GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 30, 2008

Only 35 days until the election!

DIERSEN: Conservatism made America great, not liberalism. Conservatism promotes individual responsibility and respect for the rule of law. Liberalism promotes dependency on government, moral relativism, and socialism. The individuals, organizations, and countries that promote Obama promote liberalism. Everyone knows that liberalism will destroy American, and therefore, destroy the world. The current crisis was not caused by conservatism, but by the failure to practice conservatism. Outrageously, Obama promoters are trying to use this current crisis to scare America into abandoning the conservatism that made America great for liberalism that will destroy not only America, but the world.

ABC7
-- Stunning defeat for economy bailout
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=6420112

CBS2
-- Dow Drops 777 Points; Worst Single-Day Close Ever
http://cbs2chicago.com/national/stocks.wall.street.2.828088.html
-- House Rejects Historic Bailout Package House Plans To Reconvene Thursday Instead Of Adjourning For Year As Planned
http://cbs2chicago.com/national/bailout.plan.vote.2.827958.html
-- Leaders, Lawmakers Scramble To Rewrite Bailout House Nixed Historic Measure
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/bailout.plan.vote.2.828845.html
-- Some Conservatives Ask If Palin's Ready To Be Veep - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/sarah.palin.qualifications.2.828561.html
-- Rumors Fly That Rezko's Talking To Feds
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/antoin.rezko.corruption.2.828549.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Disgustingly and insultingly, the Combine promoting, Obama promoting, liberalism promoting, promiscuity promoting despicable Chicago Tribune promotes a nude portrait of Palin. Will the sexist anti-conservative anti-religious Chicago Tribune promote a nude portrait of Joe Biden?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-talk-naked-sarahsep30,0,4944201.story
-- And the public wins! Not so fast on that bailout package - Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-oped0930byrnesep30,0,5305274.story
-- Obama ups ante on McCain gambling - Christi Parsons and Ray Long
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/obama_ups_ante_on_mccain_gambl.html
-- Obama bets on gaming reports Paper: McCain gambled with tribal officials - Christi Parsons and Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-campaign30sep30,0,6036479.story
-- Revolt in the House Leaders starting over after bout of partisan sniping - Mark Silva
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-tue-bailout-vote-subsep30,0,4337314.story
-- Rezko courthouse visits fuel rumors he's talking - Mike Robinson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-fundraiserindicte,0,2340035.story
-- Illinois lawmakers split 9-9 on bailout - Laura Olson
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/illinois_lawmakers_split_99_on.html
-- Ozinga gave to Blagojevich - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-ozinga-blagojevic,0,3874897.story
-- GOP congressional hopeful explains donation to Democrat Concrete magnate Ozinga says he regrets aiding Blagojevich, denies any ethics violation - Erika Slife and Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-11th-congress_30sep30,0,3772472.story
-- Rescue the rescue - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0930edit1_subsep30,0,5300503.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Illinois delegation all over the map - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1192230,CST-NWS-sweet30.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mary Mitchell blasts everyone, again
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1192155,CST-NWS-mitch30.article
-- $700 billion bailout or handout? What do you do now? - David Roeder and Francine Knowles
http://www.suntimes.com/business/currency/1192526,CST-NWS-bail30.article
-- White House, lawmakers to seek new bailout deal - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1192928,financialmeltdown093008.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Jesse Jackson Sr. says everything he can to promote liberalism and socialism
http://www.suntimes.com/news/jackson/1192208,CST-EDT-jesse30.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Chicago Sun-Times says everything it can to promote liberalism and socialism
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1192827,CST-EDT-edit30a.article

DAILY HERALD
-- Local lawmakers split on failed bailout - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238983&src=4
-- House vote wounds McCain - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239160
-- House weighs election risk in rejection of bailout plan Bush to make statement Tuesday - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239151
-- Time for action, not politics, on economic crisis - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239106&src=
-- Bailout is fresh fodder for Congressional challengers - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239130
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: The Daily Herald urges voters to "do your homework" on candidates, but sadly, the Daily Herald fails to urge voters to become GOPUSA ILLINOIS and GOPUSA subscribers. Since 2000, GOPUSA ILLINOIS has brought many articles of interest to Illinois Republicans to its subscribers' attention free of charge and without any advertising - 34,870 articles since January 1, 2005. Provably, more of those articles came from the Daily Herald than from any other source.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239095&src=5
-- How state candidates view gambling expansion (DIERSEN: The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform opposes gambling expansion. To not oppose gambling expansion is to reject an extremely important plank in the IRP platform.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239136&src=1
-- Froehlich attacks Forte-Scott's business practices - Chad Brooks
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239131&src=1
-- Do we know who Obama really is? - Mary Ann Nagel, Buffalo Grove
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231758&src=
-- Constitution must protect marriage - James P. Finnegan, Barrington
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237032&src=
-- Democrats' success is to our detriment - Martin Uttich, Carol Stream
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238930&src=
-- Tax cuts a help for all Americans - Stephen W. DeFilippis, Wheaton
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238931&src=
-- Democrats bent on securing their power - Elizabeth Pearson, Elmhurst
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238932&src=

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Illinois congressmen spilt on bailout bill: 9 YES: Bean, Davis, Emanuel, Foster, Gutierrez, Hare, Kirk, LaHood, and Schakowsky; 9 NO: Biggert, Costello, Jackson, Johnson, Lipinski, Manzullo, Roskam, Rush, and Shimkus; 1 NOT VOTING: Weller
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31198

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Reform efforts should start with nonpartisan redistricting - Rich Miller
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/miller/1191808,093008miller.article

CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats shout at the homeless day in and day out that Republicans caused all their problems. So of course, Democrats want the homeless to vote, big time
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=29188

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: OBAMA PROMOTERS OVERJOYED: SJ-R wants America to dump capitalism and go for socialism
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x345114327/Our-opinion-No-votes-on-bailout-plan-unacceptable
-- America’s day of reckoning - Patrick Buchanan
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1424436205/Patrick-Buchanan-America-s-day-of-reckoning

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
-- Shimkus, Costello vote against bailout bill
http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/486610.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR-- Bailout legislation not dead yet, Congressman Hare says - Adriana Colindres
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x345113624/Central-Illinois-lawmakers-support-failed-bailout-plan

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Illinois lawmakers divided on bailout vote - Mike Riopell
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/09/29/news/doc48e1522fec378597630106.txt
-- Illinoisans gambling less, state budget takes hit - Mike Riopell
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/09/30/news/doc48e152783d754100738139.txt

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Manzullo says ‘no’ vote on financial rescue was right - Chuck Sweeny
http://www.rrstar.com/news/columnists/x345114030/Manzullo-says-no-vote-on-financial-rescue-was-right

BEACON NEWS
-- Fox Valley lawmakers split on bailout - Rowena Vergara
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1192692,2_1_AU30_BAILOUT_S3.article

HERALD NEWS
-- Have you seen me? Weller MIA for big vote - Joe Hosey
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1192235,4_1_JO30_BAILOUT_S2.article

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- Bean: Bailout hangs on House GOP support - Jim Newton
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1192338,5_1_WA30_BEANBAIL_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Crime is infinitely higher in areas controlled by Democrats like Cook County, but outrageously, the "Unitarian Universalist Church" holds its "Take Back the Night" rally in Republican controlled DuPage County
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1192170,6_1_NA30_NIGHT_S1.article
-- 96th House District: Debate lets candidates introduce themselves Budget, funding and fuel costs among forum topics - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1191164,6_8_NA30_DEBATE_S1.article

PIONEER LOCAL
-- Congressional members split on economic bailout - Kimberly Fornek
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/carygrove/news/1191587,pp-Bailout-092908-s1.article

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Bush's Calls for Financial Reform Ignored - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/bushs-calls-for.html

TOM ROESER
-- McCain Agonistes
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24764

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Big Irony: An indicted or impeached Blagojevich doesn't help a visionless IL GOP - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1236

CAPITOL FAX
-- Bailout roll call - Rich Miller
http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/09/29/bailout-roll-call/

ILLINOIS REASON
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrat Rob Nesvacil blasts Republicans Dan Curry and Dave Diersen, again
http://illinoisreason.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/dupage-county-spokesman-makes-up-obama-fallacy/

CHICAGO FLAME
-- Future of Illinois looks bleak, according to former Governor Edgar - Joel Ebert
http://media.www.chicagoflame.com/media/storage/paper519/news/2008/09/29/News/Future.Of.Illinois.Looks.Bleak.According.To.Former.Governor-3457965.shtml

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Someone Needs to Bail Out the White House - John Gizzi
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28783

ACCURACY IN MEDIA
-- $920 Billion More to Bail Out the World - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/920-billion-more-to-bail-out-the-world/
-- Socialist “Bailout” Could Spark Collapse - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/socialist-bailout-could-spark-collapse/

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
-- Obama's Leftism - Joshua Muravchik
http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.28700/pub_detail.asp

NEWS BUSTERS
-- ABC Highlights 'Palin Problem;' Has Ignored Biden Gaffes - Scott Whitlock
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2008/09/29/abc-highlights-palin-problem-has-ignored-biden-gaffes

AMERICAN THINKER
-- Should Obama's Chicago roots matter? - Nancy J. Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/should_obamas_chicago_roots_ma.html

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Obama: My Weekly Poker Game With Lobbyists Is Okay, But McCain's Gambling Isn't "On Wednesday nights during Illinois General Assembly sessions, a group of lobbyists and lawmakers used to gather at the headquarters of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association for a weekly poker game. Barack Obama, who represented part of Chicago as state senator from 1997-2004, was a regular."
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODE4MzY5YjIyNWIwMjc5NDZlYjNjODBkMmVkZjFhYWQ=

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- Negative ads everywhere, nowhere Public rarely sees the harsher ones - Stephen Dinan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/30/negative-ads-everywhere-nowhere/

DALLAS MORNING STAR
-- Jerry Weller: Illinois' lone ranger - Betsy Simnacher
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/illinois-lone-r.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- McCain at dead end as House rejects bailout plan - Steven Hurst
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hocXiEYKKd07OxuNLMOX-vvxQ5sQD93GTFSO0

CITY JOURNAL
-- WINTER 2000 FLASHBACK: The Trillion-Dollar Bank Shakedown That Bodes Ill for Cities The Community Reinvestment Act funnels billions to left-wing activists, while threatening to destabilize lower-middle-class neighborhoods. - Howard Husock
http://www.city-journal.org/printable.php?id=477

JIM OBERWEIS FOR CONGRESS
-- Oberweis statement on House vote on $700 billion bailout
http://www.jimoberweis.com/PressReleases.php
(THE PRESS RELEASE: Republican Congressional Candidate Jim Oberweis - after the House of Representatives voted 228-205 to reject the $700 billion bailout for financial institutions - made the following statement: "I support the action taken by the House of Representatives this afternoon in rejecting a flawed bailout plan that would have put American taxpayers at risk for $700 billion. Had I been a Member of Congress, I would have voted 'no.' "Now that the flawed measure has been rejected, Congress can take the time necessary to strengthen the legislation to improve the odds of its success at solving the problem at hand, while reducing taxpayer risk and improving taxpayer protections. It is important that Congress address this very serious economic crisis that we are facing, but it is equally important that Congress address this situation in a way that will subject taxpayers to the smallest loss possible while doing what is necessary to keep our financial system working in a positive way. We must not sow the seeds of future, equally serious problems by trying to solve this situation too quickly. We must do this right with reasonable speed rather than doing this wrong with great speed.")

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Foster's Playground

Foster's bickering ad. This from a guy who knocks our Iraqi allies for having 1,200 year long civil war and failing a political solution.

I just can't get an image out of my mind of Foster on the totlot getting rolled by those tough kids from south of the tracks: Jackson, Rush, and Lipinski over the Wall Street bail out.

So much for bickering, those mean kids play with baseball bats. Maybe time to head back for the Lab Mr. Foster.



xp Bill Baar's West Side

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Do we want to offer police protection only to candidates who can afford it?

I've been neglecting my duties.

Anyone who reads this blog can quickly figure out which politicians I prefer over others.

But I'd like to think that when the candidates I like take positions with which I strongly disagree, I will say so.

I've put off writing at length about the controversy over the "bill" some folks want to charge President Bush of the Aaron Schock Congressional campaign for the $38,000 in police and security services provided during the July 25 fund raiser at Weaver Farms in Peoria.

Frankly, I'm not a fan of Schock. I think Democratic challenger Colleen Callahan would make a better Congressperson.

And I chortled to myself as Callahan and Peoria City Council member Gary Sandberg scored points with the voting public by complaining about the costs the city picked up providing protection during this rather elitist affair.

But I am somewhat amazed it's getting as much traction as it has. Folks, I hate to break it to you, but it is the job of local police to provide assistance to the Secret Police when they are in town protecting the life of the the leader of the free world. This is true whether the event features a lame-duck incumbent raising cash by charging $5,000 a pop for a photograph at a closed-door event, or if it's some junior senator (without a shot in Hell of winning his party's nomination for President) stumping for a former colleague outside the Peoria County Courthouse.

Putting a dollar amount on the services of the men and woman of the Peoria Police Department cheapens their contribution to the city. They are not hired guns. They are not security guards. To be asked by the Secret Service to coordinate and cooperate in the protection of the president of the United States of America is both their duty and their privilege. It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with protecting the public.

But if you want to take politics into the equation, consider this: Do we really want elections in which candidates have to pay municipalities for the protection they receive? If minor party candidates and independents like Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney or Chuck Baldwin had to pay even a fraction of $38,000 every time they made a campaign appearance, they wouldn't be making a lot of campaign appearances.

During a presidential race, candidates might make eight stops a day. Some of them are fund-raisers not dissimilar to the one we're discussing. Add that up over a year-long presidential campaign, and we're talking about huge sums of money. I'd ask anyone griping about the elites who showed up for Schock's Weaver Farms event to stop and consider how adding millions of dollars to the cost of a campaign will make for easier for non-elites to get involved.

It would be the easiest thing for the Schock campaign to just write a check (which is something I suggested as a way to end the controversy). But I'm thinking now that it would set a precedent, so let's forget that idea.

And don't worry, I'll be going back to giving folks reasons to vote for Colleen Callahan soon.

Crossposted to Peoria Pundit.

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Oberweis on the bailout

Waiting until Thursday seems a pretty good idea to me. I'm with the ice cream man on this one. via his website

(BATAVIA, September 29) -- Republican Congressional Candidate Jim Oberweis - after the House of Representatives voted 228-205 to reject the $700 billion bailout for financial insitutions - made the following statement:

"I support the action taken by the House of Representatives this afternoon in rejecting a flawed bailout plan that would have put American taxpayers at risk for $700 billion. Had I been a Member of Congress, I would have voted 'no.'

"Now that the flawed measure has been rejected, Congress can take the time necessary to strengthen the legislation to improve the odds of its success at solving the problem at hand, while reducing taxpayer risk and improving taxpayer protections. It is important that Congress address this very serious economic crisis that we are facing, but it is equally important that Congress address this situation in a way that will subject taxpayers to the smallest loss possible while doing what is necessary to keep our financial system working in a positive way. We must not sow the seeds of future, equally serious problems by trying to solve this situation too quickly. We must do this right with reasonable speed rather than doing this wrong with great speed."

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How the Illinois delegation voted on the Wall Street bailout bill

Thanks to Larry at Archpundit, here is how the Illinois delegation voted on HR 3997 (the $700B bailout of investment banks):

YEA (for the bailout)

Bean (D)

Danny Davis (D)

Emanuel (D)

Foster (D)

Gutierrez (D)

Hare (D)

Kirk (R)

LaHood (R)

Schakowsky (D)

NO (against the bailout)

Biggert (R)

Costello (D)

Jesse Jackson Jr (D)

Tim Johnson (R)

Lipinski (D)

Manzullo (R)

Roskam (R)

Rush (D)

Shimkus (R)

NOT VOTING 

Weller (R)

So, Illinois had a 9-9-1 vote with the Dems voting 7-4 and the GOP voting 2-5-1.

For my perspective on why voting no was the right thing to do, you can read my blog Progressive Advocacy.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 29, 2008

Only 36 days until the election!

QUESTION: The Republican Party platform is conservative and the Republican Party exists to advance conservative principles. The Democrat Party platform is liberal and the Democrat Party exists to advance liberal principles. Why have so many Illinois Republican elected officials, candidates, and party leaders been so soft on the anti-conservative Obama?

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Indict or impeach? - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0929edit2sep29,0,6020095.story
-- $700 billion: Your weekend splurge - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0929edit1sep29,0,5626878.story
-- Palin, Obama, McCain: Saturday Night. Live - Mark Silva
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/palin_obama_mccain_saturday_ni.html
-- How Palin can save McCain - Kathleen Parker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0929parkersep29,0,4256719.column
-- Detroit: Blacks, whites show prejudices along racial divide - Ron Fournier and Errin Haines
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-theracialdivide,0,6522725.story
-- Seals capitalizing on Obama - Deanna Bellandi
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-seals-kirk,0,6812290.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Bailout outcome is far from certain Obama, McCain give OK to deal, but outcome is far from certain - Julie Hirschfeld Davis
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1190789,CST-NWS-bail29w.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: NOT SURPRISING: Because most immigrants are Hispanics who will vote for Democrats, Hispanic Democrat Teresa Puente wants the citizenship exam made easier
http://www.suntimes.com/news/puente/1190792,CST-EDT-puente29.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrat candidates for DuPage county offices say they will end "pay-to-play" in DuPage County
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1190394,CST-EDT-vox29.article

DAILY HERALD
-- President Bush meets with congressional leaders, including the presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama, in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Thursday. What's wrong with this picture? - Chuck Goudie
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238826
-- Flare-ups during Lake County state's attorney debate - Tony Gordon
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238854
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce candidates' forum Saturday, October 4, from 9:00 AM to noon
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238825&src=1

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, efforts by people, by organizations, and by counties to drive America's economy down to elect Obama are showing success in Chicagoland
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=30633
-- Stocks plunge ahead of bailout vote; market eyes Wachovia deal - AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31191

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Obama, McCain delicately embrace bailout proposal
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1190743,092908bailoutcandidates.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats shout at the homeless day in and day out that Republicans caused all their problems. So of course, Democrats want the homeless to vote, big time
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1190961,092908homelessvoters.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- OK measure to make state accountable - Joe Calomino
http://www.sj-r.com/editorials/x1800998319/IN-MY-VIEW-OK-measure-to-make-state-accountable

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- Did police chief pay for $5,000 picture with the President? - John Sharp Karen McDonald
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x976934221/Word-on-the-Street-Did-police-chief-pay-for-5-000-picture

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Obama and McCain, a virtual 2006 debate, and much much more on Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs" - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/obama-and-mccain-virtual-2006.html

SENATOR CHRIS LAUZEN
-- The Day Robin Hood Switched Sides
http://www.lauzen.com/mediacenter/view_voice.cfm?id=177

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Durbin Blames Greenspan for Economic Crisis - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/durbin-blames-g.html
-- Chicago Tribune finally joins Illinois Review in calling for impeachment hearings - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/tribune-finally.html

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- McCain needs to cool it on Bush-bashing during debates with Obama: You can't out-Democrat a Democrat - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/09/mccain-needs-to-cool-it-on-bush-bashing-during-debates-with-obama-you-cant-out-democrat-a-democrat.html

THE BLACK SNOB
-- Obama Is Not A Star in Star Parker's Show; Eric Wallace Agrees
http://blacksnob.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-is-not-star-in-star-parkers-show.html

ALL HEADLINE NEWS
-- Chicago, Largest City In Illinois, Among Top 10 Worst Polluted Cities In The Nation
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012468474

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- McCain Slams Excessive Executive Pay - Elizabeth Holmes
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09/22/mccain-slams-excessive-executive-pay/
-- Rescue Tests Bush's (COMPASSIONATE) Conservative Legacy - John McKinnon
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122264902427584171.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
-- Game Plan for Palin Is Retooled Ahead of Debate Top McCain Aides Oversee Preparation After Recent Flubs - Monica Langley
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122265784614384667.html

TOLEDO BLADE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: By blaming the bailout on capitalism, Obama makes it all the more clear that a vote for him is a vote for socialism
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080929/NEWS09/809290344

INVESTORS'S BUSINESS DAILY
-- Obama: Audacity of Socialism
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/series8.aspx

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- The GOP's real go-to guy What Rush Limbaugh wants, he gets, when it comes to McCain's campaign. - Zev Chafets
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-chafets29-2008sep29,0,3797827.story

NEW YORK POST
-- Obama's dangerous pals Barack's 'organizer' buddies pushed for bad mortgages - Stanley Kurtz
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/os_dangerous_pals_131216.htm

NEW YORK TIMES
-- SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 FLASHBACK: VERY SAD: Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending - Steven Holmes
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE7DB153EF933A0575AC0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1

USA TODAY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sadly, efforts by people, by organizations, and by counties to drive America's economy down to elect Obama are showing success: 33% of survey respondents say America is in a "depression." The people, the organizations, and the countries that want Obama elected despise conservatism and despise America. They worship liberalism, they worship socialism, and they worship foreign countries. America was able to win WWI, win WWII, and defeat communism because of the prosperity that conservatism had brought. Because Obama despises conservatism and worships socialism, if he is elected, without question, America's economy will go down further, it will never come back, and America will lose WWIII.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-09-28-poll-depression_N.htm

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Why do anti-conservatives like Bush? - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
The Republican Party platform is conservative and the Republican Party exists to advance conservative principles. The Democrat Party platform is liberal and the Democrat Party exists to advance liberal principles. Everyone knows that President Bush never ever said that he was a "conservative." He has always said that he is a "COMPASSIONATE conservative." One of the meanest things that one can say about another person is that he/she is not compassionate. History has shown that Bush's definition of COMPASSIONATE conservatism included rejection of many important planks in the Republican Party platform and rejection of many important conservative principles. History has shown that even though Bush ran as a Republican, he outrageously did in fact reject many important planks in the Republican Party platform. History will show that his rejection of those planks caused his problems, caused the Republican Party's problems, caused America's problems, and caused the world's problems. Tragically, because of Bush's attitude toward conservatives, during his leadership, many anti-conservatives were not only able to keep their positions in the party, but they were able to move up the ladder where they could do even more damage to the party. One needs to look no further than the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Milton Township Central Committee. Anti-conservative Republican Party leaders have driven out many precinct committeemen who sought those positions to advance the party's platform. Outrageously, some anti-conservative Republican Party leaders outrageously say that they are "conservative," but their actions show that the more planks in the Republican Party platform that one accepts, the harder they work to demonize you, to denigrate you, and to push you out of the party. Sadly, anti-conservative party leaders, including Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Jim Ryan, Judy Baar Topinka, Bob Kjellander, and many IRP State Central Committee members liked Bush because he rejected so many planks in the Republican Party platform. Now, beyond outrageously, anti-conservatives argue a) that Bush always was a "conservative" and b) that the planks in the Republican Party platform that he did accept and that he did advance caused his problems, caused the Republican Party's problems, caused America's problems, and caused the world's problems. Anti-conservatives like Bush because of the planks in the Republican Party platform that he rejected and because of the conservative principles that he rejected. Anti-conservatives like Bush because he gave them so much ammunition to foist blame for all problems on conservatives. Conservatives, including me, like Bush for his success in defending and advancing the planks in the Republican Party platform and the conservative principles that he did accept.

