Kane County's next group of leaders took it upon themselves Monday night to make a real impact on the lives of families who have paid the ultimate price for freedom. The Kane County Young Republicans packed Riverside Banquets with hungry supporters of our troops. Rather than starve for attention (like a certain woman in Texas who will go nameless), Republicans feasted on all you can eat spaghetti, with all proceeds going to TAPS (a national organization dedicated to supporting families who have lost a member overseas).
As of Monday night, the YRs had raised over $4,000 for the organization, with more money coming in from across the nation. Kudos go to YR President Mark Vargas for all his hard work on this project. Mark has become quite the local celebrity, having been featured on Deborah Rowe, Terry O'Brien, Bill Bennett and other local and national radio programs. ABC Channel 7 also featured the event on Tuesday morning's Eyewitness News.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Dems' Congressional Lead Narrows in Recent Poll
In the last edition of the TRUNK, we spoke a little about the recent Gallup Poll showing President Bush's Approval Ratings on the rise, and the Generic Congressional races becoming much more close. Here is an article from Gallup on the Congressional races:
PRINCETON, NJ -- A new USA Today/Gallup survey finds Republicans edging closer to the Democrats in voter preferences for this year's midterm congressional elections, mirroring the slight increase seen in President Bush's job approval rating on the same poll.
According to the August 18-20 poll, the Democrats now lead the Republicans by two points, 47% vs. 45%, as the party more registered voters say they will support in this fall's congressional elections. That is down from a 9-point lead earlier this month, and an average Democratic lead of 10 points in the previous three polls conducted in July and August. It also represents the Republicans' best performance in a single poll during the 2006 election cycle on this important measure of electoral strength.
At the same time, Bush's overall job approval rating rose from 37% in early August to 42% currently. Both this and the narrowing of the Democratic lead for Congress may be tied to a mini surge in public approval of the way Bush is handling terrorism in the wake of recent news about a foiled terrorist plot to blow up several airplanes headed for the United States.
Bush's approval rating for handling terrorism -- typically his best-rated issue -- increased by eight percentage points since July (from 47% to 55%), at the same time his score on a range of other policy issues remained the same.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Sheehan sent to the hospital...
Cindy Sheehan is recovering in a Waco Hospital following a hysterectomy on Tuesday. She has vowed to rejoin her fellow Liberals in the Bring Home the Troops Fast when she is released.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy... hasn't anyone ever told you that starving for attention is bad for your health? Instead of running your mouth off and bringing down troop morale, why not join the Kane County Young Republicans at their "Feasting for our Troops" Fundraiser for TAPS on October 28th in Batavia?
We'll save you a plate of spaghetti.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy... hasn't anyone ever told you that starving for attention is bad for your health? Instead of running your mouth off and bringing down troop morale, why not join the Kane County Young Republicans at their "Feasting for our Troops" Fundraiser for TAPS on October 28th in Batavia?
We'll save you a plate of spaghetti.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
GOP out raises Dems 3 to 1 nationally...
Republicans trying to hold onto the House raised $12.5 million in July, outpacing Democrats by a 3-to-1 margin but leaving the GOP just $1 million ahead in cash on hand.
The influx of money _ largely from political action committees _ gives Republicans a slight advantage more than two months before the November elections. Democrats hope to gain 15 seats to seize control of the House.
The NRCC has raised $70 million so far and has $34.1 million in the bank. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $4.2 million in July, taking the group's total to $81 million this cycle and $33 million cash on hand.
"Our phenomenal fundraising in July is the product of our members' hard work and the support of Americans who want leaders with a record of accomplishment and a positive vision moving forward," Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement. "It stands in sharp contrast to the Democrats, who spent the month of July raising dollars by exploiting the deaths of U.S. soldiers."
Bush speaks to war concerns...
Bush: GOP on right side of Iraq war issue
WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush on Monday embraced the Iraq war as a top issue in the November elections and tried to make it a weapon against Democrats rather than a liability for Republicans.
"There's a fundamental difference between many of the Democrats and my party, and that is, they want to leave before the job is completed in Iraq," Bush contended at a news conference.
He said the highly unpopular war is "straining the psyche of our country" but leaving now would be a disaster.
