GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - June 2, 2008

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH 6X11.5-INCH COLOR PHOTO OF PFLEGER: Pfleger: 'I am deeply sorry' Priest contrite about making fun of Hillary, cites hate mail - Francine Knowles
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/982353,CST-NWS-priest02.article
-- Lynn Sweet talks about Pfleger with Greta Van Susteren host of Fox News "On the Record"
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/06/lynn_sweet_talks_about_pfleger.html (Video clip)
-- VERY SAD: Illinois Debt
http://media1.suntimes.com/multimedia/statedebt060208.pdf_20080602_01_14_46_299.imageContent
-- Blagojevich's political troubles turn radioactive - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/982592,blagoweb060208.article
-- One plan to fix state's debt: Get workers to give back Civic leaders say state needs to spend less on pension programs, health care for union workers. Union leader says that's 'like blaming the victim' - David Roeder
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/982422,CST-NWS-state02.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: By continuing to promote the anti-conservative George Ryan, Jim Thompson provides even more proof of his anti-conservatism
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/982544,CST-EDT-open02x.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: By promoting gay marriage, the Chicago Sun-Times promotes homosexual activity, again
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/982543,CST-EDT-edit02.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Fran Eaton endorses Steve Rauschenberger for Illinois Republican Party (IRP) National Committeeman and Kathy Salvi for IRP National Committeewoman
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/06/a-personal-endo.html
-- Illinois Gambling's Star GOPers - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/06/il-gamblings-st.html

ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- Pat Brady Political Resume
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/282607-Patrick%20M.%20Brady.pdf
-- Steve Rauschenberger Biography
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/492450-Steve%20Rauschenberger.pdf
-- Demetra DeMonte
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/586033-Demetra%20DeMonte.pdf
-- Carol Smith Donovan
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/346912-Carol%20Smith%20Donovan.pdf
-- Kathy Salvi
http://www.digitalvictorycms.com/_uploaded/930691-Kathy%20Salvi.pdf

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Illinois GOP makes up rules to disenfranchise Republicans - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1015
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The State Party's Convention Committee on Rules and Procedures met and adopted rules for this convention on May 14th (read them here). Unfortunately, the State Party chose not to make those rules available to Republicans until late in the day this past Wednesday (May 28th). By that time the specified deadline (May 26th) for making changes to the delegate slates had already expired. The rules also contain some other little provisions like "All convention signage, other than Illinois Republican Party signage, shall be approved in advance by the Committee on Arrangements." One has to wonder what the review criteria might be in that committee. No doubt a lot will depend on who is asking. But the points above are small ones compared to the rules' main focus. The just published rules are mostly about one thing - ensuring that many fewer delegates get to Decatur than otherwise would. Here's what happened. A petty few at our State Party have set up an artificial residency test with absolutely no legal authority. They are trying to say Chicago Ward and Township Committeemen in Cook County (80 committeemen in all) can only choose delegates who live in that particular ward or township. But that's not what Illinois law says.)

EXTREME WISDOM
-- Obama's "Sister Souljah" Campaign - Bruno Behrend
http://www.extremewisdom.com/?p=1204

ABC7
-- Father Pfleger apologizes for Clinton comments
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6178586 (Includes video clip)
-- Obama quits church after long controversy
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6177449 (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- Obama Quits Chicago Church; Priest Apologizes
http://www.nbc5.com/news/16446659/detail.html?dl=mainclick (Includes video clip)
-- VIDEO CLIP: Ahern interviews Roskam
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=257412&dl=mainclick (Part 1)
http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=257414 (Part 2)

CBS2
-- Obama Leaves Trinity Amid Pfleger Controversy
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/barack.obama.jeremiah.2.737594.html (Includes video clip)
-- McClellan: Bush Should Have Fired Rove
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/mcclellan.bush.rove.2.738086.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VIDEO CLIP: Proft and Cliff Kelly discuss Pfleger
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/News;jsessionid=22DDC77F72B96F8D78F399A442503022?pageId=3.1

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Lawmakers avoid tough decisions on new Illinois budget - Christopher Wills
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-xgr-statebudget-a,0,6758446.story
-- End to spring session may be short-lived for Illinois lawmakers A total veto of $60 million state budget by governor would bring legislators back to the capital - Rick Pearson and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-legis-02-jun02,0,4652945.story
-- Rev. Michael Pfleger apologizes for sermon at Sen. Barack Obama's former church Faithful at St. Sabina stand by pastor; Trinity flock react to senator's departure - Manya A. Brachear and Tara Malone
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pastor-02-jun02,0,3775748.story
-- Blagojevich and the budget: Get just one thing right - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0602edit3jun02,0,5369321.story
-- With friends like these . . . Obama doesn't need enemies - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0602edit1jun02,0,2711399.story
-- Lost left replaces socialism with environmentalism - Charles Krauthammer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0602krauthammerjun02,0,3363412.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: OUTRAGEOUS: Associated Press argues that a candidate cannot be a conservative and a pragmatist at the same time
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-california-primary,0,3948766.story

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Raises? Senate Dems are NOT right on the money - Rich Miller
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/982027,060208miller.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Bomke, Brauer, Poe rip budget Lawmakers say there’s little to show for efforts - Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x396299393/Bomke-Brauer-Poe-rip-budget

