I heard a few hours ago that Edwin Eisendrath’s campaign was calling around to TV stations today asking about broadcast ad rates. With everything else going on, I couldn’t follow up.
Now comes word that Eisendrath was talking earlier this week about spending a million dollars on a late buy.
If EE had run even a halfway decent campaign, he’d easily be able to take advantage of the governor’s massive problems right now. And even without that, if he knew how to put a TV ad together I’d give him a much better shot.
We’ll see if (and how) he pulls the trigger, but a million bucks over two weeks ain’t nothing to sneeze at…
UPDATE: Pretty sure Almost positive this is going to happen. Can’t say much more yet, but stay tuned.
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Rep. Lou Lang has resigned from the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes just one day after he was appointed.
Howard Kaplan has also resigned. He is the immediate past chairman of the commission.
More later.
UPDATE: From Lang’s resignation letter:
I had hoped to use my appointment to overcome the dispute over individuals. Unfortunately, my own appointment is now suddenly drawing unnecessary controversy which risks further undermining the Commission’s larger purpose.
Since the individual commissioners are not more important than the principles and purpose the Commission was designed to serve, I regrettably submit my resignation to free the Commission from any further distraction in its important work, including standing up aggressivley against hate speech from any source.
Kaplan’s letter is supposedly on the way. More later.
UPDATE 2: Governor’s office response to Lang’s resignation:
We accept his resignation and feel the board can and must continue to do its work because its mission of promoting understanding is important.
UPDATE 3: Howard Kaplan’s resignation letter:
Though I am currently out of the country, I have been able to follow recent developments back home. As the first and immediate past Chairperson of the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (”Commission”) and as the current Chairperson of the Cook County Hate Crimes Prosecution Council, it is with particularly deep regret that I write to you to tender my resignation from the Commission.
The Commission has been tasked with the laudable goals of promoting understanding, fighting intolerance and bridging divides. I fear it is painfully obvious that the Commission as currently constituted is not serving those goals. I cannot serve on a commission that, by implication, accepts divisive and bigoted standards.
I thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of the State of Illinois.
UPDATE 4: I’m told that ABC7 is doing a lengthy live report on this right now.
UPDATE 5: AP now has a story. Nothing much new there, but thought I’d give you the link.
UPDATE 6: Father Pfleger lays the smack-down:
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the white pastor of a mostly black Chicago church and a friend of Muhammad’s, said Blagojevich would generate enormous anger if he removed Muhammad from the commission.
“If you are not willing to stand up in difficult times, don’t pretend to be a supporter of black issues, of the black community,” Pfleger said. “Now is a test for him.”
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Sandy Wegman’s ad
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Remember Sandy Wegman?
She’s running for lieutenant governor.
She’s also running a couple of radio ads in limited rotation.
This is the, um, “better” of the two (link is to mp3 file).
Hoo-boy.
UPDATE: For more longshot lite guv fun, go check out Lawrence Bruckner’s blog. He must be a busy guy.
UPDATE 2: Sorry, but I needed to take that photo down.
UPDATE 3: The Tribune has a story posted about today’s LG debate.
The four candidates mixed it up during the wide-ranging debate that included skirmishes over potential conflicts of interest in campaign contributions, jabs at the Republican candidates running for governor and talk about how to unite the party after a bruising primary campaign season.
If elected, each of the candidates promised to focus on different aspects of government.
Bruckner wants to focus on helping veterans, Wegman on fighting waste and fraud, Birkett on public safety and rooting out corruption, and Rauschenberger on growing the economy and creating jobs.
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Shameless plug for an old pal
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Jim Nowlan has a new book, “The Editor’s Wife.” From an e-mail he sent me:
The Editor’s Wife can be ordered from amazon.com or authorhouse.com for $26.49. Better, order from Stark County Communications for $19.95 and $2.95 handling: Make checks to Stark County Communications, 101 W. Main, Toulon IL 61483.
