Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

This just in… Cohen: “No intention of stepping down or stepping aside” - Asks ex wife, girlfriend to hold presser

Posted in:

Illinois

* 2:20 pm - Democratic lt. governor nomineee Scott Lee Cohen has issued a statement through his spokesman…

“I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside. When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly. I am asking my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to come forward and to talk with the media.

Putting his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend in front of the cameras to answer questions is a huge risk, but all he has left is risk. Continued…

“There are questions, and I will provide all answers honestly and openly. I only ask for time to do the interviews. 2005 was a difficult time in my life. I was going through a divorce, and I started running with a fast group. I was in a tumultuous relationship with the woman I was dating. We had a fight, but I never touched her. She called the police, however, she never came to court, and the charges were dismissed. I realized this relationship was not healthy, I ended it, and we parted amicably.”

* Meanwhile, in case you missed it earlier, Illinois Statehouse News has the full audio of Gov. Pat Quinn’s press conference. Listen by clicking here. They’re posting

* On an unrelated note, I just checked my site log and discovered that Wednesday’s traffic was even higher than Tuesday’s. As I’ve already told you, Tuesday was the highest usage day since Rod Blagojevich’s arrest. Thanks much.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:23 pm

Comments

trainwreck.

Comment by dupage progressive Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:26 pm
You can’t ask any more from the guy

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:27 pm
Ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, dozens of lawsuits…add in the criminal charges, and he’s a walking cliche. Sounds like this guy has had a lot of misunderstandings.

Comment by Greg Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:28 pm
For his sake, I certainly hope he asked his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to speak to the media BEFORE he issued that statement asking them. If not — yikes, look out below.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:31 pm
Dozens of lawsuits?

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:32 pm
DWCH, one word: subscribe.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:33 pm
SWEET!!!!!!!!!

Give ‘em heck, Scott Lee!

Don’t let them push you around; be your own man!

Make them deal with you on your own terms, not theirs.

Playback every word pat quinn has ever said over the course of his 30+ year political career and show how hypocritical and sanctamonious he is being now.

Smart move to bring ex out to speak.

Well played. Quinn looks real bad here and once again mishandles things!

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:33 pm
“and I started running with a fast group”

Dude you were in your late 30’s in 2005 not your late teens…

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Makes you wonder how Hynes would have handled this if he was the nominee?

Comment by 2010 Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Don’t blame me — I voted for Kodos.

Comment by hmoore3 Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:34 pm
SLC is “asking” them to come forward …

ok ….

When are hey going to step forward… this seems like a stall tactic, SLC wants to “ask for time to do the interviews”. Does tham mean he wants to make time to do that, or is SLC asking for time=patience and he will get to answering at some point(?)

Also, I thought this was kinda odd… is he “shouting out” as the kids say to both women to give him a shout so he can do this, but hasn’t really firmed up their participation?

Note to SLC - every second you are wasting, is another seconds the knives get sharpened. Time is NOT on your side SLC

So Rich, is this a “done deal”, SLC got a place and time for this?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:35 pm
===When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly.===

Yes, he’ll hear from them in November. Directly.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:37 pm
pat brady should send him a thank you note, otherwise we’d be talking about he knife fight between dillard and brady.

Comment by shore Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:40 pm
Let’s all get it out of system now, Quinn is toast, this is a game changer, no game over, this will kill Quinn, yada yada yada.

This is why Quinn will win by only 5 or 6 points!

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:42 pm
Yes, he’ll hear from them in November. Directly.
—-
Agreed. This guy is going to be as stubborn as Blago.

Comment by So IL Student Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:42 pm
question for party leaders, if you keep the primary this early its easier to keep people like mark and alexi on top and harder for insurgents to rise up. on the other hand, if an insurgent gets a wind like this guy, something bad could happen before you get a shot to respond.

If the primary had been in february of 04, would blair hull have been the nominee?

