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Phony attack

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Illinois

Alexi Giannoulias has apparently just graduated from the Rod Blagojevich School of Making Stuff Up.

Democratic state treasurer candidate Alexi Giannoulias branded Christine Radogno a “Republican right-wing extremist” Tuesday as the GOP nominee continued blasting loans his family bank has made to convicted felons. […]

“You know, Christine, you walk around and you make these senseless accusations,” Giannoulias said as the debate audience looked on. “You hold yourself up to be this moderate, but you’re really showing yourself to be an extremist - a Republican right-wing extremist who has no ideas and is attacking people.”

Giannoulias was pressed by reporters to define his remark. He responded, “She makes these extreme allegations about our business … just to try and get attention.”

I’ve covered Sen. Radogno for years and she is no “right-wing extremist.” Giannoulias’ credibility was already severely damaged in my eyes, but it’s just about gone now.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:30 am

Comments

Alexi should hve someone call and ask Pate if Radogno is a right winger! This kid is clueless

Comment by just watching Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:33 am
Senator Messiah, your protege needs your PR skills, stat!!!!

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:38 am
His commercials make him look like a child. He is empty and why would Barack back this clown? He is a lightweight.

Also, how would that affect the Treasurers office? I think we found the one statewide candidate that is more useless than Toddler Castroger. The sad thing is that they both may win.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:38 am
Idiot…

Alexi, again. Rich has the details. Radogno may lose this race because of the year she is running in, but if there was ever a case for Dems to support a Republican, this is it…….

Trackback by ArchPundit Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:43 am
Dan Shomon and co. are real jokes. This campaign is a joke. BUT he still might win.
The dad was a cutthroat and the bank loaned money to sleazy people–but SO WHAT–and that is not Alexi

It is Obama who has some questions to answer about Tony Rezko and the Iraqi project

Comment by John Goellner Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:47 am
Sputtering, mouth breathing brat.

Comment by Phocion Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:47 am
It’s just another sad example of a politician (wannabe) who screams for unity and compromise in government, yet divides us all by using terms like “right wing extremist” or “liberal extremist”. It’s just like when kids who argue call each other “poo-poo head” when they can’t think of anything intelligent to say. At least a 7 year old has an excuse for not having anything intelligent to say; they’re SEVEN YEARS OLD! I wonder if the day of an honest, intelligent, ethical politician will ever come. Given what we see on the Illinois ballots, I sincerely doubt it. I’ve had to hold my nose voting before, but this year I might have to wear a biohazard suit.

Comment by schroedk Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:49 am
From the book of Hillary!
Any time the democrats don’t get there way, it’s a vast right wing conspiracy.

Comment by The Townhall Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:51 am
Radogno was every bit as off-base during the debate yesterday, which is why he dominated the thing. So what exactly does that say about her.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:03 am
What’s with Durbin getting behind Alexi? I wonder if Obama asked Durbin for a favor.

Comment by DeepFriedOnAStick Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:46 am
Alexi’s phony political attack ads insult us all.

Unlike all the other phony political attack ads out there this election season, which are all fair and even handed.

Way to pick this one out, Rich. You are doing us all a great service by alerting us to this blatant political stunt. Phony attack ads…WHAT IS ALEXI THINKING?

Comment by Get Real Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:49 am
I think Alexi needs to get his own Bill…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:01 am
What’s wrong pop?

Alexi, I never wanted this for you.

Senator Giannoulias, Congressman Giannoulias. Ther just wasn’t enough time.

We’ll get there pop.

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:03 am
She has been spewing invective and innuendo this entire race. It is hypocritical of those criticizing Alexi not to see that Radogno has been way worse for a lot longer. Her campaign strategy is to assault Alexi and his bank and his family based on totally legitimate and legal activities, and the only reason they have any traction is because she throws the word MAFIA in there and take advantage of the innuendo that there is illegal activity going on. And that’s the only thing the press is picking up. Look at the entire debate: see who has ideas and had ACTUALLY CONSIDERED doing the work of a treasurer. Alexi has been focussed on discussing these things, while his opponent is going around the state like a rabid dog, bashing him. And that’s all the press picks up. I don’t blame him at all for being fed up: i would have said worse!

Comment by Alexi Fan Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:26 am
Hey Fan,

Radogno has forgotten more about state government fiscal policy than the silver spoon mafia bank teller will ever know

Comment by just watching Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:55 am
I virtually guarantee the State of Illinois will increase the amount of money invested in mob controlled banks if Christine Radogno is elected.

However, Alexi has such a weak campaign team he isn’t able (or isn’t willing) to expose Radogno’s ties to organized crime in the West Suburbs.

It looks like this is another race to vote Green.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:05 pm
Archpundit, I’m a fan of your work, but Peraica is far more deserving of support than Radogno.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:05 pm
—but Peraica is far more deserving of support than Radogno.

After someone votes for something, hears that Jack Roeser is upset and changes him mind because of Roeser, the person forfeits any chance of support from me. The Gay Games stuff was silly, mean spirited, and exactly why Republicans keep losing elections in Illinois.

Comment by Archpundit Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:15 pm
Peraica is goofy maybe even kooky on gays and abortion.

But he’s serious about a whole bunch of issues that matter.

I’ve also seen Peraica go to bat for Latino immigrants getting jerked around by local officials. As far as I know he never sought any publicity. He took the case pro bono until the Village of Melrose Park backed off. Then he turned the case over to another law firm to pursue a civil suit against the village.

