An Interview With Jim Dodge, Candidate for Illinois Comptroller

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois Primary is coming on fast and furious and voting day, February 2, will be on us before we know it. In fact, it’ll be on us before most voters even understand it’s happening. Because of the urgency of the coming election, I have been able to snag a few interviews with various candidates and will endeavor to get a few more in before the Feb 2 primary. Here is one I did just before Christmas with Comptroller candidate Jim Dodge.

Jim Dodge is currently a trustee on the Orland Park Township Board serving in that position for the past 13 years. In Orland he chairs committees such as the Finance/IT and Recreation board as well as the Public Works and Economic Development boards. He was once vice-chair of the Cook County chapter of Ill. Young Republicans and in 1994 was elected Chairman of the Orland Township Republican Organization. His full bio can be seen here: http://jimdodge2010.com/?page_id=2. His campaign website is /jimdodge2010.com.

I began with the sort of question that can sometimes throw a candidate off guard. Some may recall that in 1980 Teddy Kennedy was asked this question and he so badly muffed it that it is thought it materially hurt his chances to beat out Jimmy Carter for the Democrat Party nomination for president then. The question is “why do you want to run for this position?” I must say, Dodge answered the question well.
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An Interview With Jim Dodge, Candidate for Illinois Comptroller”


Illinois’ Petition Challenge Buffoonery

-By Warner Todd Huston

I’ve mentioned the idiotic practice of petition challenges here in the Illinois electoral process several times in the past and the Chicago Reader just had a great piece by Ben Joravsky that really does a fine job highlighting some of the foolishness that goes on with these challenges.

Joravsky highlights the theater of the absurd that is Illinois petition challenges with two different challenges, one that was beaten back and one that wasn’t, and it reveals the total unfairness of the process with the fact that the whole thing is really little else but a corrupt incumbent protection racket.

The first one featured is the challenge that Deb Mell faced when she filed her petitions claiming that she was registered to vote at what she was claiming was her main place of residence. It turns out, however, she does not live where her registration says she does. This seemed a clear violation of election laws.
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Illinois’ Petition Challenge Buffoonery”


8th Dist. Candidate Joe Walsh: Obama’s Homeland Security Sec. Revealed ‘Shocking Level of Naivete’

From the Walsh for Congress campaign…

Illinois 8th District Congressional candidate Joe Walsh says Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has revealed a shocking level of naivete that provides legitimate reason to question her ability to protect our nation. “Secretary Napolitano’s comments and actions following the failed Christmas Day terrorist bombing reveal genuine reasons to doubt her ability to protect America from a shrewd, inventive enemy.”

Joe Walsh continued, saying, “Americans of all political ideologies are justified in doubting Napolitano’s experience and competence. Her lack of accountability is shocking and we deserve an explanation.” As a life-long advocate for limited government and a vibrant private sector, Joe Walsh intends to be a loud, forceful voice for his constituents. Joe was born and raised in the heart of the Eighth District, growing up in a family of nine children. He and his wife Helene together have five children.
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8th Dist. Candidate Joe Walsh: Obama’s Homeland Security Sec. Revealed ‘Shocking Level of Naivete’”


We Choose Dan Patlak for Cook Board of Review — Sean Morrison is NO Republican

-By Warner Todd Huiston

Fran Eaton has a very good bit of reporting in the SouthTown Star this week about the controversy over the claim by candidate Sean Morrison that he is a Republican. Morrison is running in the primary as a Republican for the Cook County Board of Review and faces Dan Patlak of Wheeling.

As Eaton notes, however, this Morrison fellow has rarely voted as a Republican and, while he’s donated to the National GOP, he’s also donated thousands of dollars to Illinois Democrats. So how is this guy a sudden candidate for Republicans?

Morrison claims he’s always been a Republican and has only donated to local Democrats because where he lives a “viable Republican organization did not exist.” He also claimed he donated to Democrats because of his business interests. Morrison is CEO of Alsip-based Morrison Security.

Eaton diplomatically ends her piece expressing that she still has “questions about Morrison,” but I don’t think I’ll be as gentle. Morrison is no Republican, never was, and is obviously a Democrat plant meant to try and ace Dan Patlak out of his nomination.
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We Choose Dan Patlak for Cook Board of Review — Sean Morrison is NO Republican”


Dillard Blasts Quinn Over Prison Early Release Program

From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign…

What did he know and when did he know it?

