Hendon calls Brady 'idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic'
Quinn: 'I don't associate myself with those comments'
October 24, 2010
Rickey Hendon
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
BY MARK J. KONKOL Staff Reporter/mkonkol@suntimes.com
Always-outspoken state Sen. Rickey Hendon on Saturday took aim at Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady at a "get out the vote" rally on the West Side.
"I've never served with such an idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic person in my life," Hendon said before introducing Gov. Quinn. "If you think that the minimum wage needs to be three dollars an hour, vote for Bill Brady. If you think that women have no rights whatsoever, except to have his children, vote for Bill Brady. If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady."
Quinn tried to distance himself from the remarks, telling reporters, "I don't associate myself with those comments."
"I believe in civility," he said. "I disagree with people in politics, like my opponent Sen. Brady. I don't engage in name calling. Never have, never will."
Hendon later told the Chicago Sun-Times that his harsh characterization of Brady, a state senator from Downstate Bloomington, was based on the candidate's voting record. Hendon claims Brady has regularly voted against bills that have affirmative-action components that affect minorities, women and gays.
And Hendon says he won't take it back.
"Look, I just told the truth," said Hendon, who is running for Chicago mayor. "I know this man, and I serve with him. If he can show me that he votes differently than what I said, I will apologize. But he can't say that. I know he can't."
Brady's campaign spokeswoman Patty Schuh said Hendon's claims are "not factual."
Brady, who wasn't available to answer questions, said in a statement: "Rickey Hendon knows better. I stood with African-American leaders to allow parental choice in schools. I helped lead the effort to bring job opportunities to Chicago's low-income neighborhoods. Pat Quinn didn't. Pat Quinn can disagree with me on those issues and taxes and spending, but it's disappointing that he would allow his campaign to go down this route. There's really not much more you can say about some really desperate remarks."
Quinn campaign spokeswoman Mica Matsoff responded in an e-mail: "Perhaps Senator Brady should address Senator Hendon's concerns instead of attributing comments to the Quinn campaign that we did not make."
Hendon clarified that he was speaking for himself, not on behalf of Quinn or the governor's campaign.
"I take total responsibility," Hendon said. "It's about time someone called [Brady] out on his voting record. If people don't like it, take it up with me."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I can't wait to see what this clown has to say about Rahm Emmanuel when he runs against him.
Originally Posted by AmPat
