ABC7
-- Illinois Republicans affected by RNC plans (ANDY SHAW SELECTS DURKIN, EDGAR, GIDWITZ, MCKENNA, & TOPINKA TO BE THE FACE OF THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY) - Andy Shaw
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6362811 (Includes video clip)
CBS2
-- Illinois GOP Takes Convention Plans In Stride GOP Tears Up Script As Hurricane Gustav Threatens Gulf Coast (MIKE FLANNERY SELECTS DURKIN, EDGAR, GIDWITZ, MCKENNA, & TOPINKA TO BE THE FACE OF THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY) - Mike Flannery
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/illinois.republicans.gustav.2.807393.html
DAILY HERALD
-- DIERSEN: BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: The Daily Herald, one of the many Combine dominated Illinois newspapers that works hard to help elect and reelect Combine dominated candidates, outrageously argues that Illinois Republicans are responsible for Combine dominated Democrat Obama being the Democrat Party's presidential nominee. The Combine's top priority is to advance its members' financial interests -- it has little or no interest in party platforms. The Combine blames all problems on conservative principles, on conservatives, and especially on Jack Roeser. The Combine works against party leaders, candidates, and elected officials it believes it cannot dominate and for those it believes it can dominate. The Daily Herald knows full well that since the 1980s, the Combine has dominated the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC). The Combine worked hard to elect and reelect Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar and to elect George Ryan. In 2002, the Combine worked hard to help Jim Ryan win the Republican gubernatorial primary and to elect Blagojevich. In 2004, the Combine worked hard to get Jack Ryan to withdraw, to stop the IRP SCC from filling the Jack Ryan vacancy with Oberweis, to get the IRP SCC to fill the Jack Ryan vacancy with Alan Keyes, and to elect Obama to the U.S. Senate. In 2006, the Combine worked hard to help Topinka win the Republican gubernatorial primary and to reelect Blagojevich. In 2008, the Combine worked hard to help elect Foster and to help Obama win the Democrat Party presidential nomination. Tragically, the Combine continues to dominate the Illinois news media and the IRP SCC. As shown by the 2008 IRP state convention, the Combine continues to dominate the IRP SCC because it continues to dominate the process by which IRP SCC members are elected.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231695&src=
(THE OUTRAGEOUS COMBINE PRESS RELEASE: State GOP needs to fix itself by 2010 The irony can't be lost on Illinois Republicans. It certainly isn't lost on us. And it likely isn't lost on Barack Obama, who can thank the state Republicans for playing a big role in helping to put him into the position he is today - the Democratic nominee for president. It was just four years ago that the best the Republicans could do to battle Obama, then a state senator, for the open U.S. Senate seat was to fly in conservative Alan Keyes from Maryland. That election was over before it started and the Democrats knew it. So they put Obama in as the keynote speaker at their 2004 national convention and the rest, as they say, is history or at least history in the making. Perhaps that's why only one Illinois Republican - Rep. Mark Kirk - gets a speaking role this week in St. Paul at the Republican National Convention. In comparison, Illinois Democrats were all over the dais in Denver as they tried to put aside their dysfunctional arguments long enough to shine a light on Obama and the host of state Democrats who hope to take his seat should he win in November and the others who hope to win the governor's race in 2010. Kirk, for his part, needs some speaking time. He's in a tight battle to retain his seat in the 10th Congressional District. No longer are Republicans assured of winning suburban races - just look to former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert's seat, now occupied by a Democrat - and that too is a testament to the state of the GOP in Illinois. Unfortunately, Kirk's speaking role and that of all the Republicans this week may be overshadowed by Hurricane Gustav. We believe in the two-party system. We want to see strong candidates in every race. It's better for the voters. It's better for the state. So it's time the Republicans in Illinois regroup and figure out what they need to do to be competitive. One way, some top party leaders say, is to limit the intraparty attacks that have occurred in recent primary elections. "We need candidates who can be firm in their convictions but communicate those convictions, their desires, in ways that don't offend other people," state Sen. Bill Brady of Peoria, one of the rising GOP stars, told the Daily Herald. Not all are willing to do that, however. Jack Roeser, head of the Carpentersville-based Family Taxpayers Network, said: "We've got to get rid of these skunks who are running the Republican Party." And he'll put up the money in that effort. Clearly, there is work for the GOP to do before statewide elections in 2010. It's amazing to see the party, which occupied the governor's office for 26 years until it relinquished it to Democrat Rod Blagojevich, could be in such disarray. But they do have some hope. Democrats are doing all they can to turn off voters with their own infighting. Neither party can really hold their heads up high right now. For voters' sakes, we hope that changes. We want to see strong candidates from both parties emerge and have them debate the real issues facing our state.)
