Illinois Review

Another Conservative Endorses McCain: Cites Votes for Conservative Judges

by Curt Mercadante

Steven Calabresi, Professor of Law at Northwestern University and co-founder of the premiere conservative legal organization, The Federalist Society, who previously backed Rudy has now endorsed John McCain. Calabresi writes on Race 4 2008 blog:

I have endorsed Senator McCain and think he would be an excellent president because he is tough on foreign policy, committed to spending restraint which is the key to small government, and because he has consistently voted for good judicial nominees in tough fights like Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. I am not troubled by his role as a member of the gang of 14 because I think the compromise he forged got us cloture on Roberts and Alito and produced three excellent lower court judges: Bill Pryor, Janice Rogers Brown, and Priscilla Owen.

Schillerstrom Pays To Eliminate Critics

by John Ruskin

Like Boss Hogg of Hazzard County, Bob Schillerstrom seems to be on a crusade to eliminate any opposition to his schemes for DuPage County. So reports the Chicago Tribune here.

As many will remember, Boss Hogg was the greedy, unethical commissioner of Hazzard County in the The Dukes of Hazzard television series. The character of Hogg was the personification of the seven deadly sins; who would do anything to get his hands on more money, including executing many nefarious schemes with his bumbling right-hand man Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane and deputies Enos Strate and Cletus Hogg.

So, if Schillerstrom is DuPage's Hogg, then I would proffer that Sen. Kirk Dillard is Rosco P. Coultrane; and Senators Cronin and Millner are deputies Enos and Cletus.

Think about it.

Maybe we should Draft Gingrich

A bi-partisan call to Draft Newt Gingrich appeared today in a WorldNetDaily.com piece. Is this the answer to the GOP candidate dilemma?

If the primary season reveals no decisive front-runner, and if conservative delegates head toward the GOP convention with the nagging feeling that our best candidate wasn't in the race, we urge them to consider acting on what so many Republicans and Reagan Democrats are thinking. Drafting Newt Gingrich is a real solution to the current leadership problem. Even as a vice presidential choice, Gingrich would solidify the ranks and reinforce the GOP's position as the party of bold ideas, but as a presidential choice he could bring about a truly needed Second Reagan Revolution.

Link: WorldNetDaily: A bipartisan call to draft Newt Gingrich. 

McCain: The Froehlich of the National GOP

by John Ruskin

Thanks to a tip from Steven Daglas, I read a March 2007 article in TheHill.com about how close Sen. McCain was to switching to the Democrat Party back in 2001. See article here.

I encourage everyone to read it.

Seems McCain was ready to pull a "Froehlich" on a national level. Now he's running for the Republican nomination for President. What a difference a few years can make. Good thing Pres. Bush signed McCain's anti-First Amendment McCain-Feingold bill and kept the Arizona senator in the stable.

Then again...

It matters what women voters think

Like it or lump it, guys, women make up 52% of the vote. What we think will matter next Tuesday . . .

Over the top rhetoric from Sen. Obama

by Mark Rhoads

"We will not just win this nomination. We will not just win the general election.  But together we will transform the world." - Sen. Barack Obama shouting at a campaign rally on CNN today, Jan. 31, 2008.

This is getting just a ittle bit absurd. Idealism is a good thing and much to be preferred over cynicism. But a messianic complex could be a real problem if Sen. Obama actually believes his own soaring rhetoric.

Does anyone reading this ever remember Barack Obama for "transforming" anything in Illinois during his ten years in the state senate from 1995 to 2005?  Did anyone consider Obama to be a transformational leader then? How about his last three years as a freshman in the U.S. Senate? Any transformational leadership there? Hello? Is anyone there? I realize that a prophet in his own land is without honor because the hometown folks KNOW this individual better than strangers do.

Bush unexpectantly flattens feather in Durbin's cap

The Bush Administration flattened a feather the Democratic Senate majority whip Dick Durbin wanted for his project cap this week. 

