House of Representatives

Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Debbie Halvorson - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Prairie Stater: Debbie Makes it Three, Another Taxpayer-Funded Direct Mail Piece

August 7, 2010 by

From the Prairie Stater’s John Reynolds

We previously reported here and here about the taxpayer funded direct mail pieces being send out at your expense by Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-11).

Well, today, she made it three: that’s three taxpayer-funded direct mail pieces in as many weeks.

Today’s mail piece was about veterans’ issues.

We again note the irony in the fact that her first mail piece was about “reining in spending” and her efforts to be fiscally responsible.

Is sending out three self-promotional direct mail pieces at taxpayer expense while our country faces a $1.47 trillion deficit really fiscally responsible?

Again, we must ask: how much of our money is Debbie spending to send out these mailers?

Campaign Finance - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Senate - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C.

Democrat Lobbyist Charged With Campaign Contributions Violations

August 6, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Paul Magliocchetti, president of the lobbying firm PMA Group Inc. of Arlington, Virginia, was arrested on August 5 and charged with using friends and family to make illegal campaign contributions in order to skirt federal campaign finance laws.

His firm has been under investigation since 2009.

In a statement the Justice Department alleged, “Magliocchetti orchestrated a scheme to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal conduit and corporate federal campaign contributions in an effort to enrich himself and PMA by increasing the firm’s influence and prestige.”
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Democrat Lobbyist Charged With Campaign Contributions Violations”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Campaign Finance - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Lobbyists - Regulation - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Lobbyists Give Millions to Dems As Obama Smears ‘Special Interests’

August 5, 2010 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Let’s go back to those hopey-changie days of the Obama campaign for president when he railed constantly against all those “special interests” and eeeevil lobbyists that he claimed were ruining the political process. Let us recall that once elected he claimed he’d have the “strictest ethics rules” of any president ever.

Obama has made sure that his message has been anti-special interests, anti-lobbyists, anti-business-as-usual… heck just plain anti-business, for that matter. It’s all been quite a show. Unfortunately for all the talk his actions speak to the opposite of his spin — more on that in a moment. But even if President Obama was serious about his anti-lobbyist rhetoric his party has utterly ignored him on the issue.

A recent Bloomberg report reveals that lobbyists have raised $1.5 million for Democrat campaign funds during the first six months of the Obama regime quite despite Obama’s constant anti-lobbyist refrain. That is far more than the GOP has been able to raise.
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Lobbyists Give Millions to Dems As Obama Smears ‘Special Interests’”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Capitalism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Ethics - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - New York - Regulation - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Democrats: Say, Let’s Exempt Rich People in Blue States From Tax Hike!

August 5, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

If this doesn’t exemplify the left’s propensity to act in the mode of for-thee-but-not-me, nothing does. The Wall Street Journal (by way of the Wash. Examiner’s Mark Hemingway) reports that at least one Democrat has suddenly realized that when the Bush tax cuts fade away his state will be hit by a massive tax hike on the same rich people that donate to his election campaign.

The Journal notes that the “irony” of the tax increase coming on January 1 is that the bluest states will be hardest hit. New York, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey will be hit pretty hard and this poses a “problem” for those pro-tax Democrats that will suddenly find rich constituents who will be angry about the new hit on their income.

But, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D, NY) has come up with the perfect solution. Nadler wants to pass a law that exempts his rich constituents and those of other taxpayers in areas with a higher cost of living, i.e. other Democrats. The Journal reveals that Nadler’s new law would “require the IRS to adjust tax brackets proportionally in regions where the average cost of living is higher than the national average.”
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Democrats: Say, Let’s Exempt Rich People in Blue States From Tax Hike!”

AFL-CIO - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Senate - Socialism - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

AFL-CIO Chief Pleading for Union Support of Dems in Nov.

August 5, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The AFL-CIO plans to spend another $50 million coming to the aid of Democrats during this campaign season for the 2010 midterms. But all is not well in uniondom as many unions are very, very unhappy with various and sundry Democrat candidates across the country.

Still, AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka has issued a call to arms for the Democrats anyway. “We know you’re angry,” Trumka said to his membership. “We know you’re frustrated. We know we haven’t achieved everything that we worked for. But we’ve made progress, and we have to keep it going.”

