* This email from GOP Sen. Jim Oberweis, who hopes to take on freshman Democratic US Rep. Rep. Lauren Underwood, has been going around lately, and it made me curious for obvious reasons…
I mean, was that even real?
* So, I reached out to the candidate…
The copy of the email is personal communication that referenced a larger discussion regarding the desirability of supporting female candidates in the Republican primary. I responded to an individual who was part of this larger discussion by pointing out the gender and racial diversity of the likely GOP slate for 2020.
As for my self-description as a “token white male,” it was intended to be ironic given the traditional demographics of Republican Party candidates, but, in hindsight, was a less than optimal choice of words. I apologize.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:28 am:
As the son of an immigrant, I was deeply offended by his helicopter over Soldier Field commercial. Since then, he has proven over and over again how clueless he is. I wonder if he is a bad person or just aloof.
What’s wrong these people? And what is with purposefully misspelling the Senator’s last name? Is he trying to ban durs? He isn’t funny.
Also, the General Assembly was in session on May 22nd. He should have been working his real job instead of attempting to write clever e-mails.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:30 am:
Someone should tell him that it’s Durbin not Durban.
- grand old non-partisan - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:32 am:
I’ve never been a fan, but I give him credit for simply owning it and acknowledging it was a dumb thing to say instead of trying to twist it around and make himself out to be the victim somehow. Props??
I’m no fan of Obie, but at least he knows the meaning of the word “ironic,” unlike Alanis. Rain on your wedding day? That’s bad luck, not irony. (Sorry, I’ve been complaining about that song for 20 years now.)
For a brief moment I thought there must be someone named “Durban” I didn’t know about.
Nope. I almost wish I thought he was trying to do something clever, rather than the sadness of a state senator not knowing the name of the state’s US senator.
For a while, some on the far right referred to him as Durban because the spelling was close to “turban.” Yeah, it was something. “Durban” was a banned word on the blog for years.
==I’m no fan of Obie, but at least he knows the meaning of the word “ironic,” unlike Alanis. Rain on your wedding day? That’s bad luck, not irony. (Sorry, I’ve been complaining about that song for 20 years now.)==
That’s the brilliance of it–that’s why the song is ironic.
Heck of a typo. Obviously I meant Jim Oberweis is a rich white guy, and didn’t mean to suggest he’s non-white.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:04 am:
The 14th is going to have so many ‘unforced errors’ coming out of the republican field.
I expected it to come from some of the less experienced part of that already crowded field, but I can’t really say I’m surprised to see it coming from Oberweis first.
Get ready for more of these little disasters. the race in the 14th is going to be quite the show.
- Someone you should know - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Another Tom Mannix Special
- Left of the Lake - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:25 am:
I had a feeling he’d be making off color jokes like that, but putting it in writing and using it as part of the official campaign. “Face Palm” Not congressional material in my opinion.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:29 am:
“Actually, Durban is 51% Black African.”
Pretty soon we’ll see more of Durban, as in Durban Poison, a very fine indigenous marijuana strain from South Africa.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:29 am:
Durbin is misspelled three times. Once would be a typo.
As far as “token white male” that implies that hardly any white males run in Republican primaries. I thought I was reading the Onion.
Sigh. He’s my state senator and I try to pry him loose from that office every chance I get. He’s SorryNotSorry too much of the time.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:32 am:
He certainly makes an impression. I was with a group of professional colleagues in Springfield talking to legislators in the Capitol. We stopped Sen. Oberweis for a quick chat in the rotunda. After that short discussion, my colleagues all stated they would no longer purchase anything with his name on it. I don’t think I’ve met another politician who could make that bad of an impression that quickly.
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Resign your office and stop running for public office. This out of touch nonsense is becoming so tiresome.
This kind of discombobulated dog whistle nonsense is beneath the office of a state senator. Maybe someday, the 25th District will get a Senator that represents everyone in it, and preferably one who doesn’t subscribe to this sort of outdated race-baiting identity politics hogwash.
