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GOP attack on “truther” Sheen ignored by media

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* Gov. Quinn has been campaigning with Martin Sheen for a couple of days. Sun-Times…

The dazzle of celebrity prompted grins — and a few eye rolls — from grim-faced Loop commuters Monday morning, as a campaigning Gov. Pat Quinn showed up with his actor pal Martin Sheen.

Quinn and Sheen shook hands and posed for photographs with commuters streaming out of Millennium Station downtown.

Asked whether a Hollywood actor would help or hurt Quinn, who is in a close race with Republican hopeful Bruce Rauner, Sheen said: “You can’t confuse celebrity with credibility. But it’s not like I showed up yesterday. I’ve been involved with social justice and with the Democrats most of my adult life.”

* But that’s not all he’s been involved with. The Illinois Republican Party has twice tried to interest the media in a rather bizarre Sheen story without any luck. Here’s today’s version…

Pat Quinn continues campaigning alongside actor Martin Sheen today, but he has yet to answer for Sheen’s radical views on a range of issues, including whether the September 11th attacks were actually a U.S. government conspiracy.

That’s right, our governor is proudly campaigning with a 9/11 “truther” who questions whether our government – not Al Qaeda – murdered 3,000 Americans.

Sounds too crazy to be true, right? Check out the YouTube evidence:

On October 27, 2007, Martin Sheen suggested the U.S. government had a hand in pre-rigging Building 7 to come down on 9/11 (Watch the Video): “I did not want to believe that my government could possibly be involved in such a thing…then however there’s been so many revelations that now I have my doubts. And chief among them is building seven. How did they rig that building so that it came down on the evening of the day?…How convenient. When did they rig that building? That’s the most curious question and I have not received an answer.”

Later, Sheen supported his son Charlie’s 9/11 truther statements (Watch the Video): “…I think all of us should be inquisitive about that. We should know what really happened. I don’t know, but there are some very troubling, unanswered questions and I think that’s all [my son] Charlie’s trying to explore. So I support that.”

Governor Quinn must address these offensive radical views today. Does Pat Quinn agree with Martin Sheen that there are unanswered questions about the 9/11 attacks? Will he denounce Martin Sheen’s radical and offensive views? If not, why is he continuing to campaign alongside someone who holds them?

* So, I asked the Quinn campaign for comment. The response…

Rather than attacking those who advocate for the working poor, billionaire Bruce Rauner should explain his own backward and offensive view that he expressed just this year of wanting to eliminate the minimum wage.

I’m pretty sure that if Bruce Rauner campaigned with a “birther,” the Quinnsters would try to make something out of that, so this appears to be a fair enough hit that probably deserves more attention.

…Adding… From a commenter…

Quinnsters-as long you don’t shake hands with a guy in a jacket with a Confederate flag it’s OK, right? Maybe that guy was an advocate for the working poor too since that makes it better. Fair hit on Quinn by Rauner.

Yep. I’d somehow forgotten about that one. Click here if you did as well.

…Adding More… The IL GOP responds to the Quinn campaign’s non-response…

Rather than rejecting Sheen’s 9/11 views, Quinn’s campaign refused to comment and instead claimed the ILGOP’s questioning of the matter was “attacking those who advocate for the working poor.” Gov. Quinn is responsible for the people he chooses to campaign with, whether he likes it or not.

The ILGOP is stunned and outraged by Pat Quinn’s refusal to condemn Sheen’s 9/11 conspiracy theories. The people of Illinois deserve better than this.

…Adding Even More… From the RGA…

Who does Illinois Dem Gov. Pat Quinn think makes a great campaign partner? A 9/11 truther who has suggested multiple times that the U.S. government may have secretly had a hand in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. If that wasn’t bad enough, news comes today that the Quinn campaign refuses to comment about his campaign surrogate’s 9/11 truther background and if Governor Quinn agrees with his statements. These moves by the Quinn campaign are outrageous, offensive and another major example of Quinn’s out-of-touch behavior.

