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(Note: The following are some articles I wrote prior to July 5, 2005 -- soon, I will be posting some of the articles I wrote since then -- until then, please look for those articles on the "News Clips" page of this website. )
LaHood asked to urge Cross and Saviano to reconsider their opposition to SB600 - Dave Diersen
(7/6/05) Congressman Ray LaHood supports SB600 and direct election of Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) members. At the July Fort Dearborn Group meeting, Diersen asked Congressman LaHood to urge Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Representative Skip Saviano to reconsider their opposition to SB600. Diersen continues to support SB600 and direct election of IRP SCC members. The Illinois General Assembly fall veto session begins on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. Diersen hopes that immediately after the fall veto session begins, the Illinois House passes SB600 and Governor Blagojevich signs it into law so that the names of candidates for IRP SCC positions can appear on March 21, 2006 ballots in each of the 19 Congressional Districts in Illinois.
On June 25, 2005, at its annual convention in Carpentersville, the Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) unanimously passed a resolution that called for the 1) IRP to immediately post on the IRP website proposed revised rules that would govern 2006 IRP SCC elections under existing procedures and to seek public comment on those proposed revised rules, 2) IRP to schedule and publicize the earliest possible public meeting at which all interested Republicans could provide comments on those proposed revised rules, 3) SCC to vote on adopting final rules at the conclusion of that meeting, and 4) IRP to post those final rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage immediately after the conclusion of that meeting.
In its March 9, 2002 memorandum to "Potential candidates for State Central Committee," the IRP gave them only 3 days, until March 11, 2002, to declare their candidacy. It is not clear which "potential candidates" IRP provided that memorandum to or when they received it. In all likelihood, the next IRP SCC meeting will be held on August 18, 2005 in Springfield. Delay in complying with the ICRC resolution is just one more reason why SB600 should become law.
Wheaton Independence Day parade participants include Birkett, Brady, Fortner, Furstenau, Gidwitz, Hultgren, LaHood, Mitroff, Oberweis, Pankau, Poe, Rauschenberger, Roskam, Rutherford, and Wegman - Dave Diersen
(7/5/05) Congressman Ray LaHood came all the way from Peoria, Senator Bill Brady came all the way from Bloomington, Senator Dan Rutherford came all the way from Pontiac, and Representative Ray Poe came all the way from Springfield.
Republican participants in Wheaton's 2005 Independence Day parade included nine who are running for statewide office or are considering doing so - Joe Birkett, Bill Brady, Ron Gidwitz, Ray LaHood, Jim Oberweis, Ray Poe, Steve Rauschenberger, Dan Rutherford, and Sandy Wegman; two who are running for Congress or are considering doing so - Carol Pankau and Peter Roskam; two who are running for the Illinois Senate or are considering doing so - Richard Furstenau and Randy Hultgren; and two who are running for the Illinois House or are considering doing so - Mike Fortner and Pam Mitroff.
The liberal Illinois news media (LINM) treats Republican elected officials and candidates very harshly. Running for an elected office as a Republican in Illinois, especially for a statewide, congressional, state senate, or state house office, is very demanding, stressful, time-consuming, and costly -- we should all be very glad that so many outstanding Republicans are not discouraged by the LINM and run for office anyway.
DuPage County and Milton Township elected officials participating the parade included Grant Eckhoff, Sal Falbo, Chris Heidorn, Gwen Henry, Gary Muehlfelt, John Noel, Darlene Ruscitti, Leonard Sanchez, and John Zaruba. Many of them also participated in the Glen Ellyn Independence Day parade. Many thanks to DuPage County Auditor and Glen Ellyn parade official Jim Rasins for arranging for military jets to fly over Wheaton's parade route.
Illinois is one of America's largest states, DuPage is its second most populous county, and Wheaton is its county seat. Speaking for the many tens of thousands who watched the parade, many thanks to the many Republican elected officials, candidates, and supporters who participated in the parade. Their participation in the parade recognizes the very important role that DuPage County and especially Wheaton play in Illinois politics. Their long-scheduled participation in the parade should have attracted all the Chicago-area political reporters, if not the national news media. If the Democrat Party had decided to put Blagojevich, Durbin, or Obama in the parade, beautiful color pictures of Democrats fawning over them would be on the front page of today's New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and Daily Herald. Needless-to-say, I look forward to responding to Democrat and RINO letters to the editor complaining about too much Republican participation in the parade.
