Andy Martin is running for National Committeeman to clean up the crooked Illinois Republican Party leadership and to end “Combine” control of the organization. Martin says Republicans will have Congressman Ray LaHood to thank if Barack Obama is nominated for president. A copy of the lawsuit is a part of this posting (below).
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2008
CORRUPTION FIGHTER ANDY MARTIN SUES RAY LAHOOD, ELOISE GERSON, LEE ROUPAS, BRIAN SHEAHAN, DEB DETMERS, DAN VENTURI AND JASON HEFFLEY FOR RIGGING ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION DELEGATE PROCESS
MARTIN CALLS FOR CONGRESSMAN RAY LAHOOD TO STEP DOWN AS A CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN BECAUSE LAHOOD IS A MEMBER OF THE “COMBINE” THAT HAS DESTROYED THE PARTY
(CHICAGO)(May 16, 2008) Illinois Republican reformer Andy Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Friday, May 16th to announce he has filed a lawsuit to stop corruption at the Illinois Republican Party’s 2008 state convention. “The behavior of most Republican Party leaders is disgraceful,” Martin will state. “They are conducting an election for National Committeeman and National Committeewoman, and refusing to release the names of the voters for this office, who are the delegates. Why are delegate lists and members-of-committee lists being held in secret? In a word, LaHood and his coconspirators are trying to fix the convention to elect him.
“How can anyone justify an ‘election’ in which the names of the ‘voters’ are being concealed or a convention in which the names of members of convention committees are secret? If this is not a blatant attempt to rig the vote and elect Combine Candidate Ray LaHood I don’t know what it is.
We have to face the reality that the Republican Party is being mismanaged into the ground.”
Martin is the reform Republican candidate for National Committeeman.
Martin will be seeking an emergency court hearing.
“At some point, Republicans are going to get sick of Combine control of their party. Ray LaHood was one of the cabal of leaders that forced U. S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald out of office—and paved the way for the election of Barack Obama. No wonder LaHood was salivating when Obama visited the U. S. House earlier this week; LaHood’s dirty tricks and backstabbing helped elect Obama by removing the incumbent Republican. If Obama is elected president, we will have LaHood and his hoods to thank.
“Peter Fitzgerald was pilloried because he fought corruption. What does that tell you? The evidence to support these claims is in testimony in the Tony Rezko trial, where ‘Republican leaders’ were mired neck deep in corruption. The Combine is real and the Rezko trial testimony blew the lid off the Republican Party's past and present ‘leadership.’
“Most Illinois Republicans are honest, hardworking, law-abiding citizens. How did we end up with a party state committee and party leadership and party employees who are sickos and crooks? How? Who wins? We know who loses: Main Street, mainstream Republicans.
“I am doing my best to fight corruption and to return control of the Republican Party to the people,” Martin says.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: National Committeeman candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Sidewalk news conference, SE corner of Huron and
Wabash (near St. James Cathedral), Chicago
WHEN: Friday, May 16, 2008 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin sues to block crooked Republican
state convention
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124; Cell (917) 664-9329
WEBSITE: http://www.andymartincampaigndiary.blogspot.com
http://andymartincampaigndiary.wordpress.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
ood is catching leas form his association withrigged votig, doctored delegates abnd the usual corrutionof McKnna. Vrian Sheahan is also an orchestratorof this shamlweful travesty. he is unfot toserve DuPage County as apublic offici8al. He shopudleither step down form his partypositionor step downfrom hisopublic office.
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© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com. Also: AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
CASE NO. 2008CH1859 IN CHANCERY
ANDY MARTIN,
Plaintiff,
v.
RAY LAHOOD,
BRIAN SHEAHAN,
LEE ROUPAS,
ELOISE GERSON.
DEB DETMERS,
DAN VENTURI,
JASON HEFFLEY,
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
Preliminary Statement
This lawsuit is triggered by the efforts of the Republican Party of Illinois’ leadership and management to conduct a corrupt and rigged state party convention, so as to prolong “Combine” control of the National Committeeman’s seat by forcing the election of Ray LaHood on victimized Republicans.
Plaintiff is opposing LaHood and seeks access to state party convention delegate information in DuPage County and other counties, as well as a judicial confirmation of his own candidacy for the national Committeeman’s post. This lawsuit arises under the Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Election Code, § 10 ILCS 5/7-9.
1. Jurisdiction and venue
a. This court has general common law jurisdiction to hear and determine the matters presented.
b. Venue is proper in DuPage County. Defendant Brian Sheahan is a resident of DuPage County, public official of DuPage County and official of the Illinois Republican Party.
2. Factual allegations
a. The parties
A. Plaintiff is a consumer advocate and public interest lawyer, although not a member of the Illinois Bar, who has exposed and fought corruption in Illinois politics for over forty years. Most recently, Plaintiff was a candidate for U. S. Senator, in an election where associates of the defendants rigged the proceedings and corrupted the party apparatus to elect a “lie down” opponent for an incumbent Democratic senator.
B. Defendant Ray LaHood is the “Combine” candidate to succeed to the position of National Committeeman, and he is the beneficiary of the corrupt machinations of the other defendants, all of whom seek to elect LaHood and defeat Plaintiff. In the past, LaHood has sought to derail anti-corruption agents.
C. Brian Sheahan is a member of the DuPage County Board and General Counsel to the Illinois Republican Party. Defendant Sheahan is a fully competent and aware attorney, and is therefore fully cognizant of the illegality and fraudulent nature of his behavior in conspiring with the co-defendants and their associates.
D. Defendant Lee Roupas is a county chairman who has claimed in writing to be operating under secret rules and a complete lack of awareness of the state convention delegates in his own county as of May 14th.
E. Defendant Eloise Gerson is a ward committeeman who has appointed her own cronies to as delegate and conducted no notice or other procedures as part of any appointment process. Plaintiff is a resident of Gerson’s ward.
F. Defendant Deb Detmers is chairman of the Credentials Committee at the state convention, and is scheduled to supervise the approval of bogus delegates selected in violation of state law by the defendants and other county chairmen throughout the state.
G. Defendant Dan Venturi is Lake County chairman and has violated state law in failing to appoint state convention delegates pursuant to the Election Code.
H. Defendant Jason Heffley is the Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party and orchestrates the malignant activity of the defendants and persons acting in concert with them.
b. The Facts Giving Rise to This Lawsuit
A. Plaintiff is an announced candidate for National Committeeman of the Illinois Republican Party. The incumbent National Committeeman has been the subject of intense controversy, and his name was mentioned, along with those of other Republican Party “leaders,” in the notorious federal criminal corruption trial of Democrat Tony Rezko. The incumbent is not running for reelection.
B. Illinois politics operates under the control of a “Combine,” run by corrupt--primarily business--elements in both political parties. As documented in numerous federal criminal trials the Combine collects and dispenses favors on a continuing, bipartisan basis. Retired officials such as defendant Ray LaHood seek party status so as to burnish their marketability as lobbyists and influence peddlers in Washington, Chicago and Springfield.
C. Defendant Heffley and his associates have done everything within their power, and far beyond the outer perimeters of their power and Illinois law, to obstruct the civil and political rights of the Plaintiff: they have conducted a “rump” endorsement session to undermine his candidacy for the senate; misappropriated party funds to support their own private candidate against Plaintiff; and refused to allow Plaintiff to participate in party events, all because Plaintiff is committed to public integrity and good government and the defendants are committed to perpetuating the corrupt system which exists in the statewide Republican Party today.
