Voters Get Say in 100 Days

1 comment July 28th, 2008

We’re just 100 days from the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Are you rooting for Obama or McCain?

Why?

Origin of the ‘Terrorist Fist Jab’

Add comment July 28th, 2008

Ever wonder how the silly characterization of Barack Obama’s dap with his wife Michelle as a “terrorist fist jab” got its start?

A Slate.com political writer takes credit for dragging the phrase into the main stream …

The morning after Obama locked up the nomination, I was writing a “Trailhead” item that mocked the media’s difficulty in figuring out what to call the now famous gesture. “Fist-pound,” “knuckle-bump,” and “fist-to-fist thumbs up” were among the funnier examples, but one of them—”Hezbollah-style fist jab”—was particularly risible. It came from the Web site for Human Events, a hard-right weekly. Unfortunately, I failed to note that its provenance was not the magazine itself but a reader comment posted below an unrelated column by Cal Thomas. I linked the phrase to the column but didn’t explain that the words weren’t Thomas’.

And in this Internet Age, it takes just moments (sometimes less) for nonsense to spread.

When I realized the confusion I’d helped cause, I posted a correction. But it was too late. Liberal bloggers from all over had already seized on the phrase. Time and Politico misreported that the words were Thomas’.

And then it was in the hands of a reckless talking head at Fox News. E.D. Hill wondered aloud whether the Obama dap might qualify as a “terrorist fist jab.”

Naturally, Hill didn’t say who or what she was characterizing. She didn’t even bother elaborating. She just plopped the phrase on the national television screen, as if it were totally valid. (She later apologized.)

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In related (and just as thoughtful) news, a Tribune reporter wonders whether Obama may have patted his wife on the tush the same night as the notorious fist bump.

Sacia Explains Lawmaking

2 comments July 24th, 2008

Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, used his weekly column (distributed to local newspapers) to explain lawmaking …

“Pork barrel” spending, “pay to play” opportunities, lobbyists and their relationship to legislators – how does it all play out and what does becoming “one of them” really mean? These are issues that are often brought up to me but seldom really understood. I hope I can help with that understanding.

“Pork barrel” projects are projects in a legislator’s district chosen by him or her to receive state funding. The purpose is to benefit residents of the district, but abuses by some have given an unpleasant connotation to the entire system. An example that is often cited is the now infamous “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska, federally funded by request of one of their congressmen. Here’s the rest of the story: Our federal government grants our federal legislators “earmarks”. That is their term for pork barrel. Our Congressman, Don Manzullo, has been very dutiful in ensuring any project he secures “earmark” funding for is highly meritorious.  Don has contacted me each year since I took office to ensure money being distributed in his congressional district is needed. That’s just how it should work.

State legislators like me are granted “member initiative” monies for local projects. In my time in office I have only received an allocation once, and that is this year. Every dime of the funding I secured went to desperately-needed infrastructure improvements in Milledgeville (sewer and water), Lena (sewer and water), Forreston (sewer and water), Pecatonica (sewer and water), East Dubuque (sewer and water) and Apple River (fire station).

Why have I only received funding once? It’s the Governor’s decision. Prior to this year, he only granted “member initiative” money to Democrat Legislators. This year, he chose to give only to Republican House members. You can read into that anything you choose.

Legislation to ban “pay to play” politics in our state is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. Simply put, “pay to play” is the trading of state jobs or contracts for campaign contributions. The Governor has received more than $200,000 in campaign contributions this year alone from companies that have contracts with the state.

We all hope he signs the bill into law very soon which will stop this very controversial practice.

Lobbyists are ranked by most people at the bottom of the employment scale. The Tony Rezko situation and other similar cases have attached a sleaze factor to what, for the most part, is an honorable profession. During the months of April and May, it is not uncommon for us to act on as many as 100 bills a day. Lobbyists are a huge asset in providing us factual information on many issues. I truly appreciate the hard work so many of them put into making sure we are educated.

Becoming “one of them” – Shortly after I was first elected I was told by many “don’t become ‘one of them’”. There are 118 State Representatives each representing 105,000 citizens and what a diverse group we are.  Our views range from ultra-liberal to ultra-conservative and include everything in between. We represent all ethnic groups. Each of us worked hard to get elected and each of us is very proud of our unique district. I can never become any of them, and they can never be me.

High Time for Political Consultant Thacker

1 comment July 22nd, 2008

Jim Thacker, a Rockford-based political consultant, is doing quite well for himself thanks to the campaigns of Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey, Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo and others.

Such local political campaigns paid Thacker at least $108,120 during the year ended June 30, according to state and federal campaign finance disclosure statements.

Thacker earned $42,000 from Chuck Prorok’s campaign for Winnebago County state’s attorney, $22,000 from Morrissey’s campaign, $10,200 from Christiansen’s campaign, and $4,000 for Mike Hakanson campaign for Winnebago County auditor during that one-year period, according to statements updated Monday with the State Board of Elections.Prorok, Christiansen and Hakanson are Republican. Morrissey came from a strongly Democratic family and won election in 2005 as an independent. Thacker describes himself as a conservative Republican.

