Andy Shaw just told me that ABC7 will be carrying the debate tonight on the Internet live at 7pm. It will be on TV at 10:30.Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
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Andy Shaw just told me that ABC7 will be carrying the debate tonight on the Internet live at 7pm. It will be on TV at 10:30.
I just checked the website and they have something up about it, so go here at 7pm and watch the debate.
Consider this a debate open thread.
UPDATE 1: Supposedly, we’ll be able to find the debate link somewhere on this page.
UPDATE 2: Ron Gidwitz just reported loaning his campaign another $830,000.
UPDATE 3: Anyone else having trouble with the Internet feed? The audio and video don’t appear to be synced properly.
UPDATE 4: Same opening statements as last night.
UPDATE 5: Everyone seems so “reasonable” so far. I gotta figure it heats up, though.
UPDATE 6: I’ve met Ron Gidwitz on a few occasions, and he’s so personable and at ease with himself in person. He has such a hard time on TV, though. With all that money you’d think he could have hired a better debate coach.
UPDATE 7: Just in case you’re wondering, I was told today by somebody at ABC7 that since there has been no very recent polling, the League of Women Voters believed it had no choice but to invite Andy Martin to the debate.
UPDATE 8: Last night’s Channel 20 debate moderators aggressively enforced very strict time allotments, and that seems to have spooked Ron Gidwitz tonight, who appears to be abiding by the letter of the ABC7 time rules by abruptly cutting himself off mid-sentence.
UPDATE 9: This has happened before when the debate was staid and the press conference afterwards got insane.
UPDATE 10: Civil, fairly informative, decent debate. Apparently, Oberweis decided he shouldn’t pull another stunt like last night. Chicago is the bigtime and a lot more people will watch tonight’s debate than last night’s. Two meltdowns in a row would have been too much. Still, the press conference awaits. I had the opportunity to go, but just couldn’t. Now, I wish I was there for the after-bang.
UPDATE 11: I just talked to a reporter pal who’s at the debate. Apparently, none of the journalists have much of a lede yet, but they intend to get one at the press conference.
UPDATE 12: Apparently, Oberweis didn’t say anything controversial at the press conference. That overwhelmingly negative coverage today must’ve gotten to him.
UPDATE 13: Illinois Review has some of the few memorable lines from tonight’s debate.
· Internet columnist/candidate Andy Martin said: “Judy Topinka says she’s ‘not one of the boys.’ She’s the bad girl that hangs out with the bad boys.”· Jim Oberweis said the placing of candidates onstage — from left to right: Topinka, Martin, Gidwitz, Oberweis and Brady — reflected the candidates’ “conservativeness:” “Judy is on the far left, Bill Brady is on the far right, and I’m just right of center.”
· When asked if a bill to ban abortions were to make it to the Governor’s desk, would he or she sign, Judy Baar Topinka said she “still believes in a woman’s right to choose.” “I’m not going to move us back to the 50s,” she said. “I’m not going to throw women under the bus, uh huh. . .”‘
UPDATE 14: If you’re blogging about the debate, or you see someone else has, please post a link in comments.
UPDATE 15: Apparently the biggest “news” out of the debate and post-debate press conference was when all candidates were asked if Gov. Blagojevich should disband his hate crimes commission. According to a reporter I talked to, Bill Brady said something like Blagojevich was choosing his black supporters over his Jewish supporters.
UPDATE 16: The AP story is up.
Republican candidates for governor played nice Wednesday night during a television debate where they disagreed about whether to ban abortion and how to cut money from the state’s budget.
UPDATE 17: At 9:25, ABC7 was starting to put up links to segments of the debates on this page. What this means is you should be able to watch the debate on your own schedule.
FINAL UPDATE: Comments closed. See Thursday’s post.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 2:10 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Possible opening statement for Obie:
“Hi, I’m Jim Oberweis and I’m doing my hardest to try to drive every possible vote to other candidates by making myself look like an even bigger ass than I did in my previous campaigns. I keep saying I’m not a politician because I’m not. Being a politician necessitates that you understand the political process. I obviously have no clue how this stuff works. Here, have some ice cream.”
Comment by Annony Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 2:46 pm
I hear they just named Jerry Springer as the new moderator.
Comment by Bubs Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 3:38 pm
Please, not again.
Comment by B Hicks Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 4:03 pm
We could all hope for a thunderbolt of lightening to strike from the sky. Put the station out and keep the sad character(s) off the air. BTW, Bubs, I hear Jerry turned the moderator job down. Said it was beneath him.
Comment by Walking Wounded Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 5:28 pm
It’s the last one, I believe, so we just have to deal with this one more time.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 5:29 pm
Whoa… we can write the word “ass” here. If I would have known that, I would have been calling Obee an “ass” for the last 2 months… dang…
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 5:48 pm
Let’s not get carried away.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 5:48 pm
Annony-
Granted I don’t like Obie and thus have a little bias, but that intro was hilarious. Seriously, my wife doesn’t even like talking politics and even she was cracking up when I read her your comment. That was a classic comment.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 6:14 pm
I agree. It was pretty funny.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 6:17 pm
the site is not working for me…am i the only one??