The Senate Republicans responded today to this week's surprising Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman's announcement that the feds were pulling out of the $1.8 billion FutureGen clean coal technology plant, to be located in Mattoon.

Downstate lawmakers are fighting back.  If the plant is moved to another state, it will be a devastating blow to Illinois' coal future.

Feds are said to be pulling out because of "concerns about costs."  On one hand, they are being pressured to cut back and limit spending on pet projects.  The feds were to cover 74 percent of the costs and an alliance of energy companies were to partner to raise the remaining 26 percent needed for FutureGen's construction.

On the other hand, clean energy fuel is a priority of the Bush Administration.

Something's up here, more than what meets the eye. 

Below  from the Senate Republicans today . . .

McCain set to Keynote DuPage Lincoln Day Dinner

See how nicely the Republicans are getting along now that Giuliani's dropped out? 

From the DuPage County Republican Party:

Wheaton, IL (1-31-08) - DuPage County Republican Chairman and State Senator Dan Cronin announced that Arizona Senator and current Presidential Candidate John McCain will headline the DuPage County Republican's 47th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Friday, February 1st.  Senator McCain was named keynote speaker after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani dropped out of the presidential race following the Florida primary election on January 29th.

11th CD GOP candidate wraps up town hall series online

From the Lee for Congress campaign in the 11th CD:

UTICA, ILLINOIS - To complete his "Eleven in the Eleventh" series of public addresses, Congressional Candidate Jimmy Lee will host Town Hall Meetings this coming Friday, February 1, 2008. Lee will host one Town Hall Meeting in person, followed by a "Virtual Town Hall Meeting," in which voters can go online and converse with Lee in a live question-and-answer session.

The Mrs.' Tour

Mrs. Oberweis and Mrs. Hastert will travel the 14th CD Friday. From the Oberweis campaign:

(BATAVIA, January 30) - The Oberweis for Congress campaign - as a continuing effort to reach out to all voters of the Illinois 14^th congressional district - today announced the tour of Julie Oberweis and Jean Hastert for Friday, February 1.

Detroit Casinos Serve as Example for Illinois

by David E. Smith (Executive Director -Illinois Family Institute)

Three Detroit casinos similar to those proposed by Illinois lawmakers have fallen about a half-billion dollars short of initial projections and created thousands fewer jobs than predicted in what could be stark warning.

According to a recent Boston Herald article, developers, politicians and casino proponents promised that three Detroit casinos would rake in up to $1.8 billion but in 2007 the gambling parlors took in $1.335 billion, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

A side of truth for this mornings McPaper…

by George Dienhart

As thoughts of defeat in Iraq have faded since the success of the surge, the media has stepped in to ensure that the war remains in the forefront of America’s court of public opinion. Though I wish it were, this is not a story of how the media is finally reporting on the success of our military strategy. It is a story of how big media is shifting its focus to Afghanistan after it failed at turning Iraq into the next Viet Nam.

Just this morning, everybody’s favorite McPaper, USA Today has reported that the Taliban has regained “Huge swaths” of Afghanistan. It reports of fear on Chicken Street- an open-air market. They report that the Taliban have gained a “foothold” in the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul. The problem with the first 16 paragraphs of this story, which I recapped above, is that none of it is true. The story even refutes itself as you read on. Quotes from NATO officials say that the Taliban “had a bad year”.  NATO commander General Dan O’Neil stated that the Taliban was under siege during much of last year. He also said the militants failed to conduct a major offensive last spring.  Moreover, the terrorists control only 10% of Afghanistan.

What Do Conservatives Do Now - Part 1

by Lee Newcom

I am a Reagan conservative and my loyalty is to those values first (smaller government and lower taxes, strong national defense and traditional values), the Republican Party second (to the extent that it represents those values), and any candidate third. When the Presidential nominating process began, conservative support, from the national leaders and talk-show hosts down to the grass-roots, was fractured among 6 candidates. Each was flawed and each of us gave it our best guess if we wanted to commit to one. As the primaries and the debates happened, some of us were enthusiastic about our choice or regretted it. None of that matters now.