Comment by shore Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:42 pm
Pat Quinn took a page out of a playbook and stated “by sundown, we will be ahead … of this story” (SNARK)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:43 pm
47 Maybe SCL can get John Edward’s former staffer to give them the “Rielle” treatment: Keep them out of sight for 9 months!

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:47 pm
Lol Siriusly. But that’s only part of the problem. I can’t wait to learn more about the “fast crowd” he was hanging with.

When a pawnbroker tells you it’s a fast crowd, boy oh boy! Gimme some names Scott. Feed the beast.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:51 pm
Oh goody, now Mr. Cohen gets to tell us who this “fast group” was.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Quinn reminds me a lot of U.S. Senator Harry Reid. Neither one of them gets it.

Quinn’s continuing to display poor leadership here is astounding. He didn’t give SLC any benefit of the doubt or the benefit of at least being heard out first. Quinn just took the hysteria and ran with it.

Especially because we’re talking about allegations, not convictions, Quinn would have been so much better off to have said something like:

what i have read in the papers are of concern to me, but I haven’t yet spoken to Mr. Cohen and would like to before I pass any judgments on him or about his past, and certainly before I make any public statements about our political relationship moving foward.

If Quinn had said that instead of his comments earlier he would’ve looked in command and in control. Funny but the political noivce and person under fire here, SLC, is the one who actually took control and command of the situation.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Maybe SLC will end up doing TV election night analysis like Jack Ryan. Geez - the media is so pathetic.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Just when you thought the freak show was going to be limited to Blago’s trial. This is TV tabloid gold.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:53 pm
Battery is NOT a laughing matter, and these images are of SLC and how he might be responding. I don not condone ANY aspect of this and nothing about that charge is remotely funny.

However, how come 2 images come to mind when talking about this situation with SLC and a presser about it?

1) The Marin Short “Lawyer” character from SNL with the 1/2 ashe, 1/2 cigarette dangling from his fingers and “sun”glasses glasses repeating “no, you are being combative, I’m not … it’s him right?”

2) Or the Joe Pesci character in My Cousin Vinny, “The yoooot was runnin’ wit a wiiild crowd ya ‘onor”

Fiasco.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:53 pm
Cohen Does Ladies Man and Nixon’s Checker Speech

“My name is Scott Lee Cohen, and to those of you that are uninitiated, I am an expert in the ways of the pawn. I have made pawn deals to many fine customers from the lowliest bus station resident to the classiest most sophisticated, educated, debutant, high society… bus station resident.”

“I will probably begin with a very classy first line… something like: say, sweet thing, can I buy you a fish sandwich?”

“My ex-girlfriend’s sitting over here. She’s a wonderful massage therapist. She had a lot of evening and early morning clients and she used to teach it in to other young girls interested in getting a little extra cash during these tough economic times. That was when I met her. And I can tell you folks that she’s worked many hours at night and many hours on Saturdays and Sundays in her home and she’s done a fine job. And I’m proud to say today that in the years I’ve known her, she has demonstrated an understanding of how Illinois politics really work.”

“…One other thing I probably should tell you because if I don’t they’ll probably be saying this about me too, I did get something-a gift-after the election. A customer of mine heard me on the radio mention the fact that I would like to have a dog. And, believe it or not, the day before I left on this campaign trip I got a message from Union Station saying they had a package for me. I went down to get it. You know what it was.

It was a little cocker spaniel dog in a crate that had sent all the way. Black and white spotted. And my ex-wife, she named it Checkers. And you know, the ladies, both my ex-lovely ladies, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we’re gonna keep it.”

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:55 pm
WCW - So Cohen doing pretty much what Quinn said he should do is “mishandling”? Once again you bash Quinn first and think later. Actually, I you don’t really think at all.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:57 pm
“otherwise we’d be talking about the knife fight between dillard and brady.”

If Dillard and Brady are having a “knife fight” over their election returns it would be a plastic butter knife fight compared to this…

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:57 pm
I can’t wait for the Gail Collins column on this.

You know it’s coming.

