Illinois Review

Free Phones and the Loss of Freedoms

By John F. Di Leo -

Statistics are odd things.  They can grab one’s attention; they can utterly fascinate, or they can make one’s eyes glaze over.

Election seasons are a great time for such examples – candidates, parties, and commentators all use statistics to make their points, but all too often, the important issues are lost in the shuffle of challenges or defenses to the statistics.

The modern welfare state presents such a problem.  Consider the “rise of the Obamaphone” in recent years, as a three-decade-old policy of providing the most indigent with a subsidized landline has been translated by the current administration as a commitment to provide 12.5 million voters with the latest cellphones.  Honestly, shouldn’t the recipients be offended that their party hopes their votes can be bought with a free phone?

First, the statistics:  there were about 7.1 million federally-subsidized cellphones in 2008, and that number nearly doubled to 12.5 million during the Obama presidency.  Politicians are sure that these statistics will affect the November elections, especially with the news that about a million of them are in Ohio, the battleground of all battlegrounds.

What Did the Buddhists Do?

By Mark Rhoads -

Radical Muslims attacked and set fire to a Buddhist Temple and Buddhist homes in Bangladesh allegedly based on some pretext of an insult to Islam on Facebook from a Buddhist man.  That sounds phony to me.  What did the Buddhists really do to fire up the radical Muslims?  Did they give aid to Israel?  No.  They only just exist in Bangladesh as another religious faith and they pretty much mind their own business in peace.  So it is not just Jews, Christians, Hindus, or Americans that Radical Muslims despise but anyone who is not a fellow radical Muslim including peaceful and moderate Muslims. 

Apologies of remorse reap undesirable consequences

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Ingold -

The administration, supported by the liberal media, denies that anyone apologized to the Islamic world for offending them. They take the narrow view that an apology expresses remorse for some offense the speaker has committed.  In the rhetorical sense, however, an apology occurs when the speaker attempts to justify the wrongs anyone has committed, including someone else. Marc Antony's speech to the Romans was phrased as an apology for Caesar's faults, with surprising consequences.

That's precisely the substance of apologies uttered by the State Department, which justified attacks on the interests of the United States by Islamic militants by blaming them on an obscure video clip that hardly anyone had seen up to that point.  It was compounded by apologies spoken by Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama, on television in Pakistan, paid for by the US Government.

Illinoisan past halfway mark in touring 50 Capitols in 50 Days

BURR RIDGE - Friday, Illinoisan Mickey Straub toured the capitol of New Mexico and found a reference to God that he photographed and placed on his Facebook page. New Mexico's capitol building is the nation's oldest - built in 1609 to 1610, the nation's roundest - the only round capitol building and America's highest capitol building, located at 7000 feet elevation.

All that in itself may be interesting, but that's not the whole story. Straub's photo in Santa Fe isn't of the first state capital he has visited recently.  It was the 35th capitol building he personally toured in the last 26 days. The Burr Ridge Illinois resident is on a mission to visit all 50 capitols in 50 days, read the Gettysburg Address and find references to God at each location. 

Straub had already covered the eastern and southern part of the nation, driving a tan Lincoln with a rear window decal "50Capitolsin50Days.com."  Right now, he's in a phase of his trek he describes as "hard" with long eight and nine hour drives between capitals.  After making side trips to Alaska and Hawaii, he plans to end up in his home state capital of Springfield Illinois on October 23rd.

Paprocki: Think and pray about your vote in the upcoming election

By Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki -

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Much attention was given at the Democratic National Convention held recently in Charlotte, N.C., to the fact that all references to God had been purged from the draft version of the party platform. After outcries of protest from outside as well as within the Democratic Party, the sentence with the same reference to God used in 2008 was restored to read, "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."

Before anyone relaxes and concludes that all is well now that the Democratic Party Platform contains a single passing reference to God, the way that this was done should give us pause. Convention chairman Antonio Villaraigosa had to call for the voice vote three times because each time the sound level for the "ayes" and the "nays" sounded about even, far short of the two-thirds necessary according to convention rules to amend the platform. That did not stop the convention chairman from declaring, "The ayes have it!"

UPDATE: 7-Election 2012 coffee poll favors Obama 60 to 40

UPDATE - Jim in South Elgin just sent IR the coffee cup vote at a Bartlett 7-11 store, in the notorious Cook County Illinois . Romney - 16, Obama - 7

The convenience store 7-Eleven franchise is doing its own poll, offering to customers a pick between red Mitt Romney and blue Obama coffee cups. Nationally, the 7-Election poll favors Obama 60 to 40.  In Illinois Obama is winning, 59 to 41.

