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* Scott Lee Cohen has a new excuse for why he left the Democratic ticket in February…
“I didn’t want to be in their back room and be one of the good ol’ boys making deals.”
Yeah. OK. Completely believable. As credible as saying he didn’t know his massage parlor girlfriend was a prostitute.
* Our quote of the day…
“Illinois is the laughingstock of the nation when it comes to politics,” Cohen said. “It’s time to change our image.”
By electing a guy who allegedly knifed a hooker, tried to rape his wife and did things like this?…
“Ever since I filed for divorce (Scott Lee Cohen) continually threatens me in writing, by leaving me intimidating notes,” she alleged. “He stopped leaving me handwritten notes on paper, when he discovered I just take them down. Now he leaves harassing messages on my mirror in lipstick, so everyone, including my grandchildren who live with me can see these notes.”
* What disturbs me about this “listening tour” of his is that reporters appear to be bending over backwards to write the usual, AP style stories on him that barely touch on the gigantic controversy which drove him from the race just a few months ago…
“As an independent, my whole campaign is based on the people of Illinois and not the parties. I could care less about the Democrats or the Republicans. My loyalty and devotion lies with the people of Illinois,” he said.
That message resonated with Starlin Stewart, a 68-year-old retiree and lifelong Springfield resident. Stewart said she did not know much about Cohen when he introduced himself to her.
But she liked what he had to say and figured an independent would be a welcome change from the usual two-party choice.
There is a responsibility in this business to report the story as it is, but Cohen is not your usual suspect. If Downstate reporters continue to write drivel like that, then they’ll be at least partially responsible for any momentum he might pick up.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:16 am
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this isn’t worthy of discussion-I look forward to the end of the trial next week when we can focus on the kirk-mobster race. Do we have a range yet of when we’ll hear a jury verdict on blago and when sentencing might take place?
Comment by shore Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:25 am
we can focus on the kirk-mobster race.
At least be slightly more balanced and call it the serial liar/mobster race.
Comment by dave Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:29 am
Take a step back. If you want to be a journalist be a journalist. If you want to be a political operative be a political operative. But don’t try to do both. The only thing that serves is ego.
Comment by FirstAmmendment Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:31 am
And I thought to myself this morning, geez kind of a slow political day, Miller will have to pick on his usual suspects for his hits today…lets see..Hoffman, Cohen…i give this post 10 seconds life…
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:33 am
What I find so “interesting” this entire cycle, is that with the internet … and blogging … and facebook … and youtube, etc., the “mainstream” media” has had golden opprtunities to expose a Scott Lee Cohen to make some hay, or expose Jason Plummer and his cover story … and yet, especially in these two instances, we find ourselves wondering why the readers complain how mainstream was not fully engaged, while the mainstream complains how they are able to NOT compete 24/7 with the new meida platforms. Yet … those stories festered, undiscovered for weeks and months.
Another example is the congressional race in SC, with the Dem nominee winning unexpectedly and still the mainstream media and new media is behind the curve.
My point? Is it easier to just package the typical stories like we are seeing for SLC, and THEN have the mainstram blame new media, so that laziness has an exuse?
Just wondering, especially after every media type has taken some blame for SLC, and admitted by the type of questioning we know precious little about Jason Plummer.
Has new media made it acceptable for the mainstream to be lazy?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:34 am
Irisheyesrsmilin, our resident SLC supporter. I was wondering when you’d show up. You need to take some lessons from Bill and be a bit more creative with your goofiness.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:35 am
Is this crossposted from JournoList?
Since when is it the media’s job to take away a candidate’s momentum?
Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:36 am
===Has new media made it acceptable for the mainstream to be lazy? ===
No, it’s just done a good job of exposing that laziness.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:36 am
You know, I am getting tired of the constant beat up on SLC, lets report the issues regardless of who is commenting, from Quinn to Brady to SLC to Whitney.. Come on some fairness Rich
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:38 am
Good Point, Rich …
I guess I am interested in the discussion of the duality of taking blame of not doing enough in the instances I cited, and yet, the williness to continue the laziness(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:38 am
Independent …
If SLC stayedon the ticket, it would be 10 times worse in coverage, because … how in the world can someone with the background of a SLC could get the coverage he is getting, glossing over the reality you think SLC should not be able to run away from … thus coverage like this.
