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A gaffe and a gift - Updated x1

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The gaffe fallout begins.

Choking back sobs of grief and anger, an Englewood woman who saw her 10-year-old niece killed by stray gunfire said Wednesday that Republican Judy Baar Topinka is unfit to be governor because she joked about using a rolling pin as an assault weapon against Gov. Blagojevich.

“I don’t think that’s government material, at all,” said Deanna Woods, who tried to use her body to shield children at the March 11 birthday party where her niece, Siretha White was killed.

“To someone who has been in this predicament, they are not going to take that as a joke.” […]

They were responding to remarks Topinka made at a fund-raiser last week. She was joking about Blagojevich campaign commercials that feature Topinka explaining her opposition to an assault weapons ban by saying the definition is so vague that a rolling pin could be considered an assault weapon.

And the gift fallout continues.

Topinka had this to say when asked yesterday about her ridiculous rolling pin comments.

“It is a diversion,” Topinka said of the gun victims’ remarks. “And you’re going to see more diversions or as many diversions as it takes to try and bring me into this argument so as to get you off his tail on the $1,500.”

And CBS2 had this bit on their broadcast yesterday.

â€œThe law says if you have any gift over $500, you need to report that right away, you don’t report it after the FBI’s all over you and forces the issue,â€ Topinka said.

Blagojevich has yet to personally address the issue. A campaign spokesperson said Wednesday that the gift was a personal gesture that stems from a lifelong friendship.

â€œGov. Blagojevich and Mike Ascaridis have been friends for over 40 years. I think most people have close friends, and the Ascaridises don’t have children of their own. People understand that friends like to help in terms of college,â€ Shiela Nix said.

I don’t want to pick on Shiela Nix because she’s doing what she can, with what she has, and she’s usually very good at what she does. But that quote sounds even goofier than it looks on the screen. Go watch the clip at CBS2 or click the play button below. Sound quality is poor here, I’m afraid.

[audio:yknowintermsof.mp3]
Meanwhile, Kristen McQueary sums it up nicely.

So which do you prefer? The blunt-but-offensive gal who excels at theatrics? Or the calm-but-robotic guy who won’t give a straight answer?

*** UPDATE *** After days of staying completely away from reporters, Gov. Blagojevich will make an appearance today in Rockford. We’ll see if the boys and girls there play homers or ask some tough questions. They’ve got some good ones there, so I’m betting he doesn’t get a total pass.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:09 am

Comments

Have you ever seen a mad woman with a rolling pin? Sure could be an assalt weapon. That woman sounds like a set up. In answer to your question, I prefer honest to down right at best the smell of something else. However it appears the good citizens of Illinois like crooks.

Comment by The Conservative Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:14 am
no, thank you. may i have another?

Comment by bored now Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:15 am
. . .And he’s running the Philadelphia School System at the moment.

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:16 am
Blago better be careful trotting out victims for political gain.

There could be dozens of rapists and murders roaming the streets of Illinois today, who would be in jail if it weren’t for Blago’s DNA testing backlog.

Topinka’s Willie Horton is out there. She’s just gotta find him before the election.

Comment by Willie Horton Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:22 am
Thanks for the audio clip of Shiela, Rich. She certainly doesn’t sound like she believes the words coming out of her own mouth. That’s probably because, like the rest of us, she doesn’t know anybody besides the Governor who accepted a $1,500 gift for his seven year-old daughter from a family friend who, by-the-by, works a middle class job and didn’t tell his wife.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:26 am
I’ll take the calm but robotic guy who won’t give a straight answer.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:33 am
Pat,
…He’s running it right into the ground.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:34 am
Bill,

Got me again!

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=71148

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:37 am
Bill,
You’re killing me. Next you’ll bring up the BBO and what a great boon it will be ‘globally.’ I’m kicked to the curb - Uncle!

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/sports/baseball/mlb/philadelphia_phillies/15394643.htm

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:41 am
Willy Horton ?? Start with his own office

Comment by annon. Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:41 am
Any 9/11 victims Blago can trot out? Goodness gracious! This woman is seemingly more upset about a statemnet that she is taking out of context than some thugs murdering her niece.

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:42 am
We have a woman offended by a rolling pin comment because her niece was killed by a gun?

