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Christine Radogno quotes House Speaker Michael Madigan in her TV ad and Judy Baar Topinka points to Lisa Madigan’s refusal to endorse Rod Blagojevich in her last attack TV ad of the season. What a weird year.
*** UPDATE *** Everybody seems to want to talk about this story in comments instead of the ad, so here you go.
Topinka continued to fire barbs at Blagojevich, a well-known Cubs fan. She said he spends more time at the ballpark than he does at the Legislature.
“Maybe he ought to run for manager of the Cubs,” she quipped in Bloomington. “They’re a bunch of losers, too, and need some help.”
Blagojevich didn’t appreciate the comment.
“If she wants to say I’m a loser and call me names … God bless her, but leave the Cubs alone,” he said. “She ought to retract the attack on the Cubs.”
posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:10 pm
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Go Lisa and Judy. Yes, I have had enough! J It is too bad this ad was not done earlier in the campaign.
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:13 pm
Did anyone hear Topinka’s latest stupid comment?
In Bloomington today, she said that Blago spent more time in Wrigleyville than in Springfield. She said he should run for manager of the Cubs because they are both losers.
Good way to get more votes in Chicago! Idiot. The AP already has a story up on it.
Go Cubbies!
Comment by Roomie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:16 pm
Roomie,
What I have heard is that the Governor can be seen jogging in his neighborhood around 2:00 p.m. What a great work attitude?
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:19 pm
Have not noticed the Madigan’s saying picking the Brickhead was a great move.
Hmmmm
SOunds like the AccordionGal has tossed another one for GRod to hit out of the park.
P.S. The run, which usually goes off about 9:30, has been a fixture for about four years. Don’t ya kinda wonder why JudyBore did not make an ad?????
Maybe next time
Comment by Reddbyrd Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:24 pm
Just like the Cubs. Do nothing.
Comment by Mike Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:24 pm
Cubs lose! Cubs lose!
Just like Blags!
Comment by Metro-east survivor Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:40 pm
Best quote of the day… JBT…”I’m running with the law..Blagojevich is running from the law”.
Comment by JBTforGovernor Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:46 pm
Rich,
I think ILHandeyKing is over the top with his comments about “sleeping with girlfriends.”
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:49 pm
Always like Cub fans to get on the blogs and somehow claim that the cubbies aren’t a horrible baseball team. Any real fan of baseball knows that the cubs sucked. What is the big deal? Quite naturally, democrats advocate bad baseball and bad government.
Comment by Lovie's Leather Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:56 pm
Also, see Jack Roeser’s oddness on display here… http://www.familytaxpayers.net/?p=art&id=927
Comment by Lovie's Leather Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 8:58 pm
Uh …where is this AP quote about the Cubs? …lost of Yap, not much “here it is”
Comment by Stop the Presses Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:06 pm
Now if Lisa would just endorse Judy on Monday, everything would be set.
Comment by Truth Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:11 pm
CHICAGO (AP) _ Governor Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY’-uh-vitch) and challenger Judy Baar Topinka (toh-PIHN’-kuh) are spending today in a campaigning flurry.
Topinka _ who went through Lake Villa, Bloomington and Springfield _ fired barbs at Blagojevich who is a well-known Cubs fan.
She says he spends more time at the ballpark than he does at the Legislature.
While on a stop in Bloomington she said that maybe Blagojevich should run for manager of the Cubs. She said –quote — ‘’They’re a bunch of losers, too, and need some help.'’
Blagojevich doesn’t appreciate the comment.
He says Topinka can call him names, but to leave the Cubs alone.
Blagojevich spent the day visiting largely black churches in the Chicago area.
Comment by Anon Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:14 pm
Ask and you shall recieve:
CHICAGO (AP) _ Governor Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY’-uh-vitch) and challenger
Judy Baar Topinka (toh-PIHN’-kuh) are spending today in a campaigning
flurry.
Topinka _ who went through Lake Villa, Bloomington and Springfield _ fired
barbs at Blagojevich who is a well-known Cubs fan.
She says he spends more time at the ballpark than he does at the
Legislature.
While on a stop in Bloomington she said that maybe Blagojevich should run
for manager of the Cubs. She said –quote –'’They’re a bunch of losers, >too, and need some help.'’
Blagojevich doesn’t appreciate the comment.