Bush served notice he would not change course or flinch from debate about the war as he campaigns for Republicans in the fall congressional elections. In fact, he suggested that national security and the economy should be top political issues, and criticized the Democrats' approach on both.
In response, Democrats said it was time for a new direction and Bush should begin redeploying troops this year.
"Our soldiers in Iraq should transition to a more limited mission focused on counterterrorism, force protection of U.S. personnel and training and logistical support of Iraqi security forces," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said.
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said, "Far from spreading freedom and democracy in the Middle East, the Bush administration has watched while extremists grow stronger, Iran goes nuclear, Iraq falls into civil war and oil and gas prices skyrocket. Simply staying the course is unacceptable."
Insisting that the United States cannot leave before the mission is accomplished, Bush said, "I can't tell you exactly when it's going to be done." But, he said, "if we ever give up the desire to help people who live in freedom, we will have lost our soul as a nation, as far as I'm concerned."
Dems the Party of Ethics? Sure, and Kennedy never sipped a beer.
Here is a great example of the "ethical" practices of the Democratic Party in our neighbors to the east.
--County clout boss ousted
August 22, 2006
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH Staff Reporter
Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele asked the county's patronage chief Gerald Nichols to clean out his office just outside her own Friday because she could not figure out exactly what his official job was.
The Sun-Times on Monday reported county officials saying that for years Nichols called them to plug politically connected people both for policy positions -- which is allowed -- and also for lower-level jobs, which by court order are supposed to go to job applicants who score well on tests.
"I had a meeting with him Friday and removed him from his position," Steele said. "He explained to me that his role when he worked for President [John] Stroger was to sort his mail, prioritize invitations and to sometimes serve
as a surrogate for the president. Well, I don't need him to do that."
PATRONAGE CHIEFS FALL ON HARD TIMES
Daley administration: Robert Sorich, convicted of mail fraud this summer.
Blagojevich administration: Joseph Cini, reassigned this year to nonpersonnel duties.
Stroger administration: Gerald Nichols, moving to the county's bureau of administration.
Steele took over Aug. 8 as board president after Stroger's stroke.
"I asked him is there a job description someplace that I can look at the other things that he did for the president, and we were unable to verify a real job description," Steele said.
So Nichols has been kicked upstairs for the time being to work for the bureau of administration -- "until we could make a final decision as to where he should go if he should stay in his job at all," Steele said. He will continue to draw his $114,000-a-year paycheck from the county highway department where he has not worked for nearly 20 years.
Steele said her dispatching of Nichols on Friday was unrelated to a call she took the night before from the Sun-Times seeking her comment on a story about whistleblower county supervisor Eric Petraitis. Petraitis claims
Nichols called him and told him to recommend a man active in Stroger's 8th Ward organization for a job for which the man was unqualified.
Steele may investigate claims...
Steele said Monday she had just finished reading the Sun-Times' story and would be "reaching out" to see whether Petraitis' claims of pressure to rig job-test results were worth an investigation by her inspector general.
Even before she took office this month, at least three or four other commissioners suggested she move Nichols out of her office for reasons she did not specify.
Asked if Nichols was the patronage chief, Steele, who has members of her own family on the county payroll, said, "Well, he did a lot of things . . . constituent service . . . on many occasions take job requests I guess from
whomever made 'em. Jobs are institutional in this city, as all of you know. When people elect you to office, they have some idea that you can access job opportunities for them. And it's true on the city side. It's true over here
on the county side. Yes, I do believe Gerald did serve in that role. To what extent he took care of jobs, I don't know."
Commissioner Tony Peraica, the Republican candidate for Cook County Board president, who also has a relative on the county payroll, held a news conference Monday to urge that Nichols and highway department personnel
chief William Krystiniak -- also accused by Petraitis of encouraging the rigging of test scores -- be put on administrative leave.
Steele said that would deny Nichols "due process."
Peraica also said that his rival, Democratic nominee Todd Stroger, John Stroger's son, had Nichols playing a major role in his election campaign. Peraica said Nichols and Todd Stroger had been together at political events
over the past week.
Nichols assists Todd Stroger
Stroger's campaign spokesman said Nichols was only a friend of Todd Stroger, not a paid employee of the campaign. The younger Stroger also has relatives on the county payroll.