…And More… Via the IL GOP…

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Pat Quinn’s refusal to condemn 9/11 conspiracy theories:

“I joined the Air National Guard because of September 11th. Many have sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom since that horrible day. I am deeply concerned by Gov. Quinn’s refusal to condemn those who would suggest the United States Government perpetrated these attacks that murdered more than 3,000 Americans. He owes us an explanation - now.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:28 am

Comments

Terrible play for Quinn. It is probably the first in an otherwise well-run campaign.

Initially, unless Sheen is raising a ton of money, why would Team Quinn think Sheen would help? He’s an actor. Does anybody care what he thinks of how Illinois should be run?

And then of course there is the truther stuff. Didn’t anybody do any research?

And finally we have the non-denial. Rather than say “while Sheen has a long track record of working for the poor, his opinions on that issue are ill-founded and offensive.”

And now Rauner gets to say “Quinn refused to denounce the guy who thinks are own government may have caused 9/11.”

By refusing to denounce, Quinn has made it an issue.

Not a good start to October.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:34 am
The minimum wage has been asked and answered. It’s still a good talking point though and always scores some points.

Problem is, it’s not the answer to everything and it’s absolutely not the answer to this one. Guffaw.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:35 am
The minimum wage response is starting to sound like the Chewbacca Defense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_defense

Comment by John A Logan Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:36 am
It has been asked and answered?

That’s true. Unfortunately, the answers have been multiple.

Moreover, it sure seems that he “evolved” on the issue when it became clear how people of Illinois viewed his take on the issue.

Quinn is completely right to attack Rauner on the minimum wage. However, simply yelling “MINIMUM WAGE” when his team dropped the ball will not do it. He needs to respond to the self-inflicted Sheen issues.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:38 am
Hey wait a second, wasn’t Josiah Bartlett President on September 11th?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:40 am
Ask the average Illinois voter to free-associate “Martin Sheen,” and 8 out of 10 will say “President Bartlet! Bartlet for America!” (1 out of 10 will mention Apocalypse Now, and once will say, “Charlie’s dad, right?”

It’s going to take a lot of effort and money to inform Illinois voters about Sheen’s “truther” beliefs - if in fact he still believes this nonsense.

So I think the Rauner folks should really make this a priority and let Illinois voters know what Martin Sheen thinks about a national tragedy that happened 13 years ago.

I mean, since they don’t bother to tell us what Rauner thinks about things that are happening now, I figure they have time on their hands.

Comment by Soccermom Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:40 am
Oh come on, we let a birther put a huge sign up in Chicago. Talking about Donald Trump of course.

Comment by too obvious Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:42 am
Sheen might be the only guy out there who is more of loon than Quinn.

Comment by Meanderthal Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:42 am
Quinnsters-as long you don’t shake hands with a guy in a jacket with a Confederate flag it’s OK, right? Maybe that guy was an advocate for the working poor too since that makes it better. Fair hit on Quinn by Rauner.

Comment by OurMagician Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:44 am
What is sad is Sheen as a fake president has almost been as effective as Quinn as a real governor.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:47 am
Sheen hasn’t been the same since that mission upriver.

Never get off the boat.

According to Washington Times, 66% oF GOP voters believe Obama was born outside of the United States. so it’s not a fringe view in some circles.

Crazy, but not fringe.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:51 am
I honestly was not aware that PQ has been out campaigning with Martin Sheen. I do know Mr. Sheen has been historically politically active but it doesn’t appear that his star power is translating to free publicity for the Governor.

Comment by Stones Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:55 am
Frankly, if Sheen really is a 9/11 truther, the Quinn people should gently move away and stop campaigning with him. It’s not about whether it’s politically helpful or hurtful - it’s about right and wrong. I don’t want my governor campaigning with someone spreading such malicious malarkey, no matter how popular his fictional characters have been.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:56 am
==Ask the average Illinois voter to free-associate “Martin Sheen,” and 8 out of 10 will say “President Bartlet! Bartlet for America!” ==

Maybe, if you were asking that question in 2008. These days you mention the words “Sheen” and most people immediately associate it with two things: (1)Charlie, and (2) crazy. Just dumb to think anything positive could come from this

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:58 am
This is just a dumb attack. Absolutely ridiculous.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:59 am
Didn’t realize Martin Sheen was a bigger loon than son, Charlie Sheen. Nice to see Quinn and Sheen together.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:14 am
Since it was brought up. Have people here looked into building 7, and how it came down? my buddy told me about “architects and engineers for truth about 9/11″ pretty interesting stuff/arguments. Let’s just say, building 7, is interesting… I am very skeptical, but who knows anymore.