Unions are a smaller political constituency than ever before, however, with only about 12% of America’s workforce being unionized. Despite the hundreds of millions that unions gave Democrats in the 2008 election cycle, their diminished numbers may have made some small dent in the once Pavlovian response that Democrat politicians had to the union beck-and-call. Despite the money, the votes are not there like they once were.
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AFL-CIO Chief Pleading for Union Support of Dems in Nov.”

Chicago - Congress - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Mark Kirk - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Mag: Kirk’s Ex-Wife Says a ‘Svengali Figure’ Influencing Him

August 5, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Magazine has conducted an extensive interview with Kimberly Vertolli, Illinois GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk’s ex-wife, and the woman makes an interesting charge against one of Kirk’s current campaign operatives, Dorothy “Dodie” McCracken

Vertolli says that the campaign staffer is the one that came between them causing their divorce and is a “Svengali figure” in her former hubbies life.

Vertolli refused to assert that McCracken is in a romantic relationsjip with Mark Kirk, but she did say the woman is a “pernicious influence” on the candidate.

Here is the exchange:
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Chicago Mag: Kirk’s Ex-Wife Says a ‘Svengali Figure’ Influencing Him”

Anti-Americanism - Arizona - Barack Obama - Capitalism - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Federalism - Frank Salvato - Government - House of Representatives - Immigration/Immigrants - Judges - Law - Liberals - President - Senate - Supreme Court - Taxes - Unions

The United States, 2010: A Rogue Government

August 5, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Frank Salvato

With the recent ruling by US District Judge Susan Bolton, a Clinton appointee, blocking the most contentious parts of Arizona law SB1070, we learn two things: One, that the federal government cannot be forced to enforce federal law, regardless of the fact that the law has been brought to legislation by the constitutional process, and two, that today, opportunistic political ideologues who have schemed their ways to power have all but extinguished good government in the United States of America; government that should be exclusively engaged in serving the best interests of the American people.

To be fair, Judge Bolton’s ruling does not end the issue, not by a long shot. In fact, there is a very good chance that the case surrounding Arizona law SB1070 will make it – and in an expedited manner – to the US Supreme Court. This actually bodes well for the American citizen primarily because today the US Supreme Court has a balance that actually gives an edge – even if ever so slightly – to the US Constitution and, thus, the American people. Judge Bolton’s ruling simply put those sections blocked – or deemed unlikely to withstand a challenge in the judicial system, be it from the ACLU, La Raza or the Holder/Obama Justice Department (which is tantamount to the ACLU and La Raza) – on hold until the courts resolve the issues.
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The United States, 2010: A Rogue Government”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Hayes Steps Out to Demand Better Leadership for the Black Community

August 4, 2010 by

From the Hayes for Congress campaign (2nd District)…

CHICAGO, IL- For the black community it is all a one party rule. A regime consisting of all Democrats has led to a culture of corruption that leaves citizens in gang infested, poverty stricken areas, while the Representatives cheat on their taxes, bailout their husbands’ banks and try to bribe their way to higher office.

Hayes remarked, “The black community has been used by its elected officials as a playground for pay-to-play politics. Rangel, Waters, and Jackson all need to be shown the door in November.”
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Hayes Steps Out to Demand Better Leadership for the Black Community”

Congress - Elections - Florida - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Republicans - Video - Warner Todd Huston

Lt. Col. Allen West: Now THIS is a Real American

August 3, 2010 by

Lt. Col. Allen West (Army, retired) is running for Congress in Florida’s Second Congressional District.

This video speaks for itself, but I just have to say that THIS man is a perfect example America’s best and brightest…

www.allenwestforcongress.com

Colonel West’s YouTube Channel

On FaceBook

On Twitter

Budget - Congress - Economy/Finances - Eric Cantor - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

House Republicans: Help Us Cut Spending

August 3, 2010 by

This is from Eric Cantor, the House Republican Whip…

The YouCut project is focused on solutions – when we ask for ideas to cut spending, we don’t ask if it is a Republican idea or a Democrat idea, we just ask if it is a good idea.

This week’s YouCut item had the promise of bipartisanship. Last week, four House Democrats proudly announced their own ideas for spending cuts – we took one of their ideas and offered it on the House floor for a vote. We didn’t change their proposal.
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House Republicans: Help Us Cut Spending”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - California - Capitalism - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Democrats’ Un-American Hate for the Constitution

August 2, 2010 by 4 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

California Democrat Pete Stark thinks that the Constitution of the United States is powerless to control the every desire of Democrats. He thinks that the Constitution is not a guide for limited government, but an excuse for intrusive government.

It’s easy to dismiss Stark over his long history of distempered public behavior but his core belief is the core belief of the un-American Democrat Party as it exists today. They all, to a man, feel that there is nothing that prevents them from doing just anything they feel like doing. They imagine we are a “democracy” that needs only a winning number of votes to do anything. No law, no principle, no tradition binds them.
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Democrats’ Un-American Hate for the Constitution”

Campaign Finance - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - New York - Race - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Another Racist Democrat Turns Up

August 2, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The left’s narrative is that it is the right that is filled with racists. The Old Media helps the left further this fiction. Occasionally, though, we do get hints of the left’s racism in the Old Media and today we have one example in New York where the campaign of a sitting Democrat congressman outed a list of 80 Jewish campaign contributors of his opponent, a Republican.

New York’s 13th District Congressman Mike McMahon fired his communications director this weekend after she published a list of 80 Jews that donated to Republican opponent Mike Grimm. The McMahon campaign denies it, of course, but the veiled implication — or maybe not so veiled — is that the Republican is dirty with “Jewish money.”

“This is a United States congressman that’s segregating people out by their religion,” Republican Mike Grimm told reporters.
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Another Racist Democrat Turns Up”

Congress - Democrats/Leftists - DuPage County - Elections - Ethics - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Randy Hultgren - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Hultgren for Congress (14th District): Bill Foster Campaigns at Taxpayers’ Expense

August 1, 2010 by

An interesting note from the Hultgren for Congress campaign (14th District)…

St. Charles, IL – The second taxpayer-funded advertisement in one week from Bill Foster’s congressional office arrived yesterday in voter’s mailboxes ahead of the August 4th deadline to stop government paid mail from Members of Congress.

“Bill Foster is using taxpayer funds to pay for campaign propaganda he sends to voters,” said State Senator Randy Hultgren. “People throughout the 14th district are outraged at this abuse of the taxpayers trust.”
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Hultgren for Congress (14th District): Bill Foster Campaigns at Taxpayers’ Expense”

Budget - Capitalism - Card Check - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Nancy Pelosi - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Speaker of House Recommits to Card Check

July 30, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, recently appeared before the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and reaffirmed that she wants to push the woefully misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), or card check, through the upcoming lame duck session of Congress.

This legislation would end the ability of employees to hold a secret ballot leaving them open to union intimidation and would also force federal arbitration on every union vote.

Of course, Pelosi is trying desperately to give big paybacks to unions that donated hundreds of millions of dollars to Democrats in the 2008 election and card check was their dream law.

The bill, however, has met with little enthusiasm in the halls of Congress and has not come to a vote due to a lack of support from all but the most left-wing, committed union supporters.

But in this lame duck session, it is expected that the Democrats will try one last, hard push for all their most unpopular policies in expectation that it’ll be even harder to get them through once the next Congressional session is begun. These Democrats know that they have no support from the voters, but they really don’t care.
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Speaker of House Recommits to Card Check”

Congress - Cook County - DuPage County - Foreign Countries - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Israel - Peter Roskam - Warner Todd Huston

Rep Peter Roskam (R,IL) Returns from Israel after meeting with Netanyahu

July 30, 2010 by

<‬p>From the Office of Illinois Representative Perter Roskam…‏

‪<‬p>Greetings from Washington! In this town, it’s easy to get swept up in the critical domestic issues facing our country each day. With the mid-term elections less than four months away, a Democratic majority unable to draft a budget, and unemployment near ten percent, there is plenty keeping us busy.

