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*** UPDATE *** If this newly posted AP story is any gauge, Sen. Hendon’s comments have “worked” to get the message out about Brady’s voting record…
Republican Bill Brady’s views on abortion, gay rights and other social issues are getting new attention, but the candidate for governor says his focus is on jobs and money.
State Sen. Rickey Hendon harshly attacked Brady’s record over the weekend, calling his fellow senator “idiotic.” And an abortion-rights group is running an ad pointing out Brady’s position.
Brady opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. He also opposes including gay people in the state law against job and housing discrimination.
Brady has criticized legislation requiring equal pay for equal work, and he opposes gun control.
* As I told subscribers this morning, Sen. Rickey Hendon’s comments over the weekend put Gov. Pat Quinn in a real trick bag. And even though Hendon kinda/sorta apologized for them on WLS Radio this morning, I’m not sure this is over yet.
In case you somehow missed it, Hendon called Bill Brady some very ugly things…
“I’ve never served with such an idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic person in my life,” Hendon said before introducing Gov. Quinn. “If you think that the minimum wage needs to be three dollars an hour, vote for Bill Brady. If you think that women have no rights whatsoever, except to have his children, vote for Bill Brady. If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady.”
Here’s the video taken from CBS2’s story (which is here). Notice how Gov. Quinn embraces Hendon after Hendon’s speech…
Brady and others have called for a Quinn apology and renunciation of Hendon…
Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady says Governor Quinn should apologize to the people of Illinois for what Hendon said about Brady.
But Quinn said he is not apologizing for comments he himself did not make. Brady suggested he and Hendon should say they’re sorry.
“It’s not about me — it’s about the people of Illinois,” Brady, a state senator and businessman from Bloomington, says. “They are disgusted with campaigns that go to that level. I think (Quinn) needs to apologize, and he should renounce Hendon from his campaign.”
Poll numbers from the Tribune…
With little more than a week before the Nov. 2 election, Quinn has wanted to put the focus on his vast differences with Brady’s record on social issues to an electorate that largely is concerned about the economy and jobs. Hendon provided the political cover to do so.
Quinn’s support among African-American voters is weak for a Democrat, a new Tribune/WGN poll shows. Among women statewide, Quinn is barely ahead. And among white suburban women, who tend to be moderate on issues such as abortion, Quinn and Brady are running even.
So, Hendon helped focus a “weak” black base, but likely turned off that all-important suburban white woman demographic.
* As mentioned above, Hendon kinda/sorta apologized today. From WLS Radio…
Now Hendon tells Cisco Cotto on WLS, “On your show right now I will apologize to the people of the state of Illinois if they were offended by what I said, but I will not apologize to Bill Brady for telling the truth about his voting record,” Hendon said.
The full audio is here. And here’s the relevant snippet with more context…
Will it work?
* Also, the Sun-Times editorialized on Brady’s views today…
When we ask conservative Republicans running for office this year where they stand on important social issues like gun control and abortion, we typically get a canned response that goes like this:
“Golly, when I knock on doors and talk to the voters, they just don’t care about that stuff. All they want to talk about is jobs.”
There is truth to that. The bad economy is foremost on the mind of most voters.
But that response is also a transparent dodge, a way to divert attention from what can be extreme, even dangerous, views.
In Illinois, nobody has played dodgeball harder than state Sen. Bill Brady, the GOP nominee for governor. And nobody has had better reason. Brady’s deeply conservative views on many social issues, if widely known, would appall the more moderate Republican and independent voters he needs to win.
* Roundup…
* Mark Brown: Brady cash flood make mockery of disclosure laws: These are among the many individuals and corporations fueling the Republican Governors Association, which reported dumping another $1.4 million into Illinois late last week, channeling the money through a shell campaign fund, RGA Illinois 2010 PAC, that was created for the purpose of helping Brady. The group’s latest donation pushes its total involvement in the Brady campaign past the $6.8 million mark, which I believe to be unprecedented in an Illinois state election.
* When Brady fought the neighbors: Dave Anderson, who retired as Normal city manager in 1998, said he’s never walked out of a meeting with the Bradys. “And I can’t say that about every subdivider in town,” he said. That willingness to negotiate goes hand-in-hand with what observers say is a concern to protect the family’s reputation. Among the family’s many charitable efforts was building a home in Philo last year for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” just months before Brady won the Republican gubernatorial primary.
* Quinn jobs claims a little shaky
* Mike Lawrence: Neither Brady nor Quinn has made his case
* You wouldn’t elect a puppy killer, would you?
