Life Always Goes Full Circle
ArchPundit
February 2008
Halperin: McCain should allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the race card when criticizing Obama.
“Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama’s unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.”
Is there too much lead in the DC water supply?
How Dumb is Oberweis
You’d think the guy with a German name might have some passing familiarity with Germany that has private health insurance within a universal system–just as Obama, Edwards and Clinton have all proposed.
If the press wants to do their job, this is an obvious either distortion by Oberweis or just complete ignorance.
But that’s not all, Oberweis wants to end employer provided health insurance:
Making Health Care More Affordable and Accessible
America has the best health care in the world; why else would the world’s most powerful people regularly come here for life-saving, cutting-edge treatment? The problem is, the health care delivery system we’ve created for ourselves — a “third party payer” system, in which most Americans get their health insurance through their employer — creates perverse incentives, and, because the consumer of the health services is divorced from paying for those services, offers no incentives to manage health care costs better.Read more…
It’s, of course, not divorced. There are these things called co-pays, deductibles, and most have 80% coverage, not 100%. Perhaps Oberweis should get a clue. More problematic is that the most useful thing about insurance most of us have is that it covers appointments and regular check-ups which is the key way to reduce health care costs is to help people live healthier and take preventative care measures instead of relying on treatment after a problem festers. The Oberweis plan does exactly the opposite by discouraging early care and not paying for preventative measures.
It’s not that Oberweis is just wrong, it’s that he’s completely ignorant of the entire sector of the economy.
Equal Rights Amendment Anti-Family
Yes, that’s right. Prohibiting unequal treatment due to gender would be against families and be pro-choice. Fran Eaton says so
This can be seen as nothing less than rubbing the prolife/profamily movement’s face in the fact that Democrat liberals are in control of Illinois and, well, they have to live up to their quid pro quo agreement with the pro-abort, anti-traditional family lobby in Springfield.Mark this day as the day Mike Madigan has shed the pro-life disguise he has been hiding behind for years as he so wittingly convinced gullible pro-life and pro-family lobbyists for years that he’s “one of them.”
The tragedy is that phony disguise has kept Madigan in power for so long. I, for one, am weary of having our noses disgracefully rubbed in the fact that we strive to defeat the ERA in order to protect innocent life, defend traditional families and hold on to the greatness of a constitution that already treats the sexes equally.
And has anyone pointed out to Mr. Madigan that someday he may have to explain to one of his daughter Lisa’s little ones that == thanks to Grandpa and the maneuvers he pulled while Speaker of the Illinois House in 2008 — that when they turn 18, those little girls will be required to register for the draft?
The obvious question being why shouldn’t women have to register for the draft if men do?
The radical danger to families:
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
You have to be batshit paranoid insane to believe the above is a bad idea
Just When You Thought The Crazy Was at Maximum
Daniel Zanoza outdoes everyone:
These are some of the reasons why I have made the Obama antichrist analogy. It would take some sort of mesmerism to get me to believe that killing babies in the womb is a Constitutional right. But I don’t think that is the way the antichrist will operate. Those who fall under his spell won’t think about such subjects; the world will simply look at an aura which exists around an individual, but the aura will have no substance. There will be light, but no heat. There will be mass, but no form. The message will have a spiritual resonance, but be lacking in spiritual quality.
Doesn’t this describe Barack Hussein Obama to the nth degree? No, I don’t really think Obama is Satan’s main man on the planet Earth. But until someone gives me a reasonable explanation for his popularity, I’m going to leave the door to this thought open, just a crack. Even if I am wrong, at least this will let some light shine through.
What if there is a Senate Vacancy
Second, let me throw out a few names of possible replacements for your consideration and analysis: * U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
* U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky
* U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel
* U.S. Rep. Luis Guitierrez
* Ill. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan
* Ill. Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
* Ill. Comptroller Dan Hynes
* Former Ill. Sen. Carol Ronen
* Dan Seals
* Tammy Duckworth
* Ill. Rep. Jay Hoffman (D.-Collinsville)
* Gov. Rod Blagojevich (nothing I see in the law prevents him from appointing himself)Would he choose to reward an ally? Toss a favor toward a constituent group? Get a potential political rival safely out of the way?
