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Playing devil's advocate for Richard Roeper

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:39:00 CST

Yesterday, Chicago Sun-Times columnist and self-styled uber-hip celebutant Richard Roeper just didn't understand conservative/Republican opposition to the candidacy of Barack Obama. As he puts it:

I'm just trying to figure out exactly what it is about Obama that so frightens and enrages them.

So, let's try to postulate some logical answers for Richard Roeper as to why the right/conservatives/Republicans might oppose Obama so he can get back to focusing on more important things�like Lindsay Lohan's nude spread in New York Magazine.

Answers are bolded in the excerpt below:

But even if you're a hard-right Republican and you wouldn't vote for a Democrat under threat of deportation, I have a few questions about your views of Obama:

Do you believe he's off-the-charts intelligent, or just some guy who was magna cum laude at Harvard Law, lectured at the University of Chicago Law School, wrote two books, won elections, etc., but doesn't know what he's talking about?

Sure, Barack's a smart guy and a very adept politican, but "off-the-charts" intelligent? He's giving speeches, not discovering the theory of quantum physics. I don't think the right believes for a minute that he doesn't know what he's doing. In fact, with the recent release of his economic plan, I'd contend the right knows exactly what he's doing. And they think he's dead wrong. And while some suggest that he lacks experience, there is a good historical basis for the validity of that argument. John F. Kennedy lacked experience, and it almost led us into thermo-nuclear war with the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jimmy Carter lacked experience and, well� we all know how that turned out. And, as the left contended in 2000, George W. Bush lacked experience. Enough said.

Is he a man of God?

Yes. And he attends Trinity United Church of Christ, a house of worship with a very interesting belief system that is certainly enough to give a good deal of people pause. More on this here and here and here.

Is he a sincere person who genuinely wants to do good things for America?

Sure. But as the saying goes, the path to hell is paved with good intentions. Just because he "wants to do good things" for America doesn't mean by definition that his policies will accomplish "good things".

Do you think he's a man of strong morals and ethics? Does he practice what the GOP calls "family values?"

Yes, Barack seems to be a good family man, but his associations with Tony Rezko are enough to lead one to question his ethical judgment. But again, it's not like the simple fact that he's a good, responsible husband and father render irrelevant his policy prescriptions. Which, if you didn't notice, aren't exactly anything that's going to excite the right.

If elected, would he surround himself with cynical hacks, or experienced, idealistic individuals?

Considering that he hasn't announced his potential cabinet yet, we don't really know the answer to this. Unless Richard Roeper can see the future. That's a scary thought.

So, there you go Richard. Hope that was helpful. Now, you can get back to covering Brangelina.

BREAKING NEWS: 11th CD GOP nominee Tim Baldermann to drop out

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:00:00 CST

From Illinois Review:

Watch for a press release this morning from Tim Baldermann, recently nominated Republican congressional candidate from the 11th District, announcing he is dropping. Details to follow.

Update, 10:30a: Word is this has to do with money, including promises made not kept.

Update (IR Editor): The National Republican Congressional Committee has confirmed the announcement will be made sometime today or tomorrow. At that time they will have an official response.

Holding Jerry Weller's seat was going to be difficult enough with the current electoral demographics and the looming possibility of Barack Obama at the top of the ticket. Baldermann's drop and the relative strength of Democrat nominee Debbie Halvorson spells another loss for the GOP.

UPDATE: 11:50am
GOP sources confirm that Baldermann will make the announcement on Monday. Sources also confirm that financial reasons are at the root of this decision. Baldermann is apparently disappointed by the lack of financial support in relative to what he's supposedly been promised in support from the GOP.

There's no denying that he's got money problems. Halvorson has outraised Baldermann $427,874 to $103,860. She also holds a massive advantage in cash on hand: $393,764 to measly $50,414.

Stay tuned here for more as it happens...

UPDATE: 12:07pm
Here's the story from Politico:

The Republican nominee for retiring Rep. Jerry Weller's (R-Ill.) seat will be withdrawing from the hotly contested Congressional campaign Saturday morning, according to two GOP operatives in Illinois.

"It's pretty much a done deal," said one Illinois GOP operative.

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.

But Baldermann handily won the GOP primary for the seat last month, easily outdistancing two little-known GOP rivals.