Commissioner Mike Quigley said the revelations of Nichols' uncertain job description are useful at a time when the county could face a budget deficit of $300 million.
"There has always been a black box of county hiring where good names go to die," Quigley said. "I'm hoping it will also draw attention to the county departments that have money to burn, so to speak, and help us draw the line."
Nichols and Krystiniak do not want to talk with the Sun-Times about Petraitis' allegations, said county spokeswoman Chinta Strausberg. But they have relayed to county officials that the allegations are false, and Nichols
has indicated he and Petraitis have never gotten along, Strausberg said.
--County clout boss ousted
August 22, 2006
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH Staff Reporter
Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele asked the county's patronage chief Gerald Nichols to clean out his office just outside her own Friday because she could not figure out exactly what his official job was.
The Sun-Times on Monday reported county officials saying that for years Nichols called them to plug politically connected people both for policy positions -- which is allowed -- and also for lower-level jobs, which by court order are supposed to go to job applicants who score well on tests.
"I had a meeting with him Friday and removed him from his position," Steele said. "He explained to me that his role when he worked for President [John] Stroger was to sort his mail, prioritize invitations and to sometimes serve
as a surrogate for the president. Well, I don't need him to do that."
PATRONAGE CHIEFS FALL ON HARD TIMES
Daley administration: Robert Sorich, convicted of mail fraud this summer.
Blagojevich administration: Joseph Cini, reassigned this year to nonpersonnel duties.
Stroger administration: Gerald Nichols, moving to the county's bureau of administration.
Steele took over Aug. 8 as board president after Stroger's stroke.
"I asked him is there a job description someplace that I can look at the other things that he did for the president, and we were unable to verify a real job description," Steele said.
So Nichols has been kicked upstairs for the time being to work for the bureau of administration -- "until we could make a final decision as to where he should go if he should stay in his job at all," Steele said. He will continue to draw his $114,000-a-year paycheck from the county highway department where he has not worked for nearly 20 years.
Steele said her dispatching of Nichols on Friday was unrelated to a call she took the night before from the Sun-Times seeking her comment on a story about whistleblower county supervisor Eric Petraitis. Petraitis claims
Nichols called him and told him to recommend a man active in Stroger's 8th Ward organization for a job for which the man was unqualified.
Steele may investigate claims...
Steele said Monday she had just finished reading the Sun-Times' story and would be "reaching out" to see whether Petraitis' claims of pressure to rig job-test results were worth an investigation by her inspector general.
Even before she took office this month, at least three or four other commissioners suggested she move Nichols out of her office for reasons she did not specify.
Asked if Nichols was the patronage chief, Steele, who has members of her own family on the county payroll, said, "Well, he did a lot of things . . . constituent service . . . on many occasions take job requests I guess from
whomever made 'em. Jobs are institutional in this city, as all of you know. When people elect you to office, they have some idea that you can access job opportunities for them. And it's true on the city side. It's true over here
on the county side. Yes, I do believe Gerald did serve in that role. To what extent he took care of jobs, I don't know."
Commissioner Tony Peraica, the Republican candidate for Cook County Board president, who also has a relative on the county payroll, held a news conference Monday to urge that Nichols and highway department personnel
chief William Krystiniak -- also accused by Petraitis of encouraging the rigging of test scores -- be put on administrative leave.
Steele said that would deny Nichols "due process."
Peraica also said that his rival, Democratic nominee Todd Stroger, John Stroger's son, had Nichols playing a major role in his election campaign. Peraica said Nichols and Todd Stroger had been together at political events
over the past week.
Nichols assists Todd Stroger
Stroger's campaign spokesman said Nichols was only a friend of Todd Stroger, not a paid employee of the campaign. The younger Stroger also has relatives on the county payroll.
Commissioner Mike Quigley said the revelations of Nichols' uncertain job description are useful at a time when the county could face a budget deficit of $300 million.
"There has always been a black box of county hiring where good names go to die," Quigley said. "I'm hoping it will also draw attention to the county departments that have money to burn, so to speak, and help us draw the line."
