Republicans

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Rauschie Beats Challenge

December 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Former State Senator, long-time Republican operative, and member of the famed “fab five” cadre of conservative State Senators of 1990s vintage, Steve Rauschenberger is officially “allowed” to be a Republican.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has announced that it has thrown out the objections of Rauschie challenger Noland (D) who was trying to get him thrown off the ballot. Thankfully, here’s the last time I have to explain this idiotic challenge…

This from my previous post on the subject:

As it happens, Rauschie pulled a Democrat ballot last election in order to help elect his sister win an Elgin Council seat. This, say the local Dems, means that he is no longer a Republican. As idiotic as this challenge seems, it has a stupid precedent created by the moron Illinois GOP itself that launched a similar challenge, and won, against a Democrat in the past. (And this is but more proof that the petty petition situation in this state is bad for everyone)

Fortunately, the ISBE realized how downright stupid this particular challenge was. After all, Steve Rauschenberger has a 20-year record as an active and respected GOP lawmaker and pulled one… I say again, ONE… Democrat ballot out of familial love to help his sister (that’ll teach ‘im).
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Rauschie Beats Challenge”

Anti-Americanism - Blogging - Democrats/Leftists - Gays - Inernet - Liberals - Media Bias - Republicans - Society/Culture - Taxes - Tea Party - Technology - Warner Todd Huston

Liberal Website Wants ‘Teabaggers’ to ‘Die’

December 11, 2009 by 3 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

The profane, but popular lefty site named “Wonkette” decided that it wants conservatives to die. Either that or it wants homosexuals that indulge a certain sexual practice to die, it’s a bit hard to tell.

In a post outrageously headlined “Teabaggers To Feign Death In Senate Offices, Because Of Whatever,” the Wonkette crew snarks that “teabaggers” will appear in the Senate and will “pretend to die, because they’re pussies, and won’t die for real.”

Now, there is a bit of confusion here, as you can readily see. None who are going to the Senate to protest the anti-American Obamacare policies that the Senate is trying to push through are “teabaggers.” They may be Tea Party goers, Tea Partiers, or Tea Partyists, but none of them are “teabaggers.” As many of you already know, a “teabagger” is someone that indulges in some crazy homosexual sex practice. Most assuredly no one going to D.C. for this protest will be under any apprehension that they will be doing so to highlight any aberrant sexual practice. Maybe an aberrant taxing practice, but not any aberrant sex practice.

So, we have that whole confusing terminology thing going on here.
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Liberal Website Wants ‘Teabaggers’ to ‘Die’”

2nd Amendment - Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Guns - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Jim Ryan: Cut Aid to Township Governments

December 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

At a sit down with the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board this week, former States Attorney Jim Ryan, candidate for the GOP nod for governor, said that one of his cost-cutting measures would be a state-wide cut back on state grants to local township governments.

The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, in a report last February, said capping revenue sharing and grants to local governments could save up to $300 million a year. Ryan said state cutbacks on income-tax revenue to cities and counties “will put them on a diet and also save us money.”

I say, good idea! As The Better Government Association discovered last month, many of these Townships aren’t in any way needy of more tax money. In fact, many are awash in large, surpluses in their bank accounts even as they continue to tax us to death.

In fact ABC 7 and the BGA discovered that many of these fat-cat townships don’t even spend their large surpluses on the actual, lawful purpose for which townships were created for in the first place.
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Jim Ryan: Cut Aid to Township Governments”

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

State Senator Randy Hultgren Commits to February 4 Republican Unity Event

December 11, 2009 by

Randy Hultgren is running for the GOP nimination in the 14th District.

St. Charles – State Senator Randy Hultgren confirmed today that he will attend a February 4 Unity Party, sponsored by the Kane County Young Republicans meant to bring all Republicans together following the February 2 Primary Election.

“I am well aware of the concerns Republicans have resulting from our bitter primary election experience in 2008,” said Hultgren. “No matter what is said and done between now and February 2nd, if we don’t come together following the 2010 primary election, the liberal Bill Foster will retain this seat in Congress,” said Hultgren.
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State Senator Randy Hultgren Commits to February 4 Republican Unity Event”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Lt. Gov. Race: Cook Earns Nat’l Taxpayers United of Ill. Endorsement

December 11, 2009 by

From the Dennis Cook campaign:

(Orland Park, IL ) – Lowering taxes is something Republican Lt. Governor candidate Dennis Cook is committed to, and this promise has earned him an endorsement from Tax Accountability.