* Find out where Quinn, Brady stand on budget, taxes
* Quinn targets Chicago; Brady’s focus downstate
* No rest for candidates for governor Sunday
* Candidates woo independent voters on weekend
* Gubernatorial candidates stump in Metro East
* Southern: Time for fresh start in Illinois state government
* Herald & Review: Bill Brady is best choice for Illinois governor
* Pantagraph: Quinn hasn’t been a leader; it’s Brady’s turn
* Southtown Star: Give Quinn 4-year term
* Brady speaks with business owners in Crystal Lake
* Green offers second Bloomington option for governor
* Whitney ad to air on Comedy Central and MSNBC
* Political experience, age differ widely in race for lieutenant governor between Plummer, Simon
* Plummer: Lack of policy not lagging resources is to blame
* SJ-R: Elect Madigan, White again
* RR Star: Lisa Madigan deserves third term as attorney general
* Madigan faces novice for attorney general
* Dispatch-Argus: State treasurer, comptroller
* Topinka believes her experience would help state
* Kelly, Rutherford square off in treasurer race
* State Rep. Miller makes pitch for comptroller
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:15 pm
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Thank you, Ricky.
Thank you.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:19 pm
So Brady wants Quinn to apologize for Hendon? Oh please. . .Brady is playing the martyr card. The reality is most of us who belong to one or more of the groups Hendon cited have legitimate concerns about the Brady when it comes to the issues Hendon raised.
Would I have said it the way the Hendon did? No. Was Quinn right to distance himself? Yes. Does Quinn owe Brady an apology? Hell no. Was Hendon right? Well he wasn’t wrong, his delivery was though.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:27 pm
It’s not as though Hendon’s characterization of Brady is inaccurate. What amazes me is that a career politician like Hendon would put one of his coworkers in that position. Dumb mistake by Hendon, meaning he fits right into the rest of the cast of characters this cycle. Kirk’s wild exaggerations, Giannoulias’ family bank mismanagement. Where do they get these people?
Comment by Thomas Westgard Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:29 pm
No, Hendon’s characterization of Brady was not only wildly inaccurate, it was downright assinine, and that you liberals don’t get that just shows to what level you’ll stoop to save yourselves.
Brady wants to shoot gays in the head? He wants to revoke all rights for women and become the Ghengis Khan of the Midwest by making them have his children?
Are you FREAKING serious?
And I bet you’re the same crowd that becomes absolutely unglued if someone calls Obama a socialist too.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:32 pm
The rhetoric always ratches up a knotch towards the end, but it is really sad that this type of talk is what motivates your base.
Comment by you Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:32 pm
We will see how weak the miniority vote is on Election day. You may be in for a real surpise, especially in Chicago.
Comment by wordgirl204 Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:33 pm
These type of comments are only brushed off when made by people on the left. The Sun Times story describes Rickey Hendon as “the always outspoken” state Senator. That may be true, but these were not the words of someone being “out spoken” they are hateful and show Hendon’s true colors.
This is the same Rickey Hendon who mis appropriated state money for an after school program and used it for his campaign, and said Rod was not getting a fair hearing in the impeachment process. Thanks for the help Rickey, you may have sealed the deal for Bill Brady in 2010.
Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:33 pm
I know many here have a grudging respect for Hendon, in the sense of “hate the game, not the player”, because he executes “the game” very flamboyantly and thus brings much entertainment to jaded followers of state politics.
I think he’s an example of the very worst things about the Senate, and I think he’s disgraceful because of how he plays this “game”. It’s insulting to his own constituency, and to all Illinoisans. If you’ve heard one off “Hollywood’s” rants in the senate over the years, a lot of the same insults he hurled at Brady could equally apply right back at him. This is not something to be celebrated and modeled.
Why Quinn’s people thought getting up on stage with Hendon this close to the election was a good idea, I can’t fathom. Thanks to his misstep, it takes several news cycles worth of attention OFF the very campaign issues they were trying to make, maybe a weeks worth. Hendon is not for any issues; Hendon is always for Hendon. First and last. The whole thing makes me want to facepalm.
Comment by Newsclown Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:34 pm
In Re: Hendon
If you have ever seen Senator Hendon’s antics on the floor this is par for the course. It is unfortunate that Democratic Party Leadership doesn’t tell him to put a sock in it.
Comment by Sporty41 Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Hendon did was dumb and in many cases inaccurate, for example can he back up the claim that Brady is racist? Hendon want a rant that sounds far more like what a angry teen or college student would be screaming than a state senator. I am willing to bet he did far more harm to Quinn than good.
Comment by RMW Stanford Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:37 pm
- And I bet you’re the same crowd that becomes absolutely unglued if someone calls Obama a socialist too. -
Yeah, and you’re part of the same crowd that said the only thing John Kerry did in Vietnam was shoot a young boy in the back. Stop acting so self-righteous.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Hendon should resign. Those comments were so outrageous, that if someone on the right had made comparable remarks, the media would have skewered him.
And Quinn hugs him afterwards??? Are the Dems this low and this desperate?
Comment by Wally Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:41 pm
John B. Well said. Just let someone on the right say something this “obscene” and watch the reaction on the left. It would not be forgiven or forgotten.