Read more...

Rezko tunes: who else will sing?

Trib writes,

Four attorneys have told the Tribune in recent days that federal prosecutors have telephoned them and other attorneys either with news Rezko is talking, or armed with details only Rezko could know. The lawyers speculated prosecutors are using the preliminary talks with Rezko to shake loose more cooperation from other witnesses.

I'm guessing Feds shaking Ayham Alsammare lose too.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 28, 2008

Only 37 days until the election!

ABC7
-- Lawmakers report progress on financial rescue deal
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=6417876

NBC5
-- Pelosi: Breakthrough Reached On Financial Bailout Lawmakers Want To Announce Deal Before Asian Markets Open Monday
http://www.nbc5.com/save-money/17571532/detail.html?dl=mainclick

CBS2
-- Lawmakers Reach Tentative Deal On Bailout
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/bush.bailout.plan.2.827103.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Talks continue Saturday about billion-dollar bailout Desperate to rescue markets, Bush, Paulson seek $700 billion -- but talks continue Saturday as Congress and taxpayers say 'Not so fast' - David Roeder
http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1189887,CST-NWS-curious28.article
Deal reached on financial markets bailout Pelosi announces $700 bailout deal with vote in House today, Senate Monday - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1188493,CST-NWS-bail27.article
-- Who is Henry Paulson? $700 million man Ex-investment banker leads the charge for bailout - Mike Thomas
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1189168,CST-NWS-paulson28.article
-- Andre Grant, a well-known local defense attorney: "Barack has to get aggressive. He has to slap McCain one good time. He doesn't want to be perceived as an angry black man, but a lot of Americans are looking for a 'maverick' "
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1188953,CST-NWS-mitch28.article
-- Rezko, feds reportedly in intense discussions - Natasha Korecki
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1189913,CST-NWS-rezko28.article
-- Rezko saga hits big time in SNL debate - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1189914,CST-NWS-snl28.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING: Democrat Marin blasts Republican Palin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1188888,CST-EDT-carol28.article

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Possible change of heart Rezko talked with prosecutors, may aid probe, sources say - David Kidwell, John Chase and Jeff Coen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-flip28sep28,0,5691387.story
-- On day after, debate on candidates' performance Obama claims win; McCain works phones - James Oliphant
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-campaign_5ssep28,0,1275162.story
-- Tina Fey reprises role as Palin on 'SNL' parodying GOP VP candidate's interview with Couric - Jake Coyle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-ap-tv-snl,0,2067434.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Mary Schmich promotes hatred of Palin
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich_28_bdsep28,0,4319958.column
-- Playoff tickets no trouble for most politicians Cubs, Sox extend ticket offers to political circles Politicians guaranteed playoff winners Ticket game one in which political wheels know deal While most fans scramble to score seats, many elected officials get tickets at face value from teams - Ray Long and Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-clout-tickets-bd-28sep28,0,4442888.story
-- Smooth sailing for Obama until debate arrived in Iran - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kassdebatemccainobamasep28,0,6575954.column

DAILY HERALD
-- Ups and downs of presidential politics - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238791
-- Chicago machine picks our president? - Roger Dauchy, Wheaton
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238441&src=
-- Where spay-neuter law really belongs - John Culloton, Chicago
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238729&src=
-- Dems exaggerating economic woes - Randy Rossi, Grayslake
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238084&src=
-- Democrats thwarted bids to avert crisis - David A. Caldarola, Hoffman Estates
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238298
-- No news media bias? Let's get serious! - Frank Gabl, Prospect Heights
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238300
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Edward Tobolik of Roselle praises the news media and blames all problems on Republicans
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238443

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Members of Congress: Don't do it. Don't rush. Don't panic - Kristen McQueary
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1187121,092808mcqueary.article
-- University of Illinois memo restricting politics irks some faculty members - Chris Dettro
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1188874,092808uofi.article
-- Illinois long fertile ground for black politicians - Dennis Conrad
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1188851,092808blackpols.article
-- AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY'S STRANGLEHOLD NOT ONLY ON ILLINOIS, BUT ON AMERICA TIGHTENS: Lines growing at food pantries - Steve Metsch
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1187956,092808foodpantry.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- The great mommy debate Local women weigh in on Palin mixing family, politics - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1189568,6_1_NA28_PALIN_S1.article

HERALD NEWS
-- Women mixed on career vs. motherhood debate - Christine Moyer
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1189395,4_1_JO28_MURPHY_S1.article

COURIER NEWS
-- The Mommy Debate As Sarah Palin prepares to take centerstage against Joe Biden, local women weigh in on the age-old motherhood controversy - Gloria Carr
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1189661,3_1_EL28_A1WOMEN_S1.article

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: DuPage County Democrat candidates say they would end "pay-to-play" in DuPage County
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/wheaton/letters_to_the_editor/x1824789572/Letters-to-the-editor

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Bernard Schoenburg: Candidates push their messages with e-mail -- lots of it, Schock forums set, Shimkus on the rise?
http://www.sj-r.com/news_columnists/x528255782/Bernard-Schoenburg-Candidates-push-their-messages-with-e-mail-lots-of-it
-- Patrick Buchanan: What did Americans ever do to deserve this mess?
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1836508651/Patrick-Buchanan-What-did-Americans-ever-do-to-deserve-this-mess

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
-- Let's talk about sex: National family month's focus is on sex education Many schools try to involve parents - AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/education/story/485273.html

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Halvorson v. Ozinga: Buckets o' mud - Greg Hinz
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=30636&seenIt=1

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz to join Johnston on Roeser's radio show tonight: the show that dares to raise the issues others won't touch?
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/berkowitz-to-join-johnston-on-roesers.html

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Blacks Join to Warn About Making Race Top Priority in Election - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/black-conservat.html

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Obama and the Debate: Proud of His Country? - Peter Kirsanow
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTUwMTVmNDE5NGNmZTk1NjA0MzU4ODUzZDk1NDM4MGE=

CBS NEWS
-- "I would talk to each one of them and tell them that we've got to do this for the team," LaHood said. "It gives them a little momentum." LaHood himself was the target of some whipping on Saturday, taking an unexpected phone call from John McCain during a round of afternoon votes. McCain asked the veteran House member where he stood on the bailout and what he's hearing from his colleagues.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/27/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4483061.shtml

NEW YORK TIMES
-- VERY SAD: FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: McCain and Team Have Many Ties to Gambling Industry - Jo Becker and Don Van Natta
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/us/politics/28gambling-web.html

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
-- Newman also was an avid race car driver. At 82, he finished fourth in the Glen Nationals last year, driving a Corvette with 640 horsepower and a top speed of 185 miles per hour.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6027424.html

CHICAGO GOP
-- Time to defeat Paul Froehlich
https://www.chicagogop.com/MyBlog/Payback-s-a-bitch.-Time-to-defeat-Paul-Froehlich.html

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 27, 2008

Only 38 days until the election!

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Building a slow burn Nominees start out tame on economy, but come roaring back on questions of Iraq, security and diplomacy - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1188618,CST-NWS-debate27.article
-- Furious spinning on TV after presidential debate - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/1189106,debatetv092708.article
-- Each candidate got a little of what he needed - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1188962,CST-NWS-sweet28.article
-- 2 sharp guys would be 2 very different leaders - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1188964,CST-NWS-brown28.article
-- Bailout progress - Frank sees accord by Sunday Negotiations continue, but GOP, Democrats differ on when deal will be reached - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1188493,CST-NWS-bail27.article
-- Bailout cash is unlikely to be spent wisely - Thomas Sowell
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1188932,CST-EDT-sowell28.article

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Straightforward debate caps dramatic week Obama, McCain politely spar amid economic turmoil - Rick Pearson and Bob Secter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-debate-assess_bdsep28,0,3444000.story
-- Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker urges Palin to step aside, declares her out of her league - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-palin-columnist,0,732829.story
-- Rivals stake out differences in foreign policy in debate - Jill Zuckman and John McCormick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-debate_satsep27,0,4329945.story
-- Advantage: experience - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0927edit1sep27,0,4054010.story

ABC7
-- Illinois lawmakers react to bailout
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6417042
-- Illinois representatives weigh in on bailout plan
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6416032
-- Obama, McCain debate at Ole Miss - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6415861

CBS2
-- McCain, Obama Clash Over Taxes, War In Debate
http://cbs2chicago.com/campaign08/first.presidential.debate.2.826315.html

DAILY HERALD
-- 10th Congressional District ad battle focuses on George Bush - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238525
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Daily Herald comments on Democrats Foster and Walker
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238078&src=
(THE COMMENTS: A new kind of independence, we guess: Rep. Bill Foster of Geneva has a new campaign ad out depicting his record as bipartisan, which is interesting since 94.8 percent of his votes since being elected to Congress last winter have been with the Democrats, according to washingtonpost.com's Votes Database. Who exactly is the old-style politician? The Democratic Party has sent out a flurry of ugly campaign fliers on behalf of Mark Walker of Arlington Heights trashing his Illinois House opponent, Christine Prochno, as some sort of back ward political hack. She's an Elk Grove Village trustee, for crying out loud, not a Chicago machine politician. Elevate your campaign, Mark, will you?)
-- How can Kirk praise Palin's candidacy? - Karen Fujisawa, Winnetka
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238536
-- Q&A with Biggert
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237661&src=2
-- Q&A with Connelly
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237684&src=2
-- Q&A with Ramey
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237698&src=2
-- Q&A with Sweeney
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237694&src=1
-- Q&A with Mulligan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237713&src=1
-- Q&A with Mathias
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237719&src=1
-- Q&A with Kachiroubas
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237765&src=2
-- Q&A with Sullivan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237587&src=3
-- Q&A with Hatcher
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238015&src=5
-- Q&A with Munson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237710&src=5
-- Q&A with Cole
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237708&src=3
-- Q&A with Fortner
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237696&src=2
-- Q&A with Senger
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237575&src=2
-- Q&A with Forte-Scott
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237548&src=1
-- Q&A with Campuzano
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237798
-- Q&A with Cassioppi
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237782&src=2
-- Q&A with Olson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237769&src=2
-- Q&A with Sheahan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237736&src=2
-- Q&A with Zay
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237784&src=2
-- Q&A with Larsen
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237816&src=2
-- Q&A with Eckhoff
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237742&src=2
-- Q&A with Schultz
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237770&src=2
-- Q&A with O'Shea
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237754&src=2
-- Q&A with Murphy
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237788&src=2
-- Q&A with Reboletti
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237581&src=2
-- Q&A with Bucholz
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237774&src=2
-- Q&A with Fichtner
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237786&src=2
-- Q&A with Manzullo
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237589

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Democrats’ affirmative-action time bomb has detonated - Ann Coulter
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1070363616/Ann-Coulter-Dems-affirmative-action-time-bomb-has-detonated

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Court blocks guv’s health care expansion - AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31181

BEACON NEWS
-- Blagojevich health-care expansion denied - John O'Connor
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1188451,2_1_AU27_HEALTHCARE_S1.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Beacon News promotes the political opinions of "two musicians with Mohawk haircuts"
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1188711,2_1_AU27_DEBATELOCAL_S1.article
-- Biggert opposes financial bailout deal - Bob Okon
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1188242,2_1_AU27_BIGGERT_S1.article

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- Roskam said Congress exploring options to $700 billion bailout - Jerry Moore
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/wheaton/homepage/x846665850
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: In light of the Democrats' efforts over the decades to bring people into Wheaton who lack education, who lack job skills, and who have serious health, financial, and other problems, it is surprising that Wheaton has only one employee for every 211 residents
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/wheaton/news/x1800998262/Council-to-trim-budget-residents-could-feel-effects-officials-say

WHEATON SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Tim Whelan among those who spoke against increasing Wheaton's sales tax rate
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/wheatonsun/news/1185063,6_1_NA26_WSSALESTAX_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Furstenau v. Naperville: Shoulda, coulda, woulda -- or no? - Editorial
http://blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/newsblog/2008/09/shoulda_coulda_woulda_or_no.html

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Obama Goes Super-Negative - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/obama-goes-supe.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- McCain beats Obama in their first debate, in a close contest The Bush/Paulson/Frank/Dodd Bailout - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-beats-obama-in-their-first.html

TOM ROESER
-- It Looks Like No Debate but a Deal on the Rescue by Monday . . . Carol Marin is Outraged at Proft’s Salary - What About Hers (Including the One Partially Paid by the Feds?) . . . Axis Sally
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24762

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Sarah Palin creating Catch-22 for some in Illinois GOP - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1232
-- America's deadliest battle began ninety years ago today - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1231

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
-- Poll: Obama won presidential debate 51 to 38 "Women voters gave Obama the win, preferring him to McCain 59 percent 31 percent, CNN said."
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/27/UPI_NewsTrack_TopNews/UPI-95631222516800/

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Vicious Anti-McCain Ad Questioning His Health Running on MSNBC
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,429102,00.html
-- Fact Checking the Presidential Debate - AP
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/27/fact-checking-the-presidential-debate/

NEW YORK TIMES
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Conservatives View Bailout Plan as Last Straw Unwilling to continue bowing to President- Carl Hulse
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/business/27repubs.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- The Ticket's complete McCain-Obama debate transcript, Sept. 26, 2008 This is the complete presidential debate transcript for Sept. 26, 2008 at the University of Mississippi, moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS and including Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/debate-transcri.html

RELIABLE PLANT
-- Video: Tour of Corvette America manufacturing plant
http://www.reliableplant.com/article.aspx?articleid=7289

DAN PROFT
-- Responding to Carol Marin, Again
http://thetownofcicero.com/news/default.asp
(THE RESPONSE: Responding to Carol Marin's semi-annual attacks masquerading as investigative "stories" on the Town of Cicero has become a ritual. The conclusion by Carol is always the same, it is simply the target of her Jerry Springer-like sensationalism that changes. If the Dominick administration did nothing to inform residents via the Town News, mailers, the town's websites and the like, Marin would be screeching "Fortress Cicero" and complaining about the town doing things behind closed doors. Because the Dominick administration has devoted the resources to keep residents informed every step of the way, on a daily basis, of important happenings in the town, now the administration is accused of being spendthrifts on public relations. That's Marin's game: heads we lose, tails we lose. Since my media firm was the target of her latest collection of false assertions and ridiculous innuendos in a "story" that recently aired on NBC-5, I wanted to set the record straight in lieu of the rumor-mongering sure to follow from political opponents of this administration. As you know, Town President Larry Dominick is committed to transparency in government and he demands that employees and town vendors share that commitment. The explanation below is in furtherance of that commitment. Carol Marin lie #1: Same old Cicero. Carol Marin wants to do the work of Dominick's political opponents and try to convince you not to believe your own eyes. Carol Marin doesn't live in Cicero. She visits a couple times a year to do her hatchet jobs and than scurries back to her Chicago mansion. But she presumes to tell you about your business and your community. She wants to convince you that nothing has changed in Cicero. Carol Marin wants you to believe that 20 acres of new parks (18th & Laramie and 35th & Laramie) aren't real. Carol Marin wants you to believe that the town's 40,000 square foot Community Center isn't actually there. Carol Marin wants you to believe that gang-related shootings aren't down 60% in Cicero under President Dominick. Carol Marin wants you to belie ve that President Dominick hasn't cut your property taxes by more than $1,100 per year starting this fall and running through the year 2020. Carol Marin wants you to believe the new municipal complex and the new developments coming on Ogden Avenue, 31st & Cicero, 16th & 54th, aren't real. Carol Marin wants you to believe that President Dominick didn't bring in Kerasotes Theater, FAMSA Furniture and a collection of new businesses and new jobs. Carol Marin wants you to believe that all of what you have seen and experienced in the town over President Dominick's short 3.5 years in office really hasn't happened. Who do you believe, Carol Marin or your own eyes? Carol Marin lie #2: Dan Proft failed to respond/the town failed to disclose request documents. In fact, I agreed to an on-camera interview to answer any questions Carol Marin had and provide any documents she desired (the same documents I provided to the Chicago T ribune as the Tribune noted I did in their story). In fact, I confirmed a scheduled interview with Marin's producer, Don Moseley, for 10:00am on Thursday, September 25. Instead, on 4:00pm the day before (Sept. 24), Moseley called me and said they were running with the story that night and effectively cancelled my interview and, thus, the opportunity to respond to their questions. Marin didn't want answers as highlighted by the fact that it was more important for her to get her pre-packaged story on the air with no context, no evaluation of work product (in other words, what is Cicero getting for what the town is paying), and no opportunity for the kind of detailed responses needed (and for which I was happy to provide) from the central target of her "story". And, oh by the way, I have the e-mail to prove up what I say to be the case. I was contacted by Moseley on Monday, September 22. We spoke on Tuesday, September 23, about setting up an interview. On the evening of Tuesday, September 23, I also spoke to Marin directly on the phone and reiterated to her that I was happy to sit down with her and that "I looked forward to it" (doing so). On Wednesday morning, Moseley and I agreed to a sit down interview for Thursday at 10:00am as I outlined above. So who really ducked who? Carol Marin is a bully. Like schoolyard bullies, she doesn't like to be challenged. She preys on fear. I am not and was not afraid to confront any issues Marin desired to raise. Evidence of this is that I freely spoke at length to both the Tribune and to Univision, answering all of the questions posed by these outlets and providing all requested documents. The Tribune got their math wrong, incorrectly attributing pass through costs of subcontractors to my firm among other things, but I nevertheless explained in great detail the monies spent and the work products received for the monies spent. In contrast, Ma rin displayed her cowardice and lack of journalistic ethics--as she did in the "story" about the Town's legal fees that she ran last year--by choosing to run with factually inaccurate suppositions rather than living up to her commitment to get my side and the town's side of the story. Carol Marin lie #3: The contracts are with Dan Proft, Dan Proft makes all the money provided in the contracts with the Town. In fact, it is my firm, Urquhart Media LLC that is the town vendor. In fact, in addition to myself, I have four other individuals in my employ (who I compensate) who do work on our contract with the Town of Cicero. For example, after his first year in office, President Dominick correctly decided that it was cheaper to outsource the town's public relations department. So, my company manages all the printing for the town, the centralization of which has saved Cicero taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. This is in additio n but not limited to: producing the Town News magazine; managing and producing content for the Town's website; designing and placing print advertisement in the town's local newspapers; acting as the town's liaison to utilities like ComEd, Nicor, Comcast, and AT&T; acting as the town's liaison to the many social service providers in Cicero and that serve Cicero families; working on a range of policy issues such as the day laborers' situation at Home Depot or working with representatives from the Latino community on a "Safespace Resolution" and the like; working on programming with various town departments like the town's Waggin' Tails animal shelter; and assisting with the development and programming of special events and festivals in town. Marin wants you to believe I serve only as a mouthpiece, sitting around throwing cards in a hat waiting for her to call. Responding to press inquiries is perhaps the least time-consuming aspect of the work that either I or my firm provide to the town. My firm is paid a fair market hourly rate if you broke down the number of man hours devoted in service to the Town of Cicero and assessed the tangible work products provided. As the principal of my firm, I have worked in and out of state and local government for 14 years. I brought a significant amount of experience to the table when I came to Cicero beyond just an understanding of the media and public relations. I have also run successful referenda campaigns for community colleges in the Chicagoland area so I have some experience with that sector as well. Furthermore, my firm represents a number of different clients, public sector and private sector, which have nothing to do with and have no connection with Cicero. Cicero is a client, an important client to be certain and a client I am honored to have with Larry Dominick at the helm. But those numbers bandied about by Marin as my "salary" highlight only her la ck of understanding the difference between a salaried town employee and a firm (with multiple employees) that serves as a town vendor. I offer this additional background just to provide the context that is routinely discarded by reporters like Marin who want only to report on one half of the equation, the money, without examining the money relative to the goods and services provided. There's an old saying that you don't pick fights with anyone that buys ink by the barrel, meaning you can't fight the big media outlets. The approach of the Dominick administration has been different. This administration refuses to let itself get beat up in a back alley by people or outlets that distort the truth. Carol Marin and Channel 5 have repeatedly demonstrated themselves to be such an outlet when it comes to their coverage of Cicero. The facts are on our side so we're happy to report them and let Cicero residents make up their own minds. An d so we have done precisely that in this case once again. If you have further questions, concerns, or comments about Carol Marin's story or anything else in the news, I personally encourage you to contact me at your convenience and I would offer you the same courtesy I offered Carol Marin: I'd be happy to answer any questions and discuss any matters at length. I can be reached via e-mail at dproft@thetownofcicero.com. You can also call my office at (312) 575-9500 or you can call my personal cell at (312) 446-6488. I welcome any and all discussions that any concerned Cicero resident would like to have.)

