Charlie Crist: A Serving of Pork Sounds Good

-By Warner Todd Huston

On November 11, I wrote of the statements that Charlie Crist made denying that he ever supported Obama’s $787 billion stimulus bill in his role as Florida’s Governor. Unfortunately for his obfuscation, though, I noted that he and 17 other governors signed a letter in February of this year announcing support for the Stimulus. Apparently Crist forgot that he signed this letter… conveniently. Yes, he was for the porkulus bill before he was against it.

Well now there is even more proof than that mere signature on a piece of paper showing Charlie’s support for the porkulus bill. From Ed Morrissey we find an interview that Rolling Stone hackster Tim Dickinson did with Crist back in the spring. In that piece Dickinson was celebratory that Crist was a stimulus supporter.

Dickinson then noted, “For his part, Crist is weighing a run for the Senate — where, he tells Rolling Stone, he would have given the president a fourth Republican vote on the stimulus bill.”
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Charlie Crist: A Serving of Pork Sounds Good”


You’re Invited to a Lunch With Adam Andrzejewski, GOP Candidate for Gov.

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski will be hosting a luncheon at the University Club of Chicago tomorrow from 11:30 AM to 1:30PM.

University Club of Chicago
76 E Monroe Street

Chicago, IL

If you can’t make it, though, you can watch it all on the Internet webcast, or listen in by phone conference call.

Phone: (507) 726-4200
Passcode: 119275#
www.ustream.tv/adamforillinois


5th District Race: Ratowitz Responds to Immigration Question

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Nov. 14, Cao’s blog featured some pointed questions for 5th Congressional District candidate David Ratowitz on his stance on illegal immigration. That blog took the position that Mr. Ratowitz is an apologist for illegal immigration and is an amnesty supporter. We discussed that post here.

At that time, I asked for the Ratowitz campaign to clarify and shortly a short comment from the campaign was sent to me. The campaign also promised a longer treatment of the subject.

Today I received that longer treatment. Here it is in its entirety:
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5th District Race: Ratowitz Responds to Immigration Question”


USA Today Uses Attack Book to Talk Palin’s

-By Warner Todd Huston

Early on the morning of Governor Sarah Palin’s book release day, USA Today’s The Oval blog posted a piece asking who was more qualified to be president, Clinton or Palin. Naturally, instead of using an image of Sarah Palin’s book cover to illustrate the story, USA Today used the attack book against Palin that mimics Palin’s cover in a cynical bid to confuse readers on which book is which.

We are left wondering about USA Today. Were they just stupid, not knowing that there was an attack book making itself look like Palin’s book? Or did the folks at USA Today know full well that they were posting an image of the attack book’s cover and not Palin’s actual book?

Here is a screen capture of the original page.

After multiple complaints, USA Today did end up changing the image later in the morning to the proper book cover image with an “erratum.”

ERRATUM: An earlier posting featured the photo of a different Sarah Palin book. The Oval regrets the error.

I’m sure they regret getting caught. Not really sure if they regret the error.
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USA Today Uses Attack Book to Talk Palin’s”


Dold Pulls Ahead in Super Saturday Votes

An Update on Dold’s 10th District race from his campaign:

Wins New Trier Republican Organization Endorsement

Winnetka, IL- Robert Dold, Republican Candidate for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, is proud to announce his endorsement by the New Trier Republican Organization. Having also recently won the endorsement of the Elk Grove Township Republican Organization, Dold has received the first two grassroots endorsements in the district. Dold continues building momentum in his campaign to replace Congressman Mark Kirk who is running for the U.S. Senate.

“I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of the NTRO”, said Dold who received more votes than all of the other six candidates combined. “The NTRO endorsement was instrumental in Mark Kirk’s successful 2000 campaign and I am honored by the support of this important organization.”
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Dold Pulls Ahead in Super Saturday Votes”


Patrick Hughes Featured on Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund Website This Week

Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund is feating Senate candidate Patrick Hughes as well as sponsoring a poll on who Illinois voters prefer: Kirk or Hughes.

If you are a Hughes supporter, be sure and stop by the 2010 Race Spotlight: Illinois page and cast your vote for Patrick Hughes.