Democrats have targeted this seat as one of their top pickup opportunities and their nominee, state Senate President Debbie Halvorson, has been one of the party's strongest fundraisers this election cycle.

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.

The district is highly competitive, but Republicans have held an advantage at the national level lately - President Bush won 53 percent of the vote in the district in 2004. But if the GOP can't field a top candidate, Democrats feel like this is one of their strongest pickup opportunities.

UPDATE: 12:31pm
More on this story:

Baldermann quits congressional race - Southtown Star

GOP candidate in Weller's district to drop out - The Hill

And... more on Baldermann's money problems:

Prized GOP Recruit Stumbles Coming Out Of Gate - Politico

UPDATE: 1:00pm
Here's Baldermann's press release:

NEW LENOX, IL � Tim Baldermann, Republican nominee for Congress in Illinois' 11th District, released the following statement Friday:
"I intend to file documents Monday with the Federal Election Commission withdrawing my candidacy for Congress. As the Mayor of New Lenox and the Police Chief of Chicago Ridge, I have reached the conclusion that I cannot ably serve the citizens of those two municipalities while also running a full-time campaign for Congress. Though I tried to make it work, I've learned that it's just not possible to essentially have four full-time jobs � mayor, chief, father of five and congressional candidate. I am grateful for all the support I've received in the last few months from Republicans throughout this district, and I am confident the Republican Party will select a nominee who can win in November."

I believe that sound you just heard was Republicans rolling their eyes..

UPDATE: 1:20pm
More coverage of the Baldermann bombshell:

Baldermann withdraws from race - Kankakee Daily Journal

Baldermann bows out of 11th - Joliet Herald News

Baldermann dropping out of 11th Congressional District race - Chicago Tribune

Baldermann to drop out of race for Congress - Bloomington Pantagraph

UPDATE: 1:45pm
Obviously now the GOP will be looking for a new candidate. Inasmuch as Alan Keyes bid for the Presidency doesn't seem to be going so well, he's probably available in a pinch for the ILGOP. So there's that to consider.

UPDATE: 2:20pm
Capitol Fax Blog has a statement from ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna:

"Running for Congress is a difficult job that requires the full commitment from a candidate and his family.

"I respect Tim's decision to step aside from this race and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

"The 11th District is representative of the mainstream values Illinois families share and I'm confident a Republican candidate will emerge who brings the type of change for Illinois we've failed to get from Blagojevich Democrats in Springfield."

I really almost feel bad for Andy McKenna. It's got to be quite a chore to drag yourself out of bed every morning knowing that you're charged with the task of rearranging the deck chairs on the SS Minnow.

UPDATE: 6:22pm
From the DCCC:

"Regardless of who runs against her, Debbie Halvorson will provide a strong voice for the families of her district and will continue her work to make health care more affordable and ease the economic crunch for Illinois' middle class."

Also, let's take a look at a quote from Baldermann himself in the Politico article above on why he got out:

"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.

His candor is refreshing in description of his own lazy campaigning. The reason he's arguing with his consultants every day over this is because his consultants know what they're doing. These are likely contributors, because as donors to Weller, they'd have a vested interest in keeping the district in the hands of the GOP. If he's never met them, than he needs to call and get meetings with them. And then ask them for the money. And then he needs to ask them to ask their friends to give him money. It's how fundraising works.

If this is Baldermann's attitude towards raising money, it's a minor miracle he's managed to work his way into elected office.

Obamarama getting weirder and weirder

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:26:00 CST

First it was the fainting.

Then, it was applauding him blowing his nose.

Now, there's apparently a Barack baby-boom:

Perhaps the nation will see some baby "Baracks" arriving over the next few months no matter who wins the presidential election.

Sen. Barack Obama's name brand recognition has much currency these days as Americans mull over the appeal of the Illinois Democrat's name for their own precious offspring.

Barack has been crowned Name of the Year by Laura Wattenberg, creator of Baby Name Wizard, a popular online trend-tracking tool for parents-to-be at IVillage.com, offering instant advice in the crucial baby-name derby.

Weirder and weirder...

