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* Retired Army Colonel Jill Morgenthaler hasn’t even announced that she’ll run against freshman Republican Peter Roskam yet, but she’s already being attacked by a flier in the 6th Congressional District.
The flier, which was apparently sent to Democrats in the district, damns her with praise, claiming, among other things, that she was the Army’s “go-to” person during the notorious Abu Ghraib torture scandal.
Morgenthaler said this morning that she was indeed the Army’s spokesperson during the scandal and a quick search shows she was widely quoted in the media.
“I was trying to make sure we got the facts out,” Morganthaler said, claiming that the scandal and the lack of leadership “led to a lot of good things being discounted.”
The flier also claims that Morgenthaler was a member of the Army’s Psychological Operations team in Qatar, but Col. Morgenthaler, who is Gov. Blagojevich’s deputy chief of staff for homeland security, said her involvement with Psy Ops was limited to a tour in California back in 1984 and likened her job to “advertising and marketing.”
Apparently, however, somebody is using Psy Ops against her now. Morgenthaler said this morning that, despite the claims made in the flier, she was not recruited by Congressman Rahm Emanuel. She has spoken with Emanuel, she said, but others, including fellow soldiers and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, who lost to Roskam last year, have been far more influential.
Morgenthaler is taking vacation time this week to mull the bid against Roskam, talking to various people and assessing the situation, including the possibility of a continued smear campaign against her.
Morgenthaler is also quoted in the flier complaining about the lack of coverage of the good things that the military was doing in Iraq, and the retired colonel said today that while she was there (she arrive in early 2004 and left in October of 2004) a constitution was formed and elections were held. “Things got positive.”
As for the future, she doesn’t want an immediate pull-out, but said, “We can’t stay the course either.” She thinks several important voices have been overlooked in a search for a solution, including the British and other regional leaders like the Queen of Jordan, whom Morgenthaler praised for her insight.
Morgenthaler currently doesn’t reside in the district (she was mapped out in 2002), but she and her husband live on the Des Plaines River and the flooding this summer has already prompted a search for a new house.
She promised to get back to me as soon as she makes a decision. Stay tuned.
* Meanwhile, Republican Jim McConoughey defends his poor fundraising report…
“Mine is a strategy about elevating my name recognition and my overall qualifications for the candidacy and then going after fundraising after we’ve got that reputation and name recognition established,” McConoughey said Tuesday, adding the money he received was not solicited.
McConoughey. who wants to replace retiring Congressman Ray LaHood, got into the race just a month after state Rep. Aaron Schock, but raised just $3,000. He loaned himself the rest. Schock raised $375,000, including a loan to his campaign. John Morris raised about $218,000.
I’m not sure how you establish name recognition before you raise money to establish name recognition, but whatever.
* And, finally, the Daily Southtown urges GOP congressional hopeful Tim Baldermann to consider reprioritizing…
The Issue: Tim Baldermann insists he can run for Congress without shirking his duties as full-time police chief (and part-time mayor).
We say: If campaign proves to be too rigorous, Balderman will have to reassess his situation as chief and do what’s best for taxpayers.
Tim Baldermann wants to be congressman from Illinois’ 11th District. That’s the same Tim Baldermann who also is mayor of New Lenox. And it’s the same Tim Baldermann who also is police chief in Chicago Ridge.
If Baldermann wins the Republican primary in February and qualifies for the general election in November 2008, he will have spent more than 12 months as chief, mayor and candidate.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 10:18 am
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Unreal.
It’s pretty clear which direction the Southtown leans when it comes to this race.
Slam Baldermann at the top of the editorial and gloss over the fact that Halvorsen is a very high profile leader in a Senate that has accomplished ZERO this session.
What’s it going to be like when she’s on the trail? Who knows…maybe they (Senate) will actually get something done.
Comment by SalukiDog Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 10:39 am
Jill Morgenthaler sounds like a terrible candidate. Taking damaging quotes from her Iraq PR days will be like shooting fish in a barrel. She seems like a poor man’s verison of Tammy Duckworth. Female in military, doesn’t live in the district, but comes with HUGE baggage. Running people like Jill Morgenthaler seems to be a good way to make sure that Democrats will never win in DuPage County.
Comment by Shallow Pool Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 10:44 am
So the Southtown editorial acknowledges (in the 14th paragraph) that Halvorson’s “responsibilities as an elected official need to take priority over her role as a candidate, just as Balderman’s responsibilities in the high-pressure job of police chief need to take priority.” Yet, the “At Issue/Our View” headline briefs focus only on Baldermann, and not Halvorson.