There you’ll see that Mark Kirk is trailing Democrat Alexi Giannoulias by three points. This is the ideal opportunity for a fresh, conservative face to find his footing in Illinois and Patrick Hughes is just such a candidate.

DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund reaches out to conservative state candidates that might look worthy of support and offers some campaign dollars. Hughes certainly fills that bill, as well.


Illinois Governor 2010: One Man’s Perspective

I had an interesting correspondence with Grant Noble of Lake Forest this weekend and he gave me the permission to post his thoughts on the 2010 Governor’s race. Mr. Noble is a former Republican precinct committeeman, Lake County coordinator for Steve Baer and other conservative statewide candidates, and is the former field director of Family PAC Illinois and Republicans for Poshard. (Glen Poshard was the 1998 Democrat candidate for Gov. that ran against the corrupt George Ryan, only our latest Ill. Gov. that ended up in jail. I let Grant know that I voted Poshard that year, too. It was the first time I didn’t vote Republican for a state wide office in my life as I just couldn’t stomach the corrupt Ryan.) — WTH

Illinois Governor 2010

If you want the Illinois income tax to go to 5% (minus a token property tax cut/increase in the personal exemption), then both major Democrat Governor candidates will gladly do that in 2011. If you want Chicago Democrats to control the Illinois legislature for the next 10 years and lose at least 2 Illinois Republican Congressmen to stop the Obama juggernaut, then allow the Democrats to control redistricting without a Republican Governor to veto their map. So that leaves the present Republican gubernatorial field.

Adam Andrzejewski is a nice guy but simply doesn’t have the business or political experience to be Governor. He has some money, but not enough to win a statewide primary. Jim Ryan has done little since being Illinois Attorney General other than leaving his law firm and seeing one of his chief aides convicted of corruption. After two colossal failures, the Ryan name is poison in Illinois politics.

As Du Page County Board President, Bob Schillerstrom spent big and raised taxes. As a strongly pro-choice candidate, he’ll fracture the Republican coalition. I supported Andy McKenna in his 2004 U.S. Senate primary run, but he was a mediocre candidate then and has been a bad Illinois Republican Party chairman since. If he wanted to run for Governor, McKenna should have resigned his party position immediately after the 2008 election and started his campaign then, not far too late in September 2009.
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Illinois Governor 2010: One Man’s Perspective”


17th District Rep Race: GOP Dirty Tricks Edition

-By Warner Todd Huston

Glenview resident Phil Collins is running for the 17th District’s State Rep seat (District Map) and he’s racked up some great endorsements so far for a first time run for office.

Collins has been endorsed by Tony Castrogiovanni, the vice chairman of the Cook Co. Republican Party; Eric Wallace, a co-chairman of the Cook Co. Republican Party; Ken Arnold, a former 3rd vice chairman of the Lake Co. Republican Central Committee and 8th Dist. congressional candidate in 2006 and ’08; Peter Karlovics, a former chairman of the Warren Township, Lake Co. Republican Party; Liz Eilers, the secretary of the Illinois Center Right Coalition and Central Illinois Field Director of Adam Andrzejewski for Governor; and the Chicago Minuteman Project.

An impressive list of endorsements for a first timer, for sure. But one name you’ll notice is missing in that list is that of incumbent State Rep Beth Coulson (R). Coulson announced that she is not running for reelection to her State Rep seat and will instead seek Mark Kirk’s Congressional seat since Kirk is abandoning that seat to run for the Senate. As she leaves her stint in the state legislature, Coulson made it known that she is supporting another candidate for the 17th, Hamilton Chang. And because Coulson is the incumbent, the state party under Pat Brady is backing her choice.

And so the dirty tricks begin.
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17th District Rep Race: GOP Dirty Tricks Edition”


The Fix is In: State GOP Leader Backs Andy McKenna for Guv

-By Warner Todd Huston

Until this Summer Andy McKenna was the Chairman of the Illinois GOP. He presided over a party that saw every single state wide office lost to it. He presided over a party that tried as hard as it could to make sure that Illinois’ Republican voters would be barred from voting their own leaders into place (even though Democrat voters do elect their leaders). McKenna presided over a GOP that seemed little more than a junior partner to the corruption plagued Democrats.

