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* If you watched the Pat Quinn vs. Bill Brady debate at the IEA conference on Friday, you saw this jab by Quinn…
In the first debate of the campaign for governor Friday, state Sen. Bill Brady told a packed hall of anxious teachers that he knows the tough choices needed to solve the state’s financial crisis because he laid off 25 workers and withheld raises at his business.
Gov. Pat Quinn saw his opening.
“That is not a very good record in job creation,” he shot back movements later.
The dig drew laughs and howls from the nearly 1,500 union members at the Illinois Education Association banquet in Rosemont - naturally not a friendly environment for Brady, a Republican conservative who has called for the abolition of the state education board and expansion of charter schools.
Too much? Probably.
Brady seemed to hold his own, and got in his licks when speaking to the teachers’ union, however…
“I think Governor Quinn dealt with you in an unfair way. He used the word ‘heartless’ to refer to my plan. I think it’s heartless to make you the scapegoat for this,” Brady said.
Watch a few of IEA’s excerpts…
* Meanwhile, Sen. Brady campaigned with Karl Rove over the weekend. He’s also trying to mend a few fences with pet owners…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady stepped in some deep political do-do with his short-lived sponsorship of legislation that would allow for the mass gassing of stray dogs and cats.
But the state senator now appears to be making amends with pro-pet voters by supporting a measure busting neglectful dog owners who keep their animals chained outside inhumanely or in unsafe conditions.
Brady broke ranks with some of his Downstate GOP colleagues by voting Thursday for anti-tethering legislation pushed by the Humane Society of the United States and backed by the Illinois Farm Bureau.
“He voted for this because it was a humane thing to do,” Brady campaign spokesman John Hoffman said. “One of the aspects of tethering is often it’s related to dog-fighting, and he felt it was important to protect dogs.”
Not enough, but at least he’s listening now. The Quinn campaign responded…
“The governor has never wavered as a leader for animal care and against animal cruelty, while others seem to flip flop on their positions regarding animal welfare,” Quinn spokeswoman Mica Matsoff said.
* And the Sun-Times connected the dots over the weekend on the seemingly contradictory Forrest Claypool rumors. Turns out, the contradictions may have been part of a wider plan…
According to some committeemen and elected officials close to [Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool], Claypool tried the unusual tactic of threatening to run as an independent candidate for Cook County Assessor against the Democratic nominee for that office, Joe Berrios, the chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, if Madigan would not support him for lieutenant governor. Berrios is a close ally of Madigan.
But Claypool’s threat —some Democratic voters got polling calls asking if they would support Claypool in such a race — did not result in Madigan throwing his support to Claypool, so it’s unclear whether Claypool will now follow through on the threat to run for assessor. Claypool was not on the list of lieutenant governor candidates scheduled to appear today. He has not returned calls on the issue and Madigan’s spokesman would only say that Madigan is following the public process for lieutenant governor candidates.
However, Berrios warned that Claypool better get more than the required 25,000 signatures to run for assessor as an independent because he planned to go over them closely.
I bet he will.
* Related…
* Illinois GOP announces “I Give Republican Red” blood drive in June
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:52 am
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“I think Governor Quinn dealt with you in an unfair way. He used the word ‘heartless’ to refer to my plan. I think it’s heartless to make you the scapegoat for this,” Brady said.
Excellent! he’s right. I was glad to see that the tribune included that line by Brady in its coverage of the event too.
Brady should go on and do what Cassandra suggested when puppygate first hit… apologize profusely whenever puppygate is brought up, and donate to a humane society.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 11:58 am
The video excerpts confirm that Quinn is the leader of the failed status quo and Brady is the leader of a small group living in a small suburban basement fasting on carrot juice and martinis.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:04 pm
The governor has never wavered as a leader for animal care and against animal cruelty, while others seem to flip flop on their positions regarding animal welfare,” Quinn spokeswoman Mica Matsoff said.
really? so what exactly has he to show for his 30 years + as a career politician vis-a-vis animal rights? show me his legislative record and accomplishments!
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:04 pm
Claypool, frankly, is a lot of hot air. I thought he was going into some private sector health care business?
I’ll believe he runs as an independent when I see it.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:07 pm
Berrios warned that Claypool better get more than the required 25,000 signatures to run for assessor as an independent because he planned to go over them closely.
Because god forbid voters get a choice or they’ve vote out the people who are demonstratably incompetent.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:08 pm
What are the rules for Claypool to get on the ballot as an independent? The article suggests 25,000 signatures. Does that mean signatures from people who did not take a Dem or Rep primary ballot this past Feb.?
Comment by MikeMacD Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:10 pm
You know that if Brady had announced his business was hiring 25 new workers, Quinn would’ve insisted that his “jobs creation” policies, and not Brady’s business skills, made it possible. And the IEA probably would have agreed with him. It’s enough to make me want to home-school my kids.