And here are some nice blurbs from readers:
 · “A well-spun yarn about lust and lawmaking in the Land of Lincoln.â€
(Don Cooper, publisher, Galesburg Register-Mail, Galesburg, Illinois)
· “In politics and thus government things often happen not because of party or principal but rather because of relationship. Nowlan’s book does a great job through his story telling of illustrating how relationships can cross party lines, regional interest and even time. Relationships born of a simple act of kindness a shared experience, a cruel snub or an outright betrayal can manifest themselves in ways little understood by the public and not covered in the civic books but they are all at the heart of the Editor’s Wife.â€
(Zack Stamp, Zack Stamp Ltd., Springfield, Illinois)
· “Editor’s Wife is one of the best reads I have had in years. It takes me back to the 60’s and the years my husband, Abner, spent in Springfield. It all rings true—the horse trading, the hijinks, the combination of doing good and doing well that infects the legislative body. Ab and I enjoyed the trip back to the “good old daysâ€.
(Zoe Mikva, Chicago, Illinois)
I just got my own copy. Get yours today.
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This just in… Dick Kay to retire
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’ve been watching WMAQ political reporter Dick Kay for as long as I can remember. He just announced his retirement, effective June 1.
From Lynn Sweet’s blog:
 I thought I would let my friends and family know I have formally applied for retirement. I asked H&R to draw up papers for a June 1 out date..and have fomally notified my News Vice President I will retire then. February marked my 46th year in broadcasting and May 8 will mark 38 years at NBC5. I will stop and smell the roses as they say. I have made no plans so don'’t ask what I plan to do. The quickest answer is “nothing.”
I hope to take some time off to wind down and then consider any new opportunities. And if there are no new opportunities thats ok too.
Imagine doing nothing after a lifetime of work which began with a shoeshine stand at Daniel Boone’s restaurant in Evansville, Indiana.
I can’t imagine it.
There will be time for sentimentality later. Right now I just wanted all of you to know that after considering this for 8 years I have set the date.
Dick Kay Snodgrass
I didn’t think he’d ever do it. Good luck, Dick!
And, please, be nice in comments or I’ll be mean to you.
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Yesterday, the House Republicans protested the fact that the House Democrats had scheduled appropriations committee meetings in Chicago next week. Not only were they upset that the meetings would be held at the Thompson Center instead of the Statehouse, they were seriously bummed about having to attend hearings during what was supposed to be a week away from legislative work.
The House Dems claimed that this was no big deal because the House held off-day approp meetings in Chicago when George Ryan was governor and nobody complained at all.
The House GOPs displayed this poster during the brouhaha:
QUESTION: Is this much ado about nothing? Or should people be concerned when hearings are not held in Springfield?
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Oy, Part 102,946
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Governor Blagojevich can’t seem to get this mess off the front page, and he only seems to be making matters worse. From the Sun-Times (with the great headline: “No love on gov’s hate panel”)
Gov. Blagojevich’s anti-discrimination panel seethed with acrimony Thursday as two leading Jewish members resigned in protest, refusing to serve alongside a Nation of Islam official unwilling to condemn what critics call anti-Semitic and anti-gay statements by Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Lonnie Nasatir, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Richard Hirschhaut, director of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, stepped down from the governor’s Discrimination and Hate Crimes Commission after Blagojevich refused to oust his embattled appointee, Claudette Marie Johnson.
Appointing Rep. Lou Lang to the commission didn’t work, either.
“The notion that people would resign from the commission over the views of one member … it seems to me is an error,” Lang said. “The commission has an opportunity to do some valuable work.”The conflict has also prompted several lawmakers to take sides.
State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) said Thursday that he has been disappointed so far in Blagojevich’s response.
“There are three groups here–the African-American community, the Jewish community and the gay and lesbian community–who are normally united,” Silverstein said. “We are being torn apart because of this.”
And then there’s this.
Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, a member of the commission, said the governor has “found himself in a very difficult situation.” […]
“On a personal level, I’m disappointed and discouraged,” said McKeon, an openly gay lawmaker who wrote the proposal to form such a panel eight years ago.
There’s been a lot of back and forth in comments about this issue, but I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions for how to heal the rifts? Is it too late to do anything now? Should more commission members resign, or should another way be found?