Uggh. Obi-Wan Coneobi (see what I did there) is also my Sen. He pulls that ‘job creator’ cliche’ when you are sitting down to eat with the guy. It is not surprising how out-of-touch he truly is after five minutes within his presence. OTOH, I met Congresswoman Underwood a few weeks ago at her West Chicago open house. After a four minute conversation, you know she is an impressive individual and light-years beyond what Jim ever could be.
Being smart is not a prerequisite to being rich. Continuing support to weak minded and insensitive rich people is not good for the State or the country. Enough already.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:28 am:
As the son of an immigrant, I was deeply offended by his helicopter over Soldier Field commercial. Since then, he has proven over and over again how clueless he is. I wonder if he is a bad person or just aloof.
- So_Ill - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:29 am:
Does he really not know how to spell “DURBIN?”
That reads like it was written by a 3rd grader. No wonder he’s a six time loser.
- something something not annonymous - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:30 am:
Durban?
- Just Me - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:30 am:
What’s wrong these people? And what is with purposefully misspelling the Senator’s last name? Is he trying to ban durs? He isn’t funny.
Also, the General Assembly was in session on May 22nd. He should have been working his real job instead of attempting to write clever e-mails.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:30 am:
Someone should tell him that it’s Durbin not Durban.
- grand old non-partisan - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:32 am:
I’ve never been a fan, but I give him credit for simply owning it and acknowledging it was a dumb thing to say instead of trying to twist it around and make himself out to be the victim somehow. Props??
- Roman - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:33 am:
I’m no fan of Obie, but at least he knows the meaning of the word “ironic,” unlike Alanis. Rain on your wedding day? That’s bad luck, not irony. (Sorry, I’ve been complaining about that song for 20 years now.)
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:33 am:
===Sorry, I’ve been complaining about that song for 20 years now===
Same.
- Nonbeliever - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:37 am:
Typical Oberweis.
There is no doubt by those with any objectivity that the race card is used all the time by all races.
But Oberweis is really kind of a fool.
And putting out a statement and misspelling Durbin demonstrates that for those who have any doubt.
- lakeside - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:37 am:
For a brief moment I thought there must be someone named “Durban” I didn’t know about.
Nope. I almost wish I thought he was trying to do something clever, rather than the sadness of a state senator not knowing the name of the state’s US senator.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:40 am:
===there must be someone named “Durban”===
For a while, some on the far right referred to him as Durban because the spelling was close to “turban.” Yeah, it was something. “Durban” was a banned word on the blog for years.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:43 am:
I think old man Ricketts has already kicked in some dough for this token white male. “Durban” sounds too much like turban and he must be defeated.
- Jocko - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:43 am:
This poster — as a white male — does not have anything more to add to the discussion.
In Jim’s defense, he IS a token GOP candidate
- Father Ted - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:48 am:
Jim, stick to milk.
- Chris Widger - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:48 am:
==I’m no fan of Obie, but at least he knows the meaning of the word “ironic,” unlike Alanis. Rain on your wedding day? That’s bad luck, not irony. (Sorry, I’ve been complaining about that song for 20 years now.)==
That’s the brilliance of it–that’s why the song is ironic.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:49 am:
To Mr. Oberweis,
Every word I type, right now, makes you relevant, when in reality, you’ve never been relevant at all. Ever.
So, to not make you think that you matter, I say only this;
When someone shows you who they are… believe them.
You’ve shown who you are, over and over. This only reinforces that showing.
- WH Mess - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:51 am:
Actually, Durban is 51% Black African.
http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/durban-population/
Sheesh.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:52 am:
Let’s see if Skillicorn can top that one.
- lakeside - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:54 am:
==referred to him as Durban because the spelling was close to “turban.”==
Rich, I specifically said “something clever.” /s
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 9:59 am:
===rich non-white person in the United States.===
Heck of a typo. Obviously I meant Jim Oberweis is a rich white guy, and didn’t mean to suggest he’s non-white.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:04 am:
The 14th is going to have so many ‘unforced errors’ coming out of the republican field.
I expected it to come from some of the less experienced part of that already crowded field, but I can’t really say I’m surprised to see it coming from Oberweis first.