D. The specific facts giving rise to this lawsuit are instructive: defendant Brian Sheahan has claimed that “state law” and “party rules,” prohibit appointment of a state convention delegate from outside their own ward or township, thereby severely limiting the appointing power of party officials and the eligibility of potential convention delegates. The result is to perpetuate a racist Republican Party, which disenfranchises minorities throughout much of the City of Chicago. And, moreover, in some wards there is either no Republican ward committeeman or an inactive and supine committeeman controlled by the Daley Machine, none of which protect the rights of Republicans such as Plaintiff who are engaged in outreach to minorities.
E. Defendant Eloise Gerson appointed a slate of her own “crony delegates” to the state convention without convening any meeting, making any announcement or following any procedures whatsoever to provide for fair and open selection of state convention delegates.
F. Defendant Dan Venturi was supposed to select his state convention delegates at the party’s county convention, but failed to do so.
G. Defendant Sheahan, as the General Counsel of the statewide Republican Party, has orchestrated this secrecy operation in order to advance the Combine's goal of electing defendant Ray LaHood as National Committeemen and defeating Plaintiff. Sheahan is a competent attorney who practices in a law firm with a substantial practice devoted to governmental and municipal law. Sheahan is aware that he is propagating lies to unsuspecting victims such as defendant Lee Roupas, a young law student who is one of the latest victims and stooges of the defendants, by causing Roupas and others acting in concert with him and Gerson to claim that nonexistent “rules” impose residency requirements for state convention delegates.
H. Sheahan has allowed the state party to collect a secret database of convention delegates that is not available to Republican candidates or officials and is—as in the case of the recently rigged February primary--being used to advance and perpetuate the sole interests of the Combine’s candidate, defendant LaHood.
I. All of the foregoing lies, misrepresentations and dirty tricks are orchestrated by and coordinated through defendant Heffley, the Executive Director of the state party. Roupas, for example, claims that “rules” govern his conduct but he has apparently never seen these “rules” and no such rules are posted on the party’s website. No rules were available prior to the expiration of the application period to be a state convention delegate.
J. Because of his lack of experience and sophistication, defendant Roupas is an obvious dupe of more senior and knowledgeable “dirty tricks” operators such as Heffley. The actions of the defendants collectively show contempt for Illinois law, for the Illinois Constitution and for the Election Code in particular.
K. This Court has plenary jurisdiction to apply the Illinois Constitution to the actions and corrupt conduct of the defendants, and to declare the rights and remedies of the parties as hereinbelow set forth.
3. Legal claim
a. The Illinois Constitution, Article III, Section 3 mandates that “All elections shall be free and equal.”
b. The state party convention and state convention delegates are an event and positions created by virtue of state law, § 10 ILCS 5/7-9. Therefore, the Illinois Constitution fully applies to all of the actions and inactions of the defendants in this lawsuit. Defendants have acted, combined and conspired to make a mockery of the Illinois Constitutional guarantee of “free and equal selection” of delegates to the state convention.
c. The right to run for a state-created office is a constitutional right encompassed under the Illinois Constitution.
d. The defendants have a documented history of making a mockery of state law; conducting rigged and crooked primary elections; and seeking to entrench themselves and the “Combine” in control of the levers of power in Illinois politics and government.
e. Unless the Court intervenes to protect Plaintiff’s rights, the state convention and election for National Committeeman will be a joke and defendants will brazenly and blatantly rig the election to entrench LaHood as National Committeeman. Imagine if you will a convention in which the names of most delegates appointed pursuant to state law are a secret, and in which those who wish to participate are told either that delegate slates are closed, or that no one can be appointed from outside their own ward or township, when the very state law creating the state convention and National Committeeman’s position has no residency requirements whatsoever.
4. Demand for judgment
Plaintiff demands a judgment as follows:
a. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that he is a legally qualified and fully-filed candidate for National Committeeman of the Illinois Republican party, and that he is entitled to campaign against defendant LaHood in Decatur on June 6-7, 2008.
b. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that as a legally qualified and fully-filed candidate for national Committeeman of the Illinois Republican Party, he is entitled to immediately receive a list of all state convention delegates as well as all party records and contact information for each delegate.
c. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that under the Illinois Election Code, § 10 ILCS 5/7-9, there are no residency requirements stated under the current version of the Election Code or, in the alternative, if any such requirements exist they are citywide and countywide and do not limit any township or ward committeeman from appointing any city of non-city resident as a delegate to the state convention.
d. Plaintiff seeks such other injunctive and declaratory relief as may be necessary and proper to do complete justice, including his costs of suit.
Dated: May 15, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
ANDY MARTIN
SERVICE OF NOTICES IS RESPECTFULLY
REQUESTED BY FAX OR E-MAIL
30 E. Huron St., Suite 4406
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
E-mail: andymart20@aol.com (text only)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Congressman Ray LaHood faces lawsuit in Illinois fraud battle
Andy Martin sues to open Illinois Republican Party. Congressman Ray LaHood has become a “front” for the corrupt bipartisan Illinois “combine” that controls politics in Illinois, says Republican reformer Martin. “LaHood wants to be National Committeeman so he can lobby and sell influence like his predecessors. That’s not going to happen.” Martin says. Martin is filing suit Thursday against LaHood and others associated with him who are trying to rig LaHood’s election at the Republican State Convention in June 7th.
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2008
CORRUPTION FIGHTER ANDY MARTIN WILL SUE REPUBLICAN PARTY THURSDAY FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND SEEKING TO CONVENE A “RIGGED STATE CONVENTION”
MARTIN CALLS ON CONGRESSMAN RAY LAHOOD TO CONDEMN ACTS BY HIS SUPPORTERS TO CORRUPT THE PARTY, AND SAYS LAHOOD SHOULD STEP DOWN AS A CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN
(CHICAGO)(May 14, 2008) Illinois Republican reformer Andy Martin announced today, Wednesday, May 14th that he will file suit Thursday to block efforts by State Chairman Andy McKenna and Jason Heffley to rig the Republican State Convention in Decatur. Martin also called on Congressman Ray LaHood to condemn the efforts of his supporters to corrupt the party by fixing the election for national committeeman. Martin says LaHood should withdraw as a candidate for National Committeeman because he has become a front for the corrupt bipartisan “combine” in Illinois.
LaHood will also be named as a defendant in Martin’s suit.
“Five o’clock today has come and gone, and the gang of crooks that is rigging and ruining the Republican Party has failed to respond and is refusing to provide me with information in my campaign. They are concealing the names of delegates to the state convention. They are trying to disenfranchise Cook County voters, and Cook County ‘Chairman-law student’ Roupas is acting as a front for this corruption.
“So I will make all of them respond in court, starting tomorrow. Andy McKenna is a rich boy and he has lots of money to hire lawyers. But what can he do to repay Illinois Republicans for the destruction and devastation he is he doing to the state party?
“McKenna and his compatriots are trying to rig a vote in favor of Ray LaHood. LaHood may have been unsullied before he fell in with the crooks; but it is a truism that if you ‘lie down with dogs, you will catch fleas.’ LaHood is catching fleas by associating with McKenna & Co.
“Brian Sheahan is also demonstrating he is unfit to serve in public office. He should either resign from DuPage County office, or resign in protest from his Republican Party role as ‘legal counsel,’ because he is adding and abetting in false legal practices. Sheahan cannot serve a corrupt master and also serve the People of DuPage,” Martin stated.
“The Republican Party in Illinois is a minority party, and it is a shrinking party. We should be trying to increase, not inhibit, participation at the state convention in Decatur.
“Finally, Ray LaHood should withdraw as a candidate for National Committeeman. He is becoming associated with the 'combine,' with all of the unsavory elements in our state party, and he is not fit to serve the nation when he acts as an associate of local crooks and criminals.”