UPDATE: I missed the Tribune’s editorial.
Blagojevich deplored Farrakhan’s comments but also said he didn’t believe in guilt by association. He said Muhammad had affirmed her commitment to tolerance and acceptance and therefore should remain.
That’s disingenuous of the governor. Muhammad isn’t just a rank-and-file member of Farrakhan’s Nation. She is one of his top aides and holds a high-ranking position in the group. She has not disavowed his ugly comments. The Nation of Islam does not broadly represent the African-American community and does not deserve representation on a panel whose mission is to combat discrimination and hate. Its leader still preaches hate.
UPDATE 2: From an ABC-7 story:
“Don’t be afraid to love and don’t be afraid to hate,” Minister Louis Farrakhan said Sunday.
UPDATE 3:Press release from Dan Rutherford:
“We have statewide elected officials who are sitting on the sidelines of this fundamental moral issue doing nothing,†said Rutherford. “I call on Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White and the other statewide officials to stand up and speak out unequivocally. As statewide elected leaders each of them has a high moral position from which to speak and a responsibility to do so without further delay.â€
UPDATE 4: Ron Gidwitz has been way in front of this as far as statewide candidates go. Here’s his statement:
“The Governor’s logic is as lame as his appointment,” said Gidwitz. “This is not a question of guilt by association. Ms. Muhammad is in a leadership position of an organization headed by an individual whose comments about Jews and others even the Governor has described as ‘hateful’ and ‘divisive’.”
Gidwitz added, “It’s not enough for Ms. Muhammad to say she is committed to the goals of the commission. She should also be asked to renounce the very hateful comments of Mr. Farrakhan to which the Governor referred.”
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Edgar campaign ad roundup
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
UPDATE: The ad is now at JBT’s site (link is to mpeg file). Also, Bill Brady’s new ad is posted at his site (link is to wmv file).
The Tribune starts us off.
After enduring a spate of attack ads, Republican governor candidate Judy Baar Topinka turned to Jim Edgar on Thursday, using TV commercials featuring the former governor vouching for her truthfulness and criticizing her rivals.
“You’ve seen the negative ads attacking Judy Baar Topinka,” Edgar says in the ad. “They say more about her opponents than they do about her. I thought you’d rather hear the truth from me.” […]
The Oberweis campaign questioned whether Edgar had taped the ad long before the debut of its own ad critical of Topinka.
“When did Gov. Edgar film his portion of the advertisement?” asked Oberweis campaign manager Joe Wiegand. “It seems to me that given Judy Barr Topinka’s record in office and the record of pay to play, insider deals and investigations, that any reasonable individual would understand that that record would be under attack.”
Topinka campaign aide Nancy Kimme confirmed that Edgar taped the ad before the latest Oberweis spot aired. Noting that Oberweis had used controversial commercials in previous unsuccessful bids for office, Kimme said, “Gov. Edgar anticipated he would pull another stunt.”
The Sun-Times has this.
Using the popular two-term governor to directly answer Oberweis and Gidwitz is a clear sign that Topinka is concerned that her critics’ ads are working, but her campaign spokesman insisted that is not the case.
“Not at all,” spokesman Roger Germann said. “From all accounts, she is still the front-runner and the best candidate after the primary to take on [Gov.] Rod Blagojevich and win.”
But Gidwitz spokesman Dan Proft said Edgar’s ad won’t work.
“It’s not his record that’s up for debate,” Proft said. “It’s hers, and that’s what she doesn’t want to talk about. Judy Baar Topinka has amassed a record that is in large measure at odds with Jim Edgar’s record.
“Interestingly, I don’t ever remember in a Jim Edgar campaign him using Judy Baar Topinka for a third-party endorsement. Never was a big demand for that.”
And the Oberweis TV ad is still drawing controversy. The State Journal-Register ran an editorial today.
