[The top item was deleted because I am apparently too stupid to realize that today is the first day of October, so the federal campaign reporting deadline has passed. Sheesh, what a week this has been. Sorry.]
* Republican State Sen. Matt Murphy hasn’t really talked about why he dropped out of the governor’s race to be Andy McKenna’s running mate. He breaks his silence today. Click here for his entire statement, but here are some excerpts…
For more than six years, I have considered Andy McKenna a good friend. He is a decent man of impeccable personal integrity who puts others first time and again. His soft-spoken nature is not one of a career politician - that is a good thing - but a steady confidence and quiet strength that resulted in taking his family business to record heights. As the founding co-chairman of the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center, he lifted budding entrepreneurs by giving them the support and expertise they needed to create jobs throughout the Chicagoland area. Unlike Springfield, Andy has actually created jobs, balanced a budget and improved the quality of life for the people around him. I have always said this campaign isn’t about me, but the need for someone with the experience, credibility and desire to put our state on the right track. For these reasons and many others, I have chosen to suspend my campaign for Governor and proudly endorse and join Andy McKenna as his running mate.
The bi-partisan culture of corruption, mindless irresponsibility toward taxes and spending and a hostile climate toward the creation of new jobs illustrate just how far Springfield has strayed. This will all end under a McKenna/Murphy Administration. It won’t be easy, but through leadership and ideas we will bring economic prosperity back to you. Illinois faces serious problems, but they can only be solved by leading a sea change in ethics, confronting some hard choices on behalf of Illinois taxpayers, setting aside the needs of special interests and career politicians, and creating a laser focus on the interests of Illinois families. Only then will we be able to provide you with the opportunities you need to succeed.
* The Cook County GOP released a new video at its recent convention. Take a look at Why we Fight…
I love this line “The bi-partisan culture of corruption, mindless irresponsibility toward taxes and spending and a hostile climate toward the creation of new jobs illustrate just how far Springfield has strayed.”
The key word, of course, is bi-partisan. Neither side has clean hands and it’s time to stop treating Illinois politics like a football match and to start taking things seriously.
For the GOP video, great concept (I’m a sucker for Frank Capra), excellent visuals, okay music, overall solid production values .
But what’s with the Roupas narration/speech? Uninspired, might be a nice word for it. The guy sounds like the kid forced to read in front of the class as punishment.
“The bi-partisan culture of corruption, mindless irresponsibility toward taxes and spending and a hostile climate toward the creation of new jobs illustrate just how far Springfield has strayed”
As in a former GOP state party chairs giving money to Dick Durbin? Would that be an example Sen. Murphy? Can’t think of a more anti-business/tax’n spender than Dick Durbin.
- I'm just saying - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:53 am:
Not bad on the Soul Train rating, good beat, easy to dance to :0
i agree with wordslinger. great concept but a little red bull would’ve helped roupas’s delivery. it’s nice to see this and i appreciate the effort that went into its creation. it’s also nice that roupas is doing something positive with the organization and would encourage him to keep it up. the peraica/gorman yell-fests over the airwaves keep coming to mind as i’m typing this. what a difference a few years makes.
Murphy’s statement is a self-serving embarrassment to thinking voters. It reminds me of that stupid Saturn television commercial where the guy explains that, “pundits claim that the American car companies cannot make cars people want to buy - well, Saturn makes cars people want to buy…” as Saturn makes news that they are out of business for good for not making cars people wanted to buy.
You sat there Senator, with your new best-buddy Andy, for years as Illinois collapsed, but you want us to now believe you can somehow lead us. For you to attempt to attone for your part of this state’s mismanagement by claiming a “bi-partisan culture of corruption” is an admission of being a leader too weak to lead.
And who led the GOP during this time? Oh, yeah, the guy you think should be governor.
No cute video is going to whitewash that pile of horsecrap, Senator.
I was a fan of murphy’s hopking he had a little peter gosslin fitzgerald in him. That died with this mckenna stunt. I will not be supporting him anymore for anything.
=He is a decent man of impeccable personal integrity who puts others first time and again.=
Except when there is the chance to use his position as Chairman and party resources to advance his own political ambitions. Somehow that doesn’t seem very ethical.
Mr. Murphy, my opinion of you dropped like a rock in a fish tank.
- Joe in the Know - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:16 pm:
If you took out that bore, Lee Who-pas, and replaced it audio from will Will.i.am’s “yes we can” video from the Obama campaign, it might have been tolerable.
