Wow, the whole Scott Lee Cohen thing shows no signs of dying down, and every day it goes on, the more it will be ingrained in the minds of Illinois voters. If Governor Quinn has to exercise the "Adlai Option" and form a third party to run for gov in November, he's going to get trounced. That's not even taking into consideration the Blago trial, where Quinn is going to get labeled as Blago's Lt. Guv and his enabler (wait for videos with Quinn's statements of support of Blago to show up as the trial begins, and into November).
Meanwhile, it looks like the National Republican Senatorial Committee didn't waste any time trying to define Alexi Giannoulias as a mobbed-up banker. This video has been making the Internet rounds ever since Mark Kirk won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate this week:
10th District Update: Meanwhile in local races, I talked on the phone with GOP nominee for the 10th District Bob Dold yesterday, and he is really excited about the upcoming election and the prospect of keeping the 10th District in GOP hands. This race is definitely going to have a national profile.
Many Dems probably thought with glee that with the departure of Mark Kirk to run for the U.S. Senate, the Dem nominee was going to be a shoo-in in this District. Dold makes it looks like they may have to wait another few cycles. That being said, the DCCC is already coming in to make a push for Dan Seals, with a fundraiser headlined by DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen scheduled for mid-February.
59th Legislative District: My pal Dan Sugrue, who won an overwhelming primary victory last week, is not letting any grass grow under his feet, recognizing that new Dem appointee Carol Sente is going to have the full faith and credit of Michael Madigan behind her leading up to the November election (anyone out there got any pics of Sente and Scott Lee Cohen together that they want to send me???). Visit Dan's new fan page on Facebook and sign up. Dan's former opponent Cindy Hebda, a Vernon Hills trustee, is being an awfully good sport about all this and has pledged her support to Dan so the GOP can win in November. In fact, they are appearing this morning at some community meeting dealing with Route 45 issues, as I understand, where Sente is also scheduled to be.
Grant Township Lincoln Day Dinner: Tonight my good friend Grant Township Chairman Nancy Kubalanza is hosting the very popular Lincoln Day Dinner at Maravela's Restaurant in Fox Lake. Patrick Brady, the IL GOP Chairman, will be the keynote speaker. TA will attend with Dan Sugrue, as well as Keith Gray, who is contemplating another run at Dem State Senator Terry Link in the 30th Senate District.
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35 comments:
Alexi is ducking all questions about his friendship and business relationships with Michael "Jaws" Jurango, the man John Kass of the Tribune called the Chicago Mob's (aka "the Outfit's") Enforcer."
Well the real mobsters in this country are the Republican Senatorial Committee and the republican party. The republican party (under Bush the last few years) broke national and international laws, violated the constitution, started wars that resulted in terrible war crimes, channeled money to Haliburton and bankrupted the country. They should be the last to criticize Alexi. Lets put things into real perspective.
Van Hollen's visit is a sign of real desperation for the democrats. A big gun this early means they dont think dan can raise enough money by himself. Maybe Van Hollen can explain his ties to recently convicted felon and former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon who makes scott lee cohen look like a member of dold's boy scout troop.
Good to see keith gray and thunder dan are already ramping up. I've read in multiple places like the new york times this morning that the biggest beneficiary democrats believe of alexi's mobster ties and the scott lee cohen episode is going to be moderate suburban republicans as voters are turned off by the corruption. They specifically note dan biss and some guy named walker as likely candidates to lose races because of it.
Blue Wind, frankly I don't think a chicago democrat can lecture on rule of law this morning. Run an election without a convicted felon on the ticket and then we'll talk. As for rule of law you sound like the human rights watch anti-Israel folks that are always complaining because the suicide bomber doesn't get caviar and champagne in his cell while gilead shalit lives in a booby trapped warehouse in gaza.
FOKLAEAPS
FOKLAEAPS,
Your comment is offensive, especially as my family is Jewish. So please, dont lecture me about Israel support. I support Israel probably more than you do, but I like to respect the rule of law. The republicans have totally violated the rule of national and international laws the last 8 years, and you must be aware of that by now.
Blue Wind- as much as I don't want to get you and FOKLAEAPS off track, I just wanted to say that if the best you guys can do to defend Lexi is to summon the ghost of GWB, we've already won. GWB is not up for election, Alexi is, and no one except you thinks that GWB's actions gives anyone with a D after their name a free pass for eternity.
