward the Dold Ad. While not an A grade it isn’t completly terrible. I like the content. C+.
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:31 pm:
As I try to get a feel on the north shore for the Seals-Dold campaign I feel like alot of the people bashing Dold are Coulson supporters still bitter over her primary loss.
- Responsa - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:34 pm:
Dold ad is meh. Because of production values and deer in headlights look, make that a B-. (Message sounded good just listening without watching though.) And I like that he asked for a vote. A lot of ads this cycle have not been going for the close.
Seals has very well known “didn’t live in the district” and “couldn’t vote for himself” issues from his first two runs in the 10th, so I don’t know that Dems raising questions about Dold “residency” will be fruitful or even particularly wise.
- Anonymiss - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:34 pm:
Um, “saw the ad and liked it…”
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=401002
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:39 pm:
===Message sounded good just listening without watching though===
Except it’s called TeleVISION. Just sayin…
- Responsa - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:43 pm:
Rich, A lot of us multi-task (reading the newspaper, cooking, putting on nail polish, brushing the dog) with the TV on in the background. Just sayin…
- Cincinnatus - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:45 pm:
- Responsa - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:43 pm:
“A lot of us multi-task (reading the newspaper, cooking, putting on nail polish, brushing the dog)”
So it is possible that your dog has painted nails, there are sauce stains on the paper and you used the Classified as pasta?
- shore - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:47 pm:
the nrcc has done nothing for kirk in that district the last 2 cycles because it’s so expensive and they have fewer resources to spend. He still managed to win and those were in much tougher years. you say light, but compared to what kirk got from the national party, it’s a lot of dough.
As for voters on the north shore-there are more kirk for senate signs in hebrew on peoples lawns than there are alexi signs in english so that should tell you how that race is going and we’re talking liberal jewish glencoe here, not conservative wheeling.
Alexi looks and sounds on the campaign stump and in that call like a frat boy/playboy along for the ride. I don’t understand how on a perfectly normal weather day a candidate has a “bad hair day”. If he can’t show up for a press conference maybe he’s not fit to run a bank or a senate office. Oh wait we know about the former.
- voter123 - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:50 pm:
Little off tip rich (sorry), I see with a lot of sites that when there are youtube videos that they are able to be played on my iphone, but it doesn’t happen w/ capfax. It would be a nice feature is all I’m saying, but don’t kill the site trying to update it (again). Thanks!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 4:59 pm:
voter123, that’s why i post a link to every video. click it.
- J - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:01 pm:
Shore you forgot 2 key things about Congressman Kirk’s wins:
1. He always raised a boatload of money, which Dold hasn’t done.
2. He had tons of name id, and lots of goodwill
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:04 pm:
Shore–
Kirk also had his mom on the payroll. Isn’t that something thug Democrats do?
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/09/kirk-and-giannoulias-moms.html
- Ellen Beth Gill - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:05 pm:
DH may also want to look at Bob Dold’s voter’s registration in Winnetka in conjunction with his homeowners exemption in Chicago.
Maybe there’s an explanation, but I cannot think of it at the moment.
http://ellenofthetenth.blogspot.com/2010/09/bob-dold-please-explain-your-voters.html
- Wensicia - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:14 pm:
This is why you hope to have enough money to pay good-looking actors portraying everyday people spouting your message, after which you do your voice over at the end.
- Another Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:23 pm:
Dold shows his conservative side with Penny Pullen:
http://conservativebrand.tumblr.com/
- voter123 - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:42 pm:
the links don’t show up on the iphone for some reason, maybe it’s an issue with my settings.
- Responsa - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:46 pm:
I’ve given this considerable thought. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a guy–any guy–utter the words “bad hair day” in reference to themselves before.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 5:56 pm:
Actually, I’m having one today myself. lol. But you’re right. It’s odd.
- Ellen Beth Gill - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:04 pm:
I worked with a man who used to say that all the time–bad hair day. He was bald.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:41 pm:
Capt Fax:
Could you give the dear readers an approximate time frame of when you or your avatar have had a “good” hair day.
Fire Aim Ready
thanks
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:54 pm:
===
Blink, Bob, Blink! Blink, Bob, Blink!
===
Enter David Hoffman: I’ll show you how!
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 6:55 pm:
Sorry. The 6:54 was mine.
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:17 pm:
(I still feel badly for picking on Hoffman the way I did.)
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:38 pm:
When he was on the Bulls, Dennis Rodman used the bad hair day line a couple of times when he got in trouble. Maybe not the best role model for a Senate candidate.
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:47 pm:
Hmmm…wonder whether Alexi will ever utter that innocent phrase again. First compared to Blago and now Dennis Rodman.
Word, word.
- bored now - Monday, Sep 27, 10 @ 7:49 pm:
i have a bad hair day everyday. and i’m not afraid to tell people that…