I think that the video is a great summary of why the Republicans in Cook county actually stand to win a county election this next cycle. There has been a marked difference in the way that the party is executing the business of voter outreach, communicating with the base, and appealing to moderates. I didn’t (couldn’t) believe that Roupas was going to put us in a position to win anything because of his age, but with every passing week, I’m more impressed with what he has done for the local party. I can only hope that he keeps it up over the next year.
Such harshness towards McKenna/Murphy and they aren’t even out of the gate, yet. I say give them a chance - let’s see what they have to say.
- Of Mice And Glenn - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
Let’s focus on the message rather than the narration. Roupas has made some solid improvements and I’m eager to see what else he can do in terms of party leadership.
Matt, its still Andy McKenna. “Thats a fine lookin wagon wheel you got there, mister. Find anybody whose got any use for it?”
- Diverse CookGOP - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 2:13 pm:
The Cook GOP Countywide slate features an african american candidate for Sheriff, a hispanic candidate for Clerk, and two women….looks like their expanding their outreach.
the shame of it is, many folks can’t see how great these guys would be as a G/LG pair… McKenna would be a much better governor than a candidate for gov, I agree. But it’s ultimately a matter of substance, not blago-like flair. I hope Murphy’s charisma can carry the load!
Last fall the Cook County GOP candidates lost by 3 to 1. What makes them think they have any chance to even be competitive next year, unless Stroger somehow wins the primary?
Murphy had a better chance of getting elected governor than McKenna. If Dillard can pull ahead, he’ll be able to hitch on to an LG candidate like Plummer, who will bring McKenna-like resources to the table. That would be a better combo to me than the guy who ran the party into the ground (McKenna) and a plaintiff’s attorney (Murphy) who can’t make up his mind which race he wants to run for: Congress, Cook County Chairman, Governor, Lt. Governor…
Murphy’s move is brilliant. And not for any reason he articulates, which is meaningless. Murphy was a non-starter as candidate for governor. With this move, he becomes the most prominent and best funded candidate for LtGov. It is likely he will win his primary, with McKenna’s dough, regardless of McKenna’s showing. Murphy will be on the ballot in November regardless of who wins the GOP primary for Governor. If the Republican-year trend holds, Murphy becomes LtGov. If not, he still has his Senate seat and will have earned tremendous statewide name ID. I commend him on probably the shrewdest political move of anyone in IL this year.
1) Last fall was a high-tide Democratic year with Chicago and Cook County being ground zero for Obama-mania. Now the bloom is off the rose and in 2010 the GOP is resurgent. Plus, the Cook County GOP doesn’t event necessarily have to WIN their races this year. If they simply energize GOP voters and turn out 25%-30% of the popular vote, they help the statewide race totals tremendously and force the Democrats to play defense and thus pull so me of their resources back from parts of DuPage, Will, and Lake counties.
2) RE: the McKenna/Murphy thing: People are being up on those guys WAY too much. Makes me think that some of these comments are hacks from other campaigns. Yes, McKenna brings vast financial resources to the race, but if the GOP hopes to win in 2010, they are going to have to bring a large war chest. I like Murphy, and although I’m disappointed he dropped down to the LG race, he made a rational decision. He saw the writing on the wall and got out, which is more than can be said of some of the other people in the race who are hanging in despite the reality of the situation. If the McKenna/Murphy pair can win the primary, Murphy would be an excellent legislative liason for McKenna and would be able to whip up some support in the legislature. Of course, correct me if I’m wrong, but the winner of the governor’s primary is constitutionally bound to accept the winner of the LG primary. Unless he taps somebody soon, it isn’t going to happen…
McKenna — “Vast Financial Resources — Half-Vast leadership.” You sure about the “Vast Financial Resources” in this race Dillard was suppose to do that too.
“Murphy would be an excellent legislative liaison” - Has a Lt- Governor ever done anything but go to funerals before?
- Anon A. Muss - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:36 am:
I love this line “The bi-partisan culture of corruption, mindless irresponsibility toward taxes and spending and a hostile climate toward the creation of new jobs illustrate just how far Springfield has strayed.”
The key word, of course, is bi-partisan. Neither side has clean hands and it’s time to stop treating Illinois politics like a football match and to start taking things seriously.
- fedup dem - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:41 am:
Rich, wasn’t the deadline for the third quarter reporting period for federal campaigns yesterday (September 30)?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:41 am:
For the GOP video, great concept (I’m a sucker for Frank Capra), excellent visuals, okay music, overall solid production values .
