John McCain - Straight Talking Surge is Working!

The New York Times fed internet snitch Matt Drudge some political stink-bombs last week expecting John McCain to fold like a Stanford Math Major/Internet Poker Dweeb playing five card stud with Doyle Brunson.

Huge Hat Tip to John Rubery's Marathon Pundit! Way to go. Rubes!

http://haloscan.com/tb/marathonpundit/46896944299748457

NoTimes story this morning, Drudge-O, but John McCain took the leash off of National Pit-bull lawyer Bob Bennett and yesterday, got out in front of the allegations. Sounds like Michael Flatley v.The Serial Skank- No Contest, but another golden moment in American litigation legal legend. Could be straight talking stare down time for the New York Times but those ink-slingers have a history of getting their britches yanked down with the truth. No shame - No sales, I guess.

Anyway - The Straight Talking John McCain Campaign is Surging!


Even the Brits are getting it; check this out from The Telegraph:

A new poll published yesterday placed him equal with Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, the north-eastern state whose primary is held on Jan 8. Just weeks ago Mr McCain trailed his rival by more than 10 points.

He has also been endorsed this week by both of Mr Romney's hometown newspapers in Boston, a significant blow to the former Massachusetts governor.

The Boston Herald, a conservative tabloid which also circulates in neighbouring New Hampshire, said of Mr McCain: "There are times in this nation's history so perilous that they cry out for a steady, experienced leader, a person so trusted that we would put the fate of this country in his hands. This is one of those times, and Sen John McCain is that person."

At the age of 71 Mr McCain has been dubbed the "comeback kid". The phrase was coined by Bill Clinton in 1992 when he came second in New Hampshire and went on to sweep through the subsequent primaries.

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The same state could be the long-serving senator's base for victory. In 2000, Mr McCain beat George W Bush in New Hampshire by a wide margin only to be overtaken quickly in states further south.

Largely because of his strong performance then, the senator started out the primary campaign a year ago as the Republican front-runner only to appear washed up in the summer amid claims of mismanagement and a poor fundraising performance.

But his consistency on Iraq has paid off. From the outset of the war, Mr McCain opposed Donald Rumsfeld's strategy, arguing that more troops were needed. He supported the surge of 30,000 US troops when others were dismissing it as too little too late, and has made tackling Islamic extremism a central part of his platform.

He told the Wall Street Journal recently: "This is a seminal moment in American history. We've got a long way to go. Al-Qa'eda is on the run but they're not defeated."

Meanwhile his own wartime heroics - he was a North Vietnamese prisoner of war for five years - has continued to underpin his credibility as a national leader.

Mr McCain has also benefited from the lack of a clear favourite in the Republican field capable of attracting both the evangelical and economic branches of the party, as Mr Bush was able to do.

He has given up hope of winning Iowa, the conservative Midwestern state that votes on Jan 3. But a victory there for Mike Huckabee, the southern Baptist minister who is weak in New Hampshire, could enfeeble Mr Romney and open the door to Mr McCain.

"I really don't like that," he said this week of the "comeback kid" nickname. "But things are turning around."

The race in New Hampshire is particularly hard to predict as registered independents are allowed to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary and form the largest bloc of voters. They are renowned for making up their mind at the last minute.

Therefore the endorsement this week of Joseph Lieberman, an independent senator who normally votes Democrat, gave another timely boost.

Mr Lieberman, who was Al Gore's vice-presidential candidate in 2000, said he chose his longtime Senate colleague because he had the best shot of breaking partisan gridlock in Washington.

"The status quo in Washington is not working," he said.

BTW - Just my south side Chicago Dinny Dimwit's opinion - but can the McCain crew get the press to LAY Off the 'The Comeback Kid' tag line? Bubba Clinton beat that one to death - along with the trust the American People vested in him.

I better put a call into Illinois McCain Chairman Jim Durkin and maybe he can apply a little of that Chicago Catholic League level of convincing to the pencil neck geek crowd from Medill School of Journalism here in the Midwest. Naw, They get all of their stories from The Chicago Reader ( a local free press) anyway.

Click my post title for the San Francisco Chronicle Story on The Straight Talk Surge - It's working!

Mac is Back - The McCain/Lieberman Straight Talk toVictory Express!

Another Great AP Photo of the Straight Talkers on the Road for America!

Two guys who have no problem telling the truth to the American People are on the Road in New Hampshire where independent voters have great influence.

More Democrats, who feel left behind with the DNC canned agenda, will gravitate to straight talk:

On the first day of a two-day Straight Talk Express tour through New Hampshire — McCain's second bus tour of the state in two weeks, he said "I do" when asked if he senses upward momentum. His crowds are bigger and more enthusiastic, his Internet hits more frequent and his poll numbers are rising, McCain said.

"But I am not an unbiased observer," he said, adding some realism.

"We have a long way to go," McCain said, aware that opinion polls still show him trailing far behind fellow Republican Mitt Romney in New Hampshire.

Roberta Adams and George Merrill, both undecided voters who drove from nearby Antrim to check out McCain, came away impressed but uncommitted. Merrill, a registered Republican, said New Hampshire's independent spirit means the endorsement by Lieberman not only doesn't hurt McCain with Republicans but helps.

"We're not voting for the party, we're voting for the man," Merrill said.

McCain said the support from an "independent Democrat," as the Connecticut senator calls himself, will answer the people who invariably ask him in town hall meetings, "Why can't you all work together?"

Lieberman reinforced the message. He said he chose his longtime Senate colleague as the best candidate of either party because of his national security credentials and because McCain has the best shot of breaking through partisan gridlock.

