* David Hoffman kicks off his Democratic US Senate bid today…
Hoffman’s announcement launched a multi-city tour of the candidate via an RV clad in his campaign colors of yellow and black. The political newcomer goes to Springfield this afternoon and then will make weekend trips to Alton, Carbondale and Champaign to introduce himself to downstate reporters and voters.
Hoffman also got support from state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), who introduced the candidate at his kick-off event. Schoenberg also took a shot at Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias…
Schoenberg also said Hoffman was “a Democrat who can win this seat next election” and raised the specter that Giannoulias could not survive a general election, creating the “potential political damage of the president’s old seat falling into Republican hands.” Hoffman’s reputation offsets Republicans running against Democrats based solely on the Blagojevich scandals, he said.
And Hoffman himself appeared to foreshadow an attack on Giannoulias…
“Plain and simple, it is time to turn the page on the Blagojevich-Rezko era,” Hoffman said, citing convicted former campaign fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, “and to nominate a candidate for the U.S. Senate with no connection to the corrupt and cozy politics of the past.”
He also took a whack at Republican Senate hopeful Mark Kirk during his speech…
“Even as the financial mess was beginning to unfold, Congressman Mark Kirk voted against tougher regulation of the very subprime mortgages that were at the heart of this crisis. In fact, he marched lockstep with the Bush/Cheney economic program, right over the cliff.”
…Adding… Oops. I forgot to post Terry Savage’s whack on Treasurer Giannoulias and the other actors in the multi-million dollar Bright Start losses. Savage’s conclusion…
This is the worst case of bureaucratic denial that I have ever seen. First they LOST the bucks — $85 million of them. And now they keep “passing the buck.” But it does not appear they will pass the bucks to the families who trusted them with college accounts in time to pay tuition this fall. And that’s the sad, Savage Truth.
* In other US Senate campaign news, Democratic state Rep. Susana Mendoza held a conference call presser today to blast Republican Kirk for accepting $1,000 from Congressman Joe Wilson in 2006. Wilson is the guy who shouted “You lie!” at President Obama last night. Obama accepted Wilson’s apology today. The presser was sponsored by the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.
* Speaking of the president’s speech, if you’re at all interested Nate Silver has done some regression analysis to predict how the “public option” is faring in every congressional district. It’s interesting, but that’s about it. And speaking of fun stuff, Johnny Longtorso has drawn a new Illinois congressional map which looks lots more compact and contiguous than the current map but is still Democratic leaning. Also, the AP claims that Congressman Shimkus left during last night’s joint session address. And here’s Mark Kirk’s reaction to the speech: “He talked at us. He didn’t listen to us … It was a missed opportunity.”
UPDATE: Thanks to a reader, I just read the Tribune’s story on the Shimkus walkout…
“Congressman Shimkus was frustrated that the president was not offering any new ground and left with just minutes remaining in the speech,'’ spokesman Steven Tomaszewski said today
* Moving on to the governor’s race, ABC7 reports that Rep. Ken Dunkin wants an “extensive audit” of how Comptroller Dan Hynes’ office has regulated cemeteries. Some of Dunkin’s relatives are buried at the notorious Burr Oak Cemetery…
Dunkin is filing the Cemetery Care Act to get the Illinois auditor general to find out if the comptroller knew about complaints against Burr Oak Cemetery and did nothing about them. […]
“Any typical Illinois citizen driving past could see bones mountains of bones and the comptrollers has a staff of 20 people and they saw or did nothing what do they do all day? What do they do when they receive complaints people have been complaining about Burr Oak for years,” said [Dunkin].
The comptroller’s office says the auditor general already examines regulatory activities every two years and that it has found no evidence of impropriety since the 1998-2000 audit.
Anyone driving past could see mountains of bones? Really? Also, if they could, then why didn’t Dunkin notice something was amiss?
* And Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft takes a shot at Sen. Kirk Dillard’s pro-life record…
Between 2002 and 2006, Sen. Dillard opposed embryonic stem cell research. He said so in questionnaires he filled out, as Stanek documents.
But then, in 2007, he flipped, and was one of only two Senate Republicans who voted for government funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Today, Sen. Dillard says he is 100% pro-life. But in 2003, Illinois Planned Parenthood gave Sen. Dillard a 100% rating for his pro-choice votes. So, in just the last six years, Sen. Dillard has changed his positions on pro-life issues not once, but twice.