Republican candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard today called on Governor Quinn to come clean and tell the truth about his secret program that released inmates from prison early. According to a hastily arranged announcement, the Quinn administration acknowledges that 64 former inmates have allegedly committed new crimes, some violent, since the Administration ordered the secret release without notifying victims or law enforcement. New crimes include assault, domestic violence, and firearm possession by a felon.
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Dillard Blasts Quinn Over Prison Early Release Program”


Dodge Campaign: What Is Kelly Crying About?

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Tuesday, the William Kelly for Comptroller campaign issued a press release demanding that State GOP leaders denounce the candidacy of his rival for Comptroller, Jim Dodge. Kelly was exercised over the “smear tactics” that he claimed that the Dodge campaign was employing to best Kelly at the polls. All of this hullabaloo caused the Dodge campaign to wonder, with no little amusement, what Kelly was “crying about”?

After the ruckus that was raised by another quixotic candidate, that one being Senate candidate Andy Martin, who launched radio commercials outing one of his rivals as a homosexual, the State GOP denounced the outrageous behavior in the ads. This party sponsored denouncement prompted Kelly to call for a similar denouncement of his own rival in his race for comptroller.

Kelly’s press release said that with the aid of well known Chicago conservative activist Jack Roeser the Dodge campaign was engaged in a “smear campaign,” and cited the passing around of some video clips of Kelly’s late TV sports show as an example.
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Dodge Campaign: What Is Kelly Crying About?”


Comptroller: Kelly Calls on Ill. GOP to Disavow Opponent Dodge’s ‘Smear Tactics’

From the William Kelly for Comptroller campaign…

William J. Kelly, Republican candidate for comptroller, is calling on Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady to disavow the candidacy of Jim Dodge and his campaign’s smear tactics.

“I am the only true outsider reform candidate for Illinois comptroller with no government contracts. That is why I am more than willing to open the books and expose the insider deals That is the reason why one of my primary opponents has been engaging in a smear campaign to prevent me from winning the Republican primary for Illinois comptroller. He has been doing this with the help of Carpentersville businessman Jack Roeser, who was recently been named by news reports as part of the smear campaign against U.S. Senate candidate, Rep. Mark Kirk. That is why we are calling on Illinois Republican party chairman Pat Brady to disavow Jim Dodge and his smear campaign against me,” said Kelly.
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Comptroller: Kelly Calls on Ill. GOP to Disavow Opponent Dodge’s ‘Smear Tactics’”


Dillard Campaign: Reminder That Absentee Voting Begins

From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign:

With just 35 days left until the Primary Election Day, the Dillard for Governor Team is in full swing, leading the with most aggressive grassroots operation throughout the entire state! I have been extremely encouraged by the enthusiastic reception my television ad featuring former governor Jim Edgar has received. The faith and confidence my friend and mentor has in my candidacy is both a very humbling experience and a tremendous responsibility.

Republicans finally have an opportunity to elect a candidate who can win the Governor’s office in 2010. Chicago Magazine said I am a Republican who can win a general election — but I need your help!
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Dillard Campaign: Reminder That Absentee Voting Begins”


Senate Candidate Andy Martin Draws Fire for Homosexual Accusations

-By Warner Todd Huston

Perennial Illinois candidate Andy Martin has done it again. This time Martin has launched a series of radio commercials for his Senate candidacy accusing Representative Mark Kirk (R, Ill) of being a homosexual. The commercials have resulted in a rare rebuke from the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Pat Brady.

In his commercial Martin claims that Raymond True, a well known Republican from Lake County, Ill., once said that Kirk is a homosexual and that he, True, knows Kirk “pretty well.” Presumably Martin is using Ray True’s quote to confirm Kirk’s sexual proclivities. For his par Mr. True told the State GOP Chairman that he denies ever having said this to anyone.

“Mr. Martin did not contact me in any way before making his announcement. The comments attributed to me are completely false. I request through the media that Andy Martin cease and desist from making any additional statements that are incorrectly attributed to me.”

Chairman Pat Brady issued a rebuke of Martin in short order.

“The Illinois Republican Party disavows the statements made today by Mr. Andrew Martin in his statewide radio advertisements. His statements today are consistent with his history of bizarre behavior and often times hate-filled speech which has no place in the Illinois Republican Party. Mr. Martin will no longer be recognized as a legitimate Republican Candidate by the Illinois Republican Party.”