Look at the numbers, Illinois may not be as hopeless as Romney supporters think

BARRINGTON - Feeling a little bummed out and preparing for the worse in November?  Leave it to an independent-minded, thoughtful and innovative Tea Party activist, political veteran Bruce Donnelly to change the lens on what's going on in Illinois and how things may not be as they appear. Donnelly contends the media is bent on depressing Romney voters with faulty polls and anti-Romney rhetoric. 

First, Bruce looks at recent Illinois statewide numbers -

...Many of the polls are skewed by assuming that the 2012 turnout will resemble the high 2008 Democratic turnout, when many independent voters and even some Republicans voted for Obama.  Since Obama won Illinois by a 62%-37% margin over McCain, who hardly made any effort to win in Illinois, it is assumed by all the pundits and pollsters that Romney has no chance here.

To put this in perspective, remember the 2010 statewide election results

US Senator Mark Kirk (R)   1,778,698    48.01%

Alexi Giannoulias (D)          1,719,478   46.42%

Governor Pat Quinn (D)      1,745,219   46.79%

Bill Brady (R)                       1,713,385   45.94%

As you can see, both races were remarkably close in 2010.  It is a myth to think that Illinois cannot be won by a Republican candidate.

Then he looks a little closer at races farther down the 2010 ticket:

No differences between Pelosi and Schneider

SKOKIE - If Illinois' 10th CD voters are looking for a Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi clone, they've got one to choose in the Congressional race between Democrat Brad Schneider and Republican incumbent Bob Dold.

Di Leo: Greco Strikes a match

By John F. Di Leo -

The mob boss from the south of Europe encounters an unexpected demonstration as he makes his rounds in Athens one September Wednesday...

Greco was feeling sorry for himself.  As his career decline approached four years of sheer misery, he was beginning to wish he had become a fisherman, hotel clerk, tour guide, archaeologist… heck, anything would be better than running the rackets in times like these.  How do you shake people down when the people don’t have anything left to be shaken out of them?

Wednesday, September 26 was a particularly bad day for Greco, as he wandered through Athens on his regular collection run. 

It wasn’t a difficult job; you get up in the morning and shower and dress, like everybody else… maybe put on a leather jacket or a wool pea coat, depending on the weather, a traditional Greek fisherman’s cap as a rakish nod to the past… affix a blackjack to your belt and keep a set of brass knuckles in your pocket… and head out to work.  A lot like your typical commuter, Greco thought, except that his hours were his own, and he got more fresh air than most people.

Ives endorsed by key organizations noting respect for voters and leadership

WHEATON – The Friends of Jeanne Ives campaign is pleased to announce that several prominent organizations have endorsed Ms. Ives (Republican) in the race for State Representative District 42.

The United Republican Fund (URF), Illinois Federation for Right to Life (IFRC PAC) and Association of Builders and Contractors, Inc. notified the campaign of their support for and endorsement of Jeanne Ives this week.

A West Point graduate and Wheaton City Councilwoman, Ives’experience and character earned her the endorsement of the United Republican Fund. The URF bases candidate selection on several criteria, including candidates’response to a questionnaire which “provides Illinois voters a complete picture of where the candidates stand on critical issues facing our state.”

Ann Romney's embarrassing moment

Because Americans like to like their leaders, political advisors are telling the Romneys they need to share their personal side more. This week, Mitt Romney and wife Ann answered an array of personal questions during an televised interview with Kelly Ripa. Ann Romney shared an embarrassing moment.

Ann Romney: We had the unbelievable pleasure of spending the night at the  White House. And the next morning I was like, exploring everywhere. And I was supposed to be at meetings and Mitt was like, 'Ann you’re supposed  to go.' And I said, 'No, I’m exploring.'

I went into one door, I was with Anita Perry, by the way (wife of Texas Gov.  Rick Perry, who was lieutenant governor with Gov. George W. Bush). I’ll put  blame on her. And Anita and I were like, we wonder what’s behind this door? It was George  Bush having a massage. (Audience screams)

Chart: Federal spending grew 12 Times faster than median income

From Heritage.org:

Springfield Bishop: Voting for candidates that support evil could endanger soul

SPRINGFIELD - Leftist organizations like People for the American Way and RightWingWatch.org are in an uproar over comments Springfield Illinois' Bishop Thomas John Paprocki made in a recent commentary video about the grave responsibility of voting. Bishop Paprocki's comments challenge both Democrats and Republicans on their party platforms. 

