From the joint press release on Senator Judy Myers' website:
“Judy Myers is the candidate who would best represent the entire district,” Johnson said. “Her experience gives her valuable insights into the challenges facing the Champaign and Vermilion communities. We need a senator with that type of knowledge in Springfield.”ÂÂ
The Congressman also praised Myers' legislative record. The Republican candidate served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2002.
“We don't have to wonder what kind of a senator she would be,” Johnson said. “For six years she was in the trenches, fighting for the schools, taxpayers and families of East Central Illinois. We need Judy back in the Senate to continue that work.”ÂÂ
It was a great press conference, and we're very grateful to Rep. Johnson for his support, advice and endorsement. Discuss if you like.
(Disclosure: I work for Senator Judy Myers' campaign.)
WOW! That's a huge (and entirely unexpected!) endorsement. I was wondering whether Tim would endorse the Republican or Democratic candidate, and I'm glad to put all that uncertainty behind me.
I'll bet the Frerichs campaign is scrambling right now, trying to figure out what to do without all the support they'd expected to get from Tim Johnson.
Does anybody know who Johnson will support for County Clerk? What about Governor? The suspense is killing me, but I guess I'll just have to wait for those press conferences.
It's amusing to me that Democrats think that national Republicans are terribly unpopular, but have to downplay an endorsement by a sitting Congressman in a key state race.
The Johnson endorsement is a big deal for Senator Myers' campaign - he could have taken a pass and focused on his own race, for example. Instead, we'll get the benefit of his full support of Senator Myers, his invaluable advice, his campaigning and speaking on Myers' behalf, and his Champaign County organization and connections.
If it's not a big deal, why bother downplaying it?
Gordy,
Perhaps you could shine some light on why it took Tim so long to endorse her? Was he waiting on a break from Washington to come stand with her and make the endorsement?
"It was a great press conference..."
Well, there's a first. I can hear all the folks in their cars afterward: "That was a great press conference, dontcha think, Ed?" "One of the best I've every seen, Ethel."
:roll:
"Perhaps you could shine some light on why it took Tim so long to endorse her? Was he waiting on a break from Washington to come stand with her and make the endorsement?"
It was just a scheduling issue. We kept trying to find a time that worked for both Congressman Johnson and Senator Myers, and kept running into conflicts. Today's opening fell together over the past few days, so we took advantage of it.
ah, ok. Thanks for clearing that up!
Well, i heard it on the radio. Tim had some good things to say about Judy, which made it a worthwhile press event. Certainly no surprise. But then again, it was no surprise when Frerichs decided to walk across the district. After all, he did it the last two times he lost legislative races.
Well I just dont think Frerichs is going to take his job as seriously as Meyers will. I believe Frerichs is just using the seat as another steping stone onto something else. However, Meyers is very popular in the area and stands to be a great senator once again. I believe Frerichs is sort of out of touch in the area. I know a lot of voters who think he plays his Yale degree up to much and they really dont care about his degree. He needs to realize people around here are more down to earth and could really care less he went to Yale.
Judy Myers went to Purdue...so she can play that up, right?
"He needs to realize people around here are more down to earth and could really care less he went to Yale. "
Liberals place a lot of weight on the prestige of higher education (as evidenced by the continual derisive comments about Shelden's lack of a degree). If voters in this county were as down to earth as you believe, they would have seen through the Frerich's facade in the last election. Just wait until the next round of "my granddaddy was a fireman" commercials start this Fall.
Downplay? Gordy, I said I was glad to learn who former Republican Party Chairman Johnson would support. Like you said, for him to endorse a fellow Republican is a big deal!
By the way, who did better in the 52nd last time, Tim Johnson or Barack Obama? Will Judy be getting that endorsement, as well?
I can't believe some of you don't realize how big of a story this is. The Republican congressman/County GOP Chair is backing a former Republican State Senator over his former opponent. Stop the presses.
When is Judy Myers gonna hold a press conference to announce the endorsement of political benefactor/former governor/convicted felon George Ryan?
It's nice to see that Judy doesn't even know the 52nd well enough to hold press conferences within the boundaries of the district.
"When is Judy Myers gonna hold a press conference to announce the endorsement of political benefactor/former governor/convicted felon George Ryan?"
Right after Frerichs announces the endorsement of his political crony Curt Deedrich, who he schemed to get a taxpayer funded county position over a more qualified opponent.
Oh wait - Deedrich HAS endorsed Frerichs. Sorry! That's no surprise since, you know, Frerichs connived to get him his job and all.
Um, when is Rod going to endorse Mike?
It's nice to see that Judy doesn't even know the 52nd well enough to hold press conferences within the boundaries of the district.
Uh, seemed to me that the best she could do was to get TJ at arrivals. Didn't he just fly in ten minutes before the conference.
Now THAT's dedication folks.
"Uh, seemed to me that the best she could do was to get TJ at arrivals. Didn't he just fly in ten minutes before the conference.
Now THAT's dedication folks. "
Actually, Rep. Johnson was flying back to DC shortly after the press conference, which was why we held it at Willard. He was also holding meetings with constituents at the airport, so that he could maximize his time before he had to leave. That is dedication.
"It's nice to see that Judy doesn't even know the 52nd well enough to hold press conferences within the boundaries of the district.It's nice to see that Judy doesn't even know the 52nd well enough to hold press conferences within the boundaries of the district."
Why should it matter that Willard is across the street from the District? That's a silly complaint, I think.
"By the way, who did better in the 52nd last time, Tim Johnson or Barack Obama? Will Judy be getting that endorsement, as well?"
Obama did better than Johnson in 2004. Senator Myers will not be seeking an edorsement from Senator Obama.
Obama or his friend the guy that own's the bank with connections to the mob.