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* Dawn Clark Netsch is endorsing Dan Hynes this afternoon. From a press release…
“Dan Hynes has been a straight shooter and independent voice from the very beginning. For years, he’s been signaling that our state’s finances are on the wrong track,” said Netsch. “Hynes is a competent manager who doesn’t stick his head in the sand. He has credibility when it comes to the state budget and our fiscal mess. He’s the candidate who has the skills needed to help us recover from this dire situation.”
Should be fun to see how the liberal icon responds to the Harold Washington ad.
* Interesting that with Quinn right there, David Axelrod wouldn’t say anything about that HW ad…
Axelrod refused to comment on the devastating advertisement State Comptroller Dan Hynes is running against Gov. Quinn quoting former Mayor Harold Washington criticizing Quinn. Axelrod was a master campaign ad maker. But with Quinn standing off to his side Monday morning, Axelrod declined to weigh in.
The two were at an event for Misericordia Home.
* Legal fees allegedly aren’t showing up on campaign reports. From a press release…
CHICAGO—Independent Democratic candidates for State Rep. Joe Laiacona and Rudy Lozano Jr. filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections today, citing numerous violations of state election law related to the pre-election reports filed last week by Democratic incumbents Rep. Daniel Burke (D-23), Rep. Deborah Mell (D-40), Rep. Carol Sente (D-59) and Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-21).
Despite the fact that each of the incumbents was engaged in a time-consuming ballot access challenge, they all failed to report any expenditures or in-kind donations for attorney fees or staff costs.
“In November last year, I objected to my opponent’s petition on the grounds that she was not a registered voter,” said Laiacona. “We were both represented by attorneys. The fees I paid my attorney are reported. Mell’s report does not include any attorney’s fees.”
Lozano said, “We filed eight times the minimum number of signatures required. Burke never had a prayer of knocking us off the ballot but that wasn’t their goal. They wanted to cost us a bunch of
money and divert us from campaigning. Burke’s report hides this essential information from the voters.” […]Illinois law requires the complaint case to be heard immediately and the State Board of Elections to make a decision in a week.
Something is just not right there. More later.
* Jim Ryan says he won’t hurt the poor with his budget cuts…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan promised “deep cuts” in state government if he’s elected during a meeting with The Register-Mail Tuesday.
The former Illinois Attorney General says the state was on the verge of bankruptcy, but raising taxes isn’t the way to pull the state out of the hole.
Ryan said the solution is to cut the fat out of state government. “These cuts are going to be painful,” he said. “But for the last 10 years the state has spent more than it has brought in.”
He made a commitment that cuts would not hurt the most vulnerable members of society. “I’m going to go out of my way to protect the poor, the disabled and the elderly,” he said.
But the Civic Federation claims next fiscal year’s deficit will be $12.8 billion. That’s almost half the state’s operating budget. If Ryan wants to balance the budget with cuts alone, he’ll have to hurt everybody.
I really wish newspapers wouldn’t let candidates so easily get away with statements like that.
* Quote of the day goes to Republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard, even though he was quoted last week…
“I’m not the Senate GOP leader today because I’ve always thought like a governor and not a myopic legislator,” Dillard said. “I’ve always thought globally.”
To those who know him, the bombastic quote sums up Dillard perfectly, displaying an ego and ambition that dates back to his days working as a top aide to Republican Govs. James Thompson and Jim Edgar.
A myopic legislator? Sheesh.
* DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett has endorsed Jim Ryan for governor, and got in a shot at Andy McKenna in the process…
[Birkett] says he was weighing his political future in June when he asked McKenna, then the state GOP chair, for results of a rumored poll.
Birkett says McKenna told him he didn’t have any poll information, something that Birkett says “was a flat-out lie”.
A few weeks later, McKenna resigned as party chair and went on to enter the governor’s race.
Birkett accuses McKenna of putting personal interests ahead of party when he included his own name in the poll without the permission of the republican state central committee.
Birkett made a video about the subject as well. Watch…
MARCH 2009: A Zogby poll shows that Birkett was leading the early field for Governor (Birkett 39, Brady 8, Whitley 5).
APRIL 2009: State party takes extensive $28,000 poll, using nearly half of all party funds. Just this month, McKenna admitted breaking party ethics rules by submitting his name in the poll for both Governor and Senator. Birkett was far ahead of McKenna in the poll.