Only this matters: our choice is now Romney or McCain.

Buy one, get one

IR Focus: State Rep. Shane Cultra (R-105)

ONARGA -- State Rep. Shane Cultra says it's tough representing an eastern Illinois rural community with Chicago Democrats calling the shots in the legislature, but the people of the 105th House District have sent him to Springfield to do a job.  That job is to do his best to bring jobs and economic opportunities to his district, Cultra says, and he intends to do just that.

"Things have changed in downtown Onarga since I was a boy," Cultra said.  "Then when you came to town on a Friday or Saturday, you had a hard time finding a parking spot, it was so busy.  Now, we're having a difficult time getting businesses in town and keeping them."

The problem worsens, he says, as the next generation goes away to school and doesn't return because so few job opportunities are available.  And the situation becomes even more complicated when the state's business fees and taxes continue to increase.  Several 105th District businesses have moved to neighboring Indiana.

Top Ten Reasons to Support John McCain for President

by Curt Mercadante

1. He is principled.  Unlike Governor Romney, he does not change his positions depending on the office he is running for.  We've all seen the video footage of then-Senate candidate Romney defending his support for a "woman's right to choose" and distancing himself from Ronald Reagan's policies. 

2.  He is conservative.  He has an 82.3 lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union.  He has a 95% rating from Citizens Against Government Waste.  He has an 82.7% lifetime rating from the National Taxpayers Union.  While some conservatives point to several issues to label McCain a "liberal", they should also look to the actual records - not current campaign rhetoric - of Governors Romney and Huckabee.  They were tax-raisers and big spenders.  Their current rhetoric on immigration doesn't match their records.  The tens of millions of dollars spent by Romney may be able to fool some conservatives about his real record ... but don't be fooled.

3. He will keep this country safe.  John McCain has clear, Reagan-esque principles on national security and keeping America safe.  He wagered his political career on his principles ... and didn't hedge or waiver like Governor Romney.

This is the man you want as your nominee?

by Lee Newcom

I watched tonight's GOP presidential debate with an eye toward finding something I like about John McCain. I have to admit, he comes across as a dishonest jerk. 

He kept that stupid smile on his face whenever Romney was speaking, as if mocking his opponent. He repeatedly referred to Romney's "timetable" for withdrawal from Iraq. That statement is, quite simply, dishonest. Romney has never advocated a timetable and McCain has been completely discredited on that charge.

McCain's cheap shot about being motivated by patriotism rather than Romney motivated by profit was a slam at every person who has built a business and makes the economy work. McCain's below the belt "you were buying and selling and some people lost their jobs," is right out of the Clinton playbook.

I cannot believe some Republicans are endorsing and supporting this guy as our nominee. Oh, and all you conservative evangelicals who like him, you know he is well known for his use of "f*** you" when he disagrees with someone off camera.

Rudy's goodbye

Rudy just sent out this goodbye message to the Giuliani email list . . .

Obama Returns More Rezko-Linked Cash

Looks like Senator Obama was suddenly moved by the spirit to be generous to charities again today.  And by coincidence, the check amount equaled $72,650, the total of contributions made to Obama by Tony Rezko, his family, his employees and -- just to be sure -- anyone who ever touched Tony Rezko. 

That racks the total amount charities have received from Obama -- thanks to Mr. Rezko -- is now up to $149,985.  Can't imagine this sketch on the Trib's website of Obama's 20-year pal and lot-next-door neighbor dressed in orange had anything to do with Obama's sudden streak of generosity, do you?

