* I posted some video of Attorney General Lisa Madigan yesterday, but we left part of it out.
AG Madigan starts out joking about the fact that she has no GOP opponent as of yet. But then she notices my intern Mike videotaping the interview and begins talking to him. She kinda/sorta praised his performance on the blog during my vacation, but then teases him about something he wrote here…
* My old and dear friend Brian Monahan was in town this week and volunteered to help with the video duties yesterday. He got stuck taping all the speeches. Neither Mike nor Brian are in town today, and Mike accidentally took both of my video cameras back to Champaign last night, so, unfortunately, we won’t have much in the way of videos from Republican Day. I do have my iPhone, though, so I may do something.
* Sen. Matt Murphy has unveiled a new TV ad during the State Fair which whacks a fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Kirk Dillard. From a press release…
The ad contrasts Murphy’s record as a fiscal conservative with one primary opponent, Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), whose votes have contributed to the state’s financial woes. In 2008, Dillard voted to raise the sales tax in Cook County as well as the collar counties and in 2003 he voted to give then Governor Rod Blagojevich $10 billion in bond borrowing. The ad also calls the Hinsdale Senator a “long-time insider” highlighting his 30 years in state government, a point Dillard himself is making on the campaign trail.
Except, the ad never actually mentions Dillard by name…
According to the Tribune, the ad is currently running in the Springfield/Champaign cable market. It’s more of a symbolic act, but it does indicate that Murphy will not allow Dillard to emerge unscathed.
***UPDATE : 4:30 pm- Dillard Responds***
[posted by Mike Murray]
***End of Update***
* Meanwhile, the Democrats are planning to take a swipe this morning at GOP US Senate candidate Mark Kirk before the Republican Day festivities kick off at noon. From a press release…
Before the start of the Illinois Republican Party’s rally today at the State Fair grounds, local Democratic and community leaders will join together to ask Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk why time and again he has supported corporate special interests and President George Bush’s failed policies over what is best for Illinois’ economy and working families.
DATE: August 20, 2009
LOCATION: West Side of the Goat Barn, State Fair Grounds
TIME: 11:45 AM
PARTICIPANTS: Margaret Blackshere, former President of the IL AFL-CIO
Jim Moody, Sangamon County Chair
Special Guests
It’s probably a safe bet that the goat barn was chosen for a reason.
Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes announced Wednesday that he is entering the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, challenging U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk for the party’s banner.
Hughes, 40, says he was part of a grass-roots push to lobby against Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed income tax hike. The attorney has never run for public office before.
HUGHES: [President Obama’s] popularity has faded significantly. I think that the policies that people are looking for are policies of limited government, of fiscal responsibility, and the Obama administration, particularly with their stimulus plan, and with the cap and trade energy tax legislation and with the health care legislation has shown to the American people that they’re not committed to limited and to effective government and fiscal responsibility and to low taxes.
At least five other Republicans are vying for the Senate nomination. The biggest name among them is Congressman Mark Kirk. But Hughes says Kirk is out of the mainstream of Republican thinking.
* Related…
* Senate Hopeful Mark Kirk facing Upward Battle for Immigrant Votes
* Illinois Rep. Kirk Gets Another Senate GOP Primary Opponent: At least six other Republicans have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the seat of retiring Democrat Roland W. Burris. They are John Arrington, a former alderman from Harvey; Tom Kuna; Don Lowery, a former state circuit judge; political activist and frequent candidate Andy Martin; Eric Wallace, who was decisively defeated in a 2006 bid for the Illinois state Senate; and Robert Zadek, a businessman.
* U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin wins court settlement in lawsuit with Republican Party
* Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom. 2pm-ish.
Abes Trading Post
2704 Peoria Rd.
* Sen. Dan Rutherford, candidate for Treasurer. 2:00 -3:30 PM (Following the GOP Luncheon)
Cold Refreshments on Republican Day
Franny’s Tavern
Corner of 8th & Sangamon Avenue
Outside State Fair Gate 11
* Sen. Kirk Dillard for Governor. 2:30-4:30 pm.
Reception @ the Miller Tent
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Live Music and Refreshments
* Frank Edwards for Governor. 2-4 pm.
Free Pizza & Beverages
Fulgenzi’s
Corner of 9th & Sangamon
* Adam Andrzejewski for governor. 2-5 pm.
Vic’s Pizza
Beer/wine and wings.
* Senator Bill Brady Republican Candidate for Governor 2010. 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Free Illinois State Fair Republican Day Reception
Sangamon County Republican Party Headquarters
1132 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield
(just east of the Fairgrounds’ Main Gate)
* Sen. Matt Murphy for Governor. 2-4pm
Stadium Sports Bar
2300 N Peoria Rd
Springfield
Beer and pizza
