GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - May 28, 2008

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- George Ryan maimed state GOP, and Bush must not kill it - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-28-may28,0,2750312.column
(FROM THE ARTICLE: "If the president commuted Ryan's sentence and released the convicted felon from prison, it would be another terrible black eye for the Republican Party of Illinois," said former state Sen. Steven Rauschenberger, a Republican. "It would remind everybody about the drawn-out trial, the whole process to rid Illinois of that kind of pay-to-play politics." Rauschenberger, president of the lobbying group Rauschenberger Partners, is a former conservative legislator who stood up to party bosses four years ago to run against Robert "Individual K" Kjellander for the post of national committeeman. Rauschenberger is again a candidate for that post. Kjellander has been mentioned, but not charged, in connection with "Operation Board Games," the federal investigation into the corruption of state pension fund investments and fixer Tony Rezko. Currently, as national committeeman from Illinois, Kjellander is responsible for helping plan the Republican National Convention, even as a jury decides Rezko's fate. "I would ask that President Bush not consider a pardon or commutation of sentence for Gov. Ryan," Rauschenberger said. "As a state, we've been through enough. As a party, we've been through enough.")
-- George Ryan hoping for help from Bush as high court turns him down - Mike Robinson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-licensesforsale-o,0,7067776.story
-- What the wise ones knew (RE: George Ryan) - Editorial
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/vox_pop/2008/05/what-the-wise-o.html
-- Illinois legislature passes tougher penalty for giving gun to minor Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to sign measure sparked by violence against Chicago students - Ashley Wiehle and Jeffrey Meitrodt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-legis-28may28,0,5250919.story
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/lawmakers-pass.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: To promote abortion is to promote "unplanned pregnancies." VERY VERY VERY SAD: FROM THE ARTICLE: "About half of the 6 million pregnancies in the United States each year are accidents."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-birthmay28,0,5886954.story
-- Blagojevich asks for $20K to "co-chair" fundraiser
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/blagojevich-ask.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- BEYOND BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: ENTIRE FRONT PAGE WITH "LET HIM GO" IN BIG LETTERS, 6X9-INCH COLOR PHOTO OF GEORGE RYAN, AND 1.5X1.5-INCH COLOR PHOTOS OF JIM THOMPSON AND BUSH: Ryan's hope Ex-Gov. Thompson to seek presidential commutation for former governor - Natasha Korecki
http://www.suntimes.com/news/georgeryantrial/974133,CST-NWS-ryan28.article
-- Obama, McCain clash over cash Republican's maneuver avoids photo-op with Bush, Michelle Obama's Calif. event also off-limits - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/973747,CST-NWS-sweet28.article

SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN
-- LaHood withdraws for state GOP post - Kenneth Lowe
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/05/27/breaking_news/doc483c854756519774541363.txt
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former prosecutor Pat Brady of St. Charles and former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger of Elgin are still vying for the position, which is now held by top Republican Bob Kjellander. Brady, who now works as a consultant, said he believes his chances have improved. ''I picked up a substantial amount of support here in the last few days with Ray's departure,'' Brady said. Rauschenberger said he isn't certain LaHood's exit will greatly affect his own campaign. ''I didn't know whether Ray was seriously invested in that race or not,'' Rauschenberger said. ''I think Ray's got other things he'd like to do.'' Rauschenberger, who ran for the position four years ago and won only one vote out of 19, said he warned of many of the problems he has seen in the committee over the last two elections.)

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Outrageously, Wheaton City Manager Don Rose and his followers use "old standards for government takeover of private land" to take two historic buildings in the heart of downtown Wheaton from Robert Sandberg. Sadly, Rose, his followers, and those who dominate the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) vehemently disapprove of Sandberg. Sandberg a) is an older white male conservative Republican, b) has operated a patriotic men's clothing store in the heart of downtown Wheaton for many decades, and c) owns two homes in Diersen's precinct. In 2002, Diersen urged MTRCC to negotiate with Sandberg to use the first floor of one of his buildings for its election headquarters. Those who dominate the MTRCC were furious and continue to be furious. Rose calls the buildings "eyesores" and wants to tear them down to "add diversity" to downtown Wheaton. Sandberg says Roses' actions have "set his retirement back another 10 years."
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=198343&src=2
(DIERSEN NOTE: Sadly, those who continue to dominate the MTRCC continue to argue vehemently a) that George Ryan and Scott Fawell are innocent; b) "conservatives" caused all of Ryan's, Fawell's, and everyone else's problems; and c) MTRCC's bylaws should not be posted on MTRCC's website.)
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO OF GEORGE RYAN: With latest rejection, Ryan's only hope is a presidential pardon - Rob Olmstead
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=197964&src=109
-- Democrats pitch night, weekend meetings DuPage County Board candidates say board stifles public participation - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=198508&src=2
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN DUPAGE EDITION: DuPage County board freezes salaries - Jake Griffin
(Not posted as of 7:00 AM)
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PHOTO IN DUPAGE EDITION: College of DuPage President Chand ousted No reason given for sudden ouster - Catherine Edman
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=198241
-- Time to get a handle on state pensions - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=198298&src=
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, Democrats are having success in driving down "consumer confidence" to elect Obama
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=198221