Comment by wizard Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Has Mark Kirk apologized for targeting Black voters for harassment?
It seems we live in a world where being racist is less of a sin than calling someone racist.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:42 pm
wizard, try not to be so thenthitive.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:42 pm
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***
After reading Small Town Liberals comments, I must change my original position. Because someone on the right said something bad about John Kerry a half decade ago, it is now verifiably true that Republicans will not only kill your black children, we will, in fact, eat your babies. That’s why we’re against abortion, after all, you’d hate for us fat Republicans to go on a diet now… we get cranky.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:45 pm
I don’t think Ricky’s “I am sorry if you were offended” apology is going to do a ton of good.
I would be interesting to see how you could use this in an ad without stirring up a host of problems.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:47 pm
Last warning: If all you want to talk about is this goofy cable TV stuff about which side can or can’t get away with something, or you want to rehash old fights, you’re going to be deleted from now on.
Let’s focus on Hendon. If you can’t do that, go away.
Last and final warning. Deletions and possible banishment to follow.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:47 pm
I’m afraid the inevitable chickens are coming home to roost for all the folks (including some on this blog) who over the years have laughed and smirked at Hollywood’s goofiness, enjoyed his off-the-reservation beyond politically incorrect remarks, and overlooked it all as “awww, that’s just Rickey being Rickey.”
Brady’s social positions, explained responsibly, are fair game for this election. But, Rickey being Rickey saying that Brady hates gay people and would put them in a room and shoot them is NOT responsible. It is so offensive, so slanderous, so wrong, so despicable and so beyond the pale that it literally boggles the mind.
If Quinn does not instinctively know that he must immediately, personally, and forcefully denounce that particular statement by name, and also the one about taking the minimum wage to $3.00, then all his upcoming sanguine “you know me” ads will fall on deaf ears. Because clearly, Pat, you are not the decent and honorable guy you have been pretending to be.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:48 pm
@Carl you know his hasn’t and won’t. Unfortunately Kirk’s base likes it. The targeting of Black voters plays right into the GOP’s southern strategy. Its a dog whistle to their base that votes coming from Black and Hispanic precincts is to be called into question and it may result in some folks feeling too intimidated to vote.
Its so easy to criticize Hendon for what he said, its harder to analyze why the folks in attendance applauded and cheered when he said it, and why folks like me agree that Hendon shouldn’t have said it but don’t necessarily disagree with him either.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:48 pm
Rich: LOL Am trying not to be so “thinskinned”
Comment by wizard Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Will Bill Brady benefit from Mark Kirk’s program to harass Black voters?
Has Bill Brady denounced the targeting of Black voters?
It’s not like Rickey Hendon is completely off the mark here.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:50 pm
If this is a preview of the chicago mayoral race, this is going to be a very very ugly winter and spring.
the shooting in the head comment was particularly disgusting. Imagine if a state senator had made a comment about quinn’s position on abortion and what is viewed as baby killing. The chicago media and the entire national democratic party would be going off the walls right now.
I also find it pretty interesting that the media which devoted years of fawning coverage to obama and his move us forward bs, has yet to call him out on the fact that in the 2 major races in his home state his party has played the race card twice in an ugly matter without any sort of reasoning behind it.
As for mark brown, he can take journalism 101, go google the republican governors association and look up their donors online. This is no different than national democrats raising millions of dollars from dc lobbyists and then spending the money to run thousands of ads against congressman kirk.
Comment by shore Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:51 pm
I too must change my position, and second The right Honorable gentleman Bambenek’s motion. We have a motion and second….
Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:53 pm
Carl, please. Yes, Kirk is such a racist he was just endorsed by a group of African American ministers on the West Side this morning. Also, speaking of the Senate race, wasn’t Alexi at this same event where Hendon made these remarks?
Comment by ANON Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:55 pm
Oh the Chicago Mayoral Race is gonna be cannibalistic. I’m stocking up on popcorn now. The only thing missing is some money so I can get Dan Proft to run.
Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:55 pm
Brady was carving a pumpkin in front of our Republican Booth and Wall of Pumpkins at the Highwood Pumpkin Fest, (where they tried to set the Guiness Book of World Record) where he was surrounded by reporters and cameramen.
I was pretty impressed, thinking carving a pumpkin was cute but not THAT newsworthy! After the carving he held a press conference (seen on Fox News Chicago and WGN).
We were wondering why reporters were asking him about charges he was a racist, and a homophobe, etc. etc. etc. People surrounding the press were getting pretty agitated over the questions. I did ask a reporter about it at the conclusion and he indicated that Hendon had gone on “a rampage of wild accusations.”
Today on WGN radio during the morning show, Brady appeared and spoke on the issue. Hendon then called in and did not recant a thing. The host then took 6-7 calls, all but one were sharply critical of Hendon.