He says Topinka can call him names, but to leave the Cubs alone.
Blagojevich spent the day visiting largely black churches in the Chicago
area.
Comment by Roomie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:20 pm
Roomie,
How many of these churches that the Governor visited
receive state funds for “outreach”?
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:22 pm
Probably about the same amount of state funds that Topinka wanted to use to bail out Cellini on the springfield hotel deal.
And the same amount of state funds that she invested in banks after they gave her a campaign contribtuion.
Maybe close to the amount of money that Topinka took from Mr Kick Back himself, Bob Kjellender.
Get the drift…
Comment by Roomie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:26 pm
The Topinka rally in Springfield was packed! There had to have been about 400 people there. I have not seen that since Jim Edgar I think she has the momentum.
Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:29 pm
Rule number 4380 for democrats, Christians are bad, unless they are Black. I thought the Dems were opposed to campaigning in churches.
Jack Roesser is a plagu on IL politics. The problem is that he is on eperson willing to put his money where his mouth is and he has a lot of money. At least Bi-Polarweis TM lost as he had Roesser in his ear.
Comment by Wumpus Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:31 pm
JBTforGovernor Your right Judy is running with the law. A lawyer who personifies losing. Birkett lost to Lisa Madigan and will lose in the race for Lt. Governor. JBT should not poke fun at the cubs. For it is better to be in the big leagues than never make it there at all. Judy and Joe will always be minor league talent in a big league park. Rod has led Illinois out of a fiscal mess and will continue to build on the policies he has set over the alst four years.
GO ROD GO CUBBIES
Comment by Frat boy Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:34 pm
Roomie,
You did not answer the question. Some old stories.
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:35 pm
Judy speaketh the truth.
The Cubs are a bunch of losers.
Comment by jersey guy Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:37 pm
Frat boy,
You are a typical Frat boy. You do not have an original thought.
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:40 pm
FratBoy…Exactly how did Rod lead us out of a fiscal mess? We are in the worst fiscal shape of any state in the nation. BTW. I agree she shouldn’t kick a losing team (Cubs) when then are down. Oh, when weren’t they down?
Comment by politicaljunkie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:41 pm
I can’t believe you Topinka campaign folks are going to suggest that the reason JBT made that Cubs comment was because your crosstabs showed Judy needed to not only continue alienating anyone she can but also specifically lose all the Cub fan votes as well.
And right, Lovie, Judy was just pointing out a well know fact. Right. Obviously she won’t retract such a statement, but she might issue a clarification tomorrow.
This was just another not so slick move by her and her staff two days out. The only vote she might have changed in her favor with that comment is Speaker Hoffman’s.
Comment by Skarfeld Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:43 pm
Will the Tribune withdraw their endorsemen tof JBT for besmirchin gth eperinial doormats (save a few seasons) the (S)C(r)ubs? Let’s be real, the Cubs had the NL’s worst record. For a team with the payroll of the Cubs, that is very difficult to do. Every team has injuries, but their history is abysmal. The on etime they should be in the world series, they blame the series loss on a Game 5 was it, attempt by a fan to catch a ball that had come into the stands.
Comment by Wumpus Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:44 pm
So Blue,
What church has JBT visited? Has she even reached out to church-centric communities? I think not. Everyone needs to be reached out to, to make them feel like they are part of the process. I think it’s great that Blago visits these churches. If I am wrong and JBT does reach out to the same communities, I appologize. However, for right now, don’t go bashing Blago on taking time to go into communities that otherwise would be ignored.
Comment by express Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:45 pm
Oh, and Sheila, er, Roomie, where does the $809,000 consulting fee that Big Bob Kj received from your administration out of the pension bond deal score on your scandal meter?
Answer: Takes the taco! The hotel deal never went through, (and boy, the State made out great by going to court and dragging it out for 10 years-whose idea was that; Stu Levine’s ?) the State lost no interest by those bank deposits, and of course the contributions aren’t even in the same ballpark.
Kinda like the Cubs vs. White Sox.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:49 pm
Again, the professionals in Judy’s organization thought the Cub comment was the “smart” thing? A harmless off the cuff remark, huh? It’s an interesting strategy, insulting Cub fans. That’s about as sharp as the rolling pin stratagem.