"You may not agree with John McCain on everything — I don't," Lieberman told those gathered in the American Legion hall. "But you can always count on him to be honest with you about where he stands and to stand where he honestly thinks it's best for our country."

Lieberman said he had planned to wait until after the primaries to make a 2008 pick, but changed his mind when McCain called — the only candidate, including fellow Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd who is running for president on the Democratic side, to do so.

Lieberman won re-election to the Senate in 2006 as an independent, after losing the Democratic primary to upstart Ned Lamont, largely because of Lieberman's support for the war.

Lamont said Monday, "It is now clear that Joe Lieberman is the one working to defeat our hopes."

Said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.: "I have the greatest respect for Joe, but I simply have to disagree with his decision to endorse Senator McCain."

Click on my Post title for AP's Jennifer Loven great story on the Road Trip to a Stronger America!

John McCain gets Lieberman Endorsement today!

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman will endorse Senator John McCain for President of the United States. Makes sense to me.

Joe Lieberman is a sure-footed American Statesman - someone the Democratic Party needs in armfuls - who fought back a primary loss from computer generated 'grassroots' for Lieberman's support of the Global War on Terror and Opposition to a policy of capitulation and Neville Chamberlain Diplomacy.

McCain and Lieberman are cut from some tough fabric that refuses to split when the pressure is on - they never speak out of the sides of their mouths.

Read Tom Curry's speculation on a McCain/Lieberman ticket. MSNBC obviously wants to get in a mud pie here - seems like it to me anyway. Hell, I love the idea! Click my post title for the article.

Well done Senator Lieberman! Keep on on them, Senator McCain, and keep them honest!

McCain Bests Polls and Snaps Two Huge Endorsements - Straight Talk, Boys and Girls!

John McCain hooked two Huge Endorsements out in New England and in Iowa. My pal Brian McGrory's Boston Globe was the whale! The Boston Globe sited straight talk and rock-solid integrity -

On McCain, the newspaper said in an editorial, "the iconoclastic senator from Arizona has earned his reputation for straight talk by actually leveling with voters, even at significant political expense."

The Des Moines Register was equally as impressed -

The newspaper said none of the Republican candidates could offer the "tested leadership in matters foreign and domestic" of McCain, an Arizona senator and former prisoner of war in Vietnam.

It cited his willingness to adopt contrarian views, including bucking his party to oppose President George W. Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, support Bush's decision to increase troop strength in Iraq and support comprehensive immigration reform.

"The force of John McCain's moral authority could go a long way toward restoring Americans' trust in government and inspiring new generations to believe in the goodness and greatness of America," the paper said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071216/pl_nm/usa_politics_newspaper_dc_3

Here in Illinois State Rep. Jim Durkin (R), John McCain Illinois Chairman, is reaching out to Democrats like me and my kids to support an American who can and will lead all citizens.


John McCain speaks to Americans and Americans respond to someone who shares their concerns and willingness to actually do something beyond words, blimps, gimmicks and spin. This Presidential Election just might signal a coming together of the wonderful people of this great country.

John McCain - Resentment For His Sincerity is a Badge of Honor

Great AP Photo!

The resentment produced by sincerity, whatever be its immediate cause, is so certain, and generally so keen, that very few have magnanimity sufficient for the practice of a duty, which above most others exposes its votaries to hardships and persecutions; yet friendship without it is of very little value, since the great use of so close an intimacy is, that our virtues may be guarded and encouraged, and our vices repressed in their first appearance by timely detection and salutary remonstrances."
Johnson: Rambler #40 (August 4, 1750)

Samuel Johnson - the 18th Century genius and Patriot would have loved John McCain!


No political candidate took more hits than John McCain over his support of the Iraq War on Islamist terror and especially for his championing Immigration Reform.

REDSTATE, a GOP Blog site was larded with Anit-McCain Acid Tossings all through the late Spring, Summer and Fall of 2007, but John McCain withstood the tangy taunts like he did his North Vietnamese captors - with humor and self-deprecating Honesty.

Who else would refer to the Arizona retirement community of Leisure World as "Seizure World," as he did in his first Senate campaign? Just for fun, out loud? He couldn't help himself. (He won anyway.)

Consider McCain's life as a series of impolitic one-liners, each one illuminating complex threads of the past.

He's had a line for everything and everyone — those he tormented at the Naval Academy as a n'er-do-well midshipman, those who tortured him in Vietnam, his legion of friends and foes in the capital, the "little jerks" he ribbed in a campaign crowd, an "idiot" reporter, his own ego and, these days, his advancing age — 70.

McCain, "the Punk" in high school, has plenty of targets and none more tempting than himself.

It's a quality that sets him apart in the carefully staged presidential race, a replay of sorts of his Navy academy daze. Then as now, McCain verged on flunking out but pulled himself together in the nick of time. He's gone from chump to hero before, and he's trying again.

Calvin, He don't 'Try' - He Do!

Read Calvin Woodward's wonderful piece linked to my Post Title. Every American should give this great American some serious study and committed support.