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Combine dominated Daily Herald issues another press release from the Combine
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231673
(THE OUTRAGEOUS COMBINE PRESS RELEASE: Illinois GOP hope Democratic dysfunction brings party together - Nick Shields ST. PAUL - Illinois Republicans have suffered a number of lows in recent years, but arguably one of the rock-bottom moments came early in the 2006 GOP governor's primary at a debate in Springfield. What was supposed to be a forum on economic policy turned into a political mud-wrestling match marred by personal attacks, allegations of sexism and audience boos. And it was from that scrum that Republican Judy Baar Topinka emerged as the bloodied and bruised nominee who'd go on to lose the governor's race to incumbent Democrat Rod Blagojevich. The wounds are fresh, and numerous Republican officials from across the GOP spectrum say it's finally beginning to sink in that if they don't get their act together, Democrats will retain control of state government. In fact, Republicans say their best ally in this rebuilding effort is the collection of Democratic leaders who've produced plenty of gridlock and few results. "I think the debacle of all Chicago Democratic machine control of state government has reached the boiling point where the moderates and conservatives - along with our drought of statewide electoral success - will force Illinois Republicans to band together for our own good," said Hinsdale Republican state Sen. Kirk Dillard. "I thank the Democrats for helping us unify our party, although I think we need to unify it with ideas. But we'll take all the breaks at this stage of the game." Former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar agrees that Democrats are helping resuscitate his party. "There's no doubt the dysfunction of the Democratic administration in Springfield has enhanced Republicans' changes to come back from 'the dead,'" Edgar said. Party Chairman Andy McKenna recently said he hopes Republicans will agree to run positive campaigns and avoid attacking each other. Most agree this fall's elections are tough with Democrat Barack Obama leading the ticket. The crucial 2010 state races featuring the entire slot of statewide offices are what they're building for. But many of the party leaders remain wary of some social conservatives who are openly suspicious of the GOP brass' motivations and haven't hesitated to trash fellow Republicans they feel have strayed. "That's what we always wonder - if they would rather be right than win?" said Edgar. "The classic example is Judy." Indeed, few have forgotten how fractured the party became during the 2006 primary. Not only did conservatives - most notably Aurora dairy magnate Jim Oberweis - use personal attacks in the primary, but once Topinka won the nomination some said another Blagojevich term would be better for the party than a Topinka victory. That's the scenario McKenna, Edgar, Dillard and others want to avoid repeating. Even socially conservative Bloomington state Sen. Bill Brady, who's already essentially campaigning for the 2010 GOP nomination, is suggesting candidates try a new approach. "We need candidates who can be firm in their convictions but communicate those convictions, their desires, in ways that don't offend other people," Brady said. "And that's what it's all about, understanding other people have other opinions and working to find common ground." Apparently Jack Roeser didn't get copied on the unity memo. The brash businessman and head of the Carpentersville-based Family Taxpayers Network makes it no secret he disagrees with the GOP's official direction, using not only his words but his cash to signal his displeasure. Roeser himself ran against Edgar in the 1994 primary and lost. Between 1993 and mid-2006, his organization had given $685,000 to state candidates, his engineering firm donated $101,000 and he personally gave $1.6 million. The Family Taxpayers Network lists its official purpose as "to promote candidates for office who support tax reduction and other family concerns while exposing candidates who promote policies harmful to Illinois families." And don't look for him to tone it down anytime soon. Asked recently about the GOP rebuilding efforts, Roeser offered this advice: "We've got to get rid of these skunks who are running the Republican Party.")