Top 10 reasons to worry about a McCain nomination

Here's the Top Ten Reasons some Republicans worry about John McCain as the GOP's nominee:

• His age. Sorry, but Chuck Norris is right. 
• His Giuliani endorsement.
• His grumpy, angry image is a stark reminder of the past and would be a nonappealing contrast to the pleasant, energetic, younger image for an optimistic, hopeful future Barack Obama would be.
• His resume's resemblance to Bob Dole's.
• His patriarchal approach to politics could preclude women's role in his administration and could drive undecided women towards Hillary.
• His anti-life support of embryonic stem cell research.
• His First Amendment-restricting McCain-Feingold campaign finance law.
• His part in the 1980s Keating Five scandal.
• His part in stopping strict constructionist judge approval with the U.S. Senate's Gang of 14. 
• His sponsorship of amnesty provision within the McCain-Kennedy immigration reform.

Can you worried Republicans think of any others?

And okay, you McCain fans, now's your chance to tell us why we have nothing to worry about.

In IL, GOP picks delegates, not nominees

Just to review before we all go to the polls next week, Illinois Republican voters will pick the state's GOP presidential nominee by selecting delegates rather than voting directly for the presidential candidate. 

The presidential spot on the ballot is merely a beauty contest advisory. Those votes, while influential, won't directly affect Illinois Republicans' presidential choice, the delegates chosen will vote for their associated candidate at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis next August.

Illinois Review has run a series on delegates by congressional district. You may want to review them and and take a moment to skim "IR FEATURE: IL Prez delegate primer: who picks whom and does it matter anyway?" which explains the IL GOP's selection process.

Sex Continues to Embarrass 14th CD Candidates

The "glass house" axiom came to mind today when a senior, DC-based, pro-family leader called Illinois Review to point out possible hypocrisy on behalf of the Oberweis campaign and their accusations about their opponent's affiliation with a sexual predator.

What potential hypocrisy?

Well, the Oberweis campaign has strongly criticized State Senator Chris Lauzen for taking $100,000 in campaign donations from an individual who spent time in jail for soliciting a minor-aged prostitute.

However, in 2002 the Oberweis Dairy was sued by a 16-year-old ice cream scooping employee, who claimed she'd suffered sexual harassment and discrimination by her 24 year old Oberweis Dairy supervisor. The EEOC case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Seventh District.  While a lower court decided in favor of Oberweis Dairy (Doe v. Oberweis, No. 03 C 4774 (N.D. Ill. April 6, 2005) the court of appeals sided with the victim.

As reported in Bureau of National Affairs' section on employment law:

Edwards and Giuliani out

Associated Press is reporting that consistently third-place Democratic prez candidate John Edwards will announce today he's dropping from the 2008 bid.  That leaves U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton and U.S. Senator Barack Obama, who are in dead heat in national polls.

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is also expected to drop from the GOP race today after a disappointing loss in Florida.  He's expected to endorse fellow GOP candidate U.S. Senator John McCain today.

The remaining GOP candidates -- McCain, Romney, Huckabee and Paul presumably -- will debate tonight at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA, the last major GOP debate before next week's 23-state primary.

Barry meets Jack

Created by NY Times' Ann Talnaes

Abortion leaders concede?

by Jill Stanek

Abortion matriarchs Kate Michelman and Frances Kissling ceded quite a few points to pro-lifers in a Los Angeles Times op-ed marking the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Actually, "matriarchs" isn't quite right since Michelman and Kissling have helped facilitate the killing of their movement's progeny.

The only recruits they can now entice are young women they convince that whores are happier and that those aren't really babies despite the overwhelming evidence - in other words, stupidos. Or those they pay handsomely for their souls - political prostitutes, sell-sex traffickers, and bottom-feeding abortion mill workers who can't get work anywhere else.

Not much to work with. But I digress.

In a nutshell the barrennesses admitted in their column that pro-aborts are losing the battle thanks to....

Continue reading my column today, "Abortion leaders concede?" on WorldNetDaily.com.

GOP Merely Half as Stupid as Democrats on Stealing Delegates

by Mark Rhoads

It is amazing how anti-democratic the Democratic Party can be at times.  America's two national political party committees decided some time back that they should have the right to write party rules that were superior to state laws.  Where they got this strange notion from, it's hard to tell.  Maybe it was in the same model democracy book that told them it was OK for them to steal "super delegates" or "RNC delegates" from the general pool because they did not care to get themselves all mussed up actually asking people to vote for them and not disclose what candidate they intended to vote for.