…and now McKena’s running for governor.

And guess what? House Republican leader Tom Cross is backing McKenna.

Yep, looks like the fix is in for McKenna as far as the state party is concerned and because of that you can bet that we will see Governor Pat Quinn win his own full term by November. Either that or we will see Quinn’s Democrat challenger, Dan Hynes, become the next governor. Which ever Democrat we are talking about here, the point is if McKenna is the face of the GOP for the 2010 election, a Democrat will win.
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The Fix is In: State GOP Leader Backs Andy McKenna for Guv”


Fanatic Muslims Are the Enemy: Investigate All Leaders!

-By Don Boys, Ph.D.

After a Muslim army officer killed 13 fellow-solders and wounded 33 others at Ft. Hood, Texas, it is time for sane, sensible, and stalwart officials to dump political correctness and recognize that Muslims who adhere precisely to the Koran are the enemies of freedom. The shooter believes that he is a Muslim first which means like all faithful Muslims he must make the nation where he lives an Islamic nation with shirah law. In a lecture to other medical doctors, he declared, according to the London Telegraph, that “non-believers should be beheaded and have boiling oil poured down their throats.”

Sooner or later, informed, incensed, and indignant Americans will demand that officials stop playing “Let’s stop the terrorists” and stop the terrorists, at least those here at home. When a mushroom cloud forms over an American city, Obama’s pandering to Muslims will be discarded as quickly as long johns in a Texas heat wave. However, it will be too little, too late and he will be known as the most incompetent U.S. Presidents.

As always, the authorities refused to suggest religious motives for the Ft. Hood killings. Surely it was depression, dandruff, or poor potty training that caused a soldier to turn against his fellow soldiers with two guns blazing. Question: Would I be considered cranky or only crass or cruel to suggest that his statement “Allah is Great” (in Arabic) just before opening fire might, might be an indication of his motive? And could those 72 green-eyed virgins Islam promises to all “believers” who die as they take out “infidels” be somehow involved?

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Fanatic Muslims Are the Enemy: Investigate All Leaders!”


Ill. Guvs Race: Adam Andrzejewski Says Repeal Video Gambling

-By Warner Todd Huston

Gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski says if he’s elected Illinois Governor he’d work to repeal the video gambling law recently passed by the state legislature.

On WBBM 780AM radio (Chicago), Andrzejewski said, “It is bad public policy. It wasn’t vetted by the people.”

Andrzejewski said he will make repeal of the law a priority if elected and in order to do that he plans to stop funding for road, school or transit improvements backed by the gambling expansion. The measure signed by Quinn also uses liquor tax increases and expanding the lottery to the Internet, among other things, to fund the projects.

At least two other GOP candidates have expressed their distaste with the video gambling law. Bob Schillerstrom came out against the bill early in his campaign and Kirk Dillard claimed he was unhappy with the law. Of course, Dillard voted for the video gambling law in his role as a state Senator, so his claim of being unhappy with the bill seems a mixed message juxtaposed with his actual vote on the issue.

Andrzejewski has been a popular campaigner with the rank and file thus far on the hustings. He’s won at least four straw polls in carious parts of the state, three in a row of late. Andrzejewski is a true outsider never having held public office before.

Visit AdamforIllinois.com.


The George W. Bush Institute: Free Markets, Small Government… Since When

-By Warner Todd Huston

Get ready because I am going to slap George W. Bush around a little bit. Now, don’t get me wrong, it isn’t like I hated him. After all I voted for him twice. There was a lot that Bush did that I supported, mostly on the security and war fronts. But, I really stood against his domestic agenda almost completely. I was against no child’s behind left alone — er, I mean no child left behind — I was against the bailouts and against the drug benefit for seniors program. I disagreed with his “compassionate conservatism” narrative because it really was just an excuse for a little less big government than what the Democrats full-blown socialism would have been. About the only thing he wanted to do that I supported, the privatization of Social Security, he never pushed hard enough to implement.

With that in mind, George W. Bush made his first major appearance before the general public today in a speech announcing the George W. Bush Institute, a new public policy think tank to be housed in the Bush Presidential Library at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Bush wants his new institute to foster free market policies, small government thinking, education, global health and “human freedom”… to which I have to ask, so where were you for eight years on these things Mr. Bush?

