Biss Rakes in the Cash
ArchPundit
IL-17 State House Seat (Coulson incumbent
$69,136.42 raised
$5,420.08 spent
$63,716.34 on hand
That’s a very good start. You can donate at Act Blue
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Madigan on WTTW
I’ve never fully understood Madigan’s reluctance to doing media. He’s actually pretty good at making his case.
The mistake was trying to force these all or nothing solutions in one session. You have to pull legislators along to get them to understand, and their constituents to understand, the wisdom of the policy. The Governor’s introduction of the GRT was a bad political move made worse by demonizing those who disagreed. The way to pass it would have been to introduce it, sell it, and then campaign on it throughout the year to build up support from voters.
There are plenty of things to criticize Madigan for, but one thing that’s often overstated is how he runs everything. He certainly is strong and does crack down when he feels it’s necessary. However, his role is often more like a watchful parent who guides decisions within the caucus instead of forcing discipline. Part of the reason he’s so effective is he listens to the concerns of the Members and reflects their collected position. I might agree with a GRT, but it was never sold to the public and it spooked the Lege. The Chamber killed it very quickly and instead of working to build that consensus, the Governor went on the attack which is the certain way not to win.
The continuing attacks only look to divide Senate Dems against anything the Governor wants and could well lead to a brokered solution that will all, but cut out the Governor.
More Polisci Goodiness
Charles Franklin asks if Guiliani is the next McCain. I wouldn’t bet against Charles, except perhaps on forecasting the baseball season.
I Believe He is Calling Mitch McConnell a Liar
In gentlemanly terms
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZKOAnrobCws" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
And he’s right.
Footlik on his Iraq Position
I had a quick discussion with Jay Footlik on the phone today and he clarified his position fairly well. I’ll take it from the letter to the editor he sent to the Daily Herald:
Footlik: I’ve been misquoted on Iraq
I am writing to correct the record. A July 11 article, “Kirk gives surge credit,” printed a partial quote of mine out of context and, as a result, misrepresented my view on the Iraq war. The author repeated this error in his blog on the Daily Herald’s Web site on July 12.
In speeches and interviews throughout the district, my position on this war has been clear: It’s time to bring our soldiers home — safely and responsibly. Firm deadlines are usually not the preferred option for warfare, but this war is like no other.
This president has demonstrated such a cavalier attitude toward the new Congress and such a disregard for the overwhelming desire of the American people that a firm deadline for withdrawal is simply the only way to force him to change this disastrous policy.
Jay K. Footlik, candidate
10th Congressional District
The only criticism I’d make of the statement is that Democratic voters are so frustrated many don’t get past the point of firm deadlines not being preferred. Putting that after the second paragraph might be better in terms of communications.
As is my usual attempt in cases with more than one decent Democratic candidate I try to be fair to both, but I always reserve the right to take a side. You never know who you will end up getting the nomination and unless there is something truly unacceptable in a person, I’d rather keep it fair and friendly.
All that said, I have enormous respect for what Dan did last cycle and I’ll be supporting him. I do hope to bring good coverage of the race for both candidates though. Inevitably that means people supporting the same guy I do think I’m not supporting them enough and the people I’m not supporting tend to think I’m overly critical. I cannot really answer that, only the reader can.
Laesch Out?
He terminated his fundraising committee on the 11th.
That’s contrary to everything else I’ve been hearing. Interesting.
Update: Now there is a July report. I guess he’s still in. Strange. Not surprising, but strange.
A Wuss
This guy:
Is suggesting this guy:
Is a wuss and sounds like a wimp
DC is full of silly, silly people.
Bureaucracy is a Key Element of any Democracy
Speaking of cats and dogs, David makes a key point about Shimkus’ view on bureaucracy is telling and points towards Chris Hayes’ article on the value of bureaucracy in democratic government.
After all, what could be a more absurd example of mindless red tape than a midnight drive to a hospital to obtain…a supervisor’s signature? But the moral of the Comey story specifically, and of the failures of the Bush Administration more broadly, is the sublime value of bureaucracy. Not only is governance of any kind impossible without it; so too are the checks and balances of a constitutional republic. Red tape is what binds those in power to the mast of the law, what stands in the way of government by whim. That’s why an Administration hostile to any checks and balances has sought to reconstitute the federal civil service as just another lever in its machine.