"I have a duty to speak out on moral issues," Illinois capital city's Catholic offical says.

"A vote for a candidate that supports actions that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy."

When was the last time a Protestant or an evangelical pastor preached that strongly about one's actions in the voting booth? 

Pat Boone and 60 Plus honor Bellar

WHEELING – Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for the national non-partisan senior citizen group the 60 Plus Association, announced today that Illinois 18th District State Senate GOP candidate Barbara Bellar has earned the group’s Honorary Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award.

In a statement released by 60 Plus, Boone remarked, “I’m still singing at concerts, but today I’m singing the praises of Barbara Bellar. Seniors can depend on Barbara Bellar.”  Boone, 78, and his wife of 57 years, Shirley, reside in Beverly Hills, California.

Freedom is worth a prayer

By Mark Rhoads -

More than 55 years ago before separation of church and state court cases went crazy, when Dwight Eisenhower was president, the U.S. Post Office printed a postmark on millions of letters that simply said, "Pray for Peace."  Many Americans did pray and the world survived the Cold War era without the worst war one could imagine. 

Roman Catholic Bishop James D. Conley was raised as a Presbyterian and he will shortly become the new bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska.  The plea of Bishop Conley is right for our time and that is to pray for freedom.

Barack Obama: How to Lie with Statistics

By Teri O'Brien -

Barack Obama is a not only a serial liar, but one who apparently casts such a hypnotic spell on his devotees that they question what they can see with their own eyes if it conflicts with the words the One is reading from his PrompTer. It must be true.

This a a guy who asked another "unusually good liar" to vouch for him and give the American public the straight scoop about the economy, and if the media is to be believed, we are buying it. Why wouldn't we? If you can't count on the only elected president of the United States ever impeached for lying under oath for the truth, who can you trust?

Daily Caller digs into Jack Ryan's op research on Obama

The Daily Caller is digging through the IL GOP's 2004 candidate-for U.S. Senate Jack Ryan's opposition research and is beginning to reveal a Barack Obama Chicago and Illinois never had a chance to learn about before Ryan left the race at IL GOP insiders' urging. Boxes of files are sitting in the Daily Caller's offices -

The little-seen information within the binders represents a comprehensive  documentation of Obama’s voting record in the state Senate; his many political  donors, endorsers and affiliations; a list of the known clients represented by  the law firm where he worked; known details about Obama’s life derived from his  books; and a litany of press clippings that include quotes from the Democrat  dating back to 1992.

For the most part, that disbanded team of Ryan 2004 staffers - including WLS 890 AM talk show host Dan Proft, DC campaign advisor Bill Pascoe, Ryan campaign manager Jason Miller and western suburban political consultant Jeff Davis - aren't saying where the Examiner got those binders.  The Ryan campaign's opposition research was reportedly "handed out like candy" in 2004 when Alan Keyes rode into Illinois on a white horse and again in 2008 during John McCain's presidential bid, but the research's juiciest contents are just beginning to appear in the Daily Caller.

Madigan 2007 pension debacle passed with GOP help

CHICAGO - Whose fault was the passage of that 2007 pension amendment that opened the way for lobbyists to substitute teach one day and buy into the lucrative teachers' union pension later?  House Speaker Mike Madigan's without a doubt, Republican faithful would say. 

But the Chicago Tribune's story about yet another teacher union lobbyist raking in a six figure pension and their follow-up editorial challenging Illinoisans to hold their lawmakers accountable stirred our curiosity: just who voted how on SB 36 that passed days after the November 2006 election? 

It took a little searching, but we found the links to the roll calls and found why only the Illinois Republican Party, and not Republican caucus leaders, voiced public outrage about the Madigan pension law debacle.

The Free Obama Phone lady is wrong

So if you missed the Free Obama Phone lady that hit the web yesterday, IR posted RealFreedom1776's Youtube Thursday morning when it had less than 400 views. Friday, after being featured on several cable network political shows, the Free Obama phone Youtube is trending and registering 1,078,434 views.

But there's one place not so happy about the negative exposure "free" cell phones is getting.  A website, www.freegovernmentcellphones4u.com says that woman's free phone isn't really an Obama Phone.  The website says the $1.6 Billion free phone program, which started in the 1980s and was updated in the mid 90s, now has 12 million users taking advantage of the Lifeline Assistance Program that dates back to the Clinton Administration.

Lifeline Assistance is funded by telecom companies, which in turn charge their customers what is known as the Universal Service Fee. The telephone tax was first set into effect with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 - when Bill Clinton was president.

