Carnival Shell Game with Illinois State Pensions

From the office of State Senator Chris Lauzen (25th District)…

On November 4, 2010, all State Senators were called to Springfield ostensibly to vote on a $4B proposal to pay into state employee pension plans. The Democrat leadership had a political caucus off-site, but no vote was taken on the important fiscal matter, nor any other substantive issue.

Last year I believed Governor Quinn’s promise that he would spend approximately $3.5 Billion in borrowed funds wisely and, incredibly (for me), I voted “yes” to give him broad borrowing and spending authority. Unfortunately, that promise was broken and nearly all of that debt was used to pay for public employee pension deposits, while our schools languished and social service agencies were decimated.

Fool me once, shame on you – – fool me twice shame on me.

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Carnival Shell Game with Illinois State Pensions”


Blago Calling Emanuel In Next Trial?

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rod Blagojevich is saying he fully intends to bring Rahm Emanuel into court as a witness in the next phase of his corruption trial.

“Rahm is going to be a central witness in this case for us,” Blago told Fox News Chanel commentator Geraldo Rivera.

Geraldo wondered if this would be a major distraction for Rahm Emanuel next year as he runs for mayor as the second Blago trial will be occurring at the same time as the mayoral contest.

This is one thing that could portend trouble for an Emanuel run for City Hall. Of course, Emanuel has to get past the charge of non-residency and the perception that he is a carpetbagger from Washington, too. But… you know…

Anyway, if you want to watch a master of desperate spin, heeeeeeres Rod:

It most certainly will be interesting, though, to have a major candidate for mayor who is in the middle of a campaign for City Hall to be dragooned into a corruption trial. If the other candidates for mayor don’t press Emanuel to answer to just how much of Blago’s corruption Rahm knew about, when he knew it and how much of it he was involved in — and by extension the president himself — they don’t deserve to be on the ballot themselves!

Lastly, there is something amusing about a Chicago Mayor in a corruption imbroglio before he even gets elected, too. If that isn’t a typically Chicago mess, what is?
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Blago Calling Emanuel In Next Trial?”


Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea

From Congressman Peter Roskam…

Joins His father, a Korean War Veteran, At President Obama’s Remarks to Troops at Yongsan Garrison

SEOUL, Korea, Nov 11 – Congressman Peter Roskam issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:

“It is a privilege to be in Korea today with my father on the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War – a war which he fought bravely in to preserve freedom and halt the advance of Communism. My father, V.R. Roskam, has received an outpouring of thanks and appreciation from Koreans everywhere we’ve visited the last week. It’s a powerful lesson: the sacrifices our men and women in the Armed Forces have made to preserve freedom in almost every corner of the globe, even decades later, are not forgotten. The bustling capital city of Seoul, home to 12 million people, is testament to the generations of Americans who have helped ensure the existence of whole nations of free people.
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Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea”


iPetitions for IL State Senate Appointments

From the Homer/Lockport Tea Party

Below are links to iPetitions supporting two candidates seeking appointments to open IL state senator positions.

The two candidates are:

Rafael Rivadeneira for State Senator (to replace Dan Cronin – 21st District) – Petition to Support John Bambenek

Both of these gentlemen are true conservatives and have spoken at many tea party events.
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iPetitions for IL State Senate Appointments”


Senator Kirk Already on Track to Vote Against GOP Interests

-By Warner Todd Huston

I said it during the primary, Mark Kirk is a 45 percenter. His record in the House pretty much shows that he will only vote with Republicans 45 percent of the time if left to his druthers. True to my worst fears, Kirk seems to be right on track with my predictions. The man hasn’t even taken his seat yet and many are assuming he’ll support one of the Democrat’s favorite issues: the DISCLOSE Act.