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Greg Newlin of Naperville tries to rebut Bob Graham
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200757&src=
-- Critics are wrong - the economy's strong - Robert Graham, Naperville
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200981&src=
-- "Other than normalization of homosexuality, the only reason for the drive for homosexual "marriage" is found in the phrase, "extension of legal benefits to all persons who cohabit." They want society to pay for the very high medical costs associated with homosexual activity. All other benefits are easily available to everyone by existing legal procedures." - Emmit Lehman, Grayslake
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200707&src=
-- Editorial conflicts with 'fear God' vow "Upon reading Opinion on May 19, I saw a quote "Our aim: to fear God, tell the truth and make money" right above your view on same-sex unions. I hope Editorial Page Editor John Zimmerman will check into this unsigned editorial if he does fear God as he is attesting to. God said homosexuality is an abomination. I cannot believe that all eight editorial board members are in compliance with this idea. I will sign my article as requested." - Nancy R. Herman, Elk Grove Village
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=200528&src=
-- Immigration raid spurs calls for action against company owners - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=201628

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Illinois Constitution requires balanced budget - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x923092283/Illinois-Constitution-requires-balanced-budget
-- Feud between speaker, governor plays role in capital plan delay Madigan says ‘trust problem’ with Blagojevich is causing the holdup. - Aaron Chambers
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x765550385/Feud-between-speaker-governor-plays-role-in-capital-plan-delay

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Legislature approves unbalanced budget Governor will have to close $2 billion deficit
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99499550/Legislature-approves-unbalanced-budget
-- Capital bill stalls in Illinois House Critic says $34 billion public works proposal not specific enough - Doug Finke
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99499548/Capital-bill-stalls-in-Illinois-House
-- Governor weighs budget proposal During rare visit to the House, Blagojevich asks Peoria Rep. Aaron Schock what he would do - Adriana Colindres and Megan Sexton
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1056105779/Governor-weighs-budget-proposal

DAILY ILLINI
-- Lawmakers getting out of dodge - Editorial
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/06/02/Editorials/Lawmakers.Getting.Out.Of.Dodge-3377546.shtml

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Better than Ahern with Roskam, Berkowitz with State Rep. Candidate Joan Solms on Immigration, taxes and abortion
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/06/better-than-ahern-with-roskam-berkowitz.html

POLITICO
-- Matt Drudge: The GOP’s unreliable ally - Johnathan Martin & Benn Smith
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10744.html

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- No Liberation Barack Obama can run, but his ties to Trinity and its radical political and theology roots are deep. - Stanley Kurtz
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDkyZTNiZDdkMTNiNzViZTYxNDU0MTY4MzMzMzNmZDU=

FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE
-- Obama’s Newest Pastor Problem - Jacob Laksin
http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=F95FD11B-E9B6-49C5-AD5D-6924E21D6CD2

NEWS DAY
-- New York: Paterson makes same-sex marriages bigger issue - Dan Janison
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-lijani025711202jun02,0,3014768.story

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
-- Church laments Barack Obama's leaving the congregation - Michael Saul
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/06/02/2008-06-02_church_laments_barack_obamas_leaving_the.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Governor Bobby Jindal: In Louisiana, Inklings of a New (True) Champion of the Right - Adam Nossiter
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/us/02jindal.html?_r=1&sq=jindal&st=cse&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1212405579-/To1iTAzxjPvOShi2V3eGg

WASHINGTON POST
-- Pfleger Again Apologizes For Remarks In Sermon Statement Follows Decision By Obama to Leave Church - Shailagh Murray and Hamil R. Harris
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/01/AR2008060102186.html?hpid=topnews

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- Obama General Merrill McPeak: McCain weak on security - Rowan Scarborough
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/jun/02/general-mccain-weak-on-security/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Plenty of soul-searching at Obama's former church At services the day after the Democratic presidential candidate resigned from the parish, the faithful are weary of politics and the media -- and mourn the loss of a favored son. - P.J. Huffstutter
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-trinity2-2008jun02,0,5926058.story

REUTERS
-- Can Obama remain "churchless"? - Ed Stoddard
http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/06/01/can-obama-remain-churchless/

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
-- Rove: GOP needs to court undecided voters
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Business/2008/06/01/rove_gop_needs_to_court_undecided_voters/2886/

ABC NEWS
-- Spokesman: Obama Decision to Leave Church Not Politically Motivated
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/spokesman-obama.html

AFP
-- Obama's former church seeks to step beyond controversy
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iAvT4LxG_rYzG0gWwPXirJL8f1VA

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- VERY SAD: Farm Vote, Usually Supportive of GOP, May Swing to Obama - Corey Boles
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121236914379136639.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

TIME MAGAZINE
-- Obama's Church Moves On After Exit - Stephen Gray
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1811069,00.html?imw=Y

WURFWHILE
-- Harmon, Froehlich Bill Provides DuPage Candidates With Equal Ballot Access
http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/06/01/harmon-froehlich-bill-provides-dupage-candidates-with-equal-ballot-access/

WINDY CILTY MEDIA GROUP
-- OCTOBER 24, 2004 FLASHBACK: VERY SAD: Odyssey of a Gay Republican in Illinois - Andrew Davis
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=6476

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS ILLINOIS
-- VERY SAD: "Below are the platform recommendations sent by the board of directors of the Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois to the state Republican Party Platform Committee and other party leaders. These will be debated at the state GOP convention from June 6-7, 2008 in Decatur."
http://www.logcabin.org/lcrchicago/2008_il_gop_platform.html