* Other campaign related stuff…
* Strike for Health Insurance Gets a Boost From Pat Quinn: Dozens of Chicago toolmakers on strike for health insurance got a shot in the arm Wednesday. A politician who’s counting on their union’s support next year joined their picket line.
* U. of Ill. trustees select Christopher Kennedy to lead board
* Hoffman’s Clerkships
* Gay man in Senate race
* ‘Why leave something that I’m enjoying?’ Sullivan says he won’t seek higher office in 2010
* Christine Radogno: Her own style
* Free year of college: Legislator promotes ‘Challenge Scholarship’
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:16 pm:
===Mark Kirk’s reaction to the speech: “He talked at us. He didn’t listen to us …===
Was that Kirk’s first joint session of Congress? Was he expecting a new format for these things?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:23 pm:
Now we’re cooking. So much here:
–Hoffman, the White Knight, his work done reforming Chicago and Springfield, now moves on to slay the dragons in Washington. The chastened local pols pledge their allegiance on his way out of town — the farther out of town, the better.
In a related item, Alexi is still trying to unscramble his brain and figure out who was driving that bus with the “1600″ DC plates that hit him.
– Local Dems are quick to cash in on Classy Joe Wilson. Instead of “You lie,”, he should have dressed as Gandalf and screamed “You shall not pass!” The kids love that movie. His 15 minutes of fame just might put Obama over the top on healthcare.
– Is it possible that Quinn’s crew put Krazy Kenny Dunkin up to the “mountains of old bones” presser? Kenny has a way with words, but there’s no interlocutor. I was especially impressed a few months ago when he talked about his “centuries” of promoting Illinois tourism.
–Mark Kirk, when it comes to relationships, wants to be talked to, not talked at. Next, on Oprah.
My guess is that he wouldn’t have been able to knock heads, work with and win like Ev Dirksen did with LBJ.
– Proft on that nasty embryonic cell research. Keep clear of Nancy Reagan, brother. You don’t want to mess with her.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:24 pm:
Leaving early because he was frustrated sounds better than leaving early to beat the traffic.
- Anon - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:28 pm:
Does Hoffman really think he can beat Alexi? Alexi has much more name id statewide and has and will have much more money to take on Kirk.
- RJW - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:29 pm:
I don’t know why people cannot observe a little decorum and respect. You do not walk out on the President of the United States. It is not acceptable no matter who it is or what your viewpoint happens to be. The President represents a sacred office and that office should be shown the respect it deserves.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:31 pm:
–Does Hoffman really think he can beat Alexi? Alexi has much more name id statewide and has and will have much more money to take on Kirk.–
Sure seems that way. The Axelrod crew, too. But maybe they’re just in it for the money.
But if Alexi has more money…..
- Njardar - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:33 pm:
In my mind Shimkus has never shown the character necessary to be a member of congress, this confirms it. Where is his apology to the President?
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:36 pm:
When the GOP attempts to link Giannoulias to Blagojevich and Rezko, what they are really saying is that you can’t trust people from Chicago with weird ethnic names.
Has anybody produced an example of Alexi Giannoulias doing anything to help Blagojevich beyond encouraging people to vote for the Democratic ticket?
Hoffman using the Blago-Rezko attack on Giannoulias makes me categorize Hoffman in the same category as Jay Footlik.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:36 pm:
Who is Hoffman talking to in that video? He seems to be constantly looking up towards the ceiling instead of making eye contact.
Or was the dais located below the assembled there?
- Obamarama - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:42 pm:
Re: Joe Wilson
I received solicitation emails from D-trip, the DSCC, and the DNC within 16 hours of Wilson’s outburst last night (sure they were probably going to do so anyway). I wonder how much dough those two words will ultimately be worth for the Democrats. Dumb move.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:42 pm:
Let’s review John Shimkus’ record.
1. He played a key role in the cover-up of Mark Foley making sexual advances on underage pages.
2. When debating global warming at a committee hearing, he quoted the Bible and argued that action isn’t required because God promised not to destroy the world again. (Of course, Shimkus is sorta clueless about scripture, because God also promises to destroy the world again in another part of the Bible.)
3. And now Shimkus walks out on the President from Illinois, his own state.
What has Shimkus accomplished in Congress that warrants him getting support from anyone?
He’s sneaky, low class and misuses religion for cynical purposes.
- Proft at a Loss - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:42 pm:
Ol’ Proft has his finger on the pulse of Illinois, doesn’t he? I can’t remember the last time I was in a room with two or more people the ESCR did not dominate the conversation. Nothing else seems to matter in this state.
Crazy Dan, get in the game or stay home.
- Harry - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:49 pm:
David Hoffman who? He was a Republican until three years ago.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:51 pm:
Harry,
Are you suggesting that Mr Hoffman is somehow related to Arlen Specter?
- dupage dan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 3:55 pm:
Or Ed Vrdolyak?
- Ghost - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:06 pm:
I hope the GOP is able to knock Dillard off the ticket.
- Scooby - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:08 pm:
So he’s going to drive a bus painted like the Missuouri Tigers into Champaign this weekend? That’s a well thought out plan.
Remember to wear your Cubs hat in Alton.
- howaboutit - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
Harry,
Vote Builder has show that Hoffman has continually pulled a Dem primary Ballot (since 2000)
- phocion - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:35 pm:
I nominate “Pile of Bones” to be Dunkin’s new nickname. Good question, Rich. If Dunkin had relatives buried there, it might have been nice if he’d gone to visit - ever. I really hope Pat Quinn isn’t intending on using “Pile of Bones” in this campaign. Hynes might get a lot of votes he otherwise wouldn’t have if that happens.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:38 pm:
It is a lie, plain and simple.
I don’t recall any president ever addressing Congress with a speech with this kind of statement. I don’t recall a president ever using a Joint Session, to which he was invited, to use the address to make this kind of statement.
While much is being made of what Congressman Wilson blurted out - partisan reviews are conveniently overlooking the fact that it was the President himself who use the line I highlighted immediately before Congressman Wilson’s outburst.
The Congressman apologized immediately, but will the President?
- Pat collins - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:46 pm:
The President represents a sacred office and that office should be shown the respect it deserves.
So, now the people who Boo’ed at Bush’s State of the Union in 05 will apologize?
multi-million dollar Bright Start losses
It’s a very valid point - that is a key job of that office. And he fumbled the ball.
Dillard’s voting record
Voting records, they are stubborn things…..
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:46 pm:
Calling a lie a lie is NOT the same as calling the President a liar.
Independent fact check organizations have concluded that there is a prohibition in the bill that would deny undocumented aliens from recieving benefits.
Plain and simple indeed.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 4:56 pm:
Pat, there was plenty of cat-calling, hissing, etc. last night, similar to the 05 speech.
Try not to get your talking points from Drudge.
Thanks.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:03 pm:
Vanny, the difference, of course, is that the Death Panel charge is a lie, and Obama was telling the truth about the illegal immigrant charge. The word has meaning, as Mr. Webster will clearly define for you.
As far as presidential precedent, I suggest you read some of the inaugural or joint session speeches of FDR, Truman, or Reagan, for starters. It’s not hard to pick up what they were putting down. Go back further in the country’s history, and they could really strip the bark off.
PC, those who booed Bush we’re dolts, as well. Is that the gameplan — a race to the bottom of ignorance and incivility? I’d say your crew is in the lead, for now.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:09 pm:
From the White House transcript of last night’s speech…
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Some of people’s concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple. (Applause.)
There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms — the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You lie! (Boos.)
The Congressman’s response broke decorum, but it was a completely normal response by an emotional listener offended by the President’s statement.
No one likes being called a liar. The President went too far, and out of the hundreds of people there last night, one of them got angry and broke decorum. He immediately apologized. Not because he got emotional. Not because he didn’t believe what he said. But because he broke decorum.
He said what a lot of Americans were saying in their homes. They recognized that not including any enforcement of citizenship, means that what the President said, was also untrue. The non-partisan CBO confirms this as a falsehood.
Making a big deal out of this may be politically astute, but it is also disingenuous. No one likes being called a liar during a Joint Session of the United States Congress.
We are all grown ups. If the President wishes to truly bring us together, he would have needed to spare all of us some of his partisan rhetoric. Egging on the opposition may have score him points with those who support him, but he was there last night to reach those who are not supporting him in order to pass a plan he has not yet submitted. You don’t call people you are trying to reach out to, liars.
He did a fine job in many respects last night, but he failed to establish a renewed relationship with which to reach his political goal. Consequentially, he loses. Also, while we should be aware of the necessity of Congressional decorum, and the respect due to our President - citizens also don’t like it when a man with kingly powers tries to make hay out of their local leader’s mistakes. Folks like a fair fight and will stick up for the little guy if they feel he is getting treated unfairly.