Chorito Hog Leg - For Last Minute Christmas Giving

I wrote a swell historical novel. Here are three reviews from Amazon Dot Com. If you are looking for a book to give that special someone this Holiday Season give this eye and brain candy a whirl. It is a veritable stocking stuffer of historical WWII, Illinois and Chicago lore. The Lovely Allison Platt of the Bookies Paperbacks and More has a great stock at

The Bookies
2419 W. 103rd Street
Chicago Illinois 60655
Ph#773-239-1110



The Chorito Hog Leg, Book One: A Novel of Guam in Time of War is available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Target and on the Web through Amazon or directly from Author House. Here are the links:


http://www.amazon.com/Chorito-Hog-Leg-Book-Novel/dp/1434302024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197635411&sr=1-1
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781434302021&itm=1
http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~44494.aspx

Here's three reviews East Coast, West Coast and right here in Chicago:

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Outstanding novel of Guam in World War Two, June 27, 2007
By Ironmike (California)

Mr Hickey has written a splendid novel dealing with Guam, it's inhabitants, the brutal Japanese garrison and the Marines that will land and take the island.
Some very intense combat sequences, plenty of colorful dialog and down right funny one liners from gruff old Marines that will get you grinnin' if you have ever been in the service.
Well worth reading and the sequel is due up later in 2007.
The meaning of the book's title will be revealed as you read as Pat Hickey weaves a compelling web of characters, the tale of the 1860 Colt revolver, its previous owners, the Japanese and the Marines who risk their lives in 1944. Brutal, honest and well-researched.
Check it out. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
US Marine Corps Band of Brothers, April 23, 2007
By Old Geezer "Old Geezer" (New Haven, CT USA)

Riveting portrayal of WWII Pacific combat operations. Excellent character development, based upon interviews with veterans of the invasion of Guam. Ultra realistic combat scenes immerse the reader in the random violence of war. The best novel I have enjoyed since Cold Mountain. Can't wait for Book 2. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A Chicago artist's tribute to the "Corps" / WWII, May 8, 2007
By Cheryl A. Tully "Martin J. Tully" (Chicago, Il.)


It is undeniable that Pat Hickey is a South Side of Chicago writer. His recollections from the old Gresham neighborhood read like a side story throughout this captivating tale of days when men were men.

Hickey's penchant for names and facts from Chicago's history during a time of war are also vivid and, to this reader, allow time to reflect on some of the "good times" spent as a youngster growing up in the neighborhood.

The author warns early on in the "About the Author" section (see back inside page) that his style employs the "intrusive narrator" technique.
I believe he carries it out beautifully and to be honest should have used it more freely. It was a refreshing connection with the reader.

I was most impressed by the seemingly meticulous research Hickey put into his work. The decriptions of planes, both Japanese as well as American, naval vessels, armaments, and "vocabulary" were extremely well done.

Without giving the plot line away, if you are a Marine, Navy, or a general WWII buff... If you enjoy the "Grunt" point of view in armed conflict...and if you enjoy the days when a man's word was gospel. This is a book to enjoy.

I am looking forward to the second book of this set.

Martin Tully
USSF Ret.



Have a Very Merry Holiday Season and a Happy New Year! The Gratuitous Santa and Baby Photo comes courtesy of Connecticuts Arch Patriot and Christain Gentleman - Frank Nofsinger! Que Hombre! Felis Navidad, Pancho!

McCain - Talk Straight and Avoid Getting Mitt in the Wringer

A good old south side Chicago aphorism - and I am sure that it is around Shelbyville, Georgia, Kenosha, WI, Alhambra, CA as well- goes: 'tell the truth and you won't need a good memory.' Now, what in the hell was I talking about? Oh, Yeah!

McCain - John McCain. McCain continues to speak directly to the American people here's a bit on what he had to say about the real threat to the American economy:

"We're one successful attack away from an economic crisis," McCain said, adding that US enemies knew the damage a disruption of supplies would wreak on the US economy from Islamist Terror.

While other Republican candidates have been reluctant to lay out policies to combat global warming, or questioned the science behind claims that mankind is a major contributor to climate change, McCain has called for action.

"It is a serious and urgent economic, environmental and national security challenge," he said.

McCain has called for a plan to limit carbon emissions by using market forces to develop advanced technology and nuclear energy to reduce US reliance on foreign oil.

Poor Old Mitt got caught having a few brain cramps this past weekend. Speak straight and you won't need to recall - It will keep them out of the Wringer. 'Only Suckers Beef, Mitt!'

Give Brad Marston's great site Azamatteroffact's latest post on Mitt's scrambel with the facts:
http://azamatterofact.blogspot.com/2007/12/mccain-on-romneys-mailer-lies.html Brad is working like three Kerrymen fighting over a shovel, when the boss say's 'half of you get to work!' The man is Mad for the Work, So he is!

As always click me post title for the whole tale.

God, wouldn't you just love to slap me for using that fake brogue - I know I would - hell, it's early.


High Five to Guntotinliberal for the photo of Mitt spinning to the pooch.

Pat Hickey - Short on Brains, But a Terrific Dancer: A Portrait in Pencil by B. Kliban

In the mid-1970's, I was employed as a model for celebrated cartoonist B. Kliban. He said, " I can't give you any money, but I can make this moment immortal. Enjoy.'

Thus, I have this pencil sketched time capsule of my chiselled good looks in youth.

As always, click on my post title for more on the quiet genius of the later part of the last century - B. Kliban. It was like finding a photograph for me.

Be McCain Proud!

Thought I'd pass along this great note from Brad Marston who is helping John McCain out east.

"What have you done today to make you feel proud?"
That is a question that John McCain doesn't have to ask himself too often.

With the early caucuses and primaries just weeks away, however, it is a question I ask myself hourly.

As Senator McCain would say, "Let me give you a little straight talk."

I created McCainVictory08 to help support John McCain's run for President. What started as a blog portal has morphed into a growing organization with eight National Co-Chairs and over 100 volunteers. To make an even greater impact we need to scale our organization even larger. In order to secure wins for John McCain in the New Hampshire , Michigan and South Carolina primaries and carry that momentum into Super Tuesday on February 5th, we need your help!

Many of our top organizers have worked on local, state and national campaigns. We've learned that it really comes down to the 4M's: Message, Momentum, Money and Muscle. Few of us live and volunteer in Iowa , New Hampshire , Michigan or South Carolina . Thanks to the Internet YOU can help with all four to elect John McCain! In sum, for John McCain to win, we need you to contribute your time, creativity, special skills and know-how. Please join McCainVictory08 today!