O'Brien: Lame Stream Media Polls: Shiny Objects of Distraction

By Teri O'Brien -

Many of my fellow conservative commentators have spent a lot of time talking about the oversampling of democrats in nearly all of the recently released presidential election polls. Just in case you haven't noticed, they show that holding the presidential election is a mere formality at this points, since Barack Obama has effectively won. While I don't doubt that it's true that these polls are skewed, that's not the real story.

The real story is that for the last two weeks, these polls, along with Mitt Romney's allegedly "infamous," "horrific," "revealing," and granted, poorly worded, comments at a May fundraiser, are presented incessantly by the LSM as the lead story, the most important news since some dude with a super powerful telephoto lens snapped photos of a topless Kate Middleton.

So, it's not that the polls are skewed, which they are. It's that they are being used by the Obama administration's propagandists to facilitate its deliberate coverup of the murder of four Americans, one of whom was the first American ambassador to be murdered by terrorists since 1979, in Libya on September 11, 2012.

McConnaughay to make easy move from county to state issues

AURORA - Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay was endorsed this week by the United Republican Fund in her unopposed bid for the 33rd District Illinois Senate seat.  Libertarian opponent Doug Marks faced petition objections that were sustained in early August, removing Marks from the ballot.  McConnaughay says she's focused on taking her experience as board chairman to Springfield.

As Kane County Board Chairman, I consistently reduced spending and balanced the budget. I kept debt low, fully funded pensions, supported ethics reform and ensured tax sustainability. I remain committed to fiscal responsibility without compromising the taxpayers quality of life.

As a State Senator, I will put taxpayers first and ensure government lives within it's means. I will work with business to remove the roadblocks that hinder their ability to provide job opportunities to the hard working people of the Fox Valley. I will work to put an end to the dysfunction in Springfield that ultimately costs taxpayers jobs and money.

In 2011, Illinois Review interviewed McConnaughay during which she reviewed how she started in Illinois politics, shared her experiences with private sector unions as Kane County Board Chairman and discussed social issues.

Her 5-part Illinois Review interview is HERE.

Her responses to the Illinois conservative coalition's survey are HERE.

Viola Davis "Won't Back Down" - and neither should CPS parents

CHICAGO - Friday, Moody's downgraded the Chicago Public School system's credit ratings because they were unable to fight back the suffocating debt the Chicago Teachers Union strike negotiations thrust upon them. A lower credit rating means every borrowed dollar will cost more to repay, and that means taxpayers not only in Chicago, but state- and nation-wide will be forced to pay more.  And for what? A system in which only 60 percent of the students complete a minimal high school diploma.

A controversial new release bolstering students and parents is hitting theatres this weekend. Teachers' unions are blasting it, no surprise. If only this movie had come out in Chicago three weeks ago.

But one of the stars of "Won't Back Down," Viola Davis defended her participation in the movie and her involvement in promoting school choice with this comment to Jay Leno -

I am a parent. And as a parent, I have a child and I know that the only way she's going to get a part of the American Dream is through education. And so if that great education is a public school, I'm going to send my kid to the public school. If that great education is a charter school, I'm going to send my kid to a charter school. If it's a private school, I'll send her to a private school. I think that it's about wanting do what's best for your kid.

Gutierrez predicts major immigration policy changes if Obama re-elected

CHICAGO - Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez is wild with anticipation that Barack Obama will be re-elected in November, and that his second term would prove to be a game changer for America's immigration policy, the Hill wrote late last week.  Gutierrez said the sheer number of Latinos voting against Mitt Romney will force GOP leaders to support reforms for fear of alienating those voters indefinitely.

“I’m absolutely positive he’s going to [prioritize immigration reform],” Gutierrez said Friday of Obama, “because the Republicans are going to take such a beating in this election that they’re going to propose [their own plan].”

Gutierrez does have a challenger in the near Westside 4th CD - a Republican businessman born in Puerto Rico.

Too Vile Even for Harry Reid

By Mark Rhoads

The often angry Democratic Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate has been breaking all records in his "unilateral race to the bottom" this year says Mona Charen in her column posted over at National Review Online.  Not only did Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) attack Mitt Romney with a slanderous and false claim from "a secret source" that Romney had not filed tax returns "for ten years," but now Reid has attacked Romney as one who has "sullied" the Mormon faith.

Jimmy John's founder speculates headquarters move to Texas or Indiana

CHICAGO - Chalk up  yet another business heading for greener pastures outside of Illinois. 

"I think you'll see us out of Illinois in the next two to four years, and we'll probably end up in Indiana or in Austin Texas," the founder of Jimmy John's national sandwich franchise said at a business forum last week in Chicago.