During his speech, Bush said that with the $700 billion bank bailout he implemented in the waning days of his presidency he “went against” his free-market instincts. He said it was one of the “most difficult” decisions of his presidency. I’d say he failed the test. Juxtaposing his bailouts with the free-market, small government policies that he wants his new institute to push causes one to raise an eyebrow, of course. How do past actions jive with his future policy ideals?
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The George W. Bush Institute: Free Markets, Small Government… Since When”


Cook County Board Race Gets Messy

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, say you are running for the Cook County Board. And say your daddy is the village clerk in the very district where you are hoping to get a whole slew of by-mail and early votes. Also say your cousin is running for Governor and he’s already the State Comptroller now. Do you think your opponent might casually wonder if the fix is in?

… well, it is Crook County, after all.

Naturally, the above isn’t just some bad TV script, but a real situation in southern Cook County. In Orland Park where Democrat Patrick Maher is running to unseat Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R, Or. Park) we find that Maher’s daddy just happens to be David Maher, the Orland Park Village Clerk, and Maher’s cousin just happens to be Dan Hynes, Democratic State Comptroller and current candidate for the Dem. nomination for governor.

Naturally, Commissioner Gorman is a bit wary of the whole situation and is raising some red flags about it all.
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Cook County Board Race Gets Messy”


Obama to Fire All Civil Servants, Replacing Them With Obama Loyalists

-By Warner Todd Huston

In the Washington Examiner Mark Tapscott is decrying the Obama Administration’s bold new directive to rid government of anyone that was hired during the Bush years so that Obama can replace them with his loyal operatives.Tapscott is saying that this violates the spirit of civil service and brings back the spoils system instituting a “partisan political factor” to civil service jobs.

Well I say it’s about time. Unlike Tapscott, I say bring back the spoils system and do away with the professional civil servant. Let Obama fire every Bush appointee and put in his place political hacks, buddies, and friends. And then let the next president do the same… and so on, and so on.

First let’s explain what happened. As Tapscott reports:
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Obama to Fire All Civil Servants, Replacing Them With Obama Loyalists”


Rev. Hayes Facing Down Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Ill 2

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican Congressional candidate Reverend Isaac Hayes wants to be your 2nd District Representative. But to do that he has to defeat Jesse Jackson, Jr. and a gaggle of Greenies first. And he’s taking Jackson head on.

Hayes, for instance, has signed the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” from Americans for Tax Reform pledging not to vote to raise taxes should he win office. He challenges Jackson to “renounce the unsustainable, statist spending plans of Speaker Pelosi and to pledge to not raise taxes.” But it isn’t just taxes Hayes is slamming Jackson for.

On Jackson’s vote for the Obamacare bill in the House, Hayes points out that on WVON radio, Jesse Jackson’s own sister, Santita Jackson, said she was “wary” of the 2,000 page healthcare bill. To Santita’s wariness Hayes says, “Mr. Jackson should listen to his big sister because it is apparent he is not listening to other hardworking Americans.”
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Rev. Hayes Facing Down Jesse Jackson, Jr. in Ill 2″


Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15 Republicans Excluded

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Better Government Association of Chicago is hosting a debate between candidates for Cook County Board President. Naturally, the extremely left-leaning Andy Shaw and his merry little group of faux concerned citizens are excluding the Republican candidates in their forum. Perhaps you might want to email the lefty Shaw and ask why he is excluding the two Republican candidates in his faux forum? Email them at countyboardforum@gmail.com or call them at (312) 427-8330.

Who is your choice for President of the Cook County Board? Still not decided? Perhaps you ‘d like to attend a free, live forum of the candidates on Sunday, November 15 at the DePaul Student Center. For details, read the following media advisory from our friends at the Better Government Association (BGA). Note: If you plan to attend, please let them know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com.

