From the Illinois GOP:USA Today/Gallup Poll: Majority support Special Election and reject Roland Burris"Interest in the dispute is high — six in 10 are following it closely — and support for Burris is scant. By nearly 2-1, 51% to 27%, those surveyed say the Senate should block him from taking his seat. A similar majority, 52%, say Illinois should hold a special election as soon as possible to fill the office." USA Today 1/6/09To read the full article, click hereTwo-thirds of Illinois voters alrea

National EmbarrassmentDemocrats are to blame Burris rejection should not lead to back room deal The Illinois Republican Party today condemned Blagojevich Democrats for fostering the national embarrassment that has come from the Roland Burris Senate appointment. “Blagojevich Democrats have made Illinois a national embarrassment,” said ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna. “Blagojevich Democrats could have stripped the Governor of his senate appointment power and passed a special election three weeks ago bu

Outrage! Dictatorial and slimy, in Chicago and now DC, it's the backroom Democrats. Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tosses out the reforms instituted in the 1994 GOP-run Contract with America Congress to term limit committee chairmen and protect the rights of the minority--opting instead for one-party backroom dealing, business as usual. Over on the Senate side Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, along with his No. 2, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is maneuvering to deny the vote

A recent column pointing out the crucial role racism has played in nearly everything the Republican party has done over the last several decades got a lot of attention, and rightfully so. To what extent is racism the underlying strain that runs through all of Republican policy and thought?Me? I've always recognized the intense strain of racism, both overt and coded, that ran through nearly every Republican policy position. And it's probably that fact that has spelled it's downfall.Read the piece

In what will come as little surprise to many, the Illinois Republican Party today disclosed Rod Blagojevich’s handpicked choice for the United State Senate, Roland Burris, as the newest member of the Blagojevich web on FriendsofBlago.com.Mr. Burris, like many before him, stood silent as myriad federal investigations swarmed the Governor. In fact, when asked about Blagojevich's performance as Governor, Burris responded that he was doing, "a helluva job."“Roland Burris is emblematic of the problem

The Illinois Republican Party today condemned Blagojevich Democrats for fostering the national embarrassment that has come from the Roland Burris Senate appointment.“Blagojevich Democrats have made Illinois a national embarrassment,” said ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna. “Blagojevich Democrats could have stripped the Governor of his senate appointment power and passed a special election three weeks ago but chose, instead, to play politics and allow Blagojevich to make this appointment.”McKenna also

Some cracks in the simpering adulation and conformity of the MSM as AP's Ron Fournier welcomes the Barackstar to Washington. "Analysis: Barack Obama tested by stimulus, scandal":The next president of the United States understands that the power of his office has its limits, even in crisis. He knows, too, how weary voters are of the seamy, transactional side of politics as outlined in the cases involving Richardson and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — the latter a "pay for play" scandal that may ye

by Frank James Minnesota's state canvassing board today certified that former comedian Al Franken, a Democrat, outpolled Sen. Norm Coleman, the Republican incumbent by 225 votes. But the Coleman forces aren't about to give up. Here's an excerpt from a...

UPDATE: Gov. Blago sets special election dates for Rahm Emanuel's 5th congressional seat. Crain's.***Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn calls Illinois an "international laughing stock" and calls for a special election. Well, at least that's something. This should happen now. Quinn should not be appointing a temporary replacement--he's tainted too--plus we could have two tainted picks vying for the same seat, bogged down in legal challenges. And his idea of an "ethics commission" is a joke.Statements

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna today expressed serious concerns over reports of back room deals regarding the appointment of Rod Blagojevich’s Senator, Roland Burris. CNN reported this afternoon that “some in Democratic leadership” would be open to seating Roland Burris in the Senate as long as he agrees not to run in 2010.“Enough is enough - the people of Illinois have already had their Senate seat sold to the highest bidder, they don’t need more back room deals surrounding Gov

