Local: Big, well-funded guns brought out in 2nd District race
The following email crossed my desk (and by the way, I will will print notices about any city council race fundraisers):
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 9:17 PM
I am Chairing the campaign for Curphy Smith, who is running for the 2nd City Council Seat in Peoria. Attached are information on two upcoming fundraisers. For neighborhood association presidents or watch captains, there are complimentary tickets available. Please contact me directly for more information. Even if you are unable to attend. Curphy would appreciate your support and your vote on April 7th. Please note that Congressman Schock will be the featured guest at the March 8th fundraiser.
Thank you,
Paul Wilkinson, Chair
So, Congressman Aaron Schock — darling of the GOP, the Huffington Post, et al — is getting involved in supposedly piddly, little non-partisan city council races?
Why not? The idea that party organizations don’t recruit candidates for city elections is laughable. The candidates just don’t have “R” or “D” next to their names on the ballot.
The knock against Smith is that his platform seems awful shallow and that he doesn’t seem to have a direction.
Look at these flyers. He’s looking for a LOT of cash for a simple council race.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:21 am
With donation options of $500, $1000 and $2000, as well as a disclaimer at the bottom of the larger image reading:
It would appear that they are anticipating Congressman Schock will be raising some funds through this as well, possibly through Friends of Curphy Smith.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:41 am
I’d vote for Idi Amin before BVA. But, I don’t live in the Second and it looks like I’m stuck with Idi Amin through all the fault of my own in the First.
BTW, I am not paying for police protection and use of city services for Wonder Boy’s trip here. end/sarcasm
March 1st, 2009 at 11:14 am
Did you notice the Obamaesk (sp?) styled logo?
Em, yeah BVA probably doesn’t deserve re-election but Curphy isn’t an improvement at all.
What I find interesting is that both candidates key supporters are well connected Republicans.
March 1st, 2009 at 11:30 am
Carl,
federal law requires the disclaimer on political events that Aaron would be involved in. the Congressman is a special guest at one event. He is not fundraising for his campaign. We thought it an odd thing as well to have to put it on a local event, but again, we don’t write federal laws, but we have to abide by them. The other event is being sponsored by a some of the neighborhood people in the District. Additional events are forthcoming before the election to encourage attendance across the board of the diverse population of the 2nd District.
Billy,
local races are not piddly. They effect our lives far more directly than much of what happens in other levels of government. If you have questions about Curphy’s stances or platforms, we would happy to answer those questions.
thanks,
Paul
March 1st, 2009 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the clarification, Paul. I don’t get why federal law would not only require someone to post the disclaimer, but to say that the federal candidate is “asking” for money, too. That really creates a false impression with regard to the congressman’s intentions by putting words in his mouth.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Emtronics: Say what you want about Clyde Gulley. Opinion on his effectiveness varies. You can count on him to speak about his district’s needs at every council meeting. I think the Idi Amin crack is out of line.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Paul: Relatively speaking,localcouncil racesarepiddly to a man who is helpingtorun the coutnry as a member of commerce.
I’m not doing a lot of election coverage this year (for a variaty ofreasons, including time constraints), so I don’t see myself contacting him or anyone.
I did print, verbatim, two placards that Mr.Smith is distributing. If he wants to send me something that describes his positions on the issues, or his philosophic approach to governing, he or you can send it to me and I will print verbatim.
He also is able to comment on this site. Again, I will print his comments verbatim.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
admin: (whoever you are) I too thought about the line Idi Amin and then thought again. It’s not out of line. He (Gulley) represents us here in the first as well as Idi Amin would. You must not listen to the council meetings very well. I remember not too long ago Gulley demanding that the Griswold project be finished but was quickly rebuffed by BVA and Spears. The project was shelved again. Name ONE thing the south end has gotten out of this city council? Don’t say sidewalks on Antoinette because that was a grant and they did a horrible job.
Put a name to your “admin” and I’ll consider your opinion more.
Randall (Emtronics)
March 1st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
…or as BVA would say: “It’s 3am, let’s have a drink!”
March 1st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Em- aren’t the typo’s a dead give-away?
March 1st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Carl,
my understanding is that because the Congressman is a guest of this fundraiser that federal laws apply. It to be clear that he is not involved in something that exceeds the criteria of what the federal laws apply. By being a guest at this event, he cannot ask that supports donate money exceeding federal limits or types of funds disallowed by federal law at this event. Local campaign finance laws are much less stringent. also note the state disclaimer occurs below it as required by Illinois law for this and other local events. Don’t make a big deal about it, it’s just something we have to do. The Congressman is not soliciting funds for his own campaign, he is there on behalf of the Curphy Smith Campaign.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
diane: LMAO How stupied of me….. Never mind
March 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Diane and Em: Thhhpt!
Did I spell that right?
March 1st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
yea yea yea…… Ok I withdraw the Idi Amin line even though I never meant that Gulley looked like him, just thought Idi would be better councilman. That’s what I get for watching the movie Stripes while posting.
In Stripes: -knock knock knock- “Who is it?” “It’s Idi Amin!” “It’s Winger!”
March 1st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Firstly, the disclaimers are required…however, the “Congressman will only ask…” has never been a disclaimer. That is crap-the work of a struggling campaign trying to prove they can bring in the “talent”. I’d bet $50 right here that Schock doesn’t show. That’s what happens in these events….the “celebrity” says it’s a possibility he’ll show and the local crowd gets hyped up. Come event time, no celebrity.
Another question for Paul-you mentioned in your PJS op-ed that you were not “extended an invitation” to the recent Obama event. If my memory serves, you were not only invited from Schock’s office but also picked up your ticket. Hmmm…..?
March 1st, 2009 at 10:13 pm
i bet mr. schock shows. any takers?
March 1st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
ep blondie,
what pjs op-ed? I was at the Obama event and if you look at Vespa’s blog I wrote on it and supplied pictures not only to her blog, but a number of my friends. In fact Curphy was able to shake Obama’s hand.
Aaron is planning on being there. I saw him this evening and we talked about it.
I stand by what I said about the disclaimer, thank you for your interest.
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
Would someone please post who Curphy Smith is, i.e., address, occupation, marital status (children, ages, schools), employment, political party, etc. We are sort of out of the loop and don’t get all the information we should. Thank you!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 am
His website:
http://www.smith4peoria.com/home/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
I believe it is still under construction.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
OMG! I just realized he went to EIU and was a Delta Chi! I was a Chi Delphia (at EIU). My guess he was 10 or so years behind me though. Huh. Small world.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Curphy is missing a few details from his website.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Like what he stands for?
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hence the words “under construction”. ;P