“In recognition of your exceptional desire to fight taxes and support economic growth, Tax Accountability endorses you for the Feb. 2, 2010 primary election,” the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI) said in its endorsement.
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Lt. Gov. Race: Cook Earns Nat’l Taxpayers United of Ill. Endorsement”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Joe Walsh Gets Ill. Fed. for Right to Life Endorsement

December 11, 2009 by

From the Joe Walsh campaign:

8th Congressional District Republican Candidate Joe Walsh announces Illinois Federation for Right to Life Endorsement

Lake Zurich: Joe Walsh, candidate for the Republican Nomination to the 8th Congressional District, is pleased to announce the co-endorsement of his candidacy by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC. The IFRL PAC notified candidates December 8th.
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8th District: Joe Walsh Gets Ill. Fed. for Right to Life Endorsement”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Senate Race: Hughes Got in Over Kirk’s Cap and Trade Vote

December 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Conservative Senate candidate Patrick Hughes told the Daily Herald that he wasn’t even interested in throwing his hat in the ring of the junior Illinois Senate seat until Mark Kirk voted for one of the most destructive tax plans in American history with his yes vote on Cap and Trade.

“I had no interest in this race. I hadn’t considered running … then Mark Kirk voted for cap-and-trade,” said Hughes, a Hinsdale real estate developer.

Hughes is right to be concerned. Kirk is running around the state telling people he wants to build a “center right” coalition. The problem with his plan is that the person at the center of that coalition, Kirk himself, is center left NOT center right!
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Senate Race: Hughes Got in Over Kirk’s Cap and Trade Vote”

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

5th District: David Ratowitz Victorious in Nominating Petition Challenge

December 9, 2009 by

One petition bid challenge is down, at least. Now let’s hope that Phil Collins and Steve Rauschenberger find their challenges removed.

“All objections against District 5 congressional candidate’s signatures withdrawn at 11th hour”

CHICAGO – December 9, 2009 – Minutes before the Illinois State Board of Elections was set to formally dismiss the case, objectors to 5th Congressional District candidate David Ratowitz’s nominating petitions withdrew their challenge.

An official records review on December 3 overwhelmingly upheld the validity of Ratowitz’s petition signatures, finding that some of the objectors’ claims were based on technicalities overruled by the Illinois Supreme Court more than 30 years ago.
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5th District: David Ratowitz Victorious in Nominating Petition Challenge”

Blogging - Conservatives - Illinois - Inernet - Republicans - State Government - Technology - Warner Todd Huston

Publius Forum at Lucky 13 on Illinois Top Blogs

December 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It’s the end of the year and that means LISTS! Over at Illinois Observer, David Ormsby has assembled the rankings of the top 50 Illinois websites and Publius Forum shows up at number 13 on that list.

Seeing as how we few, we unlucky few conservatives in Illinois live in a bloo, bloo state, it is not surprising that most of the sites are lib sites. But there are some great conservative sites represented in the list, as well.

Here are the conservative/libertarian blogs as they appear ranked (the number to the right is the Alexia ranking):
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Publius Forum at Lucky 13 on Illinois Top Blogs”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Guv’s Race: Rauschie Picks Proft!

December 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston


This is a bit of a shocker. Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R, Elgin), famed as one of the “fab five” conservative Senators from the late 1990s , has endorsed Dan Proft for governor.

On the Don Wade and Roma radio show on WLS on Dec. 8, Rauschie said Proft is his man.

“I am proud to endorse Dan Proft’s candidacy for Governor because Proft is the only candidate who has properly diagnosed what afflicts state government and is prescribing the right policy remedies,” said Rauschenberger, who is seeking to regain his old senate seat currently held by State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin)

“The other candidates believe we have a management problem in state government. Proft correctly understands that it is a system problem.”