To show their displeasure with Michigan and Florida for holding primaries earlier than they decreed, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) got the bright idea to take away all the delegates from Michigan and all the delegates from Florida just to show them who is boss.  Being only slightly less idiotic than their DNC counterparts, the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to take away only half of the delegates from Michigan and Florida.

It's McCain in Florida

After winning first place in South Carolina last week, Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain takes home the first place trophy from Florida last night, with Mitt Romney coming in a close second. 

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani came in a disappointing third with 15% of the vote (as of 8:00 PM CST) and is rumored to be throwing his support to his longtime friend McCain as soon as Wednesday.  Former Governor Mike Huckabee came in a close 14%.

Tomorrow night the remaining GOP presidential candidates will debate at the Simi Valley, CA's Reagan Library Wednesday night.

All eyes will turn to the 23 states holding primaries on Tsunami Tuesday, February 5.

The Democrats, still disputing over delegates in early primaries, did not campaign in the Florida primary, and Hillary Clinton won handily.

In Election Season, Mum’s the Word about Gun Control

Special Guest Commenatry by Don B. Kates Jr.of Contra Costa Times

Are this year’s U.S. presidential candidates avoiding the gun issue?

Last week, San Francisco’s First District Court of Appeal struck down that city’s two-year-old law that confiscated all handguns and rendered all other guns useless by banning ammunition sales. And on March 9 of last year, a federal court of appeals invalidated District of Columbia laws that banned handguns and precluded keeping any gun for defense in the home. That case is now in the Supreme Court, which many expect will hold that such laws violate the Constitution’s guarantee that law-abiding, responsible adults may have guns to defend their homes and families.

Ironically, though these laws represent the ultimate goals of the gun “control” (actually gun ban) movement, they epitomize that movement’s political downfall. For Democratic candidates, an Eleventh Commandment has evolved: “Don’t mention guns”—while formerly anti-gun Republicans Romney and Giuliani now declare themselves faithful advocates of gun rights.

Why I Can't Vote For Senator McCain

by Ralf Seiffe

Florida votes today and the winner of the Republican contest will take all the available delegates. With Rudy Giuliani’s likely swoon, Florida has become a contest that will likely propel the winner to the party’s nomination this summer. The conventionally wise tell us John McCain is the most “electable” candidate and the political class tells us he’s the one to support. If he wins, however, he will sunder the Republican Party, possibly forever, because conservatives will not support him. The problem goes far beyond the foolish legislation he has sponsored; it is a much more fundamental problem.

Another peek into the lives of the Hill and Bill

by George Dienhart

When we last left our brave intern, she was running away from Bill’s clumsy and awkward sexual advances. Having barely escaped with her honor intact, she went back to her office and finished the day working on the mundane tasks that political interns perform everyday. She did not realize that someone other than the former President had noticed her.

When Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle strolled in, the intern knew, something was up- she didn’t usually bother herself with interns. That was Bill’s domain.

Rezko's Illinois Friends: Exhibit C

Besides the $38,000 Antoin "Tony" Rezko gave Lisa Madigan, the close to $80K he's given Barack Obama over the years, and the campaign cash he's pushed towards Rod Blagojevich, he's also has been very generous to other friends in high places.

Take, for instance, Blagojevich's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity director Jack Lavin, who, according to a 2006 Chicago Sun Times' story, was for a while CFO of Rezko Enterprises, overseeing the Panda Express food chain.

That's only scratching the surface, folks.  Tony Rezko's been accused of lots and lots of things over the years.  Read Ray Hanania's excellent synopsis of Rezko and his shady dealings here. 

The more you read about this guy, the sleazier he gets and the deeper and broader his rotten political roots spread.   (See more of Rezko's political contributions below the fold.)