Shimkus’ walk out is also understandable. I don’t deny any of our elected representatives their right to be human, even during official events. When the Democrats booed President Bush, no one made a big deal out of it. Obama has also made no big deal out of Wilson’s retort.
It is time to move on and address our larger challenges. Like our plunging economy, our jobless recovery, our diminishing dollar, our ghastly Afghanistan situation, and the debt threatening each of us with bankrupsy and hyperinflation. These are bigger than anything mentioned last night, frankly.
- Anon - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:12 pm:
“When the GOP attempts to link Giannoulias to Blagojevich and Rezko, what they are really saying is that you can’t trust people from Chicago with weird ethnic names.”
—-and when Blago attempts to link Judy Barr Topinka to George Ryan, what he is really saying is that you can’t trust people who polka.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:21 pm:
–No one likes being called a liar.–
Especially liars.
Here’s the deal: Since the New Deal, supporters of Social Security, mostly Democrats but Republicans, too, have been accused by right-wing-demagogues of being willing to spend every last dime everyone ever made to pay for benefits and pander to seniors.
Now, those same demagogues, would have us believe that those from that progressive school want to kill seniors before their time to save a few bucks.
At least pick one lie and stick with it. You can’t have it both ways.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:22 pm:
Jesus VanillaMan, were you in a coma during August? Did you not see Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich and Michelle Bachmann and Michael Steele continue to repeat BS about death panels? You think Obama started this lie fight? What color is the sky in your VanillaWorld?
And to suggest health care reform is not tied directly to the economic issues you’ve listed is to tell us that you do not know anything about economic policy.
- R_K - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:28 pm:
Is Hoffman ever going to give his stances on issues? The guy is running for Senate and his website does not have a single issue position. If all Hoffman is going to talk about is corruption then he should have stayed on as inspector general. We expect Senators to do more.
- this old hack - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:34 pm:
Dunkin is nuts, crazy, and just a bit too slick.
He ought to be worrying about keeping his seat. There’s at least one good candidate and one (Balanoff) that may be good if he gets off his rear end and starts raising some money.
In any event, locals are beginning to tire of Dunkin and this year may be it for him. Much of it will depend on whether MJM supports him as he usually does with incumbants or whether he will be cut loose due to his inappropriate comments (I created tourism in Illinois in 1818, or something to that effect) and strong Blago ties. Should be interesting.
- this old hack - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:35 pm:
wordslinger: 100% correct. Well said.
- babs - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:38 pm:
Wordslinger, (Is that the gameplan — a race to the bottom of ignorance and incivility?) - You hit it on the head. And both Shimkus and Wilson had copies in advance and knew what would be said and presumably how long it would last. It’s long past time for these guys to grow up and face the fact, they LOST. To the winner goes the spoils.
- can't believe proft - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:40 pm:
From the Chicago Observer….”Proft has also worked, as a consultant, to get, moderate Republican, pro-Choice State Rep. Beth Coulson (Glenview) re-elected.”
So, does that mean that Dan Proft has flip-flopped on abortion?
It is my understanding that Dan is currently on contract to help with Coulsen’s Congressional race. Wonder what his pro-life friends would think….
- A Citizen - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:52 pm:
- babs -
And both Shimkus and Wilson had copies in advance and knew what would be said and presumably how long it would last.
That was not the case - all they received was a brief talking points summary of the speech - just a couple of pages, not the entire speech.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 5:58 pm:
– It’s long past time for these guys to grow up and face the fact, they LOST–
In my book, no one has to give up fighting for what they believe in, but civilization requires a degree of, you guessed it, civility.
It’s just as bad when wack jobs try to prevent a Karl Rove or an Anne Coulter from speaking by shouting them down, through intimidation or other Brownshirt tactics.
This summer, it got kicked up ominously with allegedly responsible public officials and prominent media figures spreading The Big Lie about Death Panels.
It led to the wack jobs disrupting the Town Halls — not protesting, mind you, but seeking to prevent any rational discussion whatsoever.
For God’s sake, we had folks showing up in staging areas for presidential appearances carrying firearms. I’ve covered and attended hundreds of public and political events over the years and never knew anyone of any political stripe who thought it was appropriate for anyone outside of law enforcement or security to be packing a gun. You cant’ do it in a courthouse, or a school. A political event? It’s crazy.