The Better Government Association & 43rd Ward Democrats Host Candidates Forum

Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association, will moderate a lively discussion among the Democratic Candidates for President of the Cook County Board: Todd Stroger, the incumbent; Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderman; Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Terrence O’Brien, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The debate is a DePaul University Forum. Democratic Committeeman Michele Smith and the 43rd Ward Democrats are hosts of the County Board President Democratic Candidates Forum, which is being held at the DePaul University Center at Belden and Sheffield in Lincoln Park.

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Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15 Republicans Excluded”


The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge

Momentum is building across the State of Illinois for the Putback Amendment. We have volunteers in every corner of the state gathering signatures and just completed a big week of events all across the state. Together we CAN bring reform to Illinois. We all know Springfield will give us more of the same, together we can change the way business is done!

Our biggest needs are volunteers getting signatures and donations. Please consider getting signatures for the amendment before the holidays in your own neighborhoods.

Volunteers Needed in Chicago for Nov 14, 21, and 22!

There are several big events and rallies in Chicago the next two weekends and we need volunteers with petitions to gather signatures there. Some of the events are partisan in nature, but the Magnificent Mile Light Festival is a non-partisan event attended by many in Chicago and the surrounding area. If you have a few hours to spare, please contact John Bambenek at jcb@putbackamendment.com.
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The Putback Amendment, Putting Voters Back in Charge”


Meghan McCain’s Latest: Too Stupid Not to Comment Upon

-By Warner Todd Huston

Just hearing her name causes me pain and normally I wouldn’t waste a minute’s time worrying about what this vacuous little child has to say on much of anything — as is evidence by the fact that this is the first time my keyboard has shuddered out her name. However, Meghan McCain’s latest blog post is a piece of conventional wisdom that, while not unique to little Meaggie’s fallow mind (which itself is de rigeuer for the girl, sadly), it is one that has been heard since the day women began to stride into the world of western politics. However, it is one that I think no longer applies. So, I’d like to address the empty reasoning on women in politics despite that it emanated from McCain’s somewhat barren pen.

Here is McCain’s prosaic premise: The attacks on Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have made it harder for women and is proof that no woman will ever be “just right” for politics. To which anyone not looking to make excuses can only say a resounding “yeah, right.”

The simple matter of fact is that anyone that clamors for great power will stir great passions in those whom they wish to govern. And those that find wide support among the people will find that such support is ephemeral once decisions start having to be made. It doesn’t matter if the powerful is man or woman.
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Meghan McCain’s Latest: Too Stupid Not to Comment Upon”


Gov. Crist DID Flip Flop on Stimulus Support

-By Warner Todd Huston

On November 5 on CNN, Florida Governor Charlie Crist told Wolf Blitzer that he didn’t back the $787 billion Obama stimulus bill. Crist has since said that it isn’t a flip flop when he says he supported the stimulus “in concept” but didn’t support the specific bill.

In essence he’s trying to have it both ways. Claiming he wasn’t a supporter of the actual bill, but hedging by saying he felt something was necessary. It seems to be Crist’s way of straddling the line.

Unfortunately, the facts seem to belie Crist’s delicately balanced tightrope act because in February of 2009 Crist was one of 18 U.S. governors (along with the governor of the Virgin Islands) that signed a letter informing President Obama that they supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). (See pdf of letter here)

Despite being a signatory of the letter Crist is now saying he didn’t support the specific stimulus bill. After speaking at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Crist told the press, ““I think the question posed to me was, ‘Did you endorse this specific bill?’ And I said, ‘No, I didn’t,’ but the concept I thought, and still believe, was important, necessary and it helped Florida.”
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Gov. Crist DID Flip Flop on Stimulus Support”


Democrats Rejected 11 Amendments Forcing Congress to Enroll in Obamacare

-By Warner Todd Huston

CNSNews is reporting that the Democratic leadership rejected 11 amendments to the healthcare bills that would have required Congress to suffer under the same onerous healthcare legislation the they would force upon the rest of the country.

Republicans offered various schemes, some that would require only Congress to join Obamacare, some that would require even members of the Supreme Court, the president, the vice president and other federal employees to give up their generous Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.

“If Congress forces our constituents into a public option plan over time, then members of Congress should be expected to do the same,” Rep. Howard McKeon (R-Calif.) told CNSNews.com.