Bureaucracy in a democracy is primarily bound by the law. We’ve spent the time since World War II building up bureaucratic responsiveness to democratic influences–most notably the Administrative Procedures Act that nearly all, if not all states, have copied.
When bureaucracy ‘doesn’t work’ it’s not generally some inherent flaw in bureaucracy itself, but the rules under which they work designed by Congress to make the bureaucracy responsive to them and the public as a whole. That’s a good thing. It means they are following the law. Efficiency is a goal to certainly make very important, but not efficiency to sacrifice democratic responsiveness.
The Radicals of Northbrook
Concerned Kirk thinks the election is going to be about immigration:
The same was true for Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). In the six parades he attended on July 4 and in individual meetings, he found that the only topic that could compare with immigration in intensity was a spat between statehouse Democrats.
“There was an overwhelming desire throughout the district to secure our borders before any immigration reform proposals move forward,” Kirk said.
Iraq Veteran Denied Entry to Kirk Event Despite Buying Ticket
North Suburban Residents Rally Outside Chamber of Commerce Event Highlighting Costs of Iraq War
Northbrook, Illinois – Citizens of Congressman Mark Kirk’s district (IL – 10) today were rallying outside a luncheon where the Congressman was the slated keynote speaker when Iraq veteran Josh Lansdale was denied entry by event organizers despite having previously purchased a ticket online. When Lansdale, the Iraq Summer campaign’s Illinois Veterans Organizer, identified himself as a member of AAEI, he was told his name was not on the list even after producing his order confirmation for the ticket. He was told the event was sold out and he could not purchase a second ticket, but organizers continued selling tickets to other people at the door.
Lansdale approached Congressman Kirk as he arrived, identified himself as an Iraq war veteran and asked Congressman Kirk to explain his position on the Iraq war. Congressman Kirk replied, “Have fun in Washington.”
Lansdale tried to approach Congressman Kirk as he left the event to try once again to get an answer to his question, but he was blocked by Congressman Kirk’s aides.
“Congressman Kirk should be focused on bringing the troops home from Iraq, not disrespecting Iraq veterans and ducking war opponents,” said Lansdale. “He should not underestimate the opposition to his continued support for the President’s failed Iraq policy. Congressman Kirk needs to be a leader and have the courage to stand up to the President, not blindly follow his failed policy of endless war. If Congressman Kirk is going to try and hide from everyone who’s calling for an end to the war in Iraq, he’s going to be a pretty lonely guy.”
Congressman Kirk was scheduled to speak about needed funds for local infrastructure improvements. Outside the event local activists, including Northbrook Chamber of Commerce member David Borris, made sure the facts were known about how the cost of the Iraq War is holding up domestic spending initiatives that could help American businesses. The non-partisan Congressional Research Service released a report this week revealing that President Bush’s escalation is costing U.S. taxpayers $12 billion per month.
“It is outrageous that our Congressman continues to support this reckless war while urgent priorities are left unattended to here at home,” said the local business owner Borris. “He is either unaware of the lives, dollars and American prestige that this tragic mistake has cost, or he simply does not care. Either way, he has a responsibility to represent the over 65% of the voters who want a real plan to bring our troops home.”
Matt Lowry, a Lake Forest teacher, added, “How effective can Congressman Kirk be at bringing funds to the district when $441 billion is spent on this reckless war in Iraq?”
Today’s rally was coordinated by the “Iraq Summer Campaign” a nationwide campaign organized by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, which has dispatched nearly 100 organizers to the home states and districts of Republican Senators and Representatives who have opposed setting a timeline to end the war in Iraq. The program is modeled on the “Freedom Summer” civil rights project. Organizers are in fifteen states from Nevada to Maine, a total of 40 congressional districts.
Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is a major, multi-million dollar national campaign to oppose the President’s escalation of the Iraq war and work for the safe, responsible redeployment of American troops out of Iraq. AAEI’s broad coalition is made up of SEIU, MoveOn.org Political Action, Center for American Progress Action Fund, USAction, Win Without War, Vote Vets, Campaign for America’s Future, USSA, Working Assets, Americans United for Change, Campus Progress Action, and American citizens across the country.