62nd Dist. State Rep. Sandy Cole Prevails Again Over Would-be Dem Challenger Terry Hall

TA's sources over at the Lake County Courthouse tell him that State Representative Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) today emerged victorious in her objection to the nomination paperwork filed by her would-be Democratic opponent, Terry Hall, in a decision by Judge Ray McKoski. McKoski ruled today that the decision of the local election board which invalidated Hall's nomination paperwork was the correct decision. The Cole objection was filed by Lake County Board Member Bob Powers.

As we discussed a few weeks ago, the gist of the Cole objection was that Hall filed on the last possible day, April 5th, with an address that was not her registered voting address--in fact, it was a "Mailboxes, Etc." type of PO Box address. The Lake County Dems then realized their mistake and tried to withdraw the nomination and refile with her correct registered voting address, but did not do so until April 9th, way after the filing deadline. The panel ruled that the improper address was not merely a scrivener's error, and the petition was therefore invalid. Ironically, the Dems probably made their case even worse by essentially admitting that they erred and tried to fix the mistake by withdrawing and refiling. For more background, see here.

After the decision of the local panel, Ms. Hall wrote a teary-eyed letter to the Daily Herald bemoaning how awful it was that the democratic process would be thwarted by such an objection. Cry me a river, Ms. Hall. Maybe you ought to tell evil chessmaster and Dem Chairman Terry Link what a travesty it was that he objected to the nomination petitions of 59th State Rep GOP nominee Dan Sugrue and 30th State Senate GOP nominee Keith Gray, not to mention Dan Seals' operative's objection to the poor green guy in IL-10, before you go feeling too sorry for yourself. As we've noted often before, Lake County Dems are great at dishing it out, but can't take it too well.

For those of you keeping score of this season's challenges at home, and assuming that the State Board of Elections affirms the decisions of the hearing officer in the Beaubien challenge and the Dem challenge to Dan Sugrue (as we reported here), the score is: GOP 7, Dems 1

52nd Dist. - Mark Beaubien v. Rich Garling = GOP WIN (pending affirmation by SBE)
59th Dist. - Kathy Ryg v. Dan Sugrue = GOP WIN (pending affirmation by SBE)
62nd Dist. - Sandy Cole v. Terry Hall = GOP WIN
30th Senate Dist. - Terry Link v. Keith Gray = GOP WIN
County Bd. Dist. 3 - County Bd. Chairman Suzi Schmidt v. Mark Nielsen = GOP WIN
County Bd. Dist 5 - Bonnie Thompson Carter v. Steve Pearson = GOP WIN
County Bd. Dist. 10 - Diana O'Kelly v. Sari Ann Hurtig = GOP WIN
County Bd. Dist. 20 - David Stolman v. Davita Siegel = GOP LOSS

FILE THIS UNDER SUPER-DUPER-JUMBO (NOT TO MENTION CHEAP) LOANS FOR SENATORS: Our pal Barack Obama's shady real estate deals are in the news again, this time, in an expose by the Washington Post on the super-favorable terms Obama's lender gave him for his Chicago mansion purchase (you know, the one for which he went shopping with Tony Rezko). Backyard Conservative has the analysis. Also check out Rezkorama for the number of other blogs taking a serious look at this issue.

THE NOT YET TRAINED SEALS (WORKERS): I'm still trying to get hold of the video that was the big topic of discussion here last night, in which some barely-trained alleged Seals campaign staffers tried to sandbag Mark Kirk at a legislative update meeting in a synagogue in Buffalo Grove, and wound up showing once more how Seals is no friend of Israel. They're even talking about this over at Ellen's Blog, and she is (as usual) in full defense mode on the issue. Someone get that video!

Mark Kirk and Supporters Storm Waukegan; New Waukegan GOP Blog Open For Business

Conventional wisdom might say that up in Waukegan, the Dems are so firmly entrenched that the Republicans may as well give up. But don't try telling that to 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk, whose district encompasses most of Waukegan and neighboring North Chicago.

In yesterday's parade in Waukegan, Mark Kirk had, by all accounts, somewhere between 200-250 supporters marching with him, many of whom were Latino, and who are turning out to be a huge base of support for Kirk. In fact, Kirk had so many marchers that, in the words of one Kirk observer, it "was actually kind of ridiculous."

