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Campaign news, snark and Intertubes whatnot

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* I’ve been informed that JB Pritzker has definitely decided not to run for state treasurer. So, for now at least, Robin Kelly still has a free ride through the Democratic primary.

* Republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard laid out his ethics reform plan today. At the top of his list was a pledge not to raise any campaign money during the first two years of his term in office.

I guess that’s OK, but it could just mean that a Gov. Dillard would have to focus that much more on fundraising in the second half of his term.

Also, Dillard reported raising just over $50,000 during the first six months of the year, while claiming privately that he’d file with a million bucks. So this new “no fundraising” pledge leaves him wide open to severe snark.

But, besides all that, take a look at Dillard’s blog. Dude, not even a link to your campaign site? Huh?

* Speaking of snark and the Internet, somebody has created fake Twitter accounts for several US Senate candidates.

There’s Fake David Hoffman

The #1 question I get is “who are you again?” That question, I must admit, is slightly less exciting.

Fake Alexi Giannoulias

[Special interests] should be regulated to middle child status in our politics–ignored, bitter, and forced to dye their hair purple to gain attention

Fake Cheryle Jackson

omg!!! sun tyms 4gets I xist… they dnt c me, they dnt hear me. but im blesd anywy & wil b the nxt Sen frm IL

And Fake Mark Kirk

I know I can be stuffy & wooden sometimes, but no, I’m not a ventriloquist and no, I didn’t throw my voice in Rep. Wilson’s direction.

* And speaking of Twitter, Congressman Don Manzullo is using the site to ask for help circulating his nominating petitions. He added several hashtags to attract notice, including #sgp, which, I’m told means “Smart Girl Politics.”

I don’t get it.

* And whilst we’re on the subject of the Intertubes, I was searching Google News for stories on Mark Kirk’s US Senate race this morning and noticed these Google ads on the right side of the page…

The NRSC Google ad has been up for a while now, but Giannoulias is now countering with his own. That “Voice of the New Right” ad appears to be new.

So, then I searched Google News for Alexi Giannoulias…

Just one ad there, for now.

Cheryle Robinson Jackson? Not much…

Conservative US Senate candidate Patrick Hughes? Nothing much of note there, either…

However, new Democratic US Senate entrant David Hoffman is spending a bit more on Google ads. Search for his name and his ad appears above the actual results…

One of my Hoffman searches produced a Giannoulias ad on the right, so he’s doing some counter-programming on Hoffman as well.

Keep in mind that not all searches will yield the same ad results since the Google ad program is a bit weird and complicated. But I did a few searches for each name and got essentially the same results, except for Hoffman.

* I’m starting to get lots of campaign press releases that consist of pdf attachments again. I hate that. We’ve discussed this before. Please just paste your release into the body of the e-mail. Why should I have to download this, for instance?…

Robert Dold will formally announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 10th District on Monday, September 14th. Dold will make the announcement at Rose Pest Solutions, a family-owned business he runs.

* And, finally, after announcing that huge SEIU endorsement with a strictly embargoed and breathless e-mail late last night, Gov. Pat Quinn’s campaign sent out another embargoed press release this morning announcing a long list of liberal endorsees headed by Congresscritter Jan Schakowsky. Others include Sens. Iris Martinez and Heather Steans, Reps. Will Burns and Harry Osterman, Commissioner Larry Suffreding and Alds. Joe Moore, Mary and Smith and Tom Tunney, and William Marovitz.

The strict embargo ended at 10 o’clock. It’s now 11:30 as I write this and nobody has picked up the story yet. I wonder why.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:39 am

Comments

  1. ==I wonder why.==
    Because no one cares?

    Comment by Bill Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:44 am

  2. lol

    Probably right. Which is why it was at the bottom of the post.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:54 am

  3. Dan Hynes gets an endorsement from two committmen from Palatine and Arlington Heights and you make sure that everyone is aware. Endorsement by people who can actually move votes and “probably right” that no one cares.

    Dumb thing to embargo it. Their press office needs to get it together.

