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April 2006
Staffing Up!
NATIONAL (R): Currently seeking staff members for Republican Presidential campaign. Positions include State Directors, Political Directors, Finance Directors, Political Field Representatives and Administrative Staff. Residency in key states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are required. Frequent Travel is a must. John Cox’s iIssues are on the website. Salary between 10,000 and 1,000 monthly depending on experience. Please email manager@cox2008.com with your resume. Posted 4/2/06
I guess if people need a paycheck and can hide it on their resume…why not.
Be sure not to miss his public campaign announcement on April 17th in Des Moines
State Finances Downgraded
SPRINGFIELD — A leading Wall Street bond house Thursday issued a negative outlook toward the state government’s finances because of concerns over the billions of dollars owed to Illinois’ public pension systems.
The move by Fitch Ratings represents a jolt to Gov. Blagojevich as he tries to mold a 2007 state budget and fend off Republican Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, who has made the state’s precarious financial condition a cornerstone of her bid to unseat him this fall.
The state faces a $39 billion funding shortfall in its pension funds and, under a 1995 law, is committed to an ever-increasing schedule of payments that threatens to hamstring the next administration.
This year, $1.6 billion was diverted by the state to its pensions. In the 2008 budget year, the total that must be spent rises to $2.75 billion. And by 2010, the final year of the next governor’s term, the state’s annual pension commitment will reach $3.8 billion.
“Fitch believes that, barring a significant revenue increase or a substantial reduction in expenditures, Illinois will be unable to follow its own plan to contain the $39 billion unfunded pension liability,” the firm wrote in a report issued Thursday.
“This intractable problem, including cash flow pressures, is apt to impair credit quality despite the breadth and wealth of the state’s large economy,” Fitch concluded, listing Illinois as one of only three states with such negative outlooks
This doesn’t have immediate consequences, but if it isn’t dealt with properly, there will be a dramatic increase for the state to borrow money.
It’s fair to say that everyone punted except Hynes on the problem of underfunding pensions before Blagojevich, but making it worse doesn’t leave the administration somehow clean. Continuing an unsustainable policy is not an excuse.
Via the 13th Floor at Governing
The One I Missed
Three Democratic Presidential Candidates are trying to get Jerry Costello’s support.
Thank God Warner’s not on that list. My decision may be between those who
A) don’t contact Costello
B) are the last to contact Costello
Unindicted Co-Conspirator people–we’re running againt corruption this cycle.
The Must Read Columns
Everything I hear, Meeks is serious, but let’s be clear–he can’t win. There is no way. Cutting a deal is his best shot, it’s just unclear if Blagojevich will think it’s his Sister Soulja moment horribly confusing the situations.
My solution is to ban all outside travel and limit it to taxpayer paid travel, out of the campaign fund, or personal expenses. Provide a larger budget for each Member–as Sweet points out, Congressional travel is important in many respects, and then file all taxpayer paid trips on-line with itemized receipts besides per diem. Voters can then decide what is reasonable and what is not. The problem with the non-profit travel is that it’s a great way to funnel money and hide it–it’s the point of what happened with the golfing trip to Scotland.
Chambers (because I’ve been neglecting my rounds to the RR)—
Mocking. Posturing. Blaming. The state is no closer to a comprehensive statewide infrastructure improvement plan. This is your government at work.
IL-08 Unofficial Bean/McSweeney Numbers
Bean comes in with $1.75 Million on hand
McSweeney reports about $145,000 on hand
What’s interesting–and I haven’t read for sure what the situation is, but if McSweeney self-funds, the millionaire amendment kicks in and Bean can go back and collect more from those who have already contributed.
First Reports
Manzullo, Biggert, Jackson, Shimkus, Stover (IL-19), Schakowsky, Gill (IL-15), Davis and Costello are in and nothing really interesting in there–this won’t be much of a quarter since it really only includes March. .
Wait, one thing, Lloyd Cueto’s committee gave Costello $150
(Hitting head against wall–what a jackass) I’m sure there is some more fun in there, but nothing stands out.
Paying Your Dues
Democratic Congressional Campaign Commit
430 South Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20003
03/02/2006
TRANSFER OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS 25000.00
MEMO
That’s a big chunk of his DCCC dues and most Members pay in installments–that’s a good first payment and I’m happy to recognize him for it.
Raised: 264810.00
Spent: 103508.46
On-Hand: 1292736.88
Just In Case There is Any Ambiguity: Match Please
If you thought the Topinka Tattler might be in mothballs after the primary, nope, this is the group that thinks you have to burn down the village to save it:
We want to be crystal clear about this. No Republican has a duty to support a dishonest Democrat like Topinka – any more than they have a duty to support Rod Blagojevich. To the extent Blagojevich at least has the decency to put a ?D? by his name – he?s more honest than Topinka. A sound case could be made that Blagojevich represents the lesser of two weasels.
Protecting the Illinois Republican brand from further destruction (if that?s possible) is job one. Topinka does nothing but hurt the Party. Topinka and Blagojevich are about equally bad. But Topinka?s bad acts and classless behavior all accrue to the Republican brand and speed its deterioration.
At least we can build the IL GOP with Blagojevich as a foil ? at least we could if we had Party leaders in Illinois who knew what they were doing. Mike Madigan did it when Republicans were in power here, and Republicans did it at the national level when Bill Clinton was President.
Many Republicans will rightly say that this is just a small group, and that is true, but it’s a small group that fights nasty and spends a lot just to make themselves feel better. Rod’s vulnerable, but Judy has a right flank that’s just as hard to protect. Assuming Meeks doesn’t get in (which I’m hearing is a bad assumption), Judy is going to be facing a two front attack for over six months.
Burn, Baby, Burn
With Judy Topinka, Republicans nominated a liberal Democrat as their candidate for Governor to take on Blagojevich. What now?
And let?s not dicker here about that characterization. We and others have long made the case for truth in advertising when it comes to Topinka?s real political affiliation. It?s not just her liberal stand on social issues or her close ties to the Chicago gay activist community. It?s more about who she works with and who she works against.
One has to look at the totality of an individual?s deeds. Appearing on a ballot once every four years with an ?R? by your name doesn?t make one a Republican ? especially in Illinois. We?ve allowed our Illinois Party to be a dumping ground for too many wacky left-wingers that lack the professionalism to make the ballot slating cut performed by Democrat Leader Mike Madigan.
When you get your ass kicked, declare VICTORY!
A Moral Victory
Sixty-two percent of Republicans rejected Topinka on March 21st. In other words, nearly two of every three Republican voters looked at this 25-year incumbent and said ?no thanks!?
The best part is where the wonderful Tattler tries to make the case that Topinka is weak because she only barely got more votes than Eisendrath. Even better, hold up Keyes as a better example.
Keep running to the right and burning down the moderate portion of the party guys, you might just yet reelect Rod Blagojevich. He should send you some flowers.