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Durbin goes to bat for Sheila Simon

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Illinois

* From SW Illinois News, which is one of those Dan Proft newspapers…

Approaching the November elections, Republican Paul Schimpf aims to bring “common-sense” legislating, conservative values and integrity to the state Senate in District 58, which covers Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Union and Jefferson counties. […]

Former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (2011-2015) is the current Democrat opponent in the Senate race, but Schimpf is confident that he is the right candidate to address the issues Illinois and his district are facing. […]

What makes Schimpf the best candidate for the district?

“Leadership abilities versus political lineage,” he said.

Schimpf explained that Simon comes from a tradition of politicians who do very little to serve the state; instead, they are more likely to serve themselves. He also argued that he can be a leader for everyone, not just for one party.

* Simon responds…

“I’ve expected a good debate in this campaign, but I sure didn’t expect to have to defend my father’s reputation,” said state senate candidate Sheila Simon.

Simon’s opponent, Paul Schimpf, recently referred to Simon’s lineage claiming, “Simon comes from a tradition of politicians who do very little to serve the state; instead, they are more likely to serve themselves.”

“People all over southern Illinois have fond memories of my dad. Most often, folks say they appreciated dad’s honesty,” Simon said.

“The Paul Simon I knew and respected was a Lutheran minister’s kid who drove an old Chevrolet and knew a lot more about where to find a cold Pepsi than a vintage wine, “said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Paul Simon’s successor in the Senate. “He even bargained his SIU salary down when he started the Simon Institute. Sheila’s opponent will have his hands full trying to smear the reputation of one of the most honest and caring politicians in our state’s history. ”

“I respect my dad’s record of public service,” Simon said. “He did it in uniform overseas, as a newspaper editor, and in Springfield and Washington. That’s a tradition I’m proud to be a part of.”

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:27 am

Comments

Good job. Just give her a chance to talk about her wonderful dad. Spare her the trouble of bringing it up.

Comment by State worker Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:31 am
Shame on you rich for using fake newspapers as your source. How much is Rauner paying you?

Comment by shame Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:31 am
I’d say you are committing media malpractice, Rich. But then again, you are just a blogger.

Comment by media malpractice Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:32 am
Paul Simon isn’t running. Both candidates would do well to remember that.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:33 am
I adore the late Sen. Simon. I have two books about him at home. One was signed by him and I treasure it. He was a great Illinoisan.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:34 am
Sheila, you were an elected official once. What did you do to serve the state? Can you point to one achievement?

If not, then you are exactly what Mike described; an elected official who did very little to serve the people of Illinois.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:35 am
===for using fake newspapers as your source===

LOL

I never would’ve seen the article had Simon not reacted to it.

So, bite me, moron.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:35 am
*Paul

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:35 am
Also…

Highlighting the phoniness of the Proft newspaper being cited by Simon puts into perspective what the campaign season will be like, and what candidates like Simon will be facing, and how they plan to respond… or not.

Geez, Louise, keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:37 am
I get the impression Paul Simon is very well liked and respected in these parts, but I grew up further north, so I could be wrong. You’d think the candidate would have a sense for that. you’d hope

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:38 am
Sheila and Sen. Durbin are right, of course. But it’s gonna take a lot more than fond memories to win the election. Time to move on.

Comment by Bronco Bahma Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:39 am
It seems that political races have sunk too far into the slimy mud slinging depths when a politician is running against a dead guy.

Feel free to delete this post.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:39 am
When Senator Simon was running for president, many years ago, I ran into him in line at the Burger King. He and his wife were just standing their patiently, waiting for their order to be taken.

I introduced myself and said, “Shouldn’t you be shaking hands or something?” And he said something like, “I don’t want to bother people while they’re eating.”

And then he ordered two bacon double cheeseburgers — not sure why I remember that, but I do.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:41 am
speaking as a journalism grad of the UofI, we have a pretty loose definition of newspaper these days.

Comment by Molly Maguire Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:42 am
Attacking Sheila’s record, or lack of, is fair.

Attacking Paul Simon’s record downstate is committing suicide.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:45 am
Paul Schimpf may be the only person capable of losing to Shiela Simon in the 58th District. He is as 2 dimensional of a candidate as I have ever interacted with. I have yet to hear him put forth a single proposal on how to solve any of the states problems. He will be a total partisan Raunerite robot if elected. Then to go after Paul Simon? The guy is a saint across the state. Certainly not a candidate capable of filling the shoes of Sen Luectefeld.