Comment by Skarfeld Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 9:55 pm
To go back to the original topic of this post, who cares what Li’l Lisa does or does not do? The Governor has list of legislative accomplishments to flaunt in sprite of the AG throwing everything she can in his way of his progress. Both the Gov and Alexi will cruise to victory without the Madigan’s garbage operation. Barack Obama is the new kingmaker in this state. Tough break, Speaker!
Comment by ILHandeyKing Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:00 pm
express,
The issue is that he is giving state money to churches for outreach. He is buying their endorsements during Sunday services. This is wrong!
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:01 pm
ILHandeyKing,
We will see what happens in this election. Lisa will receive at least 75% of the vote. The Governor will be lucky if he wins. Lisa will be Governor in four years. She is not corrupt as your guy is. Additionally, the shine on Obama is beginning to dull.
P.S. You are very sexist!
Comment by So Blue Democrat Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:10 pm
Hey, Topinka can spot a loser — she has a mirror, right?
Comment by You Like? Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:24 pm
From the Southern Illinoisan piece that Rich linked to, “Spokeswoman Sheila Nix said Sunday that Blagojevich is not proposing a single government-run health system that would provide free care for everyone. Instead, she said he wants to expand health programs created for the poor, so that more families would be allowed to pay premiums and join.”
Oh, for crying out loud already. If Rod cares so much about getting more healthcare for the poor right now, as in right this minute, then why isn’t he working WITH Attorney General Lisa Madigan on her proposed charity care mandate for Illinois non-profit hospitals? He’s sitting on top of a state Medicaid backlog, but on top of it, he’s taken in a quarter of a million bucks in contributions from the Illinois Hospital Association, and in a recent newspaper story entitled “Charity Clarity” (I forget the name of the exact paper, but go Google the title and see if you can find it), it is quite clear that he is NOT working with the AG. Gee, no wonder she won’t endorse him, and that’s aside from the investigations, I’m sure.
He can’t even work with his own AG??? Here’s a Harry Caray moment for you, Rod. Holy cow!
Everyone loves AG Madigan. The Tribune has even endorsed her! But noooooooooooooooooooooo. Rod isn’t even able to work with his own Democratic Attorney General.
Pathetic.
By the way, everyone read up on AG Madigan’s charity care push. She’s doing great work. Even Republicans should vote for her!
Comment by Angie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:25 pm
So Blue,
My crazy Aunt Judy (no relation) could win the AG’s race if I got to chose the opposition a la Stu Um-who?. If Lisa is such a lock then why is the Speaker so anti-Alexi? He can see the writing on the wall that his time is up and is trying to hang on long enough to see his li’l girl in the mansion. I enjoy seeing people make it on their own in this world instead of being installed by family members. Pardon me if that makes me sexist.
Comment by ILHandeyKing Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:26 pm
So Blue -
that’s pretty accusatory. you have any proof to back that up? Just because you go speak at a church means you’re giving them money? How bout he’s probably promising to help them through more money to state services a la medical cards, LIHEAP administration, and child support enforcement. You know, things you, if i had to guess, don’t have to deal with…
Comment by express Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:35 pm
Unfortunately for crazy Aunt Judy (I like that!)… While the past two years have seen a White Sox championship and a Cardinals championship, the Midwest is still Cubs country.
She just took a rolling pin to all her potential “protest” voters on the North Side.
Comment by JohnR Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:40 pm
Express -you forgot one other important issue was it w who chaged the federal laws so churches and similar oranizations could receive fed funds you cant have it both ways if it is ok in washington it is ok in illinois
Comment by anonymous again Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:46 pm
Anyone who votes on someone’s love/hate, insulting of a sports team is an idiot….well, we are in Chicagoland.
Comment by Wumpus Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:47 pm
Oh, here. I found the story…
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/97483,1NWS6-15.article
See? Get this clown out of town on Tuesday! He is ticking off AG Madigan, big time.
Comment by Angie again Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 10:48 pm
Roomie — you mentioned the hotel issue from the 90’s. Had that deal been successful, the State would have actually RECEIVED money. Instead, Jim Ryan shot down the deal and I don’t believe the state has ever received a dime yet. If you had any business experience with accounts payable, you would know it’s better to receive a portion of the bill than nothing at all. Your hatred of anything involving a common sense business decision is blinding your ability to make a logical argument. Perhaps if you looked at the state’s accounts payables you would begin to question your rabid support of this Governor’s weak attempt at governing.