Nichols and Krystiniak do not want to talk with the Sun-Times about Petraitis' allegations, said county spokeswoman Chinta Strausberg. But they have relayed to county officials that the allegations are false, and Nichols
has indicated he and Petraitis have never gotten along, Strausberg said.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Capitol Fax Columnist takes the words out of our mouth...
"John Laesch is a jerk"
Rich Miller, Capitol Fax
Tuesday, August 15th
Rich Miller, Capitol Fax
Tuesday, August 15th
If attacking Kane County's Young Republicans wasn't bad enough, Democrat John Laesch found a new way to insight the ire of citizens across the state last week by setting his sites on members of his own party. While Speaker Hastert has been spending his time and energy dealing with real problems facing our nation, John has plenty of time to spend outing anonymous bloggers.
In Rich Miller's widely read political blog, he comments on Laesch's obvious lack of ability. The post and comments are a great read, and will most likely bring a smile to your face. Check them out in their entirety here, or check out this one choice post from someone within his own "base" below:
In Rich Miller's widely read political blog, he comments on Laesch's obvious lack of ability. The post and comments are a great read, and will most likely bring a smile to your face. Check them out in their entirety here, or check out this one choice post from someone within his own "base" below:
"Seems to me and from friends that this guy, Laesch, just makes stuff up. No offense to him, but if he is as great as he is, why does he still live with his parents? Not to keep going... But, Zamora was WAY better. Everytime Laesch talks its seems more and more like he makes stuff up. I bet if a good reporter looked into this guy they would find out he is a fraud. Even as a Dem, and i hate to say it, I am leaning toward Hastert. I mean his politics arent like mine, but whats the alternative? I dont think a Green or other party is runnin..."
Friday, August 11, 2006
County Board vacancy in District 1
Democrat incumbent Dorthy Sanchez has officially vacated her county board seat in District 1. Although she was not a candidate for re-election, how do you feel that this turn of events will affect our candidate Ronald Newman's chances?
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Dems headed to the left...
With the close of the polls in Conneticut, political pundits are clamoring on how Lieberman's primary defeat will foreshadow the coming election. One thing is for sure, the Democratic Party is shifting strongly to the Left.
In 1988, the Dems headed Left... and they got beat. In 1984 the Dems headed Left... and they got beat in huge numbers. In 1972 the Dems positioned an anti-war candidate, arguably the most Liberal of their presidential candidates up against embattled President Nixon. They got beat... bad.
See a pattern forming here?
In 1988, the Dems headed Left... and they got beat. In 1984 the Dems headed Left... and they got beat in huge numbers. In 1972 the Dems positioned an anti-war candidate, arguably the most Liberal of their presidential candidates up against embattled President Nixon. They got beat... bad.
See a pattern forming here?
Monday, August 07, 2006
Tired of Cindy Sheehan starving for attention? Join the Kane YRs for a "Feast for the Troops"
While Cindy Sheehan and various Hollywood Celebrities have declared a hunger strike in protest of our Armed Forces deployment overseas, the Kane County Young Republicans urge fellow Americans to join them in Feasting for Our Troops on Monday, August 28th.
“While Cindy and her Liberal friends in Hollywood continue to protest and damage troops morale, the Young Republicans wanted to hold an event that would actually help the families of our nation’s heroes,” said Mark Vargas, president of the Kane County chapter of the Young Republicans. “Unlike Cindy, we aren’t just starving for attention. We are trying to make a difference in the lives of these families.”
The Kane County Young Republicans will host an all you can eat spaghetti dinner on Monday, August 28th from
Tickets are priced at $15.00 a person with Gold Star Sponsorships available at $150.00. Donations are tax deductible. Dinner includes all you can eat spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and beverages. Riverview Banquets is located at
Thoughts and Prayers...
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Richards and her family. A little over a week ago, our former county board member and current Aurora Township Republican Committeeman suffered a stroke and has since been recuperating at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village. By our last report, she is doing very well.
We all wish her the very best, and pray for a fast and strong recovery. All well wishes can be sent her home at:
We all wish her the very best, and pray for a fast and strong recovery. All well wishes can be sent her home at:
Mary Richards
460 W. Downer Pl.
Unit# 5A
Aurora, IL 60506-5072
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