-- Editorials show Herald's hypocrisy - Matthew Skarbek, Naperville
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231357&src=
(THE LETTER: It seems odd that the editorial board of the Daily Herald would provide an open letter to Barack Obama on Aug. 28 asking him to tell us, with specifics, "how will you get America to that happy place in the future?" Then on Aug. 29 provide a flowery editorial about the importance of vague but strong emotional rhetoric, while at the same time condemning critics of rosy oration as "opposition by the less gifted." In the Aug. 28 editorial, the board provided specific points it wanted addressed. I am sure board members were disappointed that "their guy" did not deliver on the request. Despite their disappointment, the board's Aug. 29 editorial had the audacity to say "we applaud Illinois' Barack Obama for the audacity of his oratory." It seems that in your haste to join the bandwagon, you forgot to take your integrity with you. I listened to the speech. No specifics were offered. He angrily stared at America and challenged his opponent, people cried, his pro-war running mate with 39 years of experience doing nothing in Washington joined him on stage and the Hollywood spectacle ended. Instead of showing the audacity of courage and following up the Aug. 29 editorial with grace and class, the board took a back hand swipe at anyone who dare opposes the messiah who rose on the third day of the convention. Something really stinks at the Daily Herald and it smells like repugnant hypocrisy and mendacious convictions.)
-- Illinois delegates keeping watchful eye on Gustav - Joe Ryan and David Beery
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231696&src=152
-- Just one Illinois Republican at the convention podium - Joseph Ryan
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231674&src=152
-- Illinois GOP fears no hurricane in Minnesota - Joseph Ryan
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/474
-- Celebrating Lincoln: Honoring our 16th president on his 200th birthday - Susan Dibble
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=230949&src=2
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Chuck Goudie equates his wife Teri with Palin
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=231672
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
-- Gustav throws Illinois GOP for a loop - Rick Pearson
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/08/gustav-throws-i.html
-- FROM THE REPORT: "If unfortunately this storm is damaging, we want to do what every other community in America is going to do—see if we can raise money and volunteers to be of help," said Andy McKenna, the state Republican chairman.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-swamp01sep01,0,5924875.story
-- Lobbyists carry on with glitzy convention parties; some make good with hurricane relief - Jim Kuhnhenn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-cvn-convention-parties,0,6531113.story
-- GOP again faces a hurricane of a predicament Hurricane Gustav threatens to put a damper on McCain's convention, while also serving as an unwelcome reminder of Bush's much-criticized response to Katrina - Jim Tankersley
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-gopsep01,0,7885135.story
-- GOP's house too divided for Palin to repair alone - John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-01-sep01,0,7014736.column
-- Five questions for Rep. Mark Kirk Amid a tight race for his seat, he looks ahead to the needs of New Orleans and nuances of the Palin pick - Jim Tankersley
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-five-questions-kirksep01,0,3594601.story
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
-- Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar says Palin has "spunk." - Lynn Sweet
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/08/former_illinois_gov_jim_edgar.html
-- At GOP convention, Illinois delegates get the worst seats in the house. - Lynn Sweet
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/08/at_gop_convention_illinois_del.html
-- Storm clouds hold a silver lining for GOP - Lynn Sweet
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1138477,CST-NWS-sweet01.article
-- Illinois delegates scurry to shift focus of convention festivities "Solemn event" Hope to turn parties into fund-raisers for storm victims - Abdon Pallasch and Dave McKinney
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1138595,CST-NWS-illdel01.article
(THE ARTICLE: MINNEAPOLIS -- Should they send all this gourmet food and liquor home unopened? Illinois Republicans were reaching out to the corporate sponsors of the breakfasts and parties scheduled this week to see if those corporations would be willing to make the events fund-raisers instead. John McCain suggested that delegates and the corporate sponsors could be asked to help come up with funds to help victims of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast. U.S. Rep Mark Kirk, a naval intelligence officer locked in a tight re-election race, had been scheduled to speak at the convention today, but he said he was not upset about having that canceled because his speech on the floor was clashing with another he was to give. "And right after this event, I'll be leaving and going back home," Kirk said. "I just announced a drive to load trucks in Northbrook to help [Louisiana] Gov. [Bobby] Jindal. He sent us a list of stuff he needs: diabetic supplies, medical kits, personal care products, diapers, packaged and canned foods." "They're not going to cancel everything," said former Gov. Jim Thompson. "I think they'll just not have a lot of the flowery rhetoric." Former Gov. Jim Edgar said if the parties are more somber than usual, that's fine. "I never thought they were all that much fun because I don't drink anyway," Edgar said. "I think this should be a solemn event.")