Martin is the reform Republican candidate for National Committeeman.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com. Also: AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2008
CORRUPTION FIGHTER ANDY MARTIN WILL SUE REPUBLICAN PARTY THURSDAY FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND SEEKING TO CONVENE A “RIGGED STATE CONVENTION”
MARTIN CALLS ON CONGRESSMAN RAY LAHOOD TO CONDEMN ACTS BY HIS SUPPORTERS TO CORRUPT THE PARTY, AND SAYS LAHOOD SHOULD STEP DOWN AS A CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN
(CHICAGO)(May 14, 2008) Illinois Republican reformer Andy Martin announced today, Wednesday, May 14th that he will file suit Thursday to block efforts by State Chairman Andy McKenna and Jason Heffley to rig the Republican State Convention in Decatur. Martin also called on Congressman Ray LaHood to condemn the efforts of his supporters to corrupt the party by fixing the election for national committeeman. Martin says LaHood should withdraw as a candidate for National Committeeman because he has become a front for the corrupt bipartisan “combine” in Illinois.
LaHood will also be named as a defendant in Martin’s suit.
“Five o’clock today has come and gone, and the gang of crooks that is rigging and ruining the Republican Party has failed to respond and is refusing to provide me with information in my campaign. They are concealing the names of delegates to the state convention. They are trying to disenfranchise Cook County voters, and Cook County ‘Chairman-law student’ Roupas is acting as a front for this corruption.
“So I will make all of them respond in court, starting tomorrow. Andy McKenna is a rich boy and he has lots of money to hire lawyers. But what can he do to repay Illinois Republicans for the destruction and devastation he is he doing to the state party?
“McKenna and his compatriots are trying to rig a vote in favor of Ray LaHood. LaHood may have been unsullied before he fell in with the crooks; but it is a truism that if you ‘lie down with dogs, you will catch fleas.’ LaHood is catching fleas by associating with McKenna & Co.
“Brian Sheahan is also demonstrating he is unfit to serve in public office. He should either resign from DuPage County office, or resign in protest from his Republican Party role as ‘legal counsel,’ because he is adding and abetting in false legal practices. Sheahan cannot serve a corrupt master and also serve the People of DuPage,” Martin stated.
“The Republican Party in Illinois is a minority party, and it is a shrinking party. We should be trying to increase, not inhibit, participation at the state convention in Decatur.
“Finally, Ray LaHood should withdraw as a candidate for National Committeeman. He is becoming associated with the 'combine,' with all of the unsavory elements in our state party, and he is not fit to serve the nation when he acts as an associate of local crooks and criminals.”
Martin is the reform Republican candidate for National Committeeman.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com. Also: AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
Andy Martin Fights to Open Illinois Republican Party
ANDY MARTIN,J.D.
Professor of Law (Adj.)
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: http://www.AndyMartin.com
E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com
May 13, 2008
Chairman Lee Roupas
134 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2460
Chicago, IL 60602
via fax (708) 349-1627, and
hand deliver
Eloise Gerson
208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1721
Chicago, IL 60604
hand deliver
Brian Sheahan, Esq.
Illinois Republican Party
205 W. Randolph, Suite 1245
Chicago, IL 60606
via fax (312) 782-0943 and 201-0181
Re: 2008 Illinois Republican State Convention
Dear Chairman Roupas,
Committeeman Gerson, and
Attorney Sheahan,
I am writing to express my concern at the way participation in the Illinois Republican 2008 State Convention is being manipulated and discouraged, and to note that if we are unable to resolve our issues I will be compelled to file a lawsuit later this week.
Two months ago, I wrote to Chairman Roupas about being a delegate to the 2008 convention. I did not receive a response. My second e-mail elicited a response from Lee that the matter was being handled at the ward/township level. There is no such requirement or limitation in the statute. Moreover, we have wards with apparently no committeeman, which would mean those wards were completely disenfranchised from participation in our party. State law cannot mandate such an absurd result. Today, hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans are being disenfranchised by the party’s leadership. This cannot stand.
Although we usually act like it, the Republican Party is not a private country club for the few and privileged. I have not received any notification of how and when the 42nd Ward is attempting to fill its delegate openings despite the fact that I have contributed to the ward. Moreover, anyone who lives in Cook County should be able to be a delegate from anywhere in Cook County. The artificial requirement that someone can only be appointed from their own township or ward is a concocted restriction which finds no support in state law.
Unlike much of Andy McKenna’s shenanigans, where he makes up the rules as he goes along to corrupt the party for the benefit of the "combine," the state convention is mandated by state law. Therefore, participation in the state convention is fully protected by federal civil rights laws. Denial of delegate access to the convention could prompt legal efforts to invalidate any action taken by a rump meeting.
If necessary, I will file a lawsuit later this week and hold the responsible individuals personally liable for discriminatory and exclusionary behavior in violation of and in excess of state and federal laws. However, before I take any action I would like to afford you a final opportunity to comply with state and federal law. Litigation should be a last resort, not a first.
All of these factors become even more critical now that I have decided to become a candidate for national committeeman, and begun to campaign to reform our party and to end the corrupt relationships between Republican leaders and the Democratic party, all of which were glaringly exposed during the Rezko trial.
For Andy McKenna to be writing nonsense letters to the Chicago Tribune—where his father sat on the board of directors and where they are presumably mildly favorable to him because of that fact—when Republicans were knee deep in Rezko’s mud, shows that McKenna is out of touch with reality. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-0513ledelettermay13,0,1135129.story
If you remain silent, you also remain out of touch with reality.
The Republican Party is composed of activists and voters, millions of them. It is disgraceful that we allow our party to be tarnished by the evidence of bipartisan corruption documented in the Rezko trial. The Rezko—Republican link reflects a disgraceful abdication of ethics. A desire to clean up this mess motivates me to seek the national post.
I therefore request the following by the close of business on May 14th:
1. So that I may campaign for national committeeman, both a hard copy and electronic copy of the delegate list for the 2008 state convention; I can call to pick up this material where it is available.
2. That you open the Cook County delegation to any resident of Cook County to serve from any township or ward at the state convention. That’s what I believe both state and federal law mandates, particularly when the party is weak or nonexistent in many wards and the result of the current “policy” is to disenfranchise wide areas of the city and to leave delegate rolls vacant. I ask to be appointed a delegate.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions.
With best wishes,
ANDY
AM:sp
Professor of Law (Adj.)
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: http://www.AndyMartin.com
E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com
May 13, 2008
Chairman Lee Roupas
134 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2460
Chicago, IL 60602
via fax (708) 349-1627, and
hand deliver
Eloise Gerson
208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1721
Chicago, IL 60604
hand deliver
Brian Sheahan, Esq.
Illinois Republican Party
205 W. Randolph, Suite 1245
Chicago, IL 60606
via fax (312) 782-0943 and 201-0181
Re: 2008 Illinois Republican State Convention
Dear Chairman Roupas,
Committeeman Gerson, and
Attorney Sheahan,
I am writing to express my concern at the way participation in the Illinois Republican 2008 State Convention is being manipulated and discouraged, and to note that if we are unable to resolve our issues I will be compelled to file a lawsuit later this week.
Two months ago, I wrote to Chairman Roupas about being a delegate to the 2008 convention. I did not receive a response. My second e-mail elicited a response from Lee that the matter was being handled at the ward/township level. There is no such requirement or limitation in the statute. Moreover, we have wards with apparently no committeeman, which would mean those wards were completely disenfranchised from participation in our party. State law cannot mandate such an absurd result. Today, hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans are being disenfranchised by the party’s leadership. This cannot stand.