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Republicans say the special election to fill an empty congressional seat is a chance to replace a U.S. senator too.Gov. Rod Blagojevich has set an April 7 special election to replace Rahm Emanuel, who left the House to become President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff.GOP party chairman Andy McKenna says that's the date Illinoisans should choose a Senate successor for Obama too.Democrats initially backed a special vote for senator after Blagojevich was arrest

Illinois Republican PartyStatement from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna on April 7th Election Date set for 5th Congressional District:"Once again, Illinois Democrats have another reason to support a special election for Barack Obama's senate seat."The special election for the 5th Congressional District will coincide with the already established municipal elections in Chicago and Cook County."If Democrats in the General Assembly do not act quickly to pass a special election in tim

Greg Hinz, Crain's Chicago BusinessIt's going to be an uncommonly eventful week in the world of Illinois government and politics, and the first move comes from--who else--Gov. Rod Blagojevich.The embattled governor just announced Monday morning that the primary election to fill Rahm Emanuel's North Side seat in Congress will be held on March 3, with the general election between the Democratic and GOP nominees on April 7.For once, the gov is playing good guy. The April 7 date fits into the consol

“Today’s rejection of Blagojevich Democrat Roland Burris in the United States Senate is another reminder of the need for a special election in Illinois.“Democrats refused to strip Rod Blagojevich of his appointment powers resulting in the current constitutional crisis so lawmakers need to act immediately to avoid making the same mistake twice and give the people the power to choose their next United States Senator.“A vote of the people is the only way to avoid tainting the Illinois Senate seat."

"Pat Quinn's attempts to re-write history and cultivate a newfound reformer image are laughable."In 2006 Pat Quinn called Rod Blagojevich honest in the face of myriad federal investigations and was more than happy to be a direct beneficiary of Blagojevich's tainted campaign funds."If Pat Quinn was serious about reforming Illinois, he would have done it prior to being Rod Blagojevich's running mate in 2006 and before the Governor's arrest 27 days ago."

Jill Lawrence, USA TODAYWASHINGTON — Republicans plunge into another election campaign today, this one a six-way race for party chairman that has erupted into an argument over how to recover from an unpopular presidency and crushing defeats at the polls.Half of the candidates to lead the Republican National Committee (RNC) are Southerners: current Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan of Kentucky, South Carolina Chairman Katon Dawson and former Tennessee chairman Chip Saltsman.Former Ohio secretary of S

01/31/2009American Legion300 Veterans Memorial PkwyJerseyville, IL (North of Jerseyville, IL on 67 - Just as you're leaving town on the left)5:00 PMDinner at 6:00 PMContactChairman Floyd Alexanderripcord@gtec.com

Journal GazetteCHICAGO - Congressman Mark Kirk says embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's career is coming to an end.The Republican says lawmakers should impeach Blagojevich so Illinois can move on. That includes allowing Lt. Gov Pat Quinn to appoint a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.Blagojevich faces corruption charges that accuse him of trying to sell Obama's seat for money or favors. He's denied wrongdoing. Last week, he appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland

It's the Chicago way. Use to suffering of others to advance yourself. This time it's the Chicago Republican Party -- yes, there is one -- seeking to capitalize on the misfortune of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The local party sent out an email invite this morning to "join the party for the post-Blagojevich era."

Monday promises to be a fun filled day when the government releases portions of the Blago tapes:Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn’t want in the post: Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones. Rather, Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, so

Open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senator Reid, and Senator McConnellIllinois Republican Leaders including Congressman John Shimkus, House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna, and Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association President Randy Pollard released the following open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to demand

Accompanied by dubious credentials, Rod Blagojevich's pick for the US Senate, Roland Burris, plans to show up at the Capitol in the hopes of being accepted as Barack Obama's replacement.In another weird Chicago coincidence, the man in charge of granting floor priviliges to the upper chamber is Terrance Gainer, former head of the Illinois State Police and a former Republican candidate for mayor of Chicago.Yeah, Burris knows him. And Gainer says he doesn't expect trouble when Burris shows up on Cap

Open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senator Reid, and Senator McConnellIllinois Republican Leaders including Congressman John Shimkus, House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna, and Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association President Randy Pollard today released the following open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to de