63 Comments - Shore - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 11:58 am: Clearly the inability of journalists to watch aldermen, lobbyists, accountants, teachers and hangers on eat pigs in a blanket on a sunday night in charlotte is an indication of the deep lack of transparency which is currently the cause for Illinois massive problems. If they were allowed in the tweets would be, 4 delegates munching on crackers, and hey look the first term alderman whose real voice no one’s heard. - Cassiopeia - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:08 pm: With the inability of the Democrats in power to solve the state’s ever increasing debt problem and the fact that Illinois is the poster child for fiscal mis-management, one would think that it should hurt their chances in the upcoming election, and not just for state candidates. Everyone keeps putting Illinois as one of those states that will vote solidly Democratic for president in November, therefore virtually no money is being spent here by either side. Yet, because of this blanket assumption no polls are being conducted to verify that assumption. I think Illinois is ripe territory for an upset in November. We are not necessarily as proud of our Chicago president as the media is. - Old Shepherd - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:08 pm: I saw a neat piece on the CBS Sunday Morning show this weekend about George Mitchell. Mitchell said that when he became Senate Majority Leader, he went to Bob Dole and pledged to him that he would never embarrass him publicly. They interviewed Dole, who had nothing but praise for Mitchell. Wouldn’t this world be a better place if folks followed their example? - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:09 pm: Hell hath no furry like a reporter shut out from an open bar and free finger food. According to the live tracker below, they’re all covering today’s receptions, so apparently all is forgiven. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:11 pm: Are you “required” to open up to the press? Required. “Required” They have press credentials … catch them on the Floor. “Access” is different than “Required” …So go ahead and ding them. Feel better? It’s the DNC not the Democrats convention, and the press. If the press wanted 100% access, run as a delegate. The Press doesn’t have the Right to go and be everywhere … they are “guests” to things sometimes too … they need to remember that. - Robert the Bruce (formerly just Robert) - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:21 pm: How does this access, or lack thereof, compare to access given by Illinois’ RNC delegation? - OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:25 pm: Yeah the ILGOP was over the top, then again the tweets from the Illinois press folks were a bit surprising too… - Observing - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:35 pm: Brady and others who have their shorts in a knot over this are being a little bit twerpy. There is no rule that the events are to be accessible. Give the delegates and other a break. The press has plenty of occasion to reach out to party officials. - Truthteller - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:41 pm: You’d think the Illinois Dems would welcome to have the opportunity to spread their message. Perhaps what they have to say is not popular with the people. Or perhaps their rhetoric, we are for working families, doesn’t square with their voting records back home - OpenlineBlog - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:50 pm: Not defending the political mafia, Madigans and their cronies, but why would anyone be surprised by any of this? Shouldn’t we be more surprised if they had a gathering that was open and transparent? - Just Observing - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:51 pm: Yes, over-the-top hyperbole. It is a private event and the Dems (as well as the GOP) have the right to bar the press. It’s not like these are public, government meetings. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:51 pm: –Perhaps what they have to say is not popular with the people. Or perhaps their rhetoric, we are for working families, doesn’t square with their voting records back home– Perhaps they wanted to a have few cocktails without reporters. - Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 12:51 pm: While I agree that there is no guarantee of access, Truthteller hits the nail on the head. Why wouldn’t you want all that free media, especially when everyone is in a good mood and getting ready to put their guy back at the top of the ticket. And the delegates ain’t political lightweights, so they should know how to stay on message. - too obvious - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:02 pm: This is all about one event down there? Sheesh. The IL GOP has closed media events all the time, yes led by Pat Brady. What a bunch of hypocritical yo-yos. Dial the drama down about 30 notches Pat. - Palos Park Bob - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:13 pm: My guess is that the ILDEMS don’t want to answer questions regarding the results of their “Tax the rich” tax increases, government overspending, excessive borrowing, and corrupt crony capitalism in Illinois, because the culture that the “new” Obama Democratic party is trying to create is merely a microcosm of the “Chicago Way”. I agree that if the Dems had real solutions to the problems of this state and nation, they’d be using every opportunity to share it with the citizens. They don’t have the answers, so they’d just as well keep quiet and hide behind the scripted pap that’ll be spewing out at the convention. Here’s a suggestion: Don’t bother watching the convention and the likely vitriolic GOP response. Spend 8 bucks and go see “2016:Obama’s America”. You’ll learn more that’s germaine to the decision of for whom to vote in 87 minutes than you will watching 40 hours of network news (Fox included!) For years I understood what Obama was doing in his policy and it’s harmful effects on our nation and people, but I never quite understood