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:33 pm
re the Sun Times and the Claypool theory…duh….
it would be great if Claypool did run against Berrios. given that
so many did not pull a ballot in the primary, it should be easier
to find those without party now.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:37 pm
- really? so what exactly has he to show for his 30 years + as a career politician vis-a-vis animal rights? -
Gee, not supporting gassing puppies in mass gas chambers maybe? So now Quinn has to produce a list of ways he helped animals just to be able to say Brady wants to gas them? Use your head once in a while.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:46 pm
as per Berrios’ response, he’s cleary very afraid of claypool and very worried about the competition. all the more reason why claypool should run—he’d win the race no question.
for what it is worth i’m not a claypool fan, and i never have been, but i think the people of cook county would be much better served by him in this instance than berrios.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Small town liberal: It was the Quinn flak that said he has “never wavered as a leader for animal care”, NOT Will County Woman. Her point, and a good one, is that it’s just more made-up campaign rhetoric without a record behind the statement.
Comment by N'ville Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:57 pm
It’s ironic that Brady would try to prove he has some compassion and sensitivity, while at the same time is campaigning with Karl Rove. I swear I saw Mr. Rove’s picture in the dictionary…
Comment by KeepSmiling Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:58 pm
===show me his legislative record===
He’s not in the GA, and never has been.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:58 pm
N’ville - Wrong, Quinn hasn’t waivered, Brady has. You’re saying Quinn should have to prove he hasn’t waivered before saying Brady has, thats not how things work.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 1:16 pm
WCW: there are better ways to protect the general public from stray animals than gassing them in groups-which essentially what Brady is on record as supporting until HIS campaign people recognized how repugnant to the electorate this position was…now just WHO is blowing in the political wind on his issue?
Think a minute or two before not responding as per usual please…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 1:47 pm
I like Forrest Claypool, but I think he is quickly becoming “yesterdays beans” to quote our governor. More accurately, maybe he’s about to become tomorrow’s Paul Vallas.
He was a popular anti-machine Democrat who ousted an incumbent for his Board seat but lost to John Stroger. His best chance to run for another office would have been for Cook County Board President, but he took a pass. Now he wants back in the game?
His so-called independent run for a mid-ballot office like that would be Quixote-esque and he knows it. Just because the Tribune hates Berrios, does not make Claypool (I) truly electable.
The guy had his chance, he passed. Thus, he is the new Vallas.
Comment by siriusly Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 2:12 pm
A friend recently attended a civic club event and talked to a lot of suburban Republicans who said they would very much like to vote for Claypool. They saw him as being a real candidate as opposed to the official Republican candidate.
The idea of Berrios being in charge of assessments easily trumps any discussions about Claypool’s short political retirement.
Comment by Redbright Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 2:16 pm
I wonder how campaigning with Rove is going to play in Illinois. It will play well with people who are already voting for him, but probably not with the fence sitters.
Comment by Ahoy Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 2:18 pm
Who needs Claypool…Robert Grota has experience, and he’s independent from the Democratic Machine:
http://www.grotaforcookcountyassessor.com
Comment by PFK Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 3:05 pm
Re: Bill Brady’s employment skills–
There was a delegate at the IEA Representative Assembly who knows first hand about Bill Brady’s employment skills. Her husband was one of Brady’s employees who was let go due to the downturn in the economy.
During the debate, she was biting her tongue not to boo the senator.
Why?
Because while her husband was let go, Senator Brady’s wife is still drawing a paycheck from the same firm.
Nepotism pays.
Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 3:25 pm
PFK - Claypool has wide name recognition and a positive reputation. No one has ever heard of Grota and he won’t get the $ to change that.
Comment by Redbright Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 3:55 pm
Thwere was a bill to ban creul traps introduced earlier this year-Brady could have supported it..
Quinn Heads the DNR He could do something about creul traps by regulation. Two suggestions to help animals beyond the easy I love pets stuff
Comment by western illinois Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Loop Lady - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
WCW: there are better ways to protect the general public from stray animals than gassing them in groups-which essentially what Brady is on record as supporting until HIS campaign people recognized how repugnant to the electorate this position was…now just WHO is blowing in the political wind on his issue?
Think a minute or two before not responding as per usual please…
We3 could take the rest of campaign session to go over the flip flops Quinn has made since becoming accidental governor. Burris should resign, Burris can stay, All the U of I trustees should resign or I will force them out, The two that wont reisign can stay Bobby Rush told me I had to let them, Map grants , the 2010 budget, the list goes on and on.
Comment by fed up Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 4:29 pm
really? that two minutes from an hour long debate?
Rich, can you get a link for the full hour? I have been looking but can’t find one…thanks
Comment by Brady is my Man Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 5:04 pm
Fed: well first, we weren’t talking about flip flopping, and second, Brady sponsored the bill to kill dogs in this manner…some view a pol changing his mind as weak, but I think I’d rather be viewed as a flopper than someone who couldn’t or wouldn’t change their mind if my political future and public welfare was at stake….
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 5:04 pm
Several of us have asked the IEA to post the full debate. It was promised for Monday but I have a hunch that it is going to be a while due to the technical glitches and the size of the file.
Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 6:04 pm
=== Claypool has wide name recognition and a positive reputation. No one has ever heard of Grota and he won’t get the $ to change that. ===
If you think that Claypool is going to be able to raise BIG BUCKS from his Daley administration buddies to take on Joe Berrios, you’re delusional.
And in answer to an earlier question, Yes, Claypool needs 25,000 VALID signatures from registered voters who DID NOT vote in the 2010 primary.
Oh yes, and he starts with ZERO campaign cash on hand.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 6:22 pm