Although we usually act like it, the Republican Party is not a private country club for the few and privileged. I have not received any notification of how and when the 42nd Ward is attempting to fill its delegate openings despite the fact that I have contributed to the ward. Moreover, anyone who lives in Cook County should be able to be a delegate from anywhere in Cook County. The artificial requirement that someone can only be appointed from their own township or ward is a concocted restriction which finds no support in state law.
Unlike much of Andy McKenna’s shenanigans, where he makes up the rules as he goes along to corrupt the party for the benefit of the "combine," the state convention is mandated by state law. Therefore, participation in the state convention is fully protected by federal civil rights laws. Denial of delegate access to the convention could prompt legal efforts to invalidate any action taken by a rump meeting.
If necessary, I will file a lawsuit later this week and hold the responsible individuals personally liable for discriminatory and exclusionary behavior in violation of and in excess of state and federal laws. However, before I take any action I would like to afford you a final opportunity to comply with state and federal law. Litigation should be a last resort, not a first.
All of these factors become even more critical now that I have decided to become a candidate for national committeeman, and begun to campaign to reform our party and to end the corrupt relationships between Republican leaders and the Democratic party, all of which were glaringly exposed during the Rezko trial.
For Andy McKenna to be writing nonsense letters to the Chicago Tribune—where his father sat on the board of directors and where they are presumably mildly favorable to him because of that fact—when Republicans were knee deep in Rezko’s mud, shows that McKenna is out of touch with reality. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-0513ledelettermay13,0,1135129.story
If you remain silent, you also remain out of touch with reality.
The Republican Party is composed of activists and voters, millions of them. It is disgraceful that we allow our party to be tarnished by the evidence of bipartisan corruption documented in the Rezko trial. The Rezko—Republican link reflects a disgraceful abdication of ethics. A desire to clean up this mess motivates me to seek the national post.
I therefore request the following by the close of business on May 14th:
1. So that I may campaign for national committeeman, both a hard copy and electronic copy of the delegate list for the 2008 state convention; I can call to pick up this material where it is available.
2. That you open the Cook County delegation to any resident of Cook County to serve from any township or ward at the state convention. That’s what I believe both state and federal law mandates, particularly when the party is weak or nonexistent in many wards and the result of the current “policy” is to disenfranchise wide areas of the city and to leave delegate rolls vacant. I ask to be appointed a delegate.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions.
With best wishes,
ANDY
AM:sp
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Corruption fighter Andy Martin announces race for national Republican post
Andy Martin seeks to lead fight against Illinois corruption. Martin promises to place the controversial post of Republican National Committeeman in honest and independent hands.
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2008
CORRUPTION FIGHTER ANDY MARTIN ANNOUNCES RACE FOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN POST
(CHICAGO)(May 13, 2008) Illinois Republican reformer Andy Martin announced today, Tuesday, May 13th that he is a candidate for Republican National Committeeman from the State of Illinois.
Martin has faxed his application for the post to Illinois Republican Party headquarters. The position will be filled at the Republican Party’s State Convention in Decatur on June 7th.
“In the past, the National Committeeman’s position has been a source of intense controversy, as well as testimony in the recently concluded Rezko criminal trial,” Martin stated. “I have stayed out of the prior intra-party disputes. But it is now time for the Republican Party to stand for integrity and not for sleazy politics and bipartisan corruption.
“The party’s establishment is backing a retiring official who no doubt wants to use the Committeeman’s post as an accoutrement in a lobbying career. The result would be predictable. Eventually there could be more scandal, more conflicts of interest, more cronyism and eventually more corruption. When will they ever learn? If I am known for anything, it is for being scrupulously honest and an indefatigable corruption fighter. This is what Republicans need in 2008,” Martin stated. “The campaign begins tomorrow.”
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com. Also: AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2008
CORRUPTION FIGHTER ANDY MARTIN ANNOUNCES RACE FOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN POST
(CHICAGO)(May 13, 2008) Illinois Republican reformer Andy Martin announced today, Tuesday, May 13th that he is a candidate for Republican National Committeeman from the State of Illinois.
Martin has faxed his application for the post to Illinois Republican Party headquarters. The position will be filled at the Republican Party’s State Convention in Decatur on June 7th.
“In the past, the National Committeeman’s position has been a source of intense controversy, as well as testimony in the recently concluded Rezko criminal trial,” Martin stated. “I have stayed out of the prior intra-party disputes. But it is now time for the Republican Party to stand for integrity and not for sleazy politics and bipartisan corruption.
“The party’s establishment is backing a retiring official who no doubt wants to use the Committeeman’s post as an accoutrement in a lobbying career. The result would be predictable. Eventually there could be more scandal, more conflicts of interest, more cronyism and eventually more corruption. When will they ever learn? If I am known for anything, it is for being scrupulously honest and an indefatigable corruption fighter. This is what Republicans need in 2008,” Martin stated. “The campaign begins tomorrow.”
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com. Also: AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Andy Martin on War and Peace
ANDY MARTIN
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
February 2, 2008
Campaign diary #4
ANDY MARTIN on WAR AND PEACE
Dear Reader:
Chicago is still snow-covered again today, and I have a little more time to reflect and provide some deeper insight into both my background in Asia and the Middle East and how my views inform my conduct as a candidate.
I.
WAR
Senator Paul Douglas asked me to go to Viet-Nam in 1967. Later I made regular trips to Asia-—Thailand, Cambodia, Viet-Nam, China and Hong Kong--between 1967 and 1971. I studied Chinese in Hong Kong.
I first went to the Middle East in 1970. Since then I have been to Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. My analysis and reporting is uniformly respected, both in Washington and inside the region itself. I spent most of 2003 in Baghdad as a bureau chief. Based on my knowledge and experience in the Middle East, my position as a candidate is unique.
I was a strong opponent of the Iraq invasion in 2002-2003. I advocated a continuation of the existing policy, using airpower and special forces units to disrupt Saddam Hussein. I wanted to avoid a ground invasion. My judgment was solid. When I reached Baghdad in April, 2003, I began to predict all of the major errors in policy. Ironically, the more accurate my reports were, the more criticism I received.
Result: Today in 2008 I do not have to defend the decision to invade. But I can attack the Democrats because they turned on President Bush after initially supporting the invasion.
Where do I stand in 2008, and into 2009? President Bush finally assembled the team in Iraq in 2007 that he needed in 2003 after the invasion, a street-smart military commander and country team led by an Arabic-speaking Chief of Mission. Today we have that combination. We cannot make a precipitous withdrawal and leave Iraqis high-and-dry. We must withdraw gradually and deliberately, as we secure the nation for peaceful transition. In short, my policy position today can hold Republicans while adding independents and concerned conservative Democrats. I have a strong position from which to attack “Dump-and-Defeat” Durbin.
II.
AND PEACE
In 2000, I announced the Andy Martin Middle East Peace Plan. I laid out a framework to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. At the time, George Bush was running for president. President Bush came into office with a “hands off” policy towards resolving this conflict. My Peace Plan was initially criticized. People said it was unrealistic and “anti-Israel.” But I was only laying out a policy that I viewed as inevitable. On my radio talk show, “Andy Martin’s America,” I campaigned for the peace plan. [Full disclosure: I contribute to peace groups in the Middle East.]
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the Bush Administration began to gravitate towards my Peace Plan. Today, the substance of my Peace Plan has become Bush Administration Policy. Both at Annapolis, and in Israel and Palestine earlier this month, President Bush has accepted the overall scheme and structure I proposed eight years ago. Once again, my long term views were vindicated. Sound judgment is an essential quality in a senator.
