October 2002

No Republican Fly Around The

ArchPundit October 30, 2002 0 Comment

No Republican Fly Around

The Capitol Fax reported yesterday (already off site) that J-Ry won’t be doing the traditional fly around with the Illinois Circular Firing Squad Team slate. Apparently, he is afraid being seen with Birkettt will raise questions about the Cruz case.

I’m not kidding. The way to avoid that is to answer the questions.

For those out of Illinois, the fly around has a long tradition that I can remember from as far back as ’76. Of course, in ’76 I was being paraded around on the shoulders of Big Jim so my memory of the time is a bit hazy.

The larger problem is the fly-around is a good buzz producing event and tradition. Not doing it will further suppress Republican turnout.

Booing at Funerals Okay, being

ArchPundit October 30, 2002 0 Comment

Booing at Funerals

Okay, being joyous is fine, booing people who knew the man personally is not. Trent Lott may be a doofus, but he was paying respects to a man who he worked with and booing him is inappropriate. They may have been political opponents, but one clear thing about Wellstone was his ability to disagree without being disagreeable. We should honor that legacy as well as his progressive nature.

On a slightly different note, Robin Carnahan’s “Don’t Let the Fire Go Out” was a much more effective way to spur people to action while keeping an event respectful.

Given my father has asked that there be no funeral and only a rip roaring party in his home town, the rest seems generally appropriate to me.

J-Ry, “OH SHIT” Emil Jones

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

J-Ry, “OH SHIT”

Emil Jones and Da Speaker just put $1 Million into the Democratic GOTV effort in Illinois. If you read down the article you’ll see J-Ry pulling in more money recently. This is probably due to Hastert’s intervention recently. For those unfamiliar with Illinois politics, Hastert is from the Fox Valley and so is Rauschenberger–one of the mainstream, but conservative, GOPers. Hastert is trying to shore up the party to keep the Senate and hopefully avoid a painful, painful fight for the soul of the ICFST after a major loss.

An interesting note on this is Crain’s Chicago endorsements where they layed down the challenge to the GOP from here on out. The pushed for a GOP to back business and not social conservatives. The fight between the social conservatives and the business community should start somewhere around poll closing in Illinois on the 5th. I can see it now, Crain’s vs. The Illinois Leader in drag out knock down….

Having a good time at

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

Having a good time at funerals?

Yes, you remember people and laugh about the good times. What a crock. One of the stories that horrifies some twits in Missouri is that Kit Bond popped a beer after burying his mother. I always found this objection to Kit Bond silly because a common theme around my family is remembering the dead and the damn funny things they did. I think everyone objecting needs to get a life–and enjoy it with memories of those past.

Qatar coup attempted? Via CounterSpin

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

Qatar coup attempted?

Via CounterSpin Central there was a coup attempt in Qatar? I’m behind in reading the paper, but DAMN why isn’t this on the nightly news?

The worst thing for

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

The worst thing for Illinois Death Penalty Reform is

Mass Clemency unfortunately.

Note to Self–Disavow All Conspiracy

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

Note to Self–Disavow All Conspiracy Theorists

I don’t want to hear anything about Paul Wellstone being murdered from Freepers or Dem Underground. Nor do I want to hear about Iraqi connections to Oklahoma City of 6 Degrees of Separation and Bill Clinton. I especially don’t want to hear any of this crap from supposed liberals who shouldn’t be stooping to the wingnut level. Be the rational party and you’ll win.

Oh, and I especially don’t want to hear about the international conspiracy of atheistic scientists who are hiding the evidence for creationism.

Gay Bashing For $800 Alex

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

Gay Bashing For $800 Alex

Tapped has it covered. While I like Sanders in general, this was inexcusable. We ought to be inviting those of the Republican persuasion who support gay rights, not pushing them away.

Oh, and wait, it was nasty and homophobic and not in my damn party!

LMadigan putting some numbers on

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

LMadigan putting some numbers on Birkett

Trib has her up 6. The numbers may turn out to be worse for the ICFST since they year of everything going wrong is likely to reduce turnout.

Rule #5. Don’t mistake

ArchPundit October 29, 2002 0 Comment

Rule #5. Don’t mistake the “natural tightening” that occurs in the polls at the end of most races in competitive states for a true surge by the trailing candidate.

The Note explained this rule and the Chicago Tribune and the Political Wire need to follow it. J-Ry is @ 37% and not closing. The difference is a drop in Blago’s number. More frightening for J-Ry is he isn’t getting the normal return home numbers typical for this time of year. I imagine he will pick up a bit, but this has to be disturbing to his campaign. Trying to sell these changes as momentum or a surge is silly.

Interestingly, the poll shows Durbin under 50% and is the only one doing so. This sample may be slightly biased given Durkin seems to need to rob a bank to get noticed and a reduction in Durbin’s numbers doesn’t make any sense.