SLC got a pass last time, Rich and others are making sure we ALL do not forget what is behind all this fluff. BTW, just read the “back room deals” quote …I mean, where is his credibility on anything ethical?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:42 am
The scary thing about this is that corruption and criminal acts by Illinois are becoming so common that they are almost to be expected. I am not saying that SLCs actions are comparable to Blago’s, or Ryan’s but I think to a lot of voters feel they are all in the same boat.
Add to that the poor choices that voters have for the upcoming election and the total ineptness displayed consistently by both major party candidates and SLC begins to look like a viable other choice. As the two parties watch this all unfold they can only blame themselves for this fiasco. They both and especially the Dems have decided not to lead. And they have chosen not to address the major issue facing the State. So SLC becomes the other choice. Whitney and the Green Party also bear part of the blame by having the possible ability to become a viable choice but not wanting it.
Comment by Irish Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:44 am
So you HAVE been enticing me…sneaky little devil.
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:46 am
I am not saying that we can ignore anyone’s discretions but I would like to hear more about the issues and where they are talking about. It is not the medias role in my view to advocate the defeat of someone. It is the people’s choice, and I am a firm believer of that. As a political junkie, this is the part that drives me insane. We have to let the people decide for themselves and our journalists should try to be as objective as possible. I am not coming down on Rich as I am everyone. I am tired of name calling from Flipflopper to turncoat to even Pawnbroker. Lets stop that stuff is what I ask.
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:48 am
Sorry - me@11:44 - first line …by Illinois politicians…
Comment by Irish Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:49 am
I look at this in a way that makes sense for me …
If someone is “interviewing” for a job, and there is relevant information that lends to a good decision in hiring someone … then its important to know …
If … during the interview, the prospective “employee” is found to be unacceptable, or refuses to disclose background information that is relevant to a character issue necessary for the job … or how about their refernces stink! … Then, there is an obligation during the process, that when the glossing over of the reality of the “candidate” for the job is going on, and forgetting important parts of who that candidate may be … then in an interview, they usually don’t get passes …. like a SLC is getting in the media.
That is where I am at on this issue, and understand Rich’s frustration, on this and many other levels too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:55 am
Rich does not want to repeat the mistake that many in the press made last year, which was to give this guy’s indiscretions a pass. Seriously, the degree to which some voters can forget salient facts about the candidates, even after just a few months, is a little scary … reminders from the press are important. Especially for a candidate who appears to be trying to whitewash his documented record.
Comment by ZC Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:57 am
Okay, heres 3 examples for your formula Oswego, Alexi Giannoulias, George Ryan and Jesse Jackson Jr. What do you say to that?
I say go after all of them too. Just be fair.
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 11:57 am
===Come on some fairness Rich ===
It is unfair to give him a pass. Period.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:00 pm
Have you been on this site … George’s crew wouldn’t even talk to Rich at one point … Alexi gets his share, wether he is saying something, or hiding for a couple weeks …
Jesse Jackson, Jr., I think with all that may be unfolding, you may see congressman more … but for now he is stuck in that seat, waiting for fallout, as we will wait too …
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:01 pm
IMD, you are obviously a newcomer. Go back through the archives before you make yourself look totally foolish.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:04 pm
Also …
If you told me ….I got a candidate … now, this candidate was not making child payments, abusive, and could not get the ex-wife to refute those fax … all the while, in recent history, this candidate “dated” and alleged prostitute, unknowingly, then threatend her via knife, and the girlfriend went into hiding when that candidate wanted her to refute THOSE accusations …
Now ….
Honestly ….
Do you think for 1 second that that candidate would be getting the “fair” press SLC is getting lately?
I mean … you want to make THAT case?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:04 pm
I am on this site everyday and a devoted fan. The difference I see to this is the writing of the hits on Alexi vs. SLC.