    Comment by WizardOfOzzie Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:59 am

  4. === Which is why it was at the bottom of the post. ===

    Wait, you mean people read the whole posts? I thought we all stopped about half way through so we could get our comments out….

    Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:04 pm

  5. Wow.. I thought Dan Hynes was going to steam roll Pat Quinn.. but this might be a real campaign.

    Comment by Just Observing Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:06 pm

  6. How much do these Google ads cost? This can’t seriously be major spending can it?

    Comment by WOW Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:16 pm

  7. Wow.. I thought Dan Hynes was going to steam roll Pat Quinn.. but this might be a real campaign.
    ———————–

    I’m thinking Quinn is heading towards steamrolling Hynes between the organization, union and liberal endorsements.

    Comment by Niles Township Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:17 pm

  8. It’s not huge spending, but there are a whole lot of Google search eyeballs out there. The numbers are amazing.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:18 pm

  9. ==I’m starting to get lots of campaign press releases that consist of pdf attachments again.==

    The smart thing is to do both.

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:29 pm

  10. Thank YOU Kirk Dillard! Kirk Dillard gets what democrats don’t. It’s the pay to play political campaign contributions, stupid!

    Comment by Okay Then... Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:41 pm

  11. Dillard’s release also calls for banning all fund raising during legislative sessions (actually, a little before and after as well). That ought to tick off some folks.

    Comment by Middle of the Road Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:44 pm

  12. Wizzard of Ozzie: are you calling Sue Walton someone who can move votes? or do I misunderstand your post?

    Comment by Amalia Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:06 pm

  13. Jan Schakowski is a very interesting political character. Not surprisingly she is considered too liberal by even the most moderate Illinois Republicans, but in my travels I have picked up that also within the Democrat party she is not universally liked or respected. She seems to be revered by activist progressives but those leanings coupled with her abrasive style is disliked by many moderate Democrats. IMO it remains to be seen how effective, or helpful, her endorsements will be–especially in the 10th district congressional race and in the governors race.

    Comment by Responsa Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:14 pm

  14. Im saying the people endorsing Quinn can actually move votes, while, as nice as Sue Walton might be, there arent a lot of primary Democratic voters in Palatine and Arlington Heights

    Comment by WizardOfOzzie Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:27 pm

  15. Let me get this straight. Since Friday, Governor Quinn has been endorsed by the Cook County Dems, SEIU and a blue-chip list of progressive Democrats. SEIU and the Teamsters have announced their plans to give solid, boots-on-the ground and financial support to Quinn. This guy has pulled together a classic Democratic coalition that’s growing by leaps and bounds. And it’s not news?

    Comment by soccermom Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:32 pm

  16. Rich - You keep hitting Kirk for raising a small amount of money but you don’t add the caveats that (1) he didn’t announce until July 8 after the reporting deadline and (2) he doesn’t have any Springfield fundraisers during session when the lobbyists are in town.

    The fundraising story would be that Bill Brady raised only a bit more after running for years (and having a $600,000 debt) and Schillerstrom didn’t raise much. Both were declared candidates for Governor.

    Comment by 4 percent Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:40 pm

  17. Robin Kelly getting a free shot is a little annoying to me for some reason. I know she’s very nice and well liked. But I can’t believe some of those Lite Gov candidates wouldn’t drop down to take her on.

    I would run against her myself if my wife would let me.

    Comment by siriusly Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:01 pm

  18. Siriusly, let her have it. Beisdes, the Republican is going to win the general. I think there will be shake-ups in the constitutional offices as many independents and even moderate dems take a critical look at the democrat strangle hold in Illinois government. I think many voters will rightly conclude that too of much of one thing has been bad for the state.

    Comment by Okay Then... Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:12 pm

  19. Also not universally liked or respected in the Democratic Party: Republans who can’t type “i-c” at the end of a word.

    Comment by Lefty Lefty Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:17 pm

  20. Thanks for the endorsement Okay Then, but I just double checked. I don’t have permission to run for public office.

    Maybe Dan Seals should run for Treasurer. He would have a better chance against Kelly then he is going to have against Hamos.