I had the good fortune as a young man to cover Reagan a couple of times on his victory lap in the second term, once in Dixon and once in the Quad-Cities. I was a cop reporter, and had some knowledge of security arrangments that were being made with local officials.
In 1988, the idea that anyone carrying a firearm would have gotten within five miles of Ronald Reagan is ludicrous. They would have gotten a well-deserved beatdown, most likely from the crowd. Most definitely from me.
We all have rights, but we all have responsibilities, as well. Listen to McCain, last night and during his campaign. Tone it down.
- progress - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:15 pm:
Why should we elect David Hoffman, who worked for a pro-life Senator that voted to confirm Clarence Thomas, who donates to Blue Dog Democrats who oppose the President’s health care plan, who clerked for Justice Rehnquist, when we have two perfectly good progressive candidates (Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Jackson)?
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:23 pm:
Too bad so many people have a sudden lack of respect for the office of President of the United States now that it’s held by a black guy.
- anon at night - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:26 pm:
Oh, Dave. Drop the race card. It’s so…un-presidential.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:27 pm:
aaa, dave’s argument may not be so far-fetched when you consider who that s. carolina guy is.
But, let’s move on from this topic unless y’all can keep it state-centric. Thanks.
- Responsa - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:32 pm:
Bright start is Alexi’s achilles heel. During the election average voters’ eyes will simply glaze over at the mention of now almost meaningless political code words such as “corruption”, “Rezko crony”, “reform candidate” “experienced”, “Blago taint” etc. This is because every campaign always uses the same words and phrases with only slight variation.
But Bright start is different. It is unique and very simple. No code words. The average voter can easily undertand and personally identify with the concept that committed and hard-working Illinois parents invested money in a college savings plan overseen by Treasurer Alexi—and that money, and their trust is gone. Even college advertising students could create devastating TV spots for Alexi’s opponents with this to work with. Terry Savage’s detailed article suggests that Alexi is not even close to being out of the woods on this one.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:41 pm:
(Playing catch-up.)
First reaction:
- Has a BIG prob with the camera. Won’t make eye contact.
- What I’ve heard so far, he’s swinging at Kirk; must be pretty confident, huh, that Alexi is a non-issue during the Primary?
- “Turn the Page” reminds me immediately of the bereft Seger tune of “forlorn hope” (emphasis added; related to previous point?).
- Interesting choice of colors for the campaign.
Again, welcome to the race, Mr. Hoffman. Please be sure to hang on the rail.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:51 pm:
lol. Well, Paul Caprio is now right about Radogno. Gotta give him credit for that one!!!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 6:56 pm:
===========
Hoffman, the White Knight, his work done reforming Chicago and Springfield, now moves on to slay the dragons in Washington.
===========
As a Jr. Senator?!!! Doesn’t make sense.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 7:08 pm:
===========
Hoffman, the White Knight, his work done reforming Chicago and Springfield, now moves on to slay the dragons in Washington.
===========
As a Jr. Senator?!!! Doesn’t make sense–
Dude, I’ll give you a hint: it’s a word that starts with “sar” and ends in “casm.”
- Meterman - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 7:21 pm:
The only thing bigger than Alexi’s bank account is Schoenburg’s unchecked ego. Alexi easily defeats this no-name reformer in a short bus!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 7:21 pm:
BTW, “forlorn hope” refers to an advance guard of men sent on a hazardous mission. Hence the amazement that his consultants aren’t advising him to focus more on Alexi right now.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 7:26 pm:
Come on, Word. Dudette, please.
Pingback Remainders: Red dawn | Obama Biden White House - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 8:21 pm:
[…] Ezra Klein calls Perriello puzzling. David Hoffman launches Senate campaign by blasting Alexi, Kirk. […]
- Ed - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 8:33 pm:
What role if any will the Olympics play in these races:
http://blip.tv/file/2428949/
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 8:35 pm:
What made David Hoffman think it is a good idea to drive his campaign around in a bumble bee colored RV?
- Brennan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 8:35 pm:
Hoffman is playing the same hand Obama played. Does akpd get the cred for adopting a strategy Obama was workingg before he hired them?
Working downstate and back to the city will help him. Every hour he spends there is two hours Alexi will have to match.
Can Hoff raise any money?
- slinger - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 9:20 pm:
By hiring Axelrod’s firm, Hoffman is helping funnel money to pay off Axelrod’s debt. Meanwhile, from the WH, Axelrod helps same firm get health care reform contracts. Let’s ask Mr. Ethics Hoffman how ethical are those arrangements?