There are so many ways you can help elect John McCain. Please visit our website McCainVictory08 to learn more.


If you have the time and commitment to be a Leader in McCainVictory08 I invite you to contact me personally at bmarston@mccainvictory08.com

If you would like to be a supporter/volunteer please contact our Membership Team at JoinUs@McCainVictory08.com


Political muscle is built by talking to one person at a time. That is why I am reaching out to you today. This e-mail is going out to over 1000 people because I talked to 10 people who in turn, talked to ten more people. Help us make it 10,000 people simply by forwarding it on to your friends, family and contacts.

So, "What have you done today to make you feel proud?" It is a line from one of my favorite songs, "Proud". Another lyric is "We need a change...Do it today...I can feel my spirit rising!"

I think that says it perfectly. We do need a change. To make it happen, we need you to JOIN US ! We need you to DONATE , whether it be time, talent money or some combination thereof! Let's all end each day knowing "I did something for the future of this nation I love so much. I did what I could to elect John McCain and I am proud of that."

If you can do that, I would be both proud and grateful. And so will the hundreds, perhaps thousands more who join us.

Sincerely,

M. Brad Marston
National Chair
McCainVictory08

Support John McCain On-Line
McCainVictory08.com

This e-mail was paid for by McCainVictory08. McCainVictory08 is not associated with John McCain 2008 and receives neither direction nor financial support from any campaign organization. If you wish to cease receiving e-mails from McCainVictory08 please click here.

John McCain Leads with Straight Talk - That is the Knockout Punch!

John McCain engages people with the truth. Nothing so engages people as hearing a political candidate credit an opponent for his personal succees in the Presidential Race. The graceless in-fighting in my birthright Party - The Democratic Party - In Captivity - requires their candidates to lard up their lame positions with Oprah or Barbara Streisand or the Hemp Happy HBO Twerp Maher and then toss envelopes of dirt over the transoms of media shills.

Gov. Huckabee is a solid man. John McCain is Presidential.

This morning's news presented the American people with another example of Senator John McCain's forthright understanding of himself and the reality of the campaign.

MIAMI - John McCain said Saturday that Mike Huckabee's rise in Republican presidential polls was due to his performance in debates.

"I attribute Governor Huckabee's recent success to the fact that debates matter," McCain said. "People pay attention to debates."

The GOP presidential candidates have flip-flopped repeatedly in the polls, with no clear front-runner emerging for any length of time.

In the latest national survey by The Associated Press and Ipsos, former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee has emerged from nowhere into second place in the Republican presidential race. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani remains the front-runner with McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson following.

For the first time in recent political history, Republicans don't have a designated successor for the presidency, leaving the GOP bid wide open, McCain said.

"There's always been kind of a candidate that the political and financial base of the party rallied around," McCain said, referring to Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole and George W. Bush. "This time that's not the case."

In praising Gov. Huckabee for his great presentation during the recent GOP Debate, John McCain reveals more about his own strength as a leader. John McCain understands what it takes to lead and recognizing the strength and intrinsic worth of an opponent is the attribute of a strong leader.

Gov. Huckabee is a great American - John McCain is the man to lead America in time of War on Islamist Terror and restore the confidence of all Americans in themselves!


Here in Illinois Rep. Jim Durkin leads a team that brought John McCain on to the tough Illinois ballot with a FULL slate of delegates. Straight Talk is effective and engaging

McCain Fields a Full Slate of Delegates - Thanks to Rep. Jim Durkin

I missed the Debates on Wednesday, but had them taped. St. Cajetan Volleyball opened with a win over St. Bede's in 7th Grade Girls Worth Township League. Then I watched the taped debate and John McCain was the only one who even appeared Presidential - direct, mission-oriented and forthright.

Yesterday, Illinois Team McCain behind the hard-work and good humor of Il. Rep. James Durkin (R) filed a full slate of delagtes for John McCain - only the Romney Campaign managed to do so. Giuliani has yet to file. Click title post above for the Tribune story


Illinois should back McCain. Take a look at the cross- section of the State in suport of the only candidate who can lead America in time of Islamist Terror.

John McCain will define the debate for America. He is already doing just that and Illinois is responding.


Well done to Jim Durkin and especially Julie and Pat Brady for their 11th hour work in meeting the dealine!




Subject: MCCAIN PRESS RELEASE: Representative Jim Durkin To File John McCain 2008 Illinois Ballot Petitions






REPRESENTATIVE JIM DURKIN TO FILE JOHN MCCAIN 2008 ILLINOIS BALLOT PETITIONS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
703-650-5550


ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign announced that Illinois State Representative Jim Durkin will file John McCain's ballot petitions for the state of Illinois at 8:00 a.m. CST today at the state board of elections.

John McCain 2008 also announces the endorsement of Robert D. Stuart. Ambassador Stuart is former Ambassador to Norway and former Illinois Republican National Committeeman. In addition, the campaign is proud to have the support of Ms. Julie Brady, who will now serve as Deputy Co-Chair of our IL team. Ms. Brady is a former Department of Justice prosecutor.

"Today, I am pleased file on behalf of John McCain. I am proud to have led a grassroots team of men and women who took time away from their families to show their support for John McCain because they believe deeply in his reform message. In 2000 I filed on John's behalf; I believed then, as I believe now, that there is no finer man running for president and no better candidate to win in the general election against the Democratic nominee."

Ambassador Stuart added, "John McCain's lifetime of service and sacrifice has prepared him to lead our nation from the first day he takes office. He is the only candidate that can maintain the principles of the Republican Party and unite all the Republicans to beat the Democratic nominee in the general election."