Oberweis, who likes to borrow one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s favorite campaign phrases (”reform”), decided to re-form some newspaper headlines in making his television commercials. The TV spots use the masthead of The State Journal-Register and three other daily newspapers over faked headlines. […]
The fellow whose company produced the ads for Oberweis stressed to political columnist Bernard Schoenburg that the headlines “weren’t intended to be taken as true headlines.” Well, of course not - that would be unethical and just plain wrong. How odd then that the advertisement does such a nice job of making the headlines appear authentic.
HOWEVER, as stupid as faking newspaper headlines is (hint: if you’re going to fake something, consider faking something that wasn’t in print and can’t easily be looked up), it was certainly not nearly as crass as allowing a key Oberweis campaign worker to promote via a freelance column a hateful Web site that attacks Topinka for recognizing homosexuals as fellow human beings.
UPDATE: Now Bill Brady is stepping into the Oberweis controversy. From a press release:
Senator Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, today urged Jim Oberweis to fix his misleading commercials or take them off the airwaves. Brady offered his thoughts on the commercials in response to numerous media inquiries.
“Creative commercials may work when you’re selling ice cream, but the people of Illinois expect more from a candidate for governor. To misrepresent the truth says more about his judgment than about the candidate he is attacking in these commercials,” Brady said.
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Salvi claims lead
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
You can read the Salvi campaign poll summary here (pdf file), but the Northwest Herald also has the exclusive.
GOP candidate Kathy Salvi has opened up a double-digit lead over her opponents in the 8th Congressional District primary, according to poll numbers obtained by the Northwest Herald.
Her main rival, David McSweeney, challenged the accuracy of the poll, which was commissioned by the Salvi campaign.
In a survey of 300 likely Republican voters, 29 percent of respondents said they would vote for Salvi, while 19 percent said they’d vote for McSweeney. Thirty percent were undecided.
If the poll is accurate, it’s bad news for McSweeney, a Barrington Hills investment banker who has spent $1.5 million of his own money on the race, including a $500,000 loan made Thursday.
A December poll released by Salvi showed McSweeney at 20 percent, a point higher than this week’s poll.
“Obviously, his message is not resonating with voters, and Kathy’s positive message is,” said Jason Heffley, a Salvi spokesman.
Salvi has poured $739,000 of her own wealth into her campaign.
McSweeney’s campaign manager Jim Thacker called Salvi’s survey a “push poll,” one loaded with negative questions about a candidate to influence the outcome – a charge the pollster flatly denied.
McSweeney is going to dump another $500,000 of his own money into the race, a campaign source told me yesterday.
UPDATE: From McSweeney’s campaign:
“Further, the Salvi camp refuses to release the poll questions. We have two individuals who were polled by the Salvi camp who are willing to go on record. Both have said that the poll contained negative questions directed at Dave McSweeney. I think the Salvi camp is afraid that if the façade they have put up is revealed we will all see the real face of that campaign,” said Thacker.
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Tribune finally runs Meeks story
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
It’s taken them a few days, but the Tribune finally got around to talking to Sen. James Meeks about his plans to run for governor as a third-party candidate, but they do manage to move the story ahead quite a bit.
Some Democrats said privately they think Meeks’ threat is little more than a short-term effort to leverage the governor on the education issue. With Blagojevich unlikely to get any Republican support for his budget in the legislature, the governor must try to avoid splintering Democratic constituencies to win approval of his spending plan. […]
Meeks, speaking at the Statehouse during a busy day of Senate business, said he’s “75 percent sure” he’s going to run and has been encouraged by people in all walks of life.
“We have Latino individuals who want to get on the ticket. African-American, white, it’s unbelievable,” Meeks said.
Discuss.
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Morning shorts
Friday, Mar 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
· Lynn Sweet: “Freshman Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) has been paying his father, former Rep. William Lipinski (D-Ill.), for political advice, as the plot the senior Lipinski hatched to install his Tennessee son in his seat has become the major issue of his two March Democratic primary rivals.”
· Illinois treasurer candidate Paul Mangieri gets over 100 grand from Mike Madigan. But that pales in comparison to Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign kitty.
· Line of the day, by Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg: “Gov. Blagojevich did a Pete Townsend knee-slide into the limelight”
· Staffing increases mandated by Senate.