Antoin "Tony" Rezko could very easily be Illinois Democrats' Jack Abramhoff. 

Think any Republicans will jump on that free ride?

Rezko's Illinois Friends: Exhibit B

Tony Rezko aimed his campaign dollars where he would get the most return on his investments, there's no doubt. (See "Rezko's IL Friends: Exhibit A")  Not only did he pick Governor Blagojevich early on, he picked Barack Obama beginning in 1995, and state Democratic Party chairman and powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan's daughter Lisa beginning in 1998, her first run for State Senate. 

Now Madigan's prodigy daughter is sitting pretty as one of the nation's most populated state's Attorney General.  And it takes no professional to read the writing on the wall that Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Hot Rod Blagojevich -- perhaps as soon as 2010. 

But that shrewd Rezko's got his bases covered, just in case his boy Rod is ousted in two years.  After all, Rezko plans to keep his Panda Express concession options at Soldier Field and on the state's tollway oases long after Rod's left the Capitol.

Rezko's obviously made a great campaign investment that's paying off in big business dividends.  Anyone notice all the Panda Expresses' eye-catching striped awnings decking new buildings in prime locations all over Chicagoland?

And Rezko's investment in Lisa makes sense on so many other levels, besides being close to whoever's the current governor.  A busy Attorney General can easily find bigger pork to wok than Rezko's, especially if, over the years, the questionable character has contributed in excess of $38K to your campaigns. 

Not to mention the tens of thousands to your dad's campaign kitty.

There's no wonder why U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, and not Illinois' Attorney General Madigan, is pressing charges on Rezko.

Find below another portion of Rezko's generosity:

Rezko's Illinois Friends: Exhibit A

Antoin "Tony" Rezko hit national headlines yesterday when he was taken into custody for allegedly moving around funds prior to his upcoming money laundering felony trial in February.  The reason Rezko's story hit the national MSM is because he's been a generous contributor, fundraiser and long time friend to presidential hopeful Barack Obama as well as closely associated with IL Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Rezko's not only given money to several Democrats at the national level, a few Republicans were also beneficiaries of Rezko family funds -- to the tune of $90K plus.

But Rezko also covered his bases at the state level. 

Some of his biggest contribution recipients are Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones and various Chicago aldermen and state lawmaker races. 

All them PLUS the Governor.

Find below one portion of Rezko's state contributions in the last few years:

(See also "Rezko's Illinois Friends: Exhibit B")

Who's who in IL's presidential delegate race: 12th CD

Illinois Review continues its discussion of GOP presidential delegates listed by congressional district. We've covered the 1st CD , 2nd CD, 3rd CD, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th CDs thus far.

The 12th CD is currently represented in the U.S. Congress by Democrat Jerry Costello. 12th CD voters are to pick three GOP convention delegates.

Who's who in IL's presidential delegate race: 11th CD

Illinois Review continues its discussion of GOP presidential delegates listed by congressional district. We've covered the 1st CD , 2nd CD, 3rd CD, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th CDs thus far.

The 11th CD is currently represented in the U.S. Congress by Republican Jerry Weller. 11th CD voters are to pick four GOP convention delegates.

Romney attack: "Look at my record"

Several IR readers have requested we run this anti-Romney ad, created by new 527 RoeGone.org:

Obamalot! -- I know it sounds a bit bizarre.

by Mark Rhoads

With apologies to Lerner and Lowe, try to imagine these lines as if you were hearing them read in the voice of the late Richard Burton and see if they sound right to you .

Each evening, from December to December,
Before you drift to sleep upon your cot,
Think back on all the tales that you remember
Of Obamalot.
Ask ev'ry person if he's heard the story,
And tell it strong and clear if he has not,
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory
Called Obamalot.

Earth to Ted, Caroline, Patrick and others who are marketing Sen. Barack Obama as the new JFK.  Kennedy family, get over yourselves. If you really think Sen. Barack Obama is the new JFK, then maybe you didn't know the record of the real JFK from 1947 to 1963. Let's review the bidding.