The following elected officials and delegates support John McCain in the state of Illinois:

ILLINOIS LEADERSHIP TEAM

U.S. Congressmen
Rep. Mark Kirk
Rep. Ray LaHood
Rep. Peter Roskam
Rep. John Shimkus

Former U.S. Senator
Sen. Peter Fitzgerald

State Senators
Sen. Dan Cronin
Sen. Kirk Dillard
Sen. John Jones
Sen. Dave Luechtefeld
Sen. John Millner
Sen. Dale Risinger
Sen. Frank Watson

State Representatives
Rep. Dan Brady
Rep. Jim Durkin
Rep. Mike Fortner
Rep. Sid Mathias
Rep. Mike McAuliffe
Rep. Jim Meyer
Rep. Rosemary Mulligan
Rep. JoAnn Osmond
Rep. Raymond Poe
Rep. Randy Ramey
Rep. Jim Sacia
Rep. Jil Tracy
Rep. Jim Watson

Republican National Committeewoman Mary Jo Arndt
Major General John Borling, USAF (Ret).
Ms. Julie Brady
Former Ambassador and Former Illinois Republican National Committeeman Robert D. Stuart
Former Ambassador and Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Rich Williamson

ILLINOIS DELEGATES

Gregg Abbott
Helen Albert
Mike Amrozowicz
Mayor Jim Ardis
John Atchley
Kirby Ballard
Joe Bartolomucci
Tony Becker
Harry Bond
Maj. Gen. John Borling
Scott Boukal
Rep. Daniel P. Brady
Julie Brady
Kevin Brady
Mary Jane Brady
Will Callard
Dean A. Casper, Jr.
Mayor Thomas Tolbert Chisum
Vincent P. C hurak
Robert Cook
Michael Corrigan
James L. Coxworth
Sen. Dan Cronin
Larry DeYoung
Sen. Kirk Dillard
Richard E. Diller
Mary Pat Dixon
William Durkin
Rep. Jim Durkin
Barbara Dwyer
Deb Detmers Fansler
Bobby Vaughan Ferguson
Joann Finger
John Fogarty, Jr.
Rep. Mike Fortner
Jim Fuchs
Susan Gere
Kimberly Pate Godden
Gustavo Gonzalez
Joyce Gooding
Thomas Gooding
William S. Graham
Kent Gray
Mike Hagerty
Donald B. Hall
J. Sue Hamilton
John Harty
Thomas Hayes
Sean Healy
William L. Henniger
Herbert Hentschel
Roy Hertel
Nora Kathleen Hickey
Stephanie Hitt
Damon Hofstrand
Mark Hosty
Robert Hudon
Bill Jackl in
David A. Kelm
Virginia Kenney
Pam Kinsey
U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood
Nadja Lalvani
Prem Lalvani
Pastor Ceasar LeFlore
Stephen Liehr
Cindy Limbach
Andrew Loveday
Alex Martella
Rilio Mastrantonio
Rep. Sidney Mathias
Karen Matjasko
Matthew Mau
John McCrory
Tom McRae
Margaret McSweeney
Ann Melichar
Rep. James Meyer
Mary Jo Mikottis
Jack Murphy
Tim O'Neill
Rep. Joann Osmond
Ray Pawlak
Nick Peric
Rep. Raymond Poe
Dennis Presley
William Read
Nate Rice
James A. Riemer, Jr.
Wayne Rosenthal
Carlos Saucedo
Lisa Schumacher
John Scully
William G. Shepherd
Det. Larry Shepherd
U.S. Rep. John M. Shimkus
Karen Slattery
Michael Sneed
Jason Speer
David Stanton
Nina Stephenson
Eugene Syring
Steven Tomaszewski
Mayor Bruce Tossell
Rep. Jil Tracy
Mayor Henry Vicenik
Charlie Watts
Becky Weber
Mary A. Welling
Ambassador Rich Williamson
Alderman Elmo R. Younger, Veteran of WWII

CNN Debate Wednesday Night - McCain says,'I will win!'

Just back from Thanksgiving with our service men and women in Iraq, the man best suited to lead America in time of war with Islamist Terror, Senator John McCain, is up beat. With good reason. People are listening to his message.

This past weekend, I helped Illinois McCain Chairman James Durkin grab up signatures of voters who like what John McCain is all about - proven leadership and straight talk.

Should be a great showing for the President . . . sorry - Senator McCain.

McCain and The Railsplitter's Reconciliation

In the 1840's Whig Abraham Lincoln and Democrat James J. Shields confronted one another over the collapse of the Illinois economy. Shields, Comptroller General, saved the State of Illinois from Economic ruin and angered the Whigs, especially their leader Lincoln.

Political enmity boiled into a personal feud that had more to do with affairs of the heart and the two political foes nearly fought a duel. There is some disagreement over who calmed whom in this affair. I take the view that Shields, a fierce veteran soldier and adventurer, choked up a little common sense in honest Abe. Dr. J. Sean Callan's Courage and Country gives a wonderful account of this little known but important event in Illinois history.

Nevertheless, Shields and Lincoln became good friends when their cooler heads prevailed. Lincoln appointed Shields Brigadier General of llinois Volunteers when the Civil War began and Shields went on to defeat Stonwall Jackson at Kernstown in 1862 - the only Union general to win a tactical victory over the Genius from Virginia - Old Blue Light.

John McCain, like Lincoln and Shields before him, is a leader of fierce instincts and human outlook. John McCain is never afraid of a brawl, but understands that reconciliation is the best political tool in the bag.

Read about John McCain on political reconciliation and get a look a a real leader and a great America.

As always, click on my Post Title for the link.

