The Aunt Surprise

Add comment November 1st, 2008

Apparently the “October Surprise” isn’t to be an attack on Iran. It seems that the surprise has to do with an aunt of Obama who is in the U.S. illegally, (Obama claims not to be aware of that ); the inundation of the airwaves with hundreds of commercials featuring Jeremiah Wright, etc., and charges that Obama is not an American citizen.

Will it work? Stay tuned.

Obama-McCain race now a tie — I think McCain has the advantage

4 comments October 28th, 2008

John McCain is, as I predicted, closing the gap fast and I now think the race between him and Obama is dead even. The Gallup Poll shows it 49-47 for Obama, which is a tie.

What’s working? The argument that Obama will raise your taxes and give your money to welfare bums. The argument that Obama is a dangerous leftwinger whose agenda is anti-American.

Question is, will this have enough of an effect to turn a poorly run McCain campaign around just enough to put McCain in the White House?

I now think that it can..

Rockford wants a store manager for school superintendent

Add comment October 28th, 2008

So, a consultant has analyzed the data from a community survey and decided Rockford’s creaking, under-performing school system requires a superintendent who is a collaborator, a communicator, who wants to stay here a long time..

Translation: Rockford wants a store manager.  They want ART JOHNSON.

How about a bold EDUCATOR who is dedicated to raising our abysmal student achievement, curbing truancy and working with other stakeholders, including the mayor, county board chairman, chamber of commerce?

 Oooooh, now that would be risky, especially to the troika of Hernandez, Katz and Hoffman, (not necessarily in that order)  who run the show — and I presume would like to continue running it.

Halloween Week: Now’s the time for the October Surprise

4 comments October 26th, 2008

We’re in the final phase of this election; Obama has a lead in the polls and a huge advantage in organization and money. The political talking heads on Sunday morning TV say the election is in the bag for O.

However, as I’ve said many times before, I don’t believe it. The last week — Halloween Week — is historically the time of the October Surprise, a last-minute, game-changing political bomb that cannot be easily rebutted in the time remaining.

It happened to George W. Bush in 2000, and very nearly changed the outcome of that election. As I recall, it was the final Thursday before the election. I had just finished covering Bush speaking at a huge and  enthusiastic GOP  rally at the College of DuPage.

(Hilarous Side Note: The rally MC was former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka. However, when then-Gov. George Ryan introduced him, he inexplicably called the man “Dick Butka.” If looks could kill, George wouldn’t have lived long enough to be indicted, convicted and sent to prison. Let’s just say Da Coach was not amused.)

 After the rally,  I made my way to my car and waited in a long line of traffic to get back on the road to home. I turned on trusty old WGN to learn that the October Surprise had been dropped by Democratic candidate Al Gore’s campaign.  When Bush was a young man he’d gotten a DUI in Kennebunkport — and never fessed up to it.

 The news sent the high flying  Bush campaign reeling and the polls began to drop. He squeaked by, just barely, with the help of the U.S. Supreme Court and Al Gore’s blunder — he should have demanded a recount of all Florida counties, not just a few.

Anyway, if the McCain camp has something really, really dirty on Obama, and the polls still show the Chicagoan in the lead, the maverick will unload the information on Wednesday or Thursday — and no later than Friday morning.

There’s also the possibility that an external event will occur that makes voters more likely to prefer McCain. That would probably be a Middle East event, such as Israel launching an air assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

I’m not predicting any of this will happen, just giving you some possible scenarios to watch out for as we wrap up the fight I’m calling the Thrilla From Wasilla.

Morrissey backs Tuite in 69th House race.

5 comments October 24th, 2008

Mayor Larry Morrissey of Rockford is an independent. However, he has endorsed Democrat Greg Tuite of Rockford in the 69th District House race. Tuite faces veteran incumbent Republican Ron Wait of Belvidere.

Here’s Hizzoner’s news release:

                                          MAYOR MORRISSEY ENDORSES

                     GREG TUITE FOR 69^TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE

 

     As Mayor of the City of Rockford, I see first hand that the representation we have in Springfield makes a

            huge difference.

            We deal down state with critical issues involving public safety, education, truancy, public employee

            pensions, and public investment in our roads and other public needs. We need a strong, proactive advocate for

            us in Springfield. Unfortunately, Rockford simply has not had that type of aggressive leadership from Ron Wait   in the 69th District.

            That’s why I am supporting Greg Tuite for State Representative. I have known Greg as an aggressive

            advocate for his clients for many years.  Greg understands Rockford’s critical needs as an urban community and

            will work hard to move our community’s agenda forward.

