Illinois Review

Could Cohen cost Brady the election?

A new CNN/Time Magazine poll released Wednesday that includes Independent candidate Scott Lee Cohen puts Republican Bill Brady just two points ahead of Governor Pat Quinn, with Cohen in double digits.

Brady came in at 40, Quinn at 38 and Cohen at 14 with Green Party's Rich Whitney at 4.  Cohen won the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor and shortly thereafter Cohen was pressured by Democratic hierarchy to step down.  Quinn then picked downstate Sheila Simon to be his ticket mate.

Last week's polling did not include Cohen, and put Brady 14 points ahead of Quinn.

Your thoughts ... why would Cohen take votes away from Brady and not Quinn?  Could Cohen cost Brady the election?  Is it that Cohen supporters are so angry at Quinn they wouldn't vote for him no matter who was on the ballot?  What's your prediction for this race?

WATCH: Those voices don't speak for the rest of us

From the Republican Study Committee:

Crotty challenged by Iraqi War veteran in 19th

Tinley Park -- State Senator Maggie Crotty is one of those Cook County Democrats that has played well with the Big Boys over the years and for her compliant ways, she's been rewarded well.  First elected in 1996 as a state rep from southwest suburban Oak Forest, Crotty moved to the state senate in 2002, shortly after the 2000 Census redistricting. 

Since that time, Crotty's added Bremen Township Supervisor to her list of duties, as well as the unpaid Bremen Township Democratic Committeeman position.  She's also racked up several influential Senate committee chairmanships and is known for carrying feel good legislation like last year's "Silver Alert" that springs into action when an elderly or disabled person is missing, similar to the Amber Alert for missing children. (Pictured in the middle, Crotty receives award from Township Supervisors association)

When asked about Crotty, 19th District voters often say, "She's a nice lady, but I don't know what she's done for our area."     That's because she's rarely stood against senate or House leadership and is always good for a Democratic vote whenever needed. 

The Lunatic Left and Uncle Joe

By Mark Rhoads

Here is a crazy update a story I first shared with IR readers in May.  Former Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) was appointed to be Secretary of the Interior by President Obama in January 2009. The Department of the Interior is considering whether to endorse legislation in Congress to let the National Park Service take a money-losing hot potato away from the town of Bedford located in a remote corner of south eastern Virginia that is home to the National D-Day Memorial which was built mostly with private money and some public support. 

Walsh and Bean 8th CD now a toss-up?

Several Illinois Review readers have pointed out to us QuincyNews.org's polling released Wednesday concerning the 8th CD that puts Republican challenger Joe Walsh neck-in-neck with Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean.   QuincyNews.org writes:

QuincyNews.org commissioned We Ask America to conduct the poll, which surveyed 1,381 registered voters through Illinois’ 8^th Congressional District. The poll has a plus/minus of 2.63 percent.

According to pollster Greg Durham: “Unlike many other Midwestern congressional districts we've measured, Independent voters are not strongly favoring the Republican candidate (Walsh). His support stems from the slight-GOP voter plurality in this district--the same plurality that has elected Bean over the past few cycles.”

Durham says those numbers have moved We Ask America's assessment to the "too close too call" category. 

Bean tied to Obama backers

from Palatine Tea Party

(Palatine, Illinois) - Representative Melissa Bean (D) Illinois 8th district and Obama share direct campaign funding ties. A closer look suggests that Bean and Obama are tightly linked.

Two mega-donors are John W Rogers and Mellody Hobson, executives at mutual fund company Ariel Capital Management, who have given more than $14,200 combined to Bean, including $4,600 in July 2009 alone, according to OpenSecrets.

Aaron Schock at Right Nation 2010

U.S. Congress' youngest member, 29 year old Aaron Schock, emphasized the importance of support and leadership to the 5500 plus conservatives, Tea Party independents and Republicans at Right Nation 2010.

Special thanks to the congressional candidates that joined Schock on RN2010's stage at the speech's conclusion:  14th CD's Randy Hultgren, 8th CDs Joe Walsh, 4th CDs Israel Vasquez, 5th CDs David Ratowitz and 2nd CDs Isaac Hayes.

Trib's House endorsements roll out

The Tribune's Illinois House endorsements are the buzz this week among campaigns, and for good reason.  The editorial board has shunned several Democrat House incumbents:  Chicago's Sara Feigenholtz out, Dave Lenkowski in; Elgin's Keith Farnham out, Ruth Munson in; Hoffman Estates Fred Crespo out, Streamwood mayor Billie Roth in; Highland Park's Karen May out,  Lauren Turelli in; Vernon Hills' Carol Sente out, Dan Sugrue in.