So this thing now has been in the news Saturday, Sunday and Today! Tomorrow additional news of the non-apology will be made.
And I thought we Republicans liked to shoot ourselves in the foot!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:56 pm
I dont think Hendon is telling the truth about Brady. My reasoning is that Pres. Obama would have never been poker buddies w Brady if Brady really felt that way. Would he?
BTW Was Obama ever poker buddies w Quinn?
Comment by Larry Mullholland Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:57 pm
- Larry Mullholland - Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 1:57 pm:
“Was Obama ever poker buddies w Quinn?”
I heard they use to play a hot game of Old Maid, or maybe it was War…
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:05 pm
So has Brady apologized for wanting to shoot homosexuals in the head ? Illinois is always entertaining.
Comment by Windy City Mama Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:06 pm
Larry, you would think that but having a poker buddy who was wealthy and an idiot would have some advantages
Comment by OneMan Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:06 pm
What Hollywood Ricky said was political stupid for what it did to Quinn. And, Hollywood’s comments were obscene for how it implied negative, stereotpyes of social conservatives. (for instance,Pro-lifers must be anti-women, etc.)
However, why does everyone demand an apology whenever someone says someting non p.c., controversial, and/or obscene? To often, the same media and same public that gets annoyed with politicians for using double-speak and avoiding any and all substance, then gets mad when a pol says what is really on his mind. So, while it may be politically stupid to not apologize, hollywood ricky has no moral requirment to apologize. In fact, I found Ricky’s statment refreshing, in that, he just stated what everyone in that room felt but was to afraid to say. While I disagree with what Ricky said, at least he was being honest.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:07 pm
Larry, imagine where Brady would be if he had a low post game.
let’s ask Cheryl Axley her feelings about Rickey Sheriff Bart” Hendon calling someone sexist and racist.
My favorite response was from Berrios. He must be an MLB fan as he dismissed it as Ricky being Rickey, simialr to Manny being Manny.
Don’t make Hendon the issue, focus on Quinn’s record.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:08 pm
CubanPilot, please explain each comment that Hendon made and how it is honest. Start with the $3 minimum wage comment. Go!
Comment by Wally Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:16 pm
Quinn has a history of standing by while letting surrogates say nasty things that he’s too “nice” to say himself. https://capitolfax.com/2010/01/30/quinn-keeps-pushing-a-saturday-roundup-and-comments-are-now-closed/
Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:19 pm
At least Hendon did apologize. He has a right to his opinion. His choice of where and when he expressed his opinion was not fit for his office.
So it came to: “This is what I believe.” “Sorry I expressed it at that venue.” “Didn’t mean to offender anyone.”
Good enough. Nobody is perfect. We all have moments that we would change if we could.
Comment by Richard Afflis Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:19 pm
Lyndon Johnson’s ghost needs to visit Hendon and remind him that the point is to make the #%@! deny it, not to give him ammunition to use shooting back at your candidate.
Comment by Pat Robertson Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:21 pm
Rich, you’re giving Hendon waaaay too much credit, event with the “kinda/sorta” disclaimer. He didn’t apologize for what he said. Period. In fact, he did the opposite of that. He declared that “I will not apologize to Bill Brady for telling the truth about his voting record.”
We all know that what Hendon said was anything but “the truth.” And he could have easily put this issue to bed (for himself, as well as the Governor) by saying ‘look, I was exaggerating in order to prove my point, but I do there is legitimate reason to believe his agenda is bad for xyz reasons.’ He ought to be ashamed, and so should Quinn. And to those who are complaining about Brady “playing the martyr,” get over it. Hendon’s re-affirmation and Quinn’s ham-fisted spinning of these ugly comments give Brady every right to call for both of their heads on a platter, politically speaking.
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:25 pm
Ricky Hendon may be the first candidate for Chicago Mayor to drop out in return for his promise -not- to endorse a fellow campaigner.
Comment by ZC Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:28 pm
“At least Hendon did apologize. He has a right to his opinion. His choice of where and when he expressed his opinion was not fit for his office.”
“If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady.”
No Hendon hasn’t really apologized he qualified what he said but his comments were horrific. To say anyone would want to lock up another person and shoot them in the head is completely irresponsible. For Quinn to stand there and say nothing shows a total lack of decency and the fact he can’t repudiate those comments even today shows how much he thinks his political protection is more important the common decency.
Comment by No Way Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:30 pm
As a result of this, Hendon gets Brady to come out and deny that he is sexist, racist, homophobic. Brady would have been smart to let this drop. Instead, there are clips of Hendon playing on the news (radio & TV) all over the state. And while Hendon doesn’t look good, the message is being repeated over and over and over a week before the election.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:33 pm
Should Quinn be required to apologize for something that a well-known “Showboat” and mental midget said to get attention from the media? Of course not. Bill Brady should have handled it by saying that he “considered the source” and did not consider Quinn responsible for what Hendon said. Bill Brady is a good guy but he sometimes tends to listen to what his campaign advisor tells him to say and do “just a little bit too much”. Bill needs to take a chance and be spontaneous once and awhile. Nobody pays any serious attention to what Rickey Hendon ever says anyway.