The Hot Sheet - February 22, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:39:00 CST

Race for President:
Videos: Clinton, Obama debate in Texas - CNN

Debate Takes On Contentious Air - New York Times

Clinton Jabs at Obama On Speeches, Health Care - Wall Street Journal

Clinton: Obama 'Change You Can Xerox' - Associated Press

Clinton holds back in high-stakes debate - Politico

Clinton manages only a draw in debate - San Francisco Chronicle

The Note: Clinton fails to slow Obama - ABC

Hillary Clinton heckled after plagiarism slur - UK Telegraph

Clinton Works to Hold Ohio Lead as Obama Attacks on Trade, Jobs - Bloomberg

POLL: Clinton Up in Ohio, Dead Heat in Texas - ABC

Clinton has uphill race for rest of elected delegates - Chicago Tribune

Got Your Superdelegates Added Up? Count Again - Wall Street Journal

Ohio Gov.: Clinton Is More Electable - CBS

Dem tension hinges on plagiarism charges - Politico

Clinton Donors Worried by Campaign's Spending - New York Times
$11,000 on pizza; $1200 on Dunkin' Donuts. Yummy.

Deli Pigout A Clinton Gut Buster - New York Post

Obama deflects Clinton's jabs - Los Angeles Times

In Clinton's Closing Remarks, Obama Camp Sees Similarities to Edwards Concession - Fox News Channel

Police concerned about order to stop weapons screening at Obama rally - Dallas Star-Telegram

Report: Security relaxed at Obama speech - UPI

What Obama's Senate votes reveal - MSNBC

Obama once visited '60s radicals - Politico

Obama's Cash Games - Wall Street Journal

Battle Of The Two Obamas - National Journal

Will Obama's Euro-Style Leftism Prevail? - UK Times

McCain Denies NYT Report - ABC

McCain turns tables on Times - Politico

Rush, right rally to McCain - Politico

Behind McCain's Counterattack - The Atlantic

Michael Gerson: Thin Story Looks Bad for the Times - Washington Post

McCain focuses on key Midwestern states - MSNBC

FEC Warns McCain on Campaign Spending - Washington Post

NYT stands behind McCain-lobbyist story - Politico

McCain story proves incendiary among journalists, conservatives - Los Angeles Times

McCain Hits Back With Donor Plea - Wall Street Journal

White House: New York Times Usually Drops 'Bombshells' on GOP Nominees - Fox News Channel

Cindy McCain Stands Tall as Husband Rejects Infidelity Rumors - Fox News Channel

Meghan McCain stands up for her father - Los Angeles Times

The Movement And The Maverick - National Journal

Several Lobbyists Aide McCain - Washington Post

Huckabee: A Deadlocked Convention is My Goal - WOAI News Radio

Huckabee: A Man, a Mission - Washington Post

Huckabee could take his act on the road - Los Angeles Times

Race for Congress:
National Dem targets three Illinois congressional races - Chicago Tribune

14th CD: Foster puts focus on health care - Courier News

14th CD: Health-care system broken, doctors tell candidate, senator - Daily Herald

Rezko Watch:
Rezko Trial Comes Near Critical Voting - Wall Street Journal

Rezko 'clout list' outed - Chicago Tribune

Rezko sought state post for agent who sold Obama home - Chicago Sun-Times

Rezko lawyers want to bar list of state workers he sponsored - Daily Herald

Rezko's biggest civil claims - Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois Politics:
Eric Zorn: Who'll take Sen. Obama's place if he goes to the White House? - Chicago Tribune

Blagojevich may close prison wing - Daily Herald

Time to lop branches off Lincoln Library? - Springfield Journal-Register

House panel OKs optional moment of silence - Springfield Journal-Register

Blagojevich Pressures Lawmakers on Budget - Chicago Public Radio

Fitzgerald hunts Illinois corruption - Associated Press

Cook County Politics:
Cook County prosecutor charged with drug use, possession - Chicago Tribune

No to cuts, silent on tax hikes - Chicago Sun-Times

Cook County leaders demand money from somewhere - Daily Herald

Elsewhere:
Ted Kennedy sings en Espanol!

Arizona GOP lawmaker Rick Renzi indicted - CNN

U.S. senators forced to make emergency landing in Afghanistan - CNN

And finally...
Today is the 28th anniversary of the US defeat of the Soviet ice hockey team at the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, NY, known to all as the Miracle on Ice. During a time of "malaise" and seemingly endless doubt in America's ability to survive in the face of communism, a group of college kids rallied a nation by accomplishing the near impossible. Al Michaels' words are still enough to give you a chill:

"Yes We Can" vs. "Hillary4U&Me" explains a lot

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:57:00 CST

With all the pundits spinning on the reason for Barack Obama's overtaking of Hillary Clinton, let's take a look at a small microcosm for the difference in the campaign: their "unofficial" campaign songs.