In open Illinois House seats, the Tribune picked Schaumburg's Ryan Higgins over Democrat Michelle Mussman to succeed retiring State Rep. Paul Froehlich, Chris Nybo for retiring Bob Biggins' seat and Tom Morrison rather than Matt Flamm to fill GOP primary-ousted Suzi Bassi's vacancy.

The rest thus far are HERE, with more to roll out.

How The RNC Hurts Republican Candidates

By Mark Rhoads

I attended a weekly meeting on Wednesday morning of conservatives held at Americans for Tax Reform.  Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) was there along with many candidates.  Sen. McCain explained why he was holding up the Defense Authorization Bill due to Christimas tree ornaments that Harry Reid had inserted in the bill such as higher education for illegal immigrants and an abolition of Don't Ask, Don't Tell or DADT for short.  I thought McCain was needlessly defensive on that point for this conservative audience because he just made a common-sense argument that since Obama has authorized the military to conduct a comprehensive study of the effect of repealing DADT on service morale, they should at least be allowed enough time to complete the study before Congress voted on the Clinton-era policy prematurely.

Governor Chris Christie to headline rally for Bill Brady in Peoria next week

from the Brady for Governor campaign

Springfield -- Much sought after speaker Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey will be in Peoria next Tuesday, October 5, for a rally in support of governor candidate Bill Brady.

Christie and Brady will take the stage with other candidates on October 5, from 5:30 to 7p.m. at Finish Line Ford Showroom, 2211 W. Pioneer Parkway. Afterward, Christie will host a fundraising event in Peoria for Brady.

Illinois Policy Institute Urges State to Implement Health Savings Accounts

from the Illinois Policy Institute

CHICAGO – A think tank has a plan to save Illinois more than $20 billion in health care costs—a significant driver of the state's massive budget problems. But a questionable deal cut by the current administration and the state employee union could block the much-needed savings. A new report by the Illinois Policy Institute finds that implementing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) coupled with a Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHPs) would save the government and taxpayers significant money, as well as offer state employees an attractive health insurance option.

Kucinich threatens Pollak with defamation suit

from the Joel Pollak for Congress campaign

NILES, IL - Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has threatened to sue the Pollak for Congress campaign for defamation over a blog post written by 9th district Republican challenger Joel Pollak.

Pollak's blog post calls upon incumbent Democrat Jan Schakowsky to return campaign contributions she has received from the far-left J Street organization, which was recently revealed to be funded by foreign sources and George Soros.

WaPo Anti-Business Columnist Fears Jim DeMint

by Sam Pierce

I wonder how many people actually read the Democrat Party propaganda rag , more commonly known as The Washington Post, as a newspaper, not as campaign literature. Personally, I check out the Washington Post for the same reason I occasionally read The Huffington Post. It is useful to know what the left is shoveling.

Steven Pearlstein is a (anti)business columnist for Big Brother Barry's D.C. Ministry of Truth. Today's column is an indicator of the perceived threat posed by Senator Jim DeMint (R - SC) to the proponents of statism and those who court zero-liability voters with the seized labor of the productive. I hope Mr. Pealstein did not damage the mouthpiece of his speakwrite as he dictated this column. No doubt the spittle was flying as the anxiety mounted.

Illinois Policy Institute Turnaround Tour Bus rolls into Northbrook

by Nancy J. Thorner

The Illinois Policy Institute Turnaround Tour Bus made a stop in Northbrook, IL on Tuesday, September 28, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook, as part of its continuing effort to bring Illinoisans on board to help advance policies necessary to turn the state around.

Brian Costin, Director of Outreach, began the Northbrook session with a Turnaround Tour Presentation highlighted in a three-minute video which depicted previous stops made in Illinois by the Turnaround Tour Bus.

Desperation appears to be setting in for Doherty's opponent

from the Brian Doherty for Illinois Senate campaign

Chicago, IL - It appears desperation is setting in for Brian Doherty's opponent Senator John Mulroe as Mulroe's campaign has, according to Doherty, resorted to "re-writing the facts" on his record as Alderman. Doherty believes the driving force behind these tactics is likely the result of an independent poll released on September 17th that showed Doherty with a substantial lead (+10.4 pts) over the incumbent state senator in their head to head match-up.

