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Steve Martin quote creates tiny stir

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Illinois

* If you missed last night’s Republican gubernatorial debate, click here or watch below…

The Republican candidates actually debated last night about how they could relate to Illinois’ poor…

Former state Republican chairman Andy McKenna, who had a privileged childhood, said he started a non-profit group to rebuild homes and has met poor people through that.

His rivals competed to say how poor they were before their financial situations improved, prompting publicist/commentator Dan Proft to roll his eyes and channel comedian Steve Martin: “Yeah, like everybody else, I was born a poor, black child, too. This is not what this election is about.”

Offering poor families school choice and “turning Springfield upside-down” will help Illinois’ poor have opportunities such as “The more affluent and more politically connected like those of us up here have had,” Proft said.

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) turned to Proft and quipped, “Dan, I didn’t realize you were related to Rod Blagojevich.” [Blagojevich claimed to be “blacker than Barack Obama”, though he, like Proft, is white.]

And that led to this…

After the debate, opponents state Sen. Kirk Dillard said Proft’s “quip” is part of the reason he’s “unelectable,” while former Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna called it “inappropriate.”

But what about Brady’s comment?

Comments

I thought Proft’s line was great. Kind of cut through the poorer than you stuff.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 9:48 am
Especially since the middle class is the group that’s in trouble. Middle class families pay disproportionately high taxes compared with the wealthy and are substantially ineligible for many safety net programs, especially those families who are mid-range and upper middle. Their exposure to economic risk is huge in this economy, and their economic recovery is critical to the economic health of the rich, the maintenance of the “poor” and to robust tax receipts for the the support of government programs and plump government bureaucracies. We really don’t want to be living in a country with a few million-uber rich folks (paying disproportionately low income taxes if they’re in Illinois) with everybody else barely making it. That’s the recipe for, well, the revolution.

Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:02 am
Got an email today from the Brady campaign that claimed he came out on top. He also takes a few potshots at opponents–

“Bill Brady, Republican candidate for Governor, outshone his competition at Wednesday night’s debate with a message of proven conservative credentials, a commitment to Republican principles, seasoned judgment and experience that will lead Illinois to new opportunity and promise.

You can view a replay of the full debate on ABC 7’s Website.

The only candidate with both legislative and business experience, Brady showed a strong commitment to his values and to fight for the people of Illinois through an aggressive job creation program including $2100 tax credits for new job creation, lower taxes, less government, and a larger voice in their government through term limits, contribution limits and legislative maps drawn by computer rather than powerful career politicians.

He talked the talk, and he has walked the walk. What he hasn’t done is double-talk, and tonight’s debate showed it.

While his opponents Jim Ryan and Kirk Dillard have refused to sign a pledge to not raise taxes and Andy McKenna is a late convert, Brady has consistently signed the pledge and vowed to cut taxes by a billion dollars to stimulate business investment to recoup the 700,000 jobs Illinois has lost and to bring back the 700,000 people who have left Illinois.

The only Downstater in the race, Bill Brady is also the only candidate for Governor who has a proven track record and who stands firm with his principles. Brady has voted against higher and expanded taxes, even as members of his own party supported them.

Brady also raised concerns about the ability of his leading competitors to mount successful challenges against the Democrat nominee in November because of questions of their judgment during past political involvement.

Mr. Ryan will face a serious challenge because of his acceptance of $800,000 in campaign contributions from Stuart Levine, who pleaded guilty in the Blagojevich corruption scandal, during his last statewide run. Mr. McKenna wrongly used Illinois Republican Party funds for his own political gain but has yet to say whether he will reimburse the party $28,000 for the poll that tested his name among others as a candidate for Governor or U.S. Senator. And Senator Dillard showed he has put political expediency over principle with his campaign commercial for Barack Obama and his vote last year to legalize video poker because he had “a gun to his head.”

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:05 am
The quote itself makes no sense in the context. It’s not offensive racially, it’s offensive in a comic sense. Points for using it, though. “The Jerk” is amazing.

I’m sick of seeing McKenna’s ad with the Droopy Dog voice. “Only Andy McKenna can balance the budget without a tax increase.” No plan given. He’s going to do it with magic!

I am dying to see Andrzejewski’s $10 billion menu, just like I’m dying to see Bigfoot and Nessie.

Comment by Served Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:06 am
Channel 7 blew it by not opening the debate with an appropriate tune from the archives of its corporate parent. The debate should have begun with that hit song, “Hi ho, Hi ho, It’s off to work we go…” from the Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

The only notation needed would have been, “This time, they’re all Dopey!”

Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:06 am
Both Adam A. and Dan P. were a breath of fresh air in that debate last night, and in different ways I think they clearly showed they both “get” what is really aggravating Illinoisans about their government and the entrenched politicians.

Proft is probably still too far down in recognition to win the primary this time, but I sure hope he keeps up his ironic sense of humor and terrier like ankle biting on behalf of the frustrated and angry voters who wish the current elected officials were not so incompetent and disengaged from reality.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:08 am
Proft was spot on. Enough with the “humble olympics” in which each candidate performs and recounts amazing acts of humility. Illinois is going down the tubes. We need a massive change. I like Proft and his “policy revolution.”

Comment by Conservative Guy Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:09 am
Served: Proft’s point was that politicians biographies don’t matter. Policy choices matter. His comment certainly made sense in the context of the question.

Comment by Conservative Guy Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:11 am
The best line was Dillard’s at the end: you might want to vote in the primary for someone who can actually win the general. After watching the debate, all things considered, he would have the best chance of that group of winning no matter who the Democratic candidate is.

Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:13 am
Old media proved again last night why so few people are sad to see it dying. The format was awful and with no followup from journalists, again, the candidates just sped past the questions. Of the 2 debates I saw this week, charles thomas had the better questions and looks to me like one of the better journalists in the city right now.

Proft’s line was classic, he and adam by far had the best hits and best night. Ryan, Dillard,McKenna, Brady looked like a bunch of boring middle aged guys parroting roughly the same thing. It was an inspiring night.

Comment by shore Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:15 am
I was born a poor, black child.

What a stupid insulting thing to say. If he was trying to be funny by mimicking Steve Martin, he chose poorly.

There is an island of poor black children suffering after an earthquake right in our own global backyard. To think that one of the gubernatorial candidates could be so mocking and thoughtless.

Proft reminds me of Steve Martin only in the name of his first movie, “The Jerk”.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:15 am
I can’t believe John Bambenek hasn’t commented yet about Andrzejewski’s brilliant plan to balance the budget. Maybe he and Adam are furiously working to actually come up with something with more substance than “Cut wasteful spending”.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:16 am
The Proft line was funny. Man, have a sense of humor.

Proft’s campaign has been disappointing from the standpoint of my initial belief that he would be a wild-eyed, loose-tongued, hilariously off-kilter firebrand. As someone who doesn’t think all that highly of his work, I have to admit, he comes off as sincere, self-effacing and serious. I don’t think he stands a snowball’s chance in hades, but it’s been a spirited campaign for him.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:20 am
Proft’s line was the perfect deflator to that nonsense. Noone was really offended by it, I’ll wager.

Dillard says Proft is unelectable because of “quips.” Dude, you cut TV spots for Obama, then called him a socialist!

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:27 am
Proft has got my vote. The rest of these guys are just more of the same. I want to vote for someone who believes what they say and has a personality that isn’t molded to fit whatever they think the electorate wants to see/hear.

Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:27 am
The Herald endorses Jim Ryan. Now there’s a shocking turn of events.

Comment by Northsider Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:34 am
Hmmm that was only the first 11 or so minutes of that debate. I wish there was more. ABC7 has been doing a lot of this stuff lately and I miss them.

Comment by Levois Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:36 am
This is a prime moment for the GOP in Illinois. Too bad it would be wasted if Ryan is picked in the primary.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:42 am
I thought the line was pretty funny. Just like his funny commercial about turning “Springfield upside down”, he came back and attacked the fluffy resume embelleshing that was going on…stuff that no one really cares about, nor does it solve our problems.

I can’t believe I’m not seeing more about McKenna illegally accepting campaign contributions from big state contractors (contracts over $50k). I guess the new law really doesn’t matter? Or are we going to call people out for this and hold them accountible?

Comment by Devil's Advocate Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:49 am
I’m voting for Proft and my reason is simple: California.

California is a bankrupt, failed state. Democrats destroyed that state for years. Then voters punished Democrats with a slap on the wrist by electing a “girly-man,” liberal Republican - Arnold Schwearengearewagerererer.

We know what happens if a Democrat wins. We know what happens if a soft, McKenna, Dillard, Brady Republican wins. I can’t say I know what will happen if Proft wins, but I do know what won’t happen - California. We have to take the plunge and vote Proft.