Comment by Saluki Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:54 am
I don’t think trashing Paul Simon in Southern Illinois is a viable campaign.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:56 am
The GOP just can’t stand seeing Dems in IL? What’s wrong with this part of the state, they want to know.

Comment by Winnin' Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 11:14 am
I’ve never cared for pols who just run for whatever race their qualified to run for. Are you passionate about a certain issue, and a certain way you can serve, or are you passionate about being an elected official and you don’t care which one?

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 11:23 am
Doesn’t reflect well on Proft’s political judgement.

Comment by Eugene Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 11:25 am
Schimpf came off as a smarter guy than this when running for AG, like saying he wished that office were non-partisan and specifically saying he wasn’t going to bring in attacks against Mike Madigan into the race.

This campaign, however, make it seems like he’s shedding that independent streak.

Comment by John Gregory (ex-IRN) Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 11:39 am
Schimpf is a Raunerite.

Read it, know it, learn it.

“Vote Accordingly”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 11:44 am
To date, Sheila has not ‘benefitted’ from the service and reputation of her father. I doubt I’d pound him to pound her. Some people did like him. Actually, he was able to literally hand the Senate seat over to then Congressman Durbin.

Weird that he could hand something to him…but not to her.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 12:00 pm
This is one instance in which I’m delighted that capitolfax is the only source I look at reporting on this campaign.

Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr. Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Wow. I don’t that there is even much more than a phone booth’s worth of Republicans who didn’t like Paul Simon (even if they disagreed with his political leanings).

You might say he was mistaken as to the best route to a better Illinois, but how do you not believe he was sincere, or not like the guy as a person?

Comment by titan Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Oswego Willy - stop the smear campaign, it’s beneath you.

Paul Schimpf is a Republican. He ran for AG in 2014 without Rauner’s support. He ran for State Senate with local support. He’ll win with GOP, Independent, and thinking Dems support.

Put down the tar brush, you’ll only ruin the one good suit you own.

Comment by truth squad Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 2:06 pm
This isn’t that hard. Don’t slam the beloved Paul Simon. Compare and contrast the Simons. “Sheila, you’re no Paul Simon” is the better way to make the point.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 2:17 pm
If you vote for Paul Schimpf you will be voting against SIU, Carbondale, and an economic engine of Southern Illinois.

Vote Accordingly, SIU. Paul Schimpf?

“Why take the chance?”

I wouldn’t.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 2:27 pm
===Put down the tar brush, you’ll only ruin the one good suit you own.===

Why do you care what I think.

I can’t help that Schimpf will be part of the Raunerite chorus in the Illinois Senate, but now, now I’ll be reminded constantly about my “one clean suit”

Well done!

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 2:31 pm
OW, you are indeed spot on. Shrimpf is a Raunerite. Not very articulate or well spoken. Pretty full of himself as well.

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Crazy to attack P.S.

Comment by dr. reason a, goodwin Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 3:47 pm
===Crazy to attack P.S.===

Why? He’s a Raunerite and Raunerites are destroying higher education.

SIU is hurting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Willy, P.S. (with the periods) is most likely a reference to Paul Simon.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 4:06 pm
LOL!

There’s a lot of PS going around

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 4:07 pm
OW - I think dr. reason a, goodwin was referring to Paul Simon as P.S.

Comment by titan Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 4:12 pm
–Some people did like him.–

What gave it away? The 65% of the vote he got in his last election versus Lynn Martin?

– Actually, he was able to literally hand the Senate seat over to then Congressman Durbin.–

Actually, Durbin literally won contested primary and general elections for the open seat.

Sen. Burris and Comptroller Munger are examples of those who had actually had their offices literally handed to them.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 8:45 pm
Who in their right mind goes after Southern Illinois’ political sweetheart? I ran into Senator Simon several times while I was a student at SIUC, and I can assure you, he was a true man of the people, and he was loved, respected, and revered by the constituents he served. Schimpf needs a new message, quick.

Comment by Harvest76 Wednesday, Jun 22, 16 @ 10:24 pm