I have to say this is a bit shocking to me. I didn’t expect Steve to go for Proft, not because of his positions (most of which is very straight line conservative) but because of the whisper campaign launched against Proft’s Cicero baggage.
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Guv’s Race: Rauschie Picks Proft!”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Senate - State Government - Uncategorized - Warner Todd Huston

Complete Vernon Township Endorsement Session Results

December 9, 2009 by

Further Information: Don Castella, Vernon Township Republican Chairman, 847-275-5542 or email: dcastella@vernongop.org

Lincolnshire, IL Dec 8, 2009: Vernon Township’s Monday evening GOP endorsement session surprised local incumbents Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL 10) and IL State Senator Matt Murphy (R-27), who both failed to garner the nod in their respective state-wide races for US Senate and Lt. Governor. Kirk lost the US Senate endorsement outright to Hinsdale Businessman Patrick Hughes who grabbed the Vernon endorsement with 64.3% of the committeeman vote. Senator Matt Murphy finished ahead of Pastor Randy White in the Vernon Lt. Governor endorsement voting with 57.1%, but failed to garner the requisite 60% for the endorsement.
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Complete Vernon Township Endorsement Session Results”

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

Dold for Congress Holiday Gift Drive for the Troops

December 9, 2009 by

From the Dold campaign…

With Hanukkah coming up later this week and Christmas just around the corner, I would like to ask for your help in supporting our troops who are stationed overseas during the holiday season.

Dold for Congress has partnered with Any Soldier, Inc., a nationwide non-profit organization that sends supplies and packages to troops who are in need of basic items. We’re asking members of the 10th District community to help us make the holidays brighter for these young American servicemen who give so much to keep us free. We have selected three soldiers from Illinois—one stationed in Afghanistan and two in Iraq—who have provided Any Soldier, Inc. with a wish list of items they need during the holiday season.

Please drop off any of the items listed below at Dold for Congress Headquarters, 511 Lincoln Ave. in Winnetka, anytime between Tuesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 17, 2009. On Dec. 18, we’ll send out the holiday packages to the troops.
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Dold for Congress Holiday Gift Drive for the Troops”

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

2nd District Hayes: Harry Reid Needs a History Lesson

December 9, 2009 by

From the Hayes campaign:

CHICAGO – December 8, 2009: The following statement was released today by Rev. Isaac C. Hayes, the GOP nominee for Congress in IL-2, and opponent of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) in response to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) comparing opponents of heath care reform to opponents of the emancipation of slaves:

“Harry Reid’s rush to use race in the health care debate is exactly why we should not rush this bill” said Hayes. “History reveals that it was Mr. Reid’s Party that opposed the emancipation of slaves and the Republican Party that was the vanguard of freedom. A brief review of history will record the Republican President Abraham Lincoln abolishing slavery and the Republican Caucus voting in a larger percentage for Civil Rights legislation than their Democratic counterparts. It is quite evident Mr. Reid has not read a history book or the bill he wants to force through.”

www.isaac4honesty.com

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

14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Drops Bid, Now Down to Two

December 8, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

And now the 14th District is down to a two man race. First time candidate Jeff Danklefsen has dropped his bid and is now endorsing Randy Hultgren.

Danklefsen just sent out an email with information on his bid:

After Mark’s announcement this morning to drop from the 14th Congressional race it is best to end my candidacy and remove my name from the ballot and ask Mark to remove his as well to provide voters a clear choice between two candidates. Sen. Randy Hultgren has the resources to run an effective campaign and I do not wish to be a spoiler.

Hultgren gives Republican Party voters a solid choice over the return to the problems that brought us Barack Obama and Bill Foster. He has the voting record and integrity our district desperately needs.

Jeff Danklefsen

This leaves two candidates:
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14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Drops Bid, Now Down to Two”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

14th District Race: 1 More Drops Out Amid Calls to Pull Names From Ballot

December 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

First time aspirant Mark Vargas (R, Elgin) has suspended his campaign for the GOP nomination for the 14th District leaving now three Republicans vying for the Primary nod. Vargas is the second to drop out of contention as Jim Purcell recently quit his bid in a move for party unity.

Both Purcell and Vargas have thrown their support behind Ethan Hastert (R, Elburn), son of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

Vargas told the Kane County Chronicle that he is still ambitious but is “realistic,” as well.
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14th District Race: 1 More Drops Out Amid Calls to Pull Names From Ballot”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government

Et tu Adam?