Comment by Cool Hand Luke Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:36 pm
This isn’t even the most offensive thing that happened this weekend. An incumbent house member actually went through the records of a juvenile ward of the state who was in foster care. They found a petty conviction for shoplifting shoes. Then they used to info to send out a mailer calling her a “convicted criminal”. That’s about the lowest I’ve ever seen anyone stoop in this state, and that’s saying a lot. At least Hollywood takes ownership of his comments.
Comment by First Ammendment Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:37 pm
Umm…excuse me Bambeneck, but haven’t most of those spending the secret $$ on behalf of Brady and others already called Obama a socialist? It seems the biggest issue is that the words came directly from Hendon’s mouth rather than in the form of shady attack ads filled w/ similar statements paid for by amorphous groups funded w/ secret corporate donations. So I demand that Karl Rove apologize for all of those statements–it makes as much sense as demanding Quinn apologize for Hendon.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:46 pm
Wally,
In my opinion, at that moment of his speech, I think Ricky really meant most if not all of what he said about Brady. My comment was about whether Ricky really believed what he said and I think he did. If Ricky really believed it, more power to Ricky. Obviously, since we are talking about Ricky, there was some exageration involved. However, the sentiments of Ricky’s speech were what he felt.
If he honestly felt this opinion, he should not be destroyed for expressing his opinion.
That is what I was commenting about. Hopefully this will not get me banned, but my post was more out of irritation about how politicians and people in general spend their time demanding apologizes for thinigs their opponents have said. In my opinion, this is an offshoot of p.c. culture where people cannot ever offend anyone else. To offend someone is the worst thing you can do. Thus, people of both sides “package” and hide their true feelings and beliefs.
In my opinion, this is detrimental in the long run to the polical system because resentments, stereotypes, and controversial issues don’t get addressed in the open. Instead, important political problems and political beefs that run between different groups get repressed. Yet, these problems linger. MY POINT WAS, here is a politican who says something provactive, and everyone just wants to destroy him for it.
I realize this probably wasn’t the forum to bring up my irritation of how everyone is way too touchy and how this culture hurts the political process. However, after a rough morning, I am howling at the moon. So, I apologize if I annoyed or offended you.
Finally, to directly answer your question, I was not addressing the truth of the matter asserted as to the $3.00 minimum wage statement. However, as to the issue of whether the $3.00 minimum wage statement is correct, it is not true. I have followed Brady for years and I know that he will not reduce the minimum wage to $3.00. However, Ricky and many liberals believe Brady wants to do this or something similar because of this stereotype of the conservative, evil rich guy. That is why the others in the room clapped.
because there is this stereotype that conservatives want to take away your money
Comment by Cuban Pilot Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:51 pm
What’s Jason Plummer think of all this?
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:52 pm
The reason we applauded Ricky is b/c we know the truth and he spoke it.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 2:53 pm
Next Brady Ad
RH clip: Bill brady wants to shoot homosexulas in the back of the head
BB: No, I don’t
RH: Bil Brady wants women to have his babies!
BB: No, I am for traditional marriage
RH: Brady wants to scale back the minimum wage to $3.00/hr
BB: Also a lie from the pat Quinn camp.
I am Bill Brady and I approve of this message.
Also, what is up with the Church pastor alowing that Rhetoric in the building he oversees? Make everyone apologize!
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:01 pm
Ricky is speaking in the most extreme fashion, but the basic truth is there. Brady is against abortion in any instance but the life of the mother, and he is against human rights for lesbians and gay folks. and, Brady does not consider these to be issues, he acts as if these positions don’t matter because he is WAY out of the mainstream on these issues. We may not like how Ricky said it, but the truth hurts, doesn’t it Brady?
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:05 pm
there should be NO apology from Hendon or Quinn. Who was the conservative guy that was in Illinois trashing Mrs. Obama while Brady stood by and clapped?
No apology. Progrssives do not need, nor will we take, a lecture from conservatives who have spent the past 8 years trashing our patriotism (for having the gall to raise questions about Iraq) or from those who made up the death panel lie, shut down congressional town hall meetings, and accused us of ruining the economy when we are, in fact, fixing it.
0 apology needed. Conservatives seem to have rather thin skin lately, running to the Tribune everytime they are hit hard.
Comment by progressive voice Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:17 pm
CubanPilot, you initially said Hendon was being HONEST. And, saying something you believe, if it is not the truth, is not honesty. Sorry.
So, discuss each comment made by ‘ol Ricky,and explain to everyone how they are honest comments. Start with the one that Brady wants the minimum wage to be $3 and go from there.