JUNE 16, 2009: Birkett meets with McKenna at his Dad’s business, Schwarz Supply Source, Morton Grove. At the meeting, Birkett asks whether McKenna has any poll #s relating to him. McKenna says no.
You can read the McKenna-ordered poll by clicking here.
Birkett also endorsed Brad Cole for lt. governor.
* Democratic comptroller candidate Rep. David Miller has been accusing his top primary opponent of botching the Bright Start program…
Both Giannoulias and Kelly are facing questions about Bright Start as they campaign statewide for U.S. Senate and state treasurer, respectively. Krishnamoorthi is now running for comptroller, tiptoeing through the Bright Start minefield as well.
His opponent, state Rep. David Miller (D-Lynwood), reminds audiences that Krishnamoorthi oversaw Bright Start when he worked at the treasurer’s office.
More…
Miller, his opponent, questions the timing of Krishnamoorthi’s departure.
“The question for me is, Was he asked to leave, or did he bail at a time when things got hot?” Miller said. “I believe he got pushed out.”
Krishnamoorthi dismissed the allegation: “It is absurd to suggest that I left because of Bright Start.”
Miller also accused Krishnamoorthi of downplaying his role in the Bright Start debacle when he is talking to voters.
“He doesn’t take personal responsibility,” Miller said. “He tries to explain it away as being a part of the downturn in the economy. He talks about transparency and accountability in his speeches, but he’s shown a lack of both. This was his baby.”
*** UPDATE *** With a hat tip to Progress Illinois, here are a couple more new TV ads. Raja Krishnamoorthi…
* Related…
* GOP governor’s hopefuls split on campaign finance limits
* Our Opinion: For the Republicans, Dillard for governor
* Six Republicans vying for governor
* Trailing candidates show financial strength in Illinois governor’s race
* Democrats focus on jobs; GOP: What took so long?
* Video: Congressman Danny K. Davis endorses David Miller for Illinois Comptroller
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 12:51 pm
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Hynes talk on the budget doesn’t strike me as very “straight shooterish” — Quinn’s may be political suicide, but at least it’s realistic.
Axelrod has a child at Misericordia (an organization so transcendent in its good work, it can bring together the likes of Axelrod, Neil Steinberg, and Mike Ditka).
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Birkett’s Ad.
1. If that’s the way he talks to the juries, no wonder he loses high profile cases.
2. Ryan polls must show him tanking, otherwise, Birkett wouldn’t have used the language he did.
3. When McKenna said the polls weren’t available to the public, they may not have been authorized by the party for release.
4. The GOP would have been foolish not to include McKenna in the poll since he was the highest level Republican given that there were no statewide office holders.
4. The danger that lurks for McKenna is the teachers. So long as there is doubt in the Dem primary for gov, the teachers will be voting for Quinn. But, if Hynes pulls away, they will pull the GOP ballot to vote for Dillard and would put him over if he is close. One way or the other, they want that income tax increase.
Comment by True Observer Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:18 pm
===So long as there is doubt in the Dem primary for gov, the teachers will be voting for Quinn. ===
Both IFT and IEA strongly endorsed Hynes. Teachers are not happy with the guv at all, so I’m not sure what you mean by that comment.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:20 pm
Dawn Clarke Netsch? Yep, I’ll take her! She’s a clean democrat. She stood for honest, good and ethical government.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:22 pm
I didn’t think Axelrod’s no-comment was interesting. What would have been really interesting is if Ax had pointed out how far behind the state is in reimbursing Miseracordia for services rendered. In fact, Abdon should have asked that question since it was a fundraiser afterall.
Quinn and Axelrod go way back together, but there is no upside for Axelrod to take a side in the Dem primary, especially at a charity event. Besides, either candidate is going to be a big supporter of the WH, so commenting on the ad wouldn’t be very helpful.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:24 pm
My wife is a school teacher, and she is voting for Quinn. Rememer the members don’t just automatically along with the union endorsement, particularly subsurban teachers.
Comment by Niles Township Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:25 pm
NT, I would bet more money on the unions’ internal communications than the fact that you know one person who is voting a certain way. No offense. Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:26 pm
All these years later and still, every time I hear the phrase “straight shooter” from Dawn Clark Netsch I can’t help but remember those commercials of her playing 8-ball.
I’m not sure her endorsement carries the weight it used too, but it’s still a nice bump for Hynes.