Dem challenger Dan Seals, on the other hand, apparently had about 15 folks marching with him. Seals had more people marching in Libertyville, so I have no idea why he'd have less in Waukegan, unless it simply shows that his base of support in what ought to be Dem territory is pathetically shallow. And, it's likely some of those 15 were bussed up from Chicago, like this fellow.

Given that the Dems in Waukegan have already had it up to here with Dem Chairman Terry Link and his political power-plays, not to mention petition issues, maybe this is a sign that the Dem establishment is vulnerable in an area that they have pretty much taken for granted for years.

In the same context, check out a brand-new blog started by the Waukegan GOP Township Organization (the what? yes, Waukegan has Republicans, and they are coming out!). It's got some more pictures of the parade and the GOP float, featuring our challenger to Terry Link, Waukegan businessman Keith Gray. Love those blue T-shirts, Keith!

Here are some more shots of the Kirk army marching down the streets of Waukegan:

Weekend Update: Obama, Seals, Link

Busy weekend, so just a few tidbits to keep things moving until Monday...

BARACK OBAMA: Have you noticed the simultaneous tack to the center, and the increasing reticence to take a tough (or even clear) stand on the issues, that seems to define Barack Obama lately? Many people have, including Politico.com and the Tribune. So much for his courage to take the country in a new direction. If only I thought his soaring rhetoric might have matched what he could do for this country, even I might have voted for him. But, even those that fell for his spell may be coming around to reality, and it's going to get worse for Obama as this race goes on.

DAN SEALS: As TA regulars know, Michelle Obama will be featured at a fundraiser this coming Monday evening for 9th Congressional District resident Dan Seals (who, as you also know, is running against 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk). But, it looks like Seals' big moment to bask in Michelle Obama's reflected glory is going to be a bit less impressive than we were first led to believe by the Journal & Topics news article that appeared last week, which was the only MSM (if you can call it that) that the event received. We suspected that Seals was keeping a tight lid on the media attention for this event, since he was likely to be asking a top dollar donation to keep his campaign afloat... not something that really meshes well with his typical populist Dem platform. And, turns out we were right, given that Seals is asking $1,000 a head.

But, it also turns out, as reported by the Tribune Clout Street Blog, that contrary to what the Journal & Topics paper reported, Mrs. Obama will not be coming to the 10th District. No, as typical for Seals, he needs to run home to Chicago for his support, and that's what he will be doing this time as well... the event will reportedly be held at a private residence in Chicago. And, not only does it turn out that Seals isn't really responsible for snagging Mrs. Obama as the event headliner (Rahm Emanuel did that), the event is a shared event for 11th District Dem candidate Debbie Halvorson. Regular Cap Fax Blog readers know that Halvorson has been locked in a battle with Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., and also has baggage from her tenure in the Illinois State Senate as one of Emil Jones' primary hatchet-men (women?).

Seals apparently finally woke up and noticed that the Q2 campaign finance disclosure deadline (June 30th) was right around the corner, and scheduled a bunch of events in a flurry. As a few commenters here have pointed out, you don't haul out your big guns in the middle of the summer, unless you're desperate. And desperate he does seem, as a new web ad just put up a few days ago begs for money by June 3oth. TA thinks that the Seals numbers for his quarter will be very telling, and even if the Obama event is a success, he still only gets half the take (at most).

TERRY LINK: I noticed this morning that back in the news is Rodney McCulloch, who was convicted of election fraud in March (specifically, he signed off as a petition circulator for petitions that had been circulated by paid circulators (one a homeless person who lived under a bridge in Oswego) not by McCulloch personally). McCulloch received two years' probation, rather than up to five years in jail (as well as a fine and community service), apparently because of his lack of a criminal record (except for a DUI in 1980).

We here at Team America have been watching this story with interest, as it bears a lot of similarity to the allegations brought against Terry Link's right hand man, "Sneaky" Pete Couvall, who Link's primary challenger Jerry Johnson accused of coordinating a scheme to forge petition signatures on Link's nominating petitions. As we know, the Lake County State's Attorney is investigating, and TA suspects that we may hear something regarding the criminal investigation quite soon. We also hear that GOP challenger Keith Gray is making Link pretty nervous. I'd be nervous too, given the circumstances.

Enjoy your weekend!