Hultgren and Roskam had especially large numbers of supporters walking with them. The Hultgren, Milton Township Republican Central Committee, and Rauschenberger parade entries included floats. In addition to serving as a State Representative, Poe is a farmer and a caterer. His parade entry included his huge beautifully painted truck that he uses for his businesses. Rauschenberger's entry included a beautiful red thunderbird convertible. Ruscitti's entry included a beautiful green 1968 Ford Mustang convertible. Republican supporters who walked in the parade included John Cox, David Carlin, Bill Hogan, Dr. Bob Krzyzewski, Jim Leahy, and Mark Stern. The many tens of thousands of spectators included Matt Ferguson who lives in my precinct and who served as the official photographer for Governors Thompson, Edgar, and Ryan.
Outstanding floats in parade include one designed by Keith Carlson and the employees of Carlson Paint, Glass, & Art in Wheaton -- Keith Carlson is my next door neighbor.
Wheaton officials participating in the parade included Mayor Jim Carr and Councilmen Liz Corry, Howard Levine, Tom Mouhelis, and Phil Suess - I had the honor of watching the parade with them from the reviewing stand and speaking extensively with Carr. Attendees at the Wheaton History Center breakfast before the parade included Brady, Diersen, Hogan, and Oberweis.
Cox, Henry, Hultgren, Levine, Oberweis, Pankau, Poe, Rasins, Roskam, and Sanchez are among the confirmed attendees for Wheaton's September 11 Patriot Day picnic -- Cox, Oberweis, and Poe are among the event's sponsors.
Questions concerning the liberal Illinois news media - Dave Diersen
(7/4/05) What are the top priorities of the liberal Illinois news media (LINM)?
LINM ANSWER:
-- Elect on November 7, 2006 Democrat U.S. Congressmen; a Democrat Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer; Democrat State Senators; Democrat State Representatives; and Democrat County officials who will be the most efficient and effective at advancing the liberal Democrat platform and who will do the most to help the LINM gain even more influence and advance financially
-- Elect a Democrat President in 2008; get everyone to blame all problems on America, on Republicans, on the Bush administration, on conservatism, on conservatives, and on Christianity; increase government spending and regulation; abolish the Second Amendment; promote promiscuity, abortion, and the homosexual agenda; promote illegal immigration; promote government dependency and diminish individual responsibility; get minorities to blame all their problems on whites; get women to blame all their problems on men; get everyone under age 40 to blame all their problems on everyone over age 40; promote embarrassing, problematic, destructive, and hypocritical people who say they are "conservative;" demonize anyone who points out what the LINM is doing; etc.
-- Frustrate if not prevent efforts to rebuild the Illinois Republican Party (IRP)
Which leading Illinois Republican candidates will the LINM be most critical of?
LINM ANSWER: Those who would be the most efficient and effective at advancing the conservative Republican platform if elected
Which leading Illinois Republican candidates will the LINM be the kindest to?
LINM ANSWER: Republicans In Name Only (RINO) and Republicans least likely to win on November 7, 2006
What determines what is news and what is not news in Illinois?
LINM ANSWER: Anything that helps advance the liberal Democrat platform is news and anything that helps advance the conservative Republican platform is not news -- for example, efforts to rebuild the IRP by returning to direct election of IRP State Central Committee members is not news, efforts to have an advisory question concerning marriage on November 7, 2006 ballots is not news, and Republican participation in the Wheaton Independence Day parade is not news
What are the goals of every article published by the LINM?
LINM ANSWER:
-- Advance the liberal Democrat platform and harm the conservative Republican platform
-- Ascribe evil motives, bad judgment, and negative stereotypes to those who advance the conservative Republican platform
-- Ascribe positive motives, good judgment, and positive stereotypes to those who advance the liberal Democrat platform
-- Remind everyone over and over again that Scott Fawell, George Ryan, and those who defend their actions say they are Republicans
-- Get all candidates for political offices to blame all problems on conservatism and on conservatives
-- Appear to be fair and balanced
In which county, township, and city is the LINM working the hardest to advance the liberal Democrat platform?
LINM ANSWER: DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton
Why is the LINM working the hardest to advance the liberal Democrat platform in DuPage County, in Milton Township, and in Wheaton?