The Hill is reporting that Kirk is coming under pressure by the left to vote “yes” on a watered down version of the DISCLOSE Act, ostensibly a campaign finance reform law. The Hill also correctly points out that Kirk has in the past been a proponent of changes in campaign finance rules even as he voted against the Democrat’s DISCLOSE Act in the run up to the election.
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Senator Kirk Already on Track to Vote Against GOP Interests”


Highlights of Illinois GOP Chair Brady’s Conference Call

-By Warner Todd Huston

Earlier today the Chairman of the Illinois GOP conducted a conference call with the media and other interested folks concerning the Illinois GOP’s plans and thoughts on the coming election. Here are some of the highlights of what Pat Brady said…

“The visit today says more about Alexi’s weakness as a candidate than anything. Let’s take a little look at the history here. Alexi Giannoulias was the fourth choice of the Democrat Party… He was not the enthusiastic choice, by any means, of the Democrats here in the state…
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Highlights of Illinois GOP Chair Brady’s Conference Call”


Obama Justice Dept. Denies Military Vote, Blames GOP

-By Warner Todd Huston

The head of the Obama Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Tom Perez, admitted this week that he has no real intention of trying to assure that members of our military are afforded their right to vote, and will not attempt in a timely fashion to enforce the MOVE Act (Military and Overseas Voter Empower Act) intended to make sure that our soldiers get their ballots with time enough to return them so that they can be counted on election day.

Perez made a very weak pledge that the Dept. of Justice would, “continue to vigilantly enforce [the] law” to make sure the military votes are counted, but he made it clear that all he is prepared to do is sue states long after the November 2 elections are over. In other words, Perez is saying that the DOJ will sue states after the election, long after the votes go uncounted and our soldier’s votes are essentially taken away from them.
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Obama Justice Dept. Denies Military Vote, Blames GOP”


Dan Patlak’s Second Radio Spot Released‏

From the Patlak for Cook County Board of Review campaign (suburban Cook County)…

On Tuesday we released our second radio commercial which highlights the fact that Commissioner Brendan Houlihan has worked full time at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for his entire term in office and rarely appears at the Board of Review while collecting approximately $500,000 in salary and benefits in the past four years from county taxpayers. Taxpayers have a right to ask whether this abrogation of responsibility by Mr. Houlihan contributed to:

1. The record delay in issuing tax bills which will now arrive after the election and right before Thanksgiving.
2. His failure to fulfill his campaign promise to provide on-line appeals (for which he was roundly criticized by the Tribune Editorial Board).
3. Whether he could have prevented the scandal involving manipulation of Board decisions on behalf of contributors to a Schaumburg area Democratic state representative.

Dan has pledged to work full-time as a commissioner at the Board of Review and will resign his part-time position as Wheeling Township Assessor.

Please forward this e-mail to anyone you think might be interested in how one of our Cook County elected officials has been performing his duties over the past four years.

http://www.electpatlak.com
http://www.twitter.com/DanPatlak
http://www.facebook.com/DanPatlak


October Surprise: Seal Endorses Robert Dold

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

Winnetka, IL – Tenth District Congressional candidate Robert Dold launched a new upbeat ad today titled “Seals for Dold”. The 30-second spot features a talking seal that takes a humorous look at opponent Dan Seals. The ad highlights the fact that Seals still doesn’t live in the 10th District despite three bids for Congress, and that he supports destructive fiscal policies that will hurt the economy and hamper job growth.

The ad was created by Chicago-based agency, First Tuesday, which is also the maker of the catchy “Dold With A ‘D’” ad, a light-hearted play on Dold’s last name.


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October Surprise: Seal Endorses Robert Dold”


Desperate Illinois Democrats Dirty Trick: Funding Mailers for Third Party Candidate to Spite Kirk

-By Warner Todd Huston

You know that the Democrats are desperate when they pay thousands of their own campaign dollars in order to print and mail fliers touting the candidacy of another party’s Senate candidate! That’s what happened in downstate Illinois where the Democrat Party spent thousands of its own campaign money to print and mail fliers for Libertarian Senate candidate Mike Labno in order to stir conservatives against GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk.

