GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - March 4, 2008

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: NOT SURPRISING: The anti-conservative anti-Republican Chicago Tribune endorses Foster
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0304edit2mar04,0,519644.story
(THE ENDORSEMENT: For Congress: Bill Foster The race to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the 14th Congressional District has gotten very ugly very fast. That doesn't say much for the candidates. It does suggest that a congressional seat once considered safely Republican is now in play. You have Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Bill Foster running in a special election Saturday in a district that runs from the far western suburbs across northern Illinois almost to the Iowa border. The winner gets to hold the seat for less than a year. They'll run against each other again in November for a full term. Oberweis, from Sugar Grove, is chairman of Oberweis Dairy. Foster, from Geneva, worked for 22 years as a physicist at Fermilab and started a company that manufactures theater lighting equipment. This page is closer to Oberweis than Foster on several economic and foreign policy issues. But we watched Oberweis in his races for the U.S. Senate in 2002 and 2004, and for governor in 2006. We've watched this race for Congress. His campaign style has consistently been nasty, smug, condescending . . . and dishonest. In 2004, he ran an ad in which he hovered over Soldier Field in a helicopter and said 10,000 illegal aliens come to the U.S. each day, "enough to fill Soldier Field every single week." The number was grossly inflated and the ad smacked of fear-mongering. In 2006, he ran TV ads that used headlines from the Tribune and other newspapers to attack an opponent. But the headlines were fake. They hadn't appeared in the newspapers. This year, Oberweis' campaign is based on the notion that his opponent is a big-spending liberal. Oberweis' TV and radio ads quote Foster saying, "There's nothing in life that you can't improve by pouring money at it . . ." Foster did say that, at a League of Women Voters debate. But the transcript makes it clear he was talking about the federal government's "poor efforts" to improve air-traffic-control safety. His conclusion: "This is one example of a place I would look to save taxpayer dollars." And Oberweis' immediate response at the debate? He said: "I find myself in the almost embarrassing position of tending to agree with Bill on some of his comments there." The sum impression of Oberweis from four campaigns: He sees public office as an opportunity to pick a fight. Bill Foster tells us that he will be a Blue Dog Democrat -- that is, part of the moderate caucus in the House that puts a high priority on controlling federal spending and returning to a balanced budget. He would almost certainly have to take a moderate Democratic line to hold this seat from a district that gave President Bush 55 percent of the vote in 2004 and 54 percent in 2000, and elected Hastert to 11 terms in the House. He surely will be more willing than Oberweis is to listen to people with whom he disagrees. So we'll trust Foster when he says he would emphasize transparency, responsibility and bipartisanship in government. He is endorsed.)