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 10:03 pm:
VM,
Simple question. Are there or are there not death panels in the president’s proposal? If there are no death panels and if the Republicans who have claimed there are death panels know there are not, then they are LYING to provoke fear. It’s pretty straight forward.
Funny how liars squeal the loudest when they are caught.
Oh, and apparently Alexi has a bunch of friends on here. Otherwise it’s hard to explain the weird attacks on David Hoffman. Alexi will have to defend his record and Bright Start is his biggest problem. Should make for an interesting campaign.
- JonShibleyFan - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 10:13 pm:
Nice article about Radogno. She was very unimpressive during her run for Treasurer, but is doing a very nice jobs now.
Dillard sure comes off as sounding bitter. I especially liked that he dismissed her election as GOP leader to politics and…amusingly, geography. Really, geography? Their districts border one another and their hometowns are 10 miles apart.
- Ty Webb - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 10:15 pm:
here is what i know about kenny dunkin and some quotes from Kenny,
While his Illinois House colleagues were voting to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Rep. Ken Dunkin was cruising the Caribbean with his family.
Dunkin says the trip was planned before he knew of the vote to impeach the governor, with whom the Chicago Democrat has claimed in the past to have a positive working relationship.
Dunkin has previously called the impeachment process a “witch hunt”.
Rep. Ken Dunkin, one of the few people with kind words for the governor, said the two-term Democrat faces payback for years of feuding with the Legislature.
“There are a lot of political vendettas that are being played out right now,” said Dunkin, D-Chicago. “It appears to be headed toward a political witch hunt, because there’s not an indictment and there’s definitely not a conviction.”
A highly touted music festival in Chicago Saturday and Sunday drew an estimated 2,000 fans. The cost to Illinois taxpayers: About $100 for each person who attended the inaugural Move! Chicago International House Music Festival.
A commenter pointed to this article in New City Chicago which sheds more light.
“This thing is going to bring so much money into this town it’s not even funny!” shouts State Representative Ken Dunkin emphatically into his cell phone. I can hear the rush-hour traffic outside his car as he evangelizes the inaugural MOVE! House Music Festival. “We’re going to see at least 60,000 people come in for this–at a minimum!” […]
[Thomas Mathes], Randy Crumpton and Frederick Dunson comprise the nonprofit organization CDM (Crumpton, Dunson, Mathes), founded to produce MOVE! The 2006 Chicago International House Music Festival. […]
In his third term, Dunkin became the Chair of Tourism and Conventions. He allocated $200,000 in seed money to Crumpton to launch the first state-sponsored house music festival. When pressed to elaborate, he says, “You know how it is. You from Chicago?” I tell him I’m not, but have an idea of how things work here, to which he replies, “Well there you have it!” He later expounds, “Now, we already discussed how this town works, so we don’t have to go through this. I chair the committee, I come up with a great idea, and you know: dot, dot, dot. We didn’t break any laws, but we made it happen! It’s the city that works, now!”
Apparently, Randy Crumpton is Rep. Dunkin’s campaign manager and attorney. It also appears from state records that Crumpton was Dunkin’s former campaign treasurer.
Dunkin requested the state grant as part of last year’s budget negotiations. At the time, he refused to release the names of the people who received the state cash.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 2:06 pm
http://www.ilga.gov/house/RepBills.asp?MemberID=1450&Primary=True
check out kenny’s steller legislation page (above) about half of his “work” are resolutions for people or groups. I looked at a few other legislators and no one is close to having 50% of their work as resolutions. Must have been busy traveling or helping Rod or collecting money from the funeral/cemetery industry.
taken from Kenny’s D-2’s…
Old Town Oil
Chicago, IL $175.95
12/22/2008 Expenditure
Friends of Ken Dunkin auto expense
Friends of Ken Dunkin
Notice no address even though Ken’s office was located right below this business. Maybe because Old Town Oil sells oils and vinagers for food and NOTHING to do with “auto expense”, this should be investigated further.
Says he fights for the little guy but takes money from pay day loan owners.
This guy acts more like Kenny from SouthPark.
- just sayin - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 11:07 pm:
If Hoffman gets the Dem nomination the GOP is screwed.
- Amalia - Thursday, Sep 10, 09 @ 11:45 pm:
hey Ty, don’t you have any bad things to print about the Republican state rep. who was hitting poor little Danny
boy hard in the hearings? some good commercials to come….