Blue Wind, what the hell don't you understand about TODAY. Like your other Democrat buddies who can't live in the present, you constantly find yourselves locked in a time warp. Scott Lee Cohen is a disgrace, not just to your party, but to decency. This post is addressing HIM and all you can do is talk about someone else from the past. TA is right in saying that if this is all you guys can talk about then this IS going to be a dull race. And if you want to talk about abusing the Constitution and abusing our rights as citizens, take a look at that sorry bunch you helped put in the White House. Go and spend time with Ellen. You two belong together.
Two words for that zinger Sexi-Lexi ad:
BA-DA BING
Blue Wind:
"Its not that you just don't get it, YOU CAN"T SELL IT."
blue wind,
anon you are good. ba da bing. I won't go further in case there is a ta junior that reads this.
what you and steve sheffey and catlady and all the jstreet/keith ellison loving anti-israel crowd on the north shore that back pup don't get is that Israel is safer today because of mark kirk. period. Mark is too modest to say this and lester munson is not up enough on his reading enough to note this, but when mark was elected in 2000, Israel was in the midst of the intifada with suicide bombings on fox news every single night. Today there are ZERO suicide bombings ALL OF LAST YEAR as was reported last week.
ZERO.
Reed Bundy, Mark Kirk, scott carpenter, ryan crocker, john hannah, tevi troy, michael mennis and the republicans in d.c. deserve a big thank you from jews here in chicago for their fine work. As well you will note that former north shore republican congressman, don rumsfeld's star wars weapons systems are being used by obama and sold to arab allies to protect from iranian retaliation.
I am sorry Illinois democrats are the most corrupt sinful things on earth. Your reform governor has 26 counts against him in a federal case that will be tried starting in june-early fireworks-team will bring the grill for pup-it's been in storage during the primary but I hear it's really nice and warm now, I'll bring the booze-.
FOKLAEAPS
What is Dolt view regarding Israel?
I am very interested to know.
TA I am enjoying your blog for a few years now. Keep it up.
Blue Wind, you opened up a large can of worms by stating that your family is Jewish. Being Jewish is not necessarily being pro-Israel. Big difference. Mark Kirk has done more to give Israel real time security with Eyes in the Sky, the X-Band Radar system, the strongest voice and the leadership in the US House where he stands head and shoulders above anyone at anytime in recent memory. Sadly, many of your friends who support Seals, including Seals himself, come from a mindset that smacks of something called "even handedness" which will surely end Israel's place on the planet. It takes two nations, both resolving to embrace peace for it to work. Clearly the lefties, including the Obama administration, see this as a one-way street and blame Israel for going in the wrong direction. Seals would be a disaster for Israel.
As for where does Bob Dold stand on Israel? I would suggest that you read his statement on Issues. He understands the complexities of the issue and stands squarely with protecting Israel in the same manner as Mark Kirk.
Be careful, Blue Wind, when you comment on TA's Blog. Some of us take great exception to comments from people like you, especially when it comes to Israel. Why don't you start your on Blog or sign up to post with Catwoman on that anti-Semitic Daily Kos. You might be a whole lot more comfortable over there. And get yourself up to date on what we're talking about if you plan to stay. Bringing up the old, tired, rather shop-worn Democrat talking points of bygone days is OVER. Get it? Bush and Cheney are not running. Accept the responsibility for what your team is doing and live in the present. Let's hope we all have a future with Obama.
Hey, Simon...
Kudos on on your really, really, really funny "Dolt" joke. It's hilarious. You should hone your act and head to the "Ha Ha Hut" in Des Moines for some two-drink-minimum shows. Seriously, I haven't seen comedy as ground-breaking and original since Richard Pryor burst onto the scene.
Anyway, Robert Dold is a staunch ally of Israel...But don't just take my word for it. Take some time off from penning your hilarity-inducing satire, and read up on it yourself.
And as for Blue Wind, I am reminded of the words of quantum physicist Wolfgang Pauli, who said to an eager colleague who had just posited a particular theory, "you're not even wrong."
But hey, nice try...I haven't seen anyone bring up Haliburton for quite a long time.
Oh, and Air America called, and they want their talking points back...that plus a few million bucks so that they can try and pay their massive debts.
Fielding Mellish
Link is not up for election this cycle--that's why he ran for LG.
Fielding,
First I started the dolt line about 4 months ago because i thought the man was extremely inarticulate, incompetent, and unable to do anything other than brush his teeth, regurgitate some old talking points from the family ties era and say he works for mom and dad. I have put it on sabbatical for forever as long as his underlings do not attack team america or mrs. team america.