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Oberweis Tele Town Hall on Credit Crisis

Just had an automated phone call from Oberweis inviting me to a Tele Town Hall he is having on the Credit Crisis.

I'll live blog it for a while...

First caller (I heard ) from Dekalb came down hard on Wall Street Execs. O talked about Obama's advisor Fredrick Raines.

Next caller on selling insurance vs buying securities... missed response getting set up here but this is O's turf for sure... he can rattle off on Sarbnes Oxely and so on....

O says Wall Street, not Tax Payors should fund the package. There are alternatives much less expensive then what's proposed.

Next Q: I have a big problem going into this with our hands over our eyes. If we don't get a hold of big gov spending period.... O says he couldn't agree more....that's why I'm running.

Next Q: Why can't they go ahead and rewrite these loans at 40 years instead of 30? Could we see this plan on the internet.

O would like to see it on the net. Stretching from 30 to 40 years is not going to fix things... help but not help...

(We ask pretty good questions out here in Kane County!) Question is were in the crisis because people got in over their heads... isn't it their problem? O says Yes and No...understand the Gov through Community Reinvestment Act pushed Banks to make risky loans.

Next Q: Under Bush the Gov grew and now we're turning to more regulation. Where are we going with this bailout? Is making the Gov work better, better than cutting cutting cutting?

O says there are a lot of parts...yes Gov has grown... grown faster than our rev base... it happened under GOP and why so many have lost faith. Making Gov work better... People have asked to we need more or less regulation? O says we need to update the Regs we have.

There are a lot of people on this call.... Q from a staunch GOPer saying the GOP is politicizing the issue... one women said we should go after CEOs but there is enough fault to spread around. Q asker wants to see CEOs hung by their thumbs. The bailout my end up not costing anything. This is a serious crisis that could wipe out our retirement savings.

O responds yes it is serious crisis but the original $700 billion not the solution. O says drop Market to Market rule from Sarbenes Oxely (I think this accounting rule on how loans carried on books). We don't want to take wrong Gov action as Japan did...that's the risk of writing the big blank check... that's what Paulson's plan would do.

Q: We need to end Iraq War, and send back the illegal aliens, freeze salaries of all civil servants, stop foreign aid, we're draining all US resources... problem is we're handing out money. O agrees... (I think on handing out)... O says if a Biz is losing money you look at the parts not working and fix it. O says Iraq war costs will decrease next year. O says the number of illegals has dropped 10% over last year, and we need to crack down on firms who hire them.

O says further we could bring trade into balance if we were energy independent. We have huge reserves of natural gas... wind solar etc i.e. every Pols response.

A loan secretary from a Bank says she had all these auditors come in and review all the loans. If a Bank wasn't making proper loans, you'd get zigged on the audit. This problem should have been caught by someone. Someone somewhere dropped the ball.

O what's wrong? You're speaking good common sense and our Gov dropped the ball forcing Banks to make subprime loans. Thank you for the comment.

A loan officer asks, the rules are changing and she has spent a lot of time with people not credit worthy to barrow $100k. She worked for company with a subprime unit. Long editorial.... I've lost the thread. It's the institutions loaning to people they shouldn't have loaned to... a para on page 3 of application says if the info you gave isn't True then you're in hot water. She struggles every month making her payment. Yet the CEOs are making money hand over fist. It's a hard business to work in.

O says you're exactly correct, I couldn't agree more: aggressive lending practices got us in this problem.

A guy in Huntly says O would have one the election if it hadn't been held on Sat. An excop from Huntly. He says if you can't afford it, you shouldn't buy it. Then the Gov getting involved makes it worse. What's too much regulation, what's too little...what should the Gov be in? Caller threw up over compensation to CEO for Exxon Mobile. How in God's name did this ever happen.

O says CEO comp out of control and talks Fred Raines again... it's crazy. Exec comp is out of control. O disagrees and says some people who bought homes who shouldn't have did so because the Gov encouraged it.

Sycamore, a Democrat calls and she is angry with Democrats on immigration and Free Speech on Radio... don't Democrat's realize they were elected to serve us... then she dumps on Pelosi and Reid.

O says this is exactly why he is running (gotta admit this Q sounds like a plant). O give us his biography now.... Congress isn't a job for him... it's a commitment to reform... ok..next question please.. hopefully from me.

O says he is impressed by Rep from Janesville. O says GOP has made a lot of mistakes and let spending get out of control.

O says he wants term limits: six for reps, and two for sens.

Another Mortgage Company employee says brokers sent false loan apps. Did everything to get their commissions.

O appreciates the statement.

One more from Huntly...thanks O for the call. If we need to bailout can't Cong take enough time to do it right. Does it need to be done by Monday AM?

It does not need to be done by Monday AM. We need to do something but lets be careful and we will have better results if we take our name.

Plato Center says all of her questions have been answered. Where are the hard signs. (planted Q too?)

Aurora wants to see everyone who goofed pay. O agrees.

Yorkville comments that Allen Greenspan the top of the chain for blame. We had GOP in charge of Congress for six years. GOP had their chance. Now were treating symptom and not problem. People cannot afford homes with people losing jobs and we could be back with another crisis.

O appreciates comment and says we need new direction and bring spending under control O says he did it in the private sector.

Call concludes. If you stay on line you can be connected to office and request signs.

PS A lot of angry people out there this one. Angry and knowledgable....

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 26, 2008

Only 39 days until the election!

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Democrats, some in GOP question McCain's intervention - Charles Babington
http://www.bnd.com/277/story/483274.html
-- Black politicians prosper in Obama's home state - Dennis Conrad
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jjekHQ4hGenP1xcLgsMu9ZvEp3_QD93E9GQ81

CBS2
-- McCain, Obama Meet With President To Talk Bailout - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/mccain.obama.bush.2.825805.html

ABC7
-- Chicago area economists lead opposition to bailout - Ben Bradley
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6415132

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Curious way for McCain to be showing leadership Obama faults Republican's 'posturing'- Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1186613,CST-NWS-sweet26.article
-- McCain proves leadership in time of crisis - Steve Huntley
http://www.suntimes.com/news/huntley/1186194,CST-EDT-hunt26.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Given the Illinois Democrat Party's control of Cook County, its control of Chicago, and its promiscuity promoting, poverty promoting, and crime promoting platform, it is not surprising that promiscuity stricken poverty stricken crime stricken Chicago hosts "Sexpo 08"
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1186556,CST-NWS-sexpo26.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: African American Deborah Douglas demonizes and denigrates "white Americans" and then complains that "40 percent of white Americans. . .have negative views of African Americans"
http://www.suntimes.com/news/douglas/1186919,CST-EDT-douglas26.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Sun-Times promotes homosexual activity, again
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1186918,CST-EDT-edit26a.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chicago Sun-Times promotes political affiliation discrimination at the University of Illinois
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1186917,CST-EDT-edit26b.article

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- As election nears, Roman Catholic bishops try to raise awareness of church's opposition to abortion Anti-abortion groups holding round-the-clock vigil outside Chicago medical clinic - Margaret Ramirez
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-abortion-26-sep26,0,7942537.story
-- Bush housing chief Steve Preston talks about Illinois governor's race - Rick Pearson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/bush-housing-ch.html
-- Prison Report - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-prisonreport,0,3058542.story
-- Ethics? Illinois? Keep going - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0926edit2sep26,0,3660793.story

DAILY HERALD
-- Congressmen from the suburbs now split on bailout - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238097
-- Scott v. Froehlich: 56th state representative hopefuls trade shots over taxes, licensing - Ashok Selvam
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238231&src=1
-- Lake County Coroner Richard Keller's defense testimony in rape case draws GOP ire - Tony Gordon
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238156&src=3
--Tollway chief's move begs question on ethics law - Marni Pyke and Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237537
-- Tollway chief's move adds to questions about strength of ethics law - Joseph Ryan and John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=238077
-- Inside McPartlin's departure from the tollway - Joseph Ryan
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/632
-- Obama campaign hushes Ayers issue - Eleanor Hesse, Buffalo Grove
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236896&src=

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Ozinga, Halvorson, Wallace to appear at candidate forums - Susan Lafferty
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1186518,092608debatefolo.article
-- Taxpayers tell congressmen: No bailout - Phil Kadner
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/kadner/1186577,092608Kadner.article

BEACON NEWS
-- McGuire, Senger outline priorities in 96th debate - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1186238,2_1_AU26_DEBATE_S1.article
-- Foster: No 'blank check' on financial bailout - Dan Campana
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1186817,2_1_AU26_ECONOMY_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Furstenau lawsuit toll tops $700,000 Councilman originally asked for $130,000 settlement - Kathy Cichon
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1186284,6_1_NA26_FURSTENAU_S1.article

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- It’s an ethics law in Illinois, so look for the loopholes - Chick Sweeny
http://www.rrstar.com/news/columnists/x1464870028/It-s-an-ethics-law-in-Illinois-so-look-for-the-loopholes

SOUTHWEST NEWS HERALD
-- Illinois Ethics Battle Is Typically Unethical - Ray Hanania
http://www.swnewsherald.com/news_inside/2008/09/092608cs_rh_ethics.php

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: People, organizations, and countries that despise America are overjoyed about a "film festival" at College of DuPage
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/glenellyn/lifestyle/x1070363463/DuPage-peace-group-to-hold-film-festival

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- McCain beats Obama with a new Economy Fix - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-beats-obama-with-new-economy-fix.html

TOM ROESER
-- If Agreement Comes by Friday, McCain’s Hail Mary Pass May Work Out with a Tie for Both Candidates
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24761

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- More School Funding Hustle: Obama & Ayers - George Kocan
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/more-school-fun.html

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- 'The Obama Chronicles' Examines Association Between Barack and Father Pfleger
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,428121,00.html

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
-- The Most Consequential Elections in History: Ronald Reagan and the Election of 1980 Reagan gave conservatism a pleasant face and an appealing voice - Kenneth T. Walsh
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/politics/2008/09/25/the-most-consequential-elections-in-history-ronald-reagan-and-the-election-of-1980.html
-- Bailout Deal In Serious Trouble
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080926.htm

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NEWS
-- Illegal aliens’ health-care tab is elusive - Toby Manthey
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Business/238038/

PITTSBURG TRIBUNE REVIEW
-- The real Barack Obama - Dimitri Vassilaros
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/vassilaros/s_590148.html

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
-- Deja vu? McCain backed out of 2000 California presidential debate
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=30742

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- National electoral map: See-saw struggle as Obama sees and McCain saws
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/mccain-obama-ma.html

POST CHRONICLE
-- Video: David Letterman Rips John McCain For Suspending Appearance - Jack Ryan
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212174525.shtml

DALLAS MORNING NEWS
-- Who shows up to vote? Obama more than McCain by a wide margin - Michael Landauer
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/who-shows-up-to.html

NEW YORK TIMES
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Dubious Claims in Obama’s Ads Against McCain, Despite Vow of Truth - Jim Rutenberg and Julie Bosman
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26ads.html

YOUTUBE
-- Obama Vote-Infanticide-living babies thrown into waste bins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kdWN5WllGc

MILTON TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
-- Grand opening of MTRCC's election headquarters at 925B East Roosevelt Road at the NW corner of Roosevelt and President in Wheaton is tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM - Dave Diersen
www.miltonrepublicans.org
DuPage County is at the heart of Republican politics in Illinois and Milton Township is at the heart of DuPage County. The Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) will hold the grand opening of its election headquarters at 925B East Roosevelt Road at the NW corner of Roosevelt and President in Wheaton tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Look for MTRCC grand opening ads in the September 24 Glen Ellyn News and the September 25 Wheaton Leader. Attendees will be able to take home yard signs and bumper stickers, enjoy refreshments, and meet with Republican elected officials and Republican candidates. All Republican elected officials who represent all or part of Milton Township and all Republican candidates for those positions have been invited. Federal elected officials and candidates invited include Peter Roskam and Steve Sauerberg. State elected officials and candidates invited include Franco Coladipietro, Mike Connelly, Dan Cronin, Kirk Dillard, Mike Fortner, Randy Hulgren, Jim Meyer, Carol Pankau, and Sandy Pihos. DuPage County elected officials and candidates invited include Joe Birkett, Fred Bucholz, Joseph Cantore, Grant Eckhoff, Blanche Hill Fawell, Mike Formento, Bob Grogan, Gwen Henry, Chris Kachiroubas, Gary King, John Kinsella, Roger Kotecki, Linda Kurzawa, Bob Larsen, Debra Olson, Patrick O'Shea, Dewey Pierotti, Jim Rasins, Jeff Redick, Pam Rion, Darlene Ruscitti, Bob Schillerstrom, Pete Siekmann, Brien Sheahan, John Zaruba, and Jim Zay. Milton Township officials invited include Bob Earl, Sal Falbo, Jim Flickinger, Chris Heidorn, Gail Hinkle, Bob Larsen, Gary Muehlfelt, and Leonard Sanchez.

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Tollway Revolving Door Opens Ethics Questions

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Director Brian McPartlin announced today that he is leaving the tollway and taking a job with McDonough Associates. McDonough Associates is a major Tollway contractor; their contracts in FY09 (ie, in the last three months) total more than $20 million, significantly more than any other year since FY05 and nearly triple the value of their FY08 contracts.

If you think this looks awful, we agree.

The 2003 Ethics Act contains provisions intended to shut the revolving door between state officials and their contractors by prohibiting employment with a contractor for one year after leaving the state agency. McPartlin says he received a waiver from that prohibition. According to the law, the Executive Ethics Commission "shall … grant… [a waiver] upon a showing that the prospective employment or relationship did not affect" the issuance of contracts.

So what to do here? Let's start with some questions. When did he start a job search? Did he approach this company or did the company approach him? Has he negotiated with other firms? When he began talks with this company, did he notify his board and remove himself from any Tollway matters with the firm? When did he get the waiver? Were any contracts awarded after he applied for the waiver?

But it seems we should also take another look at the 2003 Act. ICPR has supported Sunshine in Ethics laws in the past, and we continue to think that the 2003 Act ought to be tweaked to give the public more confidence in how the law is carried out. Currently, the EEC does not disclose who applied for waivers, or even who got them. The law greatly limits what the two Ethics Commissions can tell the public about their work. While this is appropriate at the time of an allegation, we continue to think that the Commissions should be able to say more about final decisions.

It may also be wise to give the Commissions more discretion when considering to grant waivers. That "shall" in the statute doesn't give the Commissions room for deliberation.

The 2003 Act was a gigantic leap forward for the state, but it was not the final word. It's been amended at least four times since it was enacted. McPartlin's departure shows it may be time for another tweaking.

To Comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

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Daily Herald Picks Up McHenry County Blog Story about Woodstock Nursing Home Death Motive

Pete Gonigam's McHenry County Blog story yesterday revealing for the first time that the Woodstock Resident nursing home deaths may not have been about so-called mercy was picked up by Daily Herald reporter Chuck Keeshan.

The comments underneath indicate plenty of folks take a quite hostile view of a medical provider overdosing “irksome” patients and a 56-year old Down Syndrome who wasn't

“meant to live that long. They are meant to die in their teens and I'm going to help him along.”

Today, McHenry County Blog reveals additional heretofore unreported details.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 25, 2008

Only 40 days until the election!

DIERSEN: MORE EVIDENCE OF COMBINE DOMINATION AND MEDIA BIAS: NBC5 and Chicago Tribune blast Dan Proft who worked for conservative Republicans Pat O'Malley, Jack Ryan, and Alan Keyes. NBC5 and Chicago Tribune would not blast Proft if Proft worked for liberal Democrats Blagojevich or Obama.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Eye on Carol Marin, who is giving a good look at Dan Proft - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/eye-on-carol-marin-who-is-giving-good.html

NBC5
-- Cicero PR Guy Dan Proft Getting More Than $300K A Year Better Government Association: 'It Sure Seems Wasteful' - Carol Marin
http://www.nbc5.com/news/17551727/detail.html?dl=headlineclick (Includes video clip)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Cicero spokesman Dan Proft's firm got pacts worth $578,000 a year to promote town, school districts Larger communities paying much less than Cicero for public relations, records show - James Kimberly
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-cicero-spokesman-25-sep25,0,4726894.story
-- Candidates bicker: Debate or wait? Obama balks at call to postpone showdown, so McCain may not show - Jill Zuckman and John McCormick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-campaign25sep25,0,5401423.story
-- Democrat state's attorney hopeful Anita Alvarez defends donations by subordinates Meanwhile, GOP candidate Tony Peraica refuses to stop using photo of U.S. attorney in campaign literature - Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-cook-states-attorney-25sep25,0,6445897.story
-- OUTRAGEOUS: (ANTI-RELIGIOUS) Democrats seek to frame suffering economy as a 'values' issue for religious voters - Eric Gorski
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-rel-religion-today,0,7708499.story
-- Palin: U.S. at risk of another Great Depression - Sara Kugler
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-palin-websep25,0,5179526.story
-- Immigration polarizes small-town America Some communities are angry about immigration, but the candidates aren't spending much time on the topic. The Tribune's Jim Tankersley and Christi Parsons report from Manassas, Va.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-anxiety-immigrationsep25,0,5799873.story

MILTON TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
-- Grand opening of MTRCC's election headquarters at 925B East Roosevelt Road at the NW corner of Roosevelt and President in Wheaton is this Saturday, September 27, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM - Dave Diersen
www.miltonrepublicans.org
DuPage County is at the heart of Republican politics in Illinois and Milton Township is at the heart of DuPage County. The Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) will hold the grand opening of its election headquarters at 925B East Roosevelt Road at the NW corner of Roosevelt and President in Wheaton on Saturday, September 27, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Look for MTRCC grand opening ads in the September 24 Glen Ellyn News and the September 25 Wheaton Leader. Attendees will be able to take home yard signs and bumper stickers, enjoy refreshments, and meet with Republican elected officials and Republican candidates. All Republican elected officials who represent all or part of Milton Township and all Republican candidates for those positions have been invited. Federal elected officials and candidates invited include Peter Roskam and Steve Sauerberg. State elected officials and candidates invited include Franco Coladipietro, Mike Connelly, Dan Cronin, Kirk Dillard, Mike Fortner, Randy Hulgren, Jim Meyer, Carol Pankau, and Sandy Pihos. DuPage County elected officials and candidates invited include Joe Birkett, Fred Bucholz, Joseph Cantore, Grant Eckhoff, Blanche Hill Fawell, Mike Formento, Bob Grogan, Gwen Henry, Chris Kachiroubas, Gary King, John Kinsella, Roger Kotecki, Linda Kurzawa, Bob Larsen, Debra Olson, Patrick O'Shea, Dewey Pierotti, Jim Rasins, Jeff Redick, Pam Rion, Darlene Ruscitti, Bob Schillerstrom, Pete Siekmann, Brien Sheahan, John Zaruba, and Jim Zay. Milton Township officials invited include Bob Earl, Sal Falbo, Jim Flickinger, Chris Heidorn, Gail Hinkle, Bob Larsen, Gary Muehlfelt, and Leonard Sanchez.

