Thursday, January 24, 2008

Dan Seals: From Professor to Social Worker??? (UPDATED)

Well, Dan Seals' resume keeps expanding even while he stands still, apparently. The Chicago Sun-Times endorsed Seals over Democratic primary opponent Jay Footlik today, and cited not only his experience as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University (neglecting to mention that Seals has not taught a class yet, and won't until April, if it in fact ever happens) and also cites his experience as a "social worker." Is this something that Seals has kept mum about in his background so far, or did I just miss it in the morass of other claimed 'accomplishments' that Seals offers up?

UPDATED: TA commentors have offered the following theories on what the Sun-Times was really trying to say:

Option 1: Dan Seals is a social worker

Option 2: George Seals (his dad) is a social worker

Option 3: Mrs. George Seals (his mom) is a social worker.

Based on the way the article is written, any of the three above choices could be correct. Does anyone know the truth? Does anyone know how long the Sun-Times will still be around?



The Sun-Times also offers this funny caricature of the three candidates, including incumbent Congressman Mark Kirk:



9 comments:

Anonymous said...

TA: It reads, "He is the son of former Chicago Bears guard George Seals and a social worker."

Poorly written, yes. However it does mean that he is the son of a social worker, not a social worker himself.

I do find it strange that ANYONE would believe that the Pup has "impressive...business and policy experience on their resumes."

Has anyone figured out what he has ever accomplished that is impressive in either the business or policy world? Has he ever done anything anywhere anytime that has made business or this country better off?

All I can tell is he interned in the senate, failed in the private sector, decided to run for congress, failed at that, and is at it again.

Team America said...

Geez, if you are right, Anon 11:39, that's pretty inexcusable butchering of the English language for a major newspaper. I'm not sure, though. I re-read the sentance in the context of the whole paragraph, which says:

"He also has an MBA and worked as director of marketing at GE Capital, experiences we hope prove helpful in national economic matters. He is the son of former Chicago Bears guard George Seals and a social worker."


Still seemed to me like the whole paragraph was about Dan Seals, and he was the "he" in the paragraph the whole way through.

Was George Seals in fact a social worker? If so, why do we care? His fame as a former Bear is marginally relevant, I suppose. But who would care if Dad was a social worker? Is that supposed to make Seals a better candidate?

Doesn't make any sense to me, but neither does the rest of the endorsement, for the same reasons you point out.

Anonymous said...

I'm with TA on this. Wasn't George Seals a trader at the Board of Trade or the Merc? Not sure he was or is a Social Worker. None of it is relevant since this is about DAN, not dad. What I think is a plus in the Sun Times today is the positive paragraph on our Congressman. I hope that Dan has enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame in the print media. And did you hear his arrogant reply the other night on the WTTW interview? When Carol Marin asked if endorsements mean anything, Footlik said that voters decide for themselves in this district. Dan quickly retorted: "of course it matters, I got the endorsements". Enjoy it, Dan. As is said, his 15 minutes of fame won't last when the general election endorsements are made next Fall. In the meantime, let's see who's right with this social worker "mystery"......

Anonymous said...

Um, isn't the social worker his mother? It does take two, y'all.

Anonymous said...

Well Anon, 12:26, there's no mention of "mom"...just dad. TA is right about the Sun Times writer. I'd say that person should go back to school. But we do know that Dan's dad was a trader who now lives in California. Dad isn't in this race, just Dan. I'm sure we'll get the answer before too long.

Team America said...

Anon 12:26- that would seem to make a little more sense, if "mom" was the social worker. But, if the Sun-Times thinks he's a professor, it wouldn't shock me if they thought he was a social worker too.

Blame the Sun-Times for fuzzy writing and for bringing up parentage as if it was a qualification for office in this case.

And what about Jay "scrappy" Footlik? His parents get short shrift in the piece.

Anonymous said...

While poorly written (which may explain the layoffs at the Sun-Times), I believe they are saying he is the son of a former Chicago Bear and a social worker.

With Seals, who his dad is matters, because there isn't much else there to talk about. You can only fluff a pillow so much before you need to add more stuffing.

Anonymous said...

"You can only fluff a pillow so much before you need to add more stuffing."

Wait, I'm confused, are you adding more stuffing to you, or to the pillow? All this fancy grammar talk, now a cliched metaphor? My head is spinning!

Publia said...

The most impressive thing about Seals is the collective amount of billable hours spent by genuine residents of the 10th Congressional District wondering how this arrogant character from Democrat central casting became a candidate for office. Wikipedia tells us that his mother is/was a social worker; perhaps he is following in her footsteps.