Dold couldn't name the head of the palestinian authority or the ruling party in lebanon. He's not moshe dayan yet, but at least he doesn't want to see green hamas flags flying over every inch of israel like dan seals.
third, lauren beth gash and local dem backer sheldon drobney started air america. She was fired in 04-it was a sort of you lost the race against mark here's a job because we want you to go away deal. Like pup getting to run the point. she failed at that.
fourth, Mark kirk is the reason there are no suicide bombers in israel today. When he becomes senator there will be no more rockets and no more nuclear iran. Lauren Beth Gash and pup sing kumbyah with Israel haters and kaffeyah wearing palestinian lovers. This is a fact.
foklaeaps
Folkleaps...
If you, or anyone else, wants to keep referring to Dold as "dolt," then I will keep coming after you.
However, if you would use his real name, then, we can discuss issues on a civilized basis, which is what I would prefer.
But rest assured, cheap, hacky attacks will be met in kind.
As a 20 year vet of the game of rugby, I don't shy away from anything, anyone, or any argument. And I won't, for damn sure, shy away from people misusing a decent man's name - and the name of his family.
It's really up to you, and Simon, and anyone else who wants to take potshots at a guy who just trounced the "establishment" candidate.
Deal honestly and decently, and you will find yourself dealt with in the same fashion.
If we all agree to bury hatchets, act like adults, and go after our common enemies, then, I am more than happy to work with you to ensure we keep this district in capable, Republican hands!
Fielding Mellish
Fielding,
You continue to attack me. I've been in gop politics for decades, I'm glad you showed up 3 months ago. He won a primary he's spent 25 years preparing for by 6 points against a severely wounded frontrunner wildly out of touch with the base and got less votes than either democratic candidate. You can get behind your guy, he's not in mark kirk's league and from what i've seen of him on videotape he's going to get destroyed by seals in debates. He's a candidate not god.
His intectual capability is a big issue given the district's nature. Burton isn't the sharpest knife in the house gop conference, and no one will ever consider dan quayle the brightest bulb. Cut taxes and cut a government program (republicans like shelby from alabama won't give up their pork good luck on the rest of his agenda) is not good enough. that message hasn't worked here in 30 years and its out of date. As someone with a lot of friends fighting and dying overseas right now it's disheartening to see he has nothing on national security.
That said I'm a republican, he's the candidate and we move forward.
You sound like a fly half, wanting to call the shots but unwilling to get into the scrum to do the actual work. The condescension is unnecessary this is bigger than him. you win with 15 men, not a hot shot who thinks he can win play scrum half, fly half, front row all by himself. Even mark kirk couldn't do that. or in dold world, attack, short stick middie, dslm, defense, and faceoff.
FOKLAEAPS
Guys, can we all just call a truce on the Dold flame war? We need to get behind the guy, and if everyone insists that they even the score on every single slight, real or imagined, we'll never get anywhere. So I call time.
I get some of the insider Jewish stuff (my mom taught at Hillel Torah in Skokie for 15 years) but the rugby references are just completely over my head, and I'm not even understanding the comments on my own blog anymore.
FOKLAEAPS and Anon 8:24,
Sorry but your comments are laughable. Now, according to you, Israel is safer specifically because of Mark Kirk. So, according to you, if Mark Kirk was not a congressman in IL10, Israel would not be safe today?
Hello? On what planet did you say you live? Let me give you a hint. Israel is strong because of the Israelis. Not because of Kirk. Kirk is not anymore pro-Israel than Dan Seals or Alexi Giannoulias are.
And by the way, the fact that you randomly call names others without even knowing their positions on Israel, just because they are democrats, is not a great way to approach things. Take a look at the party you support and its leaders. A party that has people like Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh among his leaders.
Oh, and you may want to check the ADL site to see what they wrote about recent remarks of Limbaugh.
Actually it was really a typo. Maybe I have been reading to many TA comments. I really do want to know Dold position on Israel (in addition to what I read on his website).
Thanks
Team America,
I am pro-dold now, but fielding needs to simmer down.
I'll stick to democrat bashing.
As for blue wind. Yes Israel is suicide bomber free today thanks to Mark Kirk, when he was a candidate in 2000 there was an intifada, now there is no intifada. Mark and Bush deligitamized the palestinian authority, gave the israeli hardliners a blank check and now there are no more sbarros serving shrapnel with their pizzas. Nuff said. Read Dan Senor-a former bushie's book. Israel is strong because the bush administration gave them carte blanche to build the fence-financed by chicagoland jewish hardliners, and take whatever actions deemed necessary to hold their ground. Your democrat president mr.obama was also, as a student at columbia very much against the missile technology that his own government is now selling to gulf states to protect them from Iran. You are welcome to sit at the adults table, but please have better facts.