It is curious that Democrat members of Congress can sit there in Washington with a straight face and tell us lowly voters that Obamacare is best for us, yet steadfastly refuse to force themselves to exist under that same plan.

If Obamacare is so wonderful, why exactly are Democrat Congressmen so averse to suffering the same fate as the voters? It is obvious that they know the truth about Obamacare. It is a disaster and they know it. Otherwise, why would they fight so hard to stay out of it?
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Democrats Rejected 11 Amendments Forcing Congress to Enroll in Obamacare”


Obama and Democrats Don’t Understand ‘Sacrifice’

-By Warner Todd Huston

The jihadi movement has never made any bones about the fact that it intends to destroy western civilization from within using the West’s own principles as weapons against it. This is why, for instance, that radical Islamists have been angling to institute Sharia “law” inside England and Canada and to a lesser extent in the U.S.A. But this effort isn’t even necessary when, in the U.S. for instance, a large part of the political class cannot even agree upon what the word “sacrifice” means for its own, much less find themselves able to define the terms of enemies to their civilization. What does terrorism, Sharia, or radicalism mean when Democrats cannot even properly understand what “sacrifice” means in the context of what happened at Fort Hood, Texas?

On November 7, it was reported by the New York Daily News that President Obama shamefully exploited the murderous Hasan’s crime in Texas in an effort to flog his healthcare bill in Congress.

According to the Daily News President Obama “invoked the Fort Hood shootings in an emotional appeal to Democrats to pass health care reform.” The Daily News followed this statement up with a quote from New Jersey Democrat Rob Andrews.
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Obama and Democrats Don’t Understand ‘Sacrifice’”


It’s 3 Straw Poll Wins in a Row for Andrzejewski

-By Warner Todd Huston

Over the weekend the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans (FIYR) held its annual convention in Bolingbrook. There a straw poll of members was conducted and once again outsider candidate Adam Andrzejewski won. This is the third straw poll in a row that Andrzejewski has won.

On October 19, Andrzejewski won the McLean County Freedom Coalition Straw Poll in Bloomington and on Nov. 2 he won the Concerned Citizens of America straw poll held in Rockford. Andrzejewski also won the September straw poll held at the governor forum sponsored by the United Republican Fund.

For information on the campaign visit www.adamforillinois.com/.
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It’s 3 Straw Poll Wins in a Row for Andrzejewski”


Ill. Governor’s Debate Video

-By Warner Todd Huston

Watch the Illinois GOP Governor’s debate from November 5, courtesy of the Illinois GOP.

Pat Brady, Ill. State Party Chairman, opened with a statement on the state of the state and what the Illinois GOP intends to do henceforth. After that the party began to the tune of the Alan Parson’s Project classic, “Eye in the Sky.” (A bit corny, but it’s all in good fun) Finally WGN Radio’s Chris Roebling, debate moderator, started the night’s event.

Participating are Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Andy McKenna, Dan Proft, Jim Ryan, and Bob Schillerstrom.


How Your Illinois Reps Voted on Stupak’s Abortion Amendment

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of the compromises that Speaker of the House Pelosi made to smooth the waters for her healthcare legislation was the Bart Stupak (D, Mich.) Amendment that stripped abortion funding from the healthcare legislation.

So which of our Illinois Representatives voted in support of the Stupak amendment?

  • Dan Lipinski (D, 3rd)
  • Peter Roskam (R,6th)
  • Mark Kirk (R,10th)
  • Jerry Costello (D,12th)
  • Judy Biggert (R,13th)
  • Timothy Johnson (R,15th)
  • Donald Manzullo (R,16th)
  • Aaron Schock (R,18th)
  • John Shimkus (R,19th)

And on the final vote, only Lipinski and Costello went on to vote “yes” for Pelosicare.

(For a nice little web resource on Illinois Congressmen, check out www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.)


Some Comments from Illinois Candidates on Pelosi’s Bare Win on Healthcare

-By Warner Todd Huston

Several Republicans and candidates here in Illinois have spoken out on the passage of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s version of Obamacare. Here are a few of them (in no particular order).

Republican State Chairman, Patrick Brady, warned Illinois Democrats that what they have wrought is “wrong for Illinois.”