John McCain and the Rented Mule

While working at Gateway Trucking in Chicago Ridge many years ago, my shift supervisor would leave us with these words, 'Night Boys, time to get on home to beat the wife and make love to my dog!'

Only the graduates of St. Ignatius College Prep ( a Chicago Catholic School of Wealthy Brainiacs) were taken aback by his words, as they had been hard-wired by the Jesuits for subtleties in language and the arcana of rhetorical flourishes.

The balance of us, understood that Myron's was a comic levelling device employed after-shift and the natural departure of dockworker command structure.

Loved John McCain's response when asked how he intends to 'beat' Hillary Clinton in the general election: . . . 'like a rented mule.'

The polls prove the best man correct:

The Best Candidate to Beat Senator Hillary Clinton

ARLINGTON, VA - Today, Fox News released a poll demonstrating once again why John McCain is the only conservative who can beat Hillary Clinton in the general election next fall.

"It is impossible to ignore the fact that John McCain is cementing his position as the best candidate to defeat Hillary Clinton," said campaign manager Rick Davis. "New data released by Fox News, Rasmussen Reports, SurveyUSA, and Quinnipiac show that voters want to nominate a candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton without compromising the bedrock principles the Republican Party was founded on."

Voters are coming to the conclusion that John McCain is the only candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton and restore trust in government. John McCain has a 24-year record of leading a tough battle against pork-barrel spending and government waste. Known as a reformer, McCain has the credibility to restore Americans' trust in Washington. And in a time of war, John McCain is the only candidate with the experience and knowledge to wage a winning war against radical Islamic extremism.

Fox News/Opinion Dynamics National General Election, November 13-14, 2007:

John McCain 45% Hillary Clinton 46%
Rudy Giuliani 43% Hillary Clinton 47%
Fred Thompson 40% Hillary Clinton 49%
Mitt Romney 37% Hillary Clinton 50%

Quinnipiac Ohio General Election, Released November 14, 2007:
John McCain 46% Hillary Clinton 42%
Rudy Giuliani 43% Hillary Clinton 44%
Fred Thompson 38% Hillary Clinton 48%
Mitt Romney 38% Hillary Clinton 47%

SurveyUSA Ohio General Election, November 9-11, 2007:
John McCain 47% Hillary Clinton 46%
Rudy Giuliani 44% Hillary Clinton 49%
Mitt Romney 42% Hillary Clinton 51%
Mike Huckabee 37% Hillary Clinton 54%

Rasmussen Reports Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Among Presidential Hopefuls, McCain Has Lowest Level Of Core Opposition:

With less than two months to go until the Iowa caucuses kick off the actual voting in Election 2008, Arizona Senator John McCain finds himself with the smallest level of core opposition among all the major Presidential candidates from both parties. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% say they will definitely vote against McCain if he is on the ballot in November 2008. That's down from 39% a month ago and a peak of 42% in June. These results come on top of a week of good polling news for the man from Arizona.

Read Analysis Of How John McCain Outperforms Rudy Giuliani In Key Swing States

St. Ignatius grads - he's making a joke.

Chicago's Club of the UnClubbable

Above - Mycroft Holmes - Below Mike Houlihan in manly Pre-Labor Day Panama tan suit gives a stern temperance lecture to an obviously clubbable and reed thin chap at a charitable event. Absent from this charitable event were members of Chicago's Union League Club.


Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, the talented and cerebral sons of Bob and Tess Holmes, coal carters from Yorkshire, remind me of Mike Houlihan: Like Mycroft, Mike Houlihan is cerebral, philosophical and poetic:Mike Houlihan - Author, Actor, Playwright, Film Director, Columnist, Patriot, Wit, Gadabout, Free-Spender, Arch-Goodguy, Pugilist, Censor.

Like Mycroft given to deep thought to the point of ennui:

...he has no ambition and no energy. He will not even go out of his way to verify his own solutions, and would rather be considered wrong than take the trouble to prove himself right. Again and again I have taken a problem to him, and have received an explanation which has afterwards proved to be the correct one. And yet he was absolutely incapable of working out the practical points...

– Sherlock Holmes, speaking of his brother in "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter"

From our friends at Wikpedia

And yet like Sherlock (- Ratiocinator extraordinaire, dope fiend, tobacconist, actor par excellence, musician, grifter, and wower of hot chicks) a man of the world, .

Houli is a complex man of universal tastes and inclinations - at once private and thoughtful and concurrently a Rabelaisian Rounder of the First Order.

Mike Houlihan,an 18th Century man of Johnsonian ( Samuel Johnson ) exertions and talents trapped in a faux-Edwardian world of stuffed shirts and phonies.

Houli got clubbed by the membership committee of the Union League Club - a dusty and pretentious convention center for low-brows with American Express Gold Cards. He was deemed 'unclubbale' - to use Dr. Johnson's 18th Century coinage. His heartache cried up to dry our eyes from the pulpy pages of Cliff Carlson's Irish American Magazine and made them moist with brotherly understanding - Page 28 - click my post title for the link:

Here is a poignant passage:

Of course I’m happy now that I
couldn’t join their club. Who wants
to go where they’re not wanted? But
these schmucks wouldn’t even put it in
writing, no letter, just the word passed
on to me, “Sorry you’re not our kind
darling.”
It’s all for the best. I couldn’t afford
it now anyway. However I would suggest
they remove the word “Chicago”
from their moniker at the Union League
Club. As Eddie Vrdolyak once said, “In
Chicago, we don’t stab you in the back,
we stab you in the front!” Well not
these guys.
So I will take pride in their snub and
remember my mother’s words “the bitter
lesson is best taught”. It’s what I got for
sticking my nose into a wasps nest.
Of course I forgive them and even
though I may announce to the world that
the Union League Club can kiss my fat
Irish ass, I’m actually, in my own way,
just turning the other cheek

Christian Gentleman to the backbone!