Rich Miller has scans of the flier HERE.

Now, it’s not a cut-and-dried case of misrepresentation exactly. After all, on the back of the flier they have clearly noted in a small notation that the ad was paid for by the Lake County Democrat Party. But nowhere else on the ad does it allude to the Democrats and the flier seems as if it is a legit Libertarian Party mailing. So call it mildly deceptive at best.

But it is clear that this is a Democrat dirty trick regardless. That the Democrat Party would fund a flier for a completely different party is telling. The Democrats know that Alexi is a horrible candidate and is behind in the polls. This is a desperate move to shave off some of Kirk’s votes.
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Desperate Illinois Democrats Dirty Trick: Funding Mailers for Third Party Candidate to Spite Kirk”


Hultgren Comes Out on Top at Kendall County Farm Bureau Forum

From the Hultgren for Congress campaign (14th District)…

ST. CHARLES – The Randy Hultgren for Congress campaign issued the following statement tonight after Hultgren again proved himself the best candidate to represent the 14th District at tonight’s Kendall County Farm Bureau candidates’ forum.

“At tonight’s forum, as in every joint appearance with Congressman Foster, Randy clearly articulated his philosophy of smaller, smarter government and contrasted it with Congressman Foster’s dedicated and unwavering support for Nancy Pelosi’s agenda of taxes, spending, and job-killing red tape,” said John Cooney, Hultgren for Congress campaign manager. “14th District residents understand that Randy shares their common sense Midwestern values and will fight for them and for fiscal sanity in Washington, DC.”

http://hultgrenforcongress.com/


Chicago Tribune Calls Out Dan Seals for Misleading Voters‏

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

As you probably read today, the Chicago Tribune called on Dan Seals and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to stop the false attack ads against his Pro-Choice stance. The ads, both running on TV and found on flyers mailed to voters across the District, seek to scare and intimidate women claiming Bob wants to criminalize a woman’s right to choose. Bob has always been Pro-Choice and respects a woman’s right to choose.

The editorial stated, “We are not impressed that Seals would give voters false ideas about his opponent’s views on abortion. Not impressed at all. He and the DCCC should drop these very misleading ads.”
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Chicago Tribune Calls Out Dan Seals for Misleading Voters‏”


Newspapers From Every Corner of Illinois Endorse Brady!

From the Brady for Ill. Governor campaign…

From every part of the state, the message is clear. This weekend, at least five more newspapers endorsed Bill from every section of Illinois.

The Decatur Herald-Review says Bill “wants to create jobs in the state and understands that in order to do that, the state will need to become more business-friendly.” The Southern says Bill will “veto reckless spending by the General Assembly, stop the creation of needless programs and get Illinois back on the path to fiscal sanity.”
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Newspapers From Every Corner of Illinois Endorse Brady!”


Reason #13 to Vote Out Phil Hare

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

Reason #13: Despite record deficits, Phil Hare believes there has been deficit reduction on his watch.

EAST MOLINE, IL–The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign unveiled the 13th reason in their “20 Reasons to Vote Out Phil Hare” series. The series focuses on Phil Hare’s record and explains why he does not deserve re-election. The campaign will release one reason per day up until the election.

Reason #13 to Vote Phil Hare Out of Office: Despite record deficits, Phil Hare believes there has been deficit reduction on his watch.
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Reason #13 to Vote Out Phil Hare”


NO on Justice Kilbride: $1.25 Million Dollars

From JUSTPAC…

That’s how much cash Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride’s campaign has received from the Illinois Democratic Party.

He’s used much of that money to pay for slick TV ads and direct mail pieces to cover up his record of siding with criminals over victims and law enforcement.

Now it’s our turn to tell the truth.
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NO on Justice Kilbride: $1.25 Million Dollars”


MONEYBOMB: Bill Brady 4 Governor (Let’s win back Blago’s seat!)

From the Midwest Regional College Republicans…

Send a message to Barack Obama (and the party of Rod Blagojevich + the “Chicago Way”)!!