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: According to the Washington, D.C.-based Pew Center, the Democrat-controlled Illinois government is among the worse in the nation, but sadly, it seems that as long as the Combine wants Democrats to control the state, Democrats will control (RUIN) the state
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=146383
(THE ARTICLE: Report says Illinois government is among worst SPRINGFIELD -- A messy state budget picture and constant fighting at the state Capitol have earned Illinois poor marks for governmental management and performance from a public interest watchdog group. The Washington, D.C.-based Pew Center on the States put Illinois near the bottom of its rankings in the report released Monday covering how well the 50 states manage their money, people, information and infrastructure. Illinois received an overall grade of C, but that's only better than New Hampshire and Rhode Island and tied with six other states in the ratings basement. Illinois also scored worse than the B grades received by each of its five neighboring states. The governor's office says the report mistakenly focuses more on politics than policy. But an Illinois-based watchdog group praised the report for vindicating its past warnings about an assortment of state government problems. "At a C, we're overrated," said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. "We just haven't gotten it right." The Pew Center determined Illinois has weaknesses in nine of the 20 areas in which it was judged. It found a strength in only one category: the state's online services and information available to the public. Weaknesses included the state's budget process, long-term money outlook, training and development for workers and lack of a statewide program for road, school and other construction projects. The group noted the acrimony between state lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich that dominated last year and cautioned that officials must clear a "poisoned political atmosphere" to take care of its government problems -- especially "in a state where long-term financial prospects are a bit frightening." "It can't be easy to manage a state such as Illinois, with huge outstanding bills and troubled revenue streams," the center wrote in its report. "But when the state's leaders are effectively stuck in the mud, the difficult becomes all but impossible." The Blagojevich administration said the report missed the mark by not reflecting progress made in recent years, such as reducing government employee headcount and improving the budget deficit and overall efficiency. "We respect the Pew Center's commitment to this project, but unfortunately, the Pew Center chose to focus on politics instead of fiscal facts," said Kelley Quinn, a spokeswoman for the governor's budget office. Martire said the report hopefully will help persuade officials to do more to deal with budget deficits, construction needs and other nagging structural problems. "It's time that we've got to deal with the facts," Martire said. "Reality is good. Let's deal with reality.")
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTOS: Who should lead DuPage Democrats? Party's growth brings competition - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=146526&src=2
(THE ARTICLE: It's a good time to be a Democrat in DuPage County. But while county Democrats should be at their most united, two factions are squaring off for party control. Riding a wave of popularity that saw more county Democrats cast ballots in the February primary than Republicans for the first time in anyone's memory, local Democratic Chairman Rob Bisceglie is trying to stave off a challenge by the leader of an offshoot group that has been busy recruiting precinct committeemen. It will be those new committeemen who will decide Wednesday night whether Operation: Turn DuPage Blue Chairman Bob Peickert will succeed Bisceglie. Bisceglie has held the job for less than a year. Local Democrats, though, say the power struggle is nothing more than friendly competition. "This may be a short-term distraction," said Bob Brandt, a Woodridge Democrat seeking a county board seat in November, "but I believe everyone will come together by the election." Nearly 250 Democrats are expected to vote on party leadership at 7:30 p.m. at the county's Democratic convention at the Wheaton Park District Community Center at 1777 S. Blanchard St. The conventions are mandated by state law and must occur every two years and 29 days after a primary. Both candidates share similarities, but they admit to style differences when it comes to leadership. Bisceglie has said he wants to professionalize the party's staff. Peickert said he believes local Democrats should lead the party, not paid consultants. "I want a campaign office that's open regularly and a political director position that's paid, and I believe that professional organization is important to the long-term future of the party," Bisceglie said. If elected, Peickert said he would lead the local Democrats full-time, unpaid. "I plan to pursue this as a full-time job and I do not plan to accept one nickel," he said. "We don't have the luxury of (county board Chairman) Bob Schillerstrom's war chest, so we have to spend our money wisely, and when we do it has to be determined how it's going to get a Democrat elected." The 63-year-old Peickert, a retired teacher and union negotiator from Elmhurst, and the 35-year-old Bisceglie, who hails from Roselle, also don't see eye to eye on filling gaps on the November ballot. "It makes the party look weak when there's an open space on the ballot," Peickert said. "I think we should fill them with somebody." Bisceglie said they should seek to fill as many open spots as possible before the April 7 filing deadline, but with candidates who have been screened and are qualified. "As a party we have to be thoughtful and careful who we slate," Bisceglie said. Some candidates who went through the primary process urge caution when adding candidates to the November ballot. Dirk Enger, a Democrat seeking one of two District 6 county board seats, said he's got momentum and wants to continue running alone. "I do not want another name on the ballot," he said. "I don't want to worry about someone splitting the vote." But other county board candidates who don't have running mates where the Republicans do, say they wouldn't mind the company on the ballot. "It might take away some votes, but then again it may add some," said District 4 Democratic candidate Richard Dunn. "I would hope they look to fill slots where there currently is no choice first, though." Both Bisceglie and Peickert said the other is better at garnering publicity for themselves than the party. "What they've done is gotten more publicity for Turn DuPage Blue or Bob, not the candidates," Bisceglie said. "When this party needed leadership I stuck my neck out; my opponent did not." Bisceglie took over the county party chairmanship late last year when Gayl Ferraro stepped down after serving nearly six years. Peickert said he'd wait until the convention to run for the seat. "It seems to me the way that Rob is running the organization is the way it was run before, with little input from more than just two or three people," Peickert said. "And he's got a political director who's pretty much working for Rob Bisceglie, and there's more to that job than promoting Rob." DuPage Republicans will also convene Wednesday. There is no announced challenge to state Sen. Dan Cronin retaining the chairmanship of the local GOP. He is also not picking a favorite for the Democratic race. "Let them have their convention and may the best Democrat win," he said. Whatever the outcome of Wednesday's Democratic leadership vote, both Peickert and Bisceglie have promised to pool resources to oust as many Republicans as possible. "Wednesday, we're going to be so unified, you're going to have no idea," Peickert said.)
-- Vote Oberweis or expect higher taxes - Andrew Bogda, DeKalb
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=146389&src=
(THE LETTER: A lot of people are watching the presidential primaries with interest, but let's remember we have a congressional election right here at home on March 8. I'm one voter who is tired of our government wasting my money on stupid things like a "bridge to nowhere" that cost millions. Jim Oberweis has signed the pledge not to raise taxes and to end earmarks like the bridge. Bill Foster won't sign the pledge. That may make his liberal friends in Washington happy, but it makes me mad. With all his millions, Foster may not care if he pays higher taxes, but those of us who work for a living do care. Get out and vote for a good conservative like Jim Oberweis or don't complain later.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Len Lempa of Elgin blasts the GOP for giving "George Bush free rein to do whatever he pleased," but Lempa ignores the fact that Oberweis has always opposed Bush's amnesty plan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=146378&src=
(THE LETTER: Send message, vote Foster on March 8 - Len Lempa, Elgin It is time to elect a Democrat to be our representative. Vote for Bill Foster if you are fed up with the dishonest and hypocritical government we have had to endure over the last seven years because the Republican Party gave George Bush free rein to do whatever he pleased. Jim Oberweis might be your candidate if you believe our country is in better shape now then seven years ago. If you feel as if we have been betrayed to the special interests -- oil companies, big pharmaceutical, Halliburton, insurance companies, defense contractors --then it is time to send the Republican Party a message. Elect Bill Foster to Congress and let Bush and his cronies know that even our district is fed up with what they have done over the last seven years. Vote in the special election March 8.)