Lake County IL Ballot Update: Mark Beaubien Prevails Over Rich Garling; Dan Sugrue Survives Challenge by Kathy Ryg

GOP incumbent Mark Beaubien has succeeded (for now) in knocking his challenger, Island Lake Trustee Rich Garling, off the fall ballot in the 52nd District race. Download the hearing officer's decision here.

In a nutshell, Garling filed his nomination papers but eventually realized they were defective, as the committee that met to nominate him allegedly met more than one month before the papers were filed with the State Board of Elections (the papers must be filed within three days of the meeting). Garling then executed papers to withdraw his candidacy, but the nominating committee then met to re-nominate him before the withdrawal papers were filed with the SBE. The hearing officer ruled that while the right of the candidate to withdraw is not in question, the withdrawl was not effective until the papers were filed with the SBE. Thus, when the nominating committee met for the second time, they tried to fill a vacancy that did not yet exist.

The hearing officer's decision must be confirmed by the State Board of Elections, and no word on whether Garling will appeal, but it looks like he spent a lot of money on his campaign website, so what a shame... not.

Meanwhile, in the 59th District Race, GOP challenger and Green Oaks attorney Dan Sugrue has beaten off a challenge by Dem incumbent Kathy Ryg. The Sugrue decision is here. Ryg's challenger claimed Sugure's nominating papers were defective because Sugrue's home address (where the nominating committee met) was listed on one or more of the papers as "Libertyville", which is not in the 59th District. However, the testimony established that Libertyville and Green Oaks share a zip code, and that the meeting did indeed occur at Sugrue's home in Green Oaks, which is in the 59th District, and therefore such papers were valid.

TA hears that the appeal hearing on State Rep. Sandy Cole v. Terry Hall will be next Tuesday in front of Judge Ray McKoski.

For those of you keeping score at home, the Lake County GOP is also 3-for-4 in its objections to county board ballot challenges. This week, incumbent GOP candidates Suzi Schmidt, Bonnie Thompson Carter and Diana O'Kelly each won the appeals of their successful objections, and thus their would-be Dem opponents will not be on the fall ballot. The only unsuccessful objection was by GOP county board member David Stohlman, whose opponent, Davita Siegel, will appear on the ballot.

MORE VIDEO FROM THE 10th: If you liked the other Dan Seals videos, you'll love this one. Dan and his "Chicago Connections." If the audio doesn't start playing when you click on the video below, click again and watch it directly from YouTube. The music really makes it.

Dan Seals' Roll Call Carpetbagger Debut On Video

Check out a video homage to Dan Seals' recent 'carpetbagger' article in Roll Call.

MEANWHILE, Q2 FUNDRAISING DEADLINE APPROACHING: I got a pretty pathetic e-mail solicitation from Dan Seals today begging me for $47 to pay for a video message. How they got my e-mail, I have no idea, but several other Republicans who attended the Lake County GOP Golf Outing this afternoon also got the e-mail, so we had fun chuckling over it while reading our Blackberries.

Speaking of fundraising, the Michelle Obama event has got to be the best kept fundraising secret ever. Check back here tomorrow for the reason why.

"Roll Call" Examines Dan Seals and Other Carpetbaggers

Today's Roll Call takes a rather unflattering look at congressional candidates that don't actually live in the district they seek to represent, including... that's right... Dan Seals. Roll Call figured out what we here in IL-10 knew long ago... "the matter of a few blocks could cost Seals."

Regardless of whether it's a few blocks or miles, the bigger issue to me is that Seals hasn't made any contributions to the community that he aspires to represent, except of course, to amuse us by spending the past few years running a campaign and paying himself a salary to do so. As we've said before, running for Congress should not be a credential for running for Congress.

I can't wait until November when Seals will just be an amusing memory and we can look forward to the return of Jay Footlik, perhaps, as the next sacrificial lamb the Dems offer up against the formidable Mark Kirk.

Dan Seals Looks for Help From Michelle Obama; But Did Her Vetting Committee Get the Memo? (UPDATED- x3)

Dan Seals, the Dem candidate in IL-10, announced over the weekend that Michelle Obama (yes, that Michelle Obama) is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Seals on Monday, June 30th, just in time for the end of the Q2 reporting period for campaign finance disclosures. For a change, the fundraiser is supposed to be held in the 10th district, instead of Chicago (which is Seals' preferred support base), or the 9th District (which is where Seals calls home).