She sounds understandably extremely upset. So upset, she doesn’t make any sense. So, who’s trotter her out and making this an issue?

It’s the Democratic Human Shield campaign trick. Find a victim, let them howl, then attack anyone questioning them.

Being a victim does not make you righteous. It does not make you any kind of spokesperson. We are all possible victims. Becoming one doesn’t enhance your views on anything.

It is time to stop abusing pity for political gain.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:44 am
Pat,
Please spare us the links to the commie sites. You really should stay away from the Bailey’s until at least noon.
Maybe you should talk to your buddie Little Big Man before you start praising Vallas.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 8:59 am
Trying to use this to put away the gift that keeps on giving.So now we can say:::WHATS HE THINKING:: trying to use the deaths of two innocent babies and a lady that is in total confusion and grief to get re-elected.Shame Shame God will get you for that.Want to talk about rapist what about the lady corrections officier that was raped by inmates because the prison system is under staffed.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:00 am
I find the spin, regardless of it’s delivery, informative. It’s my “fix” on political cartoons of the day and is interesting to see just how far we can swing the pendulum of fact versus fiction. It would make for great entertainment if it werenâ€™t for the fact that it shields the ugly truth and ultimately works against us all. Both methods of delivery have become an art form. The smarter we the people become, the more devious the cloak of injustice becomes through spin.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:07 am
Actually, Topinka is the worst of both worlds, dishonest and offensive.

People aren’t going to elect a Governor they would be afraid to let their children be around. If Blago or another man had said the crazy thing Topinka did, he would already be out of this race.

Comment by NoneOfTheAbove Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:18 am
I wonder how much she was paid for to show up for that press conference. We all know it’s a common practice, but come on this is DISGUSTING. It’s interesting that this is from the same Gov Blago, who supported gun ownership when he was in Sparta at the shooting range.

Comment by big al Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:21 am
The spin is getting heavy. I prefer my wife’s angle: “$1,500 to get a $45,000 a year job? That’s a $20,000 a year raise. Where do I send the check and can I work from home?”

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:24 am
So now they are having press conferences to hit her on jokes she tells at Republican fundraisers. Man these guys are ruthless, but they better watch out……..

I can see the Topinka campaign holding a press conference this weekend, with a little black girl. She stands up at the podium choking back tears and says “Governor, I know the difference between you and Mayor Daley and I call on you to stop spreading these lies about me to further your candidacy. If you are willing to lie about an encounter with me, an innocent little black girl, what else are you willing to lie about? I don’t think that is Governor material at all!” Then she is carried away from the podium sobbing while her daddy starts talking to reporters about defamation suits.

Comment by Jaded Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:38 am
Bill, either you or I took a day off. Missed you - NOT. GoverNOT Hairdo WILL get a pass today in Rockford because he will give the press the usual slip.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 10:26 am
I’ll take the lady with a flair for theatrics for $500 Alex.

Comment by Levois Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 10:35 am
I am stunned that Big Al would suggest that assault weapons victims who asked to speak from their hearts about their experiences under fire were paid to come and express their disgust at Ms. Topinka’s insensitive remarks, joking about hurting the Governor with an assault weapon. The families take this very personally, believe me, as do all of us who are gun violence victims. I would invite you to come and talk with them personally before you throw such a hurtful comment on a public forum like this.

I would appreciate a retraction of that very hurtful remark.

And for the record, there is no contradiction at all with any Governor or elected official supporting sports shooting, hunting, etc, while at the same time asking for some common sense regulation of the most dangerous weapons that are on the streets. Everyone like you who cares about gun ownership should join us in the calls for public responsibility with all gun ownership.

Comment by Jennifer from Brady Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 10:53 am
vanillaman, i’m absolutely stunned by your comment. republicans are, after all, the ones who employ tugging at voter’s emotions for political gain. for some odd reason, democrats (stupidly) think that candidates should appeal to voter’s brains, not their hearts.

but it was a nice try. granted, i’m sure you’re not in that position too often, but let’s not be a hypocrite. it’s time to stop abusing pity for political gain? conservatives first — then you have the right to ask others to follow, but conservatives first…

Comment by bored now Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 11:04 am
Give me a break Jennifer. She made a joke about a rolling pin and a definition in a proposed law at a fundraiser full of GOP partisans that mostly oppose that particular law. You say it was insensitive…well you can’t swing a dead cat (insensitive to cat owners) without finding something that someone says these days that is insensitive.