I have to say, this is not cricket as far as I am concerned. Martin should be excoriated for this foolishness. Republicans should not be in a habit of “outing” other Republicans. Sexual proclivities should not be a subject of discussion between candidates, even rival ones and they most assuredly should not form any part of a candidate’s campaign commercials.
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Senate Candidate Andy Martin Draws Fire for Homosexual Accusations”


Jim Dodge for Comptroller: Why the Democrats Want Judy to Win

The Dodge campaign has fun detailing the huge pension that rival Comptroller candidate Judy Baar Topinka already gets even before she might become Comptroller. It’s over 160 thousand dollars! Dodge also points out that Topinka’s claim to be scandal free is not as it seems.


Apparently, Being Dem Means Not Having to Pay Rent

-By Warner Todd Huston

Long time Democratic Chicago Pol Monique Davis hasn’t paid the rent for her offices since 2002. Apparently it doesn’t matter either. After all, she’s a Chicago Democrat and the rules real people have to live by don’t apply to a Chicago Democrat.

And like a true Democrat Davis is blaming everyone else. It isn’t her fault, you see. Remember the scene close to the end of the Blues Brothers where Jake Blues (John Belushi) was on his knees in the sewer pleading with Carrie Fisher not to kill him? Jake Blues told his jilted and angry lover, “I ran out of gas, I had a flat tire, I didn’t have enough money for cab fare, my tux didn’t come back from the cleaners, an old friend came in from out of town, someone stole my car, there was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locusts…. it wasn’t my fault I SWEAR TO GOD!” Yeah, it’s just like that.

Davis doesn’t deny that she owes the Chicago School Board back-rent for her office space totaling over $75,000. But she also owes taxes of some $157,500 and about $287,000 in penalties. SHe has an excuse, of course.
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Apparently, Being Dem Means Not Having to Pay Rent”


38 Days Until the Primary In Illinois — A Web Resource

-By Warner Todd Huston

Just a reminder, folks. Since Illinois moved its primary up… waaaaay up … we are only 38 days away from primary voting which begins on Feb. 2!

That’s right, folks, 38 days to make up your mind about for which candidate you’ll vote for the GOP nomination for every office up for grabs in 2010.

So, once again, here are the websites of the state-wide offices and the local offices up for election in this mid term season.

U.S. Senate

John Arrington – arringtonforsenate.com
Patrick Hughes – patrickhughesforsenate.com
Mark Kirk – kirkforsenate.com
Tom Kuna – w-e-r-co.com
Don Lowery – judgelowery4ussenate.com
Andy Martin – andyforussenator.com
Kathleen Thomas – kathleenthomasforsenate.org
Ed Varga – e-varga.com
Eric Wallace – wallaceforillinois.com
Robert Zadek – robertzadek.com
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38 Days Until the Primary In Illinois — A Web Resource”


Chgo. Mayor Daley’s Bro Pleads for Dems to Return to Center

-By Warner Todd Huston

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother, William, is warning the Democratic Party that it is going too far left and will end up “in the wilderness” in 2010. William Daley has been a longtime political operative that has been connected with the Clintons for many years but that doesn’t make him an extremist lefty, apparently… at least in his opinion.

Daley wrote an op ed for the Washington Post today where he warns that the Democratic Party is in danger of going over the leftwing cliff.

With the revelation that Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama is jumping the sinking Dem. ship and has declared that he is now a Republican and with the several Dems retiring from Congress, Daley warns that all the centrists are running away from the party and that will cause it to lose future elections.

In fact, he’s sure its too late to prevent major loses in 2010. He warns that if the party doesn’t return to the center they will lose more than just the next election.
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Chgo. Mayor Daley’s Bro Pleads for Dems to Return to Center”


The Good News About Springfield, Merry Christmas

A Christmas message from Adam Andrzejewski, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor:

In the coming weeks, you’ll most likely share time with friends and family to celebrate Christmas—an end-of-year festival tradition rooted in the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This Christmas, I encourage you to give yourself an extra moment of pause to take inventory of the blessings that have been bestowed upon you by our Creator.

I also encourage you to remember the brave men and women who risk their lives to forge our great nation, and those who have paid the ultimate price for Freedom in America.

It is quite likely that someone you know—a family member or a neighbor—perhaps even yourself, has been laid off and dealt with challenging circumstances as a result. In Illinois, the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, our former governor’s impeachment still looms in recent memory, and our state is hemorrhaging money from a massive budget deficit. In spite of the dark cloud overhead, I encourage you to give thanks and celebrate Our Lord’s birth with rejoicing. And I’d like to suggest there is good news in the New Year. I submit to you that there is good news about Springfield.
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The Good News About Springfield, Merry Christmas”


Idiot We Call Senator Makes Fool of Self

-By Warner Todd Huston

Seat warmer Roland Burris, the doddering Illinois pol that bought his Senate seat from the criminal Governor that now sits awaiting to be sent to jail wanted to give the Senate some good cheer today during the socialist helathcare debate.