Rich, I have to ask and I mean this in the best of ways, what determines fairness on issue based reporting? IF SLC unvails a policy that is significant, will you report it as it is? Lay people don’t like the constant browbeating.
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:05 pm
The easy answer is that this site isn’t for “lay people.” lol
Also, SLC is in a class by himself. If you can’t see that, then you’re completely blind.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:06 pm
Oswego, I have to say I do not work for SLC and am not saying who I am voting for. I will say this, I would love to meet you for a beer and discuss this in person. You would be a good and fun sparring partner. SLC should answer the alligations himself, that I will say. I am sure he will.
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:08 pm
IMD, a beer is always a good thing … but, something to kleep in mind ….
SLC has YET to answer the “alligations”, and its been 5 months … and his ex-girlfriend and ex-wife have already made it clear … they ain’t changing their story ….
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:10 pm
I do not like being insulted. Rich, I have been reading but only taken to commenting recently.
Comment by Independent Minded Dem Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:11 pm
“this site isn’t for ‘lay people’” nor blind people either I guess, Independent Minded Dem. Lots of social casting here. Hey, it sells.
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:13 pm
If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch…
Comment by Tangerine Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:15 pm
“If Downstate reporters continue to write drivel like that, then they’ll be at least partially responsible for any momentum [Cohen] might pick up.”
Quinn and Brady will be responsible for the rest of it.
Comment by The End Is Near Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:20 pm
In defense of Rich and this blog, I don’t consider it to be news reporting. I consider Rich’s blog more in line with opinion journalism, and as such, Rich is well within his rights to present his material any way he wishes.
On the other hand, if Rich considers this a “newspaper” of sorts, I would argue with him that it certainly isn’t.
In any event, caveat emptor, we are all here voluntarily. For one, I thank Rich for the forum to present my views.
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:21 pm
===I do not like being insulted. ===
I don’t like being insulted by someone as clueless as yourself.
This blog is about a whole lot of things. Everyone is free to express their opinions, but I insist that they be based on facts.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:26 pm
I just find SLC disgusting. I can’t get enough of the Blagojevich trial, and find it hilarious, but despite the massive amounts of irony surrounding SLC’s candidacy, it just makes me sick.
Whitney is a far more serious candidate, with probably the most detailed policies of any of the candidates. I know everyone’s criticisms - he only raised 40K in the last filing period, etc. A lot of Whitney’s success will depend on the media giving him a fair shake like they did towards the end of the cycle in 2006.
But the media, not just in Illinois, loves the story of the independently wealthy independent. Remember all that talk about Bloomberg for president? But SLC isn’t just an independently wealthy independent. He’s also a violent criminal. I’d take Blagojevich, Keyes, George W Bush, or anyone over that guy. The media screwed up on him so bad, that they should feel obligated to include the words “attempted rape” in every article. See how that resonates with voters.
I’m also disgusted that the Democrats didn’t challenge his petitions, no matter how many he turned in. Especially with the news articles that suggested fraud might have been going on. They regularly harass Greens, Libertarians, Republicans, and Dem primary challengers, but they gave SLC a pass for no conceivable reason.
Comment by Sacks Romana Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:27 pm
Its your world Rich. You call the shots. You tell that blind, lay, clueless pup on the porch where to go.
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:32 pm
- they gave SLC a pass for no conceivable reason. -
Yeah, other than there were 120,000 signatures which means only about 1 in 5 had to be valid. Its ok though, I know you Greens don’t really understand the concept of futile. And saying Whitney is a far more serious candidate is kind of like saying having one leg is better than none in a footrace against horses.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:43 pm
“Also, SLC is in a class by himself. If you can’t see that, then you’re completely blind.”
Not quite…there is always Al Gore.
Comment by John Powers Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:47 pm
=== IF SLC unvails a policy that is significant, will you report it as it is?===
What would be the point? Every once in a while a candidate comes around with so little personal integrity that his policy stances are relatively meaningless. SLC is one of those candidates.
