It's time Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford updated the list of recipients for his unsolicited "Happy Birthday" video messages.
In an oh-no-he-did-not mistake, Rutherford issued an automated email birthday shout-out on Monday to Julie Brady, who died of ovarian cancer in April. Her husband, Pat Brady, is the former chairman of Illinois' Republican Party, and promptly scolded the clout-happy treasurer for his cluelessness, the Sun-Times reports.
"Treasurer Rutherford (sent) an apology to Pat Brady this morning within 15 minutes of being notified," his spokesperson explained. "The birthday greetings are part of an automated system. Treasurer Rutherford has known Pat and Julie Brady for a number of years, and he sent a sympathy card to Pat and his family when Julie passed away."
Sniped Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin, a Brady family friend: "He needs to scrub his lists better. It's a lesson for everyone in this business -- this is what you want to avoid. This was the last thing (Pat Brady) wanted to start his day with."
Behold:
