Looking ahead...

A recent Gallup Poll has found that "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani is leading the pack of potential Republican candidates for the 2008 Presidential nod. The former 2 term Mayor from New York was found "acceptable" by 73% of the Republicans polled. Running a close second was Secretary of State Condi Rice who pulled 68%. Running a distant third was the runner-up for the 2000 primary, Senator John McCain who pulled 55% acceptable. Other potential candidates who were polled included former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Senate Leader Bill Frist, Virginia Senator George Allen, Vice-President Dick Cheney, New York Governor George Pataki, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romeny, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback. You can see the full article here.

What are your thoughts on the GOP race in 2008? Any local Republicans from the midwest that you would like to see added to the list? Chicago Republican John Cox has already told media sources that he is in. Who else?

Open thread...

Why?

Thank you to Precinct Committeeman Ed Southwell (EL-9) for sending in this touching email. I thought that others may want to read it as well, so we decided to post it on the Blog.

A mother asked President Bush,
"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy ,
"Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman,
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt ,
"Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson,
"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,
"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked...
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar --
"So that others may have life and dwell in peace, Happiness and freedom."

Governor fires Republicans, Republicans sue...

Aides to Gov. Blagojevich allegedly ordered a former state agency director to fire a handful of employees "because those persons were Republicans" -- even though, by law, their political affiliations weren't to be considered as conditions of employment.

Former Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Director Maynard Crossland leveled that charge Thursday in a lawsuit that names the Democratic governor's former chief of staff as the top defendant. Two gubernatorial aides, Crossland alleges, showed him an organizational chart in 2003 that had red "X" marks drawn over "the persons that the Governor's office wanted fired." >

Bit of Humor...

Cardinal Sermon for John Kerry

On a Saturday afternoon, in Washington, D.C., Senator John Kerry's campaign manager visited the Cardinal of the Catholic cathedral. He told the Cardinal that John Kerry would be attending the next day's sermon, and he asked if the Cardinal would kindly point out Kerry to the congregation and say a few words that would include calling Kerry a saint.

The Cardinal replied, "No, I don't really like the man, and there are issues of conflict with the Catholic Church over certain of Kerry's views."

Kerry's manager then said, "Look, I'll write a check here and now for a donation of $100,000 to your church if you'll just tell the congregation you see Kerry as a saint"

The Cardinal thought about it and said, "Well, the church can use the money, so I'll work your request into tomorrow's sermon."

As Kerry's manager promised, Senator Kerry appeared for the Sunday sermon and seated himself prominently at the edge of the main aisle. And, during the sermon, as promised, the Cardinal pointed out that Senator Kerry was present. Then the Cardinal went on to explain to the congregation, "While Senator Kerry's presence is probably an honor to some, he is not my favorite person. Some of his views are contrary to those of the church, and he tends to flip-flop on many other views. John Kerry is a petty, self absorbed hypocrite and a nit-wit. John Kerry is a liar, a cheat, and a thief. John Kerry is the worst example of a Catholic I've ever personally witnessed. He turned on his buddies in Viet Nam. He wrote a book and portrayed himself in
the best light when he was a traitor to his fellow servicemen. He has lied about his military record and had the gall to put himself in for a medal. He married for money and is using it to lie to the American people. He also has a reputation for shirking his senatorial obligations both here, in Washington, and in Massachusetts. He simply isn't to be trusted."

The Cardinal completed his view of Kerry with, "But, when compared to Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Kerry is a saint."

Fitz tosses the salad;

Patrick Fitzgerald charges two with selling expired salad dressing:Showing he will leave no leaf unturned in battling crime, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald poured on the latest: corrupt salad dressing. <>

Gang Drug Panel begins work in Aurora. Sen. Millner and Rep. Dunn to serve.
The first meeting of the state Gang/Drug Task Force on Wednesday started with the facts and figures about the deadly connections between gangs and drug sales. Now the question facing the six-member panel is whether they will be able to turn future sessions into meaningful recommendations to the General Assembly. <>

Bush coming to Aurora, and other local news...

Bush to make stop in Aurora plant on Friday
Staff Reporter Matt Hanley, Courier News

AURORA — President George W. Bush is expected to make his second visit to the Fox Valley in less than a year on Friday, stopping at an Aurora-based manufacturer of liquid abrasives for the semi-conductor industry, where he will tout his plan to fund science and technology research.

A Cabot Microelectronics Corp. official on Wednesday confirmed the presidential visit, although the official would not elaborate on details. According to the White House, Bush is scheduled to speak in Aurora about the American Competitiveness Initiative, a plan he introduced in his State of the Union address earlier this year.... <>

Blagojevich's donors son is best, but designated intern
Staff Reporter John O'Connor, Courier News

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration picked a campaign donor's son over eight other applicants for a high-level prison job but designated him an intern when it was time to put him on the state payroll, saying he needed more experience.

The intern status meant the administration did not have to follow the normal hiring restrictions that limit political influence and favor military veterans....

...Ysursa, 34, is the son of a lawyer in a prominent St. Clair County firm whose contributions to Democratic campaigns top $100,000 since 2000 — including $15,000 to Blagojevich.... <>

Governor Rod Ryan

Chicago Tribune Editorial
June 29, 2006

In late 2002, Illinois legislators threw themselves into a final wild spending bacchanal. In the years just before that, Gov. George Ryan had given lawmakers $1.6 billion in play money to distribute to favored friends, relatives and constituents for their pet projects.

But then Rod Blagojevich got elected governor. Blagojevich spent his entire campaign professing zero tolerance for such pork spending. He decried the lack of oversight or accountability for the projects. He fumed about the waste.

He said the party was over.

But the party's on!

Blagojevich is making just like George Ryan, handing out free money to legislators' friends, relatives and constituents for their pet projects.

The Tribune reported Wednesday that Blagojevich and a few legislators awarded $12 million in after-school grants last year. They'll hand out another $24 million in the next school year. How some of that money has been thrown away would make you laugh--if it wasn't your money getting thrown away.

Sen. Rickey Hendon's sister got $25,000 to run a drama program that wound up with only four students. They were going to put on a play--but skipped that idea.

A Chicago woman and her son received $30,000 to conduct a hip-hop exercise class at a shopping mall. They say they had 12 to 20 students.

One group got money to run an arts education program but wound up providing lunchroom monitoring.

Some grant money went to pay off personal debts and taxes that recipients owed the state.

The applicants for these grants received only superficial review and follow-up. Why would they? They had political sponsors, which in the Ryan, and now Blagojevich, tradition apparently exempts applicants from needing to show experience, success or accountability.

The Tribune got a peek at some of the applications, which looked a bit like this:

Name of organization: Tribune Editorial Board.

Requested grant amount: $50,000

Objective: To train students in essential life skills that will assure future workplace advancement.

Number of students served: Three. Possibly two.

Activities: Students will learn beverage ordering and acquisition skills in a real life office environment. Student discussions will be conducted to facilitate understanding of individual worker needs in re: coffee. Travel opportunities included (to Starbucks, across the street.)

Benefit to organization: Continuous caffeination.

Benefit to student: Whatever.

The governor and select lawmakers have chosen more than 200 groups to share next year's pot of after-school money. We can't wait for this time next year, when we can read about all the worthwhile after-school activities provided. We only hope one of those activities involves coffee acquisition in a Michigan Avenue office building.

Copyright �© 2006, Chicago Tribune