First Barack Obama. The "Yes We Can" video by will.i.am of the Blackeyed Peas is "all the rage", as those slick celebutants in the video would tell you. You may remember will.i.am as the guy who challenged the conventions of spelling in the megahit "Fergalicious":

T to the A, to the S T E Y - girl, you're tasty, T to the A to the S T E Y - girl, you're tasty

And, you may also remember him for expressing a sentiment we've all shared at some point: "Let's Get Retarded":

Everybody (ye-a!), everybody (ye-a!), let's get into it (Yea!).
Get stoopid (come on!).
Get retarded (come on!), get retarded (come on!), get retarded.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Let's get retarded (ha), let's get retarded in here.
Yeah.

Yeah.

Nonetheless, here it is:

Yes we can.

Do what?

Whatever.

Now, if you're wondering where you've heard that slogan before, it's Spanish translation - Si se puede - was quite popular during the immigration rallies held here in Chicago and elsewhere across the country in 2006. (See here, here, here, here and here.) Worth noting.

It's also the slogan of early childhood TV's "Bob the Builder":

Another fun mix here

So there you have it. Barack Obama's appeal is to your inner toddler.

Let's take a look at Hillary Clinton's "unofficial campaign song", with the diggity title "Hillary4U&Me":

Yo dawg. It was a little pitchy.

And by God, she almost actually tells you want she believes in and what issues are important to her campaign, albeit in a manner where banal simplicity is wielded like a sledge hammer. Rod Blagojevich has perfected it with his campaign slogan "Getting Things Done For People".

Barack Obama gets a hip-hop star and a bunch of B-list celebrities. HIllary Clinton gets high school show choir.

Obama wins the music wars. Dancing might be another story...

The real "What gives?" rub of the NYT hit on John McCain

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:39:00 CST

That the New York Times would run an attack on the (ostensible) Republican nominee for President is no surprise to anyone with a detectable political pulse. Additionally, that this story has produced an article like this one from the uber-insiders at The Politico has led some other GOP insiders to theorize McCain's camp might have actually been pushing this story to run. After all, what better to unite conservatives around McCain than an unfair attack from the age-old enemy of the right: the New York Times?

But the real rub from this story isn't the basis of the attack, which the New Republic contends essentially isn't there:

The new information it reveals focuses on the private matters of the candidate, and relies entirely on the anecdotal evidence of McCain's former staffers to justify the piece--both personal and anecdotal elements unusual in the Gray Lady. The story is filled with awkward journalistic moves--the piece contains a collection of decade-old stories about McCain and Iseman appearing at functions together and concerns voiced by McCain's aides that the Senator shouldn't be seen in public with Iseman--and departs from the Times' usual authoritative voice. At one point, the piece suggestively states: "In 1999 she began showing up so frequently in his offices and at campaign events that staff members took notice. One recalled asking, 'Why is she always around?'" In the absence of concrete, printable proof that McCain and Iseman were an item, the piece delicately steps around purported romance and instead reports on the debate within the McCain campaign about the alleged affair.

What's truly interesting is this tidbit in the same New Republic article (emphasis is mine):

The publication of the article capped three months of intense internal deliberations at the Times over whether to publish the negative piece and its most explosive charge about the affair.

Three months of deliberations over whether to run this story?

That means, while the Times was sitting on this story questioning the ethics of John McCain... they also endorsed John McCain for President in the GOP primary.

So, hey, New York Times? What gives?

BREAKING NEWS: Blagojevich Clout List released in Rezko case

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:00:00 CST

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Indicted businessman Tony Rezko's lawyers are asking a federal judge to bar from the political fund-raiser's fraud trial extensive lists of hiring recommendations made by political figures to Gov. Blagojevich's administration.

The recent defense filing indicates that members of Blagojevich's administration could be called to testify about Rezko's influence in state hiring. Rezko was a top Blagojevich adviser and fund-raiser.

Click here for a PDF of the Blagojevich clout list

Also...

Stuart Levine's attorneys are now contending he has no drug problem whatsoever. What are drugs?