Comment by Howitzer Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:04 am
Proft , Brady and were the only candidates who didn’t loose ground. Proft was quick and funny as usual and Brady was consistent and looked the most like a real leader.
Mckenna looked like a flake who couldn’t stand up to anyone and I’m not sure if he ever answered a question. Mckenna Spoke with no conviction and if anything my be a cure for insomnia.
Ryan had no energy and doesn’t look like he could make it through a general election. I don’t remember a word he said just that he looked very tired and with his weak tax on stances and connection to Blago there is no way he can win a general.
Dillard couldn’t speak without saying edgar every 10 words, and his inconstancy on taxes and proft obama comment just killed him.
Adam seemed more frustrated then usual. The personal attacks on Dillard’s financial status seemed a bit immature and I wish he would have just focused on his issues and ideas.
No Home runs in the debate but no big losses either.

Comment by Cook County R Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:06 am
===but I do know what won’t happen - California===

How is that?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:11 am
…Proft was spot on…
…Proft line was funny…
…Proft’s line was the perfect deflator…

Yep, all we need from our next governor is one-liners and zingers. Maybe at the next debate we can hear him sing some Elvis songs.

Kirk Dillard, Governor. Sounds great.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:12 am
The only thing that was established is that none of the 7 Dwarfs have any actual plan for addressing state financial crises. Saying “no taxes” and “cut waste” demonstrates irresponsibility. Quinn and Hynes’ plans may not be very good, but they are both better than dishonest fantasies.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:27 am
Proft came across as the most “real person” on the stage last night. However, Bill Brady was also funny with his comment about Blagojevich claiming to be black. Proft simply pointed out how ridiculous the “Who is poorer?” question was for this debate forum. I am sure there will be somebody out there who will think that he was politically incorrect. McKenna came across as “the mouse in the corner”. Both Schillerstrom & Dillard made me want to say “I hate a repeater, I hate a repeater” when we heard “My buddy Jim Edgar really likes me” for the thousandth time and Bob kept beating us over the head with “DuPage County is bigger than 6 states and the Grand Canyon & the Pyramids”.

Dan Proft & Bill Brady came off fairly well as did Jim Ryan. Adam Andrejewsky seems like a nice kid but I don’t want to send a kid down to Springfield to go up against the entrenched interests down there in state government. We need a “Get in your face” type of guy like Dan Proft who won’t put up with the “peanut under the shell” game that they play fools for down there.
Big loser last night-Andy McKenna (was he even there?)
Big Winner-Proft or Brady or Ryan

Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:37 am
Rich,

The disaster in California resulted from over-taxation and profligate government spending. I don’t think anyone disagrees with that. I am unaware of any state or country that has collapsed because its taxes were too low or its government spending was too low. Do you? That’s a sincere question. Proft proposes less spending and less taxes. If he means that, and if he gets his way, Illinois won’t be California. That is what I meant.

Joe from Joliet - I agree that we need much more than one-liners and zingers. Wit is no substitute for wisdom, but I think Proft has both, not simply the former. His “policy revolution” involves more than catchy lines.

Comment by Howitzer Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:21 pm
Against my better judgment, I watched the rehash of the debate on ABC-7 late last night. Thank God for red wine because it was quite a snoozer. I was expecting a decent fireworks show but that didn’t happen. The only good shots were Andrzejewski and Dillard arguing about who has a $1 million dollar house and then Proft talking about Brady being black, but he failed to deliver it correctly. With only three weeks to go, I was expecting Brady, Dillard or Proft to go after Ryan on ethics, but they missed their chance during the last question. They totally wasted an opportunity. Proft didn’t even hit McKenna for his illegal fundraising even though Proft issued a press release about it earlier in the day.

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:42 pm
I was waiting for someone to quote the old Monty Python “Poor” sketch of wealthy men bragging of their childhood poverty:

WEALTHY MAN 1: Oh, when I said house I meant a hole in the ground covered by a piece of twig. It was a house to us.

WEALTHY MAN 2: We were evicted from our hole in the ground. We had to go and live in the lake!

Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:43 pm
barring any big surprises from the dem or GOP side, it looks like after some time off Jim Ryan will get his chance to be govenor.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:02 pm
@ Ghost
-barring any big surprises from the dem or GOP side, it looks like after some time off Jim Ryan will get his chance to be governor.-

Ghost, if McKenna goes Nuclear via TV on Ryan, you think Ryan can survive it?

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Yep, I think Ryan survives it, but that IMHO.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:53 pm
I know these stories are funny but if you watch the question in its entirety, what do you expect? Charles Thomas asked “How have you learned struggles of working people?” and what he got was a bunch of rich, white dudes trying to brandish their ties to working class people. Big surprise, right?