Today is a disappointing day for Illinoisans as Nancy Pelosi, Melissa Bean, Debbie Halvorson and Bill Foster ignored the concerns of voters and rammed a trillion dollar 1,990 page government-run health care bill through Congress ignoring pledges of transparency and bi-partisanship. Illinois for generations will be forced to deal with the consequences of this legislation that increases health care costs, increases taxes on small businesses and the middle class, cuts Medicare and puts a Washington bureaucrat between you and your doctor.

Joe Walsh, candidate for the 8th Congressional District, took the occasion to accuse incumbent Democrat Bean of proving she is a left-winger.
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Some Comments from Illinois Candidates on Pelosi’s Bare Win on Healthcare”


Dem. Senate Candidate Uses Palin Against Mark Kirk

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Democrat Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is trying to use Mark Kirk’s approach of Sarah Palin for an endorsement against him. Giannoulias is attempting to use the Kirk/Palin incident as a fund raising tool.

A few days ago, we reported that Mark Kirk sent a letter to Governor Sarah Palin challenging her to support his candidacy for the GOP nomination for Barack Obama’s old Illinois Senate seat. It seems unlikely that Kirk will receive Palin’s endorsement, though. Being far, far too liberal Kirk is hardly Palin’s sort of Republican.

But Giannoulias thinks that even the slightest connection with Palin will drive his fundraising. The Democrat sent the following email to his supporters (bold in the original):
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Dem. Senate Candidate Uses Palin Against Mark Kirk”


Video: Cook County Board Presidents Candidate Debate

-By Warner Todd Huston

John Garrido only Republican to attend

Several of the candidates for Cook County Board President attended a debate hosted by The Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA). It was filmed by Chicago’s ABC News.

In attendance were Republican candidate, John Garrido, current Democrat incumbent Todd Stroger, Democrats Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, and Metro Water Reclam. Dist. Pres. Terrence O’Brien, as well as Green Party candidate Tom Tresser.

Sadly, Republican candidate Roger Keats did not participate. Also not attending were Democrats Dorothy Brown, and Danny Davis — likely because Davis has not yet officially announced his candidacy. Also not attending was Greenie Sean Burke.
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Video: Cook County Board Presidents Candidate Debate”


Steve Rauschenberg: Why is Ill. 46th in Job Creation?

Steve Rauschenberg (R, Elgin) is talking jobs for the Illinois economy. Rauschengerger says in his new video, “For Illinois to have a strong future we need strong job growth in Illinois and today we don’t have it.”

Steve Rauschenberger is running to regain his old Senate seat in the 22nd District which encompasses part of DuPage County and western Cook County.

(Cross posted at RedCounty.com)


Jobs, Education Highlight State GOP Debate

From the Kirk Dillard camp:

(Chicago, IL) – Jobs, healthcare, education and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln highlighted Thursday’s debate among the Republican candidates for Illinois governor. The debate was sponsored by the Illinois State Republican Party and held in Chicago.

Senator Kirk Dillard championed his “Destination Economy” plan to attract new business to the state. “It will be the most ambitious job creation plan in state history,” he said, reminding the audience one out of every 10 Illinois workers is out of a job.

Dillard also suggested healthcare would be part of his budget reforms in Springfield if elected governor. “My first budget will have a bad dose of medicine for Medicaid,” said Dillard, talking about some of the places he will look for significant budget cuts. Other areas include the state pension system. “We need pension reform,” he said.
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Jobs, Education Highlight State GOP Debate”


Union Violates Free Speech, the Right to Vote and Smashes Common American Democracy

-By Warner Todd Huston

There’s not much that union supporters and I can agree upon. But here is one incident where I can wholeheartedly support the aggrieved members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) who have found themselves victims of their own union.

The SEIU wanted to renegotiate a contract with officials of Sonoma County, California for its in-home healthcare workers supported by county funds. SEIU representatives met with and crafted a new contract with the assistance of County officials. This was all done behind closed doors without the general knowledge of or the assistance of the workers themselves.

But that isn’t the main problem here. It’s how the contract was approved that shows how little the SEIU cares for democracy, member’s rights, and the American way.
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Union Violates Free Speech, the Right to Vote and Smashes Common American Democracy”