Posted on 03/08/2006 9:29:51 PM PST by metalmanx2j
Treasurer spurns rival's request for apology in ad dispute
By Rick Pearson and John Chase, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune staff reporter John McCormick contributed to this report Published March 8, 2006
SPRINGFIELD -- With the Republican primary race for governor taking an aggressive turn, Jim Oberweis asked Judy Baar Topinka to apologize Tuesday for criticizing his TV attack ads while Topinka said he was trying to "bully" her because she is a woman.
The crossfire came during and after the third broadcast debate among the four major GOP contenders in the primary election. Reflecting the growing personal nature of the race, Topinka turned away as the hourlong broadcast ended and rebuffed an offer from Oberweis to shake his hand.
The debate, sponsored by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and broadcast by ABC stations in Springfield and Champaign, was ostensibly to focus on business issues. It came with only two weeks to go in a primary campaign that has, until recently, done little to attract voters' attention.
But as with previous encounters featuring Oberweis, Topinka, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz, the disputes surfaced largely after the formal debate had ended.
Topinka contended that Oberweis' attacks on her show he "may have some difficulties dealing with women." Oberweis countered that Topinka was again "caught not telling the truth."
Seeking a middle ground among voters, Brady warned of the damage caused to the eventual GOP nominee by too much personal sniping in the primary contest.
"If we're going to beat [Democratic Gov.] Rod Blagojevich, we've got to rebuild the strongest Republican Party we can in Illinois and that means uniting. Unfortunately, some of the other candidates are dividing the party," said Brady, who portrayed himself during the debate as "above the fray."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
I don't know Oberweis from Adam, but his dairy turns out some great ice cream!
I've never had their ice cream - but you can get their milk up here in Mpls-St Paul. Very tasty. You can taste the difference.
What we're seeing here is another typical Illinois GOP primary.
I'm afraid the bad blood that we're seeing here may carry over into the general election.
Yes, Mpls, I think that will happen too. That's why I think Brady's trying to get these guys to wake up and smell the coffee.
Listened to part of the Chicago debate tonight on the ABC News Channel 7 website and Looserweis calmed down in Chicago. Why b/c he knows that kind of crap doesn't play well upstate. And he found out last night it doesn't play well downstate either.
Like Brady has been saying (paraphrased) - focus on the issues and not personal attacks on each other. This is for the birds.
Got Guv?
L
I will vote for a downstater over a Chicagoan (Topinka) any day of the year.
No I don't have that kind of Guv and never will. Looserweiss will, if he would happen to get the nomination, loose big like Alan Keyes did in that Obama race.
I didn't like it but it's the truth. I wouldn't be surprised that some dems come over and vote for Looserweiss just so he'll loose big in the general.
Looserweiss is a big embarassment. I agree about Judy not being the best candidate.
But Brady has a prayer and prayers of many other of his supporters.
You're dreaming right? The reason there were boos in the audience is because Looserweis was touting charges that are from a shaky source. His ads are lies and the newspaper headlines aren't true. Real genius there.
Now as for whether the Springfield debate was unions or not, that I don't know. It was a Chamber of Commerce event where only Chamber members could get in - or get someone to get a ticket to get in.
There are a LOT of us people in the downstate area who are AGAINST what Looserweis is doing and making the party look dumb. So is Gidwitz but he can barely talk when on stage. That man does scare me.
Brady is the only intelligent choice.
Ya know. The best thing I can say to you is the 21st will show you what will happen.
It's not smart to say what Looser has said. Many republicans, including myself, who supported Oberweiss in the past just can't seem to stomach him now.
And it's people who are beholden to the Roser crowd that will be surprised on the 22nd.
Also, do you have any recent polls about where the candiates are? That I would like to see.
I've been trying to get a link to the CBS News poll that was taken, but they are apparently still fixing the "adjusted" numbers. I'm not sure EXACTLY what that means, but I know its for better statistics or something.
I'll post it as soon as they do. Check their local website, too, if you'd like - maybe you'll get the info first.
All I can tell you is that they called it "still a two-person race," but I don't have their numbers to know what that means in context. The Tribune will apparently be running one in the next couple of days, too, but I have absolutely no idea what that one will say. I only know of the CBS one because of the "two person race" comment they made when first mentioning they had taken a poll.
I would not be surprised if the numbers are posted in the next 24 hours. If they are, I'll send you (and others) a post immediately. Until then, we're all just waiting and hoping......
Frankly, right now, I'm just hoping to see that SOMEBODY can dethrone Topinka......PLEASE!!!!!!!
Absolutely yes. Did you see that Gidwitz did a noon or something like that press-conference? I haven't read anything too much from it but it's on the www.capitalfaxblog.com website.
I don't like Gidwitz that much either. Something about him bothers me. Along the same lines as Andy Martin. He either speaks too slow for his head or he can't articulate well.
I almost can see the brain working 10xs faster than his mouth. lol
I'm hoping that we can have a good candidate. Not Topinka or Gidwitz and DEFINTELY not Martin (shivers). While I don't like Oberweis I could (maybe) vote for him. I truly like Brady the best. I believe he would try to do the best for the state.
Thanks for the info on the polls. It would help to know where everyone is. I know Judy has gone down. I couldn't see her taking these hits and not being beat. Hopefully as people find out about her, they can not vote for her and Gidwitz is about to implode himself (okay, I hope). We'll see.
Take care and have a good weekend.
Also, that meant vote for Oberweiss in the general election. Sorry didn't mean the primary.
P.S.
Dude, what's with that blog you sent me to? Everyone is a Topinka backer! Also, almost everyone there is smashing ANY Conservative candidates running.
Whoa!
When I travel throughout the state I see Oberweis signs posted illegally on public access property. Doesn't he have supporters who would put his signs up on private property?
That's a shady way to run a campaign...and reflects on the candidate.
If a candidate won't abide by election laws, what else won't he abide by?
No it's not. Not everyone. You do realize that there are dem people on there as well as everyone else. Not everyone is a Topinka backer but it is a mixed bag.
Sorry. I think it's an excellent blog - it give you more of a rounded opinion.
I see you found the poll numbers.
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