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:02 pm
keep trying. it’s working for me. just not very well.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:04 pm
How long has Gidwitz been dead for? Did they paint him grey?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:20 pm
Still nothing for me….either my computer is strange or they don’t want us Central Illinoisans watching…
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:24 pm
Did ABC not devote enough bandwidth for this? Why won’t it work???
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:29 pm
I dunno. It’s working for me. Close your browser and try again.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:31 pm
Hey Andy Martin…enough about the Judy-George connection…we get the point.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:32 pm
What does Andy have in his past related to theology?
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:34 pm
Couple of comments and observations:
Oberweis–Is this guy a politician? Keeps telling me he’s not…getting a little old. Please don’t tell me about the 5 children and 13 grandchildren ever again.
Gidwitz–I almost feel bad for the guy…he is sooo uncomfortable it is painful. By the way, might want to remove gadfly from the vocabulary…doesn’t really connect with the voters.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:46 pm
Okay, how come none of the candidates have complained about how much time Rod spends in Chicago.
I recall it being mentioned a couple of times in the last debate.
Comment by B Hicks Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:52 pm
Oh yeah, “if I don’t win; I hope Bill Brady is the GOP candidate.†Is the anointed one having doubts?
She’s the bad girl that plays with the bad boys.
I kind of like that.
Comment by B Hicks Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 7:59 pm
Andy Martin is a convicted felon? What’d he do? He seems like a nut job.
I feel so sorry for Ron. I think he’d make a great governor, but he’d get killed in debates with Rod. Oberweis did really well, I thought. Brady seems like a used car salesman to me. Judy is so high on herself…no way she’d get my vote.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:03 pm
Oberweis and Brady were more organized and articulate than I would have expected.
For a former CEO, I would have expected Gidwitz to be a much better public speaker as much of what CEO’s do is persuasion.
If JBT goes into the general, she really needs to
get new media consultants. She comes across as confused at times and doesn’t have Brady’s appearance of fluency.
Does any of this matter in terms of actual votes? I don’t have a clue.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:06 pm
I dunno Brady seemed to stumble a bit to me…Also Brady didn’t show up to the little candidates meet and greet in Bloomington today at State Farm, granted neither did any of the other candidates…but something in your hometown? I don’t know how savvy that was. I was waiting for fireworks and I got none tonight, how disappointing. I think Obie took his meds tonight up until the point where he said YIPPEE I finally agree with Judy on something, what is this guy on and how do I go about procuring some?
Comment by ISU REP Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:12 pm
I’m for oberweis. He’s smart, plays fair and is honest. He has all the characteristics that remind me of myself.
Comment by A.J. Pierzynski Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:25 pm
Ob. did good tonight.
Comment by todd Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:28 pm
A.J. (a.k.a. Mike) Yes, you are a bit pompous too.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 8:28 pm
i’m on the road in chicago tonight and hoping to see it on tv at 1030 …
if I ever say obie reminds me of me, put me in a chopper and send me to the looney bin …
Comment by YNM Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 9:33 pm
“I’m for oberweis. He’s smart, plays fair and is honest. He has all the characteristics that remind me of myself.”
AJ Pierzynski, quit with the propaganda. You are crazier than Andy Martin if you really believe that. If there is nothing for you to gain in Obee’s governorship, you lack all sense… and are as crazy as Andy Martin… (did I mention that before?)
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:40 pm
Lovie, I think that comment was meant as snark by a Cub fan who somehow made it through the moat.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:42 pm
Rich,
16 updates, you need to get a life. Aren’t there any muffins around politics for you to get in trouble with?
Comment by Schiznitz Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:47 pm
What are the specifics of Andy Martin’s bio. He is a perennial candidate, mostly in Florida, who always states that he has done all of these things, but never provides any background.
Nobody really ever calls him on it.
Comment by Establishment Republican Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:48 pm
Rich, wrong… white sox fan… life long… I am a cub hater. Always have been… I still would like to never see Dusty Baker ever again…
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:50 pm
Let’s stay away from that topic. He is who he is.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:51 pm
Lovie, I didn’t say you were a Cub fan, I said that “AJ” was a Cub fan, or at least a Sox hater.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:52 pm
Thanks for the attention though… I just have to satisfy my Republican male ego…
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:52 pm
Why would somebody with the name “AJ Pierzynski” be a cub fan or even a sox hater? I feel misled…
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:54 pm
Schiznitz, there were 17 updates. lol I was sitting at the computer anyway. No big deal.
Besides, 13 days before the election, the only life I have is this stuff. It beats working, though.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 10:55 pm
It seems like all the Republican candidates are basically pledging that they will support the eventual nominee.
So, at least there will not be a situation like in 2002 when Corrine Wood refused to endorse Jim Ryan for months and Patrick O’Malley never did.