Give anything you can, to help us across the finish line, to VICTORY!!

CONTRIBUTE to Brady for Illinois

It’s now only ONE WEEK till the big day!

Of all the State Governors in the country, none has been more infamous, within the past couple years, as the now-impeached (and indicted!) Governor of Illinois. The “Chicago Way” has clearly crippled our state, through the years – and is doing the same, at the national level, as well!
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MONEYBOMB: Bill Brady 4 Governor (Let’s win back Blago’s seat!)”


Gov. Quinn Pays Off Union for Votes… Again

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Association of African American Transporters told Governor Pat Quinn that they’d mount a no-to-Quinn campaign if he didn’t pay the back bills owed them by the state. And now, despite the fact that other vendors are still not getting paid and the State is practically bankrupt, the CAAAT has suddenly found all its past bills paid by Quinn’s government.

It sure is pretty convenient that this union miraculously found its bills paid by Quinn just when they threatened to mount a campaign against his reelection, isn’t it?
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Gov. Quinn Pays Off Union for Votes… Again”


(Illinois) Rosemont Center Hosts Anti-‘Islampphobia’ Event

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois is hosting a pro-Islam event that intends to stop the “Islamophobia” going on across the U.S.A.

A coalition of Chicago-area Muslim groups organized the event held at the convention center in order to combat “hate” they see being leveled against Muslims in America. This is interesting in that the FBI “hate crime” statistics (2008 report, table 1) do not show much of that “hate” going on in comparison to the crimes being perpetrated against other religions.
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(Illinois) Rosemont Center Hosts Anti-‘Islampphobia’ Event”


Black Professionals of Illinois Endorse Senator Bill Brady for Governor of Illinois

From Black Professionals of Illinois…

CHICAGO – Illinois is the laughing stock of the country with its “pay to play” politics and corrupt politicians. The Black Professionals of Illinois want to see this state back on the right track. To do so, we need a governor who is unafraid to stand up against “business as usual” and who will act in the best interest of the people of Illinois .

“The Facebook organization, ‘Black Professionals of Illinois,’ is supporting Sen. Bill Brady, not only for his business experience, legislative choices, and solid work ethic; but, also for his plan to put Illinois back on the right track,” said Gianno Caldwell, Director and co founder of the Black Professionals of Illinois.
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Black Professionals of Illinois Endorse Senator Bill Brady for Governor of Illinois”


Hultgren Campaign Urges TV Stations to Stop Running Dishonest Foster Ad

From the Hultgren for Congress campaign (14th District)…

ST. CHARLES – The Randy Hultgren for Congress campaign today sent a letter to Chicago-area TV stations, informing them that they are not required to air dishonest television advertisements paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“Today’s letter to the four stations informs them that the DCCC’s advertisement intentionally and knowingly deceives viewers about Randy’s status as the only anti-tax candidate in this race, and reminds them that they are under no obligation to run the ad,” said campaign manager John Cooney. “The stations also have an obligation to their viewers, per the Federal Communications Commission, to protect the public from false, misleading deceptive advertising, and the ad in question is all three. Rather than touting Congressman Foster’s record of supporting Nancy Pelosi 93% of the time in Washington, the DCCC has instead chosen to knowingly distort Randy’s record and position on the issues that matter to constituents.”
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Hultgren Campaign Urges TV Stations to Stop Running Dishonest Foster Ad”


Watch Our New Ad: Re-elect Tony Peraica

From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…

Last Chance to Vote Early Ends Thursday

Please click here to watch our new ad and remember to vote early or on November 2.