CBS2
-- Obama Surges In Polls As McCain Suspends Campaign (REPORT INCLUDES A STRONG QUOTE FROM DURKIN) - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/obama.mccain.suspends.2.825011.html
VIDEO CLIP: http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=49396@wbbm.dayport.com
-- Possible Evidence To Indict Gov. Blagojevich
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/governor.blagojevich.indict.2.825033.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- McCain caught Obama off guard again - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/1184246,CST-NWS-sweet25.article
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/09/mccain_caught_obama_off_guard.html
-- Obama grant being probed $100,000 deal State to charity: What happened to garden money, other cash? - Chris Fusco and Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1184049,CST-NWS-watchdog25.article?dl=mainclick
-- No politicking for U. of I. staff? Button it, prof says - Art Golab and Dave Newbart
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1184418,CST-NWS-button25.article
-- McCain's error: Obama isn't Machine-made He's no crusading reformer, but he's just not a political hack - Mark Brown
http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1184267,CST-NWS-brown25.article

DAILY HERALD
-- 14th Congressional District candidates Oberweis and Foster take stances on proposed economic bailouts - Jim Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237504
-- Illinois Republican Party refund, aka, making the media happy - John Patterson
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/624
(THE POSTING: A few weeks back you may recall me whining about Daily Herald reporters getting turned away from a GOP convention event even though the Republican Party had charged the paper a delegate activity fee of $600 per person. The reception was in honor of Republican legislative leaders Tom Cross and Frank Watson and was hosted by AT&T, which explains why there might have been some miscommunication about letting the media in. Anyway, in all fairness, there needs to be an update. After hearing of the incident, an Illinois Republican Party spokesman called to find out what happened, agreed we should have been let in and then agreed to refund the Daily Herald a portion of the activity fee. I'm happy to report that the check has been received and cashed (not by me). So all's well.)
-- 8th Congressional District: GOP rival Greenberg criticizes Bean for not debating him - Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237380
-- Republican group launches attack on Seals - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237326
-- Senger v. McGuire: House District 96 hopefuls face off - Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237647
-- Health care flier sparks anger in 44th House race - Ashok Selvam
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237529
-- DuPage County: Prosecutor Liam C. Brennan tapped as new judge
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237500&src=2
-- Just 1 Illinois high school dropout costs $221,000 - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237262&src=109
-- We're getting taxed out of St. Charles - Linda Jean, St. Charles
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236868&src=
-- Candidates seeking guidance from God - Roger Willis, Naperville
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236292&src=
(FROM THE LETTER: But if Mr. Zlotow believes that seeking guidance from God is wrong, from whom does he suggest Barack Obama should seek guidance? How about Rev. Jeremiah Wright? William Ayers? Bernadine Dohrn? No one can deny that the Wright has provided guidance to the Obama family for more than 20 years. And the latter two - leaders of the terrorist Weatherman group of the late 1960s - certainly influenced Obama in two nonprofit enterprises in the Chicago area from 1995 through 2001. During a primary debate, Obama described Ayers only as "a guy who lives in my neighborhood." Funny, I know that I would remember someone who led more than 40 bombings of public and private buildings and served with me on two boards for more than four years as more than just a guy from the neighborhood. So the question I would pose to Mr. Zlotow is, would you rather have your government officials seeking guidance from God - and admitting it - or from the likes of Wright/Ayers/Dohrn - and hiding it?)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: James D. Cook of Streamwood demonizes and denigrates Reagan and everyone who voted for him
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237509

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- News quiz: What's a fund sweep? - Kristen McQueary
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/mcqueary/1183995,092508mcqueary.article
-- Blagojevich must sign off on restored budget cuts - John O'Connor
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1183990,092508budget.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- McGuire defends campaign ads Cites survey as source of abortion stance - Ted Slowik
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1184507,6_1_NA25_MCGUIRE_S1.article
-- Senger, McGuire square off during forum Budget, funding and fuel costs among forum topics - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1184509,6_1_NA25_DEBATE_S1.article
-- McGuire defends campaign mailers - Ted Slowik
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1183102,na24_mcguireresponse_s1.article

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
-- Ozinga, Wallace back out of candidate forum claiming bias - Robert Themer
http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=427988

CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO
-- Beefed Up Security Surrounds Obama's Hyde Park House - Tony Arnold
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=28634

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
-- ACLU hosts forum for candidates including Steve Sauerberg
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x72908213/ACLU-hosts-forum-for-candidates
-- Financial rescue seen as necessary - Erin Wood
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x110409854/Financial-rescue-seen-as-necessary

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Politics or statesmanship from McCain? Republican decides to suspend presidential campaign during financial crisis - Rhys Saunders
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1464870178/Politics-or-statesmanship-from-McCain
-- Hynes doesn’t trust Blagojevich on budget cuts - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x418863758/SJ-R-com-Exclusive-Hynes-doesnt-trust-Blagojevich-with-budget-cuts
-- Feisty Callahan takes off gloves in TV ad vs. Schock - Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1738027461/Bernard-Schoenburg-Feisty-Callahan-takes-off-gloves-in-TV-ad-vs-Schock

COURIER NEWS
-- Naperville deficit to top $10 million - Naperville Sun
http://blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/newsblog/2008/09/money_man_naperville_deficit_t.html

HERALD NEWS
-- 11th Congressional District: Congressional candidates drop forum - Susan DeMar Lafferty
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1184233,4_1_JO25_11FORUM_S1.article

PIONEER LOCAL
-- DuPage County: Democrat challenger for recorder David Meek calls for change - Sandy Illian Bosch
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/news/1182968,ch-recorder-092508-s1.article
-- DuPage County: Roselle man Stan Jagla takes on incumbent Chris Kachiroubas for circuit court clerk - Sandy Illian Bosch
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/news/1183013,ch-circuitclerk-092508-s1.article
-- Edgar recalls days as governor at packed farm bureau meeting - Diana Newton
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/mundelein/news/1183711,mu-edgar-092508-s1.article

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- DuPage County Board member Paul Fichtner in no rush to install red-light cameras - Jerry Moore
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/elmhurst/opinions/x1338087786/Board-member-in-no-rush-to-install-red-light-cameras
-- DuPage County to hold hearing on alcohol at strip clubs
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lombard/news/x810461014/County-to-hold-hearing-on-alcohol-at-strip-clubs

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Time to quit talking and get to work - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/time-to-quit-ta.html
-- Rauschenberger vs. Obama: Round 5 - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/rauschenberger.html
-- Roskam takes stand against big oil - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/roskam-takes-st.html (Includes video clip)

CHAMPION NEWS
-- The Left is making it easy for Sarah Palin to recapture the Reagan Democrats - Charlene Kalebic
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1227
-- Republicans should have reformed the financial system wrongly built on Democratic policies - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1228
-- Public school economics: Productivity and oversight matters - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1226

TOM ROESER
-- Wha? Bill Daley, Sr. Was Hired Because of His Technical Expertise in Business. . .Biden Proves What We Have Suspected - a Likeable Blow Hard e.g. Jerque. . .Mark Brown to Whom Homosexuality is a Human Right
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24760

TOWNHALL
-- Which Candidate Would You Choose? - Sandy Rios
http://townhall.com/Columnists/SandyRios/2008/09/24/which_candidate_would_you_choose

HUMAN EVENTS
-- They Gave Your Mortgage to a Less Qualified Minority - Ann Coulter
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28714

ACCURACY IN MEDIA
-- Senator Bunning Blasts “Financial Socialism” - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/senator-bunning-blasts-financial-socialism/

FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS
-- Obama's Soft Core Racism - Yale Kramer
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.1264/pub_detail.asp

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Founding Brothers What’s behind Obama’s early rise? - Stanley Kurtz
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NTM4ZmU1NGFkODJlMjhmYjkxMjg4Y2Q0NTVlYjAzMmY=

AMERICAN THINKER
-- Obama lied about his tight link with Ayers - James Lewis
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/obama_lied_about_his_tight_lin.html

POLITICO
-- Boehner welcomes McCain's return - John Bresnahan
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13891.html

WORLD NET DAILY
-- Now the New York Times accuses me of racism - Jerome Corsi and Michael Centanni
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76164
-- Guess who recommended Obama to enter Harvard Mystery man in senator's memoir now revealed as disciple of socialist agitator Saul Alinksy
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=76170

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Some Illinois colleges say economy slowing enrollment - David Mercer
http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/480691.html

AFP
-- Bush summons Obama, McCain for crisis talks
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jh1_w9xCscnTHrFF1J3OFvMM5ZQw
-- Financial crisis creates daring duel for McCain, Obama
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jiO-C2B_l6Pn_VKR45cMD-58oWgQ

CNN
-- Dems call McCain's move a 'stunt'; GOP welcomes return
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/24/congress.mccain.reaction/?iref=mpstoryview

AFP
-- Obama wants debate with McCain to go ahead
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5haebZAhk0htf8DGXVp1pXbAMS0wg

WASHINGTON TIMES
-- The mortgage-bailout trap - Editorial
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/sep/25/the-mortgage-bailout-trap/

WASHINGTON POST
-- Behind McCain's Decision to Suspend His Campaign - Chris Cillizza
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_suspends_campaign.html?hpid=topnews

DALLAS MORNING NEWS
-- Sarah Palin's 'Rev. Wright' or a big nothing? Watch and read for yourself - Jeffery Weiss
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/sarah-palins-rev-wright-or-a-b.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Shame on you too, Barack Obama, the truth sleuths say Republican John McCain was taken to task by fact-checking journalists for disingenuous claims against his rival. But the Democrat isn't off the hook for his own series of dispiriting distortions. - James Rainey
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-onthemedia25-2008sep25,0,6681369.story
-- John McCain seeks to postpone debate The GOP nominee plans to suspend his campaign and stay in Washington to help craft the economic bailout. Barack Obama rejects the idea, saying whoever wins the race will be expected to multi-task. - Mark Z. Barabak
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-debate25-2008sep25,0,4677357.story

BUSINESSWEEK
-- Another Hail-Mary Pass for McCain - Jane Sasseen
http://www.businessweek.com/election/2008/blog/archives/2008/09/another_hail-ma.html

ALL AFRICA
-- Kenya: 'Will the Economic Downturn Help Obama?' - Nairobi Star
http://allafrica.com/stories/200809240707.html

STOP OBAMA
-- VIDEO CLIP: "Obama's Twisted Mind - Obama's sick voting record"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIlS0_rArks&feature=related

WURFWHILE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Even though virtually all federal employees are Democrats, even though Democrats have controlled Congress since 2006, and even though Democrats control Illinois' government, Democrats blame Republicans when housing prices go up and Democrats blame Republicans when housing prices go down.
http://www.wurfwhile.com/blog/2008/09/25/local-version-if-you-like-whats-happening-vote-republican/

NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE
-- McCain & Obama: All the Candidates’ Cars - Keith Naughton and Hilary Shenfeld
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160091
(THE ARTICLE: When you have seven homes, that's a lot of garages to fill. After the fuss over the number of residences owned by the two presidential nominees, NEWSWEEK looked into the candidates' cars. And based on public vehicle-registration records, here's the score. John and Cindy McCain: 13. Barack and Michelle Obama: one. One vehicle in the McCain fleet has caused a small flap. United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger, an Obama backer, accused McCain this month of "flip-flopping" on who bought daughter Meghan's foreign-made Toyota Prius. McCain said last year that he bought it, but then told a Detroit TV station on Sept. 7 that Meghan "bought it, I believe, herself." (The McCain campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment.) Obama's lone vehicle also is a green machine, a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. He bought it last year to replace the family's Chrysler 300C, a Hemi-powered sedan. Obama ditched the 300C, once 50 Cent's preferred ride, after taking heat for driving a guzzler while haranguing Detroit about building more fuel-efficient cars. McCain's personal ride, a 2004 Cadillac CTS, is no gas sipper, but it should make Detroit happy because it's made by General Motors. "I've bought American literally all my life and I'm proud," McCain said in the interview with Detroit's WXYZ-TV. But the rest of his fleet is not all-American. There's a 2005 Volkswagen convertible in the garage along with a 2001 Honda sedan. Otherwise, there's a 2007 half-ton Ford pickup truck, which might come in handy on the Sedona ranch; a vintage 1960 Willys Jeep; a 2008 Jeep Wrangler; a 2000 Lincoln; and a 2001 GMC SUV. The McCains also own three 2000 NEV Gem electric vehicles, which are bubble-shaped cars popular in retirement communities. Only the Cadillac is registered in the candidate's name. Cindy McCain's name is on 11 vehicles, though not the one she actually drives. That car, a Lexus, is registered to her family's beer-distributor business and is outfitted with personalized plates that read MS BUD.)

CHEVY HIGH PERFORMANCE
-- America’s Largest Celebration of Corvettes and Customers Mid America Motorworks’ 2008 Corvette Funfest in Effingham
http://blogs.chevyhiperformance.com/6297668/chevrolet-news/mid-america-motorworks-2008-corvette-funfest/index.html

Read more...

Chicago Documentary: Where Is Obama?

This video from the John McCain campaign looks at what has Sen. Barack Obama done for the Latino community.

Cross-posted at The Sixth Ward!

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 24, 2008

Only 41 days until the election!

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- DuPage County GOPers hoist McCain and VP pick Palin - Fran Eaton (DIERSEN: When will the Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, etc. publish their reports on the event?)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/dupage-co-goper.html (Includes video clip)
(THE REPORT: WEST CHICAGO -- Over 1000 Sarah Palin lipsticks, 1000 McCain/Palin yard signs and 1000 containers of Oberweis ice cream were distributed Monday night at DuPage Co GOP's annual rally. Those attending were notably enthused about John McCain's pick for VP, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. RNC Committeeman Pat Brady said when he returned from the Republican National Convention, he had 450 emails asking how they could help with the McCain/Palin campaign. Brady said the IL GOP was working to get McCain and Palin to Illinois, but admitted it would be a tough task. "Illinois isn't too high on the priority list, but things could change quickly. We're going to keep trying," he said. "There's no doubt, Palin energized the base in Illinois." State Rep. Jim Durkin said he was headed to Springfield for Tuesday's session, and was the only state lawmaker at the DuPage event, as the others were at the Capitol. Durkin addressed the crowd as chairman of Illinois' McCain campaign saying at the Republican National Convention, ". . .we watched the emergence of one of the greatest political stars to come on the horizon in Governor Sarah Palin. . . ." Republican candidate to replace retiring State Rep. Jim Meyers Lisle's Mike Connelly said he, too, is encouraged about the renewed enthusiasm among Republicans since the convention. "We're not taking anything for granted, but things look good for my race," Connelly said. "I'm not sure it came across the air waves the electricity there was in the auditorium the night Sarah Palin spoke," IL GOP's Exec Director Jason Heffley said. "It was something I'd never seen before. People of all ages were caught up in the atmosphere." Below the fold are some clips from the night's rally speeches, including Joe Birkett, Dr. Steve Sauerberg, Congressman Peter Roskam's wife Elizabeth, 14th CD candidate Jim Oberweis and State Rep. Jim Durkin.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Mayor Daley defends brother, blasts McCain ad - Dan Mihalopoulos
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/mayor-daley-def.html
-- Daley upset with McCain over anti-Obama Chicago ad - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-daley-mccain,0,3334618.story
-- Mayor Richard Daley takes issue with brother's mention in Sen. John McCain ad Using family unfair, he says - Dan Mihalopoulos
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-daley-mccain-24-sep24,0,4793429.story
-- McCain ad sends Daley into a gear-grinding frenzy - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-24-sep24,0,1898337.column
-- Cozying up to Stroger Four Republicans got played for chumps: Goslin, Gorman, Schmeider, and Silvestri - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0924edit1sep24,0,1694708.story
-- Democrats must not exploit financial crisis - Nancy Thorner, Lake Bluff
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0924vplettersbriefs0sep24,0,5688218.story
-- Wheaton City Council raises sales tax, plans more budget cuts
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-w-briefs-24-1sep24,0,828945.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: The Chicago Tribune is making it increasing clear that it exists to elect Democrats and especially to elect Obama. Outrageously, the Chicago Tribune constructively argues that all Whites are racists and that older Whites are the most racist. Generally, as people get older and wiser, they become more conservative as they come to better understand the folly of liberalism. Beyond outrageously, the Chicago Tribune and other members of the Combine have always equated conservatism with racism.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-elderly-racism_wittsep24,0,5158304.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Bill Daley angry at John McCain for slamming him in Obama ad - Lynn Sweet
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/09/bill_daley_angry_at_john_mccai.html
-- Gov misleads on ethics reform - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1181544,CST-EDT-edit24b.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING: Greeley blames McCain for all financial problems
http://www.suntimes.com/news/greeley/1181031,CST-EDT-greel24.article

DAILY HERALD
-- Do you trust polls? - Joseph Ryan
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/614
-- Foster turns to ethics in first TV ad - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237168&src=109
-- An ethics step, but more are needed - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237222&src=
-- Lake County League hosts forum for county candidates, judges - Mick Zawislak
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237174
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Ginger Stephens Terlep of Naperville demonizes women and especially Palin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236293&src=

ABC7
-- Senate approves fund sweeps to restore budget cuts
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6409768 (Includes video clip)
-- Daleys fight back against McCain ad - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6409541 (Includes video clip)

NBC5
-- Mayor Calls McCain Ad As Mud Throwing Bill Daley Says Ad About Chicago Politicians Is 'Smear'
http://www.nbc5.com/politics/17538917/detail.html?dl=mainclick

CBS2
-- Lawmakers Restore Budget Cuts That Forced Layoffs
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/illinois.budget.cuts.2.824014.html
-- Brazilian Says She Was McCain's Old Flame - AP
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/Maria.Gracinda.Teixeira.2.823671.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Durbin, Shimkus, LaHood agree: Bailout proposal needs changes - Tim Landis
http://www.sj-r.com/business/x418862486/Durbin-Shimkus-LaHood-agree-Bailout-proposal-needs-changes
-- State ethics overhaul must be done right - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x418862212/Our-Opinion-State-ethics-overhaul-must-be-done-right

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Economy may stymie rescue of state parks - Kurt Erickson
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/09/23/news/doc48d9a1b085473763137910.txt

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Senate candidate Sauerberg: U.S. needs to add nuclear plants - Chuck Sweeny
http://www.rrstar.com/elections/x121728096/Senate-candidate-Sauerberg-U-S-needs-to-add-nuclear-plants

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Senger defends herself against foe's attack ads City officials say claims offensive to council - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1181224,6_1_NA24_CAMPAIGN_S1.article
-- Voter registration deadlines approaching - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1181228,6_1_NA24_VOTING_S1.article
-- Young voters recruited - Tim Waldorf
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1181227,6_1_NA24_VOTING_S2.article

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- Rulings cut 4 candidates from November races - Dan Moran
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1181276,5_1_WA24_BALLOT_S1.article