Thacker also earned $29,920 from Manzullo’s campaign during the year ended June 30, according to the Federal Election Commission. Thacker is formerly Manzullo’s chief of staff.

Thacker started volunteering for political campaigns in 1984 and he’s been a full-time political consultant since 1992, he told me.

“I’ve been involved in politics for 24 years on a pretty serious level,” he said. “And I think what most of these folks are looking for is basically a resource — somebody they can talk to who’s been through the battles before. It’s reassuring when, in the course of a campaign, that different issues pop up and they’re working with somebody who’s probably experienced those issues on a previous campaign.”

As a full-time, Rockford-based political consultant, Thacker has little competition — at least on GOP side of the equation.

“There’s not a lot of people like me,” he said. “I only take on a number of races base on my ability to spend the right amount of time with them and basically not have to work 24 hours a day.”

Thacker, 45, grew up in Woodstock. He attended Rockford College and spent considerable time in Rockford as Manzullo’s chief of staff.

“I’ve been coming back and forth to Rockford for 20 years,” he said. “Later, when I was working on Larry Morrissey’s campaign, that’s when I actually started living here. And I’ve been living here for about five years.”

As is typical for political staff, Thacker said he’d rather not be in the spotlight. He’d rather stay behind the scenes.

“I will not be upset if no article appears,” he said.

Gorski Pledges to Raise More Money

Add comment July 22nd, 2008

Paul Gorski, the Democrat trying to unseat Republican Scott Christiansen as chairman of the Winnebago County Board, said in an e-mail this morning that he plans additional fundraising by the Nov. 4 general election.

Gorski responded to my inquiry, placed by phone last night, about why he did not file a campaign finance disclosure statement with the State Board of Elections by Monday’s filing deadline. When a candidate raises and/or spends more than $3,000, the candidate must file a committee and file disclosure statements with the state board.

Gorski told me he had not met that threshold …

I have not met the threshold for filing yet, but I expect to do so this weekend.

I have a fundraiser scheduled for this Saturday, July 26th, 4-7 PM at the Rockford Lithuanian Club. We will also be holding  “Tuesday Night Dinners With Paul” this fall.  In addition, some other fundraising efforts have just recently been made, and I expect to see the fruits of those efforts over the next few weeks.

Most of my efforts to date have been spent walking, calling, and otherwise directly visiting voters in Winnebago County. The response from voters has been very positive, actually great, and I’m looking forward to a very active campaign as we go into this final stretch.

Christiansen had $51,572.21 on hand June 30 after raising $81,075.00 and spending $91,336.43 during the first six months of the year, according to his statement with the state board.

Blago Keeps Raking in the Dough

Add comment July 22nd, 2008

If Rod Blagojevich does anything especially well, it’s raise campaign money. He has long been a prolific fundraiser, and despite a looming federal probe of his administration’s activities, he continues to be. He raised roughly $1.9 million during the first six months of this year.

Still, his fundraising is down from previous years.

Midway through his second term, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has amassed more than $3.6 million in his campaign fund, more than any other statewide officeholder but only about a third of what he had in the bank halfway through his first term.

Sunil Puri Keeps Campaign Cash Flowing

Add comment July 22nd, 2008

Sunil Puri, the Rockford real estate developer, gave generously to political campaigns during the first six months of this year, according to newly filed statements with the State Board of Elections.

Puri (right) with Dan Arnold of Road Ranger

His donations included:

$2,501 to the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association

$1,000 to Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford

$250 to Gwyn Gulley, candidate for judge

$10,001 to Gov. Rod Blagojevich

Over the years, Puri has donated more than $346,000 to public officials and candidates for office in Illinois, according to the State Board of Elections.

He also is a “bundler” for the Obama presidential campaign, having raised at least $50,000 for that race.

Obama’s No-Green Fashion Rule Called a ‘Misstep’

1 comment July 22nd, 2008

The Obama campaign is getting some grief for telling traveling reporters to not wear green during Obama’s Middle East tour

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Green, The Color of Islam

An Obama aide explained to reporters that green is the color associated with the militant Palestinian group Hamas. But while the color does appear on Hamas banners, there is no particular symbolism to wearing green clothes, experts said.

Moreover, green is more generally seen as a symbol of Islam.

“A ban on wearing green seems bizarre,” said Richard Bulliet, a professor of Middle Eastern history at Columbia University, who said the color is associated with the family of the Prophet Mohammed.

“I would hazard the guess that the campaign’s concern is more with distorted—and religiously inaccurate—reporting by Obama’s detractors than with any actual signal that might be conveyed,” he said, referring to false rumors that Obama is a Muslim. “You don’t want to have some blogger come along and say ‘Obama is showing his true color.’”

“I think they’re just being overcautious to a ridiculous degree,” Bulliet said.

More here on green, the color of Islam.

NIU Defends Its Proton Therapy Monopoly

Add comment July 18th, 2008

NIU today defended its position as the only entity permitted by a state panel to build a proton therapy center in Illinois. Proton therapy is the cutting edge in radiation treatment of cancer, and NIU in building a center in western DuPage County.

The NIU plan is under attack by Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst, and other lawmakers who say the state panel should consider a competing proposal.

