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Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

…Adding… GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan issues an apology…

On Wednesday, Brian Dugan was sentenced to death for the murder of Jeanine Nicarico. In the case of Brian Dugan, the criminal justice system worked. In previous prosecutions, it did not. I said in interviews in 2002 that I had less confidence in the accuracy of the criminal justice system than I did earlier in my career. I continue to believe that.

In the Cruz-Hernandez cases, prosecutors, detectives and police officers acted in good faith and still came up with the wrong result. In the Cruz-Hernandez cases, the system and I failed to achieve a just outcome. And for that I am sorry.

Although I continue to believe that the state has the right to take a life under limited circumstances to protect society, I also believe we must do more to ensure the accuracy of the system of capital punishment and limit its application to the “worst of the worst,” such as Brian Dugan.

I believe we must do more to ensure the accuracy of the criminal justice system. Good intentions are not enough when human life is at stake.

If I am elected governor, I will not lift the moratorium on capital punishment until we have created a more limited and accurate system of capital punishment. While Illinois has made significant progress, other reforms have been left on the table, such as a reduction in the number of eligibility factors that trigger the death penalty.

Is it enough to erase the stain?

* From the Mark Kirk for US Senate campaign…

- Five-term GOP Congressman and Navy veteran Mark Kirk released a new poll today that shows him maintaining a six-point lead over likely general election opponent Alexi Giannoulias.

- In a survey of 772 likely Illinois voters, Kirk leads Giannoulias 44-38 with 18 percent undecided. The poll, conducted by Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies on November 3, 2009 with a 3.5 percent margin of error, follows an October 8, 2009 survey that showed Kirk leading 42-35 with 23 percent undecided.

- In the same survey Kirk leads other potential Democrat opponents by larger margins: David Hoffman 43-32; Cheryle Jackson 45-33; and Jacob Meister 45-28.

From the polling memo…

If the election for US Senate was being held today, for whom would you vote if
candidates were Mark Kirk Republican, and Alexi Giannoulias, Democrat?

Mark Kirk …. 44%
Alexi Giannoulias …. 38%
Undecided …. 18%

Giannoulias’ last poll had him leading Kirk 46-43. Rasmussen’s October poll had the race tied 41-41.

* Sen. Bill Brady responds to today’s endorsement of Andy McKenna by House GOP Leader Tom Cross…

I have great respect for my legislative colleague Tom Cross, but his support for Andy McKenna in the race for Governor is just the opinion of one man. Andy McKenna champions himself as an outsider, but House Minority Leader Tom Cross is anything but an outsider.

Illinois needs a clean break from the politics of the past. We need to take the control away from the political dynasty that has ruled Springfield far too long, and give it back to the people of Illinois.

I believe voters are looking for a candidate who stand up to the political insiders and power brokers so their votes count. I believe that the people of Illinois want a Governor who represents all of Illinois, and not just one corner of the state. I am that candidate.

My campaign is about Illinois’ future, a future with more jobs, more integrity and a greater voice in their government for all Illinois citizens. In this spirit, my campaign continues to grow stronger every day with grass-roots endorsements from voters who are seeking decisive leadership and a new direction for all of Illinois.

Pretty standard stuff. Brady’s the one fighting the insiders? Huh. OK. And he’s the break from the politics of the past after being in politics for years?

More on today’s endorsement here and in the Sun-Times.

* SEIU is spending more than a few bucks attacking specific congressmen on TV, including in Illinois…

The Service Employees International Union has put together a new group to launch health care ad campaigns targeting specific members of Congress who voted against Democratic reform plans–the Foundation for Patients Rights. So far, they’re going after four lawmakers, spending $400,000 on the first week of TV ads against Reps. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), Mike Castle (R-DE), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Mary Bono-Mack (R-CA).

The ad can be viewed by clicking here.

* Democratic US Senate candidate Jacob Meister said this morning: “This race is not about who is the most ethical.” McDermott has the reasoning…

Meister’s point (made in the course of explaining why he won’t accept opponent David Hoffman’s challenge to all candidates to release their income tax records) is that jobs and the economy are the issues that people actually care about; that ethics is “a starting point” but not the end-all issue that politicians and the media have made it out to be.

“People are sick to death of hearing about ethics,” he said.

* Usually, conservatives are the first to decry anyone of color who plays the “race card.” But Illinois Review reversed the polarities this week…

Democrat Quinn showing his racist side?

Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn refuses to deny that his campaign is behind the effort to remove William Walls, the only African-American candidate, from the Democratic governor primary contest. Like Obama, Walls is a community activist, which, according to the Democrats and ACORN, is an honorable professions…like child prostitution.

Seems like yet another example of racism by the Democrats.

“Hoooooookay,” he said as he slowly backed away.

* Pat Quinn’s campaign has posted a few new videos on their YouTube site including a pretty good one from Veterans’ Day. But today’s Internet video is from Democratic US Senate candidate David Hoffman…

Rate it.