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- The FINAL FOUR DAYS The countdown in the general assembly has begun. - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x2143028277/New-Lawmakers-back-in-town-face-deadline
-- Appeals panel allows lawsuit against governor - AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x501225498/Appeals-panel-allows-lawsuit-against-governor

ABC7
-- State lawmakers return to Springfield with deadline looming - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6167878 (Includes video clip)

CBS2
-- U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Ryan's Appeal Former Governor Now Serving 6 1/2 Year Prison Sentence - Mike Parker
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/ryan.supreme.court.2.733653.html (Includes video clip)
-- State Could Lose $9 Billion In Transportation Funding - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/transportation.funding.springfield.2.734104.html (Includes video clip)

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Gasoline taxes: No vacation? Blame a Democrat - Fran Eaton
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/eaton/973468,052808eaton.article
-- Our culture is being dumbed down - Carl Segvich
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/opinion/letters/971054,052708lettersgaymarriage.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DuPage County Board votes not to get pay raises It forgoes travel funds, stipends, too - Page Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/973882,6_1_NA28_COUNTY_S1.article

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauschenberger to keynote June 10 fundraiser for Gray & Sugrue in Vernon Hills
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/973820,5_1_WA28_POLBRFS_S1.article

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Deadline looms over Springfield - AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29588
-- Firm with a past gets state biz - Bob Tita
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29572
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Federal investigators also have probed an $800,000 fee that Bear Stearns paid to Republican power broker Robert Kjellander for helping the firm land the underwriting work on the state's $10-billion pension obligation bond deal in 2003. Mr. Kjellander has not been charged with any wrongdoing.)

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- Court slams door on Ryan appeal - Kevin McDermott
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/EB31BBE3C42F200A86257457001530C4?OpenDocument

BLOOMIGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Illinois Chamber of Commerce backs more gambling to fund road construction - Mike Riopell
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/27/news/doc483c91f80be5c121695326.txt

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- The proposed 2008 IL GOP Platform - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/the-proposed-20.html
-- Where's the family plank? - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/wheres-the-fami.html
-- National Committeeman: Some Data - John Ruskin
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/republican-nati.html
-- GOP Candidate Senger calls for 3 day budget browse - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/while-springfie.html
(DIERSEN NOTE: Rauschenberger attended this press conference.)
-- GOP candidate Forte-Scott calls for 3-day wait on budget - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/cook-county-can.html
(DIERSEN NOTE: Rauschenberger attended this press conference.)
-- Pastors have the freedom to endorse candidates - David E. Smith
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/05/pastors-have-th.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Audio Clip: May 25 program with Rauschenberger and Abbott
http://www.championnews.net/talk/podcast.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Backpacking with State Rep. candidate Joan Solms (R) on School Choice and illegal immigrants - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/05/better-than-stephanopoulos-waxelrod.html
-- Berkowitz w/6th CD Col. Morgenthaler
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/05/way-better-than-softball-wchris.html

TOM ROESER
-- Obama is Surely Goofing Up His Campaign by Taunting McCain on Issues that Stir Up McCain’s base . . . The Hillary “Gaffe.”
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24591

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
-- GOP: Give Us Our Pork?
http://porkreport.blogivists.com/2008/05/27/gop-give-us-our-pork/

CAPITAL FAX
-- Illinois corruption update: Ex-Gov. Ryan runs out of appeals, ex-Gov. Thompson to ask for sentence to be commuted - John Ruberry
http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2008/05/illinois-corruption-update-ex-gov-ryan.html

AFP
-- Bush hits trail for McCain, sparking Obama attack
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLcRx3gxgBTEOEOBFnNigzgIBpLw