The president now realizes that all of the players and pieces in the Middle East are related and connected. I am hopeful he will bring the overall controversy to a conclusion before he leaves office. My prayers are with President Bush.
A Republican candidate cannot run against a powerful incumbent Democrat such as Durbin without having solid foreign policy credentials. Babbling about having “no experience” and “not being a politician” and similar slogans is nonsense. No Illinoisan will trust the lives of our sons and daughters to a Republican who promises to go to the U. S. Senate as a midlife crisis “learning experience.” That is why I am the only Republican candidate who is credible to debate and attack Senator Durbin.
I have over forty years of solid foreign policy experience. On issues involving Asia and the Middle East I am an expert, not a rookie. When you combine my foreign policy expertise with my broadcasting experience in radio and television, I am uniquely qualified to challenge Durbin.
Best wishes,
ANDY MARTIN
P. S. Your thoughts, reactions and comments are always welcome. In the middle of my own U. S. Senate campaign, I can’t always answer as promptly as I normally do, but we read everything and will respond where appropriate.
------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. See also AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: http://www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
February 2, 2008
Campaign diary #4
ANDY MARTIN on WAR AND PEACE
Dear Reader:
Chicago is still snow-covered again today, and I have a little more time to reflect and provide some deeper insight into both my background in Asia and the Middle East and how my views inform my conduct as a candidate.
I.
WAR
Senator Paul Douglas asked me to go to Viet-Nam in 1967. Later I made regular trips to Asia-—Thailand, Cambodia, Viet-Nam, China and Hong Kong--between 1967 and 1971. I studied Chinese in Hong Kong.
I first went to the Middle East in 1970. Since then I have been to Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. My analysis and reporting is uniformly respected, both in Washington and inside the region itself. I spent most of 2003 in Baghdad as a bureau chief. Based on my knowledge and experience in the Middle East, my position as a candidate is unique.
I was a strong opponent of the Iraq invasion in 2002-2003. I advocated a continuation of the existing policy, using airpower and special forces units to disrupt Saddam Hussein. I wanted to avoid a ground invasion. My judgment was solid. When I reached Baghdad in April, 2003, I began to predict all of the major errors in policy. Ironically, the more accurate my reports were, the more criticism I received.
Result: Today in 2008 I do not have to defend the decision to invade. But I can attack the Democrats because they turned on President Bush after initially supporting the invasion.
Where do I stand in 2008, and into 2009? President Bush finally assembled the team in Iraq in 2007 that he needed in 2003 after the invasion, a street-smart military commander and country team led by an Arabic-speaking Chief of Mission. Today we have that combination. We cannot make a precipitous withdrawal and leave Iraqis high-and-dry. We must withdraw gradually and deliberately, as we secure the nation for peaceful transition. In short, my policy position today can hold Republicans while adding independents and concerned conservative Democrats. I have a strong position from which to attack “Dump-and-Defeat” Durbin.
II.
AND PEACE
In 2000, I announced the Andy Martin Middle East Peace Plan. I laid out a framework to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. At the time, George Bush was running for president. President Bush came into office with a “hands off” policy towards resolving this conflict. My Peace Plan was initially criticized. People said it was unrealistic and “anti-Israel.” But I was only laying out a policy that I viewed as inevitable. On my radio talk show, “Andy Martin’s America,” I campaigned for the peace plan. [Full disclosure: I contribute to peace groups in the Middle East.]
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the Bush Administration began to gravitate towards my Peace Plan. Today, the substance of my Peace Plan has become Bush Administration Policy. Both at Annapolis, and in Israel and Palestine earlier this month, President Bush has accepted the overall scheme and structure I proposed eight years ago. Once again, my long term views were vindicated. Sound judgment is an essential quality in a senator.
The president now realizes that all of the players and pieces in the Middle East are related and connected. I am hopeful he will bring the overall controversy to a conclusion before he leaves office. My prayers are with President Bush.
A Republican candidate cannot run against a powerful incumbent Democrat such as Durbin without having solid foreign policy credentials. Babbling about having “no experience” and “not being a politician” and similar slogans is nonsense. No Illinoisan will trust the lives of our sons and daughters to a Republican who promises to go to the U. S. Senate as a midlife crisis “learning experience.” That is why I am the only Republican candidate who is credible to debate and attack Senator Durbin.
I have over forty years of solid foreign policy experience. On issues involving Asia and the Middle East I am an expert, not a rookie. When you combine my foreign policy expertise with my broadcasting experience in radio and television, I am uniquely qualified to challenge Durbin.
Best wishes,
ANDY MARTIN
P. S. Your thoughts, reactions and comments are always welcome. In the middle of my own U. S. Senate campaign, I can’t always answer as promptly as I normally do, but we read everything and will respond where appropriate.
------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. See also AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Andy Martin on writing about Senator Barack Obama
ANDY MARTIN
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: mailto:AndyforIllinois@aol.com
January 31, 2008
Campaign diary #3
BARACK OBAMA and ANDY MARTIN
Dear Reader:
Chicago is slowly becoming snow-bound today, and I have a little more time to reflect and provide some deeper insight into both my background as a columnist and how my views inform my conduct as a candidate.
Almost four years ago, I began to write about then-State Senator Barack Obama. In a statement and two news conferences on August 10, 2004, I raised two concerns about Obama: first, that he demonstrated a lack of candor about the religious history of his family; and, second, that he might be dissembling to prevent Jewish defections from his campaign for the U. S. Senate.
Little did I know that my investigative and editorial efforts would change both of our lives. I became the target of attacks by left-wing Democrats and Obama supporters who refused to believe the truth about his family history. I was accused of leading “right-wing” conspiracies, which came as something of a surprise to my Republican Party colleagues.
And, on Obama’s side, what should have been a minor and relatively straightforward matter has mushroomed and continues to grow into a major problem for his presidential candidacy.
I continued to research Obama’s family history and his own history after 2004, and to develop models and concepts based on our investigative efforts. Many of these reports and columns can be read at ContrarianCommentary.com.
First, here is a thought based on more than 40 years of experience in public life. None of us is perfect, and none of us can live a perfect life. I know I haven’t. And, in addition to the imperfections which exist in all of our lives, we have a natural human tendency towards modesty and privacy. Living under public scrutiny is not an easy thing.
I have found that being open and honest makes for a much easier time than trying to conceal matters of interest. I was recently asked a question by a Chicago Tribune reporter. My relations with that newspaper have been rocky in the past, but I always give people a second, and third chance, and a new reporter gets a new first chance. After the news conference I e-mailed him a response to his inquiry, and provided a source for further information. I was as open as could be. I had and have nothing to hide.
If Obama had followed the contours of my writing over the past four years, he would be in far better shape than he is now. Today he faces a sirocco of controversy in the Jewish community, and questions about his religion having expanding beyond all reason. Despite all of the campaign contributions Obama receives, in the broader community there is unease about his strength as a leader.
Second, let me be clear on two points. I have no personal ax to grind with Obama. He was an interesting subject for writing and research. That was the only reason I pursued inquiries. I had no idea where the evidence would take me in 2004. I am amazed to still be writing about him in 2008. I have never questioned that Obama is a Christian today. I have explained how Christianity accepts new members. As an Episcopalian, I know we are an open, inviting and welcoming religion. Rather, I was interested in how Obama dealt with questions about his past.