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Sneed reports on the Republican convention
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/1138509,CST-NWS-sneed01.article
(FROM THE REPORT: Sneed has a response to critics of McCain for choosing Palin solely because she is a woman: Anyone who chose to carry a Down syndrome child to full term -- knowing full well what would lie ahead -- is a woman of valor and incredible courage. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, how could one not respect this decision?)
-- MARIN BLASTS MCCAIN, AGAIN: Why Alaska's dogged gov is needed to get to finish line - Carol Marin
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1138582,CST-NWS-marin01.article
-- Party on hold Yields to storm McCain's decision to scrap opening day activities seen as hurting efforts to get his message out - Dave McKinney, Lynn Sweet, and Abdon Pallasch
http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1138511,CST-NWS-gop01.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Black liberal Democrat Meeks demonizes and denigrates everyone in Illinois. He asks "Why is Illinois racist?" Because Meeks is a Black liberal Democrat, most would assume that he believes that White conservative Republican elected officials are the most racist. But Blagojevich, all the other Illinois constitutional officers, the majority of state senators, and the majority of state representatives are liberal Democrats -- so, Meeks must believe that those liberal Democrat elected officials are the most racist and that those Illinois voters who voted for them are also the most racist.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1138513,CST-NWS-boycott01.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: TRAGIC: Richard Roeper insults everyone who has lived, insults everyone who is living now, and insults everyone who will live in the future. He says: "Palin sounds like Ted Nugent with a uterus."
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1138505,CST-NWS-roep01.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Because Obama is so extremely anti-Republican, anyone who says that they are a Republican and does anything to help elect Obama never really was a Republican, is not really a Republican now, and never really will be a Republican. Mary Mitchell highlights some of these phoney Republicans.
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1138510,CST-NWS-mitch01.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats blame all negatives, including "global warming," on Republicans, especially on older White male conservative Republicans. So not surprisingly, six Democrat scientists say "Global warming has probably made Hurricane Gustav a bit stronger and wetter."
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1138594,CST-NWS-gustwarm01.article
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: The Chicago Sun-Times agrees with Meeks' racist beliefs. OUTSTANDING: The Chicago Sun-Times opposes Meeks' call for a boycott.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1138399,CST-EDT-edit01.article
-- VERY SAD BUT NOT SURPRISING: Hispanic liberal Teresa Puente denigrates White conservative Sarah Palin
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1138396,CST-EDT-puente01.article
ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
-- FROM THE ARTICLE: In the Illinois delegation, state Sen. Dan Rutherford of Chenowa said he supports the decision to truncate the program, which he compared to an extended pep rally. "To have that pep rally when there's a possible national disaster, that would be a disaster politically," he said. "That will come back to bite you."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/8791D16653B2BE17862574B700142B22?OpenDocument
CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO
-- Former Illinois Gov Edgar Likes McCain's VP Pick - Rob Wildeboer
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=28598 (Includes audio clip)
-- New RNC Schedule Means No Stage Presence for IL Delegates - Amanda Vinicky
http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=28600 (Includes audio clip)
WGIL
-- Former Gov Edgar Weighs in on RNC Changes
http://www.wgil.com/localnews.php?xnewsaction=fullnews&newsarch=082008&newsid=271
-- Illinois Republican Matt Murphy Wants to Make Politics a Family Affair No More
http://www.wgil.com/localnews.php?xnewsaction=fullnews&newsarch=082008&newsid=270
BEACON NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: Alternate delegate Penny Falcon reports from the Republican convention
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1138604,au01_Falcon_web.article
COURIER NEWS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Those who blame on non-minorities all problems that minorities have use minority school children as pawns
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1138260,3_1_EL01_A6BOYCOTT_S1.article
NAPERVILLE SUN
-- New law sponsored by Hultgren aids soldiers with tuition
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1138161,6_1_NA01_TUITION_S1.article
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
-- Borling reporting for duty: McCain, GOP putting country first - Chuck Sweeny
http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/09/01/borling-reporting-for-duty-mccain-gop-putting-country-first/
BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
-- Central Illinois lawmakers continue to fight to keep Pontiac prison open - Tony Sapochetti
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/08/31/news/doc48bb2ea3d3bc8255716458.txt
CHAMPION NEWS
-- Hurricane Sarah - John Biver
http://www.championnews.net/article.php?sid=1167
REPUBLICANS FOR FAIR MEDIA
-- Obama's Plan for America Devilish: Spiritual Darkness--One Thing His Presidency Would Assure - Dr. Frank Joseph
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/08/obamas-plan-for-america-devilish-spiritual-darkness--one-thing-his-presidency-would-assure.html
ANDY MARTIN
-- Barack Obama's Denver acceptance speech. What did Senator Barack Obama really say or leave unsaid in Denver? Andy Martin provides his analysis of the presidential candidate's acceptance speech.