Early Voting and Vote by Mail end this Thursday, October 28. That’s right — there are only a few days left to avoid the long lines. Vote at your convenience by voting early at a number of locations throughout Cook County until Thursday, October 28.
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Watch Our New Ad: Re-elect Tony Peraica”


Former IL Governor Jim Edgar Endorses Bobby Schilling And Debates Wednesday

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

Gov. Edgar: Schilling will “benefit our country”

EAST MOLINE, IL–Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar has endorsed Bobby Schilling in his run for Congress in the Illinois 17th District. Edgar was governor from 1991-1999, and under his stewardship, Illinois achieved smaller government and a budget surplus. Known as a pragmatist and an independent thinker, Edgar says he believes Bobby Schilling is built in the same mold.

“Bobby Schilling will stand for greater fiscal responsibility in Washington and bring an effective managerial style that will benefit our country,” Edgar said. “His belief in fiscal responsibility, focus on jobs, and passion to serve will benefit families in Illinois. Our state has been through some tough years, but I am confident that Bobby’s background as a small business owner and a family man will make him a great representative for the people in the Illinois 17th District.”

Bobby Schilling said he was honored to have Gov. Edgar’s endorsement.
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Former IL Governor Jim Edgar Endorses Bobby Schilling And Debates Wednesday”


Democrat Teacher Can’t Believe Kids Would Vote For Republican

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last week I spied a short piece at Illinois Review about a post on My Suburban Life that detailed the story of a left-wing teacher that was shocked that a majority of her students in DuPage County, Illinois voted for Republican Representative Peter Roskam in the school’s mock election.

Social studies teacher Lori Keough of Glenbard High School found herself flummoxed that her students voted for every Democrat on the fake ballot but Representative Roskam, a Republican. Glenbard High is situated in Roskam’s 6th legislative district.

Students picked Republican Peter Roskam for the 6th district, with 52 percent of the vote, compared to Democrat Benjamin Lowe, who brought in 44 percent. For the other elections, students mainly voted for Democrats.

Social studies teacher Lori Keough was surprised by yesterday’s results.

“Just because DuPage County is so Republican, I was shocked that Democrats won every single race except for Roskam,” she said. “It shows in general that students are learning on their own and making decisions on their own and not going with what their parents think.”

You just have to laugh at this blinkered assumption that left-wing teacher Keough had here. So the kids didn’t make decisions just “going with what their parents think” but agreed with her that all Democrats should be elected… and as far as she is concerned her indoctrination of students is evidence of students “learning on their own” but if kids went with their parent’s ideas, why they are not “learning on their own.”
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Democrat Teacher Can’t Believe Kids Would Vote For Republican”


Chicago’s Ricky Hendon: Racebaiting Creep Du Jour

-By Warner Todd Huston

While introducing Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Pat Quinn at a West Side get-out-the-vote rally held at the New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church State Senator Ricky Hendon decided the pulpit was a good place from which to indulge his inner racist.

The Chicago Trib notes that Hendon started calling Bill Brady all manner of names as Gov. Quinn stood right behind the man.

“Let me tell you a couple things. I’ve served with Bill Brady. I’ve never served with such an idiotic, racist, sexist, homophobic person in my life,” Hendon told the crowd. “If you think that the minimum wage needs to be $3 an hour, vote for Bill Brady. If you think that women have no rights whatsoever except to have his children, vote for Bill Brady. If you think gay and lesbian people need to be locked up and shot in the head, vote for Bill Brady.”

I supposed you have to hand it to Hendon, he’s got brass ones. Most of these racebaiters don’t have the courage to do this right in front of their enemies (by enemies, I mean ALL white people). Usually they only act the cretin in front of a friendly crowd and without the white devil in attendance. But Hendon let it all hang out no matter who was in the room. There’s no account for decorum, civility or even truth where this racbaiting creep goes, for sure.
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Chicago’s Ricky Hendon: Racebaiting Creep Du Jour”


Reason #12 to Vote Out Phil Hare

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

Reason #12: Phil Hare was ranked 404th out of 435 Members of the House in effectiveness.

EAST MOLINE, IL–The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign unveiled the 12th reason in their “20 Reasons to Vote Out Phil Hare” series. The series focuses on Phil Hare’s record and explains why he does not deserve re-election. The campaign will release one reason per day up until the election.