Doherty says the Mulroe campaign has been "re-writing the facts on my record in a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters." Doherty has provided documentation to substantiate his charge that his opponent's campaign is fabricating lies about his record. "How can voters trust Senator Mulroe when he is willing to knowingly lie about my record?" said Doherty.

What you can do to take America back

from the Illinois Tax Day Tea Party

Many people are concerned that they cannot make a difference. The Tea Party movement has proven that this is not the case. The reason for its success is that many of us have now chosen to engage the system. We all can do something.

Here is a checklist that you can hang on your fridge to check off each item that you can do. Try your best to check off as many as possible before Nov. 2nd. If enough of us do this, we will see the massive restoration of our nation.

Gov. Quinn to Schools: Hire! Spend! Now!

by Collin Hitt, Illinois Policy Institute

Last Monday, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget sent a letter to Illinois school districts urging them to frantically spend newly available federal stimulus funds totaling more than $400 million, before the end of November.

Highly unusual, however, was that the letter and the governor's instructions were apparently written and circulated without the input of the Illinois State Board of Education - an action that earned the governor's office a subtle rebuke from state schools superintendent Chris Koch in a September 28 newsletter.

IL GOP's candidate for Secretary of State Robert Enriquez

If you haven't yet met the Republican candidate for Secretary of State Robert Enriquez, here's an introduction ...

72nd House candidate debate Oct 14

from the Mark Lioen for State House campaign

ROCK ISLAND, IL-- The campaign office of Mark Lioen (lee-OHN), Republican candidate for Illinois House from the 72nd District, announced today that they have successfully negotiated a debate with the campaign office of Pat Verschoore (D), the incumbent in the race.

"We are proud to have scheduled the first real debate for anycandidates for the 2010 election season here in the Quad City area," said Bill Bloom, campaign manager for Mark Lioen for State House.

"Our office and Pat's office have agreed to a debate on Thursday October 14th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, at Olin Auditorium on the campus of Augustana College, Rock Island. Moderator for the October 14th debate will be Dr. Dave Dehnel, senior faculty member of the Political Science Department at Augustana College.

Watch: Mourning in America

Better days are just ahead ...

Social cons and Tea Party will change America's direction

Jobs and economy are indeed the topics that will get many voters to the polls on November 2.  The Tea Party movement has become an energized is forcing America in a different direction.  But it's not just jobs and economy that will ultimately bring the direction change.  As Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America, eloquently points out in an AOL.com commentary published yesterday, social conservatives, evangelicals and conservative Catholics are a huge part of this historical re-alignment.  Ms. Nance writes:

It turns out that a good majority of tea party-backed candidates are both socially and fiscally conservative. Sharron Angle of Nevada, Ken Buck of Colorado, Joe Miller of Alaska, Christine O'Donnell of Delaware, Carly Fiorina of California and Rand Paul of Kentucky are all solidly pro-life as well as fiscal conservatives who want to cut taxes and lower government spending.

And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense, Ms. Nance writes:

Can Foster's People Ever tell the Truth??

By Ghost of John Brown

Watching the ads from Bill Foster and his people at the DCCC is kind of like dealing with the Democrat operative "trolls" that like to comment on Illinois Review.  They continually throw out misleading and false accusations and you have to spend lots of time showing how what they say are lies or deceptions.  Click here and watch the ad. 

What the ad is referring to is the FairTax.  I'm not going to get into a deep analysis of whether the FairTax is a good idea or a bad idea, maybe we save that for another day.  Personally, I think it is a really good idea that needs to get a lot more attention.  In essence, the FairTax REPLACES all income tax AND Social Security tax with a national sales tax.  Without getting all "wonky" about it, the FairTax is designed to be revenue neutral - i.e. there would be as much overall taxation as with the current system.

NRA's endorsement of Halvorson is an embarrassment

How in the world can the National Rifle Association pick Nancy Pelosi's twin Debbie Halvorson over pro-Second Amendment Adam Kinzinger in IL's 11th CD race?  It's likely they will say that she's an incumbent congresswoman and that she fills out her questionnaires the way the NRA wants them filled out. 

Well, since she's an incumbent, why not hold her to a higher standard?  Why not just look at her latest NRA questionnaire, but review how little she worked to make Illinois the 49th state to allow its citizens to protect themselves with the right to carry?  After all, Halvorson was then-Senate President Emil Jones' right hand gal, with almost limitless influence over the Senate's legislative process. 