But what’s with the Roupas narration/speech? Uninspired, might be a nice word for it. The guy sounds like the kid forced to read in front of the class as punishment.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:44 am:
fedup, you’re right. I changed it. Thanks for pointing out my ridiculous error.
- Red Ranger - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:47 am:
“The bi-partisan culture of corruption, mindless irresponsibility toward taxes and spending and a hostile climate toward the creation of new jobs illustrate just how far Springfield has strayed”
As in a former GOP state party chairs giving money to Dick Durbin? Would that be an example Sen. Murphy? Can’t think of a more anti-business/tax’n spender than Dick Durbin.
- I'm just saying - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 11:53 am:
Not bad on the Soul Train rating, good beat, easy to dance to :0
- colt 45 - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:02 pm:
i agree with wordslinger. great concept but a little red bull would’ve helped roupas’s delivery. it’s nice to see this and i appreciate the effort that went into its creation. it’s also nice that roupas is doing something positive with the organization and would encourage him to keep it up. the peraica/gorman yell-fests over the airwaves keep coming to mind as i’m typing this. what a difference a few years makes.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:02 pm:
Murphy’s statement is a self-serving embarrassment to thinking voters. It reminds me of that stupid Saturn television commercial where the guy explains that, “pundits claim that the American car companies cannot make cars people want to buy - well, Saturn makes cars people want to buy…” as Saturn makes news that they are out of business for good for not making cars people wanted to buy.
You sat there Senator, with your new best-buddy Andy, for years as Illinois collapsed, but you want us to now believe you can somehow lead us. For you to attempt to attone for your part of this state’s mismanagement by claiming a “bi-partisan culture of corruption” is an admission of being a leader too weak to lead.
And who led the GOP during this time? Oh, yeah, the guy you think should be governor.
No cute video is going to whitewash that pile of horsecrap, Senator.
- Shore - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:09 pm:
I was a fan of murphy’s hopking he had a little peter gosslin fitzgerald in him. That died with this mckenna stunt. I will not be supporting him anymore for anything.
- OneMan - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:18 pm:
==Unlike Springfield, Andy has actually created jobs, balanced a budget and improved the quality of life for the people around him==
At his dad’s company? At least Oberwies started his own company before he took over the dairy.
Also balancing a budget at a company is a radically different concept than doing it in government.
- Suburban Critic - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:42 pm:
=He is a decent man of impeccable personal integrity who puts others first time and again.=
Except when there is the chance to use his position as Chairman and party resources to advance his own political ambitions. Somehow that doesn’t seem very ethical.
- KeepSmiling - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 12:57 pm:
=== setting aside the needs of special interests and career politicians ===
Needs? I think its more like wishes.
=== and creating a laser focus on the interests of Illinois families ===
I have no idea what that means.
Overall, the statement seems like a lot of girble-de-gook.
- David Jenkins - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:04 pm:
I posted something on the Chicago GOP site when he was still running for Governor:
http://www.chicagogop.com/MyBlog/Question-for-Sen.-Matt-Murphy-on-HB-0664/menu-id-5.html
And I’d like to know why he voted for a bill that raised my taxes last year. Isn’t that the complete opposite of conservative ideology?
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:11 pm:
Mr. Murphy, my opinion of you dropped like a rock in a fish tank.
- Joe in the Know - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:16 pm:
If you took out that bore, Lee Who-pas, and replaced it audio from will Will.i.am’s “yes we can” video from the Obama campaign, it might have been tolerable.
- FiredUpGOP - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:17 pm:
I think that the video is a great summary of why the Republicans in Cook county actually stand to win a county election this next cycle. There has been a marked difference in the way that the party is executing the business of voter outreach, communicating with the base, and appealing to moderates. I didn’t (couldn’t) believe that Roupas was going to put us in a position to win anything because of his age, but with every passing week, I’m more impressed with what he has done for the local party. I can only hope that he keeps it up over the next year.
- Nutts - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:20 pm:
Its better than the “Most interesting politician ads”
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:26 pm:
I like the shot in the video of the man hoisting his child above his head on the beach with the mountains across the water. What state is that?
- Left Leaner - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:26 pm:
Solid production. Although the narrator sounds like he swallowed a bottle of NyQuil before he got started.
- SalukiDog - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:41 pm:
Such harshness towards McKenna/Murphy and they aren’t even out of the gate, yet. I say give them a chance - let’s see what they have to say.
- Of Mice And Glenn - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
Let’s focus on the message rather than the narration. Roupas has made some solid improvements and I’m eager to see what else he can do in terms of party leadership.