 

            Greg Tuite has served Rockford Township for nearly 8 years as a Township trustee. During that time

            he has earned a reputation for fiscal conservatism. We need that kind of fiscal discipline in Springfield.

            While I respect all of our legislative delegation, it’s time for change in Springfield. That’s why I am

            asking our citizens from the 69th District to consider a vote for Greg Tuite on Nov. 4.

 

        

Here’s that Joe the Plumber plea from McCain-Palin

Add comment October 20th, 2008

For some reason, the link to the McCain e-mail didn’t connect, so I’m putting it here for you to read:

How are you “Joe the Plumber”? Tell us in 30 seconds…We want you to tell us how you are “Joe the Plumber” and why you’re supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin in thirty seconds. You could even see your video as an official McCain TV ad. By now, “Joe the Plumber” is a household name and has become a symbol of Barack Obama’s plan to “spread the wealth around.” During a recent campaign event in Toledo, Ohio, “Joe the Plumber” asked a simple question and got a surprising answer from the Democratic nominee. When he asked why Barack Obama’s tax plan was going to punish him for working hard and living the American Dream, Barack Obama responded, “When you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” In that brief exchange, the American people got to see what this campaign is all about … a choice between honoring the hard work of everyday Americans like “Joe the Plumber” and increasing taxes to “spread the wealth.” In these tough economic times, there is no doubt that John McCain and Sarah Palin stand firmly on the side of hardworking “everyday Joes” who understand the value of honest work and the American Dream. That’s why we want to hear from you and share your story with the American public. It’s simple … make an ad telling us why you are “Joe the Plumber” in 30 seconds and we’ll put the best ad on the air as a TV ad. Share your story of living the American Dream, working hard, or owning a small business to tell America why you’re standing with John McCain and Sarah Palin. Click here today to learn more and submit your video before Friday, October 24th. Then help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity - tell your friends to visit JohnMcCain.com/Joe to submit their own video and share their story. paid for by mccain Palin 2008

.A

We’re still havin’ fun, and you’re still That One

Add comment October 17th, 2008

A witty political yard sign sprang up in front of a house in my neighborhood the other day. It says, “I’m voting for ‘That One,”’ a reference to the comment of John McCain about Barack Obama in the second debate. The Obama campaign was quick to capitalize on McCain’s characterization. Obama himself joked about it Thursday night at the Al Smith Dinner in New York City: “You known, in Swahili, Barack means ‘that one.’”

Helps if your financial guy is also a shrink

Add comment October 16th, 2008

I’m looking at the latest NYSE stock market ticker and it’s heading down. I’m glad that my financial adviser, Dr. Herb Allen, is also a psychologist.

Anti-American secessionists launched Sarah Palin’s career!!!!!!!!

14 comments October 10th, 2008

Fair’s fair, I say. So, who are some of Sarah “Marge” Palin’s pals in Alaska? Glad you asked. Why, they’re Alaskan secessionists affiliated with the Alaska Independence Party, which husband Todd “First Dude” Palin belonged to from 1994 until 2002. Palin warmly addressed the AIP’s 2008 convention on video and congratulated them for playing an important role in Alaska.

Read in Salon.com the shocking truth about the AIP and founder Joe Vogler, who said he hated the United States of America.

“I’m an Alaskan, not an American. I’ve got no use for America or her damned institutions.”  — Joe Vogler 

Read how AIP nut jobs helped her get her start in Wasilla politics, and how secessionist stalwarts believe Palin is still a comrade in arms.

Ask Sarah “Marge” Palin: When you say Country First,  WHICH COUNTRY, the USA or Alaska?

Poor, black folk caused financial crisis, even in Iceland?

11 comments October 9th, 2008

Republicans are doing their best to hang the entire financial crisis on poor, black people who got mortgages they didn’t deserve because banks were afraid to be politically incorrect and be charged with racist lending practices under the Community Reinvestment Act, which says banks have to reinvest a portion of their resources into their communities.

When will Republicans learn that by doing this kind of thing — and believe me, they engage in this kind of race-hatred talk at GOP fundraisers when they don’t think anyone is listening — they risk diminshing their numbers forever?

See, by hanging the verbal equivalent of a whites only sign on their party, the Republicans will ultimatelyl diminish themselves to permanent minority status. 

Message to my Republican friends: This is’s simple demographics. White people aren’t having babies. And you can’t expand your numbers  by blaming all problems on “the other people” of this country. Because there’s more of them every day. Soon “the other people” will be the majority, and you’ll be the party that bashes them.

Not smart. But my friends, when have you ever been?

Anyway, to prove the folly that this credit crunch is the fault of black folks, check out this article in http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/oct/10/banking-iceland– about the collapse of Iceland and how it affects the UK.

No black folks in Iceland, eh?