135 Comments - 17th Dem - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:52 pm: The Rent Is Too Damn High Party!!! - thanks for allowing more people to see this Rich - the best is that he knows Karate! I urge everyone to go to his website www.rentistoodamnhigh.org. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:53 pm: What is with the black gloves? - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:56 pm: Louis, I think it’s a Karate thing. Not sure. - CookDemCon - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:56 pm: He is right! Rent IS too damn high! What is with the gloves though? He looks like a very angry super hero. - John Bambenek - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:58 pm: Rich- The gloves has something to do with being in Vietnam and if he took them off he’d get sick… there was a piece in Gawker about it. - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:58 pm: Mr. McMillan was on “Free Beer & Hot Wings” this morning. What a hoot. He was funny and he didn’t sound crazy. - Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:59 pm: For the love of Pete, we have found Ricky Hendon’s running mate living in NY. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:59 pm: John, I’ve seen other videos of him when he wasn’t wearing the gloves. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:00 pm: GMAB, I think you’re right. - Bill - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:02 pm: That guy gets my vote just based on the facial hair. - Radio Guy - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:11 pm: Both the Gas is Too Damn Expensive Party and the Stop Ticketing My Car Party must be coming soon. - Levois - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:17 pm: “That guy gets my vote just based on the facial hair.” The return of Chester Alan Arthur. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:18 pm: it’s not just the league of women voters that are awful, its abc7 which uses the debate for self promotion. it’s not a debate, it’s a let every reporter at our station get facetime program. kirk=bush didn’t work when bush was in office. that’s a fail. - Levois - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:19 pm: Oh wait President Arthur didn’t exactly have hair on his chin, but he did have a mustache connected to the mutton chops. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:21 pm: “As a Karate expert I wil not talk about anyone up here! Comedy Central, casting department! Call this guy! - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:27 pm: Check out his website! http://www.rentistoodamnhigh.org/ Music! Videos! Animation! Can’t wait for someone to claim The Rent Is Too Damn High Party is a Tea Party front! - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:31 pm: Is it sad that the first thing I thought when I saw this is when does he get his own autotune song? - wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:33 pm: New York, New York, it’s a hell of a state. And Paladino is the GOP nominee. Who says Illinois is the laughingstock of the nation? - Montrose - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:53 pm: I am guessing that, after some frustrated grumbling, Doc Walls stopped shaving this morning. - Richard Afflis - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:22 pm: McMillan is GREAT!! Even Cuomo likes him! He stands for something. He is consistent. He does not back down from his conviction. I can’t wait to watch his reality show! - Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:35 pm: OK, Rich I went to his site, you have got to find that Rap he plays and play us out on Friday afternoon with that. Or, anything by George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will do also. - Also - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:59 pm: In addition to the Senate debate, Dold and Seals are going to be on Chicago Tonight on WTTW soon. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:00 pm: live blogging. I will be a neutral source. NOT. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:02 pm: andy shaw a debate questioner. already a debate fail. shaw’s daughter works for obama in the white house, and his son in law is a rabid partisan lefty on msnbc. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:03 pm: kirk’s reading a statement-if after 20 months on the trail you dont already have your stump down you are failing. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:04 pm: shaw-question 1, why are you so negative. kirk ignores awful question and goes to economic message hammering alexi, dc, springfield. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:05 pm: alexi has different hair, but same empty minded talking points, looks and sounds like a deerfield high school sophomore debater. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:05 pm: Alexi’s response to negative campaign: Going negative on Kirk - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:07 pm: shaw q2-kirk you’re a resume liar, alexi you are a bad banker kirk-I learned, it’s painful for me. alexi, I have always told the truth. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:07 pm: And Kirk looks like Mr. Rogers’ creepy neighbor. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:08 pm: kerri lessar question 3, did you respond badly to attacks? (Shore has never heard of this woman and this question is awful) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:08 pm: Alexi stumbled a bit on the bank question, but great eye contact with the camera. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:09 pm: Alexi multiple times: no one has ever accused Broadway of doing anything illicit or illegal A: Kirk is cherry-picking A: Keeps returning to contrast message on economic policies. K: I made a mistake and I corrected it. He made a number of mistakes, risky loans, mobsters, mentions Giorango by name and trip to Miami. You have never taken accountability. - Anonymiss - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:10 pm: Shore - Kerry L. is the new Daily Herald political editor. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:10 pm: kirk looking at alexi (the first drama) goes right at alexi for the bank. this is the part of debate that people mock politicians for. the food fight has begun. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:11 pm: Alexi: I should have explained how community banks operate during my Treasurer election. Congressman, were you shot at or not? - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:11 pm: so far the candidates are blowing off the questions and going right at each other-a verbal version of the last 20 months-mob banker vs broadway bank. kirk calling alexi out for being playboy mob banker. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:13 pm: kirk never went at seals like this. q4 charles thomas, what different course would you have taken from obama economically? first decent question of the night-kirk takes opening to bash wasteful spending. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:13 pm: lessar’s question was amateur-these guys will serve i n the senate for 6 years and your question to them is how good is your press rapid response? alexi-slamming kirk/bush economic record. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:15 pm: If Capt Fax doesn’t plan to pay attention then neither will I Alexi beats CommandoMakeItUp in a romp Be nice to Kerri she is a newbie - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:15 pm: thomas-again, what would you have done, in other words, answer the question. kirk-we should have funded o’hare, and lock and dam on the mississipi instead-long term projects. kirk slamming social spending. kirk referencing going to treasury department-this was praised in nytimes friday by david brooks. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:16 pm: Kirk makes a good point about funding shovel-ready projects in stimulus package and said they would have produced benefits. Question to Alexi: Will you be a rubber stamp? A: I will vote my conscience not be a party hack. Reverts to middle class economics. More good eye contact with the camera. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:17 pm: thomas q5 will you be a rubber stamp for obama, alexi? alexi-bashes harry reid instead. goes to economic message, doesn’t bash obama. stephanopolous q6-you are the closest to obama, and as friend of obama, what are 2 specific midcourse corrections you’d make? alexi doesnt answer question, called out. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:17 pm: Alexi stumbles over question about what mid-course corrections the President should take. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:18 pm: alexi can’t answer questions that require any sort of mental depth or thinking. he ignores questions and goes to cliches. stephanoplous q6 to kirk-what’s wrong with the tea party? - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:20 pm: Pros and Cons of Tea Party: K: We should spend less and borrow less. We are threatened with a double dip recession. Cut funding everywhere, even DoD. Anyway we reduce spending will help out the economy. Alexi: President should learn from mistakes of the past. There was too much focus on health care and not enough on creating jobs. Kirk: I have backed stem cells, hate crimes bill, cutting oil subsidies, DH called me Mr. Independent. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:21 pm: Agree with Shore, Alexi is staying on message, but displaying little intellectual muscle. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:23 pm: Alexi looks about two feet taller than Kirk, is making much better eye contact with the camera, is tanner and has more confident posture. Not exactly Nixon/Kennedy contrast, just sayin. That being said, he isn’t really saying anything. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:24 pm: kirk doesn’t answer steph question steph-alexi you didnt answer the question alexi-back to mindless blah, he’s like a democrat sarah palin. steph-back to kirk-what’s wrong with the tea party kirk-responds by demonstrating moderate gop credentials, all stuff he didn’t talk about during the primary. next question shaw-illinois is a fiscal mess-feds bailed out everyone else-what should of bailout should feds give illinois. kirk-rips alexi for illinois fiscal mess. kirk continues to look at alexi. doesn’t support any more illinois bailouts-first mention of blago. references 1982 mexican peso issue. alexi-we have big challenges, I’ve complained about it. rips kirk. the lineup from left to right is journalists, kirk, alexi. Kirk is turning away from the journalists to look at alexi when he rips alexi-done for effect and its sending a powerful message. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:25 pm: Alexi’s great on his talking points re: cutbacks, etc. while he’s been in office. Heard them before, but he comes across as successful. “Don’t have a vote, but I do have a voice” resonates. Kirk never seems to have an opportunity to take a swipe at that one–besides Bright Start. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:25 pm: Fed assistance to other governments? Kirk: I will support some assistance to states as long as it is revenue-neutral. Alexi criticized me for voting for TARP and then admitted that he did. (Refers to the bloodbath at the Trib ed board) - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:27 pm: shaw-are there conditions under which youd support credit line? kirk-yes. I voted for ammendment to do this. back to slamming alexi, throws alexi hits back at him. now referencing tribune session. references tribune endorsement back to lessar lessar-do you support dream act alexi-I support it-look for kirk to talk up mexico education and speaking spanish, drugs, the border. im a leader. kirk-we need to restore trust in border. (references all of shores talking points above-shore takes bow). goes to drug cartels to flash law and order credentials and gangs. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:27 pm: Dream Act: Alexi: (into camera) I support the DREAM Act. We cannot afford to tear these families apart. Kirk: First we have to restore the trust in the American people to restore our border. I speak Spanish. Cites President Calderone’s admitted inability to control all border crossings. We have the highest per capita number of gang members. We need to close down the border for national security. Refuses to answer whether or not he will vote for Act, says now isn’t the time because we don’t have secure borders. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:29 pm: Alexi: He will not answer a simple question. I am for a responsible path to citizenship as well as securing borders. Congressman, just answer their question, even if they may not agree with you. Brings up “flip flops” on Cap n Trade and teachers vote. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:29 pm: lessar-you ignored the question kirk-not the time for immigration reform. focus on enforcement. slamming reid and pelosi. clearly pandering to right lessar-how woudl y ou vote? kirk-border first alexi-slams kirk for dc response. attacks kirk for not having response. just give us a response congressman,-looks at kirk-attacks him for flip flops on series of issues. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:32 pm: Voter Integrity Question: The areas you were talking about are largely African American and Democratic. Kirk: Metro-East is 84% non-African American. It is about poll watchers and we have a corruption problem in our state, we have become a punchline. Alexi: He identified these areas and called in the same goons and thugs from Florida in 2000. You are trying to suppress the African American vote. Kirk: There is corruption in the state of Illinois. Alexi: Name one case of voter fraud in the South or West sides of Chicago. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:33 pm: alexi-attacks kirk for resume kirk ignores him thomas-quesiton about jiggering the vote and voter integrity report. kirk-not at black voters. slams state for corruption alexi-kirk got caught on tape. you are trying to supress kirk-slaps back at alexi about city voter fraud.kirk you of all people should know there’s corruption in the state. (that will be the highlight on tv clips) - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:34 pm: thomas-are you bothered there are none of us (blacks) in the senate-how will you support blacks in the senate. alexi-I am down with bobby rush. kirk-we need a black renaissance so people arent dependent on government programs. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:34 pm: Kirk: People shouldn’t have to rely on government programs, we should make sure they have jobs and businesses. We need to make the inner-cities places that are exciting to create businesses. We need to end gang recruitment. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:36 pm: the last exchange was pretty good, vintage. Kirk-back to slamming gangs. stephanoplous with token facebook question from 23 year old unemployed kid in mt vernon. question- what new do you have? alexi-talks about education ignoring the fact that the kids question wasnt about education but what happens after you get an education. Does alexi get it? - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:37 pm: ===alexi-I am down with bobby rush.=== LOL Alexi: We need to focus on education. We suck at it and we are getting worse. We need a more integrated approach focusing on after-school programs and mentorship, early childhood education is a good investment. Kirk: A NINJA acronym. We need to talk about not allowing kids to drop out after just two years of HS. We need to reignite priv/pub partnerships. FIRST LINCOLN MENTION! We have seen in Indiana this kind of thing ignite the economy. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:38 pm: I’d hate to say it, but Alexi does know his state programs and seems to speak from the heart when it comes to solutions. Don’t blame him for possibly feeling a bit intimidated at the National level (compared to Kirk)–Kirk has alot of experience in DC, but Alexi doesn’t crumble. The kid’s got moxy and confidence. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:39 pm: Kirk: We need to pass free trade agreements with Korea, Panama and Colombia. Alexi: We need to increase the size of Pell Grants and job training. Other countries get where 21st century jobs come from and we don’t. The best and the brightest come here for education, get it, then we kick them out. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:39 pm: kirk-also a moronic response. Shore-kid asked how he can get a job, both completely ignored question about he can get job and focus on bs. This is why these guys are hated and why dc is hated, he wants to know how he gets a job, they answer with nonsense. alexi-more bs, from a guy who was born on 3rd base and thought he hit a triple. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:40 pm: Tired of hearing “bridgES to nowhere”. (Sorry.) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:42 pm: It’s interesting to me that Alexi somehow manages to stick to his “talking points” enough, but makes them sounds new whenever he discusses them. Kirk’s too focused on repeating the.same.words.over.and.over.again. like he’s a spokesperson or a volunteer v. a candidate. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:44 pm: Alexi’s really hitting hard throughout with the Rove thing. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:44 pm: Andy Shaw thinks he is God’s gift to Earth. Kirk: We need to cut wasteful programs, I was first approp member not to add an earmark, we need line-item vetoes to get rid of some of this crap, we need better base-closing decision-making. Alexi: We need to promote economic growth (not a budget cut), we need to let tax cuts for wealthy to expire, we need to study a study about the deficit. Doesn’t mention a single cut. SHAW: What goo-goo law would you like to see? Kirk: I helped pass legislation to strip Congressional felons of their pensions. We need to end the earmark system which has been horribly corrupt. Is there really Miss Texas Museum? If so, that’s awesome. 