Stuart Levine -- who's expected to be the star witness in the corruption case against Tony Rezko, the Wilmette developer and prominent campaign fund-raiser -- is not addicted to any illegal drugs.

That's according to his lawyer, Jeffrey Steinback, who says Levine has "come up clean every time" in the drug tests he's been given in recent weeks.

I feel bad for Blagojevich. He can't even get in one day's worth of criticism only on his POLICY PROPOSALS before it's back to federal investigations. Tough times in the governor's office.

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Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:36:00 CST

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Rod Blagojevich's "compassionate conservative" agenda

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:00:00 CST

How strange the political wrangling is Springfield has become.

How is it that Gov. Rod Blagojevich has become more bullish in his tax relief rhetoric than any noticeable member of the Illinois Republican Party? From yesterday's State of the State speech:

... We put a record amount of money in our public schools without raising taxes on people and, most recently, Illinois became the only state in the nation where a senior citizen can ride the bus for free. ...

... A stronger economy requires that we cut taxes for businesses that create jobs and growth. ...

... So here is what I propose: we do in Illinois what Washington just did. Help middle-class families, by giving them another $300 tax credit for their children. This doubles the tax credit Washington just passed. Doubling the tax credit would give parents a little more money to pay for the things their kids need now, and, maybe, have a little left over to invest in their kids' future. ...

... And leaders at every level of government keep talking about raising taxes on people. Enough is enough. ...

... I propose we cut taxes on businesses by 20%. ...

... What I am asking you to do, is to cut taxes on those businesses that are paying more than their fair share. They are driving our economy. ...

... Cutting taxes on those businesses will allow them to invest more, stimulate the economy, keep people working and put more people to work. ...

... Cutting taxes on business is a way to strengthen the economy through the private sector. ...

... But because I want to help, and not hurt families, I will not raise taxes on people. There are other ways to achieve our goals. ...

... To give families and businesses more of their money back, we have to cut spending. These spending cuts will allow us to cut taxes and get the economy moving. ...

... . By cutting spending and eliminating pork we can afford to give the people more of their money back and afford to cut taxes on business. ...

... Give families more of what they have earned and now need. Help businesses by cutting their taxes so they can create jobs. ...

Now when was the last time you hard that kind of tax rhetoric from, say, IL House GOP Leader Tom Cross?

And, even when Illinois Republicans do offer some forceful tax rhetoric, some promises to hold the line on taxes against the Democrats' proposals, it's rather hard to take.

DuPage County State Sen. Kirk Dillard was on this morning with WLS' Don Wade & Roma Morning Show thundering about the Springfield Democrat leaderships' desire to hike the income tax. But, his words belie his actions of only a month or so ago. Remember, it was Dillard � along with fellow DuPage County GOPers Sen. John Miller and Sen. Dan Cronin � who were instrumental in passing the CTA bailout that raised the sales tax in Cook County and the collar counties. The proposal wouldn't have passed the State Senate without Dillard's (or Millner's, or Cronin's) vote.

Not only did those votes push through a tax increase, they also provided political cover for the Democrat member of the Senate that wasn't there to cast their vote: State Sen. Debbie Halvorson. Halvorson, as you know, is embroiled in the contest to claim retiring GOP Congressman Jerry Weller's seat. And a vote for a tax hike might have been messy to explain. Dillard, Cronin and Miller spared her all that trouble.

But, this is Illinois. In a state where the GOP is now little more than a nasty rumor, it's Gov. Blagojevich who's talking like a Republican on taxes and the legislative Democrats who are pushing to tax increases. With the help of the Republican legislative leaders.

While on the Don Wade & Roma Morning Show, Blagojevich shed even more light on his philosophy behind his new budget and the State of the State address:

... and what is government supposed to be about? You're supposed to be about helping people. That's why we have government. ...

Think you've heard this kind of rhetoric before? Tax cuts? Government investment in making your life better? Creating jobs through government intervention in the economy?

It's compassionate conservativism. It's the rhetoric of George W. Bush, and currently of Republicans like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. It's big government conservativism.

Welcome to a state that has been turned on its political head. The Democrat governor is sounding like a Republican. And it's the Republicans who are trying to figure out how they're going to pay for the Governor's proposals.

President Bush "gets jiggy wit' it"

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:17:00 CST