Two IL counties cleanse 4000 from voter rolls, Cook County eliminates 100k

SPRINGFIELD - In two of Illinois' least populated counties on the state's southernmost Kentucky border, more than 4000 were recently culled from registered voter lists.  Time has run out for any more pre-2012 election cleanup, but state election officials are pleased with the progress that's been made.

“Having good, clean election rolls avoids any possibility of people attempting impersonation voting,” said Ken Menzel, an attorney with the Illinois State Board of Elections, told Illinois Watchdog.org. “While it’s not a huge problem from what we can tell, keeping your rolls clean limits the opportunity for mischief along that line.”

So-called "voter purges" are causing uproar in Texas and Florida, where election observers assert purges could prevent qualified voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote. 

Eyebrows are raised over the more than 4000 registered voters that were removed from Alexander County, where the population is a little over 8000 and Massac County, around 15,500. 

And then the inevitable question - what about the state's most populous Cook County, where over 5 million people live? How "clean" are their voter rolls?

Occupy Chicago Declares Victory after 2011 charges are dismissed

Charges were dismissed Thursday against Occupy Chicago protesters arrested by the City of Chicago in October 2012. The group released the following statement, condemning Mayor Rahm Emanuel as "not being from Chicago," and implementing an "abuse of power:"

CHICAGO - Cook County Judge Thomas Donnelly has dismissed all charges relating to Occupy Chicago's attempts at taking an encampment last October. On October 15 and 23, [2012] thousands of occupiers marched from Jackson and LaSalle to Congress Plaza to erect an encampment in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. The encampments were meant to be a place where people could live, build community and organize in our fight against the corporate abuse of democracy. The protest was intended to build a round-the-clock presence at Grant Park. Over the course of the two attempts to create this community, 305 protesters would be arrested.

The arrests were made on the grounds of a rarely-used park curfew ordinance restricting access to Grant Park from 11pm to 6am. Occupy Chicago activists challenged this ordinance based upon the protection of the First Amendment which states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

"The Real Joe" re-appears in the 8th CD

"The Real Joe Walsh" is a web ad hitting the Internet again. It's a pretty simple reset ad introduction to voters in the new 8th CD first circulated in late August.

With the DCCC pulling ad buys in the Downstate 12th and 13th CDs, Joe Walsh has now become the focus of the Obama-Axelrod-Quinn-Madigan Machine, combined with DCCC dollars pouring in, as well as Leftist Super PAC attack funds.  

IL GOP 2012 Platform staunchly prolife

CHICAGO - Reported earlier Thursday, the Pew Research Polling reports that Catholic voters are breaking towards Barack Obama. A Catholic Voters Guide encourages Catholics to check the platforms of the different political parties to see how they line up with The Church's teachings. 

From Page 5 of the Illinois Republican Party 2012 Platform, the issue of the Right to Life is addressed. The platform was recommended by the IL GOP's 2012 Platform Committee and approved by an overwhelming majority of the delegates in a voice vote at the IL GOP Convention in Tinley Park last June.

There's More to Natural Gas Than Hot Air

By Nancy Thorner and Ed Ingold -

An Associated Press article by Kevin Bego, Decades of federal dollars helped fuel gas boom, describes how government subsidies and tax breaks preceded the breakthrough called "fracking" which allows natural gas to be extracted from deep shale deposits economically, so economically that natural gas prices have been reduced by over 60% in the last three years.  
 
It is evident that Kevin Bego wrote his article while keeping in mind the President's highly charged statement, "You didn't build that," which is not quite true.
 
These gas deposits, 3000 feet deep or more in solid, non-porous rock, were thought to be unusable. Yet engineers and scientists in the industry persevered for more than twenty years, developing fracking technology to this end. 

New Schilling web ad: Bobby Runs

COLONA - The 17th CD "Bobby Schilling for Congress" campaign released a new web ad Thursday, "Bobby Runs."

The footage features U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) as he meets people across the Illinois 17th District. The indoor footage was taken at a Students for Bobby coalition launch earlier this week.

Vote for Obama, he gives out phones

Belford - Wednesday, a protestor outside a Romney rally in Belford Ohio passionately explained why she's for Barack Obama. She has an Obama phone because he gives them to "minorities" if they're on "food stamps, Social Security, low income, on disability..."

The citizen journalist videoing, apparently somewhat taken aback and concerned it may appear racist, missed an opportunity to ask the Obama supporter this question:  "Who pays for that phone, ma'am?"