‪<‬p>However, our country is also facing critical security issues on the international stage. Recently, I had the privilege of leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Israel – our nation’s only democratic ally in the tumultuous Middle East – to get a first hand account of the situation on the ground as it relates to American interests. As the co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, this trip was particularly insightful.
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Rep Peter Roskam (R,IL) Returns from Israel after meeting with Netanyahu”

Congress - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Now Congress Is Fighting Over Sports Teams

July 29, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In one of those “it’s gotten so bad that…” stories, McClatchy’s James Rosen reported today that Congress is so rife with partisan warfare that they can no longer even agree to sign onto each other’s harmless resolutions that celebrate sports teams for one success or another.

“The once-routine resolutions honoring hometown squads or stars sailed through Congress for years with nary a discordant note or vote — but no more,” Rosen gravely wrote.

Rosen went on to reveal that our elected officials are finding resistance to their once easily passed resolutions meant to honor local, hometown sports teams in both the House and the Senate.

So what is going on?
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Now Congress Is Fighting Over Sports Teams”

ACORN - Anita MonCrief - Anti-Americanism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

ACORN Whistleblower Anita MonCreif’s New Venture: EmergingCorruption.com

July 29, 2010 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief, the brave young woman whose conscience wouldn’t allow her to cover for ACORN’s criminal activity while she was in its employ, has started a new venture. A website dedicated to rooting out government corruption called www.EmergingCorruption.com was launched last weekend headed by Anita and a cadre of writers and researchers (myself being one of them).

Emerging Corruption is a political news website that provides to the public information and investigations into ACORN and other center-left enterprises. The news website will investigate and expose historically corrupt special interest organizations and will feature information and investigations into organizational tactics, programs, campaigns, staff & initiatives including fund raising and finances.
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ACORN Whistleblower Anita MonCreif’s New Venture: EmergingCorruption.com”

Congress - Conservatives - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Repub. Nat’l Committee Announces ‘November Starts Now’ Website

July 28, 2010 by

The Republican National Committee (RNC) released a new web page today to highlight President Obama’s mismanagement of the economy, reckless growth of government, and failure to deliver results for the American people. The website, entitled “November Starts Now” can be viewed here: http://www.novemberstartsnow.com/

“Barack Obama’s reckless spending and unchecked growth of government has failed to create real jobs for the American people and get our economy back on track. Instead of recognizing that his policies are only creating more economic uncertainty with high unemployment and record national debt, Barack Obama continues to force through his big-government agenda against the will of the people. It is clear that the $862 billion stimulus package has failed to create the jobs that the White House promised, and now the Obama administration is pushing for job-killing tax increases on small businesses all across the country. Barack Obama has lost credibility on the economy and voters are going to send a clear message in November that it’s time to change course by electing Republicans and taking back the House.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Melissa Bean - Warner Todd Huston

(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: More On What Third Way Does

July 26, 2010 by

A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…

(Palatine, Illinois) – Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.

Culture Program

Third Way is designing a 21st century cultural agenda that adheres to progressive principles and resonates with moderate Americans. Our aim is to strengthen American communities and families. We develop fresh policy ideas and messaging that provide common ground approaches on cultural issues like abortion, gay equality, faith, family, guns, crime, and immigration.*
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(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: More On What Third Way Does”

Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Melissa Bean - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: What Other Say About Third Way Does

July 24, 2010 by

A multi-part series from the Palatine Tea Party…

(Palatine, Illinois) – Congresswoman Melissa Bean is one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Third Way Foundation, formerly known as the Progressive Foundation.

What Others Say About Third Way

Politico labeled Third Way “the moderate voice of the progressive movement,” and both Newsweek and US News have described our work as influential. New York Times columnist David Brooks described Third Way as “creating the ideas that are giving Progressives control of the center.” Other national columnists, like EJ Dionne and David Broder of The Washington Post, and Joe Klein and Amy Sullivan of Time, have cited Third Way’s impact in shaping the national debate.*
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(Ill. Congresswoman) Bean’s Crime Inc: What Other Say About Third Way Does”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Congress - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Founders - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - Revolutionary War - Security/Safety - Social Security - Socialism - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Are We Headed Toward Another Revolution?

July 23, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We see this sort of thing off and on as political eras wax and wane. The question of whether or not we are only just behind a new revolution starting up in the United States has been repeatedly asked almost since the instant the first one (or even the second one — the Civil War) came to a close.