Get ready for more of these little disasters. the race in the 14th is going to be quite the show.
- KSDinCU - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:09 am:
So did he really misspell his own name too?
- Dupage Bard - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:11 am:
Maybe the goal is to give Rezin an easy primary?
- The Captain - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:12 am:
If you spell it Durban people are going to think you’re a moran.
- South of Sherman - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:12 am:
Did he actually misspell his own name in his response to Rich?
- Just Another Anon - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:13 am:
Some real unforced errors going on in the 14th. Skillikorn and Gradel have been rather quiet though.
- Al - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:14 am:
Underwood by 10.
- Someone you should know - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Another Tom Mannix Special
- Left of the Lake - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:25 am:
I had a feeling he’d be making off color jokes like that, but putting it in writing and using it as part of the official campaign. “Face Palm” Not congressional material in my opinion.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:29 am:
“Actually, Durban is 51% Black African.”
Pretty soon we’ll see more of Durban, as in Durban Poison, a very fine indigenous marijuana strain from South Africa.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:29 am:
Durbin is misspelled three times. Once would be a typo.
As far as “token white male” that implies that hardly any white males run in Republican primaries. I thought I was reading the Onion.
- Yowza - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:31 am:
The milk he sells is less white than he is
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 10:37 am:
=== did he really misspell his own name too?===
And now you know why I posted the video.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:00 am:
-When someone shows you who they are… believe them.-
Well said, OW. I know a few folks who have needed that reminder this week.
- Big Ern McCracken - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:12 am:
Spell your last name much Jim? His brain must have addled during that helicopter ride over Soldier Field.
- Dome Gnome - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:19 am:
Sigh. He’s my state senator and I try to pry him loose from that office every chance I get. He’s SorryNotSorry too much of the time.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:32 am:
He certainly makes an impression. I was with a group of professional colleagues in Springfield talking to legislators in the Capitol. We stopped Sen. Oberweis for a quick chat in the rotunda. After that short discussion, my colleagues all stated they would no longer purchase anything with his name on it. I don’t think I’ve met another politician who could make that bad of an impression that quickly.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:38 am:
Durban is the Chicago of South Africa.
- Iggy - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 11:41 am:
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Resign your office and stop running for public office. This out of touch nonsense is becoming so tiresome.
- Mr. Lurkey - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 12:27 pm:
Simple post by me: WOW. Really? Durban and token white male? I just can’t even….. it’s like he’s trying to Sabotage
- RIJ - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
So you feel like a token? Good. Sit with it for a while. Learn what it really feels like. Then look at your positions on policy with more humanity.
- Jagged Little IL - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 12:54 pm:
Woah woah woah, let’s leave Alanis out of this
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
(Tips cap to - MakePoliticsCoolAgain -)
Alanis in “Dogma” has more irony than the lyrics in the song “Ironic”
Don’t think on that too hard…
Now I need to watch “Dogma” again.
- Da Lobsta - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 2:46 pm:
This kind of discombobulated dog whistle nonsense is beneath the office of a state senator. Maybe someday, the 25th District will get a Senator that represents everyone in it, and preferably one who doesn’t subscribe to this sort of outdated race-baiting identity politics hogwash.
- Enviro - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 4:43 pm:
Should there be a academic proficiency test for people who want to run for U.S. Senator?
- Enviro - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 4:49 pm:
Should there be an academic proficiency test for people who want to run for U.S. Senator?
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 5:58 pm:
===Now I need to watch “Dogma” again.===
Excellent idea.
- Proud Sucker - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 6:11 pm:
Uggh. Obi-Wan Coneobi (see what I did there) is also my Sen. He pulls that ‘job creator’ cliche’ when you are sitting down to eat with the guy. It is not surprising how out-of-touch he truly is after five minutes within his presence. OTOH, I met Congresswoman Underwood a few weeks ago at her West Chicago open house. After a four minute conversation, you know she is an impressive individual and light-years beyond what Jim ever could be.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Jun 20, 19 @ 6:48 pm:
Being smart is not a prerequisite to being rich. Continuing support to weak minded and insensitive rich people is not good for the State or the country. Enough already.