Gee….I wonder who’s gonna get their endorsement next fall.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 10:58 am
I’m fascinated by Morgenthaler’s memo offering to train Iraqi security guards at Savanna.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:02 am
McConoughey raised $53,000, not $3000, Rich.
Basically, McConoughey is a self-funder with the endorsement of LaHood. That’s huge and gives him an edge in this race. When you have a popular retiring Congressman endorse a successor (think Michel/LaHood or Porter/Kirk) that’s big.
Sounds like the Southtown has picked their candidate in this race, and it ain’t Baldermann.
However, they do bring up an excellent point.
A police chief is a very important position within a community. Plus, Baldermann has only been mayor of New Lenox for five months, now he’s shirking his duties there to run for Congress. If I were a resident of New Lenox, I’d be pretty ticked off.
Baldermann still has a primary challenger to contend with. Jimmy Lee has been traveling the district and getting his name out there. We’ll see what happens.
Comment by Super Mega Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:07 am
===McConoughey raised $53,000, not $3000, Rich.===
As I pointed out, he raised $3K from others and the rest from himself.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:09 am
If campaign proves to be too rigorous, Balderman will have to reassess his situation as chief and do what’s best for taxpayers.
No doubt they also feel this way about Sen. Obama?
Col M.
Welcome to politics, Col. It’s actually an effective and clever cheap shot to highlight her work in Iraq to Dem. voters. She’s right about lack of coverage of good things. But she needs to address the surge. Is it working? Or not?
2008 != 2006.
Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:21 am
Rich — Sorry about that. I stand corrected.
Comment by Super Mega Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:41 am
Bill Baar,
You need to get your facts straight, even on a neutral piece like the one you cite (neutral, at least, to Col. Morgenthaler).
Col. Morganthaler didn’t “offer” to train Iraqis in Savannah. She was asked to screen military sites in Illinois that would be suitable for training Iraqi police recruits, and she came up with Savannah — as the Sun-Time article clearly states.
Iraqis are being trained throughout the US — Kansas and California come to mind. If some of that work could be brought to Illinois I should think that would be, on its face, a good thing.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:41 am
Pat,
Is Sen. Obama the police chief of a local burg? I don’t have an issue with him running while he’s mayor (most suburban mayoral roles are part-time), but the police chief issue is valid.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:42 am
Balderman is making a bad mistake on many fronts. One, he is running a campaign under the assumption that he is the GOP nominee. Many GOP leaders have been supportive (but not too aggressive), because there is no credible candidate that has publicly stepped forward. Jimmy Lee will surprise people with his fundraising prowness, much like Aaron Schock has pleasantly surprised folks, when he offically announces, assuming he does.
Two, the GOP voters will have a problem with the fact that he is moves where the political opportunites lie. He enjoys being mayor when convenient, but functions as head of police in another. Now that a seat is open, he’s blowing off the voters of New Lenox who supported him. They will most likely not support him again.
Three, he cannot hide the fact that he is supported by Chicago labor. When the good conservatives and GOP voters learn of this — they will really be turned off. If he does win the nomination, he will not get the base excited to come out and vote and will lose a general election. The bottom line — if he comes close to winning the nomination — he will definitely lose the general.
Four, the increase of crime in Chicago Ridge has occurred under his leadership. How does he defend this?
Fifth, Beavers is a supporter of Balderman. Regardless of the amount (rather large for a mayor of a small community), why would Beavers with a horrible track record in Chicago and Cook County support a GOPer in New Lenox? Could anyone under Balderman in the police department in Chicago Ridge be part of the Beaver’s Organization?
Sixth, an earlier post wanted to know why would Beavers prop up Balderman? If you look into it, there is a major Beavers vs. Jackson rift. The Jackson organization beat out Beaver’s daughter for a aldermanic seat. This is Beaver’s payback. The third airport can become a “control” issue between Congressman Jackson and a Beavers should Balderman win. Control of a third airport would excite the unions and Beavers. Again, the GOP base will be turned off by this. Given the district, the mainstream voters will be turned off when they see the Beaver’s influence in the Balderman camp.
If Balderman wins the nomination, the GOP will lose the election. My prediction is that is Jimmy Lee enters the race, the GOP has a better chance with his clean record and ability to raise money for his campaign and other GOP organizations who sorely need it to win in 2008.
