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* Dude, let it go already…
A talk radio host who was called out by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza for an on-air comment about duct-taping her mouth said Monday that he was “offended” by the way she addressed the issue.
Mendoza on Friday held a news conference and blasted WGN radio host Steve Cochran for “rape culture” language after he joked on air with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner last week about using duct tape to “put it over her mouth.” Mendoza called on Cochran and Rauner to apologize, “for the millions of women who’ve been victims of violence or sexual abuse.” […]
On his Monday show, Cochran reiterated the apology. He also questioned Mendoza’s motives, saying her choice to address the issue by news conference was “a reach for publicity.”
“If the event was called blowing something out of proportion for potential political gain, it would have made sense. But not in this case,” Cochran said. “I’m quite sure the comptroller knows how this works. If you’re upset, we talk about it … if you call me, I’ll talk to you and we’ll talk it out. Nobody from the comptroller’s office called me, I’m not that hard to find, and I didn’t find out she was going to do this until … the event happened Friday afternoon and became a news story.”
You get paid to make a stupid joke about duct-taping a female officeholder’s mouth shut on a 50,000 watt clear-channel radio station and yet you’re the victim because she somehow owes you a phone call?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:10 pm
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Cochran called Mendoza to discuss his duct tape remark before he made it, didn’t he?
Comment by My New Handle Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:15 pm
Seems like much ado about nothing by everyone on all sides. Wish there was this much acrimony about the 14 people shot and killed in Chicago last week.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:22 pm
Take your own advice about the mouth and duct tape, Einstein.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:22 pm
Actually those 50K Watts don’t reach many folks anymore. C* pushing this to build #s.
Maybe DopeyDuct should go back on the show and ’splain was it a belch, cough,laugh or all of the above and was he even payin’ attention when C* made his “joke”
Meanwhile anyone talkin’ about Axe Files with John McCain in the middle of the NCAA semifinals
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:25 pm
If you’ve got to apologize on a 50K watt blowtorch, you’re definitely gonna bellyache on the same platform…bet on it.
Radio is sure going to change if this keeps up.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:25 pm
Of course it is radio, so a running feud will definitely be good for ratings and business. Irreverence isn’t new to that medium.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Every day in Illinois feels like a day is Bizarro World.
Comment by Romeo Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:28 pm
Susana Mendoza has been sharing her opinions (some pertinent and others ill advised) almost nonstop since she took office as comptroller. This was in contrast to her largely silent and low profile approach as Chicago City Clerk.
Mendoza was only elected to a partial term, so she will be on the ballot again soon. I think that some of her talking point sessions are part of a larger constant campaign.
Comment by No Susana! Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:30 pm
Pro-tip: any apology that comes with a lecture like the one that Cochran included in his apology is not really an apology.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:31 pm
There goes the Illinois GOP. Inclusive, measured, dignified, a statesmen like.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:36 pm
Do we have audio of Cochran’s apology?
Because the statement he issued last week was not an apology. It was a classic non-apology.
The only reason he seems to think it was “blown out of proportion” is that his comments involve someone he does not agree with politically. I am pretty sure if someone jested that his wife or Bruce Rauner’s wife should have their mouth duct-taped, he could understand what was so offensive.
Try again, Steve. This time, with feeling.
Comment by Juvenal Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:42 pm
Politicians and radio hosts use each other for publicity purposes? What a concept!
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:46 pm
I don’t listen to WGN much, but I’ve always thought Steve Cochran has a great radio voice. It’s really disappoint to read that he pals around with that JERK governor on air, and doesn’t the BTK implications of duct tape. It’s not just that Rauner is tone-deaf. He’s a phony Carhardt wearing, duct tapping jerk.
Comment by James Knell Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:50 pm
Heard Cochran apologize on the radio while driving in this morning, then he veered off into a nearly 5 minute response.
He admitted it was a stupid joke, but is clearly angry that Mendoza, in his opinion, jumped on it to try to make some political hay.
If it is on the WGN Radio website, it is worth a listen.
Cochran sounds like he is isn’t going to let this one rest, and went so far as to express his “remorse” that Mendoza would not appear on his show today, and then read off 5-6 loaded questions about her behavior as Comptroller for her to answer whenever she decided to appear.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:55 pm
Funny thing, the said cannot be un-said.
Axe and McCain?
Comment by cdog Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:55 pm
The program director at WGN says www.citizenkelly.com isn’t a good fit for WGN? After listening to the garbage on WGN I think he might have a good point!
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:56 pm
Apology? What apology? I’ll make you the brunt of my distasteful joke publicly but if you don’t like it you should call me personally and we will discuss it. No double standard there, right?? This guys the real joke!!
