* The mainstream media is finally coming back to the Scott Lee Cohen saga. The Sun-Times and Daily Herald both had pieces over the weekend. And now the AP has a brief story up about the candidate entitled “Cohen resists discussing past personal troubles“…

Cohen talked to The Associated Press Monday but refused to answer most questions about incidents such as accusations of violence from a former girlfriend and an order of protection sought by his wife when they were divorcing.

Cohen did call the order of protection a “sneaky” maneuver that is often used in divorces to disrupt a man’s life.

Cohen says he has “never, ever, touched, hurt or abused a woman.”

Divorce proceedings can often be chock full of lies on both sides. Many of us have seen it happen. But Cohen’s ex-wife was asked specifically earlier this year by Phil Ponce about her allegations that Cohen attempted to rape her and that she was afraid at the time for her physical well-being. “At the time that was an accurate statement,” she said. Watch it…

Take her word for it that he’s a changed man. That’s not an easy thing to do. Not everyone can do it. I give him credit for that. But it seems pretty darned clear to me that she said he did what she alleged during the early stages of the divorce proceedings. And if we believe her most recent comments, then Cohen is not telling the truth now.

* The AP also talked to Cohen about his campaign promises…

In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Cohen said Illinois should eliminate unneeded social programs, but he couldn’t name any. He said the state should do away with special funds but couldn’t provide any examples.

His candidacy is wholly unserious. We’ve given Bill Brady plenty of grief for not specifying his cuts, but he has at least put some thought into this race. Cohen has not, except for the political angle. He has no answers for real questions.

* Rate Cohen’s radio ad…

…Adding… I accidentally set the ad video to “Private.” It’s fixed now. Sorry about that.

*** UPDATE 1 *** More AP…

In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Cohen accused Republican Bill Brady of running “a business into the ground.”

A guy who has been hit with at least ten foreclosure lawsuits and was sued twice for eviction has little room to stand. Just sayin…

*** UPDATE 2 *** Three of the people who provide testimonials in that Cohen radio ad are Raymond Hancock, Jason Kyle and Peggy Bong. From the State Board of Elections website…

Hmmm.