Simon emphasizing father’s legacy in campaign
Thursday, Jun 13, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Attorney General Lisa Madigan has been busily playing down connections to her father these days. Not so with Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who has been working hard to play up her father’s legacy in her statewide bid. From a campaign e-mail…
With Fathers Day coming up, many of us are thinking about our dads. And even though my dad has been gone for many years, I still think about him every day.
Folks around the state remember my dad as well. I hear stories of how Dad, as a Congressman or Senator, advocated for civil rights across our state, or they remember his days as a crusading journalist calling out corruption. And I hear about his appetite for cheeseburgers at places like the Red Barn, a Springfield eatery that long ago served its last fries.
But the one thing I hear most often goes something like this, “I didn’t agree with your dad on everything, but I appreciated his honesty.”
I’ll never get tired of that message.
It’s a reminder that honesty is a value that we all share, no matter what disagreements we might have on issues. And it’s a standard I aspire to uphold in my own public service.
So when we see each other next time, or the next time we talk on the phone, don’t be shy about telling me your stories about my dad. I love those stories.
Discuss.
- HenryVK - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:42 pm:
Am I the only one who finds that argument sort of offensive?
Basically, she’s saying “if you liked my dad, vote for me.” Don’t worry about my merits. Do it because you like him.
That just seems to be about the opposite of what her dad stood for.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:44 pm:
To be expected.
The brand-name got her foot in the door in the first place.
Pretty common in American politics throughout our history.
- LINK - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:44 pm:
In a word “gag”.
- Empty Chair - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:45 pm:
It’s all she brings to the table.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:45 pm:
=== Sheila Simon, who has been working hard to play up her father’s legacy in her statewide bid ===
Still?
I’m glad she loves her father. She should. He was a shining example.
But at this point in her career, “Paul Simon’s daughter” should be a footnote to her own achievements, not her primary claim to fame.
Lisa is a perfect counter-example, as are many others over the years.
- Dan Bureaucrat - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:56 pm:
You can’t fault anyone for playing up their assets. The Paul Simon name is clearly one of hers.
Lisa’s father has also been a huge asset to her, although not by her bragging about him.
- OurMagician - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 1:58 pm:
Probably a better message than “I’m Sheila Simon, I couldn’t win a race for mayor of Carbondale and am only mentioned as a candidate for statewide office because Democrats elected a wife beater as their nominee for Lt. Gov and I want to be your next Attorney General.”
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:02 pm:
Meh.
- Cassiopeia - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:07 pm:
Her father is her only asset. What accomplishments does she have as a public official?
- Susiejones - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:07 pm:
if that is all she’s got then she isn’t going too far when she finally makes up her mind on what she wants to do when she grows up.
- Ray del Camino - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:09 pm:
Tough crowd.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:10 pm:
What??? What. The. Heck.
From Rich’s link to the SunTimes article about Lisa Madigan:
“To that end, my lawyers are already involved in multiple cases, making aggressive legal arguments that would help provide room for the legislature to enact strong reforms. We’ve succeeded in circuit court with our argument that health care benefits are not pension benefits protected by the state Constitution, and we’re preparing to argue that again before the Supreme Court later this year. If we’re successful in declaring health care premiums are not covered by the pension clause, that will significantly impact the extent of retiree costs for the state,” the attorney general said.”
- As Speaker Madigan hammers away and pushes for larger pension benefit cuts on the legislative side,
- Attorney General Madigan hammers away at pension benefit health care cuts from the legal side.
I didn’t realize the A.G. was bringing cases of that type.
The unions must love getting hit on both fronts like that.
- Rollo Tomasi - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:23 pm:
Sheila who?
- shore - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:25 pm:
Most of you are correct. She’s a grown woman, she’s married, she’s had a career as a professor, she was lt.gov, when art turner was looking at the gig she took what I thought was a condescending shot at him noting how she had been his sons professor this a heavy dose of weak sauce.
What it’s really saying is 1)I’m too weak of a candidate to run of what I’ve done in my life (very true) 2)I think you’re dumb enough not to realize what I’ve been up to the last few years, not so much 3) I don’t think you’re smart enough to see that my father, who died nearly 10 years ago was a vastly different politician than I am.
What I’ve seen of her thus far is a Romneyesque entitlement and awkwardness in handling issues, people and her own profile.
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:27 pm:
Keep in mind that it’s just one email, sent to her supporters, during the week of Father’s Day.
Now if 50% of her stump speech ends up being devoted to her dad, I think that’d be far far too much. Far better to just talk about her own values and accomplishments, and then let people draw their own parallels.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:28 pm:
=== Am I the only one who finds that argument sort of offensive? ===
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s offensive… just played.
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:33 pm:
== It’s all she brings to the table. ==
Well that and the Banjo playing…
- dazed & confused - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:34 pm:
The rest of the email says…
“and I really hope that Lisa’s dad let’s her run for Governor so that I can run for Attorney General.”
- Very Old Soil - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:44 pm:
what exactly is she running for? I forgot.
- Dan Bureaucrat - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 2:53 pm:
I’m no big fan of hers and I think she acted without grace in her comments about the gubernatorial race.
But, I think she’s plenty competent and smart. She hasn’t done much in politics, but there’s a lot of people in that boat, even in elected office, and with far weaker minds.
She would be politically stupid if she didn’t play up her dad — somewhere, sometime — so why not on Father’s Day.
- LincolnLounger - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:01 pm:
Where the heck was the Red Barn? I wonder if she meant the Red Coach Inn?
- Sgt Schultz - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:06 pm:
Agree 100% with Robert the Bruce. As we approach Father’s Day, folks tend to mention their dads. IF she continues to mention him, then it’s worth giving her grief. For now, give her the benefit of the doubt for sharing her dad’s legacy.