Comment by RichMillerFan Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:47 am
Rich Fan-
You make some good points-
However:
#3 Weller has been pretty friendly w/organized labor for a Republican, and it hasn’t cost him GOP support in the District. A screaming anti-union guy ain’t gonna get elected in this district, and conservatives know it.
#6 the issue of Will County control of the 3rd Airport will only help Baldermann, or Halvorson for that matter. Both Deb and Weller have taken a nuanced position on this, not really being anti-airport but insisting on maximum benefits and control to Will County should it happen. If the anti-airport faction is looking for a legitimate anti-airport screamer candidate, they will likely have to look toward the Green Party.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:19 pm
If holding a job precludes someone for running for office, who could run? Only the independently wealthy. Last year Halvorson held office while running for reelection. Balderman will need to be police chief, mayor and candidate when he runs for reelection in New Lenox. The whole argument is BOGUS.
It’s not easy to be employed and run for office, but pretty much every candidate manages to do it.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:41 pm
Yes, she was asked by Blagojevich’s staff to screen training sites. Maybe that was a pure patriotic response to assist the war effort.
I’d like to know if Illinois assisted Blackwater in any way to chose their near by training site.
Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:46 pm
Bill, please leave the cheap shots to the people writing the TV and radio ads.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:50 pm
Rich do you think the attack on Morgenthaler is coming from the left or the right. I could see it coming from either.
Comment by wndycty Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:56 pm
Your guess is as good as mine.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 12:58 pm
wndycty, There is speculation it may have come from a small group (could conceivably even be just 1 person given the small mailing universe) from the left who oppose the Iraq War though others disagree with that double-double-head-fake theory… Kind of sad that Roskam’s last race was so gutter-filled that folks automatically jumped to the conclusion it came from that side of the aisle.
Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 1:24 pm
Most of the Colonel’s current job is marketing and advertising also. She was brought into IEMA because of the desire of the “leaders” of this agency to make it a more papamilitary group. She has little knowledge of the nuclear safety end of the program at all, and given that Illinois has more nuclear plants than any other place except France, this seems to be where we should focus our protective services. The Dept. of Nuclear Safety has been disseminated of some very smart, knowledgeable people, methinks because of Sen. Jones closeness to ComEd, whose tax dollars financed that department. Here’s hoping we never need to tackle an emergency at one of the nukes.
Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 1:33 pm
Let me get this straight - do the Democrats actually suggest that US Army service in the PsyOps is a negative!??! It is an important and effective military section. This illustrates how those of us who want change are still reluctant to vote to give the Dems control over our national security and military. They really dislike the military?!
Comment by Legaleagle Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 2:00 pm
===#Rich do you think the attack on Morgenthaler is coming from the left or the right. I could see it coming from either.
To give slightly more information on it, the mailers were stamped-not done by postal permit for mass mailings, and it doesn’t appear they were widespread.
It’s an easy enough thing to pull off that anyone with access to a Kinkos could pull it off. There are some indications it was done by someone who knows the people in question in some manner because of name variations apparently used, but even that in an environment like DuPage Democratic Politics could be anyone on either side or just their own side.
Comment by archpundit Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 3:01 pm
===do the Democrats actually suggest that US Army service in the PsyOps is a negative!
No. But someone who made the flyer thought they would.
Comment by archpundit Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 3:03 pm
It is quite clear that you are a disgruntled member of IEMA/former DNS. While I agree that Nuclear Safety probably should have remained as its own agency, having a Director of IEMA whose primary experience is in nuclear safety would be disasterous, and that is exactly why the Col. and director Valasquez are right for the job.
Illinois has many scenarios, such as a dirty bomb in Chicago or an earthquake in Southern Illinois, which are more likely than a large scale nuclear plant incident and which would require massive coordination unknown to nuclear safety planners. I do not like Blago, but homeland security/emergency preparedness is one area that I think they have done a tolerable job.
Comment by To: Disgusted Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 3:53 pm
Its a brilliant first strike Republican strategy. Roskam’s weak spot with moderate republican moms in D6 is his support for this war. So, how do you neutralize that? Make the Democratic candidate defend her involvement IN the war! She’ll burn all her time, effort and communication defending her involvement with ABU, which will take attention away from Roskam’s BushCO voting record. Roskam will position her as a torture monger…she’s done… before she even started..and to top it off, she doesn’t live in the district..which was hammered in by Roskam vs. Duckworth in ‘06…next..
Comment by DuPage Dem Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 4:06 pm
OK, fair enough. It’s Psyop. But at least qualify it: This is BAAAAD Psyop. Amateur hour stuff….