The question was posed to them as to whom they would support other than themselves, only Oberweis and Topinka answered.
Oberweis said Gidwitz and Topinka said Brady.
As for the debate, they are all sort of not ready for prime time tonight (which is fitting since the debate started at 10:35).
Television debates may not be Topinka’s forte but she clearly is the only candidate who can beat Blagojevich.
I really like Brady personally but he stumbled over his answers quite a bit tonight and took some positions to the right that would just make it tough to win in Illinois.
Why Andy Martin is in this debate, I will never know. Kudos though to Andy Shaw for taking him on in one of the questions (although the name change aspect he brought up is sort of ironic.) Sadly, Martin is a little better in this format stylistically than most of the others tonight.
As for the effect of the debate on the primary, it seems like nothing truly memorable happened and thus the frontrunner is remaining the frontrunner.
Comment by Establishment Republican Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:19 pm
Oberweis’s use of “YIPPIE” was pretty bad for him. It is sort of a semi-Howard Dean scream.
It would look bad in a tv ad.
Back to the debate style, Oberweis does a good job of staying on message and looking comfortable at the podium, but plenty of us Republicans have far too many issues with him to favor him just because of that.
Ron Gidwitz looked like he was making a hostage video.
Comment by Establishment Republican Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:23 pm
I totally agree with you, Establishment Republican. Nobody in this debate seemed to break out. Topinka remains the frontrunner solely on the lack of enthusiasm of other candidates. Being a “Gidwitz guy,” I was disappointed in his performance. I am still trying to convince everyone to vote Gidwitz but all of my peers are the “Christian Right.” Wish me luck… Even though Brady did stumble a little, he really hit a note with me and I think he would make a great Governor. Oberweis and Martin have proven their instability, so I would have a problem if either one of them (not saying that they could) win the nomination. It appears Topinka will win the nomination… I just pray for a Rauschenberger now…
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:27 pm
I still think that Brady is the best performer on camera, even if he is running too far to the right. He was an early favorite of mine, but add him to the trash heap of candidates that ran a purely positive campaign and thought raising money is beneath him.
I expected the negative attacks on Topinka to start earlier and drive her numbers down sooner, opening up the field, but I guess everybody was a little trigger shy. They are fools if they stop right now because the negative ads are working. I look for Oberweis to siphon just enough votes off of Brady and Topinka to win.
What really struck me was that even though Topinka is supposed to be the seasoned politician and the person whose been working day-in, day-out on these issues, she really doesn’t seem to have any better grasp on the issues than any of the other candidates, and perhaps worse than most of them.
What does it say about these guys that Andy Martin can stand up on stage with them and — to the uninformed voter — seem just about as reasonable, polished, and ready for the job as the rest of them?
Uninspired.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:30 pm
And on a closing note (that might get deleted).
Is WBEZ’s Ben Calhoun eligble for All Kids?
Goodnight.
Comment by Establishment Republican Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:33 pm
didn’t catch this one on the first time around… Bill Brady’s closing remarks, “…to move the Republican farty forward.” nice.
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:35 pm
Let me say this…I do not like Judy. Would not vote for her. However, I am glad to see that she finally took some advice and toned down the makeup some. And her hair looked nicer as well. I’d say polished-appearance-wise, she looked the nicest she’s ever looked. Which, in the long run isn’t saying much.
Oberweis seemed to have the most laid-back, congenial personality tonight. It was a good night for Jim.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 8, 06 @ 11:58 pm
Poor Gidwitz. I guess that is to be expected when he has nitwitz like Joe Calomino coaching him and running his campaign.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Mar 9, 06 @ 12:09 am
Thanks for the kudos on the intro. A few more witticisms and perhaps Rich will let me write comedy for Illinoize.
At the moment, I’m just not sure whether I’m deeply frightened by the prospect of Andy Martin owning a gun or whether I think I should have seen that one coming.
Comment by Annony Thursday, Mar 9, 06 @ 12:17 am
The question was posed to them as to whom they would support other than themselves, only Oberweis and Topinka answered.
Oberweis said Gidwitz and Topinka said Brady.
What gets me is that Looserweiss would pick Gidwitz - someone who is pretty much different from him. That comment enough would tell loads about him for the right wing of the party. Dang.
Since unfortunately, I didn’t see the debate but did hear part of it in the van, can’t respond much more.
I did enjoy the analysis.
I think Andy Martin sounded good but we all know he’s a nutcake. Looserweiss actually sounded okay on the radio.
Brady sounded nervous, poor babe.
“Even though Brady did stumble a little, he really hit a note with me and I think he would make a great Governor”
And he’s pretty darn cute too. lol
I’m gonna try to listen to this debate before the internet goes down.
Rich, I understand what you mean about this is becoming our life.
Have a good night!
Comment by Central IL Stater Thursday, Mar 9, 06 @ 12:18 am
Annony, send me an email and I’ll get you going at Illinoize.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 9, 06 @ 12:43 am