Comment by cassadra Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:59 pm
Has anyone in Democratic leadership actually met with Scott Cohen since he won this primary, publicly or privately? Or before? He campaigned and he got the plurality of Democratic voters in his race to pick his name. I think Dem leadership would be trying to pick his brain for winning ideas. I do not live in the Chciago area, and I received no flyers, no mailers, nothing from any candidate for anything, and the ONLY ad I heard was a Cohen radio spot teh day before the election, one talking about job fairs with “testimonials” from people whom these fairs supposedly helped. I thought it was an effective ad, totally positive, no negativity about anyone. So maybe he is onto an effective strategy there.

I know it is very difficult to make jokes, lament some failure in the system, give very little thought to what the reality is. In my opinion, Governor Quinn’s first official post-election political contact should have been with Scott Cohen to discuss the entire situation, the upcoming media and blog-o-sphere storm, the intentions of the candidates in conducting their campaign. There were ducks to get in a row here, and that basic exercise in organization was not carried out.

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 2:59 pm
…and the knife fight between Dillard and Brady would be held at the Golden Corral between the pre-chewed roast beef and the canned pudding.

…and it would be a fight over the last fried chicken wing.

(We’re talking GOP nomination here, remember?)

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:01 pm
Word has it that ABC National is sending an investigative team out to start tracking SLC. They are also going to be looking fo his ex-wife, and his ex-prostitute mistress. If you live anywhere near the 2100 black of North Winchester in Wicker Park, I feel for you.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:01 pm
“Actually, I you don’t really think at all”

to funny-I hope that was on purpose.

Sometimes I take this stuff too seriously. This campaign is going to be one for the ages. I’m waiting for the, “lines of the tummies” stuff.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:06 pm
What exactly could the ex-girlfriend say to help his cause other than “I filed a false police report,” and why would she say that?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:06 pm
Beyond the ex-wife, ex-girlfriend questions, here are the next most obvious, and possibly more troubling, questions for Cohen:

Q: You mentioned the tough time you were going through five years ago, and that you became acquainted with a group of people you’ve since described as “fast.” What do you mean by using that term? Can you elaborate

Q: Were any illegal drugs involved? Have you ever used illegal drugs? Have you ever purchased illegal drugs?

Q: Did any of this “fast group” play a role in your campaign? Did any contribute to you? Who were these people, and what do you mean by calling them part of a “fast crowd?”

Q: Is there anything else in your background that should give voters reason for concern?

Q: You’ve said that character counts in politics, do you feel you possess the character necessary to serve the public?

Q: What do you think voters can expect from a Quinn-Cohen administration?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:08 pm
Well Rich, looks like the Democratic primary results provided you with a candidate that will increase your business! A bigger Cadillac coming soon?

Comment by Geneseo Gent Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:08 pm
Captain Flume got it right. How much more incompetent can the democrats get in Illinois.
Maybe, Cohen could appear on Blagojevich’s new reality show.

Comment by Lee Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:09 pm
The only way for today to get any crazier would be for Michigan to declare war on us over the Asian carp… oh wait…

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:11 pm
” I committed purgery, and filed a false police report … those marks listed on the report, looking like possible defense wounds or knife marks? Curling iron burns …”

Jeri Ryan never once denied that anything in tose documents were not true, because of purgery. If this “ex” girlfriend tells the press she purgered herself, is she willing to take a hit for this guy?

Those ladies need to think about this very carefully

… and SLC … if you go through this and make it “it depends on what you define ‘threaten’, the charges were dismissed, and I am exonerated” garbage … heaven help them all

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:11 pm
Ron, I can’t vouch for the SLC situation, but I’ve come across situations where women who use drugs do and say things that are dishonest as a way to get attention or to get people into trouble or both. I’m not saying that is the case here, but keeping an open mind and considering a wide variety of possibilities are always good things.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:11 pm
I think SLC is making very strategic moves. Him and his consultants knew this would come out. They are smart enough to know that. By being straightforward and showing that he has no fear of interviews involving both shows that he isn’t trying to hide anything, and may even be telling the truth.