Comment by David Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 11:04 pm
ummm “anonymous again” -
I think express was referring to programs the people attending church could benefit from, not the churches themselves.
I am pretty confidant that church attendees have been able to receive state help long before this gang got to Washington.
Comment by JohnR Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 11:21 pm
THis is why I love being a Cubs fan… Only a week after watching the Cards win the series in a season in which we were in last place, they have managed to shift focus, and hope, back to the franchise.
The comment was really dumb, you can’t bash the Cubs in the northern half of the state without making people mad. What non Cubs fans dont realize is that true Cubs fans will take their loyalty over politics, religion, etc…
Comment by Robbie Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 11:39 pm
TO paraphrase the late Harry Caray (who would have had much difficulty pronouncing the name Blagojevich):
I am a Cubs Fan and a Topinka Man!
She is right. The Cubs have been playing like losers, but now help is on the way for the Cubbies and Illinois under the team of Pinella/Topinka.
And if Blago wanted to claim responsibility for the Bears starting off 7-0, I say he pay the price for this Sunday’s debacle on Election Day!
Comment by Establishment Republican Sunday, Nov 5, 06 @ 11:59 pm
In one off-the-cuff comment about the Cubs, Topinka got the entire black vote in those churches that Rod was visiting all day. They are all sox fans, folks. As am I. And Cubs fans know their team stinks. Yep, another home run for Topinka… (yes this is sarcasm, but it wouldn’t suprise me if she pulled an extra 1% of the chicago black vote because of the comment….)
Comment by Lovie's Leather Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 12:12 am
Nice going Topinka! Now if she’ll just hurl an insult at applie pie, she can finish below that Niewkirk (sp) guy’s write-in campaign.
Put a fork in the Topinka campaign. It’s done!
Comment by Real Clear Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 12:20 am
I hate the Cubs, but Christ, Judy. Way to seal your defeat.
Comment by T.J. Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 12:32 am
Church-centric???
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 1:04 am
The State Has Been Mismanaged, and we all lost!
Ditto for the Cubs
The Good news. Under new management both orinazations will become winners again.
No reason to be offended, just a healthy realization its time for imrovement.
Go Judy / Go Cubs! We all Win.
Comment by Blogopster Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 1:53 am
I have made it a point to never blog; however, I felt that this “Sports” thing has to be put to bed. I am just speaking for myself… What I see is a great diversion for people to use in the last few days of an election. Let’s not forget what this governor has done to the state and what it will take to fix things. Not to mention, we all recently found out that Whitney was a leader in the Socialist Labor Party of America. You should visit their website. Wow… We have no choice but to vote for Topinka. I admit that I am biased. Nonetheless, she is the only one poised to change the direction of this state. Let’s send a message on election day. By the way, she makes ‘off the cuff’ comments. Get used to it. It’s time for someone that relates to everyone - not press releases to make us feel good.
Comment by The Duder Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 1:55 am
I guess that Judy did not want kerry to have all the fun. Brilliant just Brilliant, Let’s see who she can piss off on Monday.
Comment by the ole precinct captain Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 3:52 am
I am a Cub fan and I have been for over 50 years. Is this what we have to expect from Judy Barr Topinka if she is elected Governor? Brutal candor? I hate it!!!
I feel that we should expect more from our elected officials. I prefer to have sunshine blown up my butt even though it is a cloudy day. Doesn’t Judy realize that Mary Poppns was “right on” when she said “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”?
Say what you want about our buddy Rod, but he makes me feel good by saying that Illinois is in good financial shape and that Illinois is a leader in jobs, education, etc. Mr. Sunshine saw Mary Poppins when it came out. I wish Judy had gone with him so I could put Rod’s wool over my eyes again. Darn her!
Comment by Beowulf Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 5:52 am
Hey Anon at 9:29: Maybe the event was packed because the state workers she has promised a raise to all showed up hoping their raise giving, tax raising candidate would say something they would like. They heard Saint Edgar tell them Sangamon County would make JBT a winner. Nothing worse then a bunch of angry GOP state workers wanting back at the table to stuff themselves some more.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:17 am
Now you see why we have elected officals like Blago.Corruption takes a back seat to some off the cuff remark.I’ve thought all my life that the Cubs were losers.Just like Illinois they are going to continue to lose until they get someone at the top to guide them to a win.So let’s all be winners and vote for Topinka.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:18 am
I love it when a Democrat reaches into the Black community via a religious institution, its considered a “buyout” by the right. I would remind the GOPers how they sold their soul to these modern-day pharisees (Pharisei?) that constitute the so-called religious right. They say things come in threes…Rep. Clark (R-Fla), Rev. Haggard (R-Sodom), …who will be the next in our previously closeted GOP trinity to have their hypocracy exposed?