Regardless of whether Proft was channeling Steve Martin or not, his comment was not only politically incorrect but divisive. His message is right on. But communicating it by linking “poor” and “black” is wrong.

Comment by Indy Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:31 pm
The Proft line was funny, the Brady comeback was better. We can’t expect Vanilla Man to find it funny, he has no sense of humor. (Trust me, I read his train pulling coal post on another section and it was a dud).

Comment by Jackson Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:51 pm
The $10B menu of cuts is on the website now.

Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:54 pm
Scanning latest ISBE reports filed, just noticed Citizens fo Matt Murphy just gave $5000 to Gary Skoien !

Comment by The Colonel Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:23 pm
Proft needs to get a tailor, and quit buying those Robert Hall suits off-the-rack!

Still the best man in the game though.

Comment by X None of the Above Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:27 pm
++The $10B menu of cuts is on the website now.++

Eliminate every non-profit grant that does not result in some for of financial return for the state? That is one of the most short-sighted policy recommendations I have ever seen.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:31 pm
These A-1 Reports (contributions over $500 that have to be reported within 48 hours) are getting interesting. I saw Proft’s press release on McKenna accepting the campaign contributions from state contractors, so I did some checking myself, and he seems to be right. And it looks like there could be more than even he pointed out.

Who investigates these violations? The State Board of Elections? Or the Attorney General?

Comment by Follow the money Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:49 pm
Speaking of A-1’s, Jim Ryan just took in $2500 from Jerold Solovy of Jenner & Block. Jenner & Block was one of the clout heavy law firms who cashed in from the state tobacco lawsuit settlement when Ryan was AG. Nice to see some things never change…

Comment by Rapid Responder Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:22 pm
Montrose - It doesn’t matter to people like Bambeneck or Andrzejewski, any money spent by the government is waste to them.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:43 pm
Does Dan Proft modify his beliefs and values in order to be politically correct and accomodate the little old ladies and “Beau Brummel’s Dress Code” every time? No.

Does Dan Proft get frustrated at times by having to suffer fools and some of their foolish questions/statements? Yes.

But that is the passionate and sincere guy named Dan Proft that finds that he has an ever growing legion of followers. More importantly, that is the type of passionate leadership that Illinois so desperately needs and has been so sadly lacking for so many years. Go ahead and quibble about his style of sometimes mocking, sometimes sarcastic humor. Feel free to take potshots at his failure to make the Top Ten List in Gentlemen’s Quarterly. But please don’t impede an individual that is has a brilliant mind, a sincere heart, and the passion to want to correct the wrongs that have been inflicted upon our state of Illinois and it’s citizens. It only happens on rare occasions that an individual will appear on the scene of an accident and offer to help the victims. In this 2010 Illinois election year, the 2010 Good Samaritan happens to be an idealistic young man named Dan Proft. Our “opportunity” is knocking at the Illinois front door. Don’t turn out the lights, lock the door, and pretend that nobody is home. That reaction can and will turn out to be awfully expensive.

Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:47 pm
I don’t disagree that Proft’s “black child” remark was funny, but its a fair point that it lacked dignity given the forum he was in.

Worse, even if a little funny, the remark was snide and intended as snide. Do the conservatives backing Proft not understand that a governor has to work with all kinds of folks, that a certain modicum of diplomacy is required, and that a snide, cynical, and sarcastic guy starts out with some fairly major handicaps as a statewide officeholder? If Proft were elected as our Glenn Beck Governor, everyone would find out soon enough that he would be as ineffective as Blago after his arrest.

Comment by Conservative Republican Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:52 pm
The Jim Ryan contributions raise eyebrows, but they’re not illegal, as the half dozen or so that McKenna/Murphy have accepted. That’s just what we need on the ticket, a guy caught red-handed breaking the new campaign finance law.

Comment by Follow the money Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:09 pm
===
Maybe at the next debate we can hear him sing some Elvis songs.
===

I’ve know Proft for a while and I’ve never heard him sing, let alone break out an Elvis tune. Not that he COULDN’T, but I’ve never heard it.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:50 pm
===
Oh, when I said house I meant a hole in the ground covered by a piece of twig. It was a house to us.
===

Republican value: Home is where the Heart is! And the door’s always open!

(Can I say that on the internet, Rich (i.e., “Republican value”)?)

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:56 pm
===
Yep, I think Ryan survives it, but that IMHO.
===

Good call, Ghost, IMHO. IF McKenna goes nuclear.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:59 pm