Why, if Halvorson's so great on gun rights, are Illinoisans still not allowed to protect ourselves?

DeMint's earning his way to U.S. Senate leadership

Conservatives from Illinois can sympathize with the battle U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) is in right now.  While he's doing all he can to raise funds for Republican conservatives who've fairly and convincingly won GOP primaries, he's become a target for unhappy not-so-conservative Republicans in his caucus.  Read about it in this Think Progress piece. 

DeMint's raising millions for those scorned Tea-Party backed Republican conservatives like Joe Miller, Sharon Angle, Rob Johnson, Rand Paul and others with his Senate Conservatives Fund. The SCF is an effort similar to that of the United Republican Fund's efforts in Illinois.  While true blue conservatives understand DeMint and the URF's mindset of helping conservative candidates rather than fileting Republicans who refuse to let go of rejected liberal ways, most Republican-first folks just don't get it unless their not-so-conservative candidates are the ones in question. 

If Republicans win back the majority in the U.S. Senate, Senator DeMint would be an excellent choice for Senate Majority Leader.  He will have raised millions to elect solid conservative Republicans, whose victories were necessary to win back the majority. 

Sex and consequences: Link between pro-gay and pro-abortion agendas

by Jill Stanek

Homosexual and AIDS activists heckled President Obama during a Democrat fundraiser in New York on Sept. 22, complaining about the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy and inadequate AIDS funding.

Obama responded that his administration had increased AIDS funding and offensively added, “The people [who] will potentially take over if we don’t focus on the election, I promise you, will cut AIDS funding,” as if that really would happen, as if Republicans really want those afflicted with AIDS to die. Obama’s comment was no different than one made by boorish Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson, who accused Republicans opposing Obamacare of wanting sick people to “die quickly.”

Here’s video of the heckling and remark…

Beck Right Nation 2010 board EBay auction to close today

In less than seven hours, Right Nation 2010's EBay auction of Glenn Beck's autographed blackboard will close.  The high bid thus far is $1525. 

Check out the photo to the right when Beck autographed the Right Nation 2010's board while 80s rock star Kevin Chalfant belted out "God Bless America" at the evening's end.  Latch on to this bit of history the year American patriots regained control of their government and two unlikely, wildly divergent conservatives converged onstage in Hoffman Estates. 

Schakowsky advocates taxpayer-funded abortions and end to Hyde Amendment

CNS Video Reporter Nicholas Ballasy asked Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) if it is morally right to use the taxpayer funds of pro-life Americans to pay for abortion services.

“If we start down that path, then we say that people who don’t want to fund wars don’t have to pay taxes,” she told CNSNews.com. “You know, there are a number of things that are policies of the government in which many of us may disagree all over the map and, so, I would say that, you know, if as the Supreme Court did, decided that this is a right that women have, then we need to fulfill that obligation and make it accessible to all people,” said the congresswoman. “Choice is about choice.”

Rep. Schakowsky said the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortion except in certain cases, should be repealed, and also said “there’s no evidence” that increasing access to abortion services encourages people to get abortions.  VIDEO of interview below ...

Barack Obama and the Engine of Job Destruction

The voracious appetite of the leviathan

By John F. Di Leo

We expect our politicians – particularly governors and presidents – to focus a good deal of attention on job creation (the wrong philosophy may cause their efforts to fail, but at least they’re expected to try).  A continuous increase in employment opportunities is obviously critical for both the individual and the economy at large, not to mention the fact that the difference between employment and unemployment is soon to be a key driver in each voter’s level of satisfaction on Election Day.

So it has been surprising to see, over the past two years, how much the Obama administration, instead of focusing its efforts on job creation, has focused its energy on acting as an engine of quite intentional job destruction.

Morris predicts Dems will lose 80+ congressional seats in November

In former Clinton adviser Dick Morris Townhall column today, he predicts the U.S. House Democrats will lose at least 80 seats in November, breaking the record of 74 set in 1922.

The modern record is a loss of 74 seats set in 1922, by the Democrats, at the height of the Harding/Teapot Dome scandals. This year, the Democrats will lose at least 80 House seats and perhaps as many as 100, and will also lose control of the Senate.

Currently, according to published polls, Republicans are leading in 54 Democratic House districts and, in 19 more, the incumbent congressman is under 50 percent of the vote and his GOP challenger is within five points. That makes 73 seats where victory is within easy grasp for the Republican Party. The only reason the list is not longer is that there are 160 Democratic House districts that were considered so strongly blue that there is no recent polling available.