 

In 30th Senate, Link pushes, Castella opposes gambling expansion

LINCOLNSHIRE - State Senator Terry Link has been the gambling industry's go-to guy in the Illinois Senate for years. He's received nearly $50,000 from gambling interests.  The Daily Herald reviewed its editorial questionnaire on the topic, contrasting Link with Republican challenger Don Castella. 

Castella, of Lincolnshire, is a retired business owner who is active in GOP politics. He’s led the Vernon Township Republican organization since 2006 and is vice chairman of the conservative Republican Assembly of Lake County.

When asked on the Daily Herald questionnaire about legalized gambling and expansion, Castella’s answer was brief.

“I generally oppose gambling expansion,” he wrote. “I oppose casino expansion in my district on economic and moral grounds.”

Those answers line up with Castella's answer about gambling expansion on the multi-group questionnaire Illinois Review helped facilitate for state legislative candidates. Castella was endorsed by the United Republican Fund this week.

Washington Examiner reveals "The Obama You Don't Know"

WASHINGTON - The Washington Examiner rolled out a 10-part series entitled "The Obama You Don't Know" that was introduced by Fox News' Brett Baier last Friday. The segment featured a quote about President Obama by former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger of Elgin and made negative links to yet another influential Chicago black pastor - not Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The Examiner's editor in chief Mark Tapscott explained:

Other reform-minded lawmakers like State Senator Chris Lauzen of Aurora and Dave Syverson of Rockford, as well as former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald now living in Virginia, are also quoted in the series. 

Catholic voters favor Obama; Church guide favors Romney and GOP platform

CHICAGO - Almost 24 percent of America's 301 million identify themselves as part of the Catholic Church. How that voting bloc votes in 2012 could very well determine the outcome of the Presidential race if Catholics are motivated to go to the polls. 

According to a poll released Thursday, Catholic voters are siding with re-electing President Obama. In June, Obama held a slight edge over Mitt Romney among Catholics (49-47 percent), but since then, Obama is surging ahead, and now leads 54-39 percent, according to a Pew Research poll conducted on Sept. 16.

Those numbers clash with political expectations with Romney's vice-presidential pick Congressman Paul Ryan being a devoted Catholic and the national Catholic hierarchy's outcry against the Obama social policies. The Administration's Health and Human Services mandate requiring all Americans to subsidize government-funded contraception, sterilization and abortion has been at the heart of an ongoing heated discussion as Catholic and Protestant pastors have re-asserted First Amendment rights to exercise religious beliefs. 

As a result, the Church has invested time and resources into developing a voters' guide with an emphasis on challenging traditional voting habits. Building on its religious background emphasizing traditional family settings, the Church is encouraging its Faithful to 1. read party platforms before making choices at the polls, and 2. evaluate the candidates' positions with the Church teachings in mind.

O'Brien: Obama Cowers Inside His Protective Bubble

By Teri O'Brien -

The bizarre disconnect between Barack Obama and world events, as evidenced by his avoidance of any substantive meetings while in New York on Monday did not escape anyone's attention, even that of his Lame Stream Media suckup stenographers.  On his "Daily Rundown" show Monday morning, F. Chuck Todd said that the Obama campaign is hoping that the One can slip into New York, make a couple of speeches at the U.N. and the Clinton Global Initiative, hang out with the hags at "The View," and get out "without making any news," as in avoid sticking his foot in his mouth.

Wednesday, on his show, F. Chuck Todd questioned Obama campaign mouthpiece/national embarrassment Stephanie Cutter about her guy's face time phobia, even comparing it unfavorably with George W. Bush. From Mediate:

Illinois income drops 2.6 percent from 2010 to 2011

SPRINGFIELD - If your family budget is tighter than it was in 2010, it may not be your imagination if you live in Illinois. According to a newly released report, Illinois' median income dropped from $54,644 to $53,234 in just one year. 

The United States Census Bureau's American Community Briefs report "Household Income for states 2010 and 2011" released in September 2012 shows a 2.6 percent dip in Illinois households. Real median household income decreased between the 2010 and 2011 ACS in 18 states. These decreases range from 1.1 percent (Ohio) to 6.0 percent (Nevada). 

Page 5 of the report shows these comparisons. Illinois is boxed with a blue line.