· Tax returns released by 3 GOP gubernatorial candidates. (fixed link, thanks to commenters)
· Tribune laments the loss of Mike Lawrence’s columns, and wonders why he was silenced.
· Supremes allow lawsuit to go forward, despite complaints that it was a case of venue shopping.
· Sun-Times legislative wrap-up.
· Self-extinguishing smokes mandated by state Senate.
· More in a few minutes.
· State Senate approves eminent domain bill. Steve Rhodes, our newest Illinoize blogger, has more here.
· “Stay off the Ryan.” Yeah, that’ll work.
· Archpundit heard the same “SEIU really upset with Stroger” rumors that I heard yesterday. The union officially played down the spat, but there is definitely trouble behind the scenes. Talks are underway.
· “The best congressman the 11th District ever had.”
· Pantagraph editorial: “Don’t believe figures in governor’s campaign”
· Are corporate tax breaks illegal?
· Story on the winery-distributor legislative deal.
· What he said. Except for that last part, which I don’t get.
· Senate backs airport district. Congressman Jackson is not pleased.
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Topinka ad
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Gimme a few more minutes
OK, long session and etc. and I couldn’t get home to download the ad. Long story, but IlliniPundit got the ad from an unauthorized link that I unwittingly posted. Go there now. http://www.illinipundit.com/2006/03/02/topinka-ad/
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This just in… Lang accepts slot on commission
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) has just accepted an appointment to the governor’s commission on discrimination and hate crimes.
It just keeps getting weirder, campers. More tomorrow.
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From a press release:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today announced its resignation from the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes and expressed its “utter disappointment” in the Blagojevich administration’s decision to stand by the Nation of Islam representative on the Commission. Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad is a top adviser to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who on Sunday once again used the annual Saviours’ Day event to engage in hateful anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist bigotry. Member of the Commission were invited to the event and several attended.
In announcing ADL’s resignation, Lonnie Nasatir, Regional Director of ADL’s Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest office, issued the following statement:
We cannot continue to serve on a Commission that remains silent in the face of bigotry and makes a mockery of the fight against hatred and intolerance in Illinois. It is sad day when we are left with no choice but to resign from the Commission. We are utterly disappointed at the Blagojevich administration’s decision to stand by Sister Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. She serves on the Commission as a representative of the Nation of Islam, just as I serve as a representative of ADL, and she must be held accountable for the statements of her organization’s leader.
Sister Muhammad’s statement is wholly inadequate. She in no way condemns or apologizes for Minister Farrakhan’s hate-filled rhetoric that pervades the message and beliefs of the Nation of Islam. Moreover, in stating that she respects those who practice the ‘true tenets’ of their faith, she echoes Minister Farrakhan’s comments Sunday that, ‘These false Jews promote the filth of Hollywood that is seeding the American people… It’s the wicked Jews, the false Jews, that are promoting Lesbianism, homosexuality. It’s wicked Jews, false Jews, that make it a crime for you to preach the word of God, then they call you homophobic!’ It is clear to us that the Nation of Islam considers the Jewish community to be ‘false Jews’ whom it is acceptable to hate.
As a good friend of mine just said, “All this over a committee designed to produce positive press releases. Amazing.”
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Teaser
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Check back here tonight and I’ll give you a link to Judy Baar Topinka’s new TV ad. I’ll open comments at that time.
All other candidates are, of course, always invited to send me links to their new ads before they air.
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Jones: Rate freeze ’stupid’
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
The gauntlet is thrown.
Senate President Emil Jones scolded his counterparts in the House Wednesday, calling their support of extending a freeze on residential electric rates “stupid.” The Chicago Democrat said members of the General Assembly should not interfere with current state law regarding electric rates.
Rather, he said that is the job of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates utility rates in Illinois.
“They have the staff and the administrative law judges to rule on what they’ve done,” Jones said.
“I’m not an expert, but for the House to continue to play to the cheers of the crowd is rather stupid,” he added. […]
Although he didn’t specifically address the House legislation, his message was clear: It is unlikely he will allow the rate freeze extension to be called for a vote in the Senate this spring.