Sheesh.
- Dave Fako - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:11 pm:
Her dad’s name still has some weight, albeit much less than before. The last time he was on a ballot was 1990 - funn side note to that - in that race he defeated Lynn Martin using Roger Ailes, who was then a GOP consultant with a reputation for running negative campaigns as an albatross against her. So this has some residual impact among the older voters. That being said, this should only be a small tactic used as part of a larger strategy because “vote for me because Dad was good” will not cut it.
- Endangered Moderate Species - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:23 pm:
===Basically, she’s saying “if you liked my dad, vote for me.”===
Henry, you are entitled to interpret this as you wish, but this message was sent to her supporters just prior to Father’s Day weekend.
===don’t be shy about telling me your stories about my dad.===
Many of her supporters whom received the email were also supporters of her father.
Hopefully, we all have had a relationship with our parents that when they have passed we look forward to hearing stories.
- SG8prl - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:32 pm:
@LincolnLounger - There was a “Red Barn Chicken” at 2nd and South Grand apparently. http://lookbackspringfield.blogspot.com/
- wizard - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 3:36 pm:
Red Barn-in a later life it was a Famous Dave’s but I think that has closed also. Southwest side, west of Mattis about a block and if remember correctly, a little south of the four lane that turns into I72 to Decatur.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 4:00 pm:
At least she’s not trying to hide her sole qualification for office. Classically Illinois. I still don’t think his will be enough to get her over the finish line. There’s no there, there.
- schwartzee - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 4:21 pm:
Don’t forget, she also makes quilts.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 4:33 pm:
It’s understandable, as it’s almost Father’s Day.
But, that’s it. It’s been a long time since her father was senator; Sheila needs to show what she can bring to the position. As Caroline Kennedy found out, the name guarantees you nothing.
- Nickname - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 4:47 pm:
Your dad would be very proud of you Rich. You tell it like it is and respect the respectful commenters (delete the rest)on this site. After dropping my newspaper subscriptions, I get a lot of my info here, from you, as you are a reporter in the sense that I grew up knowing it to be. Don’t know what schools some of them went to….
- low level - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 5:15 pm:
I’m sure this wont be the only thing she says as campaign goes on, if she runs. It was a statement about her dad as Father’s Day approaches.
Tough crowd is right. Wow. Or maybe my low level status is clouding my view of what is actually going on…
- Amalia - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 5:24 pm:
it’s a good connect to Father’s Day, that’s all. surely she knows that she has to bring more to the table than than, but this is just one bit. it’s not all she’s running on, and not all that she has put out there.
That said, the Dem side in the AG race will be weaker than Cross with Dart dropping out, Alvarez not likely to get in. Raoul and Simon. seriously in need of David Hoffman to get in.
- orzo - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 6:10 pm:
I was a huge Paul Simon fan, but my standard for candidates for the State’s top lawyer would include substantially more legal experience than Sheila has gained. Though I would probably agree with her on most issues, I have not heard one word as to why she is qualified for this job.
- Responsa - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 6:35 pm:
There are way too many multi-generation political legacy families in Illinois. Politics should be an individual calling not a dynastic birthright.
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 7:56 pm:
She’d be a fool NOT to play him up, ‘cuz, altogether UNlike MADigan, anyone worth his hoot in Illinois whose been around these parts since at least the 50’s and on, realizes that Paul Simon was, and always will be a beloved and revered gentleman from our Home State…!
- BR - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 8:11 pm:
Come on guys… she has tried to take away our 2 A rights… so it’s not like she’s been doing nothing.
- Excessively Rabid - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 8:22 pm:
**== It’s all she brings to the table. ==
Well that and the Banjo playing… **
Sad but true.
- Downstater - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 9:57 pm:
While focusing much of her political message on tying herself to her father’s career and achievements is inappropriate in the main, even in Illinois with its long history family politics, that she is making these statements so close to Father’s Day does offer her some explanation. On balance though, her chances for running and winning the Attorney Generalship next year are as good as anyone else’s. Reminding state voters, especially Downstaters, of the connection can likely be a plus rather than a minus. Considering who the current occupant is, I do not think that personal and professional accomplishments hold the value they ought to.
- John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 10:32 pm:
>>>>> It’s all she brings to the table.
Let’s not forget that some of her best friends are hunters. That makes her an expert on 2nd Amendment matters.
- Michael Westen - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 10:33 pm:
I knew Paul Simon. Paul Simon was a friend of mine. Sheila Simon…you are no Paul Simon.
- 'Goose - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 11:08 pm:
Reading Shore’s comment, I remember thinking that Sheila sounded racist when she described how much Art Turner Jr. improved his legal writing skills as a first-year law student under her tutelage. She said these comments during the State Central Committee meeting in 2010 that resulted in her LG nomination. I’d love to get a transcript of the meeting to see if her comments read as racist as they sounded to me as an observer at the time.
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Jun 13, 13 @ 11:17 pm:
Both she and Lisa did keep their maiden names for a reason…
- dupage dan - Friday, Jun 14, 13 @ 9:24 am:
Well, Ms Simon should probably start small, like her Dad starting off small time by purchasing of small town newspapers. She could start off by running for mayor of a small town - say, like Carbondale, or something. Oh, wait a minute…..
- Living in Machiaville - Friday, Jun 14, 13 @ 9:38 am:
“When the hungries hit, hit the Red Barn”.
mmmmmm burgers after swim lessons at the YMCA. Many moons ago. Sheila’s dad held a door open for me when I was a kid. The original McDonald’s on Jefferson. We shared an affinity for fast food I guess.