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- OUTSTANDING: Plan to demolish Cole Hall in limbo Burzynski says deal's off table - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/823836,CST-NWS-niu04.article
-- Illegal means illegal - Beth Devane, Beverly
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/823669,CST-EDT-vox04.article
(THE LETTER: Teresa Puente ("McCain must walk tightrope on immigration," March 3) mentions a recent poll suggesting that a majority of voters favor "giving illegal immigrants who . . . obey the law a second chance to stay legally in the United States." If the immigrants are obeying the law, then why do we call them "illegal?" My Webster's dictionary defines the word "illegal" as "not according to or authorized by law; not sanctioned by official rules." I recognize that immigration is a sensitive and controversial issue, but let's keep the facts straight and be honest in our discussions: Illegal immigrants are disobeying the law.)
-- Enough of Blagojevich - Nancy Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/822114,CST-EDT-vox03.article
(THE LETTER: Given that Illinois is awash in red ink, Gov. Blagojevich lacks foresight and common sense. Selling off the lucrative state lottery to provide a one-time lump sum to fund Illinois budget needs does nothing to pay future bills. Enough of the governor's creative and unrealistic approach to government! May the next election bring to an end the irresponsible Blagojevich administration, unless the governor's cozy relationship with Tony Rezko snags him first.)
-- Blame John Daley, too - Carl Segvich, Bridgeport, 11th Ward Republican committeeman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/823669,CST-EDT-vox04.article
(THE LETTER: As we (those of us who care) cry foul again at Todd Stroger for taxing us, taking more of our money and punishing us to pay for the overpaid mopes of the liberal Democrat party machine, let's not forget to point our anger at one John P. Daley. A Cook County political semi-secret has always been that Daley is the puppet master behind Stroger, and the same con game was played when Stroger's father was board president -- Daley pulled the strings. Who is Daley? First of all, as you pay your county taxes and your family suffers financially, know this: He is the county finance chairman. He is also the brother of Chicago mayor Rich Daley. He was the son of a Chicago mayor, and he has been spoiled his entire life, not needing to know how to save and spend money judiciously. He is also the 11th Ward Democratic Party committeeman, running a political patronage army that gets the following big-spending liberals into our public offices: Barack Obama, Dick Durbin, Carol Moseley Braun, Rod Blagojevich and state Rep. Patricia Bailey.)

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Naperville leaders prepare for visit to state Capitol Rt. 59 issues, tax swap on the docket - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/823563,6_1_NA04_CHAMBER_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTSTANDING, BUT NOT SURPRISING: Republican-controlled Naperville earns highest 'AAA' rating on debt issuance
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/823846,6_1_NA04_AAARATING_S1.article
(THE ARTICLE: City given highest 'AAA' rating on debt issuance Naperville has great credit. Standard & Poor's Rating Services has awarded the city its highest rating of "AAA" on new debt issuance and also reaffirmed the "AAA" rating on Naperville's existing general obligation debt, the city said Monday in a release. These ratings were awarded in conjunction with a coming debt issuance. "A 'AAA' rating is very hard to receive, and it's even harder to keep current each year," Mayor George Pradel said in the release. This year, however, marked the first time the city was rated under S&P's "Financial Management Assessment," a report card on the city's financial personnel and processes that include City Council oversight. Under this assessment, the city received a rating of "strong," defined by the S&P as being indicative of practices that "are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable." Proceeds from the general obligation bond are earmarked to finance improvements to the city's electric system and other capital projects.)