December 8, 2009 by

-By Megan Fox

A few weeks ago I interviewed Dan Proft, Republican candidate for the IL governorship. I ran out of time on the air and asked him to please answer the rest of my questions over email. He agreed and I will have those for you soon. (I’m still typing them up between cleaning up spit up and red and green Christmas glitter that seems to be all over everything)

I want to share something with you about one of the other candidates in the race, Adam Andrejlakidjferjeski (as I like to call him because I CANNOT spell or say his last name). I gave Adam the opportunity to come on Clash Radio with me the same week Proft was on. I emailed him on Facebook. He directed me to his scheduling person who agreed he would be on with me. To be fair, and to make sure Adam had a chance to come up with a rebuttal for what I said about him that wasn’t flattering, I sent him a copy of the article I wrote about my impressions of the Tea Party debate. This was the one where I said Adam’s pants were too short, I had doubts about his ability to win this race, but I liked his responses and he was in my top three picks. Just hours after forwarding my article to Adam’s campaign, the interview was cancelled.
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Et tu Adam?”

Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Health - Illinois - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Republicans - Rights - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

The Illinois GOP Has Difficulty Talking Immigration

December 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A recent round of posts between Gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft and Chicago Examiner website columnist Robert Moon of Macon County, Illinois shows the difficulty of trying to discuss immigration in Illinois today. Passions are high and it is hard to get past all the suspicion imbued in it all.

It all began with a segment of a Chicago radio broadcast in which Dan Proft addressed some of the more demagogic treatments of the immigration problem and echoed the worry made by many Republicans that the more wild-eyed treatments of the immigration problem is bound to force the GOP into permanent minority status due to the rising number of voters with Hispanic background.

Unfortunately, this snippet seems to do Proft’s full stance on immigration a disservice because it does not explain his larger views, some of which might tend to belie the initial impression. Mr. Moon construed Proft’s stance to be one of the “open borders” variety simply because the excerpt of Proft’s radio commentary appeared on the La Raza website (La Raza is a racist organization dedicated to taking back parts of the American south and all the south west for Mexico).

Moon mentioned that Proft has had “several pro-amnesty rants” featured on the La Raza website. I have tried to find these “rants” but have not located any so I cannot speak to this claim. If anyone has any links to these “rants” I’d like to see them. But if there are none (other than the one example), this single fact would tend to make Moon’s claim problematic.
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The Illinois GOP Has Difficulty Talking Immigration”

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

It’s About Authenticity: Odd Video of William Kelly Surfaces

December 7, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

William Kelly is running for Illinois State Comptroller. We’ve highlighted him several times here and as long as he is in the news we will continue to do so. Sometimes, of course, the “news” is not all good. In fact, it looks like at least one person is passing around a compilation video showing Mr. Kelly over indulging some “adult beverages,” if you will, in his guise as TV sports show host.

The YouTube videos show Kelly really putting on the show and downing enough alcohol to float a battleship it seems. Let us assume he had someone to drive him home after the show that night! (We’re sure he did, of course)

As fun-loving, TV show host, of course, Kelly proves an interesting screen presence but his is certainly not the sort of behavior we are used to from our politicians. At some point I guess I’d rather see a guy in office that likes to have some fun once in a while than one that will end up in jail for corruption like so many of our less emotive sorts seem to end up.

And, one cannot do years of TV appearances without something coming back to haunt you, I’d suspect. My own writing has gotten me in trouble in the past, so I can relate — at least a little.

Still, I would be remiss in my reporting duties if I did not report the existence of these less than savory videos. So here are the two videos in question:
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It’s About Authenticity: Odd Video of William Kelly Surfaces”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

11th U.S. Congressional and U.S. Senate Candidate Forum “Tea Party Style”

December 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of our local Tea Party groups is sponsoring a candidate’s forum On Dec. 9th. I find it a bit telling that these folks invited the local Democrats to participate in the forum and they all declined, yet all the republicans accepted the invitation. So, uh, what are the Dems afraid of?

Here is the press release for the event:

Sponsored by Joliet Tea Party & Homer/Lockport Tea Party
Wednesday – Dec 9th 6:00 – 9:00 pm
The Holiday Inn (Louis Joliet Ballroom) 411 S. Larkin, Joliet IL.