I for one am getting pretty tired of everyone getting offended by every little thing these days. She did not make light of victims of gun violence or their families, however, some people choose to see it that way because it furthers their political agenda. Spin doctors (and the media for that matter) could twist about every third word by politicians and offend someone if they choose.

I know victims of gun violence, and it is no laughing matter. However, nobody on this site is making light of gun violence. They are making light of an obvious political use of gun violence to further that political agenda. Why was she speaking at a Blagojevich campaingn press conference and not one organized by Citizens Against HangGun Violence, or the Brady Campaign? Because it was politics pure and simple. So don’t come on this site demanding retractions and getting all high and mighty about insensitivity.

This is America. Big Al has his right to say and think whatever he wants whether it is insensitive or not. You have the right to be offended by anything you want and to agree or disagree.

Oh yea, and since it is Rich Miller’s site, he has the right to delete all of our comments whenever he wants.

Comment by Jaded Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 11:45 am
Bill,

John Kass don’t talk to me -Bailey’s? Only a mossback drinks Baileys.

Comment by Pat Hickey Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 11:46 am
First right to bear arms and then freedom of speech need I say anymore.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 11:50 am
Thank you, Jaded

Comment by Anon Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 12:27 pm
“… have been friends for over 40 years… sometimes friends like to help, you know, in terms of college…”

I think that the governot is around 50 years old(?) which would make the Ascaridises childhood friends.

Let me see if I have this right - childhood friends, who don’t have children of their own, like to help those with kids with college bills.

I wish my childhood friends would chip in for my kids college education.

Where are the high school year book pictures? Grade school class pictures?

Methinks that the “old friend” excuse has been pulled out too many times.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 12:37 pm
I really doubt he will have the testicular virility to answer any questions on the gift.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 12:48 pm
They should name this the sensative room and supply towels. Democrats wine enough, now ad a dumb issue and they really wine. The Socialist Democratic party sure has become a bunch of wimps. And they think they are tough enough on crime and National defense.

Comment by The Conservative Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 1:28 pm
If I’m reading this correctly, it was reported that Ms. Woods released a statement Tuesday on how upset she is with Topinka’s comment. The following day, she gives a press conference, “choking back words of anger” again relaying she’s upset with the remarks. All right, I understand, Ms. Woods is obviously extremely upset, but how many press releases and conferences does she need to give? Judy’s insensitive…got it. You think she’s not governor material…got it. Now please stop torturing yourself as more of these statements will just look like you’re being exploited.

Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 2:08 pm
Here’s a fact. If Topinka made the threat she did, even in jest, about the President of the United States instead of Blago, she would be in a jail cell right now. Similarly if she was overheard saying that in line at airport security.

The 1st Amendment offers no protection to nuts making threats. Sure she says she was “just joking” and “was quoted out of context”. She says that now. But her words speak for themselves. She’s become a huge liability for the GOP. It’s hard to find a Republican anymore who wants to defend or be seen with her.

Comment by NoneOfTheAbove Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 2:27 pm
Quit making excuses for her. Sheâ€™s a moron, plain and simple.

I canâ€™t believe that you people have the nerve to criticize Rod Blagojevich when you have a goof like that on the GOP ticket.

As the stress of the final weeks set in, sheâ€™ll only get wackier (if thatâ€™s possible). She needs to put Charlie Johnston in charge of her damage control department. Heâ€™s a real wiz, too.

Comment by B Hicks Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 4:25 pm
According to the Rockford paper, Big Rod was supposed to speak at 12:30p today. Since it’s now well after his likely 1:00-1:30 actual arrival, anyone know if he showed and what happened?

Comment by This Guy Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 4:31 pm
Anybody had enough of these clowns? Mr. Whitney looks better and better all the time. Vote Green!

Comment by Martha Mitchell Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 9:36 pm
Well Hicks,

It looks like we have two of them in the race now.

“Quit making excuses for her. Sheâ€™s a moron, plain and simple.”

Change the gender and we have… Rod!

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 11:35 pm