A smart and popular choice would be Lisa Madigan, who’s not only widely seen as a likely challenger to Blagojevich for the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nomination but also the daughter of his bitter legislative rival, House Speaker Michael Madigan
Jackson would have been a decent guess a couple years ago when Jackson and Blagojevich were cozying up on a set of issues. The problem now is that Jackson would have the double baggage of defending the seat as a Blagojevich supporter and Jesse Jackson Jr which creates a bunch of issues downstate.
Schakowsky would love it and it would burnish Blagojevich’s credit with progressives, but there isn’t a large upside and it’s safe to say that there has to be an upside.
Guitierrez is a horrible fundraiser and seemingly lax campaigner. It’s hard to imagine he’d want to think about running a Senate campaign in 2010. And he has Rezko ties which Blagojevich doesn’t want to bring up.
Rahm? My guess is Rahm wants to be Speaker. The Senate wouldn’t be as natural of a fit for him, though he could easily hold the seat. Again though, I don’t see the upside for Blagojevich.
Dan Seals? He was to win a Congressional seat first.
Blagojevich himself–nah. He wasn’t much in DC and from what I understand it wasn’t his favorite place.
Madigan? It’s hard to say. She seems less likely to get in the Governor’s race–or at least that’s the murmerings so he might take that shot. It also would be doing a nice thing for Mike Madigan and even if it’s politically motivated, Blagojevich wouldn’t do that.
Hynes? I think in the delusional mind of Rod Blagojevich, Hynes is who he wants to run against in 2010 if he runs again and he sees Hynes as the least threatening. He’s wrong. While Dan is a bit sedate, he’s a perfect antidote to Blagojevich.
Giannoulis? A very real possibility. Alexi is a threat and doesn’t have the baggage of the Madigans. Giannoulis would take it as a big vertical move with little to risk.
Hoffman? I think this might be the choice. Blagojevich is loyal and no one has stuck with him through everything more than Hoffman. Hoffman is kind of stuck right now as well. He’s been so loyal he is essentially seen as Blagojevich and that’s probably unfair. The assumption is he wanted to run for AG when it’s open, but with Blagojevich around his neck, that would be hard right now. He’s smart and works hard and as an incumbent he could win in 2010 easily.
Duckworth? That’s the best choice probably on the list from his point in that it truly would be an appointment of someone who isn’t a crony and would make him look good. She’s likeable and has a great story.
From that list, I’d put it down as a 1. Hoffman, 2. Duckworth, and 3. Giannoulis as his likely picks (don’t ask me to make a choice, I like all three in different ways).
But I think there are some other names that should be in the mix.
Manny Flores–the Latino pick who would hold that seat and get a whole lot of support for Blagojevich if he ran again.
Blair Hull. See rationale for Jay Hoffman, but remember Hull has been a huge financial backer of the Governor. This is my favorite theory even if it seems a bit out there.
Vallas. Gets Vallas out of the way–see Madigan/Giannoulis.
I’d say Halvorson, but she’s running for Congress. She might have Emil’s support since she’s been a loyal Majority Leader. She’d be great as well.
So my handicapping of what he will do:
1) Hoffman
2) Hull
3) Duckworth
4) Giannoulis
5) Flores
My wishes:
1) Giannoulis with Duckworth taking his spot
2) Flores
3) Duckworth
4) Hoffman
5) Hull
Van Hollen in town for Seals
Buoyed by a rout of his primary challenger, Seals can expect some big-time help in his second try to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, who is seeking a fifth term.
“They called me,” an energized Seals explained Thursday after an event with Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland congressman, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“That’s the reason I’m here — to make it clear we fully support Dan,” Van Hollen said after the event.
With veterans sharing the stage at the United Auto Workers hall in Lincolnshire, Seals and Van Hollen stumped for a change in course in Iraq.
But it was the national chairman’s presence that showed Democrats are intent on unseating Kirk.
