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Swing and a miss

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* In his latest online video, Democratic congressional candidate David Gill tries to use an alleged GOP money laundering scheme allegedly involving his Republican opponent. I’m not sure it works all that well…

I just don’t see how that video works on any level.

* From a Gill press release…

The Gill campaign released a letter sent from Dr. Gill to State Republican Chairman Pat Brady requesting that Brady disgorge funds channeled to the party in a scheme cooked up by 19-year political insider and George Ryan protege Rodney Davis to evade campaign fundraising laws implemented following the Ryan and Blagojevich scandals.

In his letter to Brady, Gill says, “As you know, billionaires Ken and Anne Griffin funneled more than $200,000 to local Illinois Republican groups and several of those organizations soon thereafter channeled approximately $140,000 of that money back to the Illinois Republican Party via purchases of tickets to an event with Karl Rove, among other routes. Rodney Davis freely admits that, as Acting Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party, he helped the Griffins find local Republican entities to receive the Griffin’s largess. Many of the targeted local Republican entities had rarely, if ever, received such large donations. Yet, instead of holding onto the surprising windfall to assist their programs and efforts, these local entities almost immediately funneled the money back into state Republican party coffers.”

Gill further asks Brady to work with him “to ensure that the corruption that was rampant in Illinois politics during the George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich-eras will one day become a distant memory.”

Thus far, Davis has refused to answer questions about the dubious financial transactions he orchestrated — donations that enriched the Illinois Republican party shortly before party officials hand-picked Davis to replace Rep. Tim Johnson on the November ballot.

Gill Campaign manager Michael Richards noted, “Rodney Davis is a lifetime political campaign operative who’s been paid by taxpayers like us for 19 years. He serves his politician bosses, not the public who pays him.”

This was actually a serious issue that ought to be looked at by somebody in power. So far, nothing.

* By the way, the Democratic tracker assigned to monitor Davis showed up at a Champaign County Republican Party Central Committee meeting last night. She was recognized from the video I posted online and was asked to leave.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:13 pm

Comments

===State Republican Chairman Pat Brady requesting that Brady disgorge funds channeled to the party in a scheme cooked===

“disgorge”??? Really, that is the “word”

…and you lost me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:17 pm
–The Gill campaign released a letter sent from Dr. Gill to State Republican Chairman Pat Brady requesting that Brady disgorge funds…–

Disgorge? Sure that’s safe, doctor?

From Websters:

transitive verb
1
a : to discharge by the throat and mouth : vomit b : to discharge or let go of rapidly or forcefully c : to give up on request or under pressure
2
: to discharge the contents of (as the stomach)

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:18 pm
this is a serious issue but 97k to Madigan on the day of a special session? nothing to look at there. it’s all proper…

Comment by Easy Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:23 pm
- wordslinger -

Thanks!

(reading the whole thing again, using the help I got from - wordslinger- …) …. yeah, you still lost me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:24 pm
Easy, most of those downstate county GOP committees hadn’t received any large contributions ever. All of a sudden they get a bunch of cash, and then much of is is sent back to the state party for tickets. Seems quite strange.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:25 pm
I am wating for Dr. Gill to get all “St. Elsewhere”, “ER”, and “Grey’s Anatomy” on me and say allkinds of words that may not fit in the political world, or even a campaign, but the Oncologist in the 13th District will get a chuckle….

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:27 pm
Michael Richards complaining about criminality? Isn’t this the same Michael Richards that was but skated by with a pat on the back because of his political connections?

Comment by Isn't it ironic Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:34 pm
I just don’t see how that video works on any level.

Not fair!

It makes lights and colors flicker on the screen.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:37 pm
Rich,

You are spot on … It is a bit shocking that “someone”, “somewhere”, hasn’t looked into that. However, when I have brought up the SEC and the FEC I am told it takes a while, so maybe they are right about that…this may take longer than the 77 days left.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:37 pm
Some details vs a huff post reference would have been useful.

Heck the explanations in the comments are more useful than the video.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:44 pm
This latest crop of online political ads make me want to disgorge.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 2:51 pm
it is illegal to give money in another name in Illinois, which is exactly the scheme being described. Wonder what the county chairs would say under oath?

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 3:15 pm
Michael Richards? Wasn’t he Cosmo Kramer in Seinfeld?
Explains it all right there.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 3:19 pm
The GOP knew about this scandal and they threw Rodney Davis on the ballot anyway over two better candidates who just happened to be women. Pat Brady was right at the heart of giving his state party executive director this plum appointment despite knowing about the serious corruption. GOP deserves to lose this seat.

Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 3:54 pm
One of “those better candidates” lived about 150 miles away from the district and has for almost a decade. If the GOP downstate needs to import liberal Chicago lawyers as their salvation, we really are screwed.

Besides, someone should see if Erika is available… they may have an opening in MO soon.

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 4:05 pm
Why do you think the GOP chairs chose Davis? How could they consider this as a mark against him when many of them were part of the scheme?

Comment by Former Downstater Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 4:20 pm
I actually think it works. The shuffling of money is too complicated for a commercial, but this leverages it fairly well. I think dark photos and dark music cause people to tune out immediately, while the light music and background might entice a few eyes.

We shall see.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 4:33 pm
I agree that this is a very serious issue that ought to be looked at by somebody. I believe that it is on the radar screen. We should all stay tuned.

Comment by (618) Democrat Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 5:42 pm
So the primary source of the “laundering” accusation is Doug Ibemdahl….OMG that’s the funniest part of the ad. If you’re gonna use quotes in an ad at least use someone with half an ounce of credibility

Comment by Eastsider Tuesday, Aug 21, 12 @ 8:59 pm
All of the facts and all of the reporting are rock solid. Rodney Davis is caught red handed and has no explanation.

Typical that trash like Eastsider want to attack the messenger instead of cleaning up their act. No wonder the IL GOP is a national joke.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 10:58 am