Is Morris crazy or is, as he says, the obliteration of a generation of Democrats on its way in November? 

Timesless Political Debates

by Americans for Prosperity's R.J. Moeller

For all the partisan bickering, bloviating and Bork-ing that goes on in Congress, there are, underneath it all, some fairly basic and straight-forward ideological and philosophical differences between Republican and Democrat, Conservative and Liberal. No one should be so naïve as to think that everything every politician does is grounded in principle, but it is to our detriment if we fail to identify when genuinely important ideas are raised and debated in the public square.

Pollak launches first tv ad

If there is a potential upset in the works anywhere in the U.S. on November 2, it could be in Illinois' 9th CD. Republican Joel Pollak and his wife Julia's introductory tv ad hits the airwaves today.

Pollak has appealed to a wide array of independents and conservatives in the northern Chicago district, and has shrewdly reached out with his message of reform to national cable news venues as well as local bloggers.  The district is being bombarded with door knockers and volunteer phone bank calls. 

Incumbent Jan Schakowsky, part of Congress' radical leftists Democratic Socialist caucus, has never been so threatened.

$75 million goes to new jobs rather than old state obligations

The Tribune writes today about the hardship letters from Illinois service providers who've been waiting up to seven months to be paid by the state and how unpaid invoices are piling up on Comptroller Dan Hynes' desk.  These folks are unable to continue providing services to disabled and needy without getting their bills paid.  And the problems continue to mount...

But today, Governor Quinn found $75 million of his "discretionary funds" to extend an Illinois jobs program with hope that Congress will send emergency backup from DC in the next month or so. 

The obvious question -- so what about those trusting service providers that have been waiting patiently for seven months?  Guess it's just get back in line, you're gonna wait a while longer.

But Quinn's not worried.

Could Barney Frank Be Endangered Nov 2?!?!?

By Ghost of John Brown

Great Googly Moogly!!!!!  Could This be the guy that saves Western Civilization from the economy destroying Barney Frank?  Bielat is within 10 points and closing.  I was already going to get a couple bottles of bubbly for November 2nd, but now I might need a whole case.  Click here for a great interview between Sean Bielat and Sean Hannity.

Obama Chooses His Words Carefully About Faith

by Mark Rhoads

President Obama, like anyone else, deserves to have some broad lattitude in how he chooses to express his religious faith.  But since the nation learned a lesson from Bill Clinton about how carefully some politicians can parse their words, cautious scepticism about Obama's remarks is always a prudent idea.  Obama said in New Mexico today, “the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead – being my brother and sister’s keeper.”  Hmmm, let's think about that some more.

Moveon.org is pulling out the stops for liberal Congressman Foster

By Ghost of John Brown

A buddy of mine sent me an e-mail originating from moveon.org today which pleaded for help on behalf of liberal congressman Bill Foster.  Moveon.org is one of the most liberal and inflammatory groups out there supporting leftists.  The George Soros backed group is famous for such activities as:

• Defaming General Petraeus in a New York Times advertisement that questioned "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?"
• Their "most effective ad ever" used a new mother with her infant son to opposed John McCain and the Iraq war.  "you can't have my Alex".  Even liberal commentator John Stewart sarcastically praised moveon.org for "10 years of making even people who agree with you cringe.”

Tea Party Fighters on watch in 11th CD

This emergency-looking vehicle was spotted in the 11th CD ... and sure enough, below the driver's door are the words "Support Debbie Halvorson" who's Nancy Pelosi's Will County twin. 

Click on the photo to enlarge and see a huge cartoon of a machine-gun welding creep with the words "Tea Party Fighters."  And as if that's not bad enough -- see the words "Save Title 8" and "Don't let Republicans take your Link Card."  What kind of insulting, degrading and bigoted message is that? 

We caught the photo on Chicago Daily Observer, with no accreditation and the vehicle license plate already pixeled out.  Your guess is as good as ours ... what's the story with this?

 

 

 

Edgar endorses Brady for governor

Chicago – On the eve of the first public gubernatorial campaign debate, former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar today endorsed Bill Brady for Governor, saying Brady will restore fiscal discipline to manage the state budget, reverse out-of-control spending that threatens the state’s financial solvency, and will support economic policies designed to bring greater promise and prosperity back to Illinois.