The failures here are just epic. No reasonable mention to the public by either his opponents or the media.

Comment by matt Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:15 pm
What was the Democratic Party of IL apparatus - Chairman Madigan and the State Central Committee -doing this primary season? Maybe they think their role is only during the general election but they have a responsibility to stay informed and help vet who is running - don’t they? Quinn didn’t bother to check out his potential running mates until now? And maybe the media dropped the ball too. What an embarrassment.

Comment by Sophie G Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:16 pm
Rich, Don’t you thank the Gods every day that you are in Illinois? I mean OMG where else would you have a circus like this?

Comment by Irish Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:17 pm
===When a pawnbroker tells you it’s a fast crowd, boy oh boy!===

and a multi-millionaire pawnbroker too boot. lol

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:20 pm
Scott Lee Cohen has four children. I missed the press conference. Did he say who the mother or (mothers) of his four kids are? SLC appears to be up to date on his child support payments, but who knows if this state website is updated frequently…

http://www.ilchildsupport.com/deadbeats/

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:21 pm
47th Ward -3:08pm
A: to Q:1 Uh one of ‘em was named Eddie.
A: to Q:6 I will be making job creation my goal. I don’t what you can expect from the other half of the ticket. LOL

Comment by Irish Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:23 pm
More proof that a Const. Amend. to change the Lt.Gov. situation…abolish it or have the Gov. cand. pick it after the primary or something. But this is ridiculous!!

Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:24 pm
===A: to Q:6 I will be making job creation my goal. I don’t what you can expect from the other half of the ticket. LOL===

That reminds me of the scene from The Jerk, when Nathan writes home to tell them he might be sending more money becuase his new girlfriend promised him a…job.

Q: What kind of jobs were offered at your job fairs?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:28 pm
You all sicken me. Our President, BARACK OBAMA(who is FROM ILLINOIS) said in his state of the union speech and other very eloquent speeches before and after that ENTREPRENEURS and SMALL BUSINESSES are the heroes and the drivers of our economy, which IS CURRENTLY IN RECESSION.

SCOTT LEE COHEN is an ENTREPRENEUR who owns SMALL BUSINESSES that hire people. He is a hero, and PRESIDENT OBAMA salutes him. All you people who disparage this JOB CREATOR are constructive BIRTHERS for hating who your PRESIDENT has said is an AMERICAN HERO who will lead us back to PROSPERITY.

Comment by Chico Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:28 pm
“I am asking my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend to come forward and to talk with the media.”

Brown: “Mr. Speaker? Did you hear that?”

Brown: “Are you OK?”

Lisa: “Is he OK? His eyes aren’t moving… Is he breathing? That’s NOT his normal color? Should I loosen his tie?”

Brown: “Everyone stand back! Give him air!”

Lisa:”He’s trying to say something…”

Brown: “Mr. Speaker?! Someone call 9-1-1…”

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:31 pm
Brown: “Whew! He’s OK!”

Lisa: “Don’t tell him that Blagojevich’s lawyers are on TV now…”

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:33 pm
Vanilla Man I assume you will be writing a whole album of songs about today’s events, It should go Platinum,

Comment by Leave a Light on George Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:33 pm
Scott Lee Cohen’s speech:

“I paid over $2 million for your valued possession. And I know it slipped out of your family’s control due to exigent circumstances. There’s always a story.

“But your problem, Mr. Governor and Mr. Speaker, is you ain’t the only bidders in town. You gotta cover my costs, plus a fee and outbid those Republican [expletive deleted] too.

“Life’s tough. A man’s gotta make a living.”

Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:34 pm
I think everyone should disabuse themselves of the notion that Cohen will be driven out by media coverage.

I think the guy is dying for it. Take a look at Cable TV. People are desperate to reveal their navel.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:35 pm
When he says ex-girlfriend, does he mean the ex-prostitute he allegedly held a knife to?

Also, unless she’s going to deny that he held her at knifepoint, what’s the point?