Roskam's response to State of Union address

Who's who in IL's presidential delegate race: 10th CD

Illinois Review continues its discussion of GOP presidential delegates listed by congressional district. We've covered the 1st CD , 2nd CD, 3rd CD, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th CDs thus far.

The 10th CD is represented in the U.S. Congress by Republican Mark Kirk. Chicago's 10th CD voters are to pick three GOP convention delegates.

Who's who in IL's presidential delegate race: 9th CD

Illinois Review continues its discussion of GOP presidential delegates listed by congressional district. We've covered the 1st CD , 2nd CD, 3rd CD, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

The 9th CD is represented in the U.S. Congress by Democrat Jan Schakowsky. Chicago's 9th CD voters are to pick two GOP convention delegates.

Open string: Thoughts on Bush State of Union proposals

Your thoughts on the President's State of the Union Address proposals:

• Executive order issued to end payment on any earmarks not voted on by Congress
• To continue "No Child Left Behind" federal eduction program
• To introduce "Pell Grants for Kids" -- $300 million in scholarships for low income students
• Promise to veto of any proposed tax increase
• To ban human cloning
• To increase funding for non-embryonic stem cell research
• To increase of Marine presence in Afghanistan

Any hope of passage on any of these?  What effect will these proposals have on the last year of the President's term of office? 

Kennedys, Obama, Rezko: Six degrees of connection

With today's endorsement by the Massachusetts elitist Kennedy political dynasty, Barack Obama is looking more and more like the unity candidate . . .

He means it when he says there's no distinctions between red and blue states, conservatives and liberals, black and white, rich and poor, why there's not even distinction between classes such as old political icons and new ones.

"It's about the past versus the future," Obama said today.

"I feel change in the air," Ted Kennedy.  "It's time for a new generation of leadership."   

Barack alone as the uniter stands to connect the likes of Hyannis Port/Manhattan-raised Caroline Kennedy, her uncle Chappaquiddick-smeared Ted Kennedy with Chicago slum lord Tony Rezko, who was arrested just today for bond violations as he awaits federal trial in February. 

Why is Rezko on trial?  Pleading not guilty to fraud and money laundering charges to do with allegedly dipping into state teacher pension funds with red hand-stained campaign dollars, $80,000 of which went to his Chicago neighbor and 20 year pal/new era unifier Barack Obama. 

"A new generation of leadership?"  Sounds like the same old, same old.

Four Tops Forum Leaves Me in Tailspin

by Dan Proft

Last week, I attended a forum at Northwestern University featuring Illinois' four state legislative leaders.

What I thought would be an opportunity to get a preview of forthcoming policy battles instead turned out to be a chilling glimpse into what the my afterlife will look like if I am condemned to the fiery abyss.

My damnation will be an eternal tax policy lecture from Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones, who, by the way, bears a striking aural similarity to Mushmouth from Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids fame. . .

More Hope for the Future

Yesterday, Illinois Review featured a commentary on the Illinois College Republican Federation's weekend convention in Chicago (Hope for the Party's Future). 

Below see another reason to be optimistic about America in 50 years:

Updated 3x: Rezko arrested

FoxNews.com is reporting that former Obama and Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko was arrested this morning for bond violation -- evidently he's been busy trying to "move finances" around . . . [UPDATE 3: U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve revoked Rezko's bond this afternoon, leaving Rezko in custody until further notice.]

[UPDATE 1 & 2:  The Tribune story update here brings up a couple of great points: Rezko's ties to Chicago's Duffy family (Duffy relative is his attorney) and his questionable connections to Syria.  What in the world was Rezko doing there?  He was arrested in 2006 when he returned from Syria in response to the federal indictments for which he's facing trial on February 25.]

Read: this guy is too cute by half if he thinks the feds aren't paying verrryyy close attention to what he's doing with his accounts.  Since 9-11, any major legal money transfers are reported by the banks to the feds. 