As I have said throughout Alexi thinks the west bank is other posh club for him to play basketball in. When asked if he knew who ehud barak was alexi responed, yeah I heard o barack, I used to play basketball with him. He knows more about hair gel products than Israel. fact.
Pup is the north shore's version of keith ellison, a flaming pro-palestinian and pro-iran nut. This is why I support dold with a d.
Limbaugh has nothing to do with mark kirk, read this blog, limbaugh people are not mark kirk people.
FOKLAEAPS
FOKLAEAPS your blown prognostications this cycle have revealed that you are not nearly as withit as you would have us believe. I suggest you try a bit of humility for a small while and some self-reflection. You probably owe the Dold team an apology, as you time and time again you rudely stated that they were running a horrible primary campaign. But what did you know, right?
I applaud your intimations that you will now support Dold, although your continued tired repetitive beratings make that promise seem fairly empty about now. Continue them, and I am sure you will lose the respect of those who still do.
FOKLAEAPS
Limbaugh is widely accepted as one of the spiritual leaders of the republican party and so is Sarah Palin (whose support Mark Kirk sought).
Of course and Mark Kirk has nothing to do with Limbaugh, but they are in the same party. And Limbaugh made antisemitic comments very recently (take a look at the ADL site if you dont believe me). And here is my question, why did n't Kirk (or other rational republicans) condemn this behavior of Limbaugh? Why are antisemites like Limbaugh tolerated in the republican party? Can you explain that to me?
Blue Wind, with all due respect, I will refer you to EVERY credible Israeli leader who will confirm that YES, because of Mark Kirk's initiative in 2001 and completed in February of 2002, Israel was granted space on the American Satellite system known as Eyes in the Sky. And for your information, Israel is the ONLY nation on earth allowed to be connected. Do you get it? Have you idea what that did to give Israel EARLY WARNING ability to help that nation stay on earth? That's a proven fact. When we talk about the X-Band Radar system that was completed in 2008 it further enhanced Israel's security. You have absolutely no credibility on this issue and yet you think you can speak with authority. If you doubt what Mark Steven Kirk has done for the State of Israel I would suggest that you be in contact with the Ministry of Defense in Israel. Or, better yet, get on a plane, GO to Israel, and ask anyone about what OUR CONRESSMAN, Mark Kirk has done for Israel. Even his Democrat members of the US House acknowledge his vision, his leadership, his on the ground accomplishments. If you want to laugh, go right ahead. It will just prove that you are without the knowledge to know the truth. Perhaps you don't want to acknowledge the truth, but those whose lives depend on what this man was able to do speaks for itself. You also speak and what you say is stupidly ignorant and very disturbing. You want to pick on other aspects of his service in Congress, do so. But when it comes to Israel and her security, you are so off base, so without intellect, that you sound like you are exactly what you are.
Now you've really shown how dumb you are, Blue Wind. First of all, it's anti-Semitic, get it. Where is YOUR outrage at those within your party like Reverend Jeremiah Wright who IS a true anti-Semite and the spiritual leader of the Obama family for 20 years? It took a hell of a long time for Obama to distance himself from that slime bag. He and his family had 20 years of absorbing that crap and never uttered a negative word. Point of fact, Blue Wind, he called him his mentor. Want me to go forward with more in YOUR party who fit the anti-Semitic title. It's quite easy. You drink Kool Aid to excess, but your stupid comments on this Blog will surely not be tolerated by most of us. Check out,move on, get lost, go where your kind of thinking and writing is welcome.
Anon 12:57,
I never disputed that Mark Kirk has been a strong friend of Israel. That is well established. My argument is that he is not the only one. There are many both in the democratic and the republican party. Dont misintepret what I wrote.
Anon 1:03,
You can not answer what I wrote about Limbaugh (and what the ADL made clear on the ADL site) and you resolve to name calling. Great.
Anyway, no problem. I dont have to keep posting here. Good luck.
There are no apologies. FOKLAEAPS is not an analyst. A bleeding heart republican that is all. You're forgetting I doubted team mckenna and murphy-turned out to be right and team hastert-0 for 3 now in kane county. I liked friedman and cadigan because I am upset with the establishment, which you are too given your support for dold with a d.
The democratic party is pretty anti-Israel, there is a really nasty fight right now between rahm and netanyahu playing out, george mitchell even democrats in dc aknowledge has been ineffective. Republicans are with israel in being hardline, no questions asked in winning war on terror and using whatever means necessary to defeat terrorists. As I have said for years here, and as those of us who remember where the 10th dems started in 2002 marching with anti-israel kaffeyah wearing hatemongers in Iraq demonstrations, the 10th dems are very very weak on israel. Alexi has no record of even eating matzah much less attending an aiapc event and don't get us started on pup who you'll recall was challeneged twice from the right wing of his party on israel in primaries.