Comment by Wally Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:19 pm
“Ricky is speaking in the most extreme fashion, but the basic truth is there”
No, no it’s not. Being denied the ability to legally marry someone of the same sex is fundamentally different than being imprisoned and/or shot in the head for your sexual preferences. And supporting the right to life for an unborn child is fundamentally difference than saying that women should have no rights at all. Hendon was doing more than exaggerating, he was stoking the fires of hate with ugly, pathetic lies.
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:23 pm
I’ve said it before, all this campaign needs is to hand out clown suits.
Hendon was over the top with what he said. He could have made his point without all the exaggerations.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:26 pm
The conservatives want to take away your money? What the heck does that mean? I guess you mean the rich conservatives, the roughly 2%-3% of people who pay 50% of the taxes?
The people who set up foundations and give away hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ever attend a charity function? Those lousy conservatives are there, with checkbooks in hand, giving money away. And most of them worked their butts off to EARN the money.
Comment by Wally Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:27 pm
Rich is “thenthitive” a word or a mis-typed word?
Comment by DRB Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:28 pm
- -cp you initially said Hendon was being HONEST. And, saying something you believe, if it is not the truth, is not honesty. Sorry.- -
Wally,
I am not getting in a game of semantics with the words “honest” and “truth.” I think you miss the whole point of my comment. Again, my point was that I get angry when people get upset and demand an “i’m sorry” whenever someone says something controversial.
In this case, people are not mad about this $3.00 statement or factual comments, rather they are upset with how Ricky described Brady as the worst human being in the world. Here, people want an apology becasue Ricky used an extreme description to attack a political opponent. Granted, Ricky’s statement is obscense, smells of arrogance (arrogant in the fact that the left loves to attack others who don’t agree with them as morally inferior bigots and racists), and is politically stupid.
Still, because this is Ricky’s honest opinion, I don’t think ricky has any obligation to apologize.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:34 pm
All gasping and and blown off wigs over the naughtiness of Hendon look like drama-queen stuff to me. The only relevant issue here is whether or not this will hurt Quinn. If it hurts him, it hurts him from misplaced anxiety about “the tone” of politics. Tone issues are the least of our problems. (Much worse than Hendon’s style is mealy-mouthedness from politicians who are so afraid of not getting elected that they won’t say what they think.) Our problems are to dire to worry about tone.
Comment by Oh brother Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Dear Ricky,
Pride goeth before the fall.
Comment by Old Milwaukee Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:42 pm
“I’ve never served with such an idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic person in my life,”
Was Ricky looking in a mirror when he said that?
Comment by Jaded Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:46 pm
CubanPilot———-I don’t care if he apologizes or not. Do you think he should resign because of the outlandish, untrue, hateful comments?
I do.
Comment by Wally Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:46 pm
Hendon is saying what a lot of Democrats are thinking and believing. That shows how out of touch they are.
Extreme views? C’Mon Sun Times! Instead of pretending that any governor could set Illinois back a Century in social justice - get your priorities straight and recognize that our state’s economy has been set back a Century instead.
If Brady stinks, he is out after one term. Quinn has already demonstrated his need to be out in January.
We keep hiring and firing until we get someone who can fix Illinois. Damn the politics!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 3:51 pm
@ DRB - I think Rich bit his tongue before typing that.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:02 pm
VanillaMan: “Hendon is saying what a lot of Democrats are thinking and believing. That shows how out of touch they are.”
An unsubstantiated conclusion premised on naked conjecture?
VanillaMan, you’ve outdone yourself!
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:06 pm
- MrJM - Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:06 pm:
An unsubstantiated conclusion premised on naked conjecture?
VanillaMan, you’ve outdone yourself!
**********************************
Actually, if you read the comments above, there are several people (I’m taking a wild guess and saying they’re Democrats) who have already argued that this was okay because Hendon was only telling the truth (see, e.g., THomas Westgard, wndycty, Anonymous @ 2:53, Amalia).
Comment by lawyerlady Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:17 pm
I think for shock value and timing, Hendon’s comments were just what the party needed to wake up their supporters to the extreme right wing views Brady has, something he pretends aren’t important. Can Brady show us these accusations are based on false information?
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:29 pm
I do not think Hendon is being honest on the gay and lesbian issue. If he were honest we would have seen the Senator criticize Senator Meeks for hostility to gay and lesbian people. The Southern Poverty Law Center labels Senator Meeks as one of the “10 leading black religious voices in the anti-gay movement.”
Senator Meeks in the past has helped the anti-gay Illinois Family Institute conduct petition drives there to limit LGBT rights and has also partnered with Focus on the Family, one of the leading national anti-LGBT fundamentalist groups. In 2006 his church reportedly held a Halloween event in which two young men who were portrayed as gay were “consigned to Hell.”
I am not a Brady supporter, but his record on this issue is unfortunately better than that of Sen Hendon’s good friend Rev. Senator Meeks.