HERALD NEWS
-- 11th Congressional District: Campaigns poll area voters - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1181071,4_1_JO24_11POLL_S1.article

PIONEER LOCAL
-- Jim Edgar wows crowd in Mundelein - Diana Newton
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/mundelein/news/1179921,mu-webedgar-092308-s1.article

GALENA GAZETTE
-- Meetings of the minds Republicans hold annual beef roast; remember - Jim Goldthorpe
http://www.galenagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=142&SubSectionID=344&ArticleID=12563&TM=75366.94

PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM
-- Margaret Warner talks to (Rauschenberger and others about how Obama's) decision making style would translate to the White House
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/obamacloseup_09-23.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Seals and Oberweis "wuss out," but Obama, McCain, Jones, Jackson, Edgar, Scully, Alexi, Kucinich, Julie and Pat Brady, et al show up - Jeff Berkowitz
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/seals-and-oberweis-wuss-out-but-obama.html

TOM ROESER
-- WTTW Should Call It “Chicago Democratic Week in Review”. . . Lake County’s Sheriff Casts Light on Daley and His Dems
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24759

TAPROOT REPUBLICANS OF ILLINOIS
-- Jack Roeser: Illinois GOP killed itself - George Kocan
http://www.taprootgop.org/

ILLINOIS CENTER RIGHT COALITION
-- 2008 Annual Convention Report - Phil Collins
http://www.illinoiscenterright.com/ (2008 Convention page)

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- 'The Obama Chronicles' Examines Barack's Relationship With Bill Ayers
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426581,00.html

WORLD NET DAILY
-- Obama worked closely with terrorist Bill Ayers Records show collaboration on funding leftists despite claim he's just 'a guy' in neighborhood - Aaron Klein
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76022
-- Guess again who's to blame for U.S. mortgage meltdown Analysts point not to greed, but to social activist politics - Drew Zahn
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=75717

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Obama’s Challenge The campaign speaks to “Radicalism.” - Stanley Kurtz
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTViMGRmMmYxZTgwZTFjYmFjODU5YzM4Y2MwM2ViMjY=

NATIONAL JOURNAL
-- Chicago Is Not McCain's Kind Of Town - Amy Harder
http://adspotlight.nationaljournal.com/2008/09/mccain_ad.php

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
-- The Audacity of Slander - David Catron
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13929

TOWNHALL
-- Illegal Immigration and the Mortgage Mess - Michelle Malkin
http://townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2008/09/24/illegal_immigration_and_the_mortgage_mess

BOSTON HERALD
-- University of Massachusetts chaplain fails in effort to boost Barack Obama’s chances - AP
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view/2008_09_23_UMass_chaplain_fails_in_effort_to_boost_Barack_Obama_s_chances/

NEW YORK TIMES
-- Pinpoint Attacks Focus on Obama - Jim Rutenberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us/politics/24groups.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Parsing the political present tense - Christopher Wills
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQ7k_21k9Ctk8kh8fTX9ullyNgggD93CGPGO0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republicans acknowledge voting "present" is not necessarily a sign that someone is avoiding a tough decision. But some argue that the option can be abused. "It's a rarity. You might do it a couple of times a session, maybe five times," Republican state Sen. Larry Bomke said. Bomke voted "present" 20 times, compared to six for Obama, in the spring 2003 session when Republicans were in the minority. Two years earlier, when Republicans held the majority, Bomke cast 12 "present" votes, to 23 for Obama. Sen. Dan Cronin, the GOP chairman in DuPage County, argues that it doesn't matter how often other legislators voted "present." They're not running for president. "It is an indecisive vote, and it's a problem for a guy who wants to be president," Cronin said. The Obama campaign said Cronin voted "present" 101 times during the years he served with Obama.)

AOL
-- Barack Obama's Anger Problem - Mo Rocca
http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/09/23/barack-obamas-anger-problem/

ACCURACY IN MEDIA
-- VERY SAD: Socialism Is Coming to America - Cliff Kincaid
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/socialism-is-coming-to-america/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- VERY SAD: Obama and Ayers Pushed Radicalism On Schools - Stanley Kurtz
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122212856075765367.html

USA TODAY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Race and gender based preference giving is always divisive and destructive. Sadly, Peter Schmidt promotes it.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/09/a-losing-propos.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: In an editorial made to look like a news article, USA TODAY promotes Obama in Illinois, again
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-23-50stateillinois_N.htm

PROGRESS ILLINOIS
-- The Clipboard Army: Registration Drives Swell Illinois' Voter Ranks - Adam Doster
http://progressillinois.com/2008/09/23/features/clipboard-army

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Warning: Rocky road still ahead

State parks and historic sites would stay open. Substance abuse prevention and treatment services would avoid losing $55 million in state funding and the same amount in federal funding. State funding for human services would return to the levels approved by the legislature in May. The same would apply to the constitutional officers, which could hire back employees already laid off. Mass transit districts would receive more than $36 million in reimbursements for having to provide free rides to seniors and people with disabilities. But there’s a big “if.”

That will happen if Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs a plan approved by both chambers. The House approved the budget restorations earlier this month, and the Senate followed suit on Tuesday. But there’s no telling how long this could take. The Senate could send the approved measures to the governor’s desk right away, or it could wait for whatever reason. And once the governor does get the measures, he still has 60 days to sign them into law, veto them completely or send them back to the legislature with changes. Given the timeline or lack thereof, it’s questionable whether state parks and historic sites will close in October and November as scheduled.

All agree that the ball is in the governor’s court.

Rep. Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican and budget negotiator for his caucus, expressed a concern about Blagojevich's next move. “Now he has the ability to take the veto pen and play games and eliminate programs to try to make different people look bad.”

Brian Williamsen, a Blagojevich spokesman, said the governor’s office has to review all of the details and added that it’s too early to speculate on a timeline. Williamsen could not say whether the governor would delay closing parks and historic sites if the House and Senate plan had potential to become law.

The House and Senate agreed to sweep unused money from the special state funds to collect about $221 million, which is included in SB 790. The package also would create a new fund, dubbed the “Budget Relief Fund,” so that the money could not be used for anything other than restoring the budget cuts spelled out in the spending bill, SB 1103.

The 15 votes against the fund sweeps were among Senate Republicans, who said there is no guarantee that the governor will sign the measure and, if he does, that he’ll release the money as intended.

The deal to accept the House’s version of the plan came only after much of the day was spent behind closed doors negotiating an even larger plan that would have increased funding for various programs, but the wish list ballooned out of control and eventually collapsed at the last minute. Literally at the same time, the Illinois Department of Revenue issued new information that revenue projections are coming in lower than anticipated. Income and sales tax revenues, as well as other tax revenues, are coming in below the levels on which this year’s budget was predicated. The difference: $200 million.

That slightly deflates the cushion that the governor has when distributing money throughout the fiscal year. But Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat and budget negotiator for his caucus, said the $221 million in budget restorations that advanced to the governor’s desk Tuesday pay for themselves by transferring the same amount from special funds.

Sen. Donne Trotter, the Senate Democrats' budget negotiator, looked to the regularly scheduled fall session in November. “If there’s still an appetite to do more, then we can do more at that time.”

But the question of what the governor would do loomed like a black cloud. “There [are] no assurances — nothing that I can give — other than we know that there is a need, a necessity to get this done,” Trotter said. “And I think that we saw that, at least, in a rare occasion, the entire Senate that is present today voted for it. So we know at least what the legislators would like to see done. … It’s up to him of what he’s going to do otherwise.”

Which message are you sending?
Building on yesterday’s ethics reforms, the state Senate advanced a more sweeping measure that the governor tried but failed to advance through his executive powers. All GOP senators voted in support of the measure, five Democrats voted present and one Democrat voted against it.

Sen. Don Harmon, voted “present." The Oak Park Democrat sponsored yesterday’s successful pay-to-play ban, but he opposed the measure containing the governor’s proposals today because it sends the wrong message. He warned that approving a bill that almost everyone agrees is fatally flawed would undermine the behind-the-scenes negotiations already happening between both chambers and the governor’s office. He said it also could give the impression that the Senate is more interested in claiming that it advanced comprehensive ethics reforms than it is in ironing out the complicated and significant details with the House.

“Let’s negotiate this bill before we start throwing bombs across the building,” Harmon said before the Senate voted to approve the measure.

Fifty senators disagreed with Harmon and said approving the new reforms contained in SB 780 sends a different message: The Senate is ready to enact comprehensive reforms that could help regain the public’s trust during these troubling times. (That message is more likely to sound better on campaign literature landing in voters’ mailboxes from now until the November 4 elections.)

The legislation would enact more limits to political campaign contributions and shine more sunlight on who makes money off of whom. It would prohibit businesses with significant state contracts from donating to legislators and statewide political parties, prevent legislators from working in numerous government jobs as a second source of income, require more disclosure of legislators’ lobbying activities and reform the way the legislature enacts its own pay raises.

Through a news release, the governor applauded the Senate’s action. “This vote sends a message to the people that the tired tradition of double dipping, the fraudulent way pay raises are doled out and the deceitful way legislators who moonlight as attorneys can hide their clout-heavy client list should be a thing of the past.” His news release urged the House to continue the momentum and approve the more sweeping ethics reforms.

The Campaign for Political Reform, a Chicago-based good government group, testified against the legislation last night, saying it was fatally flawed and constituted more “political rhetoric” during the election season. But Cindi Canary, director of the think tank, said she has been working with other legislators and the governor’s office for the past few weeks on the governor’s ethics language.

The Senate president addressed the whole chamber but, at more than one point, seemed to speak directly to Harmon and Sen. Ira Silverstein, a Chicago Democrat who also voted “present.” (In the Illinois legislature, a “present” vote is intended to demonstrate opposition a flawed bill but support of the concept.) Both Harmon and Silverstein also happen to be among the names floating around as contestants to be the next Senate president when Jones’ term ends in January.

Jones said senators who oppose SB 780 want to either protect someone else or preserve their fundraising abilities so they can run for higher office. Silverstein later said that Jones’ comments are part of a political game and won’t hurt other negotiations. “But enough is enough,” he said. “You have to stand up for what you believe in.”

The only senator voting against the legislation was Sen. Mike Jacobs, an East Moline Democrat who often speaks out against Blagojevich. He repeated earlier sentiments that “the cancer of Illinois is the governor.” Jacobs made the point that the governor’s ethics legislation approved by the Senate today would not target the actions of convicted felon and political insider Tony Rezko, found guilty of 16 counts of federal corruption. It also wouldn’t have stopped another political insider and hefty campaign contributor, Ali Ata, from testifying that he donated to the governor’s campaign in exchange for a high-powered state job.

Sen. James DeLeo, the Chicago Democrat sponsoring the governor's ethics bill, defended the measure and said it wouldn’t stop drug dealing or bank robbing, but it would improve the transparency of state government.

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TMZ clears up the confusion

Like most Peorians, I am just too damn stupid to be able to tell the difference between a grandmotherly doctor and a busty supermodel. All it takes is for two people to have the same last name, and I am lost. For years, I thought Karl was one of the Marx Brothers. I used to wonder why everyone thought Pamela Anderson was so hot and then someone told me I was looking at a poster of Louie Anderson. Boy, was I embarrassed.

Now comes the high-respected *cough* news site TMZ to lead the ignorant hayseeds of the River City out of the darkness:



I was so confused before. Thanks, TMZ.

If you are still confused, Joan Krupa, the Republican candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives from the 92nd District, is the one on the left. She's the one who has done more good for humanity during one single day of her life than Joanna Krupa is likely to do in her entire life.

Cross posted to Peoria Pundit.

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More Con Con

For those who are interested in hearing more about the issue of a Constitutional Convention, I will be appearing on a panel hosted by the Chicago Republican Women's Network.

The event will take place TONIGHT, at 6:00p.m. at English, 444 North LaSalle Street.

The other members of the panel include Jeff Mays, President of the Illinois Business Roundtable Bruno Behrend, host of the Extreme Wisdom Radio Show; and Dan Proft or Urquhart Media LLC.

This is a very different panel then the ones that I've been doing (Quinn, Netsch, etc.), so it should make for an interesting conversation.

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 23, 2008

Only 42 days until the election! GOPUSA ILLINOIS reports on the DuPage County McCain-Palin rally. Because of the importance of the rally, GOPUSA ILLINOIS looks forward to bringing to your attention reports on the rally from additional sources.

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- DuPage County Republican Party holds outstanding McCain-Palin Rally; speakers include RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, Illinois McCain Campaign Chairman Jim Durkin, Joe Birkett, Pat Durante, Chris Kachiroubas, Jim Oberweis, Elizabeth Roskam, Steve Sauerberg, and Bob Schillerstrom; enthusiastic attendees pick up 1,500 yard signs, 1,000 Palin lipsticks, and 1,000 Oberweis ice creams; Illinois Review and ABC7 cover the event - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
The DuPage County Republican Party held an outstanding McCain-Palin Rally Monday evening, September 22, at St. Andrew's Golf Course in West Chicago. Speakers included RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, Illinois McCain Campaign Chairman Jim Durkin, Joe Birkett, Pat Durante, Chris Kachiroubas, Jim Oberweis, Elizabeth Roskam, Steve Sauerberg, and Bob Schillerstrom. Enthusiastic attendees picked up 1,500 yard signs, 1,000 Palin lipsticks, and 1,000 Oberweis ice creams. Those on the stage with the speakers included Illinois Republican Party (IRP) National Committeeman Pat Brady, former IRP National Committeewoman Mary Jo Arndt, IRP Chairman Andy McKenna, DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC) Chairwoman Barb Murphy, DuPage County and DCRCC Treasurer Gwen Henry, DuPage County Auditor Jim Rasins, and Dupage County Republican Township Chairmen John Dabrowski (Bloomingdale), Mike Formento (Milton), Paul Hinds (York), Brian Krajewski (Downers Grove), Rachel Ossyra (Naperville), Mike Prueter (Lisle), John Smith (Winfield), and Ken Spitz (Wayne). Illinois Review's Fran Eaton and ABC7 covered the event. Attendees enjoyed live music and took home outstanding 276-page DCRCC 2008-2009 Directories that included a full page GOPUSA ILLINOIS ad on page 61 and a half page TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois ad on page 257.

If Washington Democrats had not scheduled a highly unusual Monday legislative session, Republican Congressman Peter Roskam and Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert would have attended. If Chicago/Cook County/Springfield Democrats had not scheduled highly unusual Monday legislative sessions, Republican Senators Dan Cronin, Kirk Dillard, Randy Hultgren, John Millner, Carol Pankau, Christine Radogno, and Dan Rutherford and Republican Representatives Patty Bellock, Bob Biggins, Franco Coladipietro, Tom Cross, Joe Dunn, Mike Fortner, Jim Meyer, Sandy Pihos, Randy Ramey, Dennis Reboletti, and Skip Saviano would have attended.

DuPage County Republican elected officials and candidates who attended included Wally Brown, Fred Bucholz, Yolando Campuzano, Dave Carlin, Gerald Cassioppi, Mike Connelly, John Curran, Grant Eckhoff, Paul Fichtner, Bob Grogan, Gary King, John Kinsella, Roger Kotecki, Bob Larsen, J. R. McBride, Mike McMahon, Marsha Murphy, Mark Nowak, Debra Olson, Patrick O'Shea, Linda Painter, Dewey Pierotti, George Porter, Darlene Ruscitti, Carl Schultz, Pete Siekmann, Tim Whelan, John Zaruba, and Jim Zay.

DuPage County Republican township officials who attended included Carol Bertulis, Kathryn Cermak Durante, Bob Earl, Sal Falbo, Barbera Finn, Chris Heidorn, Gail Hinkle, Joyce Hundhausen, Joseph Jedlovec, Chris Kain, Moon Khan, Mark Malay, Marilyn Menconi, Pam Moretti, Gary Muehlfelt, Mike Musson, Fran Scalafini, Dick Schroeder, Dona Smith, Fred Spitzzeri, John Valle, Gary Vician, Deanna Wilkins, and May Yurgaitis.

DuPage County Republican judges who attended included Robert Anderson, George Bakalis, Stephen Culliton, John Elsner, Ron Equi, Dorothy French, Dan Guerin, John Kinsella, Patrick Leston, Brian McKillip, Ken Popejoy, Elizabeth Sexton, Rick Stock, and Ron Sutter.

DuPage County party leaders, organization leaders, municipal officials, precinct committeemen, and activists who attended included Alan Bolds, Mike Bowler, Lori Carlson, Bob Cherry, Roger Claar, Tina Connelly, Lynn Crane, Chris Edwards, Lynda Filipello, Mike Gresk, Chris Hage, Mark Kmiecik, Amy Sejnost Kovacevic, Scott Krause, Dr. Krzyzewski, Mike Kwasman, Tony Leventis, Darmar and Carl Lofgren, Jerry Marchese, Liz Martinez, Bill Mayer, Brian and Vern McCarthy, Pam Mitroff, Mary Rash, Jim Ryan, Patrick Ryan, Ron Smith, Rick Veenstra, Dan Wagner, and Herb Wehling.

ABC7
-- Illinois Senate approves ethics bill - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6405850 (Includes video clip)

CBS2
-- $1 Million Dinner Party For Obama In Chicago Alexi Giannoulias Hosts 1 Of 2 Fundraisers For Democratic Nominee Monday Night - Jay Levine
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/obama.fundraiser.chicago.2.823278.html (Includes video clip)

DAILY HERALD
-- Joining with the 'mavericks' - Jerry Marchese, Wayne
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236270
-- Democrats are responsible for stalling immigration reform - Ruben Navarrette
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236740
-- Suburban lawmakers get early say on bailout - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236892&src=109
-- Wheaton raises sales tax amid objectors - Catherine Edman
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236963&src=2
-- Prairie Parkway en route to reality - Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236861&src=109

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- McCain ad takes on Obama and 'Chicago machine' - Rick Pearson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/mccain-ad-takes.html
-- McCain paints Obama as born of the Chicago Democratic machine - Rick Pearson and John McCormick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-090923-campaign-chicago-web,0,5284558.story
-- Lawmakers slam governor, side with Obama on ethics bill - Ray Long
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/lawmakers-slam.html
-- 55-0 Illinois Senate overrides Blagojevich's veto, enacts 'pay-to-play' ethics law - Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ethics-23-sep23,0,1360094.story
-- Don't do it Durbin's way - Dennis Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-oped0923byrnesep23,0,6747070.story
-- Biden calls campaign ad mocking McCain's computer abilities 'terrible;' McCain ads worse - AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-biden-campaign-ad,0,1730747.story
-- Obama, Blagojevich, Jones, Daley, and Rezko: Guilty by association - Editorial
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/vox_pop/2008/09/guilty-by-assoc.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Blago on Ata money: 'I didn't pay attention' Can't explain why he kept $65,000 donation from felon, but says he'll 'sort it out' - Chris Fusco and Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1178145,blago092208.article
-- Senate says no to gov's ethics package - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1179268,CST-NWS-leg23.article
-- Ad ties Obama to Machine Despite what Dem nominee says, his record on reform is mixed - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1179264,CST-NWS-sweet23.article
-- Immigration plunges in U.S. Crackdown, ailing economy cut influx to mere 500,000 - Stephen Ohlemacher
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1179524,CST-NWS-immi23.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Mary Mitchell demonizes and denigrates everyone who isn't going to vote for Obama being a racist, again
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1179168,CST-NWS-mitch23.article
-- Real ethics reform long overdue in Illinois - John Tillman, CEO, Illinois Policy Institute, Chicago
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1178870,CST-EDT-vox23.article

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- McCain's new ad ties Obama to 'corrupt Chicago machine' - Paul Merrion
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31095

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Ethics law on the books Senate joins House in passing bill that limits political donations - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/news/x733515374/Lawmakers-put-ethics-measure-into-law

CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO
-- Illinois Republicans Worry About Future of Bailout Bill - Tony Arnold
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=29057

SOUTHWEST NEWS HERALD
-- State Voters Need To Amend Trio’s Power - Rich Miller
http://www.swnewsherald.com/online_content/2008/09/092208ov_mil_power.php

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- Ethics reform measure sails through Illinois Senate - Kevin McDermott
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/B7871EA1E8D859F6862574CD0014CA4E?OpenDocument
-- Shimkus a rising star after six terms? - Deirdre Shesgreen
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/dc-download/dc-download/2008/09/shimkus-a-rising-star-after-six-terms/

HERALD NEWS
-- 'Blame game' starts as local candidates study federal bailout - Cindy Wojdyla
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1179030,4_1_JO23_BAILOUT_S1.article
-- Illinois Senate approves ethics measure - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1179038,4_1_JO23_ETHICSBILL_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Senger v. McGuire: Naperville voters invited to meet candidates Debate, forum to provide insight - Paige Winfield
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1178853,6_1_NA23_FORUM_S1.article

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz w/ Obama, Speaker Mike, Emil Jones, McCain, Gingrich, Edgar, Watson, Durkin, Scully, King,Williams and Cantor
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/better-than-brokaw-w-paulson-berkowitz.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- $700 Billion Taxpayer Fleecing Is Outrageous – So When Are Illinois Politicians Going To Do Something About The State Pension Debacle? - Bill Zettler
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1222
-- Sarah Palin draws 60,000 supporters at Florida rally on Sunday - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1223
-- Public school economics: It's the structure, stupid - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1224

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Illinois Senate passes much-disputed ethics measure - John O'Connor
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gydryqwJxAo3KqIahDkLmaCZit2QD93CB7N0A

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Hard-Hitting McCain Ad Links Obama to Chicago Political ‘Machine’
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/22/hard-hitting-mccain-ad-links-obama-to-chicago-political-machine/

NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Obama’s Challenge The campaign speaks to “Radicalism.” - Stanley Kurtz
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTViMGRmMmYxZTgwZTFjYmFjODU5YzM4Y2MwM2ViMjY=

AMERICAN THINKER
-- Obama Dollars - Mac Fuller
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/obama_dollars.html

THE HILL
-- House GOP backs off immigration, avoids openly questioning McCain - Michael O’Brien
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/house-gop-backs-off-immigration--avoids-openly-questioning-mccain-2008-09-22.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- McCain Keeps Up Guilt-By-Association Attack - Elizabeth Holmes
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09/22/mccain-keeps-up-guilt-by-association-attack/?mod=googlenews_wsj

NEW YORK TIMES
-- The Ad Campaign: Obama’s Chicago, in McCain’s Eyes - Julie Bosman
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/the-ad-campaign-obamas-chicago-in-mccains-eyes/

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- The media play the race card on Obama America's journalists insist that anyone who doesn't favor Obama is a racist. It's not only wrong, it's the Democrats who have the racism problem. - Jonah Goldberg
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/la-oe-goldberg23-2008sep23,0,2289276.column

USA TODAY
-- Obama's rise spotlights gains in race relations - Susan Page and William Risser
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-22-race-poll_N.htm

YOUTUBE
-- Explosive Video, Fannie Mae CEO calling Obama and the Dems the "Family" and "Conscience" of Fannie Mae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvG-s_Ssb0&eurl=http://www.illinoisreview.typepad.com/

CHICAGO ARGUS
-- Is McCain campaign’s “Chicago” television spot too technical for nation? - Gregory Tejeda
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-mccain-campaigns-chicago-television.html

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Finally

Part of me can't believe it finally happened, part of me can't believe it took this long. But barring something completely unforeseen, HB824, the pay-to-play ban, will take effect on January 1, 2009.