Four years ago, I expressed concern about the reaction of the Jewish community when it learned of Obama’s Muslim family past. Today, Obama is the target of virulent racism within the Jewish community, and attacks from Israel. Look at the following reports as exemplars:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=949364
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=948960
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=948037
What I predicted happened. Instead of dealing openly with his past, Obama sought to avoid and prevaricate about his family history. And as a result he has allowed an explosion of concern in the Jewish community. Efforts by the Mainstream Media (MSM) to bury the story have not extinguished the controversy.
Third, what is becoming increasingly interesting is that much of the current controversy in the Jewish community is being suppressed by the MSM. MSM are not interested in disclosing what is happening behind closed doors. I am led to wonder why. Why is it that a newspaper in Israel has more comprehensive coverage about Obama’s religious difficulties than the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Washington Post? Will this “silence” feed more paranoia? I believe it will.
Obama recently met with “Jewish” newspapers and reporters to protest the vicious attacks on him in the Jewish community. Why were the MSM not invited? Did he think we do not read Haaretz in the United States? He followed the same exclusionary approach he pursued after I criticized him for remaining silent about the chaos in Kenya. Then, he called the Voice of America, not the MSM, to issue a statement. He is never willing to make a clean public breast of his positions. Fear? Insecurity? You be the judge.
Fourth, perhaps to overcompensate with Jews, Obama has added a prominent member of AIPAC to his organization. AIPAC is a group that is an anathema to Muslims and pro-peace advocates around the world. Early on last year, I received criticism from some of my Muslim readers, who mistakenly thought Obama was one of them. They apparently thought a “Shhhh” could avoid the hydraulic pressure of a presidential campaign. Now that AIPAC is on Obama’s team, I wonder what these readers will say. Am I still writing too much and disclosing too much about Obama? I don’t think so.
So where does that leave us as Obama enters a major debate tonight? [1] Obama’s problems with his family’s religious history have grown in proportion to his efforts to conceal that history, and to deceive the media about who his relatives were and are. [2] The potential for reaction from the Jewish community, which I predicted, has arisen with gale force. The situation has become so strained that some Jewish leaders issued a statement condemning the bigotry against Obama. [3] Earlier this year I wrote that Obama lacked the character to be forthright, and to take command, what we in the military called “command presence.” I still believe that to be the case.
Earlier this month I made a issue of his “spontaneous” remarks after primary victories, all of which were scripted well in advance by speechwriters. A man who cannot speak with spontaneity about the thrill of winning is a man who senses his own inner weakness.
Obama has regularly promised his supporters that he will “get tough” with the Clintons, but they have only gotten tougher with him. Apparently, they agree with me, and have taken their own measure of the man.
Obama is a delightful entertainer. He reads a prepared speech beautifully. And we now know he has speechwriters who write beautifully for him.
But, honestly, to read anything where Obama is speaking informally, without notes, is an exasperating experience, with hesitations, pauses and clauses. In a conversation, he seems incapable of delivering a simple declaratory sentence. And so, Obama can perform a speech marvelously; but he obviously cannot speak directly from his heart, simply, spontaneously and continuously. What does this say about the man? I’m not quite sure. But I am still researching, and still writing, and I will go where the facts take me.
My honest opinion: I do not think Obama is someone I would trust in the Oval Office. I have lived with African-Americans and played with African-Americans and marched with African-Americans. Many of them do have the magic of “command presence” that marks a true leader. Obama does not.
Best wishes,
ANDY MARTIN
P. S. Your thoughts, reactions and comments are always welcome. In the middle of my own U. S. Senate campaign, I can’t always answer as promptly as I normally do, but we read everything and will respond where appropriate.
TOMORROW: ANDY MARTIN ON WAR AND PEACE
------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. See also AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: mailto:AndyforIllinois@aol.com
January 31, 2008
Campaign diary #3
BARACK OBAMA and ANDY MARTIN
Dear Reader:
Chicago is slowly becoming snow-bound today, and I have a little more time to reflect and provide some deeper insight into both my background as a columnist and how my views inform my conduct as a candidate.
Almost four years ago, I began to write about then-State Senator Barack Obama. In a statement and two news conferences on August 10, 2004, I raised two concerns about Obama: first, that he demonstrated a lack of candor about the religious history of his family; and, second, that he might be dissembling to prevent Jewish defections from his campaign for the U. S. Senate.
Little did I know that my investigative and editorial efforts would change both of our lives. I became the target of attacks by left-wing Democrats and Obama supporters who refused to believe the truth about his family history. I was accused of leading “right-wing” conspiracies, which came as something of a surprise to my Republican Party colleagues.
And, on Obama’s side, what should have been a minor and relatively straightforward matter has mushroomed and continues to grow into a major problem for his presidential candidacy.
I continued to research Obama’s family history and his own history after 2004, and to develop models and concepts based on our investigative efforts. Many of these reports and columns can be read at ContrarianCommentary.com.
First, here is a thought based on more than 40 years of experience in public life. None of us is perfect, and none of us can live a perfect life. I know I haven’t. And, in addition to the imperfections which exist in all of our lives, we have a natural human tendency towards modesty and privacy. Living under public scrutiny is not an easy thing.
I have found that being open and honest makes for a much easier time than trying to conceal matters of interest. I was recently asked a question by a Chicago Tribune reporter. My relations with that newspaper have been rocky in the past, but I always give people a second, and third chance, and a new reporter gets a new first chance. After the news conference I e-mailed him a response to his inquiry, and provided a source for further information. I was as open as could be. I had and have nothing to hide.
If Obama had followed the contours of my writing over the past four years, he would be in far better shape than he is now. Today he faces a sirocco of controversy in the Jewish community, and questions about his religion having expanding beyond all reason. Despite all of the campaign contributions Obama receives, in the broader community there is unease about his strength as a leader.
Second, let me be clear on two points. I have no personal ax to grind with Obama. He was an interesting subject for writing and research. That was the only reason I pursued inquiries. I had no idea where the evidence would take me in 2004. I am amazed to still be writing about him in 2008. I have never questioned that Obama is a Christian today. I have explained how Christianity accepts new members. As an Episcopalian, I know we are an open, inviting and welcoming religion. Rather, I was interested in how Obama dealt with questions about his past.
Four years ago, I expressed concern about the reaction of the Jewish community when it learned of Obama’s Muslim family past. Today, Obama is the target of virulent racism within the Jewish community, and attacks from Israel. Look at the following reports as exemplars:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=949364
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=948960
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Obama&itemNo=948037
What I predicted happened. Instead of dealing openly with his past, Obama sought to avoid and prevaricate about his family history. And as a result he has allowed an explosion of concern in the Jewish community. Efforts by the Mainstream Media (MSM) to bury the story have not extinguished the controversy.
Third, what is becoming increasingly interesting is that much of the current controversy in the Jewish community is being suppressed by the MSM. MSM are not interested in disclosing what is happening behind closed doors. I am led to wonder why. Why is it that a newspaper in Israel has more comprehensive coverage about Obama’s religious difficulties than the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Washington Post? Will this “silence” feed more paranoia? I believe it will.
Obama recently met with “Jewish” newspapers and reporters to protest the vicious attacks on him in the Jewish community. Why were the MSM not invited? Did he think we do not read Haaretz in the United States? He followed the same exclusionary approach he pursued after I criticized him for remaining silent about the chaos in Kenya. Then, he called the Voice of America, not the MSM, to issue a statement. He is never willing to make a clean public breast of his positions. Fear? Insecurity? You be the judge.
Fourth, perhaps to overcompensate with Jews, Obama has added a prominent member of AIPAC to his organization. AIPAC is a group that is an anathema to Muslims and pro-peace advocates around the world. Early on last year, I received criticism from some of my Muslim readers, who mistakenly thought Obama was one of them. They apparently thought a “Shhhh” could avoid the hydraulic pressure of a presidential campaign. Now that AIPAC is on Obama’s team, I wonder what these readers will say. Am I still writing too much and disclosing too much about Obama? I don’t think so.
