IL GOP blows chance to guarantee Bush on the ballot. . .

[wndycty]

After the Democrats in the Illinois House extended an olive branch to get the GOP, the Repukes in Senate voted down a measure that would have allowed Bush on the ballot. My thoughts are the Republicans had their chance and their arrogance got in the way. Now we should lead the call to keep Bush off of the ballot in Illinois. Lets turn up the pressure!!!

Senator Emil Jones, Jr.--Illinois Senate president!
14th District Senate Office
507 West 111th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60628

Office Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Michael J. Madigan--Illinois Speaker of the House!
22nd Legislative District Office:
6500 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629
Office Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Letters to the editor: Chicago Sun-Times -- [e-mail] Chicago Tribune -- [e-mail] Daily Herald -- [e-mail] State Journal Register -- [e-mail]


==========================================
Bush could be absent from ballot here

November 22, 2003

BY DAVE MCKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD -- President Bush's spot on next year's Illinois ballot was threatened Friday after the state Senate killed a Democratic bid linking next year's presidential race with a controversial plan to forgive steep election fines against scores of Democrats.
-snip-

But in turning back the proposal, Republicans may have given their standard bearer in next year's elections a case of political heartburn.

In order to be on the Illinois ballot, state law requires that President Bush certify his candidacy for president in late August. But he won't be nominated by his party until Sept. 2, the last day of the Republican convention in New York City. The bill would have waived that filing deadline for Bush.

Democrats thumped their chests and taunted Senate Republicans for refusing to endorse the Bush provision and the rest of the package, including a change permitting the same type of flawed paper ballots to be counted in Illinois that the GOP fought against in Florida to hand Bush the 2000 presidency.

"Perhaps you don't want us to have a target because I want to go after him destroying the economy triggering the . . . war," bellowed Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago).

"I'm still looking for the weapons of mass destruction . . . in his personal war. It's ridiculous. I want him on the ballot," Jones said.

"I called the various news organizations that had colored charts in the 2000 presidential campaign and suggested they color in Illinois to whatever color there is for Democrats because we won," said Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-leg22.html

[Tatiana]

1. Bush shouldn't be on the ballot.

It's not our responsibility to take care of the IL GOP's business.

[wndycty]

4. Please write a letter to keep up the pressure. . .

. . .if the voters don't speak up a deal will be cut and Bush will worm his way on to the ballot.

[Tatiana]

5. Senator Jones already knows my views on the topic.

He's a relative ;)

But I will be shooting off a letter to Madigan to voice my opinion as well. Thanks for the reminder.

[wndycty]

7. Don't forget letters to the editor. . .

. . .they help turn up the pressure as well!

[DS1]

2. rules are rules, 'sore loserman'

insert cry baby picture here

The GOP fucked up here, the fine waivers were a shitty way to try get this bill vetoed, but it worked. :7

For now. :evilfrown:

[wndycty]

23. We need to do what we can to draw attention to this

:kick:

[buycitgo]

24. absolutely

then ask Henry Hyde for support

remind him of his need for the rule of law to reign above all things.

NO exceptions!

NONE!

[wndycty]

25. Realistically he will probably make the ballot. . .

. . .but the more public the fight the better as long as attention is drawn to the fact that he wants to change to rules to exploit September 11.

[DS1]

3. rules are rules, 'sore loserman'

insert cry baby picture here

The GOP fucked up here, the fine waivers were a shitty way to try get this bill vetoed, but it worked. :7

For now. :evilfrown:

[xray s]

6. The article has an error

The "controversial plan to forgive steep election fines against scores of Democrats" does no such thing. The bill was introduced at the request of the State Election Commission, which is evenly split between Dem's and Rep's. It would give them authority to reduce fines. The bill does not forgive any fines. That is just Republican bullsh*t in an attempt to embarass Democrats.

[wndycty]

9. Well lets embarass the GOP by keeping * off the ballot

:kick:

[davsand]

8. Well, they did get the Ethics plan passed.

I found it kind of odd that they were willing to bend the rules for shrub and waive the election reporting rules for Jessie White, but they were supposed to vote on an ethics bill...

Doesn't it just make you PROUD to be an Illinois Dem?

Now, on a pragmatic note, the issue is gonna end up in the hands of Lisa Madigan--the AG. The GOP is going to get what they want--but it will cost them more next time around. Seems to me it is a pretty clear illustration of the disarry the Illinois GOP is in right now.

I'm betting the national GOP is not too happy right now.

Laura

[wndycty]

10. We just need to make a whole hell of a lot of noise!

:kick:

[Tatiana]

11. IL's Democratic Party should be an example for the national Dems.

Corruption aside (though not NEARLY as blatant and widespread as Ryan's goverment), IL Dems know how to choose candidates for office, advertise them, motivate the base, and most of all GET DEMOCRATS ELECTED to office.