LINM ANSWER: DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton have historically been the center of strength for the IRP, for the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and for the Milton Township Republican Central Committee
Which news sources in Illinois are not controlled by the LINM?
LINM ANSWER: Very very few -- one of them is GOPUSA ILLINOIS
ICRC calls on IRP to issue revised SCC election rules - Dave Diersen
(7/3/05) The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) rules that governed the 2002 IRP State Central Committee (SCC) election and related documents are now posted on the Download Files page of www.gopillinois.com. The SCC adopted those rules on February 19, 2002. Please note that in 2002, the IRP gave non-incumbent SCC candidates only 3 days to declare their candidacy and it is not clear which non-incumbent SCC candidates IRP notified.
The related documents show that on March 1, 2002, IRP Executive Director Allen Fore notified the incumbent SCC members that if they wished to be a candidate again, they had to provide written notification to the IRP by 5:00 PM on March 11, 2002. On March 9, 2002, Fore notified "Potential candidates for State Central Committee" that they if they wished to be a candidate, they had to provide written notification to the IRP by 5:00 PM on March 11, 2002. On March 18, 2002, IRP Chairman Lee Daniels notified the incumbent SCC members that he had established an SCC Election Oversight Committee and appointed three members to it. On March 22, 2002, Fore notified Republican County Chairmen of SCC Election procedures.
At its June 25, 2005 annual convention in Carpentersville, the Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) unanimously passed the following resolution:
The Illinois Republican Party Should Immediately Post
the Party’s Rules on the Party’s Website
WHEREAS, the mission of the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) is to elect Republican candidates who will advance the IRP platform, and the purpose of the IRP State Central Committee (SCC) is to coordinate, promote, and govern IRP operations;
WHEREAS, the success, growth, and financial stability of the IRP can be achieved only when the IRP and the SCC are open to the participation and support of, and are fully accountable to, all rank and file Republican voters;
WHEREAS, the current IRP by-laws adopted by the SCC and the rules promulgated under those bylaws define the qualifications for SCC candidates, and establish the process for SCC elections, deadlines, and other procedures;
WHEREAS, the current IRP rules may need to be revised for the 2006 SCC election;
WHEREAS, to ensure that the best candidates are elected to the SCC, the procedures and requirements for candidacy should be publicly available to enable all qualified Republicans to seek election to the SCC;
WHEREAS, despite repeated requests to the IRP and to SCC members, the IRP has not made the IRP rules publicly available; and
WHEREAS, public access to IRP rules is vital so that all potential candidates for SCC positions can seek office without an unfair advantage;
THEREFORE, if the current IRP rules do not need revision for the 2006 SCC election, the IRP should immediately make copies of those rules available in writing to all Republicans who request them and should immediately post those rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage; and
THEREFORE, if the current IRP rules need to be revised for the 2006 SCC election, 1) the IRP should immediately post proposed revised rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage and seek public comment on those proposed revised rules, 2) the IRP should schedule and publicize the earliest possible public meeting at which all interested Republicans could provide comments on those proposed revised rules, 3) the SCC should vote on adopting final rules at the conclusion of that meeting, and 4) the IRP should post those final rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage immediately after the conclusion of that meeting.
Because the current IRP rules need to be revised for the 2006 SCC election, ICRC calls for 1) the IRP to immediately post proposed revised rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage and seek public comment on those proposed revised rules, 2) the IRP to schedule and publicize the earliest possible public meeting at which all interested Republicans could provide comments on those proposed revised rules, 3) the SCC to vote on adopting final rules at the conclusion of that meeting, and 4) the IRP to post those final rules on the IRP website in full searchable format directly accessible from the IRP homepage immediately after the conclusion of that meeting.