But are we? Are we about to be plunged into a second revolution of some sort or another? And who will be on what side of this revolution? Angelo Codevilla, professor emeritus of international relations at Boston University, asks this question in the recent issue of the American Spectator and I must say he presents compelling reasons why we might be headed for another revolution.

It’s all about “America’s Ruling Class,” says Codevilla. These elites have lost touch with America and are now solely interested in whats good for the ruling class and not whats good for America and it people.
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Are We Headed Toward Another Revolution?”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Government - House of Representatives - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - President - Selwyn Duke - Senate - Taxes

Immigration, Reconsidered

July 23, 2010 by

-By Selwyn Duke

While the Obama administration has chosen the southern side in the Mexican-Arizonan border war, most Americans stand with their countrymen. They are troubled by the strain illegals place on services, the drugs and thugs moving north and blue-collar job prospects moving south. Then there is another factor: the political and cultural one.

It’s well known that, should amnesty be granted to the 12 to 30 million illegals living among us, Barack Obama and his fellow travelers would capture virtually all their votes. Moreover, given the illegals’ allegiance to their homelands and today’s multiculturalist message, it’s clear that, even if they do learn English, “assimilation” won’t be high on their vocabulary list. Thus, amnesty not only would radically transform the political landscape, it would constitute a cultural tsunami. Even pundit Bill O’Reilly recognizes this, saying a couple of years ago (I’m paraphrasing), “If all the illegal aliens are granted amnesty, America will change culturally almost overnight.” But is the focus on illegal migration excessive?

What do I mean? Well, how about this proposal: What if instead of granting amnesty in one fell swoop, we did so incrementally, say, to 20 percent of illegals a year for the next 5 years? That would still have the same ill effects, you say? OK, how about one million illegals a year until the job is done? I can hear it now: “Whoa, Duke, all you’re proposing is to trade a knife through the heart for a death by a thousand cuts. A bad idea implemented more slowly is still a bad idea. And illegal means illegal.” But, wait, if Congress passed an amnesty plan, it wouldn’t be illegal.
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Immigration, Reconsidered”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Government - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Senate - Socialism - Warner Todd Huston

Obama Parody Brilliance: Same as it Ever Was… After the Oils Gone

July 22, 2010 by

This is some brilliant parody of the Talking Heads song “Same As It Ever Was.” This one lampoons Obama’s sad reaction to the Gulf oil spill.

Smashing work, from The PolitiZoid Channel.

They also gave us this one…

Love it.

(H/T HotAir.com and alhouse.blogspot.com)

Adam Kinzinger - Air Force - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - DuPage County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Iraq - Kane County - Liberals - Military - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

SouthTown Star Scolds Rep. Halvorson for Specious Attack on Opponent’s Military Record

July 21, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Southtown Star finally had enough of Congressman Debbie Halvorson’s illicit attack on her 11th District opponent’s military record and published a July 20 editorial saying so.

Halvorson jumped on the Mark Kirk bandwagon and tried to see if she could find any similar “lies” in GOP candidate Adam Kinzinger’s bio. Kinzinger is a Captain in the Air Force and flew missions in Iraq. His website bio stated his history as follows: “I now serve as a captain in the United States Air Force Special Operations Command flying reconnaissance aircraft.”

Halvosron is claiming that this is a “lie.” Why is it a lie? Because Kinzinger is not now engaged in that duty. And so, he’s a liar.

The Southtown is not amused. The paper says that whether he is now or just “was” doing that duty is immaterial.
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SouthTown Star Scolds Rep. Halvorson for Specious Attack on Opponent’s Military Record”

Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

Wow: GOP Shilling Leading Dem. Hare in ILL 17th?

July 21, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Jim Geraghty Campaign Spot blog post reporting that incumbent Democrat Phil Hare is down in the polls in his race for reelection to his 17th District House seat in Illinois.

It was widely assumed that Congressman Hare would easily win re-election, yet according to this poll he is losing to GOP candidate Bobby Schilling.