The Joliet Tea Party & Homer/Lockport Tea Party are joining forces once again and holding a “Tea Party” Forum for the 11th US Congressional and US Senate Candidates. Tea Partiers have asked the candidates to “hear their voices” and they have responded. Congressional and Senate Candidates are coming to our area for a Town Hall /Forum to answer some important questions and meet the people. The event is free, with live music, tea party slide show, Candidate Forum, Meet & Greet the Candidates, Streaming Video Live on the Internet, Cash Bar, and Fellow Patriots.
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11th U.S. Congressional and U.S. Senate Candidate Forum “Tea Party Style””

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

14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Endorsed by NTUI

December 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Denklefsen campaign is reporting that Tax Accountability, the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois, is endorsing Jeff Danklefsen in his effort to take the GOP nomination for the 14th District Congressional seat.

In making the endorsement, president Jim Tobin cited Jeff’s “exceptional desire to fight taxes and support economic growth.”

Founded in 1976, NTUI is the largest taxpayer protection organization in Illinois with more than 30,000 members and supporters. For more information, see www.ntui.org.

For more information of Jeff Danklefsen, see his campaign website.

Chicago - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Brady Announces 14 GOP Legislators Endorsing Him for Governor

December 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady (R, Bloomington) announced at a campaign stop at the Willard Airport in Savoy, Illinois that he has the support of 14 out of 70 Republican members of the Legislature.

Brady is also calling for a 10 percent across the board cut in the state’s budget.

“I have called for a 10 percent cut across the board in every area of state government. We’ve got to rein in government spending.”

The 14 Legislators that have endorsed Brady are as follows:
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Brady Announces 14 GOP Legislators Endorsing Him for Governor”

Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

54th District: Tom Morrison Endorsed By Palatine Township GOP

December 6, 2009 by

From the Morrison campaign:

Palatine, IL – Challenger Tom Morrison received an overwhelming endorsement of the Palatine Township Republicans for state representative of the 54th district against incumbent Suzie Bassi in the upcoming Republican primary on February 2nd.

Palatine Township Republican precinct captains overwhelmingly endorsed Morrison. More than 85% of the precinct captains supported Morrison against 11 year incumbent Suzie Bassi.

“I am honored to receive such a strong endorsement from the Republican Township precinct captains,” Morrison said. “This is further testimony from our party leaders of the urgent need to correct the enormous problems facing our state. I am heartened by this support and will continue with my efforts to run a spirited, door-to-door campaign for the Republican primary election on February 2nd.”
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54th District: Tom Morrison Endorsed By Palatine Township GOP”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

New Illinois Conservative FaceBook Group Makes Endorsements

December 6, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A new FaceBook effort to rally conservative Illinoisans to the state’s electoral process was launched by several youngsters out of the Rockford area and they’ve decided to make a few endorsements for some of the statewide races coming up soon in the February primary. The group is calling itself “Illinois Conservatives” and can be found on FaceBook.

Here are their endorsements thus far:

  • Adam Andrzejewski – Governor of IL
  • William J. Kelly – Illinois Comptroller
  • Don Manzullo – U.S. House of Reps 16th Dist
  • Phil Collins – Illinois 17th district
  • Paul Mitchell – Illinois 62nd district

The new group says in its mission statement that they are trying to support candidates for “the betterment of Illinois.”

The Illinois Conservatives Facebook group believes in conservative ideologies and supports political candidates who share in those beliefs for the betterment of the State of Illinois

I have to thank Tom Mannis of Chicago New Bench for alerting me to this group. On his site, Tom says of this effort, “Frankly, endorsements like the one from Illinois Conservatives means a lot more than those from the inbred, cloistered little Republican groups around the state.” I couldn’t agree more.
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New Illinois Conservative FaceBook Group Makes Endorsements”

Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Sandy Wegman: Team Player or Self-Interested Opportunist?

December 6, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Incumbent Kane County Recorder of Deeds Sandy Wegman has before claimed that she is a “team player” for the GOP. Her actions, however, make that out to be a lie. The last time Wegman tried to get out of her dead end clerk’s job was when she ran for Lt. Governor in 2006 despite that she had no party backing. In fact, her run then likely took votes away from State Senator Steve Rauschenberger who also ran for Lt. Governor that election, the only candidate that had a chance to beat Joe Birkett for the nod. (She got a measly 13% to Steve’s 30%)

A team player in 2006 would have dumped her own effort in order to back either Rauschenberger or States Attorney Joe Birkett the only two in the race with any party backing at all. Instead she stayed in causing the race to look uncompetitive.