WHY he was doing these things. “2016″ put all the threads together, and it confirmed what I felt from the man when I first met him in 2002. Gotta go outside the MSM to find the truth these days, including CAPFAX - Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:16 pm: Hello, Steve Brown…anybody home? What’s the real story other than some newsies got their feelings hurt? - Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:25 pm: First of all, I get annoyed by reporters who think they have a right to be privy to everything. You don’t. Get over it. Second, Pat Brady once again shows how pathetic he really is. Hey Republicans. Find a real leader will you. Your party leader is a giant joke. - William - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:26 pm: Sounds like the press is upset they’re not getting a free meal, boo-hoo. This is all nonsense. - J - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:38 pm: The press has a right to cover people in public life, and the decisions they make that impact the public. There’s no “right” to get into a party. Politicians and reporters have an adversarial relationship, and as a result there’s some friction. Any time I have a closed press fundraiser, which a reporter wants to cover I tell them they always have the option to buy a ticket. Same principle applies here, want to get into delegate parties? Run for delegate. - TwoFeetThick - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:46 pm: === Are you afraid of voters learning about your sponsors and SEIU union bosses that may be in attendance?=== Would that be the same union bosses currently being jammed sixteen different ways by Illinois Democrats? Sheesh. When will Illinois Republicans learn that when they cut and paste national Republican talking points when discussing Illinois Democrats they sound like idiots? And if they want to talk about union support, why don’t we discuss the regular support some Republican members and candidates have enjoyed over the years from the IEA and AFSCME, to name two. - Top of the State - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 1:48 pm: Old Shepherd talked about the good old days when the Republicans like Congressman Bob Michel were in the minority. Actually, Michel was real nice guy, but didn’t really help the Republicans to win. Maybe the GOP needs to fight like Madigan. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:07 pm: Generally speaking, reporters and alcohol are a bad mix. - Shemp - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:08 pm: Wasn’t it just last week that commenters were giving Schilling a bad rap for not allowing a tracker into a meeting with veterans? Now it’s okay at the DNC to do so. Seems a bit of a double standard. - Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:22 pm: ==For years I understood what Obama was doing in his policy and it’s harmful effects on our nation and people, but I never quite understood WHY he was doing these things. “2016″ put all the threads together, and it confirmed what I felt from the man when I first met him in 2002. == Thanks for the laugh. I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. Any more nutjob things you want us to consider??? - Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:24 pm: ==Gotta go outside the MSM to find the truth these days, including CAPFAX== I guess that includes Conspiracy Theory Daily, huh? - Infidel - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:25 pm: They had me until this bit: “unpopular far-left economic policies like higher taxes, increased spending and exploding debt?” Really, guys? If you’re not even going to be serious, why should anyone in Illinois take you seriously? “Far-left” carries much different connotations than increased spending. Try saying that line to someone who survived the Khmer Rouge. And the exploding state debt is every bit as much the IL GOP’s fault as it is the Dems’. I could go on, but I’d rather not waste my breath on a bunch of self-important clowns. - Way Way Down Here - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:37 pm: Maybe they didn’t want to be the subject of a “Caption Contest!”. - Deep South - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 2:46 pm: So the GOP is outraged that the media isn’t granted access to Democratic events, but it turns out the media must pay money for access to their events? Really? It’s becoming more and more apparent that whenever the GOP is “outraged” about something, it needs to be researched and checked. ‘Cause most of the time it’s utter BS. They must really think every one is on the same level as their “low-information” base. - too obvious - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:02 pm: No wonder the Chicago press gives Pat Brady a pass on almost all the crazy stuff he does. Someone get Brady and the reporters a huge towel for that huge egg on their faces. Great work Rich. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:03 pm: Ut oh … Ut oh ….UT OHHHH!!!!! “The Registration Fee was so that we could give unlimited access. We, the ILGOP, would never …’extort’ the media … that word is so ugly … ‘extort’ … we would never DO that …” “Say ‘extortion’ again … I will have your legs broken.” “The ‘Super Access’ pacakge includes meals, and some of Pat Brady’s Zaniest Press Releases, signed and numbered.” “Yes, I signed up for the ‘Tom Cross’ Special? 54 holes of golf .. and this weather and wind … can I just get the “Ghost” Level access, where I speak to … who is this Christine Ra-dog-o-no-no? Rado-og-ono? Whomever?” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:06 pm: ===The receipts you highlighted were from media that opted to pay for ILGOP-arranged meals and transportation - not for access to the events.