Burrie thought maybe a poem would help bring the Senate together in its hour of bickering…

… so much for the congeniality of the Senate, eh? This creep thought he’d use the Christmas spirit for partisan name calling and vitriol.

What a jerk.

But my friend Moe Lane had a better version that trades tit for tat…
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Idiot We Call Senator Makes Fool of Self”


Gitmo Lawsuit Could block Thomson Prison Transfer By Feds

From the William Kelly for Comptroller campaign:

GOP Comptroller candidate Kelly’s Attorney Planning to File Class Action Suit for Public Endangerment

(STERLING, IL) – This afternoon, protesters from Band of Mothers and Illinois Tea Party gathered in Sterling, IL to protest the move to transfer the Gitmo detainees to Thomson Prison. Among them was William J. Kelly, the GOP candidate for comptroller. Kelly is planning to file a lawsuit to block the transfer of the Thomson prison site to the federal government to house the Gitmo detainees. Kelly’s attorney, Greg Johnson, is exploring the merits of a class action suit on the grounds of public endangerment to prevent the prisoner transfer. “The public risks associated with the continued detention of war prisoners should not be forced upon the citizens of Illinois without sufficient public input and acceptance,” said Johnson.
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Gitmo Lawsuit Could block Thomson Prison Transfer By Feds”


5th District — Quigley-backed Chicago handgun ban: Negligible results, still unconstitutional

5th District Congressional candidate David Ratowitz responds to Rep. Mike Quigley and Mayor Richard M. Daley’s December 19, 2009, Sun-Times op-ed, “Threat to city’s handgun ban jeopardizes safety of all.”

Rep. Mike Quigley’s December 19 Chicago Sun-Times op-ed piece in defense of Chicago’s unconstitutional ban on gun ownership for law-abiding citizens displays arrogance, disregard for the facts and extremist zeal.
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5th District — Quigley-backed Chicago handgun ban: Negligible results, still unconstitutional”


Illinois GOP ‘Searching’ For Relevancy

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois GOP tried on some “tongue-in-cheek” fun on its website this week concerning the mysterious candidacy of, “one Patrick John Ryan, who has filed as a Republican to run against Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan next year.”

The Illinois GOP has launched a sort of faux search for this supposed GOP candidate and have promised to support his candidacy. It’s all made in fun and to highlight that the Democrats are as underhanded as they are. Unfortunately, this bit of fun also highlights a very sad fact about the Illinois GOP: its impotency in Cook County.

Of course, it is pretty obvious that Illinois Democrats are a crafty, criminal lot. How is it that they can field a candidate pretending to be Republican, anyway? Why are they even doing it? As the GOP website points out, this Ryan fellow is a Democrat but has mysteriously shown up as a Republican candidate. It all tends to confirm the left’s reputation of being liars and crooks, of course.
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Illinois GOP ‘Searching’ For Relevancy”


8th District Candidates Forum Jan 7

From the Lake County News-Sun:

8TH DISTRICT: The Republican Clubs of Antioch, Avon, Grant and Lake Villa townships have scheduled an 8th Congressional District candidate’s forum 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Round Lake Park District, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lilian Golonka at (847) 395-1872 or Bob Powers at (847) 546-8557. Republican 8th District candidates on the Feb. 2 ballot are Christopher Geissler of Barrington, John Dawson of Barrington, Maria Rodriguez of Long Grove, Dirk Beveridge of Barrington, Gregory Jacobs of Mundelein and Joe Walsh of Winnetka. Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington is unopposed in the primary. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer of Lindenhurst is also running for the seat.

The Candidate’s Websites:


My Last Straw With Bob Schillerstrom for Governor

-By Warner Todd Huston

For the most part I want my writing, opining and reporting of the GOP field of candidates in Illinois to be relatively even handed. I have avoided too much high strung rhetoric and have not made any obvious endorsements because I want all of our Republican candidates to have this forum and to get their message to Illinois Republican voters. But I will not from this point forward be loaning my forum to Bob Schillerstrom in his quest for the GOP nomination for Governor.

There are some things with which I agree with Mr. Schilelrstrom. He is generally a fiscal conservative which is good. However, he is also a pro-abortion candidate and an anti-Constitutional rights candidate. These two things are enough for me to jettison any further reporting on his campaign.