Comment by Jimmy87 Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:31 pm
her endorsement brings nothing to the table. candidate hynes needs to get jan schakowsky’s help..
Comment by quinn fan Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Thank you for covering the Board of Election challenge filed by Rudy Lozano Jr. and Joe Laiacona. This is just another attempt of the Chicago machine to buy an election. Most of the media outlets in the state have been weak and afraid to cover any of these challenges.
Comment by southside irish Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:47 pm
Jan has already endorsed Quinn.
Comment by Dave Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:47 pm
More than one union member does not support the union’s candidates. I have yet to cast a vote for the union’s choice in state and federal races. An informal poll of 15-20 fellow employees shows the same result. No offense, just sayin…
Comment by wizard Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:50 pm
yes, i am aware of that–but jan is the only person that can help out any candidates on the dem side.
she is a global visionary, and knows all domestic issues beyond reproach.
all democratic candidate should be seeking out her guidance–even if they have not gotten her endorsement.
Comment by quinn fan Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:53 pm
I just read through Dorothy Brown’s D-2’s to try to figure out who on earth shot that ad. I still can’t pin it down, but I did notice some interesting expenditures…$13,500 in expenditures for a fundraiser at a golf course, $6500 for fund raising expenses at Balmoral Park race track and $400 in expenses for “day planners.” Good Grief.
Comment by Big Policy Nerd Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 1:57 pm
That Dorothy Brown spot looks ready for CAN-TV. Reminds me a bad home-made PSA. Can that even be aired on network TV given the poor quality? Talk about being an analog person in a digital world…
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:02 pm
100 teachers (IEA) in Rockford protested Quinn’s scheduled visit to a Dem fundraiser Rockford in April 2009. He failed to show. Teachers up here still not happy.
Comment by Marcus Agrippa Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:04 pm
Alas, Ryan doesn’t get it any more than Quinn does.Maybe the “poor” need help, but so does the middle class. Don’t these guys ever read anything by Elizabeth Warren, or some of the other economic lights who have been commenting nonstop in recent years on the huge burden this as-yet-unresolved recession has had on the country’s middle class.
Obama gets it to some extent–his speech tomorrow night will fccus on (very modest, insufficient)
attempts to ease the middle class burden. But not Quinn and Ryan—possibly our leading contenders
for next guv. All they can think about is their middle class tax cuts.
When these guys say “avoid burdening the poor”
they mean “and really whack the middle class.”
While leaving the rich proportionately alone, of course.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:10 pm
Oops, typing too fast. ….their middle class tax increases.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:12 pm
After watching Dorothy Brown’s ad, I think it says a lot about the state of our economy. Jeans Day money just doesn’t go as far as it used to. I’ve seen judicial candidates in Cook County running ads with better production values. Looks cheap all around.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:18 pm
==yes, i am aware of that–but jan is the only person that can help out any candidates on the dem side.==
Quinn fan, you may have one of the best senses of humor of anyone who posts on this blog! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making me laugh out loud.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:28 pm
Ron Burgundy, you are absolutely correct about the Dorothy Brown spot. It harkens to the “Auto Wreckers” ad from a while back. If it wasn’t so sad, I would say someone was playing a joke on us.
Comment by Knome Sane Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:31 pm
There’s nothing too unusual about not having an expenditure for attorneys to defend or conduct an election challenge — if the attorney representing the candidate (or objector) is volunteering her time. And that happens on a lot of races — for example, the House Democrats are usually represented by an attorney who is volunteering time. Just like under federal regulations, legal services for which no compensation is given are not considered an in-kind donation.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:37 pm
Good for Laiacona and Lozano for filing their suit — perhaps they will finally shed some light on one of the many ways that incumbents are given freebies for their campaign by those seeking to maintain the status quo. Making them report it won’t make it stop, but it will at least let people see who is really pulling the strings.
Comment by Lakefront Liberal Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:40 pm
Dillard is so full of himself. I’m sure he was thinking “globally” when he cut an endoresment ad for a Obama in Iowa. That would have been a great strategy if he was running for the Democratic nomination for Governor in Iowa…. not so much with respect to the GOP nomination for Illinois Governor. Thank God Andy has the resources to call him out as a total phony.
Comment by budget boy Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:42 pm
The Dillard quote about myopic legislators reminds me of Michael Kinsley’s quip that “a gaffe is when a politician tells the truth.”