    Comment by siriusly Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:23 pm

  21. So Rich- are you using these as example on the 26th?

    Comment by Inish Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:34 pm

  22. Dillard didnt claim $1M privately, he did it on Berkowitz’s show…

    Comment by Kane Conservative Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:49 pm

  23. “This guy has pulled together a classic Democratic coalition that’s growing by leaps and bounds. And it’s not news?”

    Its only news here if its good for Dan Hynes or bad for Pat Quinn.

    Comment by WizardOfOzzie Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:19 pm

  24. ===Its only news here if its good for Dan Hynes or bad for Pat Quinn. ==

    Excuse me? Did you not see the post today headlined “Quinn gets another huge campaign boost”?

    If it was a month ago, I could understand. But I posted that story this morning, for crying out loud.

    Don’t be such a pathetic moron.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:20 pm

  25. ==* Speaking of snark and the Internet, somebody has created fake Twitter accounts for several US Senate candidates.==

    Politics, of any stripe, at any level, will always attract the Donald Segretti-types These silly phone communications are just white noise.

    Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:26 pm

  26. Wizzard of Ozzie,

    Take another look at election numbers in Palatine and, especially, Wheeling Townships. There’s a reason everyone from the DCCC to Mike Madigan and John Cullerton are focusing on the northwest suburbs.

    Heck, yesterday’s Township Dems’ Picnic was packed to the gills and the office is constantly buzzing with precinct captains going out to gather signatures and otherwise pound the pavement.

    Comment by Rob_N Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 5:23 pm

  27. Rob, I’m not belittle efforts out there but the ability to effect voter’s preferences is substanially different in the City (where voters are condensed it small geographic areas and ward orgainzations have a history of turning voters out) vs. the suburbs (where houses are spread out and there is little history of an Democratic party organization soliciting their vote).

    And Rich, you’ve been anti-Quinn for months now. Simply because you posted a story about Quinn getting the SEIU endorsement does not change that fact.

    Your blog though. I’m just hear to enjoy.

    Comment by WizardOfOzzie Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 6:04 pm

  28. ===And Rich, you’ve been anti-Quinn for months now. ===

    You’ve made the same mistake as every gubernatorial fan-boy or fan-girl.

    It’s not that I’m anti Pat, or anti Rod or Anti George, John, Paul or Ringo. It’s that they are or were the governor and therefore at the top of the food chain and therefore subject to far more scrutiny and criticism than anyone else. Period.

    So, get over it, or you’ll end up going nuts because I ain’t changing.

    “You ain’t bad, but I heard it all before.”

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 6:13 pm

  29. Dillard didnt claim $1M privately, he did it on Berkowitz’s show…

    He also claimed Edgar would endorse him at the state fair.

    He and his people say they have this great organization but have to bus people from across the state to do parade’s and event’s.

    Oh yeah and their ahead in the polls too unless you check then they will have some excuse for that too.

    Don’t question Dillard thou he will bite your head off.

    That’s ok, he’s still a front runner?

    Comment by Dnstatanon Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 7:09 pm

  30. SGP is a grassroots organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering conservative women. They’re active on Twitter, hence #SGP.

    Comment by Elin Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 8:08 pm

  31. Rich,

    That’s not the only mistake Whizzo is making.

    Wiz says, “I’m not belittle efforts out there but the ability to effect voter’s preferences is substanially different in the City (where voters are condensed it small geographic areas and ward orgainzations have a history of turning voters out) vs. the suburbs (where houses are spread out and there is little history of an Democratic party organization soliciting their vote).

    Huh? You must be thinking of the wrong decade.

    Brendan Houlihan (Board of Review) is a prime example of how out of date you are. Houlihan was actively opposed by “the Machine” which was in cahoots with the incumbent Republican Maureen Murphy at the time. Yet, with the help of the former Wheeling Township Committeeman, he not only got on the ballot but beat Maureen Murphy.

    And there was plenty of a “Democratic party organization soliciting their vote” — it’s not my fault you’re too busy navel-gazing to notice. :)

    Welcome to the 2000s Wiz.

    Comment by Rob_N Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:40 pm

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