* E-Mail of the day…

Hi Rich,

Quick note. Jack Roeser’s Champion News is misreporting that William J. Kelly is exiting the Comptroller’s race. We should have a statement on this shortly. Thought you should know.

* Related…

* Openly gay man seeks Illinois U.S. Senate seat

* Senate hopeful moves into C-U: An office space on Green Street that once housed a flower shop is now the home of a budding political career.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Quinn wants truce - Plus: Giannoulias leads in new poll; Filing day fun

Monday, Nov 2, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* After running a TV ad that is deliberately designed to insult our intelligence, Pat Quinn is now saying he’ll stop the negatives if Dan Hynes stops. From a press release…

We are perplexed by Comptroller Hynes’s concerns with our latest TV ad, given that everything in our ad is factually correct and based on the Comptroller’s own public schedules, which are readily available to all. These schedules make it clear that, during the greatest budget crisis in Illinois history, the state’s comptroller was largely absent from the scene. […]

It remains our intention to conduct a campaign of ideas and principles. But given Hynes’ unrelentingly negative TV campaign, we are firmly committed to forcefully responding to his distortions of the Governor’s record.

Dan Hynes made the decision last month to run a negative campaign based on misleading voters about the Governor’s decades-long record of fighting for tax fairness and tax relief for working families. He can make another decision today to end this negative approach. Upon his pledge to pull his latest attack ad, we will pull our response ad from the air and will devote all future TV advertising to Governor Quinn’s record and his plans for moving Illinois forward.

That is today’s choice: Dan Hynes can continue down the negative TV campaign path that he started, or he can join Governor Quinn is restoring this campaign to the informative, issues-based principles that Democratic primary voters deserve.

Awaiting Hynes’ response.

*** UPDATE *** From the Hynes campaign.

“Two days after launching an embarrassingly absurd attack ad that continues to draw derision from outside observers, the Quinn campaign wants a way out. No thanks. We will continue to run our campaign based on a discussion of the central issue facing the state of Illinois and its future – the budget crisis. Pat Quinn is free to continue talking about haircuts.” -Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman

* Democrat Alexi Giannoulias has released results of a new poll that shows him ahead of Republican Mark Kirk. From a press release…

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias leads Republican Mark Kirk in the race for U.S. Senate in Illinois, 46 – 43 percent. In addition, voters approve of the job that Giannoulias is doing as state Treasurer by more than a 2:1 margin.

In a matchup against Democrat David Hoffman, however, Kirk fares much better. Kirk leads Hoffman by a 48 – 39 percent margin. Giannoulias outpaces Hoffman’s performance in every region of the state, including the city of Chicago.

Giannoulias currently leads Kirk in the Chicago media market by a 51 – 38 percent margin. David Hoffman, who has spent the last four years in the public eye as the city’s Inspector General and generated 405 news stories, trails Kirk inside the Chicago market (41 – 47 percent).

The general election findings are based on a sample of 805 likely general election voters conducted October 25th – 28th conducted for the Alexi for Illinois campaign. A sample of this size is subject to a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

Speaking of the US Senate race, this is from ABC’s The Note…

With a conservative revolt pushing a Republican candidate out of a key House race in New York State, the head of the conservative group Club for Growth is warning that other Republicans could face similar fates in primary races next year — and Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., is at the top of that list. […]

Chocola said other candidates could also come under scrutiny from the right. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who’s running for the Senate next year, is “probably not” someone the club would support, he said.

It’s not at all clear from that piece if the Club for Growth will take after Kirk. Seems kinda doubtful.

By the way, Democratic candidate Jake Meister has posted a web video about filing day.

* Today is the last day to file for the February 2nd primary. Click here to watch them come in. Several candidates have submitted their petitions...

Among filers today is Ed Scanlon, a lawyer from Oak Park, running for the Democratic nomination for governor. He’s against any state income-tax increase, and wants the state to save money by putting new employees on a defined contribution retirement plan - such as a 401(k), instead of a defined benefit plan that pays monthly for life.

Scanlon said he might spend as much as $500,000 on his own race.

As of 2:04 pm, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger had not yet filed for reelection. State Rep. Michael Boland hadn’t yet filed for lieutenant governor.

But there have been a few who did hand in petitions. Among them is Chicago Ald. Brian Doherty, who will run as a Republican for retiring Democratic Sen. James DeLeo’s seat. As subscribers know, this has been one drama after another. Conservative Republican Patrick Hughes has filed for US Senate.

Sen. Don Harmon has filed for 7th District State Central Committeeman against Congressman Danny Davis. Davis has filed for Congress and Cook County Board President. He has until next Monday to decide which office to seek. Former congressional candidate Christine Cegelis has filed for the 6th District Democratic Central Committeewoman slot against Joan Brennan.

Republican Rosanna Pulido has filed again for the 5th District congressional slot. Pulido is an anti illegal immigrant activist who won the special Republican primary to replace Rahm Emanuel and was stomped by Mike Quigley. Aurelia Pucinski has filed for a vacant slot on the 1st Appellate bench.

* Related…

* Schillerstrom congratulates Dillard for folding on video poker

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