Only in Illinois does it take a Presidential nominee getting involved in order to pass a common sense ethics law. But it's a good day for good government and a good day for Illinois.

In any event, there are a lot of people that deserve a lot of credit for their work on this issue over the last 3+ years. Dan Hynes, Cindi Canary, Don Harmon, editorial boards around the state, and countless disgruntled Illinois taxpayers who said 'enough'. Without all of them, and many others, today would not have happened.

And while I have a couple of ideas, I don't have the energy right now to go into my thoughts on what the Governor will likely do next. But I can't help but think that, regardless of what his next steps may be, that he would have been a lot better off just signing this bill in the first place.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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Pay-to-play ban becomes law

Monday did become Ethics Day. After three years of back-and-forth, the Illinois House and Senate finally agreed and enacted landmark ethics reforms that will become effective January 1. The governor and some legislators already are trying to expand the so-called pay-to-play ban, but that could take just as long as the first effort. In the meantime, Monday’s action is likely to generate a lot of campaign mail as incumbents and candidates enter the home stretch before the November 4 elections.

Meanwhile, as I write this, budget negotiators from both chambers and both political parties are meeting behind closed doors to hash out a plan that would prevent state parks and historic sites from closing this fall, as well as prevent hundreds of state employees from losing their jobs. Whether they will strike a compromise, however, won’t be known until Tuesday, when both chambers will reconvene in another off-season legislative session.

All day Monday, which included multiple special sessions called by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, served as a perfect example of how everything will change in January. In addition to new ethics laws that will affect the governor’s fundraising abilities, January marks the end of Senate President Emil Jones’ reign. Throughout the day, there was an acute awareness that Jones is on his way out of office with numerous individuals interested in taking his place. More on that later.

One set of ethics reform down, more to go
The Illinois Senate agreed with the House to override Blagojevich’s changes to HB 824, meaning new campaign contribution rules will take effect in the new year. Businesses holding state contracts worth more than $50,000 will not be able to donate to the political campaigns of the officeholder who signs the contract.

The Senate president said the new law contained in HB 824 doesn’t go far enough. “It turns hard money into soft money,” Jones said, later adding, “They’ll still be able to give the soft money through the back door.” He meant that instead of donating directly to the officeholder, state contactors will still be able to give money to statewide political parties that turn around and filter the money to the officeholder who signs the contract, anyway.

Jones supports the governor’s proposals, which would expand the so-called pay-to-play ban. The governor’s amendatory veto language was inserted into a new bill. It would:

• Ban businesses that hold significant state contracts from donating to legislators and statewide political parties, as well as statewide officeholders;
• Prohibit legislators from working second jobs in any unit of government, with some exceptions;
• Clarify the process by which legislators vote to accept their pay raises.

The Senate sponsor, Chicago Democratic Sen. James DeLeo, said SB 780 would level the playing field and help legislators avoid the perception that money buys influence.

Cindi Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and a main force behind HB 824, said it felt odd, but she had to oppose the new measure during a Senate committee Monday evening. She said the more expansive ethics legislation is “not ready for prime time, yet.”

She said she supports the concept but believes the governor’s proposal isn’t the right vehicle for enacting contribution limits on legislators. Banning state contractors from donating to elected officials who have no control over state contracts could invite a legal challenge based on the First Amendment that protects free speech, she said. She also questioned the fallout of prohibiting active state legislators from also working in some public sector jobs but not others. And she said the one aspect that would be ready to go if it were proposed as a stand-alone measure is the portion that would clarify the system of approving legislative pay raises.

Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat, agreed with Canary and said the governor’s proposals need some more work, but he voted to advance the measure to the full chamber in hopes of working through more changes before a final vote.

Restoring budget cuts
Meanwhile, budgeteers are working behind closed doors in an effort to compromise to restore some of the governor’s $1.4 billion in budget cuts, which are resulting in plans to close 11 state parks and 13 historic sites, lay off hundreds of public employees and drastically reduce state funding for such human services as substance abuse treatment and prevention.

Earlier this month, the House approved two measures that would sweep about $221 million from special funds to plug some but not all of the budget holes. (See the spending portion in SB 1103.)

Sen. Donne Trotter, a Chicago Democrat and budget negotiator, said the Senate Democrats found $42 million of that $221 million that they would like to spend in a different way than approved by the House. That includes $37 million the House included to reimburse mass transit districts for the free rides granted to seniors and people with disabilities enacted earlier this year. The Senate Democrats would take that out and shift the funding, for instance, to increase the amount of money for college grants through the Monetary Award Program. The House also would restore funding for constitutional officers at 100 percent of the original funding level, while the Senate Democrats would restore them at 75 percent.

Republicans are involved in the budget negotiations. According to Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, the GOP Caucus prioritizes restoring funding for state parks, historic sites and human services. But members argue that it doesn’t make sense to restore funding to the parks and historic sites and then sweep money from the special fund dedicated to the Department of Natural Resources.

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ICPR WELCOMES REJECTION OF GOVERNOR’S VETO OF PAY-TO-PLAY REFORM LEGISLATION

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:


The Illinois Senate on Monday rejected Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto of House Bill 824, legislation banning political contributions by state contractors to the officeholder awarding the contract. Because the House previously voted overwhelmingly in favor of overriding the veto, the Senate approval is final action, and the original bill will become law on January 1, 2009.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) released the following statement from Cynthia Canary, Director of ICPR:

“So many big campaign contributors have wound up with state contracts that Illinois has won a reputation as a state where you have to pay a campaign fund to win a government contract. Over time, pay-to-play schemes seemed so numerous that some honest contractors stopped trying to do business with state government, driving up costs to taxpayers and making Illinoisans question the honesty and fairness of their state government.

“By enacting these reforms, the General Assembly has made it much more difficult for pay-to-play to flourish. Unethical officeholders and contractors still will look for ways to game the system, but better rules will be in place to police contracting and to make it more difficult for favors to be awarded in exchange for campaign funds.

“More must be done to improve the fairness of Illinois elections and government. There should be reasonable limits on the amount of money anyone can give to all political candidates. We need improved disclosure of lobbyist activities and enforcement of laws regulating lobbyists. We should lessen the influence of special interest money in judicial election campaigns. We should strengthen the enforcement of campaign and government disclosure laws.

“The reform community greatly appreciates the perseverance of the sponsors of HB 824, the support of most of the leaders of the General Assembly, and the commitment of five of the six statewide elected leaders. The General Assembly has listened to the people of Illinois and enacted much needed pay-to-play reforms. We now need to work together to build on that reform and do more to improve the integrity, accountability and transparency of state government.”

# # #

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 22, 2008

Only 43 days until the election!

DUPAGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: All Republicans are invited to attend a McCain-Palin Rally between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM today, Monday, September 22, at St. Andrew's Golf Club in West Chicago
http://www.dupagegop.com/
-- St. Andrew's is on Route 59 one quarter mile north of Route 64 (North Avenue)
-- Rally participants to include Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, Illinois Republican Party National Committeeman Pat Brady, U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Sauerberg, DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC) Chairman Dan Cronin, and DCRCC Secretary Bob Schillerstrom
-- Free McCain-Palin yard signs
-- Free Sara Palin lip gloss
-- Free Oberweis ice cream
-- Free 2008-2009 DuPage County Republican Directories
-- Free live music
-- Free DuPage County Republican Day Program
-- Golf and Dinner only $175
-- Dinner only $75 (Dinner served between noon and 8:00 PM.)

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- DuPage County Republican elected officials and candidates to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally today - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Bennington, Birkett, Brown, Bucholz, Campuzano, Cantore, Carlin, Cassioppi, Connelly, Curran, Eckhoff, Fawell, Fichtner, Formento, Gilgis, Grogan, Healy, Henry, Kachiroubas, King, Kinsella, Kotecki, Kurzawa, Larsen, McBride, McMahon, Murphy, Oberweis, Olson, O'Shea, Painter, Pierotti, Puchalski, Rasins, Redick, Rion, Ruscitti, Schillerstrom, Scigousky, Schroeder, Schultz, Senger, Sheahan, Siekmann, Whelan, Zaruba, and Zay
-- DuPage County Republican township elected officials to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally today - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Arends, Bertulis, Brown, Busche, Carlson, Clarke, Cockrell, Cuzzone, DelSarto, Dixon, Dow, Durante, Dusza, Earl, Falbo, Fairchild, Finn, Flickinger, Gebis, Gianvecchio, Harris, Heidorn, Hinds, Hinkle, Hundhausen, Jedlovec, Kain, Kammes, Karpiel, Khan, Klaeren, Konicek, Kordik, Levato, Larsen, Leventis, Lozich, Malay, Menconi, Modica, Moretti, Mruk, Muehlfelt, Murphy, Musson, Newell, Peters, Plumb, Porter, Ruzicka, Salerno, Sanchez, Scalafini, Schramer, Schroeder, Smith, Spitz, Spitzzeri, Swanston, Tarulis, Trowbridge, Valle, Veenstra, Vician, Voras, Wheat, Wilkins, Wojtasiak, Wurster, and Yurgaitis
-- DuPage County Republican party leaders to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally today - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Claar, Cronin, Dabrowski, Durante, Filipello, Formento, Henry, Hinds, Kachiroubas, Krajewski, Murphy, Ossyra, Prueter, Schillerstrom, Smith, Spitz, and Wiggins
-- DuPage County Republican judges to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally today - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Anderson, Austin, Bakalis, Burke, Callum, Creswell, Demling, Dwyer, Elsner, Equi, Fawell, French, Guerin, Kinsella, Leston, McKillip, McLaren, Mitton, Popejoy, Sexton, Sutter, Thompson, and Webster

DAILY HERALD
-- Back in Springfield to hash it out - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236619
-- Time to deal with the death penalty - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236608&src=
-- Froehlich trying to play both sides - Mari Tomsic, Schaumburg
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235982&src=
-- Froehlich is no independent - Robert A. Fecarotta, Schaumburg Township Highway Commissioner, Schaumburg
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235981&src=
-- "The media wants Obama to win and that is plain to see in their reporting." - Marguerite Jackson, Algonquin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235867

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board: Do not resuscitate - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0922edit1sep22,0,121840.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Gov pushes ethics, keeps tainted funds Still has $65,000 in donations from felon - Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1177181,CST-NWS-blago22.article
-- Lincoln map a winner for Obama? 148 years later Democrats lead in most states that swept Abe in -- key is toss-up regions - Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1177090,CST-NWS-maps22.article
-- It's a drag for casinos They blame smoking ban for losing customers, nearly 1 million fewer in first 8 months - Andrew Herrmann
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/gaming/1177141,CST-NWS-gamb22.article
-- VERY SAD: "Dr." Laura Berman, an Obama promoter, makes it clear that she wants public school teachers to focus on a) teaching boys and girls how to have sexual intercourse and b) teaching girls how to have sexual intercourse without getting pregnant. But wait, don't the homosexual advocates want public school teachers to focus on teaching boys how to have homosexual sex? Don't the lesbian advocates want public school teachers to focus on teaching girls how to have lesbian sex?
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/berman/1176804,CST-FTR-berman22.article

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- Blago's favorability rating in the tank, new poll shows - Kevin McDermott
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/AC14739CDD8099A4862574CC0012C064?OpenDocument

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Bomke says dismal survey numbers not a surprise - Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x154123982/Bernard-Schoenburg-Bomke-says-dismal-survey-numbers-not-a-surprise
-- Lawmakers return today; focus likely to be on Senate - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x154125566/Lawmakers-return-today-focus-likely-to-be-on-Senate

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Casino revenues down, smoking blamed - Andrew Herrmann
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1176864,6_1_NA22_STATE2_S1.article

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- NEWS THAT WILL ATTRACT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS TO LAKE COUNTY: "County may get $1.7M in homeless support"
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1176966,5_1_WA22_HOMELESS_S1.article

TRANS WORLD NEWS
-- VERY SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING: 9/17 Rasmussen poll: "Fifty percent (50%) of Illinois voters say that local reporters will try to help Obama win the White House while 8% believe they will try to help McCain."
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=62369&cat=5

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Rasmussen Poll: Obama leads McCain in Illinois by 16 points - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/obama-leads-ove.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz one on one w/ Speaker Mike, Governor Edgar, Karl Rove, Steve Scully and so much more.
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/way-better-than-monday-night-football.html

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Government greed and transparency - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1220

REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Gibson / Palin Interview: The Lost Questions (Humor) - Daniel T. Zanoza
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/09/gibson-palin-interview-the-lost-questions.html

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Rush Limbaugh on Obama's Controversial Political Ad, McCain, Palin and More
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425826,00.html

HUMAN EVENTS
-- Born Alive - Ashley Herzog
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28631

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
-- Financial Industry Strategy Rattles GOP Conservatives - Edward Epstein and Alan K. Ota
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=weeklyreport-000002956679

AMERICAN SPECTATOR
-- Time for a GOP Panic? - Robert Stacy McCain
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13921

CNN
-- GAO Report: Voting problems in several swing states - Kitty Pilgrim
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/18/voting.problems/index.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Why McCain and Obama Duck the Issue of Gays in the Military - Peter Brown
http://blogs.wsj.com/politicalperceptions/2008/09/21/why-mccain-and-obama-duck-the-issue-of-gays-in-the-military/?mod=googlenews_wsj
-- Joe Biden on God, Patriotism and Taxes - Editorial
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122204158558561239.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
-- Hoy, el senor Limbaugh speaks en espanol about Obama - Andrew Malcolm
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/obama-limbaugh.html
-- Obama outraises and outspends McCain The campaign contribution figures for August also show Obama got a financial boost after Palin joined the Republican ticket. - Dan Moran
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-money22-2008sep22,0,1726948.story

USA TODAY
-- Early voting starts today in some states - Richard Wolf
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-21-early-voting_N.htm
-- Conservative bent of Utah favors GOP - Brian Passey
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-22-50states-utah_N.htm
(DIERSEN: The Republican Party platform is conservative. Conservatives are the base of the Republican Party. Conservatives want candidates elected who can and will advance the Republican Party platform. Beyond sadly, beyond outrageously, and beyond unethically, some people continue to hold leadership positions in the Illinois Republican Party who have demonstrated by their actions and by their failures to act that they would be overjoyed if each and every conservative in Illinois would immediately move to Utah. Some of those "leaders" even claim to be "conservative" themselves. Obviously, that means those "leaders" would be overjoyed if the Republican Party would cease to exist in Illinois. What does that say about those "leaders?" What does that say about those who keep those "leaders" in power?)

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 21, 2008

Only 44 days until the election!

DUPAGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: All Republicans are invited to attend a McCain-Palin Rally between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM tomorrow, Monday, September 22, at St. Andrew's Golf Club in West Chicago
http://www.dupagegop.com/
-- St. Andrew's is on Route 59 one quarter mile north of Route 64 (North Avenue)
-- Rally participants to include Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, Illinois Republican Party National Committeeman Pat Brady, U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Sauerberg, DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC) Chairman Dan Cronin, and DCRCC Secretary Bob Schillerstrom
-- Free McCain-Palin yard signs
-- Free Sara Palin lip gloss
-- Free Oberweis ice cream
-- Free 2008-2009 DuPage County Republican Directories
-- Free live music
-- Free DuPage County Republican Day Program
-- Golf and Dinner only $175
-- Dinner only $75 (Dinner served between noon and 8:00 PM.)

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- DuPage County Republican elected officials and candidates to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally tomorrow - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Bennington, Birkett, Brown, Bucholz, Campuzano, Cantore, Carlin, Cassioppi, Connelly, Curran, Eckhoff, Fawell, Fichtner, Formento, Gilgis, Grogan, Healy, Henry, Kachiroubas, King, Kinsella, Kotecki, Kurzawa, Larsen, McBride, McMahon, Murphy, Olson, O'Shea, Painter, Pierotti, Puchalski, Rasins, Redick, Rion, Ruscitti, Schillerstrom, Scigousky, Schroeder, Schultz, Senger, Sheahan, Siekmann, Whelan, Zaruba, and Zay
-- DuPage County Republican township elected officials to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally tomorrow - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Arends, Bertulis, Brown, Busche, Carlson, Clarke, Cockrell, Cuzzone, DelSarto, Dixon, Dow, Durante, Dusza, Earl, Falbo, Fairchild, Finn, Flickinger, Gebis, Gianvecchio, Harris, Heidorn, Hinds, Hinkle, Hundhausen, Jedlovec, Kain, Kammes, Karpiel, Khan, Klaeren, Konicek, Kordik, Levato, Larsen, Leventis, Lozich, Malay, Menconi, Modica, Moretti, Mruk, Muehlfelt, Murphy, Musson, Newell, Peters, Plumb, Porter, Ruzicka, Salerno, Sanchez, Scalafini, Schramer, Schroeder, Smith, Spitz, Spitzzeri, Swanston, Tarulis, Trowbridge, Valle, Veenstra, Vician, Voras, Wheat, Wilkins, Wojtasiak, Wurster, and Yurgaitis
-- DuPage County Republican party leaders to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally tomorrow - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Claar, Cronin, Dabrowski, Durante, Filipello, Formento, Henry, Hinds, Kachiroubas, Krajewski, Murphy, Ossyra, Prueter, Schillerstrom, Smith, Spitz, and Wiggins
-- DuPage County Republican judges to look for at the DuPage County Republican Day and McCain-Palin rally tomorrow - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Anderson, Austin, Bakalis, Burke, Callum, Creswell, Demling, Dwyer, Elsner, Equi, Fawell, French, Guerin, Kinsella, Leston, McKillip, McLaren, Mitton, Popejoy, Sexton, Sutter, Thompson, and Webster
-- Jack Roeser gives outstanding presentation at TAPROOT breakfast meeting - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
At TAPROOT's breakfast meeting Saturday, September 20, at the Old Country Buffet in Lombard, Jack Roeser gave an outstanding presentation on the future of the Illinois Republican Party and fielded many outstanding questions. Look forward to a report on Jack's outstanding presentation from TAPROOT Communications Director George Kocan. Attendees included John Biver, Wally Brown, Carolyn Connell, Mike Fortner, Bob Graham, Doug Ibendal, Chuck Kern, Vern McCarthy, Kaaren Oldfield, Dave Pittinger, Marilyn Rickert, Cathy Santos, Bob Schmidt, Carl Segvich, Dave Smith, Joan Solm, Mark Stern, and Tim Whelan.
-- Fortner, McAloon, and others give outstanding presentations at Illinois Center Right Coalition annual meeting in Wheaton - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
State Representative Mike Fortner, State Representative candidate Dave McAloon, and others gave outstanding presentations at the Illinois Center Right Coalition annual meeting Saturday evening, September 20, at the beautiful Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall in Wheaton. Attendees included Don Castella, Phil Collins, Bill Leubscher, Mike Psak, Bob Schmidt, Craig Simmons, Dan Sugrue, Ray and Doreen True, Ray Wardingley, and Andy White.

DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Bob Peickert, Chairman of the Democrat Party of DuPage County, blasts DuPage County Republican party leaders, elected officials, and candidates. Peickert outrageously argues a) that candidates who run as Democrats in DuPage County are different from candidates who run as Democrats in Cook County or anywhere else for that matter, b) that if elected in DuPage County, Democrats would end "pay-to-play" in DuPage County, c) that if elected in DuPage County, Democrats would rescind recent pay increases for county board members, rescind recent sales tax increases, and rescind recent property tax increases, and d) that DuPage County party leaders, elected officials, and candidates supported George Ryan and therefor should forever be punished for ever having supported George Ryan. Peickert outrageously ignores a) that Republican leadership in DuPage County has resulted in prosperity and safety in DuPage County whereas Democrat leadership in Cook County has resulted in poverty and crime in Cook County, b) that candidates who run as Republicans are obligated to advance the conservative Republican Party platform that results in prosperity and safety whereas candidates who run as Democrats are obligated to advance the liberal Democrat Party platform that results in poverty and crime, and c) that the Republican Party's problems are caused by party leaders, elected officials, and candidates who claim to be Republican, but, who by their actions and by their failures to act, show that they really are RINOs if not Democrats. Beyond outrageously, Republican Party leaders let people hold leadership positions in the party a) who reject most if not all the of the Republican Party platform, b) who have shown that they are involved in politics primarily, if not exclusively, to advance their own financial interests, c) who have failed to carry out their leadership duties, and/or d) who are full blown Combine members, do the bidding of Combine members, and/or want to be a member of the Combine.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236168&src=
(THE BLAST: DuPage GOP not listening to people The Sept. 8 letter to the editor by state Sen. Kirk Dillard demonstrates the use of fear so prevalent in Republican voter manipulation of late. We saw it with Bush/Rove and we see it here in DuPage County. As much as he tries to compare DuPage County Democrats to Cook County, he fails miserably when you actually examine the history. The DuPage County Democrats have publicly opposed taking campaign contributions from those who do business with the county. The Republicans have and will continue to engage in "pay-to-play" politics. This may be the "ownership" society they are so proud of. The contractors fill DuPage Republicans' campaign coffers and then "own" the Republican county board when it comes time to receive contracts. Bob Schillerstrom, chairman of the all-Republican County Board, received hundreds of thousands of dollars from contractors who have reaped millions in contracts with the county. Democratic County Board candidates opposed the huge 10 percent pay increase that the all-Republican board approved for themselves just before announcing their $40 million budget deficit. The DuPage Democrats also opposed the sales tax increase fought for and won by the all-Republican board. The recent property tax increases should dispel any notion that the Republicans are succeeding in keeping taxes low. Dillard and other Republicans are quick to decry our present governor, but conveniently forget to mention what happened under the leadership of Republican Gov. George Ryan, who left office with a $3 billion budget deficit and a bigger corruption scandal than anything we've seen in Illinois. Senators Dillard and Cronin argue against any Democrats being elected in DuPage, while complaining that they are not listened to in Springfield because they are the minority. The real problem is that they don't listen to or really care about the people they represent. It's time for a change in DuPage. Elect some voices of reason to the county board.)
-- OUTSTANDING: Mark Curran: A sheriff's courage on deportations - Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236330&src=
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Spin on the Presidential election from someone who wants Obama to win
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236468

HERALD NEWS
-- Comcast wants DCCC's anti-Ozinga TV attack ad revised - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1175945,4_1_JO21_11AD_S1.article

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/09/20/news/doc48d572b0855ba903032504.txt
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Poll indicates that Combine newspapers, television stations, party leaders, elected officials, etc. have succeeded in getting 56% of likely Illinois voters to support Obama and almost 50% to dislike Palin

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- Blagojevich’s style hard on state workers - Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/editorials/x1374609176/Our-Opinion-Blagojevich-s-style-hard-on-state-workers

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Lake County Sheriff's 287G Press Conference - Rosanna Pulido
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/lake-county-287.html

PUBLIC AFFAIRS
-- Berkowitz and Johnston join Roeser on WLS Radio tonight: a fresh, balanced look at national and state issues that others won't touch?
http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2008/09/berkowitz-and-johnston-join-roeser-on.html

CHICAGO DAILY OBSERVER
-- Repudiating the Establishment - Tom Roeser
http://cdobs.com/archive/our-columns/repudiating-the-establishment%2C1716/

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Jill Stanek responses to Obama's abortion ad
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/20/obama-launches-ad-in-defense-of-abortion-votes/

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Which Obama will show up for presidential debates? - Christopher Wills
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hU8N7F1CH6p0Ll30DwjpTRYBnw8AD93AH9B00

CBS NEWS & POLITICO & ASSOCIATED PRESS & CBS2 & CHICAGO SUN-TIMES & CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Democrats increasingly argue that if you don't vote for Obama, you are a racist, EVEN IF YOU SAY YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/20/politics/main4462623.shtml
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13669.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gehjsXjRU6cEer94pOkWWCmJEOAAD93B2O300
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/barack.obama.whites.2.822075.html
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1176365,CST-NWS-Poll21.article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-ap-yahoo-poll-obama-race,0,7253045.story

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: San Francisco Chronicle denigrates Palin as being "more a token than a feminist"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/20/INAI130HCV.DTL
-- McCain: A profile in courage and adaptation - Kevin Fagan (FROM THE ARTICLE: Graduating fifth from the bottom of his class in 1958, he moved to flight school in Pensacola, Fla., where he cruised around in a Corvette and dated a stripper known as "Marie, the Flame of Florida.")
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/21/MNOT12K0TR.DTL

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While I Meant What I Said...

It's hardly a secret that the Governor and I don't see eye to eye. In fact, for reasons mostly unknown to me (yet not regretted), there has always existed a tension between us, both political and personal, even when we initially campaigned in unison back in 1995-96.

His style of governance, juxtaposed with my belief in the way government should function, has only served to deepen the rift. And my sponsorship of the pay-to-play ban, in light of its obvious impact on his fundraising abilities, has pretty much brought the conflict to a head.

So yesterday, when the Governor repeated false allegations in a thinly-veiled effort to justify his refusal to sign the pay-to-play ban, I didn't hesitate to respond:

"The governor has resorted to an all-new low, even for him. His allegations are pathetic and border on pathological," Fritchey said.

At the same event, the Governor threw in his latest creation, namely that Obama was being duped into not supporting the Governor's 'real ethics reform', prompting others to weigh in on the Governor's statements as well:

Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, called Blagojevich's comments "delusional" and "loony." Her group opposed the governor's changes and asked Obama to speak with Jones.

"He doesn't care about his political party or the course of this nation," Canary said of the governor.

Obama's campaign declined to comment on Blagojevich's remarks. But Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, a close Obama friend and former state legislative colleague, said the governor was attempting to kill the original ethics measure,

"It's just so obvious what's going on," said Link, the Lake County Democratic chairman. "It's ridiculous."

Now the point of this post isn't to retract my statements. I stand by everything that I said. But that being said, I sincerely think that it is unfortunate that the situation has devolved to the point where our state's Governor is routinely vocally derided by people from across the political and geographical divides of our state.

I'm unsure why, but I somehow feel compelled to reiterate the respect that I have for the office of Governor. In fact, it is likely that respect, coupled with my frustration at what is happening to our state, that piques my critiques of how the office is currently being run. And while I would never venture to speak for others who have criticized this Governor, I am confident that they would tend to be of the same mindset.

But in any event, I want to publicly say that if my comments somehow are taken to be disrespectful to our state, they are intended to be anything but. I believe in our state, and I believe that we deserve better. I want to believe that the public knows the passion that underlies my statements, but I feel better making sure that there is no doubt.

To read or post comments, visit Open House

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Greenberg Campaign Suggests Melissa Bean Contributor List Might Be Predictive of Future Companies Having Problems

Here's an interesting snarky email from 8th District GOP congressional candidate Steve Greenberg:

As you know, the Fed bailed out AIG to help them avoid bankruptcy.

A close inspection of AIG contributions shows the following contributions to Melissa Bean:

2008: $4,750 (through June 30)

Add to that the contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

Lifetime: $41,249

In the list of top recipients since 1989, that puts Bean at 27th already, despite the fact that many of the names ahead of her have been in office for much longer or hold leadership positions.

If investors are wondering which companies are next to go under, maybe they should just go down the line of Melissa Bean’s contributors…

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GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 20, 2008

Only 45 days until the election!

DUPAGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: All Republicans are invited to attend a McCain-Palin Rally between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Monday, September 22, at St. Andrew's Golf Club in West Chicago
http://www.dupagegop.com/
-- St. Andrew's is on Route 59 one quarter mile north of Route 64 (North Avenue)
-- Rally participants to include Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, Illinois Republican Party National Committeeman Pat Brady, U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Sauerberg, DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC) Chairman Dan Cronin, and DCRCC Secretary Bob Schillerstrom
-- Free McCain-Palin yard signs
-- Free Sara Palin lip gloss (while supplies last)
-- Free Oberweis ice cream
-- Free 2008-2009 DuPage County Republican Directory
-- Free live music 5:00 - 8:00 PM
-- DuPage County Republican Day Program at 8:00 PM
-- Golf and Dinner $175
-- Dinner only $75 (dinner served between noon and 8:00 PM)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Blagojevich warns Obama of GOP trap - Robert Mitchum and Rick Pearson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/blagojevich-war.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-blagojevich20sep20,0,1755960.story
-- McCain raises and spends personal best in August, transfers balance to the GOP - Jim Kuhnhenn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-campaign-money,0,2606864.story
-- Obama tangled in Illinois Democrat feuds - Christopher Wills
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/wire/chi-ap-il-xgr-paytoplay-oba,0,2882909.story
-- Morgenthaler accuses Roskam of ducking public debates - James Kimberly
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/roskam-foe-accu.html
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: John Campbell of Naperville responds to Clarence Page's "dumbing it down" article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-090919dumbing_briefs,0,7550793.story
-- McCain and Obama, courting moderates, hesitate to plunge into same-sex marriage debate - David Crary
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-campaign-gay-marriage,0,540886.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Obama's nudge will help pass ethics bill - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1174377,CST-EDT-carol21.article
-- Market goes down, Obama goes up Poll numbers climb as he hammers GOP on economy - Kristin Jensen and Kim Chipman
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1175175,CST-NWS-Camp20.article
-- Gov defends Rezko, blames political system Says jailed fund-raiser got 'sucked in,' then 'lines were crossed' - Deanna Bellandi
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1174606,CST-NWS-ethics20.article
-- Media magnify campaigns' distortions - Stuart Taylor
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1175169,CST-EDT-open20.article

DAILY HERALD
-- Guiliani visits area to help Kirk Former mayor meets lauds police officers, attends fundraiser - Madhu Krishnamurthy
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236366
-- Blagojevich says Rezko was 'sucked' in - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236335&src=143
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Marion J. Reis of Wheaton points out the damage suffered by the Republican Party because of elected officials and party leaders who say they are Republican, but who outrageously ignore/reject the Republican Party platform
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236143&src=
-- Chicago schools aren't underfunded - William H. Regnery, Wayne
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235584&src=

ABC7
-- Rezko trial star witness Stuart Levine disbarred - AP
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6402771

CBS2
-- Gov: Obama Will Regret Supporting Ethics Reform - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/obama.ethics.reform.2.821718.html (Includes video clip)

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Is the strategy to drive the American economy down to elect Obama backfiring?
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31076

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- Giuliani! Former New York mayor salutes officers en route to Kirk campaign benefit - Dan Moran
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1174269,5_1_WA20_RUDY_S1.article

WHEATON SUN
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: College of DuPage salaries: Andrzejewski and Carlin argue for transparency and open government, Hansen and Wessel argue against it
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/wheatonsun/news/1171677,6_1_NA19_GSSALARIES_S1.article

WGN RADIO
-- Governor Warns Obama of Republican "Ethics" Trap Blagojevich Claims Republicans Could Use Next Week's Ethics Session in Springfield to "Trap" Obama
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44673&Itemid=577 (Includes audio clip)

SUBURBAN LIFE
-- League cancels debate after Roskam declines to commit - Colleen McBrien
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/wheaton/news/x1213266617/League-cancels-debate-after-Roskam-declines-to-commit
-- Roskam forces debate to be nixed to ‘cast votes’ that won’t be called - Jerry Moore
http://suburbanshoutout.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/roskam-forces-debate-to-be-nixed-to-cast-votes-that-wont-be-called/
-- College of DuPage makes wise choice in posting salaries online - Jerry Moore
http://suburbanshoutout.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/college-of-dupage-makes-wise-choice-in-posting-salaries-online/

PIONEER LOCAL
-- Alvarez, Peraica pitch dueling agendas - Christopher Peterson
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/riverforest/news/1174123,pp-attorney-092508-s1.article
-- 26th Senate District: Duffy strives to fight political corruption - Angela Sykora
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/gurnee/news/1173571,gu-INTduffy-091908-s1.article

VIDEO CLIP: Lake County 287(g) Press Conference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBE__Od8rgM&feature=related

ILLINOIS GOP NET
-- Halvorson Smear Ad Pulled By Comcast - Mark W. Johnson
http://www.ilgopnet.com/node/1041
(THE POSTING: Statement from Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Lance Trover on Comcast Cable pulling the DCCC's false attack ad against Marty Ozinga: "The Illinois Republican Party confirmed Friday that the latest false attack ad against Marty Ozinga has been pulled by Comcast cable systems for being, well, a false attack ad. If voters had any doubt that the negative attacks from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)-Halvorson team are brazenly bereft of truth, this latest development should remove those doubts. Throughout this campaign, Debbie Halvorson has chosen to hide her record as Rod Blagojevich's favorite Springfield politician behind false, negative and personal smears. Halvorson should stop her false and negative attack campaign and start talking about the issues that matter to Illinois families.")

CHAMPION NEWS
-- Illinois Democrats making no secret of their travels to battleground states - Doug Ibendahl
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1217
(FROM THE ARTICLE: And the outflow of volunteers is surely only going to increase as Election Day gets closer. While what currently passes for the GOP leadership here spent much of this year actually trying to prevent good Republicans from becoming delegates to our state convention in June - and then put on a horribly rigged affair for those who did slip past the roadblocks - the Democrats have been pouring out of Illinois to help their nominee. While State GOP Chair Andy McKenna, Jr. has done basically nothing for almost four years beyond trying to squash reform of the Illinois GOP - even going so far as to make up a ridiculous policy that says if you don't publicly support even the corrupt GOP officials you can't use the word "Republican" - the Democrats have been free to go elsewhere to stop our leading reformers, McCain and Palin. . .While most every other State GOP has been doing serious grassroots work like holding "Super Saturdays" this summer where volunteers go door-to-door to identify McCain/Palin voters in advance of the final November election push, Illinois Republicans have been treated to spectacles like Chairman of the County Chairmen's Association Randy Pollard screaming at Chris Lauzen and Jim Oberweis at the Decatur convention when they both spoke in favor of returning to direct elections for the State GOP's Central Committee. Maybe that kind of buffoonish behavior makes Mr. Pollard a "big man" around the state prison chow hall where he works, but it's incredibly destructive to the efforts of those of us who are actually trying to rebuild this party and attract real professionals. Needless to say, that kind of behavior harms McCain and Palin too.)

CAPITOLFAX
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: In Ozinga v. McQueary, Rich Miller sides with McQueary, big time
http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/09/19/ozinga-campaign-whines-about-debate-moderator/

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH
-- AFTAH Questions MillerCoors on Participation in Heinous, Anti-Christian Folsom Street Fair - Peter LaBarbera
http://americansfortruth.com/news/aftah-questions-millercoors-on-participation-in-heinous-folsom-street-fair.html

TOM ROESER
-- What We Have Here May Lead to a Repudiation of the Establishment . . . Leading to a More Conservative U. S. in the Long-Run.
http://www.tomroeser.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24756

JILL STANEK
-- Deceptions in Obama's attack ad against Gianna ad
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/09/misrepresentati.html

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- McGuire v. Senger: Fact Check Review: McGuire Opens the Floodgates to Fiction - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/fact-check-re-1.html

ILLINOIS CONSERVATIVE
-- McCain-Palin Falters on Reform - Jerry McDaniel
http://illinoisconservative.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/mccain-palin-falters-on-reform/

CONSERVATIVE HEADQUARTERS
-- Richard A. Viguerie Speech to Conservative Leadership Conference
http://conservativehq.com/blog_post/show/53

HUMAN EVENTS
-- You're Fired, Dems -- 'The Donald' Wants McCain - Connie Hair
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28619

LIBERTY COUNSEL
-- Palin-Bashing Professor Exposed by Fox News on "The O’Reilly Factor" Matt Barber’s Sister to Discuss Outrageous Classroom Ordeal
http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=888

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VIDEO CLIP: Palin-Bashing Professor Exposed by Fox News on “The O’Reilly Factor” Matt Barber’s Sister to Discuss Outrageous Classroom Ordeal
http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=3099945&referralPlaylistId=playlist
-- Does Sen. Biden Think Patriotism Is Linked to Taxation? - Neil Cavuto
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425445,00.html
-- 'The Obama Chronicles,' Part 3: Barack Obama's Mentors
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425584,00.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- ‘Attack by Association’ Viewed as Fair Game by McCain Camp - Laura Meckler
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09/19/attack-by-association-viewed-as-fair-game-by-mccain-camp/

NEWSWEEK
-- Is Obama Playing It Too Cool? - Howard Fineman
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/09/19/fineman-is-obama-playing-it-too-cool.aspx

HILLTOP
-- Kwame Speaks: Not Republican, Not Democrat, But Black
http://media.www.thehilltoponline.com/media/storage/paper590/news/2008/09/19/NationWorld/Kwame.Speaksnot.Republican.Not.Democrat.But.Black-3441153.shtml

DIVERSITY, INC.
-- Obama Faces the LGBT Media
http://www.diversityinc.com/public/4375.cfm

ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: AP discusses the results of its "deep-seated racial misgivings" poll. AP outrageously fails to acknowledge a) that for many decades, Democrats have shouted at minorities, especially at blacks, that Republicans, especially older white conservative Republicans, caused all their past, present, and future problems and b) that tragically, 90% or so of blacks believe the Democrats' disgusting destructive false racist argument.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gehjsXjRU6cEer94pOkWWCmJEOAAD93AD3QO0

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 19, 2008

Only 46 days until the election!