Additionally, you clearly don’t know have a very strong grasp on SLC or his camp. There are no policy wonks there–it is a bunch of people feeding relatively well-messaged punch lines to him.
Lastly, the word is unveil, not unvail.
Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 12:51 pm
Obamarama don’t call me a wonk.
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:01 pm
rich, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but i couldn’t disagree with you more here.
i notice that in just about every news story about cohen, the writer goes out of his/her way to bring up cohen’s personal past, kinda like a caveat. and, at this point it is very unfair.
i think the public is well aware of his past thanks to what happened after the primary. i’m not sure why there is a need to keep harping on his past. if the media electronic or print is going to that then they need to and should do that for everyone, right?
some of the stories about cohen’s positions on policy issues contain 3-4 pargraphs on his position and then 1-2 paragraps about his past problems w/ drugs, girlfriends, wife and child support. i’m not sure what sense it makes to discuss his views on the budget then in the same story talk about his personal past, which really has nothing to do with public finance/budgeting.
if cliff kelly, jim laski etc. can have their bad pasts overlooked, and their bad pasts involved betraying the public trust for which both were convicted of their crimes, then I am not sure why a distinction is being made in cohen’s case. if cliff kelly and jim laski etc. were running for public office, i certainly would want to know about their criminal past behavior as elected officials, because that has a direct bearing/relevancy on the duties that they would be doing in future as elected officials, in terms of can they be trusted to execute the duties of their office ethically and honestly?
@sacks, i agree that it would be nice to hear from whitney a lot sooner than later.
Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:17 pm
===i’m not sure why there is a need to keep harping on his past. ===
He’s never fully owned up to it, so that’s one reason.
If you think the public is aware of his past, think again.
kelly and laski aren’t running for anything.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:20 pm
WCW -
The rationale is this … SLC has zero credibility to discussing anything in which he questions anyone else’s credibility!
According to you, if someone doesn’t KNOW of SLC by now, then its up to that person to find out. Well, it’s that thinking in the primary that got us … SLC. According to you, WCW, I take you position also to mean, take no responsibility for your actions, because if others aren’t aware, or are just indifferent, then you are good to go! WCW, do you have any worth for integrity in someone?
Second chances are what make this counrty great, but here is a guy, who asked his ex-wife to vouch for him, got a “no”, asked his ex-girfriend/”alleged” prostitute to vouch for him and she hid … at what point do you say, yeah, integrity matters.(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:23 pm
More attacks on SLC on CapFax. Shocking. Remember when you chided the man for not having a chance on getting on the ballot? Ya. He did.
Re all your allegations, last time I checked, this is America. Innocent until proven guilty. They were assaulted? Press charges and have it proven in a court of law. Until then, I thought this was supposed to provide state wide race coverage not subjective diatribes.
You realize this is equivalent to George Bush Jr giving a speech but you providing no coverage of the speech only to note that he was arrested for a DUI. Or looking back on Clintons tenure only to note that he had the gall to have “sexual relations” in the oval office. There’s a bigger picture here, and you are missing it.
Comment by Patriot Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:24 pm
If anyone wanted to question the “knowledge” of the average voter, I hope to goodness they do not look to the defenders of SLC as the typical person voting, otherwise we are far worse off than I ever thought!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:28 pm
Also, WCW, you have backed SLC since all this came out for one reason: Your often bizarre hatred of Quinn. At least own up to your weird rationales for things.
Link, link and link.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:28 pm
WCW, I particularly “enjoyed” this one…
===having worked victims of domestic violence, i think the domestic violence organizations would be wise to stay out of this. this is not their fight or issue, and as many rely on taxpayer funding to provide specific services and programs, going after slc is not within scope or mission of domestic violence organizations. they need to focus their attention on those they serve—that is what they are paid to do! ===
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:28 pm
You can’t underestimate Cohen’s “independent” vote-getting potential from a public that doesn’t keep up with politics. Every story has to mention his social past. With him we know his dirty laundry before he’s running instead of afterward like other politicians… but the voters will still vote for him because they are tired of the “status quo” and “party politics”. Quinn and Brady need to bring him into debates whether they want to or not. They need to show the public that independent isn’t neccessariy better.