http://www.pr-inside.com/barack-obama-s-denver-acceptance-speech-r781665.htm
BLOOMBERG
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: So far, of all the people who live in Alaska, Tony Hopfinger and Ken Fireman have only been able to find a few who question Palin's fitness. If Hopfinger and Fireman tried, they could find millions of Illinois residents who question Obama's fitness.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aJgm2T3qgeZU&refer=home
WALL STREET JOURNAL
-- Obama Should Come Clean On Ayers, Rezko And the Iraqi Billionaire - John Fund
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122005063234084813.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
NEW YORK POST
-- Rev. strikes again Wright's crude Michelle Obama crack - Geoff Earle
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09012008/news/nationalnews/rev__strikes_again_126984.htm
(THE ARTICLE: TOLEDO, Ohio - The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's fiery ex-pastor, re-emerged yesterday with a crude reference about race and sex in the White House. "This ordinary boy [Obama] just might be the first president in the history of the United States to have a black woman sleeping at 1600 Pennsylvania legally," Wright said, referring to Michelle Obama, in a sermon at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston. It was unclear whether Wright was making a reference to prostitution, to old miscegenation laws, or to the history of illicit interracial sex under slavery. Wright's remarks yesterday were full of praise for Obama - although several times, he referred to Obama as a "boy" who later developed into an extraordinary person, through God's work and, presumably, Wright's guidance. "The lord turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. Y'all just saw it this past week. It was on national television," Wright said to applause. "An ordinary black boy raised in a single-parent home . . . walked into my office 20 years ago to talk about his dream for a community that concentrated on things that we could achieve in common." As Obama's longtime minister, Wright married Barack and Michelle, and the couple worshiped at Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago until Wright's controversial sermons became public knowledge during the campaign. Wright gave an over-the-top press conference that ultimately prompted Obama to leave the church this spring, after Wright blamed the United States for concocting the HIV virus and railed against US imperialism. Wright also accused Obama of posturing in his criticism of Wright's sermons, saying, "If Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected. Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls." Obama said afterward that he was "outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw." In recent weeks, Obama has worshipped at various churches in towns on his campaign schedule, as he did at a Lutheran church in Lima, Ohio, yesterday. In sermons that caused the initial uproar when they emerged on video, Wright blamed the United States for the 9/11 attacks and boomed, "God damn America.")
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
-- Wright's sermons leave out Obama Pastor speaks here about need to halt sex abuse, media coverage - Barbara Karkabi and Jemimah Noonoo
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5976879.html
NATIONAL REVIEW
-- Thank the Clintons for Ayers . . . and Obama Bill and Hill’s clever calculations gave Democrats an unelectable nominee. - Andrew C. McCarthy
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDI3ZjE0OWNkMTk1Njg1YThhODdiNDE3NGMxODhiMzk=
THE CONSERVATIVE VOICE
-- Resume of a Terrorist: Obama's Buddy Ayers - Jim Kouri
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/34211.html
YAHOO NEWS
-- Palin electrifies conservative base - Jonathan Martin
http://news.yahoo.com/story/politico/20080831/pl_politico/13016
CHICAGO ARGUS
-- DIERSEN HEADLINE: VERY SAD: Democrat Gregory Tejeda does what he can to demoralize Illinois Republicans, again
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2008/09/st-paul-minn-not-place-for-chicago.html
BOWLING GREEN DAILY NEWS
-- 14 years of the Corvette Museum Enthusiasts (INCLUDING THE DIERSENS) come from across country to celebrate anniversary of facility - Burton Speakman
http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2008/08/31/news/news1.txt
Read more...
Whatever happened
"Abboud and Manzullo -- and, I suppose, I, too, acquiescing to a certain extent, standing alongside them in silence -- did viewers a colossal disservice.
"Insults and invective in the fashions exhibited by my opponents on Thursday evening simply will not do.
"As I stood off to one side, leaning against a post and watching, I couldn't help but think that I was observing precisely what I should have been participating in on Channel 23.