Comment by yo Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:14 am
@Soccermom

Sorry, but you’re not going to find 8 out of 10 average voters who know who Martin Sheen is. Maybe 4…MAYBE.

Comment by Reader Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:22 am
thanks for the heads up(anyone who questions authority is a nut case) i believe in my goverment would not lie to me?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:28 am
I can’t judge fairly because I despise the intersection of celebrities and politics.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:30 am
Civilty is dead in the political arena…I attended an event the other night where the honoree bashed the very agency that gave him an award…it was beyond partisan, it was mean spirited and nasty, and folks present left the room…

to the post:
the confederate flag promotes slavery as an institution…suspicions about the role of government in a tragedy such as 9/11 is a different animal entirely…if you don’t understand why right away, there is no use explaining it…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:31 am
Scuse me but Rauner has happily mugged for photos with the Chicago Tea Party whack jobs with their birther conspiracies. Mr. Rauner, do you believe that Obama isn’t a U.S. citizen either?

Comment by anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:32 am
Yes, let’s have a full discussion on Building 7, heck why not all the buildings, starting with Quinn’s reaction and opinion on it all.

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:32 am
@ Mr.JM: So you must really have disliked Ronald Reagan then huh?

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:37 am
Has anyone reached out to Bowzer from Sha Na Na for his reaction, and why he was not present at this event?

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:48 am
Now that Charlie Sheen’s father has weighed in on Illinois politics, aren’t we as a people obliged to check in with Billy Ray Cyrus with his view?

Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:02 pm
@Loop Lady - Actually, I exempt Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Franken from my contempt.

Unlike the vast majority of Hollywood hobbiests, they had nerve enough to actually get in the ring. I believe that deserves a degree of respect.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:11 pm
@soccermom, I think Emilio Estevez-Sheen

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:12 pm
Not only is Sheen a “truther” he’s also made some pretty inflammatory anti-Israel comments over the years. Just odd that the Quinn camp would think this would be a good idea

Comment by Anonymoiis Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:27 pm
- Wumpus @soccermom, I think Emilio Estevez-Sheen.

And we have a connection between this thread and Rich’s 1st Post. Emilio & Mick Jagger were both stars in FREEJACK. One of my favorite movies

Comment by jimbo2 Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:42 pm
While I was OK with the attacks from Rauner since, to my knowledge, he doesn’t hold any truly crazy views, the RGA went over a line.

Republican govs believe in a whole list of crazy things, notably that the President is an America-hating Muslim born in Kenya. The RGA has no grounds at all to use the “he said crazy stuff” line as an attack.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:56 pm
Weird stuff.

Martin Sheen is not the sort of guy I expected to be on board with one of these crazy conspiracy theories, be it == truther == or == birther ==.

Get some distance here, and prevent it from becoming a bigger distraction in this campaign. Do it gently, no need to throw Mr. Sheen overboard, but those are some weird comments to be associated with if the Governor remains silent.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:41 pm
The polls show that a healthy proportion of GOP rank-and-file are either birthers or claim they don’t know if Obama was born in the USA. I am confident that Rauner has campaigned with some GOP birthers, since there are so many of them.

How about a single standard? If it’s wrong to publicly associate with a truther, then is it equally wrong to publicly associate with birthers? Has Rauner ever denounced birthers???

Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 2:36 pm
The GOP never met a conspiracy theory they couldn’t waste time and money on promoting. They’re just mad that Sheen isn’t supporting their guy. I’m with anon 11:32 and 2:36.

Comment by my two cents Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 2:41 pm
I have to imagine the gleeful giggles that must be reverberating throughout Team Quinn that the Rauner people are spending time to send multiple emails and have surrogates send multiple emails to furiously point out something about an actor that most people don’t know and won’t learn from their efforts, and won’t hold against Quinn if they do.

Comment by Bill F. Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 6:03 pm