Comment by Rod Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:29 pm
In case you all have not figured it out yet, the conversation regarding Hendon is not about being a Democrat or a Republican. There are crazies everywhere. Anybody who is aware of Ricky Hendon politically and has seen him speak in public or on the floor of the Senate knows he has absolutely no filter in his speech. He throws out bombs all the time that are irrelevant, make no sense, are offensive, are racist, etc. However, he does have influence in the black community in Chicago. Governor Quinn knew this about Hendon and he rolled the dice by getting on the same stage with him. The bomb blew up. It wasn’t a bomb for the audience he was speaking to but it is for everyone else. It just depends on how much it gets reported on or used by Brady as to whether it has much, if any, impact.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:30 pm
Sorry, this is completely unacceptable for anyone–I don’t care if this is par for the course for Hendon or not. That we put up with this in Illinois is at least in part why our politics are so bad.
I listened to the “apology” and it was not apology–he “apologized” to the voters “if” they were offended. What he should have said was that he got caught up in the heat of the moment, said some things he should not have said, and moved on.
And the fact that Quinn just stood there and lapped it up says a lot about his lack of character as well.
Comment by Champaign Dweller Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 4:53 pm
“Stay Classy Chicago!” Ron Burgundy
Comment by Jeff Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:01 pm
grand old partisan, there your party goes again….deny, deny,
deny civil rights. women should not be held hostage to Brady,
a candidate for governor who would prevent them from ending
a pregnancy that would become a child of a RAPIST.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:02 pm
@ DRB
I assumed “thenthitive” was the word sensitive spoken with a lisp. If I’m incorrect, I apologize.
Comment by StreetervilleSnookie Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:35 pm
Amalia, in my view, your views on Brady are grossly unfair.
Brady clearly has views that are different from yours and from those of many women, and, in his role as a State Senator, was not shy about expressing those views. There is, though, a vast difference between a candidate’s personal views and a candidate’s agenda.
If we are concerned about the abortion issue, what should matter to us is how a candidate’s views may affect our rights. Brady has said time and again that as Governor, he would have little to no social agenda, and has specifically stated that the ONLY abortion-related issue he’s pushing is parental notification. Now, given those statements, unless you are flat-out calling Brady a liar, I don’t know how you can say that he “would prevent [women] from ending a pregnancy that would become the child of a rapist.” He has explicitly stated he has no such plans. Not to mention, even if Brady did a complete 180 and tried to push such an agenda (note that in order to do this, he would have to prove himself to be a liar to the entire State of Illinois), it would fail miserably anyway, particularly since federal law and the IL legislature would be in opposition to him. Given those cold hard facts, what’s the worry, exactly?
Abortion is here to stay, and defending it so vigorously is likely insincere (you know it isn’t going anywhere and cannot seriously be this threatened) and, quite frankly, a very dated way of thinking. It’s a new era, our reproductive rights are firmly in place, and we have bigger fish to fry here in the Land of Lincoln (like high unemployment, reckless government spending, countless government inefficiencies, and a pervasive culture of corruption, to name a few).
I appreciate my rights as a woman and would oppose anyone actively trying to take them away from me, but why waste time fighting imaginary monsters?
Comment by lawyerlady Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 5:44 pm
Stay classy Pat. I think Gov. Quinn’s brain is taking one of its 24 furlough days.
And Hendon has now given the entire State of Illinois permission to laughingly ignore his racism allegations.
Comment by Park Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:21 pm
why would Quinn apologize for something somebody else said? For that matter, why would anyone appologize for something that someone else says? That is just a stupid thing to ask people to do.
Comment by Ahoy Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:37 pm
– CubanPilot———-I don’t care if he apologizes or not. Do you think he should resign because of the outlandish, untrue, hateful comments? –
Absolutely not. Who gets to decide what is “outlandish, untrue, and hateful.” YOU. I hope not. In our political climate, “hateful” is now described as “someone who doesn’t agree with me.” So, no. Ricky should not resign.
Further, Wally makes my whole point. The minute we started demanding “I’m sorry” and forcing resignation for controversil comments was the minute we completely lost any hope in our government. Politicians, (actually, people in general) are so afraid to say anything controversial or offer any real solutions because they fear the oversensative public will call for their heads. Thus, Politicians give you nothing, and I mean nothing, but platitudes and party “red meat.” Essentially, pols give us A sound a fury signfying nothing because the public can not comprehend that someone might not like them or others may disagree with their views.
I do.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:45 pm
What did Glen Beck say Progressive Voice? If you take it to the extreme, he baically said that if a government official tells him to eat a carrot, he will shove it up her (a government officials) butt.
I have not heard the whole quote, but that is the worst of it. He did not imply that anyone wants to execute the gheys with a bullet in the back of their skull.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 6:54 pm
My comments are based on what Hollywood said in the clip.