“Bill Brady is the candidate most qualified to change the reckless fiscal attitudes we’ve seen for too long in Springfield,” said Edgar, the state’s 38th Governor. “From discussing this with him, I know he will stop spending more money than the state takes in and bring fiscal responsibility back to state government. As a businessman, he understands the impact of state budget policy on job creation and will put in place policies that once again encourage business investment in our state.”

November is coming

If you haven't seen this yet, it's worth the watch. November is coming ... even to once-deep blue Illinois.

Land of the Free?

By Stephanie Flater
 
Progressives are using legislation to seize control of America. Look at these headlines below for a glimpse of how America is being fundamentally transformed. Do you think our grandparents would believe what is happening in America today?  What about our founders?  Did they not escape England because of a tyrannical king for a life of freedom??

Are you willing to stand up for the greatest nation in the world, as our forefathers did when they created the single most amazing political document ever known to mankind?  Do you believe that individual freedom trumps collective freedom (ie. CONTROL)?

Rep. Hare Misleads Public on Outsourcing

EAST MOLINE, IL--Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for Congress in the Illinois 17th District, challenged Rep. Hare to explain his voting record on outsourcing.

Rep. Hare recently told the Quincy Herald-Whig, in regards to the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, "I'm not going to vote for this agreement or any other one that costs even one America job. Enough is enough."

The Year of the Sore Loser

By Mark Rhoads

Its not just RINOS such as Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware, but being a sore loser has suddenly become fashionable this season as long as liberal media can give you some cover. At first, it looked like a helpful development that Rick Lazio would drop out of the race for Governor of New York by vacating the Conservate Party nomination.  But now Lazio says he will not endorse the winning candidate who beat him in the New York GOP Primary, Carl Palladino, who had support from Tea Party groups in the Empire State. 

Illinois Democrats run from their party

Downstate Democrat Deena Dailey's mailers are all we need to see how tough it is being a Democrat on the campaign trail this year. 

Dailey, whose recent mailer was paid for by Democrats, insists she's an "INDEPENDENT," not a Democrat or a Republican.  (Click on image to enlarge)She says if elected in November, she'll introduce a law requiring taxpayers to vote before an elected official gets a pay raise.  Right.  As if House Speaker Mike Madigan would ever allow such a proposal to be signed into law.  Especially if Ms. Dailey's so "INDEPENDENT" she runs and hides from identifying with the Speaker's velvet-gloved iron grip.

Little Pavel Burns Up

by John F. Di Leo

Join us this week, as our young volunteer learns all about vote fraud in Texas…

“Awfully hot in here today, isn’t it, Pockets?”  Pavel mopped his brow with a napkin as he collated literature for the week’s volunteering.  “Dusty too…. Sorry, I don’t mean to complain.”

“No problem, Paully,” said Pockets, as he opened his window, carefully aiming it so the draft wouldn’t wreak havoc on the collating table.  That’s all they’d need… for the Boss to walk in just as an open window blew a thousand leaflets all over the 51st ward headquarters.  “That’s just the way these old boilers get the first few times they’re fired up in the fall.  Won’t be so bad by the election, when we’ve had the heat on a few times.  Besides, at least it’s not as hot as it got in Houston last month; now, that was a real inferno!”

“Houston?” the young volunteer perked up.  Pavel Syerov, Jr. (Paul to his friends) put down his work and opened another frosty can of diet cola.  “Doesn’t it ever cool down in Texas?”

Right Nation 2010: The Honorable Dick Armey

Now leader of FreedomWorks, the former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) focused on the urgency of patriots to protect their liberties while addressing over 5500 passionate conservatives in Chicago September 18th.  If you weren't at Right Nation 2010, here's another snippet of the encouragement you missed that night.  Our nation's future depends on our involvement in this upcoming election.  Pick a candidate you can trust and get involved today.

Hultgren To Foster: Call For A Vote On Tax Cuts

ST. CHARLES – State Senator Randy Hultgren issued the following statement Monday regarding Congress's pending failure to pass an extension of expiring tax cuts; Congress is scheduled to adjourn Thursday, part of an effort to give Democrats more time in their districts as they desperately try to save their jobs.

“Taxpayers and small business owners across the 14th Congressional District of Illinois continue to fear what the federal government will do to them while the economy sputters,” said Hultgren. “Rather than going along with efforts to postpone a vote on taxes till after the election, Bill Foster should urge his close, personal friend Nancy Pelosi to hold an up-or-down vote on the extension of all expiring tax cuts prior to this week's adjournment.”