This wasn’t exactly unexpected. Jones has received tons of campaign contributions from ComEd and its officers. He killed off former CUB executive director Marty Cohen’s nomination to the ICC. The fact that he won’t bring a rate freeze up for a vote shouldn’t surprise anyone.
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A challenge to the Illinois Hospital Association.
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department
(The following is a paid advertisement.)
Please tell the members of the Illinois legislature which of the following statements are WRONG!
According to the American Hospital Directory not-for-profit University of Chicago Hospitals made a profit (year end 6/30/05) of $96,424,000.
The Pres/CEO of that not-for-profit system received $653,423 in total compensation in 2002. In 2004 that amount had increased to $1,696,636.
Joseph Toomey, the President of not-for-profit Resurrection Health Care received an increase in his total compensation of $1,392,395 in just 12 months. (6/30/02-6/30/03)
According to the American Hospital Directory not-for-profit Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago marks up their actual cost of drugs by 921%
Not-for-profit Advocate Health System in Oak Brook, reported making a profit for 2004 of $143,611,000.
Not-for-profit Wheaton Franciscan Services System reported making a profit in 2004 of $148,259,000.
Not-for-profit Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago now has over $1 BILLION in cash and investments.
Not-for-profit Advocate Health has at least 1.3 BILLION in cash and investments.
You cry poor, but which of these facts are WRONG.
We are the Fairness Foundation. To get more facts about not-for-profit hospitals click on our ad next to this posting.
Stay tuned.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
First, the roundup.
The Tribune editorial board is not happy about Jim Oberweis’ new TV ads.
If you buy all the claims in political campaign ads, you probably also believe the Swedish bikini drill team will show up on your doorstep if you swig a certain beer.
But then the beer commercials, at least, are so over the top the exaggeration is clear. Political ads are supposed to represent the truth.
Too often, though, they play fast and loose with the facts. That’s where Jim Oberweis, a Republican candidate for governor, has strayed.
Oberweis has launched attack ads against Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, another GOP candidate for governor.
The ads feature front page headlines from the Tribune and three other newspapers. But they’re not headlines from the newspapers. They’re made up. They were never published.
One ad displays the Tribune masthead and underneath a headline that reads “Investigation into Topinka.” That headline didn’t appear in this newspaper.
And then there’s this from Bernie’s column today.
TERRY BARNICH, Topinka’s campaign manager, said he thinks that the Oberweis campaign is using a “premeditated misrepresentation,†making it look as though the ad has actual headlines.
But DOUG BOHRINGER, president of Omni, said the phrases being used, mixed with the newspaper logos, were “the most visually interesting way to attribute the information. They weren’t intended to be taken as true headlines.â€
He said there was no attempt, for example, to include “the date and all the little doodads that go with the masthead†to make it look as if the pages are real.
“It’s an age-old political technique,†Bohringer said. “We’re not the first to use it. We are certainly not going to be the last to use it.â€
But Oberweis admits that the ads are a mistake.
Oberweis defends the content of the ads, which is based on the news accounts, but he admits the fake headlines under real newspaper logos Is probably a mistake.
“We will in the future ads be sure (it’s) a headline or not a headline,” said Oberweis.
And then there’s this from the Daily Herald.
A handful of downstate TV stations have pulled a pair of ads by Republican governor candidate Jim Oberweis until he provides them with documentation to back up criticisms of opponent Judy Baar Topinka. Her attorney sent a letter to TV stations statewide asking for the ad to be pulled. Oberweis campaign manager Joe Wiegand said Wednesday he was putting together the required information to send to the stations.
QUESTION: Do you think these new Oberweis ads should be taken down? Why or why not?
UPDATE: The fallout continues.
The latest ads in the Republican governor’s primary campaign, which carry made-up newspaper headlines about state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, are under review by the state GOP. […]
Oberweis’ campaign manager, Joe Wiegand, said a clarification had been discussed but for now the spots will continue to air. […]
Last month, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna - in a letter to Gidwitz about one of his ads attacking Topinka - essentially urged the candidates to play nice. The state GOP is currently investigating Oberweis’ spots, said GOP executive director John Tsarpalas, but the most the party would do is wag a finger and implore civility among the contenders.