Houli, My Dear Fellow, a man of your expanded worth should not be confined, much less defined by a membership. You do more in a day than most of the Union League Club's overpaid ambulance chasers in two-tone broadcloth $400 shirts do a lifetime.

Who was it that said 'Study everything; join nothing?'

Mike Houlihan's Giant's eyes take in the cant and hypocrisy of our world right here in Chicago. This man is not Clubbable? Pish Posh!

Houli, enact a Club without Walls; found an Association without a Membership Committee. Make it an open membership to whomever you have the grace with whom you deign to congress.

To the phonies, snobs, louts, boors, tightwads - you might be unclubbable.

John McCain Approved ( probably would) 'Truther Photos' from Iraq -You Wont See This on Bill Maher

These photos will not be shown on Bill Maher, The View, Chris 'Milkey' Matthews' CrossBreed or in the care of Code Pink/ Great thanks to Patriot Frank Nofsinger - the Swiss Mick of Connecticut!

We have invited Senator John McCain to join us for the Leo Veterans Observances - we hope that he can make it!

Come over to Leo High School -Leo High School site of Veterans Observance on Friday, November 9th, 2007
@11:00 A.M

Contact - Mr. Pat Hickey -Director of Development (773) 224-9600

Leo High School, Leo Alumni Association, Windy City Veterans, The Burbank, Illinois Unit of the Marine Corps League, The Veterans Leadership Program, American Legion Giles Post #87, & Chicago Commission on Human Relations will hold a special Veterans Memorial Observance at the Leo War Memorial in the school’s courtyard. , Leo High School President Robert W. Foster & Vice Principal Frank Wilson (USMC ret.) will direct the observance which features presentations by Veterans, wreath - laying by Richard Furlong, President of the Alumni Association , Mrs. Rochelle Crump - Veteran and Asst. Director for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.

Sadly - The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs no longer participates in this Annual Veterans Observance. In August, when we begin the planning for the event, Director Duckworth's Office informed Leo High School that 'the Director had other plans for that date and that Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs would not be participating.' When I called for follow-up I asked, 'Leo High School can expect no help from Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs?' and was told ' good luck with your event.' It is not mine - this event belongs to the Veterans.

It is the Veterans who make this event special.

Leo High School erected a memorial in 1965 to the many Leo men who have died serving America in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and the Windy City Veterans of Chicago updated the engraved names and constructed permanent lighting for the memorial. Last year more than two hundred persons joined the 320 Leo students in honoring America’s war fallen.

John Fardy (Leo 1940) was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice during World War II. Mr. John Houlihan (Leo ‘41) served in the Marine Corps as did Mr. Dick Prendergast and twenty (20) more of his classmates from the Class of ‘43. Many Leo men have been decorated for heroism, including Mr. Jim Farrell (Leo ‘61), Mr. Jack Farnan, (Leo ‘63), and Mr. Jim Furlong ( Leo ‘65), all members of the Leo Hall of Fame and highly decorated Vietnam Veterans. The late Mr.Thomas Stack (Leo ‘61) organized the first welcome home to the Veterans of Vietnam. Mr.Tom Stack won two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars in Vietnam.
Another highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, Gen. George Muellner, USAF (ret.) graduated from Leo, flew more than 600 combat fighter missions, commanded many fighter commands, and developed the STAR communications weapon system for Operation Desert Storm. Gen. Muellner is now the VP for Boeing Corporation’s Stealth Projects. Chicago Police Officer Eric Lee ( USMC) was killed in the line of duty several years ago and is remembered in Leo High School's Hall of Fame.

The Veterans Memorial Observance, as always, will be held in the school courtyard located on 79th Street.

The Public is invited to share in this Observance. The Leo Thanks the Commander Doty and all of the Officers of Gresham Chicago Police 6th District who serve and protect twenty four hours a day and seven days a week!

Click on my Post Title for More on the Leo Alumni and Leo High School!

Thought, Candor and Action Add Up to a McCain Victory in 2008

The other day, John McCain met with Jewish American leaders in New York to present his 'step-by-step' approach to finding a way to peace in the Middle East. Again, McCain proved that a leader is one who does not take a cookie cutter approach to problems like Health Care, the Law of the Sea, Immigration Reform, much less the war on Islamist Terror, but a person who looks at the big picture - every aspect of its surface and what lies beneath, speaks to the problems and then, and only then, takes bold direct action at every level. A Leader develops a game plan; articulates its execution to the whole team and leads from the front.

NEW YORK — Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Tuesday advocated taking one step at a time in approaching Mideast peace negotiations.

The statement precedes a planned summit of Israeli, Palestinian and other Arab leaders scheduled next month in Annapolis, Md. McCain's statement may be seen a gentle criticism of the Bush summit, which aims to jump-start peace talks.

“I think that process has to be a step by step process. An encompassing, all encompassing, one-step solution was tried by former President Clinton, and I think that’s probably a very, very difficult accomplishment,” the Arizona senator told a conference of Jewish leaders in New York.

McCain said he couldn’t put a timeline on an his approach, noting that terrorists like Hamas continue to be the unknown factor.

“I’m not sure frankly how you, how you deal with Hamas. If they’re dedicated to your extinction it’s hard to sit down and negotiate with somebody that says we’re going to destroy you,” he said.

In a forum devoted almost exclusively to foreign policy, the senator criticized Russia and China for blocking the U.S. and it’s allies when it comes to putting pressure on Sudan, North Korea and Iran. He proposed creating a league of democracies with countries that share American values and control the world’s economy.