Comment by Master of the Obvious Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:27 am
” You ain’t seen nothing like the mighty Quinn ” in the governors chair !
Comment by bluedog demo Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:38 am
This is funny, unless you are a Republican. The party has more clowns than Ringling Brothers. Keyes comes to mind. Oberweis comes to mind. Topinka comes to mind. She has neither the bandwith nor the CPU to be governor. What has she ever said that would convince people to vote for her? The Republican free-fall meltdown continues.
Comment by NoMilkForMe Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:42 am
I would like to see a cross section of Cub fans/ Blago fans, because it makes sense to me that someone who would support one would support the other.
Comment by shocked Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 6:43 am
Judy’s poll numbers are more Cubtacular than Rod’s. (Though being that both candidates are below 50%, the analogy holds.)
Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 7:18 am
I’m no professional, but this struck me as interesting: JBT is down at least a little in the polls. I would expect her to release a poll conducted by her own campaign that shows her doing much better than the scientific polls say she is doing.
Instead of releasing her numbers, her campaign manages to dig up decades-old stuff that they think is dirt…on a third party candidate from the Green party (????).
I wonder if this erratic behavior is due to their own polling and canvassing which suggests that Whitney is a much stronger player than previously supposed.
Tomorrow night it will be interesting to see whether it is the votes for JBT or for Whitney that are the “throwaway votes.”
Comment by Just wondering Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 7:35 am
was she wrong?
Comment by moderate Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 7:48 am
So the Cubs are now one of the protected species, above being joked about?
Comment by diane Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 7:53 am
Maybe they should have muzzled Judy and just let Joe talk….Oh wait…never mind!
Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 8:11 am
Hey let’s all go to Ravenswood and cheer GRod on this morning while he does the last run before election day.
Someone find the Brickhead and bring him along.
BTW, He was great on the radio last night reminding everyone of his wrongful prosecution track record and the pay to play @ the DuPage Co. Courthouse.
He also was “God Blessing” Whitney a lot while he rolled out the Socialist Worker talking points.
Does anyone know why it took JudyBore & the Brick so long to go down that road? The last bad act of Illinois’ worst campaign.
Comment by Reddbyrd Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 8:19 am
ILHandeyKing,
You stated: “I enjoy seeing people make it on their own in this world instead of being installed by family members.” What about the political help that the Governor received from his father-in-law in all his prior elections?
Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 8:22 am
Gee, Here is something new…a politician telling the TRUTH. The Cubs are Losers! (and so is Blago)
Comment by BIG R.PH Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 8:29 am
That double thump you all heard was Stu being run over by the bus and the bus being put in reverse, just to make sure.
The Repubs running free ads for Lisa and her dad!
If necessary the Speaker retires prior to 2010 but stays on as party chair to assist Lisa in becoming Gov.
Many things can change in 4 years and if it takes it MJM will work with Obama to ensure a Lisa 2010 victory.
Blago has shown no inclination to change. Doubt another 4 years will do it. Take out clothes pin, place on nose, and vote.
Comment by aidanquinn Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 8:37 am
…and I am always accused of being blindly partisan..
Topinka’s Cubs remark was typically off the mark and unnecessarily provoked resentment from Cubs fans, a much larger group than her avid supporters. It was little better than Kerry’s “botched joke” and stands as another last minute reminder that Judy may play the accordian but she sings off key.
Meanwhile, Blago, who is uniformly considered a dunce on anything of substance, showed masterful political one upmanship by his “but don’t smear the Cubs” retort. If this election is a judgment on performance, Judy trails badly.
Comment by Conservative Republican Monday, Nov 6, 06 @ 9:30 am
Doesn’t she have anything campaign related or even remotely intelligent to add?
Or is taking cheap shots at the Cubs all she has left?
Pathetic. Thank god it will all be over tomorrow, for better or worse!
Comment by amanda Tuesday, Nov 7, 06 @ 12:02 am