“This is one (congressional race) where we’re involved very early on,” Van Hollen said. “It’s not one of those ‘we’re wondering if it will emerge.’ It has emerged as a priority race in the country.”
Let me explain to some of the short bus members of the conservative blogosphere. This is going to be a targeted race. If you think not, you are a delusional fool. The DCCC has over 6 times the cash on hand and no major accounting scandals not to mention only one competitive open seat defense compared to at least 10 for Democrats. Mark Kirk has a big ole bulleyes on his back and Seals’ performance last time with no help has the DCCC especially excited in an Presidential election year in a Democratic majority district, with GOP numbers tanking on both the war and the economy.
You keep believing Kirk isn’t a targeted race.
Of Course, Alan Keyes is Available
Perhaps they could bring him in for IL-11. He doesn’t raise money either, but then again, he’s never lacking for attention.
Obviously, It’s Good News for Rudy Giuliani
Somehow the Politico comes up with this:
In Illinois, however, Baldermann’s withdrawal from the race could possibly play to the GOP’s advantage. Since the primary has already taken place, the county GOP committees in the district appear like they will be able to appoint a replacement to take Baldermann’s spot on the November general election ballot.
It is true that Illinois’ early primary means the Republicans have plenty of time to recruit someone. At the same time, losing your nominee who had the best name recognition and a solid base of support is not good for anyone.
IL-GOP: The Gang That Cannot Shoot Straight
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, whose campaign was dogged by fundraising woes, didn’t gain much momentum in his campaign to succeed Weller in the GOP-leaning exurban Chicago district.
Leading Republicans in House leadership gave money to Baldermann’s campaign, but he never was able to garner much financial support from individual contributors.
Baldermann told his local newspaper last month that he had “done very little fundraising,” raising concerns among the party establishment.
“I have done very little fundraising. It makes me sick to my stomach. My campaign people gave me a list of people who gave money to [Weller]. I told them, ‘If you think I’m going to call somebody who’s never heard of me and ask for $2,300, that’s insane.’ I fight with them every single day over it,” Baldermann told the Southtown Star newspaper in January.
‘If you think I’m going to call somebody who’s never heard of me and ask for $2,300, that’s insane’
I think it’s insane to run for Congress and not think you are going to do that. Apparently the turnip truck dumped him at Jerry Weller’s door?
You could see this coming:
* This is not good news for Republicans hoping to hold onto retiring Congressman Jerry Weller’s seat…
“I have done very little fundraising,” [GOP candidate Tim Baldermann] said. “It makes me sick to my stomach. My campaign people gave me a list of people who gave money to (Weller). I told them, ‘If you think I’m going to call somebody who’s never heard of me and ask for $2,300, that’s insane.’ I fight with them every single day over it.
“They wanted my Christmas card list. I’m not doing that stuff. I refuse to do it. The Republican Party wanted me to run; the Republican Party should help fund my campaign.”
So, he’s only gonna raise money from people he knows, except he won’t even do that? Yeah, that’ll work out well.
Campaigning is not a pretty business, but there are things that just have to be done unless you’re wealthy. Cold calls, putting the arm on friends and family are all necessary if you want to compete in a game where contributions are capped and the competition is stiff.
Debbie Halvorson and the Democrats must’ve smiled broadly when they read that passage. [See update below.]
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*** UPDATE *** A representative from Tim Baldermann’s campaign just called. I was assured that while Baldermann doesn’t love fundraising he is diligently making calls and doing what it takes.
Just thought I’d let you know.
No one enjoys fundraising, but most people kind of understand it goes with the process.
To add to the fun, The Hill has this:
One source said Baldermann was disappointed with the amount of fundraising support he was getting from the party.
The Party? You mean the Party that has a broke House Campaign Committee?
Currently the net Cash on Hand minus Debts for the NRCC is around $4 million and the DCCC has about $30 million. Let’s make this clear to the GOP candidates for the House–you are on your own. Just suck it up and deal. On top of this the number of Republican retirements is huge leaving a ton of Districts with open seats such as Illinois 11.