So where does that leave us as Obama enters a major debate tonight? [1] Obama’s problems with his family’s religious history have grown in proportion to his efforts to conceal that history, and to deceive the media about who his relatives were and are. [2] The potential for reaction from the Jewish community, which I predicted, has arisen with gale force. The situation has become so strained that some Jewish leaders issued a statement condemning the bigotry against Obama. [3] Earlier this year I wrote that Obama lacked the character to be forthright, and to take command, what we in the military called “command presence.” I still believe that to be the case.
Earlier this month I made a issue of his “spontaneous” remarks after primary victories, all of which were scripted well in advance by speechwriters. A man who cannot speak with spontaneity about the thrill of winning is a man who senses his own inner weakness.
Obama has regularly promised his supporters that he will “get tough” with the Clintons, but they have only gotten tougher with him. Apparently, they agree with me, and have taken their own measure of the man.
Obama is a delightful entertainer. He reads a prepared speech beautifully. And we now know he has speechwriters who write beautifully for him.
But, honestly, to read anything where Obama is speaking informally, without notes, is an exasperating experience, with hesitations, pauses and clauses. In a conversation, he seems incapable of delivering a simple declaratory sentence. And so, Obama can perform a speech marvelously; but he obviously cannot speak directly from his heart, simply, spontaneously and continuously. What does this say about the man? I’m not quite sure. But I am still researching, and still writing, and I will go where the facts take me.
My honest opinion: I do not think Obama is someone I would trust in the Oval Office. I have lived with African-Americans and played with African-Americans and marched with African-Americans. Many of them do have the magic of “command presence” that marks a true leader. Obama does not.
Best wishes,
ANDY MARTIN
P. S. Your thoughts, reactions and comments are always welcome. In the middle of my own U. S. Senate campaign, I can’t always answer as promptly as I normally do, but we read everything and will respond where appropriate.
TOMORROW: ANDY MARTIN ON WAR AND PEACE
------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2008. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. See also AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com; AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Andy Martin on 9/11
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for the people of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
AndyMartinCampaignDiary.blogspot.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
CAMPAIGN DIARY #2
Dear Reader,
People often ask me, “Why do you feel qualified to serve as a U. S. Senator?” It’s a fair question.
My answer is experience, competence and credibility.
I am not a professional politician, or even a conventional politician. Rather, I base my credentials on having been an eyewitness to history, and having served in small roles along the way.
Viet-Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos; I was there in 1967, 1968, 1971. Hong Kong, 1971. Iran, 1979, 2000. Iraq, 2003. Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel. French, Greek, Chinese. And a very few words of Arabic. My opinions are based on experience, observation, participation.
No other candidate in either party has that reservoir of worldwide experience to draw on. They read what is written for them; they parrot what they are told, and their handlers tell them to speak the words the people want to hear, not to speak the words the public should hear. Politicians have not lived that of which they speak. Ignorance often breeds confidence and contempt as substitutes for experience.
And both sides distort the issues, the risks, the stakes. There is blame aplenty to cover Washington, to spread on both political parties.
September 11, 2001 found me, once again, an eyewitness to history. I was working in New York and planned to stop by the World Trade Center in the afternoon. The Port Authority had created a tiny office for me to work out of in 1974, Suite 2248 Two World Trade Center, and I operated from there for a while, though I had moved long before 2001. Still, the WTC felt like home, and every so often I would visit the area and my small office. That was my plan for the afternoon.
On the morning of 9/11 the phone rang and it was London calling. “Put on the TV.” I did, and found the attacks had begun. I watched the tragedy unfold from the safe distance of midtown. And I watched as the buildings fell.
9/11 has dramatically changed all of our lives. The smugness of the Yale scholar Francis Fukuyama that “history has ended” was replaced in an instant by the fear that a “long war” has begun. As for me, if you had told me on September 10th that in 18 months I would be in Iraq I would have laughed. But April, 2003 found me in Baghdad. Back in the Middle East.
As 9/11 unfolded New York slowly came to a halt. The tunnels were closed. Manhattan was cordoned off. Initially, people were blasé, perhaps because they did not yet realize the magnitude of the attacks. Then reality set in. Reports came in from Washington and rural Pennsylvania, where brave Americans may have saved the Capitol or White House from attack. New York City began to shut down.
Broadway went dark. The streets were abandoned, surreal. The subways and buses stopped running. There was very little food. The restaurant where I eat had not yet received any deliveries that morning. Swiss cheese, cold cuts and day old bread were available. Midtown New York is never more than a day or two from starvation. If the trucks stop, the food stops. And the trucks stopped.
Some people have recently criticized Rudy Giuliani for “running for president on what he did in New York.” But he did do it. First, he calmed the city, on 9/11. Then he kicked the city in the backside, on 9/12, and said “Get back to work.” And on 9/13 the city responded. New York was open for business again. If Giuliani’s predecessor had been in office the chaos could have spread, nationally, and persisted. But under Giuliani the public’s fears were contained.
As dusk fell on 9/11 I bicycled past the cordon at 14th street and managed to talk my way further south until I reached near the end of the darkness and fire.
Every 9/11 since then I have experienced the day on different levels. On one level, I can’t believe the Towers are not there. On my radio show I propagandized for rebuilding the Twin Towers. I still think it was a mistake to delay reconstruction and to substitute a meaningless “Freedom Tower” for the Twin Towers that were the great world landmark of New York. The old plans were still there. Build already!
I strongly disagree with former Mayor Giuliani on how the WTC side should have been handled. “Rebuild the Twin Towers!” is still my rallying cry.
And because of my own continuing disbelief at the disappearance of the WTC, I sympathize with those relatives of the dead who fight on, yesterday and today. But I also know life has to move on. Morbid reverence for the past and deceased relatives is just as unhealthy as indifference. The time has come. God gives us a new day every day for a reason and for a purpose.
In the period after 9/11 some good decisions were made. And some tragic mistakes were made. We came together as a people to deal with the enormity of 9/11, and since then we have gradually drifted apart.
At some point, arrogance may have taken hold. We were a “superpower.” We were free to act and react as we saw fit. I disagreed. In the long run, America should be a servant of the world, not its master. We must use our wealth and military power with wisdom, not reckless abandon. Experience cautioned that restraint, focus, practicality and reality were essential.
Today Osama Bin Laden or an actor playing Osama’s role (my opinion) mocks us for delinquent mortgages and unhealthy lifestyles. OBL pushes Islam as a tax shelter. Oprah has competition. It’s Osama vs. Oprah in the afternoon.
As we deal with the aftermath of 9/11, and the decisions made in that aftermath there is a cacophony of viewpoints, of sermonizations, of dramatizations. But decisions must be made. And no politician or political party has a monopoly on wisdom, insight or good policy. We must work together.
Republicans by and large remain loyal to President Bush. Democrats despise him. Middle-of-the-roaders are, well, in the middle-of-the road. That’s life.
I was an opponent of invading Iraq because I was a strong supporter of pursuing the war on terror. I knew Iraq would drain resources from fighting terrorism, and it has. Osama dead or alive? He’s alive. In body or at least in spirit.
John Edwards, a Democratic presidential candidate, has said the war on terror is a “bumper sticker.” It is not. Responding to terrorism is the first duty of the federal government. The threat is real. A proper response is essential. But we must do so intelligently, and with procedures and tactics that remain faithful to the values of our civilization and Constitution.
