Chicago Republicans

Democrat Lt. Governor Candidate Scott Lee Cohen Resigns Amid Scandal

Statement by William J. Kelly, Executive Director of Rebuild Illinois

Scotty, we hardly knew ye!

Scott Lee Cohen, the Democrat nominee for lieutenant governor never even got elected to a full term and Second City’s already working on the musical. The Democrats were so eager to get rid of him, they did everything but hold a knife to his throat.

Aside from the reports of Cohen’s abuse of his ex-wife and the accusations that he held a knife to his ex-girlfriend’s throat (prostitute or not), I don’t know why Governor Pat Quinn is complaining. He has proven this year that he doesn’t really want reform. Having Cohen on the Democratic ticket could have had some positive upsides. If Quinn was really desperate for a bridge loan, he could have just had Scotty taken him down to the pawn shop on Clark Street. How much are Abe Lincoln artifacts going for these days? I mean, at Cohen’s pawn shop, you wouldn’t get market value but still. With Illinois on the brink of insolvency, these times call for creativity.

In terms of creativity though, Scott Lee Cohen also falls short. Cohen’s a betting man. He used two million of his pawn shop proceeds to buy the lieutenant governor’s seat and won the primary with no media scrutiny. However, in terms of pioneering pay-to-play politics, Blagojevich beat him to it. It is a good thing Rod Blagojevich didn’t know Scott Lee Cohen in 2008. Blago wouldn’t have sold Obama’s seat, he probably could have pawned it instead.

Illinois needs campaign finance reform now. We need to enact laws that prevent pay-to-play politics and spending caps across the board. We need full transparency and an end to all legal loop holes that circumvent campaign finance laws. In Illinois, state Republicans have proposed HB5008 to limit campaign contributions from legislative leaders and their caucus committees and political parties. Quinn’s reform bill only made House Speaker Michael Madigan and other elites even more powerful. This law puts no monetary limit on leaders and political parties during the general election. Governor Quinn, what kind of reform is that?

Unless Pat Quinn is ready to pass a real reform bill, he may want to keep Scott Lee Cohen’s pawn shop number handy for future reference.

It is Primary Election Day and we as Republicans have some choices. After several months of coffees, meet and greets and cocktail parties designed to get to know the office seeking hopefuls, I have finally found my barometer for choosing a candidate: can he/she intellectualize the principles upon which his/her issues are based and articulate them clearly and persuasively? One of the pitfalls the Republican party needs to avoid is jumping on the populist bandwagon and failing to explain and apply the core principles that have defined the party. These principles include individual liberty, limited government and the security of our citizens to ensure the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. All too often, Republicans buy into straw man arguments in order to garner votes without respecting the intelligence and desire of voters to understand the issues. When we do that, we run the risk of sounding either unthinking, uncaring or just condescending. One example is the approach many have taken against Wall Street, all too willing to blame it as greedy, corrupt or uncontrolled. This approach fails to consider the nuances that are necessary for understanding our social, economic and political institutions. Human institutions are not that simple and history and economics show that Wall Street is just as important as Main Street and we need legislators who understand and can explain that with the voters. It is equally popular to bash the profit driven health insurance companies without recognizing their role in enabling the United States to be the best place on earth for health care. The point is that we are a party of ideas, not just labels and it is up to Republicans to be able to explain and persuade why we believe in the principles we do. When a candidate states that he is a "Reagan Republican" we need to ask what that means, does he believe in the principles that drove Reagan or is it meant to be a catchphrase for tax cuts, national security and statesmanship. How come no one says they are a Gingrich/Contract with America Republican? Like Reagan, Gingrich developed a philosophy and a plan based on certain principles which to its peril, Republicans abandoned. In today's election, I have seen some hope for the thinking in our party. Dan Proft (running for Governor) and Arie Friedman (for 10^th Congressional District) demonstrate the insight into issues and can relate their policies to the principles they support and provide solutions that respect the intelligence of voters. If today does not work out for either of them, I hope and pray they stay on to develop the future of our party. Let's make thinking sexy and bring the sexy back in politics!

After seeing a screening of his new political documentary, "A Conservative in Chicago, " the Rockford Tea Party gave Republican comptroller candidate William J. Kelly a standing ovation on Saturday morning.


Here's the latest news from Kelly's campaign:

KELLY TURNING POLITICAL HEADS WITH NEW WEB DOCUMENTARY

Republican Candidate for Comptroller Planning Media Buy on Radio, TV Cable News

Conservative Titan Rush Limbaugh Defends Kelly in Video Doc

(CHICAGO) -  In response to an unprecedented smear campaign against him, Republican candidate for comptroller William J. Kelly has just released a web documentary that is already turning political heads. The documentary called, "A Conservative in Chicago," traces Kelly’s odyssey through the Illinois political swamp and his battles against media bias in Barack Obama’s home town. Most recently, the Chicago Tribune "neglected" to include Kelly in its endorsement sessions and endorsed his liberal Republican opponent, Judy Baar Topinka, instead. "Journalism is truly dead," says Kelly.