24 hour disclosure of contributions. All donors should be disclosed (sounds like he is including 527s) Alexi: Karl Rove mentioned for the third time. I am not taking money from federal lobbyists or corporate PACs (into camera). We need to pass comprehensive camp fin reg’s. Citizens United was poopy. Kirk took money from Citizens United. We can’t afford to let Karl Rove come to town and steal these elections. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:45 pm: shaw-where do you cut and what doesnt get cut kirk-accross the board cuts-no department exempt, references mayor daley for first time tonight, references paul simon for first time. shore-if alexi f’s this up, he needs a head check. alexi-4 things, promote growth, shaw slams him-thats not a cut alexi-enact paygo, let wealthy tax cuts expire, when deficit commission comes back, make tough calls. shaw lets him off the hook. shaw-what would you fight for to fight corruption kirk-recites record. alexi-starkest choice in this race. notes rove for the 18th time. calls kirk a pig at the trough. shore-here comes a nasty response from kirk kerri lester-dont ask dont tell. what’s your position alexi-I support repeal. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:45 pm: DADT. This will be interesting. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:46 pm: Alexi: I am for the immediate repeal of Don’t Ask. Meanwhile, we let felons party with us in the military. Kirk: I voted to continue the current policy. I am confused about what the current policy is of the administration. We should listen to the men and women who run the military. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:46 pm: Good response by Kirk. Saved himself…for a change. (See, that’s what happens when you think on your own.) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:47 pm: Fiancee…shore. Did you catch that? Hmmm? - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:47 pm: Gay Marriage Alexi: We are going to look back in 20 years and regret not moving sooner. We have bigger problems, but we need to remember what America is about. Kirk: Against gay marriage, supports civil unions. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:49 pm: There goes the Rove thing again. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:49 pm: kirk-I support the current policy. slams administration-social conservatives smile. it’s pretty clear hes picking issues like this and immigration to keep social conservatives with him. very very smart. if he was running in the 10th, I think he’d be with obama on the issue. kerry lester-where are you on gay marriage? alexi-I support gay marriage. notes his fiancee. kirk-I oppose gay marriage. dont think we should have federal takeover of issue thomas back to negative ads and citizens united hits kirk. Should american xcrossroads disclose donors kirk-blasts big unions supporting alexi. notes paul harvey. looks at alexi and slams him to his face. goes into bright sta alexi-goes back to slamming the congressman SHORE-pretty clear that alexi wants to make this race in the last 2 weeks about karl rove, durbin has been saying the same thing. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:50 pm: Kirk: 527s should disclose their donors. Alexi takes money from state lobbyists and union PACs. Mentions bright start, failed loans, TONS of money from union PACs. Alexi: Karl Rove is coming here with a ton of money trying to influence us. Cit United still sucks. Wall Street Journal calls Kirk a pig at the trough. Kirk is owned by Wall Street. Con Amend to Cit United ruling: Kirk: Won’t support it. Disclosure is what matters, especially within 24 hours. Alexi criticizes me on TARP yet says he’d vote for it. Alexi: I will actually answer, and yes. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:51 pm: Kirk’s wrist got slapped. Ouch. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:53 pm: =SHORE-pretty clear that alexi wants to make this race in the last 2 weeks about karl= Wonder why he wasn’t more “stealthy”. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:54 pm: Neither candidate will say whether or not they would have actually voted for a Justice on the Court nominated by the other party. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:55 pm: There’s the eye contact again. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:55 pm: thomas-back to citizens united-would you support const ammendment to nullify it? kirk-I would not (pandering to conservatives and a MAJOR change from his stance on mccain feingold). Kirk-alexi there you go again, hits alexi on tarp. hits alexi on flip flopping alexi-I will answer your question, back to hitting kirk on rove. Shore-this is a much better debate than the primary, if rich missed this he’ll be pissed. stephanoopolous-does thomas owe hill an apology? SHORE-i refferenced this in my questuoin of the day kirk-spews conservattive line about not legislating through the bench. Slams sotomayor, wouldn’t support her. says he would support kagan, quotes hamilton Shore-kirk has clearly spent A LOT of time with a social conservative working on messaging. this is a much different guy than the 10th saw. Steph-again kirk-would you have supported thomas? kirk-doesn’t answer question. I would support conservative steph-would you have supported any gop justics? alexi-agrees with kirk, spews liberal line about living document constitution. wouldnt have supported any gop justices. steph-slams alexi says all justices were gop, alexi goes back to cliches. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:56 pm: Ouch. “Your district, Congressman”. “Doesn’t want a handout or a bailout.” “Wants someone to fight for her.” - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:57 pm: closing statements alexi-looks at kirk, uses bad economic situation of single mom kirk constituent to reaffirm his message kirk-uses 2 time vote as opening line-pander to conservatives, talks spending bills, secret ballots, debate on vat which mitch daniels supported. calls himself fiscal conesrvative social moderate. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:58 pm: CLOSING: Alexi: There is a stark difference about who we would work for. I met this lady, who lives in Kirk’s district, can’t find a job, pregnant, she doesn’t know what is going to happen to her. She doesn’t expect a hand out, she just wants to know that someone is working for her. Your struggle is mine, your concerns are mine, etc. Kirk: This is the most important Senate election in country. You may have heard leaders are planning a lame duck session for a bunch of spending. Their agenda could include a trillion in spending, and a national sales tax. (Be scared of Pelosi and Reid). I am fiscally conservative and socially moderate. WHAT A FREAKING WASTE OF TIME. - 17th Dem - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:03 pm: The National Sales Tax comment was just strange - the only candidates that have actually been talking about that have been tea party candidates - and they actually support the idea. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:06 pm: Seriously, what person in their right mind asks whether Anita Hill should apologize to Clarence Thomas? Is this really what DC is talking about now? Really? Stephanopoulos should lose his IL privileges. - Carol Mostly Gone - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:09 pm: Somebody ask me if Anita Hill should apologize to Clarence Thomas! Go ahead, ask me that question! - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:10 pm: I wonder where in issue polling Hill/Thomas would fall. 154th? Right behind height? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:12 pm: “A question to both - should the Ricketts apologive to Cubs fans for picking Quade over Ryno …” George - that Anita Hill question was a waste of my not listening to you. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:12 pm: Andy Shaw deserves a special beatdown in the press for the conflict of interest. His daughter works in the freaking white house, AS AN OBAMA APPOINTEE and he, the head of a “good government” group did NOT ONCE MENTION FULL DISCLOSURE. the white house ACTIVELY backs the alexi campaign and shaw doesn’t mention the situation with his daughter. 2 weeks ago, WTTW DID NOT LET LESTER MUNSON COMMENT ON THE KIRK RACE, NOTING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH HIS SON SERVING AS KIRKS CHIEF OF STAFF. ABC 7 owes KIRK AN APOLOGY. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:13 pm: =…, if rich missed this he’ll be pissed.” I don’t think Rich misses much of what goes on in Illinois, shore. Just sayin. lol - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:17 pm: I was watching Chicago Week In Review with an old codger in my office who said that Lester Munson once practiced law but got in some trouble and had to quit. Anybody know the dealio on that? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:19 pm: I think Kerry Lester owes Charles Thomas and Andy Shaw an apology for not making it about her and following their leads… Maybe we shoud start making note of who owes who apologies(?) - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:19 pm: I think Kerry Lester owes Charles Thomas and Andy Shaw an apology for not making it about her and following their leads… Maybe we shoud start making note of who owes who apologies(?) - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:19 pm: there are 2 munsons, 1’s a writer the other is a kirk friend and staffer. the point is, shaw has a daughter who’s an appointee in the obama white house and he didn’t feel like he needed to disclose that. He should NOT have been in the debate. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:20 pm: kerry lester was awful, a 6 year senate term and you want to know how they are coping with the personal attacks? - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:21 pm: 8:17 was NOT me. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:21 pm: https://www.iardc.org/ldetail.asp?id=892284393 Munson’s ARDC record. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:21 pm: you deleted my comment. It’s not fair to kirk or voters to have the father of an obama white house counsel which is backing alexi, asking questions and to not disclose this to voters. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:22 pm: Are they related to Thurmon Munson? - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:26 pm: I didn’t delete your comment, shore. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:26 pm: At least, I don’t remember doing it. - Logical Thinker - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:26 pm: I did not watch the debate; I listened to it on the radio so I cannot comment on how the candidates looked or how they made eye contact. Here are just a few thoughts: 1. Keri Lassar is an embarrassment to her profession and Charles Thomas isn’t far behind. Their questions were more statements they wanted to make instead of hearing what the candidates positions were. Furthermore, they were incredibly leading and, in my opinion, unfair. 2. Andy Shaw asked for specific examples of what spending cuts the candidates would make. Kirk nailed it; Alexi resorted to talking point about INCREASING TAXES on the wealthy amongst his other 3 rambling points. 3. Kirk answers the question on the DREAM act and then Alexi criticizes Kirk for not answering it. Then Alexi promptly does not answer the next 2 questions. 4. I thought Kirk did a nice job of deflecting Alexi’s push on Karl Rove and his claims that he doesn’t take special interest money. Alexi, what is a union-PAC? If anyone thinks Alexi won this debate on a matter of substance, they are absolutely delusional. I think Kirk has a very good knowledge of the issues. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:28 pm: shore, what question was so onerous? Plus, her little job is a bit different than chief of staff. - bored now - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:31 pm: once again, mark kirk shows that he doesn’t believe in civilian control of the military. probably joins his fellow republican senate candidates in arguing for the repeal of the 1st, 14th and 17th amendments, too. listen to the military? who’s he kidding? this president has definitely listened to the military and bent his policies accordingly. mark kirk is so divorced from reality (next he’ll tell us he’s god, so he can create his own reality — he’s claimed everything else, i suppose that’s all that is left) that he doesn’t even realize what is happening in this country (whether it’s the lack of jobs, or the president’s bending over backwards to consult with the military). policy wonk? he doesn’t seem to believe in this country, let alone the constitution. mark kirk may be the most dangerous republican running for senate right now. it’s a crying shame that he’s successfully sold himself as a moderate… - Logical Thinker - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:37 pm: Bored, Kirk is right. What is the administrations policy with regards to DADT? The federal judge denied the motion for an injunction on her ruling and the administration is going to appeal it, essentially to reinstate DADT for the foreseeable future. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:38 pm: Rich-in your honor, I tried to stay non personal, but wttw told munson he couldn’t comment on the kirk race because his boy works for him in dc. shaw should have not been part of the debate because his kid works for obama, he should have at least disclosed this fact. you can’t run a better government association and trash politicians for not disclosing information and then do something like this debate and not disclose the conflict of interest. his daughter is not a civil servant, shes’ an appointee who for all we know could be back in chicago planting yard signs for alexi. - Obamarama - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:42 pm: ===for all we know could be back in chicago planting yard signs for alexi=== Take it easy, Shore. If this was anyone other than Kirk who you have consistently expressed an undying affection for, you wouldn’t care–just like none of the rest of us do. Also, if you knew Andy Shaw, you would know that he has no other agenda than self-promotion. You think he is the head of BGA because of his policy chops or extensive legal credentials? He is a figurehead, and a relatively irrelevant one at that. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:42 pm: Alexi doesn’t look or sound ready to be anything beyond a nice statewide official in Springfield, which he already is and should have stayed. He is such a complete light weight, and gives Burris creds. Nice young man with a whole lotta inherited money. Some common man, eh? Kirk sounds like a complete fake, but the US Congress is full of guys like him. I agree with him on the issues, and it is about time to send someone besides another Democrat to the Senate. Really, Durbin easily exceeds any state’s quota for a spineless Care Bear politician. We don’t need another. Kirk is the better choice. Tonight confirms that. - Moving to Oklahoma - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:44 pm: Just wanted to share with everyone that I am enjoying a bushmills on the rocks with water and watching and old video of SRV at Austin City Limits. I’m leaving Shore and the rest of you to hash out this debate, I got better things to do. Go Alexi. - cuban pilot - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:47 pm: I say that the politicans of Illinois are just toooo damnnnnn high… we got the incumbent governor who likes to let prisoner’s out way to damn early and yet this same governor obviously loves to get high because he has nothing and I mean damn notin’ in his refridgerator. Them damn munchies will kill ya. Then, we got this millionaire who makes no money for tax purposes and yet likes to gas little damn puppies to death. Next, thing I know, rich miller will tell me is that Bill wants to bulldoze the hills of the shawnee forest for electric plants and puppy gassing factories. then, over there on that senate seat election to replace the man with the porn stach from the 1980’s, you got a former veteran who obviously got a natural high from combat when he flew a squandron into a combat in vietnam nam against a bunch of migs. Maybe he was the one who dropped the agent orange that resulted in my black gloves? I don’t know, but I do know, the cynic might say that little mark was only 8 in 1968, but you the cynic must be too damn high because Mark did in fact win the medal of honor in 1968 at the tender age of 9. Then, you got that Alexi fellow who also must be too damn high. After all, back in the mid-2000s he couldn’t remember if he had a job or not. That guy must be high. I have had three jobs in my whole life, and I know the dates I worked that job. You have to in order to update your resume. Yet, Alexi must be too damn high because he can’t remember when he worked and when he didn’t work….man, Illinois politicians must be too damn high. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:47 pm: The Anita Hill question was silly. But it was current to D.D. folks based on an even sillier phone call by Justice Thomas’ wife to Anita Hill THIS WEEKEND. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/us/politics/20thomas.html?hp I don’t want to reopen this can of worms (though apparently Virigina Thomas did), but the consensus of most prosecutors and judges I talked to about this was that Anita Hill told the truth, and Justice Thomas likely fibbed under oath. - cuban pilot - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:59 pm: Rich, Give George S. a break, at least he didn’t ask a question from ‘92 (err, 1892)….So, Congressman Kirk, do you support the gold standard? Or, Treasurer Guinuillas, do you support the Pendelton Act? I guess I am looking for the silver linning, at least George was within our lifetime. - Anonymous 8:47 - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:12 pm: Oops. Typ. Current to D.C. folks - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:16 pm: This isn’t a D.C. blog last time I checked, Anon. (Thank goodness.) - Ellen Beth Gill - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:33 pm: Rich, still can’t put your finger on why Kirk is painful to listen to? Try this out for size. Most people in the district that I know who feel that way say the same thing, Kirk is snide. He has this smirk on his face and tone in his voice that says “I’m better than you. I know more than you. I am the teacher, the master and it’s your job and destiny to follow me.” Problem with Kirk is that he cannot back it up with knowledge and his backstory turned out to be mostly fake. - Baker's Dozen - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:41 pm: The Tribune posted a story tonight trashing Kirk again on the serial embellishing. Someone should tell the reporters over there Kirk is their endorsed candidate. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:52 pm: Ellen Beth Gill - You are right. Kirk’s first problem with connecting to voters is that he is indeed snide..all the time. Talking to some people who have been to events in the last month commented, “He just looks at you so condesendingly, and …. snide … its like he expects you to be with him, and be glad we have him.” Tonight, he did just that at everyone in the room …not a plesant trait. Nice catch EBG I still like him better than Alexi thou …because I am FORCED to pick one … brutal!!! - BGA Dave - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 10:36 pm: Shore, You’re being completely unfair with your ad hominem attacks on Andy. Can you cite any example tonight where he treated your candidate any differently than he treated Alexi? He asked tough questions of both sides. That’s what he does. The fact that his daughter was a supreme court clerk to a liberal justice (Stevens) and now has an extremely prestigious job in the White House counsel’s office is something to be admired. I’m not sure how that should disqualify him from serving as a questioner. Nor should his daughter’s taste in men disqualify him. Your criticism is unfair and you owe him an apology. And Obamarama, if you think Andy has been an irrelevant figurehead, you haven’t been paying attention. Quadrupling of our budget, hiring a team of some of the top investigators in the city and raising a gazillion dollars while other nonprofits are floundering is a sign of a great success, not an irrelevant figurehead. And I think the 850 people who attended our annual benefit last week (up from 400 last year) would agree. And lest I get accused of failure to disclose, I’m Chairman of the BGA board and someone who is very proud of what we, led by Andy, have accomplished since he arrived. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:04 pm: BGA Dave, Wttw did not allow lester munson to comment on the kirk senate race because his son has a job working for kirk in dc. they said that on air and refused to allow a very smart individual to comment on the race. I refer you to joel weisman and the clip is on their website on the friday night show. Shaw should not have been a part of the debate. Period. Even if he was wrongly allowed to be a part of the debate he should have noted his daughters employment in the obama administration. She is a political appointee, whose employment is subject to the pleasure of the president who has a major interest in this race. There are offices in the white house actively working against congressman kirk and who knows what is said there and what sorts of discussions and talking points are transmitted to shaw. Who knows what her role is in the alexi campaign and whether or not she wants a job with him? His daughter’s boss was the subject of the debate and he did not mention that in the debate whatsoever. That Shaw works for an organization that claims to be about transparency in government and then does not hold himself to those standards is strike number 1. That WTTW holds its guests to a standard and this debate did not is strike number 2. Your organization loses credibility with stunts like this, the apology is owed to congressman kirk and viewers. - BGA Dave - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:13 pm: And again Shore, I’m still waiting for you to tell us how Andy demonstrated even the slightest bit of bias tonight? Anything? Anywhere? I’m watching the repeat now and have yet to hear anything that even the most partisan observer (read you) could call biased against either candidate. And for the record, I’ve heard Andy mention on many public occasions who his daughter and son-in-law are so it’s not like he’s hiding it. I’m not sure where you’re seeing the bias. If you have a problem with his inclusion tonight, I suggest you raise it with ABC7 and the League. - Levois - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:22 pm: SO is this debate considered a draw or did Kirk run away with this one? - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:22 pm: BGA DAVE, It is noble you wish you stick up for your employee, but it’s particularly wrong for a so called good government organization to not disclose the conflict of interest. His daughter works for all we know side by side with the political shop in the white house working to keep mark kirk from the senate. As a good government transparency advocate he should have recused himself from the debate lest there be any accusations of impropriety. At worst he should have told viewers that his daughter works for the president who is working actively against the congressman. And again, wttw held lester munson to a standard for commenting on the race. this was one of 2 instate debates for a 6+year senate term, a much bigger deal and a much bigger problem. I understand shaw used to work at abc and wants to boost the image and profile of the organization, but this was the wrong way to do it and it sacrificed the credibility of the debate, the organization and ability for viewers to make their own judgements. - BGA Dave - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:42 pm: And I’ll take that as a no, you can’t cite a single example of bias. In fact, after watching it again, it was pretty clear that he was harder on Alexi than he was on Kirk. I’m not just defending Andy because he’s our employee. I’m defending him because your ad hominem attacks on him are unfair. There’s a world of difference between serving as a Congressman’s Chief of Staff and serving in the White House Counsel’s office. They are radically different positions with radically different responsibilities. His daughter is a legal professional. She’s not a political hack. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:46 pm: “Also, if you knew Andy Shaw, you would know that he has no other agenda than self-promotion.” LOL. - Been There - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:53 pm: I think the question about Anita Hill was spot on. I am sure Alexi was reading the NY Times during down time in Drivers Ed class and knows all about it. - shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:56 pm: She is a political appointee who was hired through the white house office of presidential personnel, which scans resumes and makes hiring decisions based on partisanship. She is not a civil servant who was hired through a competitive publicly available job opening, she is a political appointee priveleged to confidential political briefings and information and you dont know what she hears, who she works with, what role she plays in the alexi campaign, what job she may want in his office and what the nature of her discussions with her father are which could prompt his judgement. she serves at the pleasure of the president not subject to civil service laws and protections. Obama is a central player in this race-his daughters boss and has the ability to fire or promote her based on his own judgement. Who knows whether shaw takes this into account. It’s not your decision to make as to whether or not shaw had a conflict of interest. He did. It’s particularly absurd that shaw comes from a group called the better government association which you think would hold itself to HIGHER standards and let the public make the decision. Was league of women voters aware? Was abc-7 aware? Again munson wasn’t leading a debate, he was commenting on the race on a friday night program. Big difference AND THEY DISCLOSED IT. Your organization, which usually does good work, took a major hit tonight for sacrificing its principles and the publics trust. - Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 12:03 am: I’m still stuck on Kirk sounds like Hermie the dentist elf in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the tv cartoon! that said, he’s WAY more substantial and unprogrammed than Alexi, who sounded thuggish at times. I hate that I am a Democrat and Alexi supports many of the things in which I believe, but he is just, constantly dishonest. His answers about the mob loans were just painful to listen to, he’s bordering on Berrios territory with his jobs to his family talk. It’s like everything was ok in Alexi land, nothing was wrong with the loans or the bank, somehow it just all fell apart….oh, that was Kirk’s fault too. jeez. Listening to Kirk, besides the voice, I found a moderate person with whom I did not agree on everything, but who was honest and took responsibility. I especially liked his answer on campaign finance as he threw in his own campaign. As for the Anita Hill question, which Senate seat is the one in question? cause the Thomas hearings are what gave us Senator Carol Moseley Braun, which led to Peter Fitzgerald, and then….Obama, right? they both disappointed me on that question. of course she should not say sorry, Anita Hill told the truth. Mrs. Thomas should be investigated. and Charles Thomas was a dull panelist! - Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 5:30 am: Gill, who is described by NBC5 as a “Kirk Hater” writes: “Problem with Kirk is that he cannot back it up with knowledge and his backstory turned out to be mostly fake.” Gill has as much credibility on this topic as Ibendahl does when he (always) writes his anti-GOP screeds. His backstory turned out to be mostly fake? He never served in the military for 21 years? Those 21 years of evaluations by his superiors are all embellished? The descriptions of his service to the country in those evaluations are all false? Even Alexi won’t go THAT far! Take a breath Ellen. And be prepared to be really freaked out on election day when the Congressman Kirk who you despise with a passion gets elected as Senator Kirk. - Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 5:34 am: Saw the late replay of the debate. Andy Shaw didn’t seem to show any bias in his questions. The press should in the future insist on panelists who are stronger journalists than the assembled group, and Stephanopoulos as moderator brought nothing special to the “debate” which according to LWV format is more of a statement contest with no back and forth dialogue. In terms of who won the debate on substance or who slung the dirtier mud, I’ll leave that to the saner members of this blog to comment about. - bored now - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 7:03 am: BGA Dave: shore is offended anytime that someone doesn’t share his belief that mark kirk walks on water. even the hint that you don’t like/agree with saint kirk will get you that kind of reaction. pay no mind. his loyalty is completely irrational and trying to talk to him reasonably won’t get you far… - Independent - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 7:13 am: Every time I think Alexi could not possibly become any more vapid and vacuous he proves me wrong. What an embarrassment he would be in DC. That is, if he is even allowed to speak. - anon - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 7:48 am: This is a classic hold-your-nose-and-vote-your-party race. When Obama isn’t busy leading the free world he is surely bummed to see what has happened to his seat. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 20, 10 @ 9:39 am: George Steph must have thought he was on the DC cocktail circuit. The story is true weirdness, but why it had to be injected into an Illinois Senate debate is known only to George. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.