If anyone were running against a tax hiker in Illinois–state or local–this would be a marvelous template. It’s a TV ad being run by Delaware’s Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Christine O’Donnell against Democrat Chris Coons.
There are stark white on black messages in the TV ad from Christine O'Donnell.
Taxing 911 calls comes into play.
Property taxes come into play in the ad.
The ad's implication is that inheritance taxes are an issue.
"He's taxing everything out here."
Mark Kirk
I keep getting these calls from statewide candidates.
They must know I’m a Republican precinct committeeman and think I might talk to some of my neighbors, I guess.
Anyway, Mark Kirk, who is running for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate called last night.
He told me he had been endorsed by over 100 Republican leaders and organizations, including Congressman Peter Roskam, Congresswoman Judy Biggert and former Governor Jim Edgar.
He told me how he had voted against tax hikes “40 times.”
He told me he had sponsored “tough anti-corruption laws.”
I remember one would have taken pensions away from congressmen convicted of illegal acts. Congress critters only lose their pension WHILE they are imprisoned.
Amazingly enough, Illinois has had such a law since the mid-1950′s.
He also told about his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Then, someone else asked if I would vote for Mark Kirk.
If so, I should press 1. If I’d like to volunteer, I should press 2.
When I didn’t do either and didn’t hang up, a woman said,
“I didn’t hear your response.”
Then, the message started over again.
I finally hung up.
So, it looks as if Mark Kirk is following Abraham Lincoln’s advice to identify his supporters and get them to the polls.
I can only imagine that those who pushed button number one will get at least one phone call on election day, if not before.
With no single opponent around which conservatives are grouping, it’s hard to see how Mark Kirk can loss the primary election.
It should be noted that Mark Kirk did not mention one issue near and dear to social conservatives.
Not one.
I haven’t covered the U.S. Senate race to any great extent. The prohibitive favorite, U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk has been to 1776 for a morning “vetting” by Republican Party insiders. I didn’t get much feedback, but when a candidate is running so high in the polls, Establishment types generally support him or her.
With last week’s widespread dissemination of what had previously been rumor mill fodder, stimulated by a radio ad from Senate candidate Andy Martin, some are wondering who is running against Kirk.
Pat Hughes is one of them. He describes himself as “a successful real estate developer, husband, and father, resides with his wife, Susan, and their three children in Hinsdale.”
Here is his press release in favor of term limits:
HUGHES MAKES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF TERM LIMITS
U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Hughes
to Speak at “Stop Mark Kirk Express” Event
U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Hughes (R-IL) makes the following statement on his support for term limits and will be making a more formal statement on the issue tonight at the Stop Mark Kirk Express event hosted by the Will County Tea Party Alliance:
“Washington D.C. has quickly become the primary place of residency for some members of Congress. In the past twenty years over 90% of House members who ran for re-election have won and over 80% of Senators who have run for re-election have won.
“It is an astonishing high incumbency rate and an odd occurrence due to the fact that Congress has not seen an approval rating over 50% in almost as many years. Setting term limits for Congress helps set a standard for responsible government and responsible representation of the people. When members of Congress begin to see their office as a career and not a public service, they have lost sight of what serving in Congress is about; representation of the people. Politics should be about the people, not the office.”
“If elected to the U.S. Senate I would not only work towards getting term limits set for Congress, I would also pledge to only serve two terms as a Senator myself. Our country thrives when the voices of the people are heard and represented.”
The man Rod Blagojevich narrowly defeated in the 2002 Democratic Party primary election, Paul Vallas has endorsed former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman. Since Hoffman has been to McHenry County, I thought I’d share his press release:
Vallas Endorses David Hoffman for the U.S. Senate, Cites Experience, Independence, Integrity
Chicago, December 30, 2009-Paul Vallas, Democratic Candidate for Governor in 2002, former Chicago Public Schools CEO and Chicago Budget Director, announced his endorsement of David Hoffman for the United States Senate at a news conference today.
“David Hoffman is the type of individual we need in elective office,” said Vallas. “He has always put principle ahead of politics, is an individual of great integrity and will be an exceptional United States Senator.”
“Paul Vallas has been a true champion of reform and public service,” said Hoffman. “Paul understands that being truly independent here in Illinois is often not so easy. And he knows that leadership is defined not by what you say as a politician while on the campaign trail-but by what you’ve done in your career. I am honored to have earned his support.”
Vallas, currently Superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana, said Hoffman’s experience in public service as well as his record of independent leadership makes him the best candidate in the Democratic primary.
“Too often we’re faced with very little choice in political campaigns,” said Vallas. “In this race, there is a clear choice for the people of Illinois to cast their vote for a candidate with a true record of accomplishment who has stood up to special interests. They have the chance to vote for a proven leader.”
“I’ve talked a lot during this campaign about my record of public service, about my independence and my experience – and about leadership,” said Hoffman. “Because in judging how someone will represent us in the United States Senate, experience does matter. Being independent of the insiders and speaking out forcefully and honestly and calling them as you see them does matter. Job performance does matter.”
Vallas narrowly lost to Rod Blagojevich in the 2002 Democratic Gubernatorial primary.
“I doubt I’d be standing here today if Paul Vallas had become Governor of Illinois in 2002 rather than Rod Blagojevich,” said Hoffman. “The election of Paul Vallas as governor would have had a profound effect in this state. Pay to play, the culture of corruption, the stain on the very U.S. Senate seat I am seeking – we would not be talking about these things had we elected Governor Vallas seven years ago.