THE HILL
-- Danny Davis v. Bill Foster: Illinois Dems face off over bill on housing for ex-cons - Mike Soraghan
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/illinois-dems-face-off-over-bill-on-housing-for-ex-cons-2008-05-27.html

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Blue Dog Blues - Robert Novak
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26694

AMERICAN CHRONICLE
-- The Presumptive Republican Nominee and That Other Guy Ron Paul - Szandor Blestman
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/63099

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Ex-Governor George Ryan, Now in Prison, Sees Case End - Monica Davey
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/us/28ryan.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
-- Stark Contrasts Between McCain and Obama in Judicial Wars - Neil Lewis
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/us/politics/28judges.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- At John McCain's fundraiser tonight, a pin can be had for $2,300 - Andrew Malcolm
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/mccain_money.html

ANGUS-REID
-- ONE MORE REASON TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN: Canadians Prefer Obama as Next U.S. President
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/30792/canadians_prefer_obama_as_next_us_president

JOURNAL GAZETTE
-- Colin "Powell confessed to feeling 'an intellectual emptiness' since leaving the government but claimed he’s filled that void with a gray Corvette."
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/BIZ/805280376

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Why doesn't the Illinois Democratic Party proudly post its platform on its website? - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: Outstandingly, the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) posts its platform on its website at http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/348687-platform.pdf, but outrageously, the Illinois Democratic Party (IDP) does NOT post its platform on its website (DEAD LINK: http://www.ildems.com/platform/). Why is that? Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor is a member of the IRP Platform and Resolutions committee. Needless-to-say, the new IRP platform should provide a clear alternative to the IDP platform. I want to read the IDP platform because based on actions taken by the IDP, its platform outrageously calls for electing Obama, reelecting Durbin, attracting people to Illinois who lack education and/or job skills and/or people who have severe health, financial, and/or other problems; driving all taxpayers and all businesses out of Illinois; promoting Combine members; promoting corruption; promoting voter fraud; promoting socialism; promoting dependency on government; promoting illegal immigration; promoting amnesty; promoting more guest worker programs; promoting more mass immigration; promoting multilingualism; promoting abortion; promoting homosexual activity; abolishing the Second Amendment; driving Illinois into bankruptcy; joining with RINOs to blame all past, present, and future problems on conservatives; etc. I would greatly appreciate it if someone would email me (diersen@aol.com) or fax me (630-653-9665) the IDP platform. Outstandingly, the Champaign County Democratic Central Committee posts its platform at http://champaigncountydemocrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/ccdems_platform_3_05_08.pdf. Undoubtedly, it is far less liberal than the IDP platform. Nevertheless, it calls for a "universal health care system," for "comprehensive health care that includes a woman's right to reproductive choice regardless of ability to pay," for "universal preschool education," for "comprehensive sex education," for "continuation of English as a Second Language and a bilingual education program," for "affordable housing," for "the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops" from Iraq, for ending"poverty," for "comprehensive immigration reform," for opposing "English Only legislation," for a "path to permanent legal residence" for illegals, and for "total equity in marriage, adoption and other family issues regardless of race or gender.")
-- OUTSTANDING: Fortner and Henry join Suess, Claar, and Carlin in sponsoring the Chicago Highlanders in Wheaton's 2008 Independence Day parade; over half of the $1,300 cost has already been pledged - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
(THE ARTICLE: Outstandingly, last year, Republicans Mary Jo Arndt, Alan Bolds, Fred Bucholz, Dave Carlin, Roger Claar, Franco Coladipietro, Mike Connelly, Paul Daniels, Kirk Dillard, Bob Earl, DuPage Young Republicans, Jim Flickinger, Mike Formento, Mike Fortner, GOPUSA ILLINOIS, Mike Gresk, Gwen Henry, Randy Hultgren, Bob Jacobsen, Chris Kachiroubas, Gary King, Mark Kmiecik, Bob Larsen, J.R. McBride, Debra Olson, Mike Prueter, Peter Roskam, Darlene Ruscitti, Leonard Sanchez, Ron Smith, Phil Suess, and Tim Whelan contributed a total of $3,300 to sponsor Big Queenie the elephant ($2,000) and the Chicago Highlanders ($1,300) in Wheaton's 2007 Independence Day parade. On Saturday, May 24, I asked them to consider again sponsoring the Chicago Highlanders in Wheaton's 2008 Independence Day parade. Outstandingly, already, Henry have pledged $150, Fortner has pledged $100, Suess has pledged $150, Carlin has pledged $50, and Claar has pledged $250.)