Brady: Illinois is Breaking Republican

From the IL GOP -  

CHICAGO – Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady today released the following statement regarding yesterday’s news that a Democrat Super PAC canceled hefty television buys in two downstate congressional races while the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee (NRCC) purchased its own hefty cable TV buy in one suburban race:

“Democrats are finally realizing that voters are rejecting their message of higher taxes, increased spending and fewer jobs,” Brady said.  “Bill Enyart and David Gill preach a radical, liberal tax-and-spend agenda that will kill jobs in the Metro East and in Central and Southern Illinois.  Tammy Duckworth thinks people in the 8th District are better off today than they were four years ago.  Mike Madigan did his best to give Democrats a hyper-partisan map but no matter where lines are drawn on a map, the people of Illinois will vote for lower taxes, reduced spending and pro-growth policies that create jobs.”

Yesterday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported: 

Fee vows to "raise hell" in Springfield

NAPERVILLE - Republican Pat Fee says she'll "raise hell" in Springfield if the western suburbs' 84th District voters pick her over incumbent State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit in November.

More about Pat Fee http://www.patfee2012.com or http://www.twitter.com/votepat - She's ready to change Illinois, putting taxpayers first and moving our state in new direction of fiscal responsibility, jobs, economic growth and ethics.

Davis and Kinzinger talk jobs in 13th CD

From the Rodney Davis for Congress campaign -

BLOOMINGTON- After 43 months straight of unemployment over eight percent nationwide, and an unemployment rate above nine percent in Illinois, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-11) and 13th Congressional District Republican nominee Rodney Davis this week discussed ways to get the Illinois economy back on track.

Kinzinger and Davis appeared at Chuck’s Harley Davidson in Bloomington, a locally owned business. They discussed Davis’ jobs plan, which on Tuesday was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

“Rodney’s plan will help people in Illinois get back to work,” said Congressman Kinzinger. “We need more members of Congress who will fight to keep taxes low and will help create an environment in which small businesses can thrive and hire new people.

United Republican Fund Announces 2012 Endorsements

The state's oldest, conservative Republican organization announced its initial list of 2012 endorsements for the Illinois General Assembly today. The United Republican Fund (URF) based its selection on several criteria, including candidates' response to a questionnaire from a coalition of conservative groups, as well as incumbent ratings on the URF Legislative Scorecards.

Dennis LaComb, Executive Director of the URF, said both measures were important. "The questionnaire provides Illinois voters a complete picture of where the candidates' stand on critical issues facing our state," noted LaComb. "Any candidate unwilling to be honest and transparent about the issues is simply not qualified to serve the people of this great state."

As to the use of voting records for incumbent candidates, LaComb said "Those who have been given the public trust must be held to a higher standard. Where the questionnaire reveals a candidate's position on the issues, their voting record exposes the courage of those convictions."

A primary issue for the URF this year was whether a candidate would accept campaign support from public-sector unions. "Given the fact that Illinois' fiscal crisis will force every legislator to vote on the size and cost of government, it is important to know which government groups will be able to exert influence on each elected official," said LaComb.

The URF congratulated the endorsed candidates for the respect they've shown the voters, and encouraged them to continue to exhibit leadership.

Going forward, the URF will be recommending these endorsed candidates to their members and fellow conservatives throughout the state. They'll also be working to drive money and volunteers to each campaign, and to generate excitement and recognition for each candidate.

The URF's endorsed candidates are:

Illinois State Senate

• John Bambenek (52nd Dist) (questionnaire) 
• Barbara Bellar (18th Dist) (questionnaire)
• Don Castella (30th Dist) (questionnaire)
• Sen. Dan Duffy (26th Dist) (questionnaire)
• Peter Hurtado (42nd Dist) (questionnaire)
• Sandy Johnson (43rd Dist) (questionnaire)
• Karen McConnaughay (33rd Dist) (questionnaire)
• Jim Oberweis (25th Dist) (questionnaire)
  
• Jim O'Donnell (28th Dist) (questionnaire) 
• Garrett Peck (49th Dist) (questionnaire)

Illinois House of Representatives

• Rep. Brad Halbrook (110th Dist) (questionnaire)
• Jeanne Ives (42nd Dist) (questionnaire)
• Dave McSweeney (52nd Dist) (questionnaire)

Walsh supporter picked to fly to Los Angeles to hear Duckworth

BLOOMINGDALE - Dave Rogers, a voter in Illinois' northwest suburban 8th CD, will be flying to Los Angeles for a rare chance to hear his district's Democrat candidate Tammy Duckworth speak in person, compliments of the Illinois Republican Party. The Joe Walsh for Congress campaign announced Wednesday. Rogers of Bloomingdale won a round-trip ticket and one night's hotel stay after entering a contest by making a donation to the Walsh campaign.

"We wish people like Dave didn't have to go so far to hear Tammy Duckworth," the Walsh campaign said, "but since she turned down 10 debate offers from organizations representing voters, she hasn't really given them much of a chance."