Where to go, and how to go, and what to do at home and abroad are complex questions with often elusive answers. These issues are both apolitical and intensely political.
Ultimately, we have to recognize and admit that the United States has asserted its influence in too many areas of the world, in too many conflicts, and that these expeditions have drained our limited resources. I don’t believe the conspiracy theories that continue to grow about 9/11, but then I don’t believe the people who have sought to exploit the tragedy either.
And so, in writing about the challenges we faced after 9/11, and we face today, I have dawn on a deep reservoir of experience in the real world, forty years of being an eyewitness to history. History is not always a petty place to be. Bullets fly, and bad things happen. Disproportionately, young men die.
Yet in life, and especially in the political arena, there is no substitute for experience. Experience can produce skepticism, restraint, often delay, and sometimes forbearance. That’s good.
And because of my experience, and my cautious approach to dealing with the world’s problems, I feel uniquely qualified to serve as a U. S. Senator. You may not always agree with me, but you will always know that I have studied the problems, analyzed them with real life experience as a background, and tried to do what is right and best for the United States and the American people.
Sincerely yours,
ANDY MARTIN
AM:sp
“He works for the people of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
AndyMartinCampaignDiary.blogspot.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
CAMPAIGN DIARY #2
Dear Reader,
People often ask me, “Why do you feel qualified to serve as a U. S. Senator?” It’s a fair question.
My answer is experience, competence and credibility.
I am not a professional politician, or even a conventional politician. Rather, I base my credentials on having been an eyewitness to history, and having served in small roles along the way.
Viet-Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos; I was there in 1967, 1968, 1971. Hong Kong, 1971. Iran, 1979, 2000. Iraq, 2003. Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel. French, Greek, Chinese. And a very few words of Arabic. My opinions are based on experience, observation, participation.
No other candidate in either party has that reservoir of worldwide experience to draw on. They read what is written for them; they parrot what they are told, and their handlers tell them to speak the words the people want to hear, not to speak the words the public should hear. Politicians have not lived that of which they speak. Ignorance often breeds confidence and contempt as substitutes for experience.
And both sides distort the issues, the risks, the stakes. There is blame aplenty to cover Washington, to spread on both political parties.
September 11, 2001 found me, once again, an eyewitness to history. I was working in New York and planned to stop by the World Trade Center in the afternoon. The Port Authority had created a tiny office for me to work out of in 1974, Suite 2248 Two World Trade Center, and I operated from there for a while, though I had moved long before 2001. Still, the WTC felt like home, and every so often I would visit the area and my small office. That was my plan for the afternoon.
On the morning of 9/11 the phone rang and it was London calling. “Put on the TV.” I did, and found the attacks had begun. I watched the tragedy unfold from the safe distance of midtown. And I watched as the buildings fell.
9/11 has dramatically changed all of our lives. The smugness of the Yale scholar Francis Fukuyama that “history has ended” was replaced in an instant by the fear that a “long war” has begun. As for me, if you had told me on September 10th that in 18 months I would be in Iraq I would have laughed. But April, 2003 found me in Baghdad. Back in the Middle East.
As 9/11 unfolded New York slowly came to a halt. The tunnels were closed. Manhattan was cordoned off. Initially, people were blasé, perhaps because they did not yet realize the magnitude of the attacks. Then reality set in. Reports came in from Washington and rural Pennsylvania, where brave Americans may have saved the Capitol or White House from attack. New York City began to shut down.
Broadway went dark. The streets were abandoned, surreal. The subways and buses stopped running. There was very little food. The restaurant where I eat had not yet received any deliveries that morning. Swiss cheese, cold cuts and day old bread were available. Midtown New York is never more than a day or two from starvation. If the trucks stop, the food stops. And the trucks stopped.
Some people have recently criticized Rudy Giuliani for “running for president on what he did in New York.” But he did do it. First, he calmed the city, on 9/11. Then he kicked the city in the backside, on 9/12, and said “Get back to work.” And on 9/13 the city responded. New York was open for business again. If Giuliani’s predecessor had been in office the chaos could have spread, nationally, and persisted. But under Giuliani the public’s fears were contained.
As dusk fell on 9/11 I bicycled past the cordon at 14th street and managed to talk my way further south until I reached near the end of the darkness and fire.
Every 9/11 since then I have experienced the day on different levels. On one level, I can’t believe the Towers are not there. On my radio show I propagandized for rebuilding the Twin Towers. I still think it was a mistake to delay reconstruction and to substitute a meaningless “Freedom Tower” for the Twin Towers that were the great world landmark of New York. The old plans were still there. Build already!
I strongly disagree with former Mayor Giuliani on how the WTC side should have been handled. “Rebuild the Twin Towers!” is still my rallying cry.
And because of my own continuing disbelief at the disappearance of the WTC, I sympathize with those relatives of the dead who fight on, yesterday and today. But I also know life has to move on. Morbid reverence for the past and deceased relatives is just as unhealthy as indifference. The time has come. God gives us a new day every day for a reason and for a purpose.
In the period after 9/11 some good decisions were made. And some tragic mistakes were made. We came together as a people to deal with the enormity of 9/11, and since then we have gradually drifted apart.
At some point, arrogance may have taken hold. We were a “superpower.” We were free to act and react as we saw fit. I disagreed. In the long run, America should be a servant of the world, not its master. We must use our wealth and military power with wisdom, not reckless abandon. Experience cautioned that restraint, focus, practicality and reality were essential.
Today Osama Bin Laden or an actor playing Osama’s role (my opinion) mocks us for delinquent mortgages and unhealthy lifestyles. OBL pushes Islam as a tax shelter. Oprah has competition. It’s Osama vs. Oprah in the afternoon.
As we deal with the aftermath of 9/11, and the decisions made in that aftermath there is a cacophony of viewpoints, of sermonizations, of dramatizations. But decisions must be made. And no politician or political party has a monopoly on wisdom, insight or good policy. We must work together.
Republicans by and large remain loyal to President Bush. Democrats despise him. Middle-of-the-roaders are, well, in the middle-of-the road. That’s life.
I was an opponent of invading Iraq because I was a strong supporter of pursuing the war on terror. I knew Iraq would drain resources from fighting terrorism, and it has. Osama dead or alive? He’s alive. In body or at least in spirit.
John Edwards, a Democratic presidential candidate, has said the war on terror is a “bumper sticker.” It is not. Responding to terrorism is the first duty of the federal government. The threat is real. A proper response is essential. But we must do so intelligently, and with procedures and tactics that remain faithful to the values of our civilization and Constitution.
Where to go, and how to go, and what to do at home and abroad are complex questions with often elusive answers. These issues are both apolitical and intensely political.
Ultimately, we have to recognize and admit that the United States has asserted its influence in too many areas of the world, in too many conflicts, and that these expeditions have drained our limited resources. I don’t believe the conspiracy theories that continue to grow about 9/11, but then I don’t believe the people who have sought to exploit the tragedy either.
And so, in writing about the challenges we faced after 9/11, and we face today, I have dawn on a deep reservoir of experience in the real world, forty years of being an eyewitness to history. History is not always a petty place to be. Bullets fly, and bad things happen. Disproportionately, young men die.
Yet in life, and especially in the political arena, there is no substitute for experience. Experience can produce skepticism, restraint, often delay, and sometimes forbearance. That’s good.
And because of my experience, and my cautious approach to dealing with the world’s problems, I feel uniquely qualified to serve as a U. S. Senator. You may not always agree with me, but you will always know that I have studied the problems, analyzed them with real life experience as a background, and tried to do what is right and best for the United States and the American people.
Sincerely yours,
ANDY MARTIN
AM:sp
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