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Statement by former Gov. Jim Edgar (via press release):
In the last days of a campaign, the reckless charges begin to fly and voters are looking for the facts. This campaign is no different.
I want to set the record straight.
Judy Baar Topinka has done an exceptional job as Treasurer. She is a fiscal conservative who respects taxpayers’ money and has run an office with integrity. She’s tough and she tells you the truth.
I’ve been there and I know what it takes. I know Judy and I know she is the one Republican who can beat Rod Blagojevich. I encourage my fellow Republicans to support Judy Baar Topinka and Joe Birkett. They will get Illinois back on track.
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Second banana hopefuls debate
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
The Daily Herald’s coverage of yesterday’s lt. governor’s debate focuses on the topic of intelligent design.
If there’s such a thing as intelligent design, a higher power made sure the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor had different views on it.
Sandy Wegman thinks it should be taught at home.
Steve Rauschenberger has no problem including it in science curriculum.
And Joe Birkett says it should be taught only in religion or philosophy classes.
The trio aired their differences at a debate Wednesday sponsored by the City Club of Chicago. The issue exploded onto the national forefront last year when a federal judge barred a Pennsylvania high school from teaching the creationism theory in biology class as an alternative to evolution.
Birkett, of Wheaton, and Rauschenberger, of Elgin, agree each school district should be allowed to decide whether to teach intelligent design. Their running mates — Riverside’s Judy Baar Topinka and Chicago’s Ron Gidwitz, respectively — share that view.
The lieutenant governor hopefuls differ, however, on where to teach the concept, which holds that living organisms are so complex, a higher power must have created them.
The Tribune’s coverage includes this exchange.
“The fact that the insiders in Springfield are comfortable with Judy Baar Topinka does not … speak to the strength of her credentials,” Rauschenberger said. “It speaks to the comfort level of the people who brought you George Ryan and who brought you the problems in the Republican Party we’ve seen for the last four years and their comfort level with Judy.”
But Birkett contended Gidwitz has failed to take the ethical high road through his ownership interest in Evergreen Terrace, a troubled Joliet housing development.
“Among other things, you and Ron have called for increasing transparency in government. Yet the man you chose to run with operates one of the most notorious slums in the Midwest,” Birkett said. “How can you claim the ethical high ground when your running mate refuses to come clean on this issue?”
UPDATE: Archpundit has more.
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Getting nervous?
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
The governor appears to be bending over backwards to try to avoid any problems with his proposed sale of student loan assets. And that means the pals go under the bus.
A financial consulting firm withdrew Wednesday from a pending deal to advise the state on the possible sale of its student loan portfolio, one day after questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest.
Scott Balice Strategies removed itself from the deal after the Tribune asked about its ties to Conlon Public Strategies. Conlon registered in January as a lobbyist for Sallie Mae, a company interested in buying at least part of the state’s $3.5 billion loan portfolio.
Also Wednesday, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s non-profit student-loan agency, killed another pending deal with a law firm because it had hired a lobbyist with close ties to the governor.
State officials said they were concerned about the appearance of influential people getting deals related to the controversial proposal to sell the state’s loans.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich said his chief of staff has instructed state officials to “recognize political realities” when choosing private firms on the loan deal and to try to “remove any potential excuse that anybody can have to vote against the ISAC plan.”
While Scott Balice and Conlon share an office suite on North Wacker Drive, Scott Balice’s president said Wednesday the two companies currently have no business ties. Kevin Conlon owned equity in Scott Balice when the company first got under way about three years ago but has since sold his interest, according to Lois Scott, the company’s president.
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Farrakhan roundup
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
The Tribune, leads today’s roundup.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday stood by his controversial appointment of a Nation of Islam official to his anti-discrimination commission, saying the woman shouldn’t be judged by a history of anti-Semitic and anti-gay statements made by nation leader Louis Farrakhan.