BEACON NEWS
-- Oberweis and Foster: Courting Valley voters of every age - David Gialanella and Andre Salles
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/823948,2_1_AU04_14THDIST_S1.article

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
-- Political conventions ‘real experience in life' - Kate Thayer
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/03/04/news/local/doc47ccec0a0e9e5061246815.txt
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Although Americans have the right to vote, not all have the privilege of doing so as a delegate. Because the number of delegates determine the main political parties’ presidential nominee, the role as delegate is an important one. The men and women from in and around Kane County who will cast those votes at national conventions this summer realize that importance, and they share a sense of pride. . . Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham served as a delegate in 1980 when President Ronald Reagan was nominated at the National Republican Convention in Detroit. He won’t return to the convention this year, but said “it was a real experience in life.” Cunningham said he remembered meeting on the floor of the convention and seeing all the people he had read about. He still keeps the Illinois sign in his office to remember the experience. State Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, will go to St. Paul, Minn., for his first convention to cast a vote for Sen. John McCain. He said he was always been active in local politics and this was an opportunity to get more involved in the political process. “As a youngster, I remember watching some of those conventions on television,” he said. “This is a chance to experience that.” He said he believed in McCain’s message and was “delighted to be considered.” Attorney and Republican delegate Tim O’Neil said he found the process “interesting,” and he was excited for his first convention. “We’ll possibly help select the next president of the United States,” he said. “It’s kind of exciting.” He said he was attracted to McCain’s campaign because of his stance on a gradual withdrawal from the war in Iraq.)

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- OUTSTANDING: Cole Hall demolition prospects now dim - Aaron Chambers and Andrea Zimmermann
http://www.rrstar.com/breaking/x2052204394

CBS2
-- Obama Answers Questions On Rezko Connections - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/barack.obama.rezko.2.668359.html (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- If Obama Is Elected, Who Will Be Senator? - Carol Marin
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=224988 (Video clip)
(THE ARTICLE: If Barack Obama becomes the next U.S. president, what will happen with his Senate seat? Carol Marin takes a look.)

THE HILL
-- 14th Congressional District: GOP seeking comeback in House seats - Aaron Blake
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-seeking-comeback-in-house-seats-2008-03-03.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: So far this cycle, some tough Republican primaries have thrown into question the GOP nominee’s viability. In former Rep. Dennis Hastert’s (R-Ill.) district, for instance, state Sen. Chris Lauzen still has not endorsed nominee Jim Oberweis, even though there is just a week to go before the special election. Oberweis defeated Lauzen in the primary held Feb. 5.)
-- State by State: Illinois: 14th Congressional District
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/state-by-state-2008-03-03.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched an $850,000 ad buy in former Rep. Dennis Hastert’s (R) district, with an ad accusing Democrat Bill Foster of being a big-government liberal and not representing change. The NRCC’s investment in next Tuesday’s special election and GOP nominee Jim Oberweis is now up to about $1.2 million - a hefty sum for a committee that only recently got out of debt. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has spent just more than $600,000 on the race. NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Monday that he recognizes the magnitude of the race to replace the former Speaker and he expects it to be close. “We understand the symbolic importance of the race; it’ll be spun out of all proportion if we were to lose it,” Cole said. “It’ll be, ‘My God, it’s the end of the Republican Party.’ ”)

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Tom Cole: '08 Picture for House GOPers Not So Bad - John Gizzi
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25311
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cole did concede that in the March 8 special election for the seat of former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert in Illinois, “we’re neck and neck” and he hoped defeated primary candidate Chris Lauzen would “come around” and endorse GOP nominee Jim Oberweis.)

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
-- National Republican Congressional Committee’s Cole Says GOP’s Best Chance Is Against Obama - Greg Giroux
http://cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002680448
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The most competitive special election is in Illinois’ 14th, a generally Republican-leaning district in suburbs and rural territory west of Chicago where voters on Saturday will choose a successor to former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. in which Democratic scientist Bill Foster and Republican dairy executive Jim Oberweis are competing. “All of the public polling reflects what we’ve seen privately - that it’s neck and neck,” Cole said. “We feel very good about our candidate. Jim Oberweis has run a good race. . . . It’s still a Republican-leaning district, but we expect it to go to the wire.”)

THE SOUTHERN
-- Hastert, Poshard may join forces to push for state construction plan - Kurt Erickson
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/03/03/breaking_news/doc47cc7ca7731fb161572638.txt

WEEK
-- Workers Want State To Pass Capital Improvement Budget - Denise Jackson
http://www.week.com/news/local/16190172.html

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
-- Can John McCain Win in Spite of the Republican Brand? - Stuart Rothenberg
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/can_john_mccain_win_in_spite_o.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/ Dr. Sauerberg
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/03/way-better-than-hannity-or-larry-king.html

OBERWEIS CAMPAIGN
-- Oberweis Sharpens Differences With Foster
http://jimoberweis.com/news/contentview.asp?c=45274