Reason #12 to Vote Phil Hare Out of Office: Phil Hare was ranked 404th out of 435 Members of the House in effectiveness.
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Reason #12 to Vote Out Phil Hare”


Reason #11 to Vote Out Phil Hare

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

Reason #11: Phil Hare can’t stop spending our money

EAST MOLINE, IL–The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign unveiled the eleventh reason in their “20 Reasons to Vote Out Phil Hare” series. The series focuses on Phil Hare’s record and explains why he does not deserve re-election. The campaign will release one reason per day up until the election.

Reason #11 to Vote Phil Hare Out of Office: Phil Hare can’t stop spending our money.
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Reason #11 to Vote Out Phil Hare”


Former ACORN Worker Justifies Preventing Pledge of Allegiance at Illinois Candidate Debate

-By Warner Todd Huston

Thanks to Jeff Dunetz at Yid With Lid we have found out that a former ACORN worker turned director of the League of Women Voters has been heard justifying actions of the debate moderator who tried to prevent the audience at an 8th District candidate debate from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance last week.

As the debate began someone in the crowd yelled out asking if they were going to start the night’s activities with the pledge. The moderator of the debate nixed the idea saying “no we are not.” Then when the crowd expressed its shock and dismay she said “excuse me,” and “it has never been part of…” at which time she was interrupted by the entire crowd reciting the pledge anyway.

For days the controversy has raged since the October 20 debate where debate moderator Kathy Tate-Bradish tried to prevent the people from reciting the pledge. Then on Oct. 22, there was an outrageous story that Executive Director Jan Czarnik of the League of Women Voters was lambasting the pledge controversy as a stunt set up by GOP candidate Joe Walsh and an example of “phony patriotism.”

So the LWV thinks reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is “phony patriotism,” eh?

Disgusting.
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Former ACORN Worker Justifies Preventing Pledge of Allegiance at Illinois Candidate Debate”


A Break for ‘Mob Banker,’ Feds Releasing Report After Election

-By Warner Todd Huston

It must be nice to be an Obama insider like Democrat Senate candidate Alexi “The Mob Banker” Giannoulias is. Obama’s FDIC is obviously in his corner, it seems. After all, the FDIC decided to wait until after the election is over to release its report on the failure of Giannoulias’s family bank.

So, Giannoulias might possibly be safely elected to the Senate before the results of any embarrassing investigations into his culpability for the bank failure are released.

Yep, must be nice to have basketball partners in high places.
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A Break for ‘Mob Banker,’ Feds Releasing Report After Election”


Hultgren Endorsed by the NRA/Comment on Unemployment Figures

From the Hultgren for Congress campaign (14th District)…

ST. CHARLES – The Randy Hultgren for Congress campaign issued the following statement today regarding Hultgren’s endorsement by the National Rifle Association, a national organization with more than 21,000 members in the 14th Congressional District.

“The National Rife Association is among the nation’s most respected and influential sportsmen’s organizations, and has always been an outspoken defender of our Second Amendment rights; I am proud and honored to have received their endorsement,” said Randy Hultgren. “I’ve fought to defend the Second Amendment rights of Illinoisans in Springfield, and I look forward to fighting for the Second Amendment rights of all Illinoisans in Washington, DC.”
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Hultgren Endorsed by the NRA/Comment on Unemployment Figures”


Chicago Tea Party Commercial: I’m Voting for Liberty

From the Chicago Tea Party…

“Washington needs to know that THEY work for US, we don’t work for them…”

With all the attacks against the tea party before the election, we wanted to show everyone what people in the movement are really like. We also wanted to encourage everyone to talk to their neighbors and urge them to vote. Thank you to Nicole (and Liam), Bob, Jill, Jermaine, Amanda, C.J., Julie and Gary for appearing in the commercial. They did a fantastic job.

Chicago: http://teapartychicago.org
Illinois: http://teapartypatriots.org