So Terri McCormick is back from the political dead and running for Congress again. We here at the Playground think her entry into the race is among the more curious launches we've ever seen.
As some of you may have heard, Terri apparently used a turnkey publisher (you pay, we print) to print a 344-page book about what Terri McCormick thinks about stuff. At first I thought it might simply be a transcript of her sanctimonious jabber in caucus during her Assembly days, but then I realized you'd need much more than 344 pages to cover all that.
In any case, the book is called something like "How to Sex a Republican" or "What Person Who Isn't Their Spouse Is Your Republican Congressman Having Sex With?" I forget the exact title, but it has something to do with sex and Republicans, so I'm sure Joel Kleefisch is already trying to hang a green license plate on it.
In this sense, McCormick's kind of like Sarah Palin - except nobody will pay her any money up front for her thoughts. Somehow I suspect that this was never about the book, and that the book is simply a vehicle that allows McCormick to pass herself off to people as an author. Hey, I wrote a short story in fourth grade that won a prize in a local writing contest. Does that make me an author?
Then, there's this series of unintentionally hilarious videos that McCormick began posting on YouTube in what appears to be an attempt to promote her book (or her candidacy). First, we have these gems, in which a guy who works with (for?) Terri McCormick's consulting firm is posing as a book reviewer, with about all the sincerity of a late-night infomercial huckster.
Turns out the book "reviewer" has a production company. They've recently finished a musical about Ed Gein, one of Wisconsin's most notorious serial killers.
Where does Terri McCormick stand on serial killer humor? Does she think serial killers are funny? Does she think that associating with people who think serial killing is funny is good for her campaign? And did you notice the "book reviewer" playing the part of Ed Gein?
Then, we have this video, in a Cheers-like setting, in which McCormick has apparently revived Coach from the grave and laments the insider nature of politics. She uses made-up phrases like "integrity leaders," the kind of lame buzzword that's usually a sign you've spent too much time consulting. I also enjoy the veiled shot at John Gard at 2:45, and the thinly-disguised whining about how she was run out of the 2006 Congressional race.
Did you recognize the bartender? He was the sheriff dude who ate the human chili in the Ed Gein video! Small world, isn't it?
But then there's my favorite part of all. Terri likes to talk in her biography about how she's a Truman Scholar. For those who are unfamiliar, the Truman scholarships are awarded by the federal government to "recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service."
Small issue, though. If you go to the website and look through the archives of past Truman scholars, Terri's nowhere to be found. But sometimes web programmers make mistakes, so I emailed the Truman Scholarship Foundation today to inquire as to whether there may have been an oversight. Here's the response I received back:
Apparently Terri has something to work out with the people who give the awards. For her sake, I hope that they're wrong. After all, it would be a real tragedy if this self-anointed "integrity leader" was somehow misrepresenting herself to the world before her campaign even began.
As some of you may have heard, Terri apparently used a turnkey publisher (you pay, we print) to print a 344-page book about what Terri McCormick thinks about stuff. At first I thought it might simply be a transcript of her sanctimonious jabber in caucus during her Assembly days, but then I realized you'd need much more than 344 pages to cover all that.
In any case, the book is called something like "How to Sex a Republican" or "What Person Who Isn't Their Spouse Is Your Republican Congressman Having Sex With?" I forget the exact title, but it has something to do with sex and Republicans, so I'm sure Joel Kleefisch is already trying to hang a green license plate on it.
In this sense, McCormick's kind of like Sarah Palin - except nobody will pay her any money up front for her thoughts. Somehow I suspect that this was never about the book, and that the book is simply a vehicle that allows McCormick to pass herself off to people as an author. Hey, I wrote a short story in fourth grade that won a prize in a local writing contest. Does that make me an author?
Then, there's this series of unintentionally hilarious videos that McCormick began posting on YouTube in what appears to be an attempt to promote her book (or her candidacy). First, we have these gems, in which a guy who works with (for?) Terri McCormick's consulting firm is posing as a book reviewer, with about all the sincerity of a late-night infomercial huckster.
Turns out the book "reviewer" has a production company. They've recently finished a musical about Ed Gein, one of Wisconsin's most notorious serial killers.
Where does Terri McCormick stand on serial killer humor? Does she think serial killers are funny? Does she think that associating with people who think serial killing is funny is good for her campaign? And did you notice the "book reviewer" playing the part of Ed Gein?
Then, we have this video, in a Cheers-like setting, in which McCormick has apparently revived Coach from the grave and laments the insider nature of politics. She uses made-up phrases like "integrity leaders," the kind of lame buzzword that's usually a sign you've spent too much time consulting. I also enjoy the veiled shot at John Gard at 2:45, and the thinly-disguised whining about how she was run out of the 2006 Congressional race.
Did you recognize the bartender? He was the sheriff dude who ate the human chili in the Ed Gein video! Small world, isn't it?
But then there's my favorite part of all. Terri likes to talk in her biography about how she's a Truman Scholar. For those who are unfamiliar, the Truman scholarships are awarded by the federal government to "recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service."
Small issue, though. If you go to the website and look through the archives of past Truman scholars, Terri's nowhere to be found. But sometimes web programmers make mistakes, so I emailed the Truman Scholarship Foundation today to inquire as to whether there may have been an oversight. Here's the response I received back:
To the best of our knowledge, our listing in "Meet our Scholars" is accurate.