Is Cohen’s candidacy just a stunt to get a reality t.v. show, ala ‘Balloon Boy’?

Hynes should be glad he lost.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:37 pm
You’re probably right again Word, and I agree he has no intention of dropping out.

The sad thing is, the public will be entertained by this fiasco and the recount long enough to let the General Assembly pass a four month spending bill and toss it to the governor when they check out in May.

Watch the shiny object kids, don’t watch my other hand over here…

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:39 pm
First, as in all politics, this guy is shark bait. There is no “he who is without sin cast the first stone” it is everyone cast a stone so no one looks at me. Everyone makes mistakes.

That being said, I agree that the position of Lt. Governor should be abolished. It is a worthless position with a high salary. It can be done with another constitutional officer (say the Atty Gen) to succeed in the event of a vacancy. We are in a true budget crisis and need drastic measures.

Comment by Paul S. Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:40 pm
i never know if New Jersey or Illinois is the most corrupt and nutty state. perhaps it is something about industrial waste, today being a bad air day in Ilinois. I only pity us because we do not have a show with Snookie and her mates like Jersey has to provide some amusement amidst the nuttiness. come on area colleges….start producing a fun show on cable access about, oh,
the south side irish and the loss of the parade, the west side vs. the south side, the Trixies of Lincoln Park, the horse shoe of
Springfield dining lore. we’ve got to have something new that
will go Saturday Night Live viral cause the Super Fans are getting real old.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:40 pm
“I have no intention of stepping down or stepping aside. When the facts come to light, after my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend speak, the people of Illinois can decide, and I will listen to them directly.”

“…and I’ll tell you something else too. Take a look at this handsome ring on my finger. See how it matches my neck chain? You won’t even believe what I paid for these two incredible jewelry items!”

“…a regular customer of mine, I can’t divulge his name, comes up to me and shows me this ring combo and tells he that his old aunt in Wicker Park died and left them for him.”

“…yeah, that’s his story.”

“…but getting back to this ugly predicament about my ex. What can I tell ya? She was wild and had a little too much to drink. You know how some folks can’t handle their booze and pills, right?”

“…now I’m sure certain that the Speaker, uh, Michael J. Madigan of our great state, is completely aware of this entire to-do…he’s backing me, right? When Michael J. Madigan is backing someone, we all know what this means, right?”

“…so I’m like, in the bag. Ya’ know?”

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:41 pm
The only way the past 48 hours could have been more bizarre would have been the involvement of snake charmers, shamen, fire eaters, wood nymphs, several sets of Siamese twins, and the unexpected appearance of Amelia Earhart and Jack Ruby at the Thompson Center Food Court.

All and all an up week!

Comment by And I Approved This Message Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:48 pm
Does anyone know where Scott’s pawn shop is? I gotta meet this guy.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:53 pm
==The only way the past 48 hours could have been more bizarre would have been the involvement of snake charmers, shamen, fire eaters, wood nymphs, several sets of Siamese twins, and the unexpected appearance of Amelia Earhart and Jack Ruby at the Thompson Center Food Court.==

It’s only Thursday!

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 3:54 pm
Why doesn’t Quinn just tell Cohen that if you stay on the ballot and we win the election, I’ll ask the general assembly to zero out your budget and I’ll get you keys to the oldest, most run down state car we can find for your travel needs. No state airplane for you. No staff. No duties. No copier. No phone. No business cards (unless you just label over some of your old ones). Nothing. Have fun driving around in a car with bald tires and no air conditioning. Not even a Super 8 frequent lodging card for you. Maybe he’ll decide to take whatever golden parachute the Democratic Party can offer him to give up.

Comment by Matt Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:01 pm
if his ex girlfriend would just come forward and explain all this, it’d be such a happy ending.
Oh wait, that’s what she got busted for.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Rich,

I am sure that I am the master of the obvious here, but most posters have so many jokes they probably would like to write using SLC, prostitutes, and the General Assembly. I know I have written at least three such comments, but only to delete in fear of banishment.