Unlike Tammy, Walsh's press release said, "Joe isn't running to earn votes in California or to earn the approval of the liberal elite." Walsh has hosted more town halls than any member of Congress. "He's done everything he can to make himself accessible to voters like Dave Rogers."

Arie Friedman mailing stirs debate

Illinois Review's story on GOP State Senate candidate Arie Friedman's pro-abortion mailer has stirred a bit of rancorous discussion. The latest buzz from insiders is that the mailer was intentionally sent to curry favor with the district's more liberal soccer moms by distancing Friedman from his conservative base.

Check out the lively discussion and analysis HERE

Drudge Report Sets All-Time Record of 1 Billion Monthly Page Views

RESTON, VIRGINIA — Intermarkets, Inc., a digital advertising firm, announced today that the Drudge Report set an all-time record of 1 billion page views.

"With only seven weeks before the 2012 Presidential Elections, the Drudge Report is a much sought-after online resource for readers interested in unbiased news. Political campaigns, issue advocacies, and advertising agencies are particularly interested in reaching Drudge Report readers,” said Intermarkets Chief Operating Officer Will Trommelen.

"Election Day 2008 proved to be one of the biggest one-day draws for visitors to the Drudge Report. We’re preparing for a similar record-breaking event on November 6, 2012.” The Drudge Report’s influence and growth has been acknowledged in OMMA’s 2011 Top 100 Most Important Online Publishers and Quantcast’s 2012 Top 100 Sites on the Internet.

Obama’s UN Speech: Soft Pedaling America’s Principles

By Warner Todd Huston -

Another UN meeting, another Obama appearance where he bends over backwards for foreign ideals and terror supporters. Once again Obama basically places ideas antithetical to America’s in front of ours as he addresses the world, seeming to apologize for us all over again.

For instance, the President began his speech with a eulogy of sorts to murdered U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. But the President didn’t have the courage to call that murder an act of terrorism. In fact, Obama used the word terror only one time in this speech and this in the same month in which acts of terror have been perpetrated across the Middle East.

Obama was upbeat, though, about the so-called Arab Spring that swept across the Middle East earlier this year and he was self-congratulatory on his part in it all. More HERE

Fungibility

By Scott Reeder, Illinois Policy Institute -

A Chicago alderman wants to tack $5 onto monthly utility bills to hire more cops. [See IR 9/21/12 story HERE]

It’s always to [sic] easier to sell folks on a tax or fee increase if it is going to “prevent murders,” “educate children,” “fight obesity” or some other noble cause.

The problem with selling tax hikes this way is something called: “fungibility.”

94% of IL voters believe state/local governments are wasting their tax dollars

Adam Andrzejewski, Chairman of For the Good of Illinois PAC, released the first of a series of findings which discovered that 94% of voters believe that state and local government mismanagement, waste, and corruption involving tax dollars is a problem and 78% of voters think it is a big problem.

“Users and abusers of tax dollars have been milking us taxpayers like a dairy cow for too long here in Illinois,” said Andrzejewski.

Davis gets Edgar nod

CHAMPAIGN - 13th Congressional District Republican nominee Rodney Davis today received the endorsement of fomer Governor Jim Edgar.

“I am endorsing Rodney Davis because he is the right person to represent us in Congress,” Edgar said. “Rodney understands the importance of keeping government spending under control and he will support policies to grow the economy and create jobs in Illinois.”

Romney supporters in blue states can make calls to help

Some organizations are calling on blue state Republicans - like Illinos - to make a difference in the presidential election by making campaign calls from their homes. For example, you can link here (http://www.mittromney.com/call-home-landing) and make calls to toss-up states from Illinois.

When you login, they direct your calls to the states where they need the most help. There are no long-distance charges because the system calls you first to enable you to make the calls to others.

Some frustrated Illinois conservatives might want to check it out.

Plummer demands opponent stop deceiving southern Illinois voters

HIGHLAND - GOP Congressional candidate Jason Plummer denounced his Democrat opponent as “out-of-touch” and “intentionally deceiving the voters of Southern Illinois” following Democrat Bill Enyarts comments at the September 20 debate in Marion.

During the debate, Blagojevich-appointee Bill Enyart stated that "three new coal mines" would be opening in the Mount Vernon area between 2011 and 2013. Facts are stubborn things, and the truth is that there are no planned or operating coal mines in Jefferson County. In fact, Jefferson County has seen at least three coal mines close over the last several decades due to the policies that Enyart will support in Congress.