During the time frame you describe, students were awarded our scholarship during their sophomore year. The first awards were given in 1977. We did name individuals as alternates, but we do not keep a record of that distinction. We require schools to nominate students for our award, but we do not keep track of nominees for past years.
Apparently Terri has something to work out with the people who give the awards. For her sake, I hope that they're wrong. After all, it would be a real tragedy if this self-anointed "integrity leader" was somehow misrepresenting herself to the world before her campaign even began.
17 comments:
Couldn't they have splurged on a mic for the "host" in the first clip?
Modern porn seems more realistic and better produced.
This stuff is even funnier than Ron Burgundy, and that was a spoof.
I like the positive Amazon.com review by Terri's good pal, Kerry Thomas. I'm not saying he is biased-just that he turns into the shamwow guy when her name is mentioned.
hilarious post! thanks for connecting the dots. with her entry into the 8th district race it is guaranteed to be significantly more hilarious and drama-filled.
The "Editor's Choice Award" her book won from its publisher comes as part of a premium package available for extra cost...
Hilarious, but ouch!
This entire post is filled with conspiracy theories, propaganda, and misinformation. Good reporting, Jo. Probably what Northeast Wisconsin expects from you.
Playground- Maybe when you do finally come off the playground and grow up and realize we have many serious issues to deal with in this country you can stop criticizing those that are way ahead of you.
I believe Terri's resume was throughly gone over in 2006- If there was anything to point out, dont you think your buddy Gard would have already done that.
Haha. "My buddy Gard." Yeah, I'm sure John will be surprised to hear how tight we are.
I don't doubt the issues are serious. But I've seen enough of Terri McCormick up close in the legislature to know that she's someone that'll end up on the outside looking in, because her adversarial approach to her own caucusmates will turn her into the same laughingstock she was in the Capitol.
I can't even tell you how much rejoicing there was when the filing deadline passed in 2006 and the AssGOP realized it was rid of Terri McCormick forever. Ask anyone left if they're happier with Roger Roth, or if they'd rather have Terri McCormick. I'd guess you'd find a nearly unanimous decision.
If you enjoy playing the same old worn out political games, then by all means, contnue the anonymous attacks. If you're not proud enough to identify yourself, if you have to resort to using a free blog rather than actually buying your own website, your very credibility has to be challenged. Personally, yes, I consider Terri to be a friend. I got to know her years ago and found her to be genuinely principled in her beliefs. She's one of the very few "politicians" who's never lied to me. Yes, you could compare her to Sarah Palin, in that both women cause the professional political class to fear for their own careers. Terri's resume' is far and away the best of the candidates, with a proven track record of accomplishments in both the private sector and in the political arena. And if you want to compare political records, didn't some woman named Jo lose one of the safest Republican seats in the Legislature? Do we really want to revisit the particulars of the 2006 primary between Terri McCormick & John Gard, a race in which Gard pulled out all the stops in an effort, only to lose? (I have several archived articles about that on kerrythomas.com) And now why are John Gard, Paul Ryan and other career politicians so out of shape over Terri's run this time? Why is Ryan using the NRCC to annoint candidates behind the scenes? Why is Ryan asking residents of the 8th District to contribute to his 1st District campaign? Just more of the same old political games, games this blog plays along with, games Terri McCormick refuses to play.
"If you're not proud enough to identify yourself, if you have to resort to using a free blog rather than actually buying your own website, your very credibility has to be challenged."
Funny. So buying a website = credibility. Never knew.
I will rest on my remarks that precede yours. That doesn't make me a fan of John Gard or of how he conducted his campaign in 2006. It makes me someone who, having seen Terri work up close in Madison, would never, ever, ever vote for her to hold public office.
Part 2 will feature the words -Live from New York, its Saturday Night...
This video comedy skit with Terri Mc Cormick and the Ed Gein Players has about all the political depth of an Ed Wood movie with the same production values or public access public service announcements. So Terri McCormick believes this video will help get her to Congress? Really? No-really. Really??
Doesn't matter anymore. Roth will win.
Roger Roth has never raised $100k in his state legislative career, but now can raise $2-3 million to be on one on one footing incumbent Congressman. Dream on. You Tube star Terri Mc Cormick is equally challenged in fundraising based on her 2006 totals and the hand full of supporters that attended her 2009 kickoff party. No one in DC knows the rest of the "toys time forgot" that are running for the seat. Only Steve " Mr. Bike Across the State" Wieckert has the name id, dc connections,the family money, the time and the passion to win back the seat. If he doesn't run, it wouldn't matter who wins the primary- because Reagan, Ryan, uncle Toby or the ghost of Harry Truman will not make a difference to beat Dr. Millionaire.
Anon-
Sorry to burst your bubble on name id, but I had to google Wieckert.
Perhaps I'm oblivious to sarcasm in your comment. In which case, disregard my bubble-bursting above.
Thanks.
Clearly, Mr. Shown does have insight since who else among us would be taking up on his own blog the cause of Republican Governorial candidate Mark Todd and his current lack of coverage in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Maybe Todd's $8,500 campaign account to Scott Walker's $2 million has something to do with it.
Anon,
Thanks for reading the blog and mentioning it here.
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