Blagojevich said commission member Claudette Marie Muhammad should be judged by her own words in support of tolerance and acceptance, which she expressed in a brief written statement released earlier in the day.
“What Mr. Farrakhan said was deplorable, hateful, wrong and harmful,” Blagojevich said in an interview with the Tribune. “What I’m not going to do is engage in the practice of guilt by association. Ms. Muhammad didn’t say those things.”
Muhammad, who serves as chief of protocol to Farrakhan, said that she believes in “fairness to all people regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or religious beliefs” and that she respects those who “practice the true tenets” of any religion. She also said she supports human rights for gays and lesbians.
Then there’s this from the AP:
As tempers flared at the state Capitol, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday that he didn’t know he had appointed a Nation of Islam official to serve on a hate crimes commission until learning it from news reports.
Claudette Marie Muhammad was named to the commission last summer, but Blagojevich said he only learned about it in the last week or two after criticism of her appointment was discussed in news stories.
He nodded vigorously when asked if he wished his staff had discussed the appointment with him, but he would say little more.
He didn’t know that The Daily Show interview was a spoof, either. Glad to know he stays on top of things.
And, finally, the Sun-Times.
Tempers roiled at the Statehouse, pitting Jewish and black lawmakers against one another over Blagojevich’s 2005 appointment of Claudette Marie Johnson to the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. […]
Jewish lawmakers and their allies who pressed for Johnson to renounce Farrakhan’s statements expressed disappointment at the governor’s move.
“It is essential the commission be a place of the utmost integrity and there be no question as to whether it’s tainted by the presence of one member or another,” said Richard Hirschhaut, a commission member and director of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. “I fear we are now at a point where there is a cloud over this body.”
“It’s inadequate,” Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) said of the governor’s response.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Notice how Muhammad claims that she respects those “who practice the true tenets” of their religion.
Farrakhan talks a lot about “false Jews,” including just this past Sunday.
“These false Jews promote the filth of Hollywood that is seeding the American people and the people of the world and bringing you down in moral strength. … It’s the wicked Jews, false Jews that make it a crime for you to preach the word of God, then they call you homophobic.â€
Considering this, I don’t think that Muhammad’s statement was much of a conciliation at all. What about you?
LAST UPDATE: Comments closed on this one. Go to Friday’s thread and provide some ideas for ending this mess.
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Morning shorts
Thursday, Mar 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
· Sun-Times editorializes in favor of medical marijuana proposal. “In fact, Illinois already has a law on the books authorizing the State Police and the Illinois Department of Public Health to allow medical marijuana.” The proposal would make it mandatory. More coverage here.
· Lynn Sweet has a 6th Congressional District update.
· I can’t be sure of it, but I think this story about Bill Brady helping a car crash victim is the result of a tip in this blog’s comment section.
· I’m going to have more on this ethanol bill in the Capitol Fax soon. But here’s a Post-Dispatch story for now.
· Illinois gets an “F” on mental health services.
· Minority casino investors protected.
· More later.
· House and Senate to undergo $14 million in remodeling work this year.
· SJ-R likes bill to allow counties to ban smoking in businesses located in unincorporated areas.
· “The Gay Liberation Network ( GLN ) and the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association ( OPALGA ) , reacting to Republican gubernatorrial candidate Jim Oberweis’s anti-gay marriage statements and actions, have embarked on separate platforms aimed at getting individuals and businesses to boycott the dairy magnate’s products.” Meanwhile, an Oberweis campaign coordinator is promoting an anti-Topinka website that could be considered homophobic.
· George Ryan may have leaked story about juror removal.
· More on Sen. James Meeks’ possible gubernatorial bid is here.
· Illinois eyeing Supreme Court case on state tax breaks.
· The strange case of Judge James Doyle gets even weirder.
· Here’s a story about Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson’s airport bill that I wrote about in today’s Capitol Fax. For Congressman Jesse Jackson’s full response, see the password protected post on the blog today. There’s lots of other stuff there, too. And I’ll be adding more in a few minutes.
· Larry pretty much nails it.
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