Democrats Badmouth Republican Participation in Wheaton's Independence Day Parade, Again - Dave Diersen
(7/2/05) DuPage County is the second most populous county in Illinois and according to Kirk Dillard, the DuPage County Republican Party Chairman, the most Republican county in Illinois because no Democrat holds a partisan elected office in the county. Votes cast in DuPage County in the March 21 primary and in the November 7 general election next year may very well determine who the next governor of Illinois will be. To badmouth "politicians" in DuPage and especially in Wheaton, its county seat, is to badmouth Republicans. The Democrats have long wanted to turn Wheaton into another Evanston or Oak Park, liberal Democrat cities that tragically have many many more problems than Wheaton has. They do everything they can to encourage Democrats, especially Democrats who have health and financial problems, to come to DuPage and especially to Wheaton. They encourage all levels of government in DuPage to raise taxes higher and higher so that more and more can done by government to solve the problems that the new arrivals bring with them. Every year they do more and more to badmouth Republican participation in Wheaton's Independence Day parade. They tell everyone they can -- especially the Wheaton Jaycees, Wheaton officials, and political reporters -- that politicians are the "least popular aspect" of the parade and that parade watchers "yawn while the politicians go by." It is unfortunate that Jim Fuller did not disclose in his article in the Daily Herald (see below) that only Democrats, people who fall for Democrat arguments, and Republicans In Name Only (RINO), complain about too much Republican participation in the Wheaton Independence Day parade. Democrats move into DuPage and stay there to take advantage of the prosperity and safety that conservative Republican values bring -- but sadly, many outrageously continue to badmouth the Republicans and the conservatism that brought the prosperity and safety.
Oberweis Addresses Renew Illinois Roundtable Luncheon - Dave Diersen
(7/1/05) More the 50 heard Illinois gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweis address the June 30 Renew Illinois Roundtable luncheon at the University Club in Chicago. Renew Illinois officers, directors, and advisors in attendance included Yvonne Arentz, John Biver, Irvin Essenfeld, Chris Lauzen, Jack Roeser, and Tom Roeser. Attendees included Joe Clark, John Cox, Bruno Behrend, Lidia Downs, Dick Hawks, Doug Ibendahl, Dave McSweeney, Cathy Santos, and Joe Wiegand. Oberweis said that if elected, he would appoint Jack Roeser to head a commission that would identify ways to cut unnecessary state spending. Oberweis called for Bob Kjellander to step down as the Republican National Committeeman for Illinois. Jack Roeser spoke very highly of Oberweis and presented him with a check for $5,000. Reporters who covered the event included Dave Diersen, Fran Eaton, and Rick Pearson.
Birkett, Brady, Eckhoff, Fortner, Furstenau, Gidwitz, Henry, Hultgren, LaHood, Mitroff, Noel, Oberweis, Pankau, Poe, Rauschenber, Roskam, Ruscitti, Rutherford, and Zaruba to walk in Wheaton's Independence Day parade - Dave Diersen
(6/30/05) As a life-long Republican and a Wheaton resident since 1978, I always look forward to strong Republican participation in Wheaton's Independence Day Parade. Many thanks to those Republicans who will be walking in the parade. More than 75,000 are expected to watch the parade which kicks off at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 4. For information about the parade, please visit: http://www.wheatonjaycees.org/fourth/.
Please join me for a delicious Belgian waffle breakfast at the 8:00 AM at the Wheaton History Center at 606 North Main Street just south of the staging area for the parade. For more information about the breakfast phone 630-682-9472 or visit http://www.wheaton.lib.il.us/whc/StarsStripes.html.
The staging area for the Republican officials and candidates who will be walking in the parade is at the 5th 3rd Bank at 1500 North Main Street -- please join me there at 9:00 AM and thank them for walking in the parade.
Schillerstrom joins AllStar Printing, John Cox, Diersen Consulting, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Oberweis Dairy, Raymond Poe, and Mark Prutzman in sponsoring the September 11 Patriot Day picnic in Wheaton - Dave Diersen
(6/30/05) GOPUSA ILLINOIS is very happy to announce that Robert Schillerstrom, the Chairman of the DuPage County Board and the Secretary of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee, has joined AllStar Printing in Wheaton, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee Member John Cox, Diersen Consulting, possible Lt. Gov. candidate Chirinjeev Kathuria, Oberweis Dairy, State Representative and possible Lt. Gov. candidate Raymond Poe, and State Farm Insurance Agent Mark Prutzman in sponsoring the Patriot Day picnic in Wheaton's beautiful Memorial Park between noon and 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 11.
The Wheaton Park District requires a $1 million insurance policy for such events and Schillerstrom has graciously agreed to cover the cost of the policy for this year's event -- last year, the policy cost $180.
Alan Keyes spoke at last year's event and Senators Dillard and Roskam shared master of ceremonies duties -- more than 700 attended. At this year's event, West Point graduate and USO Board Member Jim Nalepa will give the keynote address and Sandy Rios will serve as master of ceremonies.