FOKLAEAPS
Folkleaps,
As I concluded, I am all about burying hatchets and moving forward. My only point was to explain why the "Dolt" stuff was offensive to me.
But, as our friends on the Left would say, let's "move on," dot org.
And TA, I couldn't agree with you more....As far as I'm concerned, the flame war is over.
Let's direct our energies toward saving the 10th District seat for the GOP!
Fielding Mellish
When it comes to candidate selection, while no criminal, Alan Keyes, who advocated against carpet-bagging, flew into the state himself and didn't even take up some semblance of residence anywhere near here, Mr. Jack Ryan was not necessarily a family values personage, and let's not forget that Mr. Delay and Mr. Cunningham remind us that the Dem's do not have the patent when it comes to criminal or untoward behavior. Whether or not one includes airport and Congressional paige activity.
Also, Mr. McKenna, the world's second insider outsider (Fred Thompson being the first) may not have broken the law, but he did violate his own party's trust and did not demonstrate how he would provide state mandated and consent-decree based services, cut spending, and possibly cut taxes as well. He didn't even provide a glossy brochure with scant details like his Congressional brethren.
Personally, I voted for Mr. Hoffman, who I would hope has modicum of respect from both sides of the aisle. Unfortunately, it appears the Chicago machine may not have demonstrated their support of him which may have led to the outcome we now are faced with.
Finally, regarding the reference to moderate suburban republicans, I wasn't sure they were still there given their failure to critique their Party's National Chair, not speaking out against the aforementioned McKenna, and the joke that was the GOP race for US Senate.
Admittedly, there were probably too many candidates for some of the races, which, combined with low voter turn-out, allowed lesser known candidates to perform better.
Finally, what was Keith Gray's comprehensive platform besides I'm not Terry Link? How'd that work for him?
Folks, let's not scare away people like Blue Wind or Crazy. As long as they are polite, which they generally are, I think we ought to welcome opposing viewpoints; otherwise we'll just end up being like the Ellen-ites talking to ourselves, which is lame. Let's show them the errors of their ways with some logic and persuasion, not animosity. Thanks.
TA,
Thanks. As always, I commend you for allowing opposing views. Now, can you try to answer the question I raised earlier?
Rush Limbaugh made recently clear-cut antisemitic comments and ADL called him on that (see ADL web page). That guy is considered some sort of a spiritual leader of the GOP today. And here is my question. Why did n't Kirk and other rational republicans condemn strongly the antisemitic remarks of Limbaugh? Why no one dares to challenge Limbaugh? What are they afraid of? Is that sign that the republican party has been hijacked by extremists?
How could Kirk function as an "independent" senator when he is afraid to criticize Limbaugh or Sarah Palin? In fact, he asked for the support of Sarah Palin. I am curious to hear how you can rationalize things like that.
Nobody rationalizes anything, Blue Wind. Mark Kirk doesn't speak for anyone but himself. Why should he do what your side didn't and doesn't do with vile creatures like Jeremiah Wright? I note that you skipped an answer to that question. Your hero in the White House took 20 YEARS and then had to be prodded into distancing himself from his mentor, his pastor and best buddy. Mark Kirk does not speak for the Republican Party anymore than you speak for anyone but yourself. And get the facts straight on what Kirk did and did NOT do regarding Sara Palin. You guys think you know the truth when, in reality, you really are clueless. But again, it's what Mark Kirk has done and shown over the past 10 years that allows him to call himself an Independent guy. Your side just loves to distort the truth rather than deal with the reality of his votes and his life. If you're going to pick on Mark Kirk on this Blog just know that you'll be called out every time you make a statement that can't stand the light of truth.
there was a right wing challenge to mark kirk, stop the self delusion and realize he's more liberal than your 1998 gov nominee poshard who was pro-gun and anti-abortion.
school prayer by the way was supported by jeff schoenberg and elaine nekritz and susan garrett and julie hamos. Go holler at them.
Team, I will observe your requested ceasefire with fielding and team dold with a d for defeat democrat dan seals.
FOKLAEAPS
It's utterly hilarious to see what some of your commenters say -- clearly, accurate commenting isn't their goal -- and re: Air America, while it is true the Lauren Beth Gash helped start it, it was sold around 2004 and she chose to stay in Chicago rather than move to New York -- she was certainly not fired. That someone could write that is just a complete joke.
Thank god Lauren Beth Gash didn't leave for New York, we need her continued loser leadership for the Dems here in the 10th.
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