Well, this is no doubt a coup for Seals, who badly needs to fire up his campaign and catch up in fundraising with incumbent Republican four-term congressman Mark Kirk. However, it frankly shocks us here at Team America's Blog, given Seals' own checkered associations, poor judgment, and his penchant for stretching the truth (until caught) on a number of occasions. You would think Team Obama would have more thoroughly vetted any candidates that he, or his wife, would allow themselves to be associated with.

Many people believe that Team Obama wisely told embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich to stay the hell away from a meeting of Democratic governors held in Chicago this past Friday (not the first time, either, since Obama doesn't need to be seen with anyone so closely tied to Tony Rezko). And, Obama's troubles with his questionable associations with people from the Reverend Wright to Bill Ayers have led Obama to a now-familar refrain of 'that's not the man I used to know', or even, 'these aren't folks who are working for me' (in the case of Obama's veep vetter Jim Johnson). You'd think Barack Obama would be a tad worried about tarnishing his brand with any association with anyone else that isn't above reproach at this point. Of course, Obama has had some problems keeping good vetters on his team, so maybe they haven't gotten around to taking a good look at Seals yet.

I wonder if Mrs. Obama is really going to make it, however. As far as I can tell, the Seals press on what you would think would be a major event has been pretty understated... in fact, the Journal and Topics (the what?) news article is the only one I've seen. There wasn't even anything on his website when I checked this evening. I would assume, however, that there will be a lot more press to come, if this event is for real.

But, Michelle Obama seems to be pretty busy right now on a whirlwind tour to re-make her image, armed with handlers and a full-court press no doubt led by David Axelrod (who seems to deny any calculated effort to remake Mrs. Obama is needed or is actually happening).

And, once Mrs. Obama's feisty new campaign team takes a little closer look at what Dan Seals has been up to for the past couple months, we'll see if Mrs. Barackstar actually shows. Heck, if she does, maybe TA will even buy a ticket (if they'd let me in... apparently Michelle Obama thinks all bloggers are liars). Betcha no video will be allowed, though. Never know how such associations can come back to haunt a presidential candidate later on, if Seals pulls any more flubs...

JUST FOR LAUGHS: Go check out Dan Seals' campaign website and check out the Virtual Dan that pops up to give a guided tour of the webpage, including pointing out the contribution button, just in case you'd miss it. While you're watching, ask yourself if this is the guy you want representing you in Congress. If I could figure out how to make the animated Dan appear here, I would, but you'll have to visit his website for the yucks.

UPDATED x1: IS SEALS KEEPING MRS. OBAMA ALL TO HIMSELF AND HIS BIGGEST DONORS?

I was talking to one of my political buddies about the Seals/Michelle Obama thing, and he figures that (if it actually happens) it's going to be a super-high-dollar, exclusive fundraiser, and not open to the unwashed masses. Thus, camp Seals may have an interest in keeping it low profile (which explains why only a small local paper had a story, which might have been inadvertantly leaked), as the Dem rank and file who would no doubt give their eyeteeth to bask in the presence of Mrs. Obama are going to be shut out because they can't come up with a grand or more a head, or whatever the ask is.

This might be pretty close to the truth, in typical hypocritical Dem fashion- they claim to be the party of the people, except when they are not.

Well, Dan, if this thing goes, I hope all of your supporters who can't afford the event are really pleased with you for keeping Mrs. Obama all to yourself and your 'super donors', rather than make her accessible to the hoi polloi of the Dem party. So much for "change".

UPDATED x2: I spoke to one of my sources today who indicated that Team Seals was definitely trying to get some media attention on the Obama fundraiser, and it was they who called the Journal & Topics--so it wasn't an inadvertant leak as far as I can tell. So why no other media coverage? Either they don't know how to place a story, or no one else in the MSM cares, or both.

UPDATED x3: Here's the first reference to the Seals/Obama thingy next Monday that I found outside of that news article. There's no disclosure of location or donation levels listed. I guess if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Congressman Rahm Emanuel is also listed as hosting. See here for some grief Rahm took after last election for not supporting Seals 'enough'.

Until recently, Rahm was reluctant to choose sides between Obama and Clinton. Wonder if there is ice there or not. Well, it's good Rahm will be there in case something "comes up" with Mrs. Obama's schedule and she has to duck the reception at the least minute.