=== “I dunno, I like have Press Availability on the bus … maybe you should re-think wether you want to pay this? Oh, Pat Brady said he had ‘Special Messages’ for every breakfast, but you may only ‘hear’ about it… so I may suggest the ‘Meal Plan’ … that’s what I thought … Make the check out to ‘ILGOP’ …” - Real Issues - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:07 pm: I don’t care if the media had to pay to get in or whether or not they were locked out of a meeting. I care about the issues, and I reallyhaven’t heard anything about them (yet?!?!). - Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:08 pm: @Shemp - Sorry for the confusion. Let me clear it up for you: 1. Shilling event: Public, taxpayer funded. 2. Democratic Party event: Private, not taxpayer funded. ADDING…. I can believe that the Illinois Republican Party charges media to attend their events. I can’t believe that someone at the media outlets signed off on what was, essentially, a political contribution. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:12 pm: “Look, make no mistake, the ILGOP offers the best ACCESS money can buy!” “Consider the money you are paying for ….’food’ … and ‘transportation’ … a ‘User Fee’, not a ‘Tax’ ….” “Tribune? … $200.00….WMAQ?… They called Pat Brady ‘Looney’ once … charge them the $200.00, but sit them in the back ….WBBM Radio … $200.00, but … let’s just say their Live ‘Media Feed’ might have some ‘tech issues’ …” - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:13 pm: ===I care about the issues, and I reallyhaven’t heard anything about them=== Which ones? We cover lots of them here. - jake - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:24 pm: I think they don’t want youtube of Danny Burke playing the piano and singing “Danny Boy”. Seriously, come on guys, this is not a serious issue. They want to have a party, not a news conference. Presumably no public money supporting it. Why not? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:25 pm: “We in the ILGOP call it ‘Walking Around’ Money … the Press pays their ‘Fee’, they get to ‘Walk Around’ …” - Kerfuffle - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:29 pm: Oswego Willy - Calm down you are going to have apoplexy. The media outlets that were charged didn’t complain or make a big deal about it at the time so I suspect they knew they were in fact paying for meals and transportation. No one said the press gets a free ride at someone else’s expense. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:35 pm: –No wonder the Chicago press gives Pat Brady a pass on almost all the crazy stuff he does.– They don’t give him a pass, they just don’t know who he is. Think about it. It’s astounding. The Illinois Republican Party, much less a Cook County Republican Party, does not exist in most of Cook County. This ain’t Marin County, folks. If you can’t find more than a 29% GOP vote here, you ain’t trying. I know I’ve said it many times, but the only GOP mail I’ve received in many years, after pulling a GOP ballot in primaries, was from Jason Plummer when he ran for Louie Gov. Say what you want about him, but he hustled. I’ve also voted in Dem primaries. When elections roll around, I get mail, I get drop-lit, I get knocks on the door from the Dems. There’s no crying when you get outhustled. The young Chicago Republicans with the “Call Me” song should put out a grant-for-proposal to Rove and Koch. At least they’ve shown some creativity and willingness to work and might be a good investment. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:36 pm: ===The media outlets that were charged didn’t complain or make a big deal about it at the time so I suspect they knew they were in fact paying for meals and transportation.=== - Kerfuffle -, You can NOT ding someone for NOT offering access, then offer the Media ‘food and transportation’ - at a fee, giving those who ‘pay’ an inside look that other Media may NOT have access to. So, in theory, there MAY be 1) a conflict, between access of those who pay and those who don’t. and 2) A perceived notion that Media NOT paying will not get equal access, so not all covereage, in theory, is equal … THEN ding the other party for “closing out” the Media. Don’t think for 1 minute the Media Bosses told the Reporters, “Pay the Fee, eat with them … it’s better to pay and be inside then not pay and something happens during a breakfast or on a bus…” THAT is my problem. you can’t have it both ways. Dopes! - Kerfuffle - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:39 pm: Oswego Just because you come to the event doesn’t mean you get a free meal and doesn’t mean that you get transportation to offsite events. No one said they couldn’t come. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:42 pm: RE: Update X3, ===It has come to our attention that some of you have not received the information regarding the Illinois Service Fee. Toward that end, there is a $500 per person fee that is required for anyone participating in the Illinois Convention activities schedule for convention week. Those who have paid the service fee will receive a special credential will allow them access to all the activities.=== In Layman’s Terms, that is a “Street Tax” … “Look, um, … I know you wanna have da access to da parties, but … um, … to be ‘whit’ us, you gotta pay me … you know, a “Illinois Delegation Service Fees” .. Udder-wize …you know … you won’t be able to walk around … you don’t want dat …Pay da ‘Fee’ …” - Real Issues - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:43 pm: Rich, I definitely “ain’t” talking about CapFax. This is one of the very few places we learn anything of substance. Amanda Vinicky is also doing a superb job. I’m talking about the lame/main-stream media. The political coverage in Chicago is aawwwwwful, except for Kass, of course (#HeavySnark) - Adam Smith - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:45 pm: Completely irrelevant issue. Period. Full stop. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 3:46 pm: ===Oswego Just because you come to the event doesn’t mean you get a free meal and doesn’t mean that you get transportation to offsite events. No one said they couldn’t come. === All true … but is you don’t pay, whadda gonna do? You’re shut out …THEN you ding the other party for shutting out the Media … Read Update X3 … sounds like deciding “NOT” to participate, you get shut out … pay for access … and you get a Golf Shirt! Yeah! - too obvious - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 4:00 pm: Wow, well done. So the IL GOP caught in a bald faced lie. What will it take for Pat Brady to do the right thing and step aside? Except for Rich Miller he’s playing the Illinois press for fools. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 4:17 pm: ===There’s no crying when you get outhustled.=== It IS that simple … isn’t it … - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 4:40 pm: So, the Ds say “you aren’t welcome” and my Rs say, “if you can pay, you’re welcome”. I don’t know which is worse, but it does seem the entrepreneurial spirit, as always, is stronger among Rs. - amalia - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 5:02 pm: recall from national conventions and inaugurations past dancing and laughing with the media at dem events. what’s up this time? - walkinfool - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 5:02 pm: Pat Brady is the only one who can drive me to ad hominem attacks. He’s just that special. Dinesh D’Souza’s movie 2016? Laughably stupid. It hurts me to think that some Americans can be so mislead by constant false messages, that they think there’s any truth in his work. - RNUG - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 7:11 pm: walkinfool, Have you actually seen the movie? It quotes very heavily from Obama’s books … and the first half seems to almost be apologizing for Obama … so I’m not sure which false messages you are referring to? - LincolnLounger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 7:17 pm: There was nothing like watching the antics of Andy Shaw at national convention events. The night he dragged a very reluctant Brenda Edgar onto the dance floor was unforgettable. I’m guessing, from his reaction, that the former Governor would remember it as well. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 7:44 pm: –If you do not have a service fee credential, you will not be admitted.– Gee whiz, I guess I’ve have to get my $500 beers and chicken fingers elsewhere. I’m sure Pat Brady is outraged. He is, every day. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 7:58 pm: LincolnLounger, are you suggesting that the current ethicist in chief at the BGA engaged in forcible dance with the then-1st Lady of Illinois? - Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 8:03 pm: You’re looking at an email from 2004, receipts from 2008, and talking to party staff in 2012. Just thought I would point out the inconsistent years there. Sometimes I think you look a little extra hard to find something to complain about the republicans. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 8:17 pm: Just Me, as opposed to the big Republican National Convention that coincided with the secret presidential election of 2009? Not to belabor the issue, but the issue is media access at national political conventions, which coincide with presidential elections, which occur, all together now, every four years. (spoiler alert: 2012, 2008, 2004, 2000, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1976 … I think you can see the pattern) - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 8:32 pm: - Michelle Flaherty -, Woah! Nice work! …And they would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you and those “meddling kids”. Also, are you saying …in 2016 … this might pop up ALL over again? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 8:41 pm: ===I’m sure Pat Brady is outraged. He is, every day.=== - wordslinger -, I am suprised at you … you know the order; 1) Press Release, usually before 5 am, with the following phrses - “Madigan”, “Fire”, “politics as usual”, and of course, “Lisa’ Father”. There are ‘opening’ for the issues, as you know, but it is ‘boiler plate’. 2) Facts start to refute the most important parts of the “outrage”, usually making the ILGOP seem hypocritical or dopey, or … even both. 3) ILGOP then refutes OWN release, blames Madigan for their OWN errors. 4) Capitol Fax posts “release”, refuting facts, and “The Second” press release. 5) We mock. 6) WE … WE get angry at ILGOP. 7) WE then get blamed for their dopiness because we refuse to agree with Pat Brady’s insanity … others call all of us “insane.” 8) Pat Brady takes “medicine”, puts on footed Jammies … drinks warm milk, with toastie graham crackers and puts on favorite “Blue’s Clues” video … then falls asleep. 9) Then 6 pm arrives, we move on to our lives. It’s your basic pattern - wordslinger -. I could go for toastie graham crackers about now … - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 8:45 pm: –LincolnLounger, are you suggesting that the current ethicist in chief at the BGA engaged in forcible dance with the then-1st Lady of Illinois?– Michelle, was it a Legitimate Dance? Before we rush in to anything, I think a Trans-dancinal Probe is in order. And then I’ll decide on the course of action. Because I’m The Dude. And The Dude abides. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 9:24 pm: Word, if it had been legit, forcible dance, her immune system would have shut Shaw down. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 4, 12 @ 9:49 pm: No, Michelle, if it had been legitimate or forcible dance, she would have “shut that whole thing down.” If you’re going to quote the GOP Chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, please be precise. This is science, dammit! - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 7:27 am: @Schnorf - I can’t disagree with you on that one. If I’d known I could charge the media to cover campaigns, I might have invited them to all of my campaign fundraisers. Maybe I should urge candidates to join the Screen Actors Guild so that they can get paid union scale for public appearances too? - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 7:43 am: BTW, I’d like to put Carol Marin on notice that I expect an invitation to her next birthday party. She IS a public figure, and I’d like to report on the goings-on there. :-) Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.