Pollak to Schakowsky: "Give back the J Street cash!"

NILES, IL - Joel Pollak, Republican challenger for U.S. Congress in the 9th district of Illinois, called on Democrat incumbent Jan Schakowsky to give back the money donated to her by the far-left J Street organization.

"J Street, which opposes Israel at every opportunity, has been forced to admit that it takes money from George Soros and overseas donors," Pollak said. "Jan Schakowsky is one of the top recipients of J Street cash--roughly $50,000 as of June and perhaps twice as much overall."

US Senate Race Analysis - 9/28 update

by Ghost of John Brown

In August, I penned an analysis of the US Senate races and whether I thought the Republicans have a chance to take over the Senate.  Click here for the article.  With all of the primaries over and at least a week's worth of new polling behind us, I thought it would be fun to take a fresh look at the races.

My analysis in August predicted a 50-50 tie in the Senate, which means that Captain Hairplug (aka Joe Biden) will get to cast the deciding vote and thus the Democrats maintain control of the Senate.  For this article, I will just focus on what I see as changes in the races, so I won't necessarily talk about each race.

Trib overwhelmingly endorses Republicans for state senate races

The Tribune's endorsements are breath-taking this time around.  Makes you wonder if they've heard the Tea Party frustrated voices coming from the rallies below the Tribune Towers over the past year?  While the first half of their endorsements today went to Republicans, so did the second half of the Trib's State Senate favors -- actually Republican candidates were picked in 7 out of 8 races.

The Tribune endorses Republican challengers "One Mom" Cedra Crenshaw, 24 year old businessman Adam Baumgartner and Downstate builder Sam McCann over each of their Democratic opponents. 

They also chose Republican conservative incumbents State Senators Dave Syverson, Kyle McCarter, Dave Luechtefeld and Dale Righter.    Only one Democrat was picked -- Michael Frerichs of Champaign.

"Conservatives 4 Palin" plan Chicago meetup in November

In mid-November, Sarah Palin supporters will be meeting in the Chicago area and feature conservative stars Tammy Bruce, S.E. Cupp as well as Jedidiah Bila. The organizers have invited Illinois Review readers ...

A group of commenters at the grassroots pro-Sarah Palin website, www.Conservatives4Palin.com, have organized a meet-up in Chicago November 12-14th, 2010 as an opportunity for  Palin supporters to network, meet, and discuss how to best support Governor Palin and the common sense conservative movement. This is our second meet-up. We held a meet-up in San Diego in July that included speakers from Smart Girl Politics and Concerned Women for America. We also were blessed to have author, Foxnews contributor, and independent radio host, Tammy Bruce, as our keynote speaker. We also had the great blessing of a surprise call from Governor Palin herself.

We are very pleased to announce that this second meet-up will be in Chicago, Illinois the weekend of November 12-14th. We have a great lineup of "mama grizzly" speakers planned for the event. Tammy Bruce will be returning as one of the speakers.

New film "Fire from the Heartland" about conservative women

The first-ever film to tell the entire story of the conservative woman in her own words, "Fire from the Heartland" is a powerful statement about America at a crossroads and the women who have awakened to the crisis. With role models such as Clare Boothe Luce, Margaret Thatcher, and Phyllis Schlafly as inspiration, these women are the unintended consequence of the liberal feminist movement.

Tracing the long history of the many conservative women who have been the backbone of this great nation, from the founding mothers of our Republic to today's "Mama Grizzlies," this powerful and compelling documentary honors the self-made American woman. Activists, politicians and commentators such as Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, S.E. Cupp, Dana Loesch, Michelle Easton, Sonnie Johnson, Jenny Beth Martin, Michelle Moore, Jamie Radtke, Deneen Borelli, Janine Turner, and Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis, Jean Schmidt, and Michele Bachmann share their emotional stories of hardship and triumph in their fight for freedom.

Trailer below ...

These women leaders are fanning the flames of liberty across the nation. Written and directed by Stephen K. Bannon and produced by David N. Bossie, the team that made the critically acclaimed film "Generation Zero" that focused on the financial meltdown and the rise of the Tea Party, "Fire from the Heartland" is a must-see for every citizen concerned with the direction of our country and will stir a fire in the hearts of all Americans.

more info at www.FireFromTheHeartland.com