- Redroom - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 1:56 pm:
What I noticed is the choice of showing pictures of minorities, knowing that the GOP is dominantly caucasian. Stale voice, but overall, an OK ad.
- Cousin Ralph - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 2:12 pm:
Matt, its still Andy McKenna. “Thats a fine lookin wagon wheel you got there, mister. Find anybody whose got any use for it?”
- Diverse CookGOP - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 2:13 pm:
The Cook GOP Countywide slate features an african american candidate for Sheriff, a hispanic candidate for Clerk, and two women….looks like their expanding their outreach.
- 4 percent - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 2:22 pm:
let me translate Murphy’s statement in simple terms.
Andy McKenna promised me a couple million dollars at a time when I couldn’t raise a dime. Andy is my new best friend.
sounds like a movie critic praising Ishtar or Blues Brothers 2 as the best movie of the year after the studio pays the piper.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 2:29 pm:
Sheesh, the statement reads like he’s announcing an affair with McKenna.
- MembershipOnly - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 3:11 pm:
haha better to have people in the Gov anf LG position who like each other… that whole Blago/Quinn spat didn’t do any good!
- wolverine83 - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 3:17 pm:
the shame of it is, many folks can’t see how great these guys would be as a G/LG pair… McKenna would be a much better governor than a candidate for gov, I agree. But it’s ultimately a matter of substance, not blago-like flair. I hope Murphy’s charisma can carry the load!
- John Ruberry - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 3:45 pm:
Very good and creative, which is not something I’m accustomed to saying about the GOP.
- Reformer - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 3:54 pm:
Last fall the Cook County GOP candidates lost by 3 to 1. What makes them think they have any chance to even be competitive next year, unless Stroger somehow wins the primary?
- downstate conservative - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 4:23 pm:
Murphy had a better chance of getting elected governor than McKenna. If Dillard can pull ahead, he’ll be able to hitch on to an LG candidate like Plummer, who will bring McKenna-like resources to the table. That would be a better combo to me than the guy who ran the party into the ground (McKenna) and a plaintiff’s attorney (Murphy) who can’t make up his mind which race he wants to run for: Congress, Cook County Chairman, Governor, Lt. Governor…
- Conservative Republican - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 4:26 pm:
Murphy’s move is brilliant. And not for any reason he articulates, which is meaningless. Murphy was a non-starter as candidate for governor. With this move, he becomes the most prominent and best funded candidate for LtGov. It is likely he will win his primary, with McKenna’s dough, regardless of McKenna’s showing. Murphy will be on the ballot in November regardless of who wins the GOP primary for Governor. If the Republican-year trend holds, Murphy becomes LtGov. If not, he still has his Senate seat and will have earned tremendous statewide name ID. I commend him on probably the shrewdest political move of anyone in IL this year.
- ABCBoy - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 4:36 pm:
1) Last fall was a high-tide Democratic year with Chicago and Cook County being ground zero for Obama-mania. Now the bloom is off the rose and in 2010 the GOP is resurgent. Plus, the Cook County GOP doesn’t event necessarily have to WIN their races this year. If they simply energize GOP voters and turn out 25%-30% of the popular vote, they help the statewide race totals tremendously and force the Democrats to play defense and thus pull so me of their resources back from parts of DuPage, Will, and Lake counties.
2) RE: the McKenna/Murphy thing: People are being up on those guys WAY too much. Makes me think that some of these comments are hacks from other campaigns. Yes, McKenna brings vast financial resources to the race, but if the GOP hopes to win in 2010, they are going to have to bring a large war chest. I like Murphy, and although I’m disappointed he dropped down to the LG race, he made a rational decision. He saw the writing on the wall and got out, which is more than can be said of some of the other people in the race who are hanging in despite the reality of the situation. If the McKenna/Murphy pair can win the primary, Murphy would be an excellent legislative liason for McKenna and would be able to whip up some support in the legislature. Of course, correct me if I’m wrong, but the winner of the governor’s primary is constitutionally bound to accept the winner of the LG primary. Unless he taps somebody soon, it isn’t going to happen…
- Truthful James - Thursday, Oct 1, 09 @ 5:17 pm:
McKenna — “Vast Financial Resources — Half-Vast leadership.”
- Dnstatanon - Friday, Oct 2, 09 @ 6:08 am:
McKenna — “Vast Financial Resources — Half-Vast leadership.” You sure about the “Vast Financial Resources” in this race Dillard was suppose to do that too.
“Murphy would be an excellent legislative liaison” - Has a Lt- Governor ever done anything but go to funerals before?