Kelly's campaign says that the web documentary will be at the center of its media buys in these last weeks before the election.

The long-time conservative activist and TV personality, who has been under attack by the Daily Kos, NBC, the DC Wonkette, and others spurred by his political rivals, says that the documentary talk is a tribute to Americans everywhere who have been speaking up. “From Sarah Palin to Rush Limbaugh to the Tea Party Movement, true conservatives are forever under attack. Well, for all conservatives and Republicans who have ever tried to stand up and speak out, this video is a tribute to you. It is your story,” said Kelly.

Kelly says the documentary has an important message for Republican and conservative voters: “What does it mean to be a conservative? Does it mean that you simply say you are a conservative? If that is all it means…then every candidate in every election cycle can call themselves “conservative” when it is convenient politically. But you, as voters need to ask these candidates, “What do you mean, you are a conservative?” says Kelly.

 ABOUT "A CONSERVATIVE IN CHICAGO": See for yourself the life of a high-risk conservative activist...even before the Tea Party movement began. Around the country, everyday people and conservatives like William J. Kelly have been standing up and speaking out on behalf of America. It is about time we stand up with them too. 

See the second part of the web documentary, “A Conservative in Chicago,” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hGdqy2zYE – part 2

 William J. Kelly is running on a platform to be Illinois’ first “activist” comptroller. He is the former executive director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois. He is also an entrepreneur with an Emmy award-winning TV production company and currently hosts the multi-state sports TV series, “Sportsaholic.” For information, visit www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com and kellytruthsquad.wordpress.com.

Alexi Giannoulias clumsily announced his bid for Illinois Senator yesterday.  His discussions with reporters betray a go-along to get-along liberal Democrat with no intention or track record of leadership.  When asked about health care reform, Giannoulias repeated the tired and inaccurate statistic of "47 million Americans" lacking health insurance.  Of course, we know the number is much smaller.  First of all 9 of the 47 are not "Americans" anyway; they are illegal aliens.  Additionally, some fraction of the remaining uninsured are economically capable adults who choose not to insure themselves, presumably because they are young and healthy and do not see the urgency for themselves. People who can afford their own health insurance but choose not to spend their money on it clearly do not fit into the discussion about the "crisis" in health care.

Giannoulias also commented on his relationship to impeached governor and current defendant, Rod Blagojevich, by simply saying any discussion of this is just politics.  He used some patronizing language to say "I understand the question, but this is just politics..."  So, now, Alexi Giannoulias becomes one more incumbent elected Democrat who wants to get promoted, but, dismisses his relationship and support of Rod Blagojevich as irrelevant.  During the early part of Blagojevich's term, when the first accusations of impropriety and pay-for-play materialized, what leadership did Alex Giannoulias show as a senior level Democrat in Illinois politics?  Did he step forward and suggest that the Democrats should investigate the accusations, and clarify the situation with then Governor Rod Blagojevich?  Did he suggest that Democrats need to aspire to the highest possible level of integrity and cleanliness in public service?  Did he show integrity by risking his own political position by speaking out against the governor and demanding a full accounting of his activities to ensure that Illinois government is working for the people instead of taking from the people? 

No, Alex Giannoulias was as quiet as a church mouse, and said nothing when Rod Blagojevich ran for re-election in 2006.  Alexi Giannoulias didn't make one phone call to any local media, and did not lift a finger to defend the integrity and fiscal soundness of the government of the state of Illinois. 

Apparently, in Illinois, there is no need for Democrats to show leadership or integrity while they hold office. They merely need to dismiss previous relationships with bad politicians as "politics." 

I understand that Illinois Republicans have not been perfect in the past.  However, since the retirement of George Ryan in 2002, the corruption in Illinois has been owned entirely by the Illinois Democratic Party, at the city, county, and state level.  Democrats have held the reins of power and need to be held accountable for their cowardly performance in light of the most humiliated and obnoxious ex-governor in our history.

Alexi Giannoulias needs to explain why he felt that it was OK for him to remain silent as Rod Blagojevich extorted hospitals and corrupted the admissions policy at University of Illinois through his crooked appointments of trustees who used the university for their own gain.

What will it take for voters in Illinois to see the corruption of this party, and try something new?

After dedicating four months to a campaign for the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in 2010, I have concluded it is unrealistic to continue this effort.

I am exceedingly grateful for the encouragement and support from many individuals throughout Illinois. I am appreciative of everyone who demonstrated interest, welcomed me into communities and helped me along the way.

I have engaged in extensive travel, scores of public appearances and numerous conversations about the future of Illinois government, business, societal issues and the status of the Republican Party. Because these issues are critical to the health of Illinois, my regimen of engagement and civic involvement will continue. I will rejoin the Illinois Chamber of Commerce as President and CEO effective May 1. I look forward to hearing from you at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 312-983-7103.

The Doug4gov.com website will remain operational until the campaign committee is officially closed with the State Board of Elections in the coming weeks. I will continue to respond to e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Comments, inquiries and feedback regarding this announcement are welcome at that e-mail address.