DAILY HERALD
-- Lake County sheriff Mark Curran says 21.5% of jail inmates illegal immigrants - Tony Gordon
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235885&src=116
(ROSANNA PULIDO STATEMENT: I am Rosanna Pulido, an active member of You Don't Speak For Me. We are American Hispanics speaking out on illegal immigration because, contrary to popular belief, a sizable number of Latinos strongly object to illegal immigration. But our voices have largely been muffled by journalists and the mass media that absolutely refuses to report the story of law abiding American Hispanics. I am baffled because my government, who I trust to enforce the law no matter what the ethnicity or national origin of a person is, has been looking the other way while America is destroyed. What you and I must abide by, illegal aliens need not. The negative implications span our entire society. Congressman Steve King of Iowa announced that since 9/11 over 40,000 American Citizens have lost their lives at the hands of illegal aliens. Schanna Gayden, a thirteen year old African American rising star was gunned down in Chicago by an illegal alien who had been arrested 27 times before he took her life. Had the 287G program been in effect, Schanna Gayden along with tens of thousands American citizens would still be with us. Regardless of what you have heard Illegal immigration is not solely the responsibility of the Federal Government. When the Sheriff's Department and local police Departments in their normal course of daily activities comes in contact with an illegal alien, it might be an alien who is a previously deported alien or a wanted fugitive in another jurisdiction. Having worked as a Police Dispatcher I understand that when officers cannot fully do their job, it puts all officers across America at risk as well as American citizens. When officers can't do their job, we are not assured of a civil society where the rule of law actually allows our freedom, prosperity and liberty. With an estimated 20 millions people living outside the law, we're all at risk. Law Abiding citizens are well aware that Cook County because of their "Sanctuary County Status" actually promote disregard for the rule of law to help illegal aliens. Truthfully this is a paradoxical way of hurting them. The rule of law is the sustainer of the free and prosperous society that draws legal immigrants to the United States. It is something that their own countries often cannot guarantee them, and it is what makes our country look so appealing. And if we shirk the rule of law we are cheating all law abiding immigrants out of the kind of society they are seeking in the first place. On behalf of American Hispanics and legal immigrants we applaud the Lake County Sheriff's Department for promoting the rule of law, It is not animosity to enforce our laws. It is simply justice, a justice law abiding Americans are hungering for.)
-- Lawmakers hold committee debate on death penalty - Christy Gutowski
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235995&src=109
-- Behrend v. Murnane: Will constitutional convention spur state to change? - David Beery
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=236032&src=109
-- Anti-abortion leaders plot demise of Planned Parenthood clinics - Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235951&src=1
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN DUPAGE EDITION: NIU continues with proton therapy center construction Central DuPage's OK to build similar site nearby doesn't alter plans - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235974&src=2
-- Governor orders lawmakers back to Capitol, again - John Patterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235954&src=109
-- Rally for Route 59 road funds turns into blame game - Melissa Jenco
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235988
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Frank Sasevich of Bolingbrook points out the damage suffered by the Republican Party because of elected officials and party leaders who say they are Republican, but who outrageously ignore/reject the Republican Party platform
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235818
-- Evidence abounds of liberal bias in media - Mike Davitt, Naperville
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235816&src=

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Lake County sheriff continues push for power to deport (ILLEGALS) Curran blasts Daley, Cook County and Washington over lack of deportation efforts - Emily S. Achenbaum
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-curran-illegals-19-sep19,0,707324.story
-- Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran outlines plan targeting (those who are in Lake County illegally) - Susan Kuczka
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-curran-future-19-sep19,0,3402315.story
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Surprise power play Obama phone call triggers pols' unlikely dash for state ethics reform - Ray Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-jones-ethics-19sep19,0,5160379.story
-- Obama: Don't just 'get rid of one guy' - John McCormick
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/obama_dont_just_get_rid_of_one.html
-- Obama v. McCain: Who's bankrolling whom? - Bob Secter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-trailguidesep19,0,6519500.story
-- The ethics show returns - Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0919edit2sep19,0,5102589.story
-- Illinois' August unemployment rate rises to 7.3% - James P. Miller (DIERSEN: Given that Democrats control Illinois, why doesn't the Democrat Party dominated Illinois news media blast Democrats for Illinois' high unemployment rate?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-fri-illinois-unemployment-sep19,0,3691163.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Lake County sheriff rips city's crime. Do you agree? 'How many public school kids did we have to bury last year' because of Chicago's woes? - Andrew Herrmann and Stefano Esposito
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1172962,CST-NWS-sanctuary19.article
-- Michelle Obama: Don't vote because 'she's cute' -- was she talking about Sarah Palin? - AP
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1171800,michelle091808.article
-- Obama's call works: Jones to reconvene Senate - Chris Fusco and Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1171878,jones091808.article
-- Barack calls, ethics vote a go - Editorial
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1173261,CST-EDT-edit19b.article

LAKE COUNTY NEWS SUN
-- Lake County Sheriff Curran: We'll send them back County moves to deport 75 illegal alien inmates - Nicholas Alajakis
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1172900,5_1_WA19_CURRAN_S1.article
-- Daley (TRIES TO DEFEND) Chicago's 'sanctuary' status
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1172896,5_1_WA19_CURRAN_S2.article

CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS
-- Jones caves on ethics bill; Senate to meet next week - Greg Hinz
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31060
-- Illinois' 7.3% unemployment rate tops U.S. average - Lorene Yue (DIERSEN: Given that Democrats control Illinois, why doesn't the Democrat Party dominated Illinois news media blast Democrats for Illinois' high unemployment rate?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31064

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Illinois lawmakers to vote on disputed ethics bill - Christopher Wills
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1172657,091908jones.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Income and wealth redistribution? Socialism? Communism?: Kadner wants Illinois government, that is, Blagojevich and the Illinois Democrat Party, to a) take more and more away from those who earn more and have more and b) give more and more to those who earn less and have less
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/kadner/1172927,091908Kadner.article

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
-- General Assembly returning Monday Blagojevich calls both houses for ethics bill; Jones summons Senate - Ryan Keith
http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x140921373/Governor-calling-lawmakers-into-special-session-on-ethics

HERALD NEWS
-- Senate gets called back to vote on ethics bill - Patrick Ferrell
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1172802,4_1_JO19_ETHICS_S1.article

BEACON NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Anthony Stanford of Aurora constructively argues that anyone who votes for McCain-Palin is a racist. Does Obama approve of Stanford's message?
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/1169253,2_4_AU18_STANFORD_S1.article

NAPERVILLE SUN
-- Schillerstrom to speak on "Communicating Across Generations" in Naperville, Monday, September 22
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/business/1173130,6_9_2_NA19_BIZCALENDARWEB_S1.article
-- Second proton center approved
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1172980,6_1_NA19_PROTON_S1.article
-- Rally cry: 'The time is now' Local leaders rally for capital bill - Kathy Cichon
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1172987,6_1_NA19_RALLY_S1.article

WHEATON SUN
-- Wheaton City Council delays vote on half-percent sales tax hike - Hank Beckman
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/wheatonsun/news/1171762,6_1_NA19_WSCOUNCIL_S1.article

THE SOUTHERN
-- 59th Senate District: Forby and Burzynski gain endorsements - Becky Malkovich
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/09/18/local/25947342.txt

ILLINOIS REVIEW
-- Senator Matt Murphy lets it rip on ethics legislation - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/gop-senator-mat.html#more
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Fran Eaton reports on the political blogger forum held Tuesday evening at Loyola University
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/havent-heard-fr.html
-- Burzynski wins backing of key business groups - Fran Eaton
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/09/burzynski-wins.html

TOWN HALL
-- Obama Releases His "In-Your-Face" Hounds - Michelle Malkin
http://townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2008/09/19/obama_releases_his_in-your-face_hounds

NEWSMAX
-- Democrats Own the Wall Street Debacle - Michael Reagan
http://www.newsmax.com/reagan/fannie_mae_freddie_mac_/2008/09/18/132237.html
-- VERY SAD: Palin Gaining Support Among Gays - Tim Collie
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/palin_gay_support/2008/09/18/132125.html
-- VERY SAD: Sen. Hagel: It’s a 'Stretch' to Say Palin is Qualified
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/hagel_palin/2008/09/18/132123.html

AMERICAN THINKER
-- Why Islamists Cheer For Obama - Vasko Kohlmayer
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/why_islamists_cheer_for_obama.html

HUMAN EVENTS
-- "Change" Can't Outlast Character - James R. Edwards, Jr.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28613

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
-- Columnist’s Labeling Palin Backers ‘White Trash’ Spurs Review at Canadian TV
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/18/columnists-labeling-palin-backers-white-trash-spurs-review-at-canadian-tv/

PITTSBURGH
-- Wall Street firms shower $50 million on Obama, McCain - David M. Brown
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_589013.html

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
-- Many attend outstanding Bob Larsen fundraiser in West Chicago including Bucholtz, Connelly, Earl, Early, Edwards, Fawell, Fortner, French, Fuesting, Guerin, Jedlovec, King, Kmiecik, Konewko, Kwasman, Marchese, Millner, Mitton, Muehlfelt, Murphy, Oberweis, Peterson, Popejoy, Reyes, Sanchez, Saverino, Sexton, Smith, Sutter, Zaruba, and Zay - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
Many attended an outstanding Bob Larsen fundraiser at Tamazula Grill in West Chicago Thursday evening, September 18. Attendees including Fred Bucholtz, Nan Connelly, Bob Earl, Don Early, Chris Edwards, Blanche and Jeff Fawell, Mike Fortner, Dorothy French, Matt Fuesting, Dan Guerin, Joe Jedlovec, Gary King, Mark Kmiecik, Mike Konewko, Mike Kwasman, Jerry Marchese, John Millner, Jane Mitton, Al Murphy, Gary Muehlfelt, Jim and Julie Oberweis, Dennis Peterson, Ken Popejoy, Tony Reyes, Leonard Sanchez, Frank Saverino, Elizabeth Sexton, Ron Smith, Ron Sutter, John Zaruba, and Jim Zay.
-- DuPage County Republican Day is Monday, September 22, at St. Andrews Golf Course in West Chicago - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
The always outstanding DuPage County Republican Day is this Monday, September 22, at St. Andrews Golf Course in West Chicago on Route 59, just 1/4 mile north of North Avenue. Dinner, which is served continuously between noon and 8:00 PM, is only $75. Golf and dinner is only $175. For more information, phone 630-653-7200. The many reasons to attend include the 2008-2009 DuPage County Republican Directory, McCain-Palin yard signs, live music between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, delicious Oberweis ice cream between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, Palin lipstick for the first 200 ladies, and an outstanding program at 8:00 PM. Please look for the full page GOPUSA ILLINOIS ad in the directory.

TAPROOT REPUBLICANS OF ILLINOIS
-- OUTSTANDING: Jack Roeser to speak at TAPROOT breakfast meeting tomorrow, Saturday, September 20 - Dave Diersen
www.gopillinois.com
All Republicans are invited to attend TAPROOT's breakfast meeting Saturday, September 20, in the North meeting room of the Old Country Buffet at 551 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard. The restaurant opens at 8:00 AM and the meeting starts at 8:30 AM. Attendees need to purchase a meal ticket. TAPROOT is honored that Jack Roeser will speak at the meeting. His topic will be the future of the Illinois Republican Party. The many outstanding individuals who have spoken at TAPROOT events in recent years include: Stan Austin, Bruno Behrend, Patti Bellock, Bob Biggins, Joe Birkett, Scott Bludorn, John Borling, Bill Brady, Pat Brady, Wally Brown, John Cox, Dan Cronin, John Curran, John Demling, Joe Denner, Edward Derwinski, Pat Durante, MaryAlice Erickson, Blanche Fawell, Mike Fortner, Steve Greenberg, Gwen Henry, John Kinsella, Peter LaBarbera, Chris Lauzen, Andy McKenna, Jim Nalepa, Jim Oberweis, Teri O'Brien, Sean O'Kane, Pat O'Malley, Kenneth Popejoy, Dan Proft, Mike Prueter, Rosanna Pulido, Steve Rauschenberger, Sandy Rios, Tom Roeser, Peter Roskam, Darlene Ruscitti, Jack Ryan, Richard Russo, Steve Sauerberg, Brien Sheahan, Dave Smith, Fred Spitzzeri, Rick Stock, Ray True, John Tsarpalas, Sandy Wegman, Jon Zahm, and Dan Zanoza. Phone Dave Diersen at 630-653-0462 or George Kocan at 630-393-6401 if any questions.

Read more...

Will Monday be Ethics Day? UPDATED

The Illinois Senate will return to Springfield to consider major ethics legislation, presumably in time to avoid a constitutional challenge about when an ambiguous 15-day clock expires.

Senate President Emil Jones Jr., who previously said he would not reconvene his chamber until after the November elections, said in a statement that he now is calling his members back to the Capitol to act on ethics reforms “only at the request of my friend Barrack Obama.”

Here’s the statement from the U.S. senator’s campaign: “Sen. Obama called Sen. Jones [Wednesday] to offer his strong support for the ethics reforms pending before the Illinois Senate and urged him to pass them at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Note that the date has not been set for that regular Senate session; however, the chamber will be back — and so will the House — Monday, September 22 because Gov. Rod Blagojevich called a special session to focus on ethics. But the governor’s proclamation requires the General Assembly to focus on Blagojevich’s version of ethics reforms, which the House already defeated last week.

But, as is common in Springfield, some legislative ideas come back from the dead. Rep. Jay Hoffman, a Collinsville Democrat and Blagojevich ally, has introduced another bill, HB 6699, that would do the same thing as the governor’s amendatory veto of HB 824. The governor wants to clarify the process of accepting legislative pay raises so lawmakers had to vote “yes” on public record, stop legislators from “double dipping” by working in another unit of government at the same time they’re serving in the General Assembly and require more detailed disclosure of lobbying work done by legislators or their spouses. See the background in our previous blog posts.

Cindy Davidsmeyer, Jones’ spokeswoman, said the Senate president last week promised Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, that he could call the unanimously approved HB 824 for a vote to override the governor’s changes. If that happens as expected, then businesses holding state contracts worth more than $50,000 could not donate to the political campaigns of the governor.

But Davidsmeyer said the vote to override the governor’s changes would have to be done in a regular session, which has not yet been set because some Senate members have conflicts with Monday’s special session.

She could only say that the Senate could take up a “variety of issues,” and there’s plenty to choose from. The chamber could consider actions taken by the House last week, including restoring budget cuts so that 11 state parks and 13 historic sites wouldn’t have to close this fall, as well as restoring cuts to human services and state offices that could result in hundreds of layoffs of state employees. The Senate also could consider the governor’s changes to Senate bills, including the another ethics bill, SB 2190. The governor would ban state legislators and officers from accepting political donations from government employees at any level, punishable by as much as a $10,000 fine for each offense.

Obama's campaign followed up with this: "Sen. Obama is pleased that Senator Jones has decided to take immediate steps to move ethics reform forward, and he plans to monitor the bill's progress next week."

Read more...

Senate to Reconvene: Emil Jones

Cross posted from ICPR's blog, The Race is On:

We've been asking you to call the Senate President's office and demand that he reconvene his chamber. It appears your calls have worked. Media reports now indicate that the Senate will reconvene next week. Thanks to your efforts, the Senate will have an opportunity to address the Pay to Play bill, among other things.

Now, we should apologize to those of you who tried to call the President's Chicago office. Some of you called to let us know that no one was answering. Your calls filled his voice mail. But those calls worked. President Jones says he's doing this for his "my friend" and former colleague, U.S. Sen, Barack Obama. But make no mistake, if all of you had sat silently, this session would not be happening.

Not to be left out, Gov. Blagojevich then announced a Special Session for Monday the 22nd at 1 pm to deal with "real ethics reform." So the ball is definitely rolling.

We thank you all for speaking up to protect this important legislation from almost certain death or legal challenge.

Now, on to Springfield!


To comment, please visit ICPR's blog.

Read more...

GOPUSA ILLINOIS Daily Clips - September 18, 2008

DIERSEN: BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: As Carville said, "It's the economy, stupid." People, organizations, and countries that want Obama elected are anti-conservative moral relativists that have made it clear that they believe "the end justifies the means." Their leaders believe that driving America's economy down will increase the likelihood that Obama will be elected.

WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: WALL STREET JOURNAL DOES WHAT IT CAN TO DRIVE AMERICA'S ECONOMY DOWN: Worst Crisis Since '30s, With No End Yet in Sight - Jon Hilsenrath, Serena Ng, and Damian Paletta
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122169431617549947.html

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT DOES WHAT IT CAN TO DRIVE AMERICA'S ECONOMY DOWN: Panic Sweeping Wall Street May Leave No One Standing
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080918.htm

NEW YORK TIMES
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Strategy to elect Obama: Drive America's economy down and argue that only Obama can bring it back up.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/politics/18poll.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

PRESS ASSOCIATION
-- Economic woes push Obama in front
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5guhBx8tRgUlSx5AHZ0vTABkrz-8A

MSNBC
-- In Russia, Obama beats McCain - Yonatan Pomrenze
http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/18/1409370.aspx

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: CHICAGO TRIBUNE DOES WHAT IT CAN TO DRIVE AMERICA'S ECONOMY DOWN: U.S. markets overrun by crisis of confidence AIG bailout fails to restore faith in markets as Dow plunges again - Michael Oneal
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu-wall-street-panic-sep18,0,1227156.story
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE DOES WHAT IT CAN TO DRIVE AMERICA'S ECONOMY DOWN: 'People are scared to death' Dow hits lowest close since 2005 - Walter Hamilton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu-wall-sep18,0,3021610.story
-- Globalization nourishes and starves us Since the mining booms and busts of eras past, this Rocky Mountain town has felt the powerful tug of world trade and its impact on the American economy - Jim Tankersley and Christi Parsons
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-economic-anxietysep18,0,6959989.story
-- No job? No money? No clean air? No problem. - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-18-sep18,0,3340135.column
-- Dishonest ad, wrong viewers - Jonah Goldberg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-oped0918goldbergsep18,0,4046367.story
-- Duckworth admits error in taking state vehicle to Seals campaign event Tammy Duckworth took time off from job as state Veterans Affairs director to attend a campaign event but ran into controversy - Susan Kuczka
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-veterans-duckworth-sealssep18,0,4909898.story
-- State OKs 2nd proton center for DuPage Surprise move means cancer treatment sites will be just miles apart - James Kimberly
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-proton-center-both-18-sep18,0,155495.story
-- Stephen Culliton elected DuPage County chief judge
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-dupage-chief-judge-both-18-sep18,0,5661595.story

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- OUTSTANDING: Palin cometh? - Michael Sneed
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1170612,CST-NWS-SNEED18.article
(THE ARTICLE: Sneed hears Gov. Sarah Palin may be heading to the heart of Obama country. Word is GOP presidential contender John McCain's running mate is being courted to hit Illinois for a Republican National Committee fund-raiser -- and capitalize on her growing popularity among women voters in Obamaland. "We're working on it," said Rep. Jim Durkin, who is GOP presidential contender John McCain's Illinois campaign chairman. "She could easily raise $4 million for the RNC coffers," said another top McCain source.)
-- What, us worry? Are things really that bad in (DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED) Chicago? ANSWER: YES
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1171080,stressviews091808.article
-- Palin's double standard on marijuana - Jacob Sullum
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1170840,CST-EDT-sullum18.article

DAILY HERALD
-- BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Hackers claim break-in to Palin's e-mail account - AP (DIERSEN: Beyond outrageously, for many years, anti-conservatives have a) tried to stop me from sending GOPUSA ILLINOIS daily emails and b) tried to stop GOPUSA ILLINOIS subscribers from receiving those emails. Beyond outrageously, for many years, some people who claim to be Republican, and some who even claim to be "conservative," have libeled and slandered me. They make it clear that they will continue to do so until I agree to do their bidding.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235728
-- Duckworth uses state car for Seals campaign stop - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235742
-- Seals goes after Kirk on vet issues - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235744
-- Clinton fundraiser Lynn Forester de Rothschild backs McCain over Obama - AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235729
-- FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN DUPAGE EDITION: Central DuPage Hospital's proton therapy center approved - Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235730&src=2
-- DuPage County has new chief judge -- Stephen J. Culliton
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235612
-- Sadly, Palin's too good for Illinois - Tom Roberts Jr., Elk Grove Village
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=235571&src=

ABC7
-- Biden calls paying higher taxes a patriotic act - AP (DIERSEN: INSTEAD OF BURNING THEIR MONEY IN THEIR FIREPLACES, WHY DON'T "PATRIOTIC" LIMOUSINE LIBERALS DONATE THAT MONEY TO THE U.S. TREASURY? BETTER YET, WHY DON'T THEY JUST GIVE THEIR MONEY DIRECTLY TO LESS FORTUNATE LIBERALS?)
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6399000

CBS2
-- Truth In Politics: Economy On The Campaign Trail - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/truth.in.politics.2.820083.html (Includes video clip)
-- Hackers Break Into Sarah Palin's E-Mail Account - AP
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/sarah.palin.hackers.2.820038.html (includes video clip)

SOUTHTOWN STAR
-- Halvorson's role and 'the jacket' - Kristen McQ