Comment by Reformer Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:47 pm
Only the IL GOP would be stupid enough to release an entire poll, so every Dem. and their brother can see the party’s internal research. I get they’re mad at McKenna, and if so, maybe they should publish the questions about McKenna to support their beef, but not the WHOLE poll. Geeesh.
Comment by Whatever Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:48 pm
I like how the guy who hugs dorothy Brown has his hat pulled over his eyes. There probably wasnt enough money in the jeans day slush fund to pay the guy to show himself.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 2:59 pm
==Jan (Schakowsky)is the only person who can help out any candidates on the Dem. side==
I don’t know if the above assessment is true for the primary It’s pretty patheic if it is. But I am quite certain than Jan’s help or endorsement will be a much greater hindrance than assistance for most statewide races in the general. Jan is not exactly a beloved figure especially among the moderates of both parties downstate.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 3:12 pm
Dillard isn’t the GOP senate caucus leader today because he cut a campaign ad for Obama and helped make him President. A majority of the other GOP senators couldn’t stomach that. Everyone knows that’s the single main reason they went with Radogno instead.
Dillard should take some of that blood money he’s getting from the big teacher’s union and go buy a spine.
Comment by ex Dillard supporter Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 3:20 pm
Dillard’s ad “helped make (Obama) President? Really? So which electoral votes would Obama have otherwise lost without Kirk’s help. I find it quite intriguing that Kirk is that powerful among independents and Dems. But, if true, it should greatly enhance both his ability to be elected Governor and his ability to govern once elected.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 3:30 pm
I realize BrickHeadJoe drifts through various parallel dimension but didn’t OutSiderAndy steal the GOP poll money months ago?
Is the Brick behind on his CLTV clips? Please explain why he waited until now the “expose” this scandal.
Please explain
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 3:32 pm
We forgot to mention that the best thing about CaptFax posting al the ads is that we don’t have to watch all the dopey TV wrapped around them.
Same goes for the “news” stories or whatever that stuff is called
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 4:23 pm
Anybody else notice the tenor of some of the comments regarding Dillard are becoming very hateful? Methinks there are at least two Rep campaigns that know the numbers are not 19-18-14 but actually show Dillard out front and pulling away. McKenna has the iffy Trib poll and Ryan supporters are seeing his numbers steadily drop.
Schnorf is correct. If Dillard is as effective as the haters claim, then I cannot wait until he is sworn in as Governor.
Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 4:37 pm
===iffy Trib poll===
How so?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 4:41 pm
Joe — anyone notice all the Dillard kool-aid drinkers posting on this blog about how great Dullard is, and how he’s surging? Please — at this point in the game, everyone’s doing the same thing.
Comment by Silly Season Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 4:49 pm
It is silly to think that Ryan is surging.
Brady is stuck in single digits.
McKenna is trying to buy the election with the help of his daddy’s buddies at the Trib.
Kirk Dillard for Governor. In front and staying there.
Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 5:15 pm
Prior polls conducted by the IL GOP under Andy McKenna did NOT include Andy McKenna’s name. I wonder why?
Comment by FYI Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 5:18 pm
Glad to see a link to Brown’s ad here. I made a couple of comments about it last week; you’d figure someone capable of hitting their staff up for money could afford something that looks better than that.
Not that ads should determine the winner of a primary, but O’Brien and Preckwinkle have far more polished ads. Preckwinkle’s ad campaign is so sunny that it’s a real contrast when pared with any governor candidate’s ad.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Jan 25, 10 @ 5:54 pm
Remember, “in kind” or donated time - even by an attorney - must be reported. So let’s say, hypothetically, one of Michael Madigan’s attorneys aids several elected officials during election time and the respective “helped” campaigns fail to file a D-2 acknowledging the “in kind” help, then there is a violation of the election law. Now, I know this is a simple example that could use more facts, but since it is likely that it would never happen, no need to worry.
Comment by GetOverIt Tuesday, Jan 26, 10 @ 12:14 am
Dillard’s ad “helped make (Obama) President? Really?
I remember many times watching the MSM during the Primary reporting how Obama had conservative Republican State Senators doing endorsement commercials for Obama…Dillard it was embarrassing if he wants to be a democrat fine he should be a democrat.
Comment by Dnstateanon Tuesday, Jan 26, 10 @ 7:15 am