Peraica may be obnoxious, but he’s also smart and cares for the little guy.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:30 pm
just watching,
That’s real mature.
But if she is so smart about the office and fiscal affairs you think she would have at least known that the bright start program was underperforming before saying that it was working fine (google would have worked just fine in addition to her years of supposedly relevant experience). Of course now that she has been educated by Alexi she is singing the same tune about bright start. And her comments at the debate yesterday, make it clear that she does not even understand what an audit is. You anti-Alexi people should really try and watch the entire debate, I think it would change your minds.

Comment by Alexi Fan Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:42 pm
Alexi is not qualified to serve as state treasurer. I won’t support him and I won’t vote for him.

Comment by Larry McKeon Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 1:00 pm
I would like to know why Barack Obama is still standing behind this kid and endorsing him? Can you clue us in, Rich?

Did Obamma owe a marker to this kid’s old man for campaign loans or something? Why and how did Barack get involved with this kid Alex? Did Barack owe somebody a favor and that is why he made this blunder of having his name connected with this kid for state treasurer? It doesn’t make any sense at all otherwise. Can you enlighten us on this strange political situation, Rich?

Comment by Beowulf Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 1:02 pm
How come every time there has been a scandal this election year, Alexi’s revered Broadway Bank seems to be in the middle?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 1:41 pm
Judy Baar Topinka is an extremist - a Republican right-wing extremist.

Comment by T.J. Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 1:44 pm
DURBIN WAS HERE IN DECATUR WITH ALEXI ON MONDAY AT A LABOR HALL AND THEN A PRESS GETTOGEATHER AT A LOCAL JR. COLLEGE. I WAS FULLY BEHIND MANGIERI IN THE PRIMARY. CHICAGO CAME THROUGH FOR ALEXI. SO BE IT. BUT I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH ALEXI AT ALL AND DID NOT VOTE FOR HIM OR THE GOP PERSON.(EARLY VOTING IS GREAT)! I DON’T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO TURN OUT ON NOV 07, BUT ALEXI SCARES ME AND ITS NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN YET!

Comment by HUMPS Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 3:03 pm
Just read your first post, Alexi fan. I get a kick out of you saying, “I don’t blame him for being fed up…” Ha, elect this guy and the whole treasurer’s office will be “Fed up.” Ba ha ha ha!!!! But, seriously, this is great. The democrats do something illegal, or something that appears to be illegal, the republican accuses them of wrong doing, and the democrat accuses them of being lying or being “right wing.” It’s classic stuff. Why the names Edwin Eisendrath and Paul Mangieri aren’t on the ballot, I will never know!!!

Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 3:10 pm
I guess, being at a loss, Alexi cast around for something to say and came up with “Republican extremist.”

Somebody, probably Rahm Emmanuel or David Alexrod, likely told him to say “Republican extremist” if at a loss for words when confronted with a pesky opponent.

Alexi is at a loss all the time. He has no words because he has nothing to say.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 5:51 pm
Did anyone see his position on the Bright Start program? He analyzed the very small amount of intrest that the fund has made and the very large fees the fund is being charged? It was great! It isn’t like we are talking about brain surgery people. You government types act like you work for NASA!

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:36 pm
I agree with Senator Obama, Alexi Gainnoulias is one of the finest young men I have ever met. Alexi 56% Right Wing Extremist 44% on November 7.

Comment by (618) Democrat Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 7:58 pm
While you investment geniuses are patting yourselves on the back along with the Greek kid for having “exposed the underperformance of Bright Start..” hold that thought.
First of all, this is hardly a revelation. The program fees have been criticized from the git-go, primarily from those money managers who didn’t get the bid. Alexi or his minions didn’t expose squat, except perhaps more ignorance and arrogance.

Secondly, from what I’ve heard of the debate, Alexi doesn’t know enough to make the argument. If he isn’t smart enough to realize that Section 529 plans don’t “pay interest” as 6:36 anon repeats, he doesn’t deserve to be Treasurer of the Greek social club.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:59 pm
When he says this stuff are there Keystone Light 12 packs in the room. Immature college junk. Please go back to playing Bags.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:03 pm
Look, every article in the Tribune about Alexi i’ve read has stated expressly that neither the candidate nor the bank for which he works has been accused of any wrong-doing. There simply is no story here.

Perhaps Alexi engaged in a bit of understandable campaign-trail hyperbole, but he has run a positive, idea-filled campaign.

Political opportunities arise rarely. Alexi saw an opportunity late last year to perform public service at the highest level and went fot it. That kind of ambition is a good thing.

Anyone who knows Alexi knows he is a serious student of public policy, a young man of uncommon vision and energy, someone who connects with people. Just the kind of candidate the party needs.

I’m sure his opponent is a wonderful lady who could do a credible caretaker job in the office. I think Alexi can–and will–do a lot more.

Comment by corvax Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:15 pm
Ha Ha Alexi is pulling off a Stroger. C’mon Alexi think of something different!

Comment by JakeCP Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:20 pm
PS:I’m glad that in our state at least someone thinks he can get some political mileage out of calling someone a “right-wing extremist”. I’m so tired of these idiot republicans spitting out “liberal” in a tone appropriate for “satanist pedophile packers fan”

Comment by corvax Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:21 pm
Alexi comes from a rich and privilaged upbrining-so what??? If anything that gives him the benefit of fine education and strong moral background. I know Alexi, I know his family. They truly are wondeful people with strong tradition and rich culture running through their family. Alexi saw an opprtunity to make a difference and a political name for himself- my god how dispicable and underhanded of him! You Alexi haters need to get a life, and some correct information for a change. Why is it so hard for us, as a society, to root for the guy who seems to have it all, and wants to make the world a better place?

Comment by Chooch Friday, Oct 20, 06 @ 10:23 pm