I am African-American (AA) and considering that Brady chose to run a Chicago-based campaign for the general I think that he has underestimated the importance of AA voters. I do not think that Kirk Dillard would have undestimated the importance of the AA vote. I don’t know why the people running Brady’s campaign did not do their homework, but instead chose to take the easy way out. Brady’s AA outreach efforts have been lazy, uninspiring and not surprisingly AAs, therefore, do not really like him. I heard that he didn’t go over so well at Salem. No surprise there.
The new president of the Chicago Urban League made some really good comments about Brady’s lack of interest in the AA community when she appeared on Chicago Tonight recently. She mentioned that he had no AA surrogates to send to forums in the AA community that he elected not to attend. She is not political and appeared to have no ax to grind. I thought she spoke with sincerity and with a lot of credibility.
He or his campaign decided to focus on courting Hispanics. That is without question his perrogative. Yet, Brady is still losing Hispanics by a 2 to 1 margin to Quinn. The Brady campaign’s Hispanic kerfuffle from last week was also very illuminating.
Hollywood’s comments may have been crude, and not as eloquent as the lady from the Urban League. But there is justification for what Hollywood said. Even though Hollywood has a political ax to grind, Brady, his supporters and others should not be so quick to dismiss what Hollywood said. The truth is Brady does think it is okay for employers to have open policies of discrimination against gays, so he is a homophobe. It is 2010 and I question the wisdom of anyone running for a state-wide elective office affirming a previous stance in favor of discrimination, that Brady did so could lead someone to conclude he is an idiot. The truth is that Brady does think that women should be forced to have babies conceived through rape or incest and endure the psychological trauma associated with it rather than letting a woman in that situation determine what is best for her, so he is sexist. Did you hear Brady’s get in the groove radio ad targeted to AA voters? Since he has not actively campaigned in the AA community, why did he even bother to waste money on that condescending ad? That ad is really out of touch. The only things missing from his radio ad were the mentions of where to get watermelon, ribs and malt liquor.
I have heard that Brady has some democrat AAs supporters giving him advice on the AA community, and I have wondered if that support is secretly trying to sabotage him. Instead of relying on underground advice from the hood, he should’ve just hired a qualified AA campaign staffer. His being a businessman, it is interesting that he did not see what a good investment that would have been politically.
Comment by Clinton Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:13 pm
The accepted wisdom is that Democrats couldn’t elect a state-wide dogcatcher without 90% of the AA vote in Cook County.
I can understand why, in desparation, they’re now trying to play the race card. Just don’t get how it’s going to change the election this late in the game.
Comment by Park Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:33 pm
–Hendon is saying what a lot of Democrats are thinking and believing. That shows how out of touch they are.–
VMan knows. He knows a lot. It’s really mystical. He’s a Democrat, too. A Jacksonian Democrat, if I recall, whatever that means in 2010. He says it all the time. Do you believe him?
Rickey wanted to be the Black Sarah Palin. I guess now he is. Just as dumb and hateful.
Brady should pump whatever money he can raise and just show the clip verbatim, with Quinn standing in the background, doing nothing, all over the state. Game over.
It would serve Quinn right. He missed his chance. He could have had his “Sister Soulja” moment, grabbing the microphone and shutting it down. The room might not have liked it, but voters all over the state would have.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 7:56 pm
oh, lawyerlady, don’t they teach you about administrative rules, you know, things that are within the power of the Governor? Brady may not say he has an agenda, but do you really think that if the opportunity is presented to him that he will not act on the side against reproductive choices? Please stop treating the issue of choice as if it is something which never comes up in Springfield. the pill, plan b, abortion, and, yes, parental notification, they all come up and there are actions to be taken.
I do not trust his positions will leave reproductive choice open. why does Brady hate our freedom?
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 9:08 pm
Vote for Bill Brady. If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady.”
Hendon isn’t just making ugly false comments about Brady he is attacking the voters that would vote for Brady. Hendon says “Vote for Brady if you think” so “Locked up and shot in the head”. That’s why we can’t correct the problems of this state because you can’t have a difference of opinion on an issue without being attacked like this. Hendon should resign and if Quinn can’t apologize separate himself from the comments he should drop out as others have been asked to for questionable statements in their campaigns.
Comment by NotSo Monday, Oct 25, 10 @ 10:13 pm
Amalia, sorry I’m late to answer, but there is a huge difference between the issues you’ve mentioned in your last comment and the extreme statements you made in the one before. I would venture to guess that a negative ad or statement accusing Brady of wanting to make parental notification a requirement, for example, would get a hell of a lot less traction than the grossly overstated previous remarks that you and others have made - that Brady “would prevent [women] from ending a pregnancy that would become the child of a rapist” or that Brady wants to hold women hostage.
Comment by lawyerlady Tuesday, Oct 26, 10 @ 11:56 am