[wndycty]

13. If we could only have nominated Vallas. . .

. . .Blagoevich got my vote because he had a D after his name, it was not enthusiastic and he has done nothing to make me enthusiastic.

[Tatiana]

16. I'm not particularly enthused about Blagojevich either.

Vallas probably would have made a better governor, but I did have some problems with him when we was over the public school system.

That being said, the mess Ryan left our state in... the blatant corruption of his government, and the budget deficits we face are conditions that would make any Democratic governor look unpopular. It would be nice if we could get a more equatible state income tax going, and my property taxes are completely ridiculous, but all in all Blagojevich is much better than the alternative.

(And in retrospect, I pay the property taxes gladly to keep the art, music, and afterschool programs at my daughter's school.)

[chiburb]

30. I find it hard to swallow "Dems as good guys" here...

They just passed sweeping reforms that could NEVER have passed during Ryan's term, and the FIRST thing they want to do is trade fines for Bush. If it were strictly paper ballots I wouldn't have a problem with the "trade" for Bush. When they want to trade reductions in fines for illegal electioneering (almost $900,000 for the Secy of State alone!) to allow Bush to appear, they look sleazy and "business as usual".
In principal I want Bush off the ballot. In reality I want to hold up the Republicans on this, make them sweat, but trade ONLY for something that will benefit Illinoisans... not Dem's personal pocket books.

[davsand]

39. I need my sarcasm smiley there, didn't I?

I agree. The Dems did not look good in this. Remember--this all hinged on Daley's Early Retirement package--and it failed.

It is gonna cost the GOP a whole lot more later. It is kinda like a Taxi meter just running and running...

Laura

[NNN0LHI]

12. I want the fucker on the ballot so I can vote against him though n/t

[wndycty]

14. I think President Jones shares your opinion

:kick:

[buycitgo]

18. that said, what are the chances of another Ryan (Mr. Jerry),,,,,,

winning an election.....the Senate?

is the GOP disorganized enough that whomever they nominate will win.

personally, I go for Nancy Skinner, though she has little money/chance.

why? for a very important reason: the one we're in Iraq........

ENERGY!

she favors the maximum development of alternative energy sources (that's part of her background)---any fool knows that Iraq would have been given the same attention as Rwanda, had they no oil. when are the DLC dems going to get out of the same grip as the pugs? are they that beholden to the energy cartel that they just can't break free?

if any dempres candidate centered his campaign on energy conservation/independence, and successfully tied it to the Iraq occupation/war on terra, don't you think she/he'd be a shoo in?

she'd be a very effective public spokesperson, too, given her media background.

[wndycty]

20. She is in danger of not even making the ballot. . .

I am an Obama man and Dan Hynes is getting a lot of the establishment support.

I love Nancy but she has no clue as to how to connect to voters of Illinois. She has more support outside of Illinois than she does inside.

I used to get frustrated because during her time on WLS she never really talked much about local politics. . .voters want someone they know is connected to them.

[buycitgo]

21. I know. I did mention that she's having trouble getting sigs

I also know that, given the opportunity, she'd out-campaign any candidate.

unfortunately, she's probably not going to raise enough money to be competitive.

that said, a voice like hers has lots of PR value, regardless of her actual behind the scenes power, ala Bill Thomas.

she'd be a face-voice, and as far as I'm concerned, SOMEbody has to concentrate on the energy issues.

think of the connections that emanate from a sound energy policy....
almost everything else emanates from the sensible production/consumption of energy:

economics.....that itself is an octopus, encompassing manufacturing, transportation, distribution, production, many others (too scatterbrained to come up with more, but just you wait)

environment

political power via legalized bribery

international entanglements

war on terror

[AntiCoup2K4]

15. The Republicans created their own dilemma here

We didn't ask them to delay their convention in order to exploit 9-11 yet AGAIN as a Bush campaign issue.

I only wish this would keep the moron off the ballot in even more states. So far I've only heard of Alabama and Illinois. Are there others??

[wndycty]

17. California is another. . .

:kick:

[buycitgo]

22. was going to say that, but didn't want to spread innuendo

like typical pugs, though I once was one (from age 12 to about 16), but I grew up, and realized that my infantile, egocentric stage of development had ended

[buycitgo]

19. I was going to ask the same question

I think I remember that there are other states.

also, I'm pretty sure that Alabama has already allowed him on the ballot......I know one state that had the same date sticture has changed it for the creature from 1600.

[elfin]

26. Just a minor problem for Bush - a mere technicality -

like having Cheney make a quickie stop out West to spiff up his voting residence status before the convention- totally bogus, but but they will let this one get by as well.