Comment by Bonsaso Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:29 pm
=== Since when is it the media’s job to take away a candidate’s momentum? ===
I don’t think its the media’s “responsibility” to take away or support a candidate’s momentum.
But it is the responsibility of a Free Press to inform the public debate with all the relevant facts.
Any story that mentions independent candidate Scott Lee Cohen’s campaign for governor and ignores the tortuous path by which he reached this point over the past four months simply isn’t doing its job.
And as a responsible media critic, Rich is just reminding those reporters who just months ago were ringing their hands over Cohen’s Lt. Gov nomination “How did this happen?!?” that history will repeat itself if they don’t do their job.
What the impact on the election will be, I don’t know. My bet is that the richest well of votes for Cohen is among the Tea Party wing of the GOP…small business owner, political outsider running against two career politicians. He certainly won’t be pulling votes from the Democratic base or the Quigley Wing of the Democratic Party.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:32 pm
===having worked victims of domestic violence, i think the domestic violence organizations would be wise to stay out of this. this is not their fight or issue, and as many rely on taxpayer funding to provide specific services and programs, going after slc is not within scope or mission of domestic violence organizations. they need to focus their attention on those they serve—that is what they are paid to do! ===
WCW: since so many of the women they serve seem to have dated Scott Lee Cohen, this seems like a wise use of resources.
P.S. In case you hadn’t heard, their taxpayer funding has been almost completely eliminated, BTW.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:34 pm
A battery of links, links, links. Pointing out the FACT that WCW has OPINONS.
Comment by Irisheyesrsmilin' Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:34 pm
===There’s a bigger picture here, and you are missing it. ===
LOL. You’re missing it. The guy is obviously not telling the truth to the point where he’s beyond laughable and you’re defending him? Great. Stick with that line of attack on me. I enjoy it.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:36 pm
SLC has not, by his complete lack of integrity that got him thrown off the ballot (I am resigning …), earned the right to share a stage with any candiadtes for any office.
If I were Brady, I would say, “For me to share a stage with an alleged abuser of women, a man who can not get those accusing him to defend him… I would do a disservice to all women of Illinois fighting domestic abuses in the household”
If I were Quinn, I would say, “Sharing a stage with a man whom I felt was so repulsing to run with, would undermind the process of giving the people of Illinois a choice of candidates I could look to with integrity. I won’t share a ballot with him, I won’t share a stage with him.”
That is the only way that can go …
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Some farms, small main street … we are getting a Metra station I read … In the fastest growing county in the US … but that can be a negative too …
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:44 pm
Yes, I disagreed with domestic violence organizations getting involved in an effort to remove cohen from the dem ticket, and still do. they were wrong to. those organizations have far too much important work to do that to be involved in cohen’s political aspirations, and they know it! they are not paid to worry about cohen, they are paid to work with victims of domestic abuse, and they know it! so, as you can see my position on that still stands.
and, having worked with female victims of domestic violence, it’s not so much about the male abuser as it is about the female victim. she stays and puts up with the abuse because she lacks self-esteem etc. the abuse ends with her, when she makes the decision that she will no longer tolerate the disrespect, and more importantly no longer allows the abuse. just as a drug abuser will stop when he or she wants to stop. no amount preaching and moaning to people just say no, will stop drug use.
the onus is really on the victim of domestic violence get away and let go, sadly too often female victims of domestic abuse don’t get away because they don’t want to let go,and it’s not about economics e.g., the man being the “breadwinner”, either! please. this isn’t the 1950s when women had few options for careers outside of the home.
I cannot tell or teach a grown woman to have self-esteem. she will have to find and realize her power for herself. the hard part is when there are innocent children involved who are at the mercy of the bad decisions their mother’s make and are subjected to the abuse that their mother’s go through, just so that she can say, I got a “man.”
Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:50 pm
Isn’t BLAMING the victim …something those programs SHY away from …
If I understnd you … You can NOT teach self-esteem, so if a woman feels compeled to be WITH an abuser, it her own fault …
I thought those programs are geared towards making a transition to help, not throw their hands up???