So, please, please give us an outlet to unleash the hillarity of the posters.

Comment by The Abominable Milk Man's Cuban Pilot Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:07 pm
For a guy who had judgement in his divorce, he’s been in court a lot on it, including this year.

Am I the only one who checks the Cook county clerk’s website?

Comment by Pat collins Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:09 pm
PC, subscribe.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Is there a mug shot of the candidate?

Comment by PPHS Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:12 pm
…tomorrow on Jerry Springer:

“He’s a pawn broker and the Lt. Governor nominee from Illinois who got into a tussle with his ex-hooker girlfriend and got arrested. He’ll be here with his ex-wife and his ex-girlfriend to discuss how he intends to assist his running mate, Governor Pat Quinn, and his Speaker of the House, Michael J. Madigan, in addressing the issues facing Illinoisans.”

…here’s a sneak peak:

“What we have to do is a deal over the Thompson Center. And we gotta do a better deal with my man, Barack Obama, over that prison in Thomson. I’ve handled situations kinda like this, you know, estate sales, sudden deaths in families, rich druggies needin’ money, so as Lt. Governor, I can tell Pat Quinn how to do, you know, a deal.”

“…they say Michael J. Madigan is a hard bargainer, but I gotta tell ya, I’m no slouch neither. One time, this guy comes in with this gun, claiming it was the one that was used to shoot Lincoln. But, like I know, hey - what do ya take me for? So, I says to him, “everyone knows Lincoln got stabbed, dummy!”. So, like, no deal.”

…his comments on Democratic nominee for the US Senate, Alexi Giannoulais:

“…yeah - I know Alexi. I don’t feel like talkin’ about him. Especially not about Broadway Bank. I know nothing about Broadway Bank. Really.”

…on the next Jerry Springer!

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:17 pm
It seems to me that I recall there were some thinking, wishing, or conjuring going on that Democrat primary voters might screw up and that moving the primary election to February would come around and bite the Democrats last Tuesday.

Karma?

Oswego Willy: the SNL character Martin Short played was Nathan Thurm, and your reference to him was hilarious.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:21 pm
Let me get this straight SLC just spent 2.5mil of his own money and people think he is gonna leave because Quinn and the rest of powers that be say so? Gimmee some of whatever you are smoking.

Comment by JOD25 Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:23 pm
What gets me is that someone with a “past” such as SLC’s is starting to appear to be would spend over $2 million to run for a position that would put him in the spotlight while promising the smallest of possible gains.

If only he had done a cost-benefit analysis…

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:50 pm
Scott Lee Cohen’s D-2 Expense Reports are very revealing too.

Remember when Durbin and others complained that Mike Madigan was too tightfisted about his voterfile, so Durbin was going to work with the Downstate County Chairman’s Association to make it more widely available?

Guess what: Cohen bought his voter file from the County Chairmen. For $15,000.

And remember how Democracy for America complained that Mike Madigan was an anti-reformer, and the party bosses kept cramming candidates down their throat? Well, I guess the DFA wasn’t too happy with the Party’s nomination of Art Turner, because the DFA shows up on Cohen’s report.

And Cohen’s $10,000 contribution to the Maldanado campaign? I can’t WAIT to here the story behind that.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 4:53 pm
Didn’t DFA endorse Quinn just days before the primary? I wonder how much money Quinn got from DFA?

Comment by Quinn-Cohen Ticket Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 5:01 pm
best thing was Quinn was asked about the battery charge on wednesday after he had already found out about it but wasn’t a big story in the media yet and quinn says anyone who is focused on jobs is ok by me and was defending the guy. Nothing gets past Quinn. You would wonder didn’t Quinn mabye think the jobs fair was a scam after all this other stuff came out. Quinn had already met with madigan in the morning about this and was still defending the guy. Then the story exploded wednesday evening and now quinn can’t run away fast enough.

Comment by jason Thursday, Feb 4, 10 @ 5:45 pm