Comment by Frank Sobotka Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 8:33 pm
Morgenthaler is not just on vacation. She submitted her resignation Tuesday. She gone.
Comment by fredbyrd Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 9:19 pm
[…] Read it here. […]
Pingback by WurfWhile » Blog Archive » Rich Miller Interviews Jill Morgenthaler About 6th Congressional Wednesday, Oct 17, 07 @ 11:38 pm
First, Schock did not “loan” his campaign anything. There is NO outstanding debt for his campaign. Schock permanently contributed the $50k. That is unlike McConoghey who “loaned” his campaign $50k. McCON is not a “self funder.” He intends to loan his campaign money to jump start it, then pay himself back with party money that he believes he will get once he wins the nomination. So he is not self funder, he is a self loaner. Schock on the other hand is “all in.” Schock cannot pay himself back as it wasn’t made as a loan.
Comment by Sentinel Thursday, Oct 18, 07 @ 4:09 am
The RichMillerFan is coming up with really weak reasons to support some guy named Jimmy Lee. WHO?
Claims that Balderman can’t run for office while holding a part time mayor’s position and a full time police job is also coming up with ridiculous excuses. The Southtown newspaper is the one that needs to reprioritize, not Balderman. Who are they? The time Balderman spends as police chief, mayor and candidate is his own problem, not their’s. If he can do it, he should be able to. But to point out that he shouldn’t be able to is their own opinion based on their own opinion.
It is time for the Southtown to stop it.
McConoughey bothers me because if he is unwilling to ask for money from his constituents, just how willing is he to meet with them? If he doesn’t like asking for money, how does he expect to ask them for their votes? If he doesn’t want to put himself through the embarrassment of collecting cash from his constituents, and most candidates don’t like to do it, he is simply not doing his job as a candidate. Being a candidate means meeting strangers, listening to clowns, and being sincere about it. That is what his job will entail if he is elected. If he is unwilling to do it now, he is turning down an important part of his responsibilities as a congressional candidate.
Not asking constituents for money is a sign that he doesn’t understand this part of being a public figure. Sorry, but if you want the job, that is what you do. People pay you a buck and expect a buck in return. That is how you build connections.
Don’t come off as an elitist priss, Mr. McConoughey.
The only people uncomfortable with her role in the current Iraq War are the ones Morganthaler needs to have support from. Morganthaler is stuck between her profession and playing footsie with naive Democratic voters afraid of anything regarding war. She just might be too normal to be the Democratic nominee. Just as Republicans woke up and decided that Rudy Giuliani could win next November regardless of his social positions, Democrats need to wake up and decide if candidates like Morganthaler deserve their support. It is unfortunate that Democrats have painted themselves into a corner regarding the military. They are so weak on national security before the Clinton Era, that it gutted them when they followed Pelosi/Dean/Reid off dozens of rhetorical cliffs leaving patriotic Democrats like Morganthaler searching for a place at their table.
Those who wish to fingerpoint at Morganthaler’s profession and claim it to be some kind of political conspiracy need to discover that the problem lies within themselves, not with Republicans. Morganthaler sounds like a great candidate and it would benefit the Democrats to have a several more like her to help them rediscover reality.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 18, 07 @ 9:52 am
Personally, I don’t hate the military, but I do hate what it’s been used for. Since WWII our country has been fighting wars of choice which have had nothing to do with defense or national security.
And might I point out that Morganthaler isn’t the only game in town. Democrat Stan Jagla is also running against Hastert.
Comment by Gary Kleppe Thursday, Oct 18, 07 @ 9:57 am
It’s Roskam, not Hastert.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 18, 07 @ 10:11 am
[…] After reading the comments of others I think the fair thing to say is that I jumped the gun on attributing blame to Republicans in the recent Jill Morgenthaler hit piece. It may or may not have been from pro-Roskam Republicans on the right, as I originally suggested, or from one or more people otherwise disenchanted with the prospect of Jill. Since I’m not convinced either way now, and have no proof either way, I owe “pro-Roskam Republicans” an apology for blaming them for this “slime” with insufficient proof. Politics of late is already too alienating, I was wrong to contribute to it by placing ill-founded blame, and I offer my sincere apologies. […]
Pingback by WurfWhile » Blog Archive » Carts, Horses And Jill Morgenthaler Hit Piece - A Mea Culpa Thursday, Oct 18, 07 @ 9:03 pm