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:55 pm
Yellow Dog,
As someone who gives money to women’s organizations, I do not appreciated any funds (public or private) being diverted from the REAL mission/purpose! None of these organizations are PACs.
Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:56 pm
So there is ZERO misunderstanding ….
I am asking WCW for clarification, I am just confused on her train of thought …
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 1:56 pm
Oswego, I donate to these causes because they are trying to help. i’m cool with my money providing safe shelter, clothing etc. for women who are need it, and are ready to move forward with their lives. (I need to know that my money is being put to good use in that way, i’d really rather not know or think that my money is in anyway being wasted. domestic violence is a frsutrating issue to begin with)
I no longer work for these organizations because I couldn’t take the victims with children who all too often put their absuer and his needs above their children’s. I wasn’t supposed to be judgmental, and I failed.
Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:07 pm
Ok, thank you for that. I misunderstood your rationale from whaere you were coming from, and now I do.
I think we can both agree abuse is something that should not be tolerated, and if someone is considered an abuser, be it either by the courts, or victims calling their abusers out, those abusers should feel the public wrath of their crimes, and not be exhalted to fame, be it in celebrity … or in politics …
Wouldn’t you?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:12 pm
WCW - Thank you so much for making Rich’s point for him and helping to illustrate the problem with SLC’s candidacy.
When mainstream media mentions in passing his crimes and then goes on to lend legitimacy to his campaign then the apathetic voter gets desensitized to impact of the crimes, places SLC in the same lump as all of the other crooks that are running and have run for office, figures he is no different and then listens to what sound bite he has been fed. All the while thay are not fully comprehending that he is an abuser and should not even be considered as a candidate. You too apparently have been desensitized to the impact this type of person has or have some admiration for the male bully.
I do not know where you work but I know of no professional, credible, agency or organization that deals with battered women that would sanction your belief that the victim is at fault.
Comment by Irish Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:14 pm
===all too often put their absuer and his needs above their children’s.===
Kinda sounds like what you’re doing here. Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:20 pm
Irish,
WCW said she had failed in her charge, and gave a reason that could be at least understood, albeit something the industry strives not to have at all, as to why she left that type of work …
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:22 pm
That is why I asked if she could agree with my premise … If not, … is she not chosing Cohen over the two women he allegedly abused, and whose storeis these women have yet to back away from?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:24 pm
It’s ok to slam SLC at every turn and diminish credibility, yet when it comes to the problems of Alexi, the author of the blog writes a column in a major Chicago newspaper imploring the other media types to stop piling on him.
Interesting.
I think it’s a fair comparison to make between Rich Miller and Ezra Klein of the recently-ended Journolist in DC. I, for one, wonder the scope of the site and if it’s used by other media types to advance agendas.
Just sayin’
Comment by Logical Thinker Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:26 pm
===the author of the blog writes a column in a major Chicago newspaper===
Yeah, I wrote a column about Alexi in the CS-T a couple weeks ago blasting him. Of course, your partisan sunglasses prevent you from seeing this.
Idiot.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:28 pm
I think they are covering SLC with kid gloves because they are told to by their bosses in the hopes that he dumps another couple mil. from his engagement ring empire on their faultering advirtising departments. At least, that is what I hope. They can’t be taking him seriously, right?
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:28 pm
==domestic violence is a frsutrating issue to begin with==
Yes, it is, and considering SLC says we should ignore it because “it happened five years ago” should be alarmed…
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:31 pm
Look, people can change, and his wife says he has changed. I get that. I can even believe it.
But he is obviously attempting to rewrite history here. That should in no way be defended, and I’m appalled that some of you would accept those lies and whine on his behalf. Actually, I’m disgusted with some of you.
SLC gets no pass here. Deal with it or leave.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Vote Quimby,
actually, people should be more alarmed by and with the victims who don’t press charges. more common than anyone thinks. and that’s a large part of what makes working on domestic violence so frustrating. again, talk to any police officer. Do you know what his girlfriend did not press charges? I think cohen’s mention of how long ago the incident happened it not to make an excuse but may be more of an attempt on his part to put it into persepective e.g., when he says that he changed.
Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:53 pm
WCW -
Although the charges were never followed through, Cohen admitted that he was charged. In that same breath, SLC stated if you asked his wife, he didn’t do it. the ex-wife said he changed, but never backed off on the abuse claim or the child support claim.
SLC also asked … ASKED… that his alleged prostitute/ex-girlfriend come forward to make right the fact that the knife incident never happened, even though SLC admitted he was indeed charged. Finding that ex-girlfriend/massage therapist/alleged prostitute, she never took back any allegations either.
So …
You ask why the anger and what do we hope to accomplish?
SLC …changing a history he admitted, then he tries to get others to change, then couldn’t get them to change their stories … and then we are talking about abuse and holding a knife to a woman … and then just finally saying its all lies … at what point do you want credibility questioned in candidates …
This is pretty clear. You want to forgive, etc., great.
Know this: not one story he asked from a victim to refute has happened … and SLC himself promised that all would be crystal clear on his 1st WTTW with Phil Ponce … we are all still waiting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 2:57 pm
- Do you know what his girlfriend did not press charges? -
You know, women should definitely press charges when they are abused, but that doesn’t make it NOT the abuser’s fault. Are you really this insane? So Cohen gets a pass from you because women don’t report abuse enough. Wow.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:01 pm
===I am asking WCW for clarification, I am just confused on her train of thought===
I think that train derailed a while back but it is good to read her ramblings again.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:11 pm
It is pretty fascinating, to me at least, to see how many people are supporting, and almost even justifying, Scott Lee Cohen and his past.
Do you people really not think his knife yielding, prostitute dating, steroid using, woman beating/abusing/harassing past isn’t relevant and shouldn’t be talked about?
Unbelievable.
Comment by dave Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:13 pm
WCW, you’re being deleted because you are so intellectually dishonest as to be pathological. Goodbye.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:16 pm
- having someone like you feel threatend by me is an honor. -
Delusion can be awful fun.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:42 pm
Rich to clarify, the article I referenced was written by you on 4/12/10. Here are just a few quotes from it that I find interesting in light of your recent vendetta against a few candidates:
“But some of the media coverage is going far over the top lately, and a few people in Chicago really need to take a breath already.
The media went off its collective rocker in the closing years of George Ryan’s term and the Republican Party paid a steep price for a very long time. I wrote quite a few stories about media overreach back then, and I think it’s past time for another one.”
AND
“The bank is obviously a victim here, but Giannoulias is repeatedly hammered because the reporters and editors engaging in a wild feeding frenzy apparently don’t stop to think about what they’re really doing. Overboard.”
AND
“But this very disturbing media trend of making stuff up or creating controversy out of thin air really needs to end.”
Comment by Logical Thinker Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 3:58 pm
LT, way to go at taking things completely out of context.
The media was making things up out of thin air at the time, and somebody needed to call them on it. Am I making anything up at all about Cohen? No.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:23 pm
In regards to SLC, and domestic violence, and knives to throats, and massage therapist/alleged prostitute/former girlfriend, and missing child support …
Any of those, in themselves, are over the top … if some candidates thinks they can run with this baggage and NOT get hammered, they need to be taken to task! If due dilligence was done for the primary, we would have been done with SLC …
Since we all let him get out of the priamry, we are all responsible for this not to happen again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 4:24 pm
Even if we write off the domestic violence, prostitution, and drug use charges as merely unproven allegations that happened years ago, that still leaves the matter of his unpaid child support, (IIRC it was in excess of $50,000) which can be, or should be, readily documented (doesn’t HFS keep track of deadbeat parents?).
Moreover, the unpaid child support is a CURRENT issue. As recently as 6 months ago, SLC was merrily spending $2 million + on running for lite guv while neglecting his obligation to support his children. If he had the money to mount a run for public office, he can’t claim he was too broke to pay his kids’ child support. That, alone, would be a deal breaker for me.
Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Jul 22, 10 @ 5:55 pm