Now we get another example of Wegman’s party averse opportunism, once again seemingly intended to hurt former Senator Steve Rauschenberger. She has inexplicably launched a late “write-in” bid for the State Senate seat of the 22nd District in opposition, once again, too a Rauschenberger candidacy.

Wegman’s cynical opportunism comes just as Rauschenberger faces an odd but vexing petition challenge forced upon him by the Democrat Party aimed at keeping him from appearing on the primary ballot as a Republican.
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Sandy Wegman: Team Player or Self-Interested Opportunist?”

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

Purcell Says no to 14th District Run

December 5, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like Jim Purcell, a solid conservative, has decided not to run for the 14th District seat after all. That still leaves four Republicans in the race.

Still in:

Here is the Purcell press release:
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Purcell Says no to 14th District Run”

Barack Obama - Business - Capitalism - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - George W. Bush - GOP - Jobs - Journalism - Liberals - Media Bias - President - Republicans - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

A Tale of Two Presidents: How Media Treated Bush’s Unemployment #’s Compared to Obama’s

December 4, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It never ceases to amaze me how differently the Old Media treats Republican presidents compared to how they treat Democrat Presidents during times of unemployment reporting. Today, in the vaunted era of Obama, the unemployment numbers for November 2009 have come out and it shows some of the highest unemployment numbers since the Great Depression. Despite that the Old Media seems to be playing this as a sign of optimism. Such optimism was decidedly not in the cards when that same Old Media was reporting rates during Bush’s years, however.

Let’s take two reports from The New York Times for example. One from September 7, 2002 in Bush’s first term and one from December 4, 2009, early in the Obama presidency.

In 2002, The New York Times reported Bush’s 5.7 percent unemployment rate, noting that it was a drop from 5.9 percent, with the following headline: Unemployment Fell in August, But Drop Is Called Insignificant.

For the Times, David Leonhardt started off on a sour note whilst reporting this drop in unemployment.
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A Tale of Two Presidents: How Media Treated Bush’s Unemployment #’s Compared to Obama’s”

Abortion - Anti-Americanism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Joe Walsh ‘Sets Record Straight’ On Pro-Life Issue

December 4, 2009 by

There has been some question on candidate Joe Walsh’s pro-life stance, so here is his “setting the record straight” message to try and settle the question:

You may have heard some rumor and innuendo over the past few days, writtennand spoken, trying to distort my position on the life issue. I would like to set the record straight.

For seven years, I have been pro-life without exception. I believe in the
sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. There is no
candidate in this race who is more pro-life than I am.
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8th District: Joe Walsh ‘Sets Record Straight’ On Pro-Life Issue”

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

5th District Race: David Ratowitz Signs AFP’s “No Climate Tax” Pledge

December 3, 2009 by

Several Illinois candidates have been signing no-tax pledges of late and 5th District candidate David Ratowitz is the latest. This from the campaign…

“Cap and Trade is a disaster that will sacrifice jobs and increase energy costs.”

CHICAGO – December 3, 2009 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) this week signed Americans for Prosperity’s “No Climate Tax Pledge, vowing to “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.” He is one of only nine Illinois state or federal candidates to sign the pledge to date.
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5th District Race: David Ratowitz Signs AFP’s “No Climate Tax” Pledge”

Budget - Business - Chicago - Cook County - Cook County Board - Entertainment - GOP - Hollywood - Illinois - Movies - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Cook Commissioner Tim Schneider: Cut Cook County Film Office

December 2, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last month Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider (R, western suburbs) co-sponsored a budget amendment to axe the Cook County Film Commission from fiscal year 2010.

Quoth Schneider, “The creation of the Cook County Film Commission stands as a prime example of government spending run amok.”

The Film Commission is budgeted at $251,611 for 2010. Schneiber pointed out that there is already a Chicago Film Commission as well as an Illinois Film Commission, s the existence of a Cook County version is unnecessary redundancy.

Earlier in the year, Schneider sponsored and saw passed a campaign finance bill that lowered the personal political contribution allowance from $1,500 to $750 per person for those that have done business with the county, including registered lobbyists.

“This legislation can begin the process of restoring confidence and ensuring that influence peddling is eradicated from Cook County,” Schneider said in his recent newsletter.