Any candidate who's gotten $$ from this guy should be sweating bullets.  He's obviously very nervous and not as smart as he thinks.

Link: You Decide 08! » Report: Former Obama Donor Tony Rezko Arrested on Bond Violation.

Illinoisans disgusted with the Governor and the legislature

Last week's St. Louis Post-Dispatch poll of 800 likely Illinois voters said they're disgusted with Governor Blagojevich and the General Assembly.  While the Governor's not on the ballot this year, those Chicago Democrats who lead the Illinois General Assembly are. 

Too bad most of them are running unopposed and the Republican leadership in both houses openly share their lack of enthusiasm about regaining a majority in either house this election season. 

Wonder how history would stand today if Newt Gingrich thought the same way in 1994? 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After a bitter yearlong war of wills against the state Legislature, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's public approval rating remains dismally low, according to a new Post-Dispatch/KMOV-TV poll. But the Legislature's approval rating is even lower.

In an illustration of the old political adage that everyone gets dirty in a mud fight, poll respondents gave Blagojevich a "favorable" rating of 42 percent — one of the lowest of his five years as governor — while hitting the Legislature with an even worse 37 percent.

Link: STLtoday - News - Politics.

McCain Defends Open-Borders Adviser

by Rosanna Pulido

Last week, an Illinois Review reported HotAir.com's claim that open borders advocate Juan Hernandez was tied to the McCain campaign. Some IR readers questioned the credibility of that report.

McCain, now the top runner in the Florida GOP primary polls, was asked about Hernandez at a town hall meeting this past weekend. There's no more speculation that McCain has his "open borders" man on staff:

Reasonability has left the Capitol Building

by Adam Andrzejewski

In November of 2002, on the night of his gubernatorial victory, Rod Blagojevich echoed Elvis by saying, “… I’m all shook up!”  As we start 2008, it is reasonability that has left the building and it is the state that is “…all shook up.”  Unfortunately, our Elvis governor is still at the podium of power.

The Blagojevich antics have become headlines.  The Governor was commuting from Chicago to Springfield to Chicago on a state airplane costing taxpayers $5,800 per day.  Blagojevich covertly manipulated the budget by executive order imposing $10 million to fund a human cloning experimental project which had previously been rejected by the General Assembly.  As of January 1st, Illinois is in arrears of $1.7 million of state bills.  Undeterred, the Governor gives away free mammograms, free health care, free preschool, and free transit rides;  Illinois mud wrestles with a $106 billion state debt. 
Respect of the citizen has left the building.

Ron Paul Revolution

*Sorry about the crude word included, but we can't edit, and it is what it is.

Romney visits IL this week; McCain and Giuliani likewise

This will be a busy week for national campaigning and Illinois is on the "visit" list of top presidential nominees leading up to next week's all-important "Tsunami Tuesday" primary election. 

Not only will GOP prez nominee contenders Rudy Giuliani and John McCain be in DuPage County this Friday, Illinois' Romney campaign is now saying their guy plans to drop in this week.

Romney's son Josh was in both Bloomington and Peoria Sunday, while an array of nationally-renowned political notables began rolling out their Romney endorsements, including:

• Conservative icon Morton Blackwell
• Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran
• Former Congressman David McIntosh (co-founder of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies)
• Liz Cheney (most recently the second-ranking State Department official overseeing U.S. Policy in the Middle East; also the daughter of Dick Cheney)
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Hartford Courant and the Salt Lake Tribune
• State legislators from Georgia, California, North Dakota, Minnesota & West Virginia
• An impressive cast from Lawyers for Fred Thompson (Victoria Toensing, Lizette Benedi, Rachel Brand, Reginald Brown, Charles J. Cooper, Joseph E. diGenova, Noel Francisco, Eileen O'Connor and Eugene Scalia, among others)

More information on Romney event to follow later today . . .

H/T Steve Daglas, 1st CD delegate for Romney