Picnic attendees at this free picnic will enjoy free pork sandwiches courtesy of Poe, free hot dogs and Polish sausages courtesy of Prutzman, free Jays potato chips courtesy of Cox, free Oberweis ice cream and flavored milk courtesy of Oberweis, and free soft drinks courtesy of Kathuria. All DuPage County voters and their families and friends are invited.
Confirmed attendees include Cox, Dillard, Gwen Henry, Randy Hultgren, Roger Jenisch, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Peter Labarbera, Howard Levine, Jim Oberweis, Debra Olson, Poe, Jim Rasins, Darlene Ruscitti, Leonard Sanchez, and Tim Whelan.
Many attend Hultgren campaign announcement - Dave Diersen
(6/29/05) More than 40 attended State Representative Randy Hultgren's campaign announcement Tuesday, June 28, at the Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville. Standing beside him as he announced his candidacy for the Illinois Senate, District 48, were Marylou Cowlishaw, Don Earley, Mike Fortner, Paul Froehlich, John Millner, Debra Olson, and Brien Sheahan. Everyone at the event spoke very highly of Hultgren, especially Cowlishaw. Attendees included Peter LaBarbera, Dagmar Lofgren, Rob Luedke, and Kathy Valente. Reporters who covered the event included Dave Diersen, Fran Eaton, and Jim Fuller.
Many attend Oberweis campaign kickoff party - Dave Diersen
(6/29/05) More than 120 attended Jim Oberweis' campaign kickoff party Tuesday, June 28, at Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora. On the stage with Oberweis as he gave his remarks were Ed Derwinski, Jack Roeser, and Joe Weigand. Jack Roeser presented Oberweis with a check for $5,000. Everyone at the event spoke very highly of Oberweis, especially Derwinski, Roeser, and Weigand. Event sponsors included Michael Birke, Jerry Rich, Jack Roeser, and Jack Ryan. Attendees included Yvonne Arentz, Bruno Behrend, Lidia Downs, Irwin Essenfeld, Rich Evans, Bill Keck, Jim Leahy, Jim & Joyce Patrick, David Rickert, Bob Schmidt, Larry & Sandy Wegman, Tim Whelan, and Dennis Wiggins. Reporters who covered the event included Dave Diersen and Fran Eaton.
Rules that govern election of IRP SCC members should be easy to find, read, search, and print - Dave Diersen
(6/13/05) The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) is governed by the 19 members of its State Central Committee (SCC). Each of the 19 represent a Congressional District and just 6 of them -- Jerry Clarke (Dist. 15), Dr. William Dam (Dist. 8), MaryAlice Erickson (Dist. 18), Ron Smith (Dist. 6), Dave Syverson (Dist. 16), and Dennis Wiggins (Dist. 14) -- have a combined weighted vote of 51.3%.
With all the problems that the IRP is having, why are the people who determine who the SCC member will be in each of the 19 Congressional Districts so happy with their process for electing SCC members? Ultimately, they have to argue that their process produces the best possible people to govern the IRP. But outrageously, because of all the problems the IRP is having with their people in control, they have to argue that the situation is out of control -- that the IRP would be having even greater problems if people elected directly by Republican voters in each of the Districts were in control.
However, I doubt that SCC members elected directly by Republican voters would have let George Ryan do what he did, they would not let the IRP be used to as a tool to advance candidates who reject much of the IRP platform, they would not have treated Gary McDougal so rudely, and they would have immediately filled the Jack Ryan vacancy with the person who received the second most votes -- Jim Oberweis.
By definition, those who oppose SB600 and oppose direct election of SCC members must be very very very happy with the Rules that govern election of SCC members. So why haven't they made their Rules easy to find, read, search, and print? Why did Dr. Dam have to threaten litigation to get a copy of their Rules? The answer is simple -- the small number of people who determine who the SCC member will be in each of the 19 Congressional Districts want to discourage anyone from running against the people they pick. Obviously, sadly, they reject the argument that competition will result in the election of people who will do a better job of governing the IRP.
Needless-to-say, the Rules should be easy to find, read, search, and print. The IRP should immediately post the Rules on the IRP website. Visitors to the website should be able to click on a button on the homepage titled "Rules" that takes them to a page that contains the text of the Rules and a link to a file that contains the Rules in searchable PDF format. |