Comment by justpeachy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 4:57 pm
Yeah, a private phone call is how you resolve a conflict between friends or co-workers or other people who have a preexisting relationship with each other. The guy said it in a public forum, as part of his job, which he gets paid to do - and, in fact, for which he is probably worth more, the more sensationalist he is on air. She definitely did not owe him any private phone call. I call BS.
Comment by Commander Norton Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:01 pm
Seriously, what is this guy whining about? What does he think he’s entitled to?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:01 pm
=If you’re upset, we talk about it … if you call me=
So is Cochran’s argument that the victims of his crass remarks somehow need to self-report to him on the same airways that they were victimized on?
This “I’m sorry if you were offended” apology is anything but.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:01 pm
Mendoza went too far with Rauner in her press conference. C’mon, Abdon, tighten things up.
Cochran? I dunno if anyone owes him a phone call, or be obligated to be on his show after his remark, but outwardly explaining his position as someone owed something is lacking.
Cochran dragged Mendoza into the discussion.
What am I missing?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:02 pm
That’s pretty cool, that the guy who joked about duct-taping Mendoza’s mouth closed so she can no longer hurt the rich white man’s feelings now what’s her to come on and talk because she hurt a not-rich white man’s feelings.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Yeah that’s a laughable attempt at an apology … cough … I mean haha.
Comment by P. Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:11 pm
Controversy increases ratings.
Comment by Not It Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:17 pm
Sounds like Mr. Cochran would be better suited for AM 560 or AM 890 vs. Radio 720.
Comment by GA Watcher Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:28 pm
Never too early for hay making, I guess.
Comment by walker Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:31 pm
–Controversy increases ratings.–
On WGN? That’s what Randy Michaels thought. The station has never recovered from that train wreck.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 5:37 pm
Mr. Cochran’s failure to follow the First Rule of Holes has certainly exposed a woeful degree of political acumen.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 6:01 pm
hey, why not? Bernie is mansplaining that sexism is not an issue of note, Biden too, so let all the white men just do their alpha thang. gak.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 6:05 pm
Sure miss Spike O’Dell
Comment by Retired Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 6:30 pm
Much to do about nothing but PR the self serving.
Comment by Harpy Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 6:36 pm
“Sounds like Mr. Cochran would be better suited for AM 560 or AM 890 vs. Radio 720.”
Where have you been? In the game of musical chairs that is Chicago broadcasting, Cochran has worked at all of those stations. AM 890 is far less political than in the past. Lot’s more dead air from Bob and Marianne and Steve Dull, plus sports broadcasts.
Comment by Walter Concrete Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 6:43 pm
I swear in the course of catching up on this post I have seen 4 Rauner advertisements complaining about “duct tape solutions”. Is this an inside joke?
BTW, Rauner looks like a joke in the commercials. That folksy lumberjack routine can be retired already when you’re on year 3 in the big chair.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 9:31 pm
Mr. Cochran will next be listed as the gov’s next caddy. The gov. is probably a cheap skate tipper so Cochran better be prepared.
Comment by Roscoe Tom Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 9:33 pm
Cochran appears to be a lap dog for Rauner, I wouldn’t be surprised if the spots were paid by Bruce.
His behavior was inappropriate when he made the comment…. he should man up and keep his mouth shut.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 3, 17 @ 10:21 pm
I really don’t understand why Cochran is on air at all. Abrasive, self absorbed, insulting is his mode of operand i.
Rauner’s sledge hammer commercials are insulting to Illinoisans. It’s apparent he doesn’t have negotiation skills, so now he’s going to use violence to negotiate?
Enough… they both have to go.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 6:30 am
Makes me miss Uncle Bobby who wanted all HIV infected patients quarantined on an island.
Comment by Dave Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 8:02 am
Not sure why he thinks he gets to tell anyone how to react to being insulted. Added to his passive aggressive non-apology - saying “I’m sorry you fell that way” is just passively aggressively saying “Don’t be so sensitive” - he’s certainly being condescending, though I’m not sure he is being condescending because Mendoza is a woman (referring to the “mansplaining” remark). He could simply be a jack***.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 8:09 am
Seems to me that Mendoza’s been the most pointed and focused Democratic critic of this Governor’s policies and their implications. The Democrats need more of that to offset the misdirection of the Governor.
And if Mendoza chooses not to engage personally with Cochran so be it. She doesn’t owe him a thing.
Comment by Biscuit Head Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 8:34 am
Everything Cochran said of her reaching for publicity is true.
You can’t say dumb things (Cochran) but you also have to handle things like an adult (Mendoza).
Comment by IL-6 voter Tuesday, Apr 4, 17 @ 8:58 am