[wndycty]

27. Well we can make some noise and see what happens. . .

:kick:

[Silverhair]

31. And here is what it will look like to Joe & Jane Average.

Hmmm, the Democrats are still complaining about the 2000 election being stolen and dirty tricks as stuff, yet they are trying to keep Bush completely off the ballot on a technicality. Gee, what a bunch of hypocrites. I guess they think they can't beat him in Illinois, even though they won there in 00.

[chiburb]

32. Or this...

"I don't blame the Dems for playing hardball with Bush. But when they "trade" his name on the ballot for $900,000 in fine reductions I guess it's business as usual".

[SOteric]

28. So it would really be a shock if IL Diebold machines report a win

for Bush and the Republicans even if he's not on the ballot, no?

[NNN0LHI]

29. I don't think Diebold machines are used here in Illinois

Maybe thats why Gore won by a landslide here in 2000?

Don

[Yupster]

33. What are the fines for anyway

On the face of it, it sounds pretty sleazy. Old time big-city Tammany Hall stuff.

I'll put your name on the ballot if you reduce charges against my friends here.

Couldn't they have picked something a little more progressive to offer in trade than letting "the boys" off the hook? Geeze.

And Bush is going to get on all the ballots anyway.

If they have to they can send a registered ballot to each delegate and hold the nomination two weeks before the convention and read the official results on tv.

Or they can sue in which case the courts will rule that the voters deserve a chance to vote. Either way, he'll be on the ballots.

[chiburb]

34. You're right, old-time sleaze...

Ilinois politics as usual.

"A 1999 ethics law imposed tough sanctions against politicians who were slow in filing campaign documents with the election agency, resulting in fines as high as $797,600 -- a levy imposed against Democratic Secretary of State Jesse White.

Claiming his reporting violations were not deliberate, White argued the fines were exorbitant and persuaded the agency to recalculate that amount to $2,400 under a temporary legislative rule last year that no longer remains in effect.

The secretary's office insisted White -- who has yet to pay anything for violating the 1999 law --had nothing to do with having the fine-waiver language inserted in this week's election bill.

Election authorities initially recommended more than $900,000 in fines against dozens of campaigns, but they recalculated that amount down to $305,900 for 53 political committees. Election officials conceded the law is murky on which set of calculations now apply."

[davsand]

38. Those fines are for late reporting.

When you get to a certain dollar level from a contributor you have to provide detailed info about them (I want to say above $500) you even have to give the name of their employer. Also, when you get to the latter stages of the campaign/election cycle you have to report any contribution over a certain amount within 24 hours. I was given to understand that a lot of White's failures were in those two categories.

Esentially, those laws are there to prevent certain corporations from feeding a large contribution thru employees to any given candidate. It also points out the 11th hour contributions from PACS.

I'm horrified that it got THAT blatently sleezy--however, I have to wonder if this wasn't a case of the Dems seeing JUST how far they could push the Illinois GOP.

Illinois votes mostly by paper ballots. I think i saw there was one county last time around testing the electronice machines and that was it... I know that the GOP had blocked scanners in Cook County area that wuold have reduced the number of spoiled ballots in the last Presidential election, and I have to wonder if THAT wan't part of this somewhere...

Laura

[Hippo_Tron]

35. I look into my crystal ball and see Denny Hastert TV ads...

Encouraging citizens of Illinois to call their legislators...

[chiburb]

37. Yep. And from the same article, here's what they'll say:

"Think about this, the irony of this," Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) told the bill's supporters. "You're asking us to waive an ethics fine on the day after . . . we gave ourselves high fives on the Senate floor, and the governor did victory laps about reform and renewal in Illinois."

[tritsofme]

36. Its not like Bush is going to win IL anyways,

and the GOP knows it, why blow away one of their gems when they know Bush will loose the state, and he will probably end up on the ballot anyways.

[funkyflathead]

40. I agree that Bush has no chance in Ilinois n/t

[wndycty]

41. Judy Barr Topinka weighs in

Topinka blasts Democrats for keeping Bush off ballot

November 24, 2003

BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief
Advertisement


WASHINGTON -- Illinois GOP Chairman Judy Baar Topinka said the matter of getting President Bush on the Illinois ballot was "very serious" and slammed the Democrats for partisanship, acrimony and nastiness.

Illinois lawmakers went home for the year without waiving a deadline in state election law to accommodate Bush.

Topinka is not sure what she will do next. She said her alternatives include trying again when the Illinois General Assembly reconvenes in January or going to court.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-bush24.html

[YNGW]

42. comment

Good Luck.

I don't understand what certifying a candidate for an election and forgiving election fines have to do with each other. Maybe it's an Illinois thing.

:bounce:

i

[wndycty]

43. They tied them together in legislation

:kick:

[YNGW]

44. comment

I see they did, I just don't see why, but it's probably some statewide issue I'm just not familiar with.

i