The final straw comes for me with Schillerstrom’s announcement of getting endorsed by a radical abortion advocacy group, the Personal PAC. This group claims to be “bi-partisan” but is far from it.
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My Last Straw With Bob Schillerstrom for Governor”


Video: Chgo Trib Editorial Board Interview With GOP County Board Candidates

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune filmed its interview with two GOP candidates for Cook County Board Chairman, Roger Keats and John Garrido.

You can see he video on the Chicago Trib Video pages, or watch it here…
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Video: Chgo Trib Editorial Board Interview With GOP County Board Candidates”


Dillard Gets More Kane County Support

From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign…

Over the weekend, Republican candidate for Illinois governor Kirk Dillard won the endorsement of the St. Charles Township Republicans, expanding his support throughout Kane County.

“Senator Dillard’s leadership and plans to bring jobs to Illinois, balance the budget and clean up Springfield demonstrate he is the best candidate, and we are proud to endorse him,” said St. Charles Township Republican Chairman Ken Shepro. Dillard was also enthusiastic. “I’m delighted my friends in Kane County are backing my campaign, and it shows how my unique experience as former Governor Edgar’s chief of staff, my plan to make Illinois a “Destination Economy” and my legislative record are resonating with voters.”
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Dillard Gets More Kane County Support”


8th District: Joe Walsh Picks up Tea Party Groups Endorsement

From the Walsh for Congress campaign…

For Immediate Release: 8th Congressional District Candidate, Joe Walsh, is thrilled to announce the support of two influential Tea Party organizations in the 8th district — Tea Party Palatine and the Lake County Tea Party — in his run for congress. Two weeks ago Walsh was endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC.

“I am honored to have the support of two fine organizations comprised of selfless individuals who have chosen to engage in the political process rather than sit back and accept the status quo. These organizations and their memberships have ‘had enough’ and are working hard to take our country back,” said Walsh.
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8th District: Joe Walsh Picks up Tea Party Groups Endorsement”


The Lobbying Army in Congress for Healthcare

The Chicago Tribune has an excellent resource reporting the number of lobbyists that are involved in the healthcare debate as it winds through Congress.

For instance, did you know that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, Nev.) has 13 of his former staff members now working as lobbyists for the healthcare industry? Our own Senator, Dick Durbin (D, Ill.) who is also the Majority Whip, has 8 of his former staffers lobbying for the healthcare industry and GOP Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has seen 5 of his staffers quit to lobby for healthcare.

The webpage is interactive and you can search by lawmaker and committee. You can also search by client and download all the data.

It is some very interesting info that you should check out.

The information was assembled by the Trib staff and the Medill News Service of the Northwestern University School of Journalism.


Follow the Elections at the Cook County Clerk Website

With the Primaries coming quick on the heels of New Years celebrations (February 2) I thought it would be a good idea to make sure everyone knows the websites of the Cook County Clerk and the Chicago Boad of Elections.

For Cook County (excluding the City of Chicago) you can go to:

www.cookcountyclerk.com

Now, because Chicago is it’s own animal in most things, the city has it’s own website to follow elections. That is:

www.chicagoelections.com

So, there are your resources to keep you eye on as the Primary unfolds.


Ill. Governor Candidates on Taxes and State Spending

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Associated Press asked the Illinois Gubernatorial candidates where they stand on both taxes and state spending this week. Interestingly, they asked what programs the candidates would cut to save money. With this question it was telling that the Republicans had specific programs that they’d cut while both Democrats dithered, hemmed and hawed on any cuts. Nearly all of them said “Medicaid spending” should be cut, but that doesn’t really answer to the question in my opinion. Of course Medicaid spending should be reformed as it is filled to the brim with waste and fraud, but no one is going to cut the program and cutting of programs was the question.

The AP’s questions on spending can be seen on the CBS Channel 2 website.

The AP also did one on taxes and that one can be seen on bnd.com, here the GOP contenders are interesting for one thing all but one of them said they’d hold the line. Only Dan Proft said he cut the state income tax. Naturally, both big spending Democrats (Dan Hynes and Pat Quinn) said they’d raise taxes.

In any case, both these AP pieces really shows the difference between the GOP and Democrat candidates. The Republicans want to cut spending and at least hold the line on taxes rates if not cut them and Democrats want to hike taxes and spend, spend, spend.

And let me say this about Dan Proft. He is always dead right on his answers to these issues. His points on these two AP pieces are perfect pitch.
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Ill. Governor Candidates on Taxes and State Spending”