I am pleased that the campaign staff of Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Senate David Hoffman has discovered that I cover Democratic Party politics in McHenry County.
Although I am a Republican precinct committeeman, the intention of McHenry County Blog is to let candidates convey their local appearances and associated messages to readers.
So, let me share this email about Woodstock’s Left Stage Cafe “Meet and Greet” next Sunday night from 5-7 by former Chicago Inspector General. In that post, Hoffman was not a lap dog as most of Mayor Richard Daley’s appointees are.
Dear Mr. Skinner,
I just read through your blog and it looks like you cover Democratic politics in McHenry County. I wanted to invite you to meet David Hoffman, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate. I do not know if the venue for this event will have live Wi-fi access or not, but we wanted to make sure that you received an invitation.
If you need any more information on Mr. Hoffman’s bio, I would be happy to get it for you or you may contact our communications director, Thom Karmick – thom@hoffmanforillinois.com / 773.552.1712.
- – - – - – - – - McHenry County E-invite – - – - – - – - -
Please join local McHenry County Democrats at a free Meet-And-Greet Holiday Party with U.S. Senate candidate David Hoffman on Sunday, December 20.
David Hoffman is running for the U.S. Senate to take on fraud and abuse in Washington and fight the special interests and lobbyists who are who doing everything possible to stop needed reform.
David has spent 16 years in public service, fighting corruption and giving average communities and taxpayers a voice. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, David prosecuted drug-dealing street gangs. As Inspector General for the city of Chicago, he exposed scams and corruption that cost taxpayers millions.
We invite you to join David and local supporters on Sunday, December 20 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Stage Left Cafe at the Woodstock Opera House (map).
Refreshments will be served. To RSVP, please e-mail me at
karen@hoffmanforillinois.com. We look forward to seeing you there.Sincerely,
Karen Nystrom
Director of VolunteeringP.S. If you are interested in being a part of the hosting committee, please contact John Laesch at ohn@hoffmanforillinois.com.
–
Respectfully,
John Laesch
Labor Coordinator
Hoffman for Illinois
john@hoffmanforillinois.com
(w) 312.784.0933
(c) 630.878.7454
www.hoffmanforillinois.com
The Chicago Sun-Times ran write-up of Chicago’s Inspector General David Hoffman’s candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate to replace Roland Burris.
At the bottom, was another article, next to which was a list of “THE FIELD.”
Take a look.
At the bottom are the Republicans.
At the bottom is the name of “blogger Andy Martin.”
Above his name were
Martin, who used to be known as Anthony Robert Martin-Trigona, ran in the GOP primary for governor in 2006 using the simpler version of his name. He got 6,095 votes.
When he ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2008, however, he received 240,548 votes. Steve Sauerberg won the race. Sauerberg didn’t spend a lot of money, so I figure Martin has a pretty good ballot name.
The Chicago Tribune trashed Martin on its front page. It wasn’t a real professional article. In any event, the article and lack of respect from and coverage by mainstream media show in the disdain that they have for his running for public office.
My guess is that Martin could afford to spend some money on a campaign, but evidence of his spending much has not been seen.
He is quite good at doing things Pat Quinn got lots of publicity for when he was seeking office.
For example, last week when the Illinois State Republican Central Committee refused to allow him to campaign in the Ag Director’s lawn, where the big doings were at the State Fair’s Republican Day, he went to Sangamon Court and forced his way in.
Martin has a law degree from the University of Illinois, but was denied a license to practice by the Illinois Supreme Court shorting after the Roy Sophisberg-Ray Klingbeil Civic Center Bank scandal. He has said he worked with Chicago Daily News reporter Charles Nicodemus on the story and not being granted a law license was pay back.
But Andy Martin is the name that you will see rarely mentioned in coverage of the U.S. Senate.
He has run for office many times in Illinois, Connecticut, Florida.
In a heartbeat is my belief.
Pat Quinn’s management style has been described negatively.
Micro-manager, etc.
And how would he get to the United States Senate?
If Roland Burris resigns, he could appoint himself.
I would argue that his political style, based on advocacy of causes (relevant or not), is much better suited to a U.S. Senator than a governor.
And who would succeed Quinn as Illinois governor?
Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
That’s what her Dad wants, right?
House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan probably agree to raise enough money to allow Quinn to put on a decent came in the 2010 election.
In a heartbeat is my belief.
Pat Quinn’s management style has been described negatively.
Micro-manager, etc.
And how would he get to the United States Senate?
If Roland Burris resigns, he could appoint himself.
I would argue that his political style, based on advocacy of causes (relevant or not), is much better suited to a U.S. Senator than a governor.
And who would succeed Quinn as Illinois governor?
Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
That’s what her Dad wants, right?
House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan probably agree to raise enough money to allow Quinn to put on a decent came in the 2010 election.
Maybe I overestimated the amount of pressure that it would take for blacks to get white U.S. Senate Democrats to seat Illinois Roland Burris.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hinted at a deal on Sunday.
Look at this cartoon from
“Day by Day,”
only one panel of which you see here.
Thanks to “Backyard Conservative” for leading me to it.
Maybe I overestimated the amount of pressure that it would take for blacks to get white U.S. Senate Democrats to seat Illinois Roland Burris.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hinted at a deal on Sunday.
Look at this cartoon from
“Day by Day,”
only one panel of which you see here.
Thanks to “Backyard Conservative” for leading me to it.
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