His GOP opponent, Bobby Schilling, hired Magellan Strategies to conduct a poll of the district. Magellan conducted an automated survey of 715 likely voters in the 17th congressional district of Illinois: “The interviews were conducted on July 12th of 2010. This [poll has] a margin of error of +/_ 3.6% at the 95% confidence interval. The survey results are weighted to reflect past turnout demographics from the 2008, 2006, 2004 and 2002 general election cycles.”

. . . Phil Hare’s image rating is “upside down,” with 27% of voters having a favorable opinion of him, and 41% having an unfavorable opinion of him.

Among all voters, 27% approve of the job Phil Hare is doing and 43% disapprove..

This is pretty big news if true.
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Wow: GOP Shilling Leading Dem. Hare in ILL 17th?”

Congress - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

(10th District) Robert Dold Radio Spot

July 21, 2010 by

Robert Dold is running to replace Mark Kirk who resigned his 10th District seat to run for Senate.

Dold’s calling himself a “social moderate.” I shudder hearing that. But he is running in a trending liberal district and that is how Kirk had to sell himself, too (and in Kirk’s case he more than a “social moderate.” He’s nearly a straight out liberal).

Anyway, Dold has a new radio spot…

Here is Dold’s website: www.doldforcongress.com

Congress - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Journalism - Liberals - Media - Media Bias - Republicans - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

A Misleading Story on ‘Facts’

July 19, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On July 11, the Boston Globe featured a story on “facts” and how people just don’t seem to want to hear them when they intersect with closely held political opinions. The story has some interesting points to make, points that seem quite sensible, but there is no escaping the fact that the whole story is not only written from a left-wing perspective but is misleading in a central reality that is wholly ignored by the piece.

For the Globe, writer Joe Keohane laments that people with preconceived political opinions rarely have their minds changed when presented with facts contrary to what they imagine is true. “Facts don’t necessarily have the power to change our minds,” says Koehane. He concludes that “this bodes ill for a democracy” because voters are making decisions based on willful misconceptions.

They already have beliefs, and a set of facts lodged in their minds. The problem is that sometimes the things they think they know are objectively, provably false. And in the presence of the correct information, such people react very, very differently than the merely uninformed. Instead of changing their minds to reflect the correct information, they can entrench themselves even deeper.

Koehane goes on to quote researchers that have found that people don’t like to be confronted with how wrong they are and when facts contrary to their beliefs come up they often dismiss them out of hand whether true or not. In this way people don’t have to face up to truth when they are wrong.
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A Misleading Story on ‘Facts’”

Budget - Congress - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

(2nd District) Hayes: Position Paper on U.S. Defense

July 18, 2010 by

From the Hayes for Congress campaign (2nd District)…

CHICAGO: Republican nominee for Illinois 2ndCongressional District Isaac Hayes published his position paper on U.S. Defense Policy today, calling for the United States to continue to lead the world toward freedom and liberty.

American National Defense Principles

The American defense policy is to seek and support democracy and its institutions in every nation-state and culture across the globe, with the ultimate goal of ending tyrannical regimes around the world. Achieving this high goal is the work of current and future American generations. The United States is in the early years of a long and tough fight similar to what our country faced in the early years of the Cold War. The twentieth century experienced the victory of freedom over the serious menaces of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism. Currently, a new totalitarian ideology threatens our freedom and democratic values and ideas around the globe. It is an ideology not based in a secular political philosophy, but in the extreme political and social beliefs of a religion. Its contest may be different from the old totalitarian political ideologies of the last century, but its means are similar: intolerance, terror, murder, enslavement, and total repression.
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(2nd District) Hayes: Position Paper on U.S. Defense”

Campaign Finance - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

(10th District) Dold’s Fundraising Report

July 17, 2010 by

From the Dold for Congress campaign (10th District)…

Yesterday we filed our second quarter fundraising totals with the Federal Election Commission. We raised approximately $561,000 and have $722,000 cash on hand, almost identical numbers to our opponent. We’re well-positioned to take Robert’s message to voters through television, radio and internet advertising, and we have to keep our fundraising push going strong!

Our grassroots volunteer team is also up and working hard for Robert in the district. We’re phone banking every day, and this week the team made more than 9,000 calls to 10th District voters. They gave out yard signs, campaign literature and thousands of bumper stickers across the District.
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(10th District) Dold’s Fundraising Report”