A group of 23 state lawmakers is urging a state regulatory agency to approve a second proton therapy facility for DuPage County, which would put two cutting-edge cancer treatment centers within 6 miles of each other.

The lawmakers’ support was captured in a letter written by state Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst) to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

As the Tribune story notes, the board approved NIU’s plan but not the competing plan.

Northern Illinois University won state approval in February to build a $160 million proton therapy cancer treatment center in the DuPage National Technology Park in West Chicago. NIU promised the state it could have the center open by March 1, 2010.

In April, the health facilities planning board issued a preliminary rejection of Central DuPage Hospital’s and Procure’s plan for a $140 million facility, citing its nearness to NIU’s. The health board will reconsider the Central DuPage project a final time next month.

Cronin took a shot at NIU …

Cronin’s letter stated that lawmakers were “troubled by the proceedings that resulted in approval for NIU.” The letter also said a staff report prepared for the board relied too heavily on information provided by NIU to the detriment of evidence presented by Central DuPage.

In its statement, NIU’s John Lewis shot back:

NIU followed the rules scrupulously to obtain approval for its non-profit proton therapy treatment and research center, has already broken ground, and remains on time and on budget.  The opinions of those not even involved in the process should be weighed against the ‘facts on the ground.’  The ‘very real reality’ is eligible cancer patients will be able to receive proton treatment at NIU’s center in 2010, as required by the IHFPB’s approval of NIU’s Certificate.

The Register Star covered this story extensively. Go here and here for more background.

Obama Wrap-Up: A Colorful Week of News

Add comment July 18th, 2008

Obama’s week in the news began with a bang when the New Yorker magazine released a cover satirizing right-wing fear mongering. The cover depicts Obama sharing a “terrorist fist jab” with his wife, Michelle.

The Politico.com’s Roger Simon cut to the chase in a column entitled “‘Idiot’s Veto’ not worth the cost” …

The New Yorker was kidding. It was satirizing people who hold stupid misconceptions about the Obamas.

A lot of people got upset anyway.

Root.com followed up with a survey of Obama cartoons. The site’s story concluded: “Drawing a black man—either seriously or satirically—it appears, is damned difficult.”

The (liberal) Huffington Post’s take on the cover controversy is here. A conservative columnist suggested “many people looking at the cartoon don’t think of it as ’satire’, but rather as a serious statement on the Obama power couple.”

Much, much, much more on this flap is here.

An accompanying New Yorker story examines Obama’s political upbringing in Chicago.

Obama also announced he will soon travel to the Middle East and Europe, on the taxpayer’s dime of course.

And on Tuesday, Obama gave a speech in which he renewed his view that American troops ought to pull out of Iraq. More here.

The Wall Street Journal says perhaps Obama should have held his speech until after completing his trip abroad. The editorial mocked his judgment …

It would be nice if Mr. Obama could at least get his facts straight. Earlier this month, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad reported that the Iraqi government had met 15 of the 18 political benchmarks set for it in 2006. The Sunni bloc in Iraq’s parliament is returning to the government after a year’s absence. Levels of sectarian violence have held steady for months – at zero. (In January 2007, Mr. Obama had predicted on MSNBC that the surge would not only fail to curb sectarian violence, but would “do the reverse.”) If this isn’t sufficient evidence of “genuine political accommodation,” we’d like to know what, in his judgment, is.

Meanwhile, this state’s own U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel did his part to damage Obama’s “reformer” credentials by repeatedly saying Obama played a stronger role in Rod Blagojevich’s 2002 election as governor than had previously been reported. Blagojevich is one of the nation’s most unpopular political figures, and he increasingly has embodied the shady side of Illinois politics — despite his own pledge to reform Illinois government. By linking Obama to Blagojevich, Emanuel certainly didn’t do Obama any favors.

The WashingtonPost.com ran its own story on Obama’s Chicago ties.

Obama is crazy about exercise.

Politico.com looked at Obama’s relationship with Kirk Dillard, a Republican state senator from west suburban Hinsdale. Dillard took the unusual step (unusual for a Republican) of cutting a television commercial to express his affection for Obama.

The spotlight found Michelle Obama, too, when the Washington state GOP ran an attack ad capitalizing on her infamous American “pride” remark.

And a major British paper profiled Michelle Obama …

Michelle is not exactly a pauper. She has earned salaries of up to $275,000 even since quitting corporate law for public service, first working for Chicago’s mayor and latterly for the city’s university hospitals. Whereas Cindy McCain was a big beneficiary of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy, Michelle’s refrain is: “We have become a nation of struggling folks. It’s gotten worse over my lifetime and, doggone it, I’m young! Forty-four.”

She can just about claim to voters: “We’re a young couple just out of debt.” The Obamas had large student loans, only repaid by the sales of Barack’s two books.

Her informal language – “Doggone” and “Jeez” – emphasises that she is a relatively normal “working soccer mom”, whose chief concern is her family. When their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7, were given a giant cookie shaped like the Obama logo, she complained: “More sugar for the kids.”

Michelle Obama is working to re-introduce herself.

And, lastly, a look at Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain.