 A look back at the week in politics:BY THE NUMBERS
Gov. Pat Quinn delivered a State of the State address that
wandered from topic to topic for 72 minutes as he worked from
handwritten notes instead of a prepared text. Most candidates facing
an election challenge and a difficult legislative session would have
aimed for a stirring call to action. Quinn's speech was more of a
folksy summing-up of the past year.
The transcript (http://tinyurl.com/QuinnAddress)
shows a speech of 12,115 words. Here's how many times some words
popped up:
-
Soy 10
-
Tax 16
-
Increase (in relation
to taxes) 0
-
Cut (in relation to
taxes) 2
-
Cut (in relation to
spending) 18
-
Jobs 24
-
Business 4
-
Budget 14
-
Deficit 1
-
Sacrifice 1
-
Pain 1
-
Paint 6
YES AND NO
Quinn was less than crystal-clear on how he wants to solve the
state's huge budget problem, a fact reflected in some headlines
afterward.
Crain's Chicago Business: "Gov. Quinn skips call for tax hike in
State of the State speech"
Chicago Tribune: "Quinn calls for tax increase in State of the
State speech"
STRATEGY
Leading candidates skipped debates left and right.
Republican Mark Kirk didn't take part in the major televised
debate of the GOP Senate primary. Republican Andy McKenna skipped
two gubernatorial debates, and rival candidate Jim Ryan declined
one.
Alexi Giannoulias said he would not take part in an upcoming
Democratic Senate debate. Then opponent David Hoffman pulled out.
Then organizers simply canceled the debate.
That ticked off -- to use a polite term -- the spokeswoman for
another Democratic candidate, Jacob Meister.
"Cancellations by both of them reeks of arrogance," fumed Karen
Craven. "Two spoiled brats. I hope voters see them for the cowards
that they are."
Debates can be risky. A candidate can make a stupid mistake, or
an opponent can launch an effective attack. So candidates sometimes
calculate that they have more to lose than they stand to gain from
taking part.
OUTSIDE THE BOX
At least two candidates urged their supporters to donate to
relief efforts in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in
Haiti.
"No matter how small the donation, every dollar counts," said
Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson.
"Please join me in supporting the people in Haiti who are
suffering in a way that is difficult for us to understand," said
Justin Oberman, who's running for state treasurer.
WHOOPS
Jackson also sought some help for herself during a debate. "I
humbly ask for your support on Feb. 4," she said in her opening
remarks.
Unfortunately, the election is Feb. 2.
SPEAKING UP
Republican Dan Proft doesn't have much patience with candidates
talking about their humble origins. He let it show in a recent
debate when his rivals tried to show they were in touch with
working-class Illinoisans.
"Like everybody else, 'I was born a poor black child' too. This
is exactly what this election is not about: these politicians'
biographies, this navel-gazing," he said, quoting a line from the
movie "The Jerk."
Later, Bill Brady saw a chance to skewer both Proft and a certain
ex-governor with foot-in-mouth disease. "Dan, I didn't realize you
were related to Rod Blagojevich," Brady said.
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STICKS & STONES
After Dan Hynes ran ads criticizing Quinn over granting early
release to prisoners, the governor shot back with an ad accusing
Hynes of distorting the truth. According to the ad, Quinn simply
supports sending nonviolent offenders to halfway houses.
Quinn's ad didn't bother to mention his administration released
some violent offenders who were quickly accused of committing new
violence. Nor did it mention that Quinn himself called the situation
"a big mistake."
That gave Hynes justification to run a new ad about the early
release program, this time flatly accusing Quinn of "lying to us."
COMMERCIAL APPEAL
Republican Bob Schillerstrom decided to have a little fun with
his name in a new television ad (http://tinyurl.com/lvmaut) in his
campaign for governor.
The ad shows a rowdy football fan trying to say "Schillerstrom,"
only to have his friends think he's saying something dirty -- a
"bleep-storm." This goes on for a bit, until Schillerstrom himself
steps in to explain how to pronounce his name and to encourage
people to call him simply Bob.
PLANS & PROMISES
With Illinois unemployment well over 10 percent, Republican Jim
Ryan offered his thoughts on creating jobs if he becomes governor.
He promised to create a Council of Economic Advisors, transform
the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity into a new
public-private Economic Development Corp. and offer a new tax credit
for investors who support Illinois business ventures.
Ryan also promised to lower business costs by overhauling the
state's unemployment and worker compensation programs and by
lowering fees that were increased under Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"The days of bashing businesses to score political points are
over," Ryan's proposal said. "Illinois needs a leader who will focus
on what is important developing the conditions that encourage
entrepreneurs to invest in our state."
WHAT'S NEXT
Debates. Candidates from both parties in the races for governor
and Senate are scheduled to face off in televised debates in
Chicago, Champaign and Carbondale.
[Associated Press;
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS]
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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