“Why don’t we act together with these countries and impose meaningful sanctions on Iran today?” he asked.

McCain said the U.S. is facing a U.N. Security Council which has created difficulties for the U.S. However, he made it clear that he does not favor abandoning the United Nations.

McCain thinks to the issues - he thinks through them; he speaks to the issues - honestly and in direct language; and he takes action.

Chew Out Judge Ackley, Senator McCain

McCain Tree County - Iowa.


John McCain is mulling over the test in the Iowa Caucus - If you do make a stop in Iowa, Senator McCain, give Judge Ackley, who sentenced a Chicago Police Officer to Five Years for defending himself from an outrageous Iowa drunk, a nice thick slice of your mind. You would lock up some powerful support, which is already quite strong, in Democratic Chicago and maybe even spring a man unfairly sentenced by a miserable clown in robes.

Give this judicial creep a thick, knotty piece of McCain Justice - the kind that is born of the Rule of Law and a Sense of Justice, because there is bugger all Justice in Dubuque in the court of Judge Ackley. Unless, of course, you happen to be a locally connected bar bully.

Click on my Title Post for John Kass's account of Officer Mike Mette's
agonistes.

In the Mean Time Folks - Drop the Governor of Iowa a Note - Let's get his head up on this matter:

http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/contact/index.php

McCain Is For Those Who Serve

"For my part, I would simply affirm that the sacrifices borne by veterans deserve to be memorialized in something more lasting than marble or bronze or in the fleeting effect of a politician's speech. Your valor and your devotion to duty have earned your country's abiding concern for your well being. I am, I assure you, committed to honoring that debt."

John McCain, Remarks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3/7/95


Only one candidate seems to make sense, because that candidate speaks in plain English. John McCain talks to the issues important to American Voters. As an American who understands service, John McCain speaks from the heart on issues important to voters.

Click on my post title for john McCain's views on Veterans issues.


For ALL Veterans and Public Service Employees

Plan to attend the

LEO HIGH SCHOOL VETERANS OBSERVANCES

11 AM - Friday, November 9th
at

Leo High School
7901 S. Sangamon Street
Chicago, IL 60620

Contact - Pat Hickey at (773) 224-9600 extension # 16

Call to Order
Invocation
Raising of the Colors
Wreath Laying
Remarks by Leo High School Seniors; Rochele Crump - Veterans Affairs for DCFS; Rich Furlong Leo Alumni Association & others
Taps
21 Gun Salute
Reception in Leo Cafeteria

Aces Over Kings : John McCain and Nick Sarkozy Over the Other Two Beauts

Vlad's Joe Stalin meets Mahmoud's Al Hitler in a toxic ploy to form Empire: these crumbs worked out the new Non-Agression Pact: Where was Hugo????? He's still stroking the Beard.

The London Times Reports:

"President Putin forged an alliance with Iran yesterday against any military action by the west and pledged to complete the controversial Iranian nuclear power plant at Bushehr."

In 2008, a couple of good guys will tie these clowns in knots: President John McCain and French President Nick Sarkozy. Stay tuned.

Here is John McCain on fighting for Freedom

America needs a president who can revitalize our country's purpose and standing in the world, defeat terrorist adversaries who threaten liberty at home and abroad, and build enduring peace. There is an enormous amount to do. Our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been costly in blood and treasure and in other less tangible ways as well. Our next president will need to rally nations across the world around common causes as only America can. There will be no time for on-the-job training. Given the present dangers, our country cannot afford the kind of malaise, drift, and fecklessness that followed the Vietnam War. The next president must be prepared to lead America and the world to victory -- and to seize the opportunities afforded by the unprecedented liberty and prosperity in the world today to build a peace that will last a century.


WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR

Defeating radical Islamist extremists is the national security challenge of our time. Iraq is this war's central front, according to our commander there, General David Petraeus, and according to our enemies, including al Qaeda's leadership.

The recent years of mismanagement and failure in Iraq demonstrate that America should go to war only with sufficient troop levels and with a realistic and comprehensive plan for success. We did not do so in Iraq, and our country and the people of Iraq have paid a dear price. Only after four years of conflict did the United States adopt a counterinsurgency strategy, backed by increased force levels, that gives us a realistic chance of success. We cannot get those years back, and now the only responsible action for any presidential candidate is to look forward and outline the strategic posture in Iraq that is most likely to protect U.S. national interests.

So long as we can succeed in Iraq -- and I believe that we can -- we must succeed. The consequences of failure would be horrific: a historic loss at the hands of Islamist extremists who, after having defeated the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and the United States in Iraq, will believe that the world is going their way and that anything is possible; a failed state in the heart of the Middle East providing sanctuary for terrorists; a civil war that could quickly develop into a regional conflict and even genocide; a decisive end to the prospect of a modern democracy in Iraq, for which large Iraqi majorities have repeatedly voted; and an invitation for Iran to dominate Iraq and the region even more.

Whether success grows closer or more distant over the coming months, it is clear that Iraq will be a central issue for the next U.S. president. Democratic candidates have promised to withdraw U.S. troops and "end the war" by fiat, regardless of the consequences. To make such decisions based on the political winds at home, rather than on the realities in the theater, is to court disaster. The war in Iraq cannot be wished away, and it is a miscalculation of historic magnitude to believe that the consequences of failure will be limited to one administration or one party. This is an American war, and its outcome will touch every one of our citizens for years to come.

That is why I support our continuing efforts to win in Iraq. It is also why I oppose a preemptive withdrawal